CA_Underdog Member

Good question. :) According to Harvard Medical School, the average 155# person burns 112kcal per 30 min of weight lifting. According to MyFitnessPal, a 155# person burn 105kcal per 30 min of weight lifting. So yes, I think that makes the MyFitnessPal strength training numbers reasonably safe as-is!…

The Strength Training entry is fortunately one of the better ones--fairly conservative! I'd use Circuit Training with more care since its calorie estimate is on-par with running.

Under cardio, use the "Strength Training" entry, and fill-in the time you spend training. This makes sense, assuming you take 1-2 minute rests between sets. If you're taking shorter breaks, e.g. 30 seconds or less leaving you struggling for breath, I'd use the "Circuit Training" entry. If you're taking longer breaks, e.g.…

Garmin (firsbeat) HRMs scores within 7-10% accuracy. Whatever we call that level of accuracy, it's better than that offered by online calculators (within 20-60%), and slightly better than the accuracy promised by US food labels (within 10%). Until new technology comes along in a few years, it's probably the best…

Amazon sells them for as little as $60, although I'd probably splurge and spend a bit more, depending on how long you expect to be off your feet. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BXCF1U/

Your diet? According to MyFitnessPal, you've only logged twice, and significantly missed your calorie target both days. Either your goals are set wrong, or you're eating too little. Couldn't say which of those two since you didn't share your weight goals nor your stats. Calories should be the first or second consideration…

Many have done so. There's a documentary called Fat Head--guy eats at McDonald's and orders mcmuffins, cheeseburgers and fries everyday--loses weight and gets in better shape. http://fathead-movie.com/content/MyFoodLog.htm

You didn't gain 53lbs by under-eating--try eating more of whatever it was you were eating before (but smaller portions) until you meet your calorie target.

After liking the Cookie Dough and Cookies & Cream, I ordered a variety pack. They're not all disgusting, but the only other flavor I remember enjoying was the Vanilla Almond Crunch. I don't like the heavily artificially-sweetened flavor that many of the bars have in lieu of sugar. I ate a Perfect Bar today. Very yummy,…

Bingo. :)

Quest Bars pack a whallop--20g of dietary fiber. Beans provide a huge boost, as does Kashi cereal or traditional oatmeal. Other sources that help throughout the day include brown rice, whole-grain bread, popcorn, and potatoes or sweet potatoes w/skin (including chips and fries!).. as well as many fruits and vegetables. I…

Option #1: Reduce your weight loss goal. 2lb/week may be too aggressive if you're near your goal weight. Try 1% of your bodyweight or less. Option #2: Add exercise. This gives you calories to eat back. Yesterday I was allowed to eat 4,000 calories while still remaining under deficit. Option #3. Eat more protein and fiber.…

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21178923 http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-measurement-works-on-garmin.html According to the above study, Polar HRMs overestimate energy expenditures by 25% during aerobic dance. I wouldn't call that vast, but it's significant. Garmin often scores better: 7-10% off, and HRMs…

1. Lose another 10% body weight by 29-Sep 2. Do my 3x/week C25K/NROL workouts 3. Eat at a deficit every week 4. Run a 5k in April 5. Climb a mountain too high

I burned 2,000 calories yesterday over the course of four hours. It was hiking outside, but the same could be done at the gym. It's simply speed, elevation gain, weight, and time. This was, for me, a fairly light hike on a rest day.

If you're having trouble eating 1200 kcal, I'd dump some of those so-called healthy foods, and eat what you like that allows you to get enough calories. Those foods may be healthy for someone else, but if they prevent you from reaching you 1200 kcal goal, they're not healthy for you.

Great job! You're hardly alone in being unable to do push-ups or pull-ups. I do the inclined variety for now--think, putting your hands on a bench or steps. Each workout, I'm one 'step' closer to doing the full movement with all limbs on the same plane. ;)

I love this--it totally rings true of what I would've done in the past!

I used hand bikes when I had knee problems. Also would second the suggestion above to ask your doctor what you can do for cardio, and if they're not sure, ask for a PT consultation. Sorry you're going through this. :(

This x100. Learning to reach for treats while hitting your calorie and nutrient goals seems to me one of the keys to life change and long-term success (vs. "diets" you "fall off of"). PS - I just ate a Thin Mint. Girl Scout Cookies are the bomb! :)

OIC. Diet soda is zero-calorie. I wouldn't worry about this at all unless there are negative consequences to your work, relationship, or health. Many people have proven they can lose weight drinking diet sodas--so long as their overall calories stayed in check. Good luck!

Then don't do that. Weight management doesn't require drastic changes to your diet such as eliminating entire foods or food groups--you only need to ensure your calorie intake is below your calorie output. Extreme diets and feeling denied often lead to binge cycles. Their house.. so they're supporting you financially?…

A post-workout meal should not necessary so long as: (a) it wasn't an endurance (2+ hour) workout and (b) your next period of activity is at least 24 hours away, and (c) that light pre-workout meal included a solid dose of protein and carbohydrates.…

They serve good popcorn at most movie theaters. Popcorn w/o extra butter or salt is a reasonable snack! It's 200kcal per serving. It's also a good source of fiber (4g/200kcal), has some good fats, and is lower in sodium (1mg/kcal) and sugar and saturated fats and trans fats. I'm a frequent moviegoer and almost always…

Our body has no concept of a cheat day--I try to log whatever I feed it. That, and one really crazy night can undo a week.

A shot is ~65kcal, a glass of wine ~125 kcal, a cocktail ~300kcal. "Harder" drinks give you more bang for your calorie. I shaved a few calories off my breakfast and lunch today make room for a margarita tonight--as I would budget for any junk food. On a training day I likely wouldn't even have to worry because the extra…

Walking isn't a bad first exercise. It's low impact and burns calories! If 2.5 miles left you excessively sore, I would dial back the intensity. Perhaps 0.75 miles 5 days a week, or 1.5 miles 3 days a week with rest days in-between.. given 2.5 miles left you very sore the next day. To clarify, the issue is more the…

A common principle in training is to lead with the most important exercise. I'm learning to run just now, so I began with that. I want to learn good form and don't want sore muscles holding me back from that or from achieving good times. I'm more confident in my lifting form.

This is a wise "fear" to have. It will probably lead you to read the Stronglifts pages carefully until you have a good idea of the form of the exercises. I would pay the most attention to your squats and deadlifts--those are trickier imho than rows, bench presses, or overhead presses. Modify as you need! I began with lowly…

Alicia, you're far from being a cow! The comments that these pictures pain you worry me. You may not be in model shape, but you're in above-average shape. I spent 1 hour, 40 minutes in the gym yesterday--I don't have a problem with long workouts, my beef's more with the calories he's allowing you and the exercise…