ScatteredWriter

You look fantastic! I'm totally inspired!

Welcome back! I'm in the same boat, myself. Woke up the other day and said "Damn - July's almost over! Not nearly where I want to be for the year!" Time to kick it into high gear!

I use the GPS app for iPhone & iPod - not sure if that's the one you're using, but I expect they may work the same. Have you tried synching it again? Maybe fiddle with your input (add a note or something) and re-sync?

Wow. I very much needed to be reminded of that this morning... Not only for weight loss but for various other big goals I'm working on. Thank you thank you thank you.

I have a digital scale, just a cheap one from Target awhile back. I know when it starts acting erratic I need to change the battery, or check that no one's fiddled with the little button on the bottom that tells it what "zero" feels like. I also know that it sometimes decides I weigh X, and if my weight doesn't change by a…

My cousin (an evolutionary biologist) keeps big spiders as pets. If this is an average, he's probably got several of us covered.... :)

Looks like everybody's doing AWESOME!! Did week 2, day 2 today. Calves still tight but better thanks to tons of STRETCHING!! I'm also getting better at reining my pace in in the beginning so I can be consistent throughout the run. I don't know if any of you are using your podcasts in tandem with the Nike+ GPS app, but if…

Dark green veggies have a surprising amount of protein, too -- I was noticing there's a gram per cup in my spinach... Not bad for an unusual source. Oh, and that complete protein stuff was debunked in the 70's. Just eat a variety of foods – beans, legumes, tofu, tempeh, seitan – and you'll be fine.

I did the Week 2 workout today! Was easy-peasy except for my outer calf being super tight. Extra stretching for me today! I'm really pleased with how it's going... other than tight muscles I'm able to run really well. I have exercise-induced asthma, but my lungs have had no problems with these running workouts. Awesome!

Don't forget the inner and outer thigh! Adductor/Abductor machine at the gym, or side leg lifts should help. You also may just be more muscular in the thighs and have a skinny waist - this has been me almost my entire life (except right now, it's all big right now! haha!). I've gotten used to looking for wider leg jeans…

Juice isn't the best food - so much sugar and so little fiber... You get a sugar spike with nothing to mellow it out! Almond milk can have a lot of sugar too, if you don't buy the unsweetened. "Original" just means unflavored, not unsweetened, so check the label...

I lost a lot of weight (50 lbs) about 10 years ago. I did really good keeping it off by setting fitness-oriented goals for myself - I like to run so I kept up with that and trained for 5ks, etc. For me, it was simple to keep the weight off, as there wasn't a lot of calorie wiggle room even on maintenance - I'm only 5'1",…

Exercise & coffee, first thing every morning. Works like a charm. :D Seriously, fiber bulks things up and sometimes that slows you down while you're adjusting. Make sure you include both starchy & non-starchy veggies in your diet (two kinds of fiber - soluble and insoluble - they work together), and give it a bit of time...

Those are REALLY fast if you're just starting out. I usually do 3.2 for the walk and 4 for the jog on the treadmill. It's very slow, but I know from past experience that I have to start slow or I get MAJOR shinsplints. That being said, I can go a lot faster on the street than the 'mill. I run 6.7 outside without hardly…

For me, it's not so much about the line as it is about comfort! I do not need to be worried about wedgies and bunching while I'm out for a run! I also find that sticking to wicking fabric -- either in sport panties (they do make them) or in pants/shorts helps avoid any issues with "female problems," as everything dries out…

I didn't make it out yesterday after all - realized I'd already done and hour and a half of cardio, and while I could have gone out for more, I was pushing it. So this morning I did the Podrunner Week 1 podcast, and it went really well. I went outside for it, and that felt really good. I much prefer to be outside seeing…

This. Make sure you've got wicking fabric, and you're good to go. HOWEVER. If you sweat a lot, and workout for a while (I find anything over 45 mins is my max), you may find you have a bit of chafing, um... between the cheeks. Ahem. BodyGlide (found at most sporting goods stores) will do the trick to prevent this. :D

Congrats to everyone who's made it out the door! I'm pretty sure that's 90% of the battle. Ugh! I've been totally slackerly... I haven't run since last week. I did hit the elliptical today, and I've gotten a few walks in, so not a complete loser in the exercise department. Still, there's a 5K here (literally just down the…

I'm eating pretty simply right now... 2-3 pieces of fruit (2-3 cups) for breakfast BIG salad with tons of veggies & 1/2-3/4 cup beans for lunch 1 cup of starchy veg (potatoes, corn, squash, etc), lots of steamed non-starchy veg and a bean soup or tofu or other protein for dinner. That is, when I have myself together.... :D

Protein!! Makes all the difference in the world. :) Water helps, being well fueled before the run helps. Having a good snack (banana with peanut butter, chocolate milk, etc) right afterward helps. I've found that my body adjusts over time, too. I just make sure to eat "bulky" foods: raw veggies & fruit, whole grains,…

Frozen bananas blended with a bit of milk, add (unsweetened) cocoa powder and/or peanut butter if you like. Tastes awesome, and totally good for you. A cup of Good Earth original sweet 'n' spicy tea - regular or herbal. So yummy, and sweet without sugar. An apple sauteed or heated in the microwave until it's warm and yummy.

I'm in! I'm using these podcasts: http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html I've been working out 4-5 days a week, so may move through it a little faster than just 3 workouts a week. We shall see. :) I'm treadmill-ing at the moment, but will move outside in a few weeks. My calves are really tight right now, so the treadmill…

Sounds like you're headed in the right direction!! If your calorie intake is in the right range for what MFP recommends (which I imagine it is), I'd just up the exercise! Remember, all your exercise doesn't have to be as intense as some of those videos! Try a long, brisk walk to up minutes without killing yourself.

I stretch both before and after I run... gently with movement-based (dynamic) stretches before, and long, static stretches after. My muscles have a tendency to get really tight, and the pre-run stretch does so much to loosen me up & make the run more comfortable.

Woo hoo!! That's awesome!!

Stretch, stretch, stretch, stretch, stretch! It's so important to stay limber & avoid injury. Ice anything that hurts, even if it's just a bit twingy. Runner's World has some good stretching programs. Get really good shoes, from a running store. Preferably one that has a treadmill so you can really try the shoes out. Stay…

I like the Cliff and Luna bars because I can identify all the ingredients, and there's no whey protein (whey protein and I DO NOT get along...). I don't eat them often, but I find them incredibly handy when I'm really busy or traveling. Cliff also makes my favorite distance-running snack - ShotBloks. Like gummy bears for…

I haven't customized, but I am keeping an eye on my carb/protein/fat ratio as well as my sugar intake. Right now my diet is working for me, if it ever stops, or if I start having trouble with my workouts, I'll have some data to look at. I'm bad at not getting enough protein, so want to make sure I keep an eye on that.

I'm in! I'm 5'1", started at 187. I'm here for the same reasons you are - it was getting scary in here! Not interested in lugging all this extra junk around any more!

I should add that you can find strengthening exercises and stretches at runnersworld.com. :) I cannot emphasize the stretching enough - it is so important!