headwind2015 Member

5 miles is a good distance for your first trip.

Backpacking is really fun! I wouldn’t worry about being overweight during your trip. Just hike your hike; move at your own speed. During long distance hikes people tend separate out by speed, but if you want to hike together I recommend having the slowest person set the pace. When most people start backpacking they tend to…

I wouldn't worry too much about it and I am speaking from experience. I just got back from a two week trip to Japan. I knew I was going to eat out for a solid two weeks for almost every meal (and I did). I was worried about the very same things that you're worried about. I had already lost 14-15 pounds and I didn't want…

Obviously any exercise that isn't running isn't going to be the same as running. Also, cycling and running use many of the same muscles. The difference is in the mechanics. (How those muscles are used) In the original post it sounds like cycling is going to be used as a form of cross training to augment running. Cycling is…

So you're recommending a 9:1 ratio of riding to running? I that number is much to high. For example: I run a 8:20ish mile pace for a flat 10k...roughly 52 minutes. My, solo, cycling pace 17.6ish MPH over flat terrain (with some rollers). With a 9:1 ratio, I'd have to ride 56 miles which is more than 3 hours of riding for a…

It is a reasonable exchange. When I was running triathlons in college we would substitute longer rides that were the equivalent time allotment to our race distances all the time. Cycling is a great form of cross-training for runners and a good way to mix things up to prevent overuse injuries. The trick is hitting the right…

Hit the swimming pool if you're gym has one.

I wonder about this too. I play singles, and I don't trust the MFP estimate either. My solution has been to log my tennis time as doubles which doesn't really help you. My guess is that the doubles calorie estimates are fairly exaggerated as you don't get the same lateral movement as when you play singles or walking. (at…

My favorite swimming drill with new swimmers is 75 kick/swim/pull drill. Swim one length of the pool just kicking with a kick-board, then leave the kick-board on that side and swim back to where you started freestlye/front crawl, then swim back to your kick-board using only your arms (again using the freestyle stroke) I…

Great advice! I was going to say the same thing. Learning to shift properly will make cycling so much easier and enjoyable. Remember to pull on the up stroke as you're pedaling. Pulling up will make you're pedal stroke more efficient and help when climbing hills. I often chant to myself "pull, pull, pull,pull..." as I'm…

that is nice.

what specifically are you having trouble with?

Try the programmed workouts on the treadmill, if that is an option. Having variety is the key to running on a treadmill. Quick-start or just running at the same pace for the duration of a workout is just boring. I also find intervals a good way to spice things, because it sets smaller goals for me within a workout. (i.e.…

I would do more assisted pull-ups so your able to complete the work out. Gradually reducing the amount of assistance over time. You'll get there. I've never done P90x but I do 5 pull-ups every time I walk past my pull-up bar. That helped me a ton.

I'm with stef! I'd also add, for me personally, that cheat days makes me feel like my behavior change is only temporary and I'll revert back to my old habits.

140 ish

I think you answered his question. It is a little confusing but I think he is asking the following: Why can't a person eat a surplus of calories and use cardio to gain weight?

This bag may be bigger than what you're looking for, but still fits into most lockers. rei.com/product/844629/rei-tech-beast-40l-gym-duffel I like it because it has compartment for my shoes or a wet swim suit and can easily carry everything. I am kind of minimalist so most of my belongs pull double duty; this is also my go…

LOVE IT!

My exercise routine has varied quite a bit; I don’t want to get bored doing the same thing ever week. Most weeks I run anywhere from 2 – 4 times a week (average about 4 miles per run), I rock climb which acts as my strength training twice a week, and mix in occasional swimming (~1.5 mile swim), tennis or cycling (average…

I'd also strongly recommend against this kind of thing. I use to manage the on-campus gym at my college and every few weeks the ROTC program would carry in a student that had collapsed doing their morning PT. A handful of these situations were incredibly scary; the student would just be so out of it. I'd send someone next…

You look great! I really liked your candid comments about your journey. I wish more folks wrote about that stuff. Keep up the good work!

CONGRATS!!!

I really like Mapo Tofu.

Medically approved by who? A quick google search makes the 5:2 fasting diet look like a panacea. Sounds too good to be true which sets off my BS detector. Especially knowing that anyone can pay to have their research published in a scientific journal.…

I'll have to check out StrongLifts. Thanks for all the responses folks

I love this one as a fellow cyclist!!

I listen to a lot of EDM and 80's movie soundtracks. The Footloose soundtrack is my favorite for a quick 5K.

I am from Ann Arbor too. Feel free to add me.

I kept thinking about this topic today and found this link which I think is really helpful: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/reducing-body-fat-percentage-by-gaining-muscle-qa.html/ I hope this helps.