sblowes Member

Long distance running isn't damaging! It's exhilarating! And it's about the #1 way to burn calories in a given amount of time. You *can* get hurt if you don't do it right, but that applies to anything.

Very possible. It *is* over 2 lbs a week, but you can easily lose more than 2 lbs per week in the first few weeks of eating healthily, working out, and drinking lots of water as your body adjusts.

975 is great! A good rule of thumb is to be somewhere between 10-15 calories per minute, but getting up to 20 isn't bad. The more weight you lose, the lower that number will drop. And don't worry too much about not eating all the calories you burned. As long as you don't go under 1500-1800 calories a day consumed, you…

The run/walk/run method is a tried and true race strategy, just google Jeff Galloway! I'm training for my first full marathon right now. The best advice, nutritionally, is to avoid alcohol the night before running, and on the long runs, make sure you're drinking A LOT of water. I take GU gels with me on the long runs.…

PROTEIN! Protein triggers the "I'm full" signal to your brain. Shoot for at least 30% of your daily intake to be protein.

It's pretty accurate for someone of your height, age, weight and gender in moderately fit condition. It can only estimate off of those numbers, unless you use a heart rate monitor. When I first started working out, MFP was SUPER low on my calorie burn estimate. Now, after 3 months of running, it always estimates high,…

You should open up your food diary to public, so we can see what you're eating. Have you tried eating every three hours? It makes for 5 - 6 meals a day, but it keeps your metabolism racing the whole time.

I'm not a fan of running on the treadmill unless you're just getting started, or you really have no other option. It just doesn't give you an accurate gauge of your speed, since it's setting the pace for you. The best tool I've found for increasing my pace is the iPhone/droid app RunKeeper Pro. It's usually $10, but free…

I find the chest strap ones are better. The one you have doesn't need to monitor your pulse, as it's monitoring your heart through the electricity on your skin. That's why you have to touch it to get a reading. I swear by Polar's line of heart rate monitors, but they're not cheap. BUT... if this is a lifestyle change…

Looking at your diary, I can say without a doubt you are not eating NEARLY enough protein, and your calorie intake overall is too low. Try shooting for eating about 1,500 calories a day, and don't let yourself go under. Break it up in to 5 meals, and eat when you get up, then every three hours after that. A good rule of…

You need to eat a little first. Carbs are best, probably. It's not good to work out on an empty stomach, and you want to eat something so that your metabolism starts first thing in the morning.

I file it under "circuit training" on MFP. Also... you NEED a heart rate monitor, so you can accurately track your calories burned. Worth every penny, believe me.

Premake a bunch of breakfast burritos and then freeze them. Use Jimmy Dean turkey sausage, borden's fat free sharp cheese and scrambled egg whites. TONS of protein! =)

Same with any addiction... stay away. Don't flirt with it, don't look at it, don't even entertain it. Drive home a different route, even if it takes 10 minutes longer, if it means avoiding the temptation. Your health is worth WAY more than Zaxby's.

*Technically* 3500 calorie deficit = 1 pound of fat. You can make the deficit either in eating less, or working out more. However, that math doesn't take into account things like forcing your metabolism into starvation mode by under eating, etc. A 7,000 weekly calorie deficit is extremely doable. 2 pounds a week.

Figure out your running speed. Let's say 6 mph (10 minute mile pace). You know it will take you about 1 hour, 45 minutes to complete the trail, if you can keep a consistent 6 mph pace. Shoot to train yourself doing run/walk intervals 3 days a week, 2 hours per day. Maybe run 5 minutes, then walk 2, run 5, walk 2, etc. for…

Welcome! The best advice I can give is to eat small, and eat often. Shoot for 5 - 6 meals a day, at around 250 - 350 calories per meal (depending on your calorie goal.) Also, try to get a good mix of protein, carbs and vegetables in each meal.

Breakfast: Thomas bagel thin, 2x jimmy dean turkey patties, borden's fat-free sharp cheese - 260 calories Lunch: Arnold Select sandwich thin, serving of lean ham, borden's fat free sharp cheese, quarter cup raw spinach - 200 calories

I agree with all the above... life weights first. It burns off the glycogen in your muscles, so as soon as you start your cardio, you jump straight to burning fat, instead of burning glycogen for the first 5 minutes.

I have a strategic day (every 4th day) where I push up my calorie intake by like 20%. That way it's on purpose, and not a cheat day, and it tricks my metabolism into not getting used to the low calories.

Knowing your body fat % is pretty crucial to effectively losing weight. It's uncomfortable when you realise how much lard you're carrying around!

It's called "thermic value", and it's about much energy your body expends to metabolize food. Protein has a thermic value of around 30%, saturated fat is around 3%. Fibrous carbohydrates have high thermic value, and celery already has low calories.

It's a strategic move, to make sure your metabolism doesn't get stuck in a rut. 3 days I eat under maintenance calories, and on the 4th day, I bump it up to maintenance.

I eat oatmeal for my 6 AM breakfast 3-5 times a week, and I put a little honey on it. I've really gotten to like it!

Definitely eat *something* to tell your body you're not fasting. Carbs are good, because they'll fuel your run.

I always drink water as cold as I can get it, since my body has to expend MORE energy, just to heat it up! It's not much, but every little helps.

I agree with MM. you might surprise yourself in the race.

50% - 60% carbs is a good rule of thumb. Calorie intake is #1 priority, but it does give you better results when you are able to balance your macronutrients.

Congratulations! That's the goal! It's not weight loss, it's fat loss. And yes, muscle weighs more than fat. But muscle also keeps your metabolism running, thereby burning more fat! I highly recommend Tom Venuto's "Burn the fat, feed the muscle" book. Worth every penny.

It takes the body about 2.5 - 3 hours to digest a meal (which is why it's recommended to eat every three hours). Simple carbohydrates start getting broken down the instant they go in your mouth (that's what saliva does). Fat and protein take a little longer. That's why high carb meals make you feel hungry sooner than…