mirthfuldragon Member

For me, there's a progression to things. If I did three years ago what I do know, I would have hit my goals 18 months ago, but I simply wasn't ready or able or knowledgeable enough to make those changes. My wife keeps me motivated, and we drive each other further and harder. Lately, now that I've switched from "weight…

They provide a more accurate (note: not 100% accurate) way to measure calorie expenditure. Did you burn 400 calories this session, or 600 calories? Accurate data is always helpful. In my own experience, I like my HRM because it gives me feedback as to how hard I'm working. It helps psychologically for me to know how much…

Fish tacos = your favorite white fish + tequila + lime juice + cumin + cilanto; marinate overnight, cook in a medium-hot non-stick pan until done, then serve with some low-cal, high fiber tortillas, and some onions and red pepper, and maybe some salsa. Plain old steamed fish = white fish + spices you like (I prefer…

There is a ton of stuff actually going on when you start to talk about heart rate zones. A low-end HRM will come pre-programmed with only standard figures, which, depending on your fitness level, activity, resting heart rate, V02 max, lactic threshold, and actual max heart rate, may not be applicable. For example, my…

I can give you some generalities, which may or may not be helpful. First rule, 1g of protein per pound of body weight / lean body weight per day. Protein post-workout is effective and should be done, but don't over do it - you don't need all your protein in one delicious protein shake. Protein is great because it is…

Great post. Finding something you enjoy is half the battle.

I went from a steel hybrid to an aluminum road bike, and the difference is night and day. Eventually I will move to carbon, but for the money, an aluminium bike is a fine place to start. If you look hard enough, you can probably find a nice aluminum bike with solid components for less than a grand. Performance Bike is a…

There's a legion of methods to the madness that is triathlon training. I'm currently in my winter program, which is lifting three times per week (using Mark Allen's 12 lifts, plus core work), running three days a week, swimming at least twice a week, and my usual spin classes three times per week (it's too cold to ride…

I can't speak to Supreme 90, but when I did P90x, I stuck with the program to the letter for the first 60 days, and then went mostly back to my own cardio routines (Spin class, running, and swimming). I simply wasn't getting the same level of burn at P90x, but then again, cycling and spin class leave me in a sweaty puddle…

You're having a balance / adaption issue, not a strength issue (not yet, anyway). It's like riding a bike in a way - it seems impossible at first to do it without falling, but then it clicks. One thing I found that is helpful to do is to go to the squat rack, grasp the bar (while it is still in the rack), and do…

This formula is just a rule of thumb, depending on a huge variety of factors. So many numbers and data come into play when considering heart rate and interval training, anerobic and lactic threshold, V02max, and a hose of other fun things. To greatly simplify a complex topic: there's a huge difference between being in…

The problem is subcutaneous fat - the yellow fat between the skin and muscles. From my research and experience, the only thing to do is to keep loosing weight. Your goals may not be low enough, and the last fat to go is the loose belly fat. A little background - 296lbs three years ago, 187lbs today, 6'2" male, age 28. I…

There's lots of things going on here, so let's try to break it down a bit. "Toning" is a meaningless word, an invention of the fitness marketplace to sell tiny dumbbells to women. Ignore it. To build muscle definition, you'll need to lift (reflectively) heavy weights. Regarding your problem areas, spot reduction simply…

For price, the vanilla or chocolate Body Fortress stuff is tough to beat, at round $7 per pound. It tastes okay. The strawberry is okay, but some people hate it. I also like the Optimum Nutrition stuff, and when you get to the 10lb sizes, the flavor choices explode, but the price runs a little over $9 per pound.

I'm a numbers guy, so I went back over the last 90 days, exported my calories in and exercise burn to excel, and calculated back against my weight loss. I try to be 100% accurate with my food logging, and I estimate my exercise burn as best I can, and I do use a heart rate monitor for everything other than the pool.…

It's time for a bike trainer :) Or gear up for cyclocross season - those guys are insane, and I plan on joining next season, after I buy a CX bike and some cold weather gear. I've also found the spinning classes at my gym are fun and, so long as you pick a big gear, a great workout that is mostly compatible with cycling.…

I would suggest you talk to a professional; the issues you are talking about are largely psychological. My wife found an excellent program that combined nutritional counseling, behavioral counseling, and an exercise regiment, and it has helped her tremendously. When you talk about binge-eating cycles and yo-you weight…

Hello. I'm Charles, from Chicago, age 28, and I am currently training for the Chicago triathlon, Olympic distance, in 2013. Three years ago I was 296lbs, and now that I'm within striking distance of my goal weight (currently 189lbs, goal 175lbs), it's time to step it up a notch. A friend got me hooked on cycling last…

I personally love my Garmin FR70. The ability to upload data to your computer is great, and the user-programmable workouts are surprisingly deep. It's also ANT+, which means it doesn't work with most gym equipment but does work with most cycling electronics. The Polar models are solid and ubiquitous, but you'll have to…

A couple of notes about cardio: Ignore the "fat burn" myth. Adding intensity beyond "fat burn" threshold and getting a higher heart rate will burn more calories. You'll be using up glycogen instead, which your body will later replace from the carbs and fat you take in. There's actually quite a bit going on in terms of the…

Using consistent weighing schedules to reduce water weight variability (i.e., weighing first thing in the morning, after using the bathroom), my scale gives reading that vary by up to 1.5% body fat. I make note of the results, but I generally ignore the body fat % figure - it is an estimate at best.

I recently purchased the Garmin FR70, and it rocks. The ability to program custom workouts through Garmin's website is deep, functional, and generally great, and the ease of uploading and analyzing data is cool too. The chest strap is comfortable. User-replaceable batters in the watch and strap are nice, and the fact that…

Your first place should be talking to your OB/GYN. Pregnancy can be (relatively speaking, of course) a normal course for women, or very dicey, depending on your independent risk factors and situation. You should probably also be talking to a nutritionist who is talking to your OB/GYN. That being said, there is plenty of…

The belly fat is, unfortunately, the last to go. Core strength training (planks/sit-ups/etc.) help, as does lifting heavy, but spot reduction of excess fat is simply not how the body works. Personally, I've lost over 100 pounds, and I have solid muscle definition in my arms, back, quads, chest, and calves, but this silly…

Calorie burn is largely about intensity. For example, in Spin class (cycling is my strong suit), my HRM will usually indicate 750+ calories burned. Hitting the road or trail can come close to 1,000 calories an hour. Today on the treadmill, 592 calories in 42 minutes, averaging 10 minute miles. My average heart rate is…

I've been on the 1,800 calorie P90x diet for going on 90 days now (1 week left, but a week or so off due to strained ankle). I've lost about 20 pounds on the program. If you're only a few pounds from your goal, go with the 1,800 and see what happens. You're almost to maintenance anyway. Personally, I found the macros (50%…

I'm about to finish my the program. It's very good, and has helped me break a weight loss plateau. My flexibility has increased a ton, and I can actually do real pull-ups now, which is great. It is still a tough workout, but if you follow the program, you'll get good results. Stick to it, and if you miss a day, simply pick…

I love my Garmin FR70. It's expensive, but it has huge data-logging capability, lets you build custom workouts and and then it will beep at you for interval changes, and has user-replaceable batters in the watch and strap. It's also ANT+ compatible, which means it won't work with most gym equipment, but it will work with…

Two and half years ago, I was at 296lbs. I'm now at 189lbs and starting training for a triathlon. I spend about 6 or 8 hours a week at the gym. When I see someone on the street or in a restaurant, obese and probably not making an effort to change, I do judge them; I'm a bit of a judgmental jerk, generally. However, when I…

I have started training for an international distance triathlon in July. "Training" is the right word - half ironman is not a task to be undertaken lightly - but certainly to be encouraged. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com has several free training schedules that can form the base for your training plan. If you haven't…