mellenorris Member

Lakewood checking in here!

This isn't an every day thing for me, but I keep a stash of Graze boxes at work for when I'm in a pinch or need to be on the go. They keep me honest/healthy when I get the munchies after lunch - no resorting to the vending machine at work for me! They've got some really great mixes - seeds, nuts, and flavor-infused raisins…

Sounds like you're on the right track - it's all mental! Figure out a way to distract yourself. Explore on Google Earth and find a trail or park that excites you (be familiar with the area, and let someone know where you're running!). "Get lost" - just start running! Make it an adventure. Or, if you're a creative type, use…

Of course, we're always safer with a buddy. It sounds like you aren't too concerned about getting lost/hurting yourself on the terrain, which is great! There are other concerns, though. I don't know where you live, but where I am coyotes, mountain lions, and bears can be an issue. I will NOT go on a trail alone without…

Oh yeah! I'm easy: 1 cup frozen mixed berries, 1 cup spinach, 2 tablespoons ground flax, 1 scoop protein, and unsweetened vanilla almond milk. It's my go-to every morning! When the seasons are right, I like to toss in sliced mango or orange to mix it up :)

Apples are my go-to travel food. If you dice them in advance, sprinkle a little lemon juice on them to keep them from browning. I LOVE them with some peanut butter - I always keep some of those Justin's Nut Butter packets on me. Nuts are also a great travel food - but portion ahead of time, if you can! I find it's a little…

The advice to slow down is spot on! If your muscles aren't what's stopping you, at least you can eliminate other possible issues (shoes, form, etc...). Don't worry about your speed. Take it slow - so you could talk and run at the same time. If you can't speak a full sentence, slow down. My run pace is barely faster than my…

There are tons of great videos you can find online for free! Just google something along the lines of, "body weight exercises". There are also a lot of great circuit programs out there! For example, even if you're not interested in doing Tough Mudder, they've got some great circuit plans posted on their website. Here are…

The Polar recommendation is a good one. I got my FT4 back in 2012, and it is still like new! I use it almost daily, and it does everything I want it to. I've only had to replace the batteries once. FT7 has more bells and whistles, but if you want to save your money... you won't be going wrong with the FT4 :)

Count me in! Finished my first half marathon in October 2013. Looking forward to my next in April :)

Holy smokes, 2250! A steep goal. You go girl. That's amazing.

I've made a zillion of them! But here are my health/fitness ones: 1) Run/walk/hike 1,000 miles in 2014. Only walks taken FOR THE SAKE OF WALKING count... ie window shopping does not count. All hikes and runs count, obviously. 2) Complete the 100 push up challenge. This last year I ran a half marathon when I never dreamed…

That is correct, Laura. The FT4 does NOT sync with MFP. I manually enter my exercise calories based on the readout on my FT4 after every workout :)

Some treadmills will pick up your Polar HRM! I'm sure they're listed on Polar's website. I usually just consider myself lucky if the treadmill I use picks up the signal :) Your HRM knows more about your stats than the treadmill. Trust your HRM! If you feel uneasy about it, take the average between the two.

Save your money. http://www.doyogawithme.com Can't recommend it enough. Free! You can choose your level of difficulty, duration, and "purpose". I love it!!

Go for it! I never did at my highest weight, but I did 10 pounds ago. My progress has been really, really slow. When I hit the 10# down mark, it was nice to take new pictures and see the differences. They're small, but they motivate me :) You don't have to post them publicly now, but I bet you'll want to when you've…

I used one! Thanks! Never heard of it before, looks pretty nifty :) can't wait to give it a shot!

10k: Denver Trail at Cherry Creek. It's the best unique-to-Colorado run I did this last summer! I bet there are some great ones in the mountains, too, but I haven't experienced any first hand. Great trails! No date for 2014 yet, but you'll find details here: http://www.denverhalf.com/

THIS!! It is such a mental game. I'm officially convinced. I couldn't run a 5k this last August without stopping. This last October? Ran my first half marathon without stopping. MENTAL, right?! Out of breath? Keep running, but slow it waaaay down. Don't walk! Just jog. If you must, power walk like a boss until you've…

Strictly for running, I agree with the general majority here: a nice tool, but you can do without. It does help with figuring out your productive pace, and it has been nice for me to watch my average heart rate fall as my performance increases. It's just a nice thing, though. I think that without it, I could have made the…

I went from a run/walk 5k to running a half without stopping in ten weeks. I am not at my goal weight or super fit, imo. I just put my mind to it and got it done! Since I could already do a 5k, I cut the first two weeks off of this schedule and had at it: http://www.self.com/images/pdf/run-a-half-marathon-plan.pdf Tips:…

All of the above are options I have seen! With my HRM, I usually find that if I am HAULING, no breaks, no rests, no catching my breath... I burn about 10 calories/minute. If I work SUPER HARD, but stop to breathe for no more than 30 seconds now and then, I burn more around 8 calories/minute. Obviously, your fitness level…

You're fine! Your progress is fab, and one cheat meal won't kill you! Remember, 3500 calories per pound. That said, I totally understand your guilt. I too had a splurge last night.... and I seriously can't remember the one before it. It had been MONTHS. But someone brought potato chips into our household and left them…

March 15, 2014! I don't really have date specific goals, but the bling on my finger is definitely a motivator :)

10.42 miles this last Friday :) training for a half in late October! Feeling pretty confident! Edited to add: when I started training for this half marathon this last August, I could barely run a 5k without stopping to walk. In under two months I built up to 10.4mi! I had rough weeks in my training, I missed runs, and I'm…

Arctic Zero ice cream! I like their chocolate flavors best. A whole PINT for 150 calories?! Sign. Me. Up.

5'4", 151, anywhere between 10 and 12 US sizes. Most my size 12 pants are waaay baggy, but I don't want to blow my money on a new week's worth of slacks quite yet :) THAT SAID, even when I was 118 at the same height, I was a size 7. I've just got some big hips :)

I've been using T25 as a supplemental workout to other workouts I do. So far, I've only done Alpha workouts. THAT SAID, I feel like the most important thing is your injury risk. Do you feel down on yourself for not being able to keep up? Are you able to go slow and steady with GOOD FORM and be happy with that? If the…

All Quest bars. Can't go wrong.

This. This this this this. Check out your local GNC if you don't want to buy online.