Pectinbean Member

I did my first 10k in October last year at an 01:10 too! I've signed up to a half marathon in October this year. Got a 5 and 10k next month to keep my motivation up. There's loads of advice and training plans online, you'll be fine if you keep exercising regularly. The distance was worrying me a bit until my running friend…

Cycling is my best de-stresser, then running comes second. Try whatever works for you. Exercise is linked to good mental health. You're in no way being selfish taking a little time to get out of your head. Just being out in the fresh air makes me feel better, even if the weather is rotten. It's actually quite fun to run in…

You don't have to eat them all back but yeah definitely add some on if you're struggling on 1200. Sometimes I swear the only reason I run is so I can eat more! I don't always eat all mine back as I earn quite a lot running (also I'm not sure how accurate MFPs calculations for cals burned through activity.)

I love an omelette and they're filling, you can put whatever you like in the. Plus you can just use the whites if you want. I have spinach, half fat cheese and tomato omelettes as a quickie brekkie. Takes no time at all. Use the 1 cal oil spray too. Egg in a cup is a treat from my childhood. Hard boil two eggs, peel and…

Hi there, I don't know much about eaing disorders, I'm afraid but I did see someone posting about it in the 'Goal: Gaining weight' section recently in case this helps. Good luck to you. X

I feel like I've learnt a lot today! Have never done weight training / exercises and judging by what you and a lot of other folk have said, it's what I should be doing. Stupid myth that weights make girls big. Wish I'd learnt this sooner. No wonder I'm still wobbly round my middle with just diet and running / cycling.

I'll look into this, ta! I can't actually do a proper pushup, just the knee bent ones, the shame... I don't like the gym cause I have no idea what I'm doing so I imagine an induction would be a good starting point!

I've not tried any workouts yet. Focusing on keeping the hoop up! haha I've been told there's some good ones on youtube. Is it bad I prefer doing it while watching telly?

I'm doing my first solo race next month. Training for a half marathon but my friends I'm doing that live down south. So to keep me motivated I'm doing a 10k. I think it'll be good cause I can run at my own pace without having to worry about keeping up with anyone (ha or slowing down not to leave anyone behind). You'll be…

Firstly, woo for quitting! That's probably the best thing you could do for you physical health. I went down the route of carrot sticks, celery etc as replacement snacks for smokes. I think the trouble I had was fixating. I felt I had to replace the cigarettes with something, I didn't! It's about breaking habits. I'm not…

This is interesting. I'm a slim build with some wobble in my belly. I hadn't thought of weights as helping abs, just for arms! I am new to working out tho. I run and cycle but I have little-to-no upper body strength. What weight should you start with? I mean I'm feebly weak and don't want to end up injuring myself. Also,…

That's encouraging! Well done. I cycle to work and run regularly, just need something to help the jelly belly. I need to do the hula more often but it's definitely getting easier as time goes on. I'm not a gym bunny at all so I want some fun alternatives. I also got weighted skipping ropes which are surprisingly good fun!

This sounds amazing!

All you need to do is break some bad habits. There's nothing wrong with the occasional snack, just make better choices. I have a slice of toast with nutella in the evening. Or, as someone's already said popcorn. Wee portion of strawberries dipped in a little dark chocolate (delish). Rice cakes with anything ;-) Have one…

But it will eventually go if you stick to achieving a deficit and doing cardio. My mid section is where all my weight sits. It' just flab. I'm running and cycling 5 times a week and have now started working out with a weighted hula hoop - inches of jelly belly be gone! At least, that's what I've read in reviews and…

Yes, that is progress! Running is hard! It's getting the breathing right you don't get a stitch, that's what I struggled with. I can now run (jog, really) for 25 mins without breaking into a walk. It's taken me a month. I sing when I jog, I might look like a weirdo but it helps me control my breathing and pace myself. I…

I'm impressed! I'm still struggling to keep it going for more than 5 mins. I keep dropping it to my hips and my poor bruised hipbone does not like it. Mine is 2.8lbs wondering if it's a little heavy to start with. I could hula fine as a kid! Are you following any videos?

Love 30 Day Shred! I do it whenever a holiday is coming up. It only takes me 2 weeks doing this DVD to lose 2 inches off my waist. It's crazy! If you're new to working out ease your way into. Jillian's really good at encouraging you, I followed the 'easier' Anita but can now do all the Natalie-effort ones. Apart from push…

My friend had the pain up her calves, after speaking with PT she found out it was because she was running on her toes, more bouncing than running. Could be that? Always worth investing in some good trainers anyway, if you're running you should aim a half shoe size up from your actual size. Helps to avoid nasty blackened…

I just bought an Avanti Aria hybrid, she rides like a dream! Lightweight of a road bike, flat bars of mountain (I really don't like drop handlebars!) I cycle my commute every day and go on longer rides at weekends. You can't go proper off-road on a hybrid but they handle non-tarmacked trails just fine. If your plan is…

I'm fairly new to running but it might be worthwhile investing in new shoes. I trained for a 10k last year in comfy but ill-fitting for purpose trainers and lost 3 toe nails! They grew back, but a good pair of trainers would have saved me the pain (and grossness). You could also be putting too much pressure of your joints…

I dunno what the minimum is for guys but for women it's 1200 calories a day. Calories are fuel, not the enemy. There's a calculator thing on here that you can put your details into ie goal weight by goal date, and it'll recommend a healthy calorie intake to aim for. Don't starve yourself, you'l faint on the basketball…

Man there are some mean folk out there! I get lots of encouragement for the exercise I do; cycle my commute, training for 5, 10 and 21ks. BUT when it comes to monitoring what I'm eating I do get irksome comments. - you of all people don't need to count calories. - you're being obsessive, just have everything in moderation.…

Thanks everyone! Great ideas. I'm not very imaginative in the kitchen so will definitely work my way through these. I'm aiming for 300-400cal lunches as I'm a grazer and can't skip my midmorning and afternoon snacks! I'm at least getting more fruit in than chocolate...