AMNimlos Member

I love OTF. I love the structured workout, I love that it pushes me and gives me circuits I would never think to do. It's made a big difference in my strength and speed (I'm a runner) in just the three months I've been going.

Every running shoe will feel different on different feet. Not necessarily that you don't overpronate (a lot of people do) but sometimes it's not the right structure or cushion. The 2000 2 do not have much cushion so you might need a little more. I recommend trying the Brooks Trance if you need a cushioned structured shoe…

I would always err on the smaller number, that way you're not overeating calories.

MFP incorporates a deficit regardless of whether or not you exercise. If you exercise, the calories you burn are "extra" and not necessary to lose weight (in theory). So that's why MFP says you can eat back those calories. Because even if you did, you'd still be at a deficit. For example: If your TDEE (total daily energy…

Definitely dinner. I don't like eating a lot in the morning and I don't have time to eat a big meal at lunch, so most of my calories are in the evening. I probably do around 300 in the morning, 500-600 in the evening, and then about 700-800 in the evening. Of course, this is average. On the weekends when I sleep in, I…

I believe with MFP exercise should be counted separately, not in your activity level. You can be sedentary and exercise often and you can be lightly active and exercise often, so they are separated. I would say you are lightly active because you are not sitting at a desk all day, but you're also not a construction worker.

Check out Moving Comfort bras. They have a couple bras that fit just like regular bras, with the back clasp. I think they run about $56 actually but hopefully it'll be worth the investment!

There are a lot of workout apps that will create programs for you, like Nike Training. It basically walks you through exactly what you need to do and for how long. Jillian Michaels also has an app and website that provides strength training circuits. There also books that have strength training programs.

I'm surprised MFP would tell you to only eat 900 calories. I would double-check and make sure that you are entering everything correctly.

I guess you could think of it that way. Or you could just tell MFP that you want to lose 2 lbs a week, then it will adjust your total daily calorie allotment according to that. That way it will deduct the calories so that no matter what you do, you'll lose 2 lbs, and if you exercise you'll be able to eat those calories…

Trying eating more calories. I know it sounds counterintuitive but I know a lot of people (including myself) on MFP who have lost more weight when they aim for 1500-1600 calories.

I'm not sure that's accurate. Your calorie goal should be 500-1000 calories (1-2 lbs a week) less than your TDEE. If you exercise, then your TDEE goes up by what you burned exercising. So technically you could eat those calories back, because your calorie goal would still be 500-1000 calories less. That's how MFP does the…

I used to work at a running specialty store and you want to get them NOW. mainly because wearing the wrong shoes can cause injuries (not necessarily tearing something, but things like shin splints and runner's knee) as you get started, and then you won't be able to run at all! It'll also give you a chance to break them in,…

If you're going to do a race start with a 5K. Accomplishing that will motivate you to keep getting better, and you'll feel good knowing you finished something. I've done 4 5Ks and 1 10K, and I started running last year. The best headphones are Yurbuds. They make some specially for women, with two different sizes of earbuds…

It's very likely that you overpronate. I work at a running specialty store and we see this all the time. Your best bet is to find one near you and go in and have them watch you run on a treadmill. That will help them make a recommendation based on your own biomechanics (how you run). Don't buy shoes off the Internet...…

It should be your normal distance. You should look at 3 miles and go "No problem." There are many ways to do this... there's no real right or wrong way, just the way that is best for you that doesn't get you injured! :)

Typically training plans will have time built in for strength/cross training. Both Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway's plans encourage walking breaks and they average 3-4 days of running a week. You do NOT have to run the entire thing without stopping. Walking breaks can actually help and that doesn't make you any less of a…

Strength training will help you burn fat AND tone at the same time. You don't have to do one and then the other. And you won't get "big muscles." You're a girl -- it's not really possible.

Embrace leftovers! :)

I guess I'm just a different runner. I'm also training for a half and it's a big jump for me.

You should try foam rolling (or use the Stick) and also try compression socks to help the muscles recover better.

You really need to get fitted at a running specialty store. There's not much that can be done online. One of the biggest causes of injury is wearing the wrong shoes so you want an expert who can watch your mechanics and see exactly how you run. Then they can fit you with the proper shoe. They will also have a treadmill…

The difference between 6 miles and 13.1 miles is the same as going from zero to 6! It's huge! I don't know what that guy is thinking... You're doubling what you've already done and since you have an injury, my advice is to go slow and steady. Training programs might be a bit much for you if they are only 12-14 weeks. You…

I work at a running specialty store and we recommend them often for people who overpronate. It keeps alignment a lot better than just wearing structured, stabilizing shoes (although that helps). Insoles help a host of problems. I wear them and love them. Without them, I have a lot of ankle pain. We sell Superfeet, but I'm…

Jillian Michaels' website does that, I believe. She lists out meals for every day and I suppose you could just make a list out of that. But it doesn't let you in put your favorite foods. I've never heard of anything doing that. Have you tried just using a cookbook and finding recipes that sound good?

I'm 28 and would like to lose about 50 lbs.

Also, if you are dealing with pronation, you'll likely want to get a shoe insert, like Superfeet. They are cut down to fit your shoe perfectly, so I recommend going to a specialty shoe store and talking to someone. NOT a big box store. They don't know anything! Haha. Shoes don't really deal with heavy pronation, although…

What kind of socks do you wear? Most people wear cotton socks they get at the shoe store or Target or wherever and those are BAD. I work at a specialty running store and we tell our customers to buy moisture wicking non-cotton socks. Cotton socks hold in moisture, which causes the sock to rub against your skin while you…

Compression socks can definitely help lower leg issues because they bring more blood (hence oxygen) and help remove lactic acid faster (because it speeds up circulation in the legs from the compression -- it squeezes the blood basically), and both of these can reduce pain and help repair muscles. Honestly your best bet is…

I don't think you need to stop running. I would suggest to start alternating the days that you run to give yourself a full day of rest in between each run to recover. I would also try some of the other options I and others have suggested. If you don't address the issue, your shin splints will just come back later. I don't…