bsharrah Member

Find a running shoe store in your area and get fitted. No two people have the same feet so what one person favors will be different for the other.

Let your body decide. I think most people over estimate, or use devices that over estimate, their calorie burn so don't go just by the numbers. If your body feels like it needs fuel, fuel it, but eat good food. If you don't feel you need the extra calories, don't eat just so the numbers add up, or because people preach…

This is a common occurrence here. Calling people out on it would be a full time job, with mandatory overtime. Considering that hrm's, fitbits, gym machines, and pretty much anything else out there only gives a very rough estimate on calorie burn, if you are logging calories, and eating them back, then you have a 50 percent…

Give it some time. Not everyone is spending their Saturday on this site........at least I hope not.

Fitbit is a pedometer. Unless your workouts are limited to walking, you are going to want the hrm. The only thing they have in common is they both provide a very rough calorie burn estimate. Don't put a lot of faith in either.

Your results will be determined by your diet. Can't tell you how many times I quit Insanity before learning this. You can do P90x, or any other program, everyday for the rest of your life. If you don't clean up your diet, you will not see enough results to motivate you to continue. On the flip side, you clean up your diet,…

Other than tuna, you covered the more common ones. I suggest considering the protein shakes your trainer suggested. It isn't something you need to have every meal. Get a good vanilla protein powder and blend it with 1 cup skim milk and a cup of frozen fruit (I recommend blueberries, strawberries, or red raspberries).…

If you physically can't get through an entire workout, you are trying too hard. Slow down, it isn't a race and you don't need to "keep up" with anyone, including the people on the DVD. Ease yourself into it. As far as cardio goes, you are better off doing 40 minutes at half speed than 20 minutes at full speed. Just don't…

Have you researched Stronglifts at all? If you have, you would already know the answer to this. The program founder is very vocal when it comes to smith machines.

Actually, the HRM inflated your calorie burn, which is typical when it is used for walking. HRM's are not designed to accurately measure calorie burn during low intensity cardio, such as walking, gardening, and many other activities so many people use them for. I will bet the MFP number is more accurate. Hope you didn't…

To the OP, rest assured some of us agree completely with what you are saying, but you are fighting a losing battle trying to convince people of it. They don't want to know they really didn't burn that many calories, and are actually eating a calorie surplus by eating them back. From day one on this site I wanted to comment…

Pepper spray is a must. Sabre makes one specifically for bikes. It velcros to the frame and is right where you need it when you need it. All dogs should be leashed. If they are not, and they come at me, they are getting sprayed. I don't care where the owner is at the time. Note to dog owners, if you do not want your dog to…

......and btw, welcome to the wonderful world of portion control. Cereal is just one example of how people have grown accustomed to eat well over the recommended daily serving of most foods, and one of the biggest reasons many of us are on this site now.

A serving is much smaller than many of us are use to pouring in a bowl. As what has been stated, measure it out. I have found a serving of the Special K's, with fresh fruit, is quite satisfying but it may take time to condition yourself to it. Your body will be satisfied with a serving well before your mind will be. Many…

Don't be afraid to slow down and pace yourself. As he says, don't do what they are doing, do what you can do. My first couple attempts went south because I was trying to go at Shaun's pace right from the start. If I could do that, I wouldn't need to do the program.

It states it has strength training features, not accurate calorie burn features for strength training. This is not meant towards anyone in particular as it is a very common misconception on this site, but I really wish people would get it out of their head that their heat rate is directly related to the number of calories…

A hrm will not help much. For one thing, they are not as accurate for calculating calories as people think, and their calculations are still very rough estimates. Also, the calories burned function on them are only meant to be used during periods of cardio where the heart rate is being sustained at levels higher than you…

You are over thinking it. The difference in time means very little, especially when you consider that whatever method you are using to compute your calorie burn isn't that precise anyway. Your husband just needs to be congratulating you on your hike, and not being so critical as too how long you did it for.

Yes. They break apart quite easily once open.

Keep in mind, TDEE calculators as well as devices to determine calorie burn have larger margins or error than most people want to accept. My advice, set your calories to 1500, do moderate cardio more days in the week then not but do not abandon strength training, and do not eat back your calories. Do this for a few weeks…

I use iBiker w/ upgraded sensor package (cost about 2.99 I think). It has settings for most typical cardio workouts (running, walking, biking, etc., and an "other" which you can customize. I created customized settings for Insanity and it has been great for me. Even though it is called iBiker, it is certainly not specific…

How did you come up with those numbers? What device did you use?

I use the H7 and love it. Been using it for a couple months now with no issues. Just make sure whatever app you are using is compatible, or just be open to using another app. Also, you need to have a 4S. It will not work with any other model.

Eat a calorie deficit, avoiding junk food, soda, and beer, and you should have little problems losing that amount in that time frame. Exercise will help but it is going to be your diet that will make the difference. Good for you for having a realistic goal to start with.......many don't. Good luck.

I would either increase the incline if possible or wear a weighted vest. A weighted back pack just sounds like a bad idea. I would think it would increase the chances of injury and cause long term issues with your back and shoulders. Based on that recommendation alone, I would consider a different trainer. Just my opinion…

Bump. Running late for work and really want to read this later. Great comments so far.

HRM are a nice thing to have and I use mine religously to track my progress, but do not put too much emphasis on the calories burned function. Polar are said to be the most accurate but the reading is still just a "ball park" figure. Don't rely too heavily on it. Even when used in the most optimal conditions ( consistent…

Keep in mind a hrm will only give you an accurate (about 75% accurate that is) calorie burn reading if used during consistent cardio activity. It will not provide an accurate reading when used during strength training, because your heart rate doesn't consistently stay elevated high enough. It will monitor your heart rate…

No. That one day won't make any difference in trying to lose 23 pounds over the next 4 months. Also, if you feel the need to do that much cardio that often, me thinks your diet isn't quite as healthy as you think. you can drop those pounds in that time frame with a healthy diet alone.

Weight loss is more to do with your diet than activity level. If you haven't changed your diet, you most likely will not see much change.