jmijaressf

Polar brand is the best one for just basic stuff. I just replied to Julienewlie's thread. www.heartratemonitorsusa.com has a sale on Polars right now. Have a look at the FT7 or the FT4.

The more accurate heart rate monitors are the ones with the chest strap. If you're just using it for cardio then I'd recommend the Polar brand. Polar makes heart rate monitors for under $100. You can get the Polar FT7 from heartratemonitorsusa.com for $83 shipped. A lot of folks here on MFP use that model.

Do you washing it the same way it's done in this video? http://www.polar.fi/us-en/support/How_to_wear_and_maintain_WearLink_transmitter?product_id=413&category=video_tutorials I used to have problems with the Polar Wearlink straps until I learned to squeeze the water out. Once I started doing that, I had no more problems.

Polar FT series is the best for just general working out. The FT7 seems to be the most popular. I get my Polars from heartratemonitorsusa.com.

Congrats! That's a huge accomplishment!

I really like my RS800CX. The blog that ABNemeth linked to is what helped me decide. I've been using my Polar for well over a year now and haven't thought about switching. The best part of it is that when you use the G3 GPS, it actually shows you on Google Earth your running/cycling path and which heart rate zones you were…

The best heart rate monitors are the ones that use the chest strap. Have a look at the Polar FT series heart rate monitors. Folks here on MFP like those a lot. I've been using Polar HRMs for years. The calories counts are more accurate than Garmin, Timex, etc... I get my HRMs from heartratemonitorsusa.com, but there are…

You're off to a great start! Don't worry about speed, just slowly increase your distance over time. Keep in mind that efficient running is silent running. If you're running and it sounds like your feet are making the "clomp clomp clomp" sound like horse hooves, then you're coming down too hard. Land light and easy...

Get one with a heart rate strap. Those are the most accurate for counting calories. I highly recommend the Polar FT series. You can get them at either Amazon.com or www.heartratemonitorsusa.com.

Have a look at metatarsalgia. That might be what you have.

I love using mine, though it does take up a lot of space in the living room when it's set up. If it's too cold or rainy to run, I'll set up the rowing machine, pop in a DVD, and row while watching a movie. I don't have a fancy rowing machine, but one day if I get a big enough place I'd like to get the Water Rower.

Nice! Here's something for the Star Wars fans... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-5gqT4UkBU

220-Age is just a general guideline. I'm 41, but my max heart rate is 183. The only safe way to know your true max heart rate is to get it tested in a lab.

For easy runs, I'm usually around 65% of VO2 max. But for pace runs I'm upwards of 80%. For regular cardio like Tae Bo I'm about 75%.

The Polar FT series are the best starter HRMs out there. I've used a bunch of heart rate monitors for the past ten years and Polar makes some of the best ones.

Is your HRM one of the ones that comes with a chest strap? Which brand/model is it? Normally I'd say go with what the HRM says, but it depends on the model.

Polar is the best when it comes to accurate and inexpensive HRMs. I recommend the FT series as well.

The new Polar watches have easily replaceable batteries now too. I get my Polar gadgets from heartratemonitorsusa.com. They usually have pretty good deals.

I second the use of a Polar HRM. Because Polar uses a chest strap to pick up the electrical impulses from your heart, it's a lot more accurate.

Not much majorly different between the two models. Any of the Polar FT series watches would work. If you don't do -- or think you'll do -- any running, then the FT40 would be your best bet. Also, there's the FT7, which has some of the same features as the FT40.

I'm just barely on the overweight/normal area of the BMI chart as well. Despite doing a half marathon last month, I can't seem to make the scale budge! I have another half marathon in a few weeks.

Welcome! There's nothing like the thrill of heading out the door and going for a run. Good luck to you as you start the C25K program! It's the best one out there to help you get started in running.

Same experience here. I ran a half marathon last month, burned almost 3000 calories because it was a trail run, and gained two pounds. Two days later though, I was back to my regular weight.

I do a Japanese sword martial art. Find something that you enjoy ... empty hand, weapons, etc. If you want something dynamic, then definitely look at something like kung fu or tae kwon do or even krav maga. If you're looking for a martial art school vs a work out DVD, just be wary of some of the schools that are more like…

I don't swim as much these days because the lap swim fees have climbed over the past year, but doing the breast stroke uses more muscle groups than the other strokes. You won't bulk up by swimming, but it's a good low impact exercise.

This was back in 2009 and it took me about a month or more before I could run again without feeling like the plantar faciia was going to tear! Does your PF come on suddenly without warning? Or have you been dealing with it on and off for a while?

I definitely second the swimming recommendation. When I came down with plantar fasciitis and a whole host of other running injuries, I swam until I was able to run again. Low impact and definitely a great upper body work out.

4.7 miles today.

Yeah, those numbers are high. What kind of HRM do you have? The most accurate ones have a chest trap which reads the electrical impulses from your heart (like the Polar brands).

It's fairly normal if you do way too much and push yourself too hard. The best way to get back into it is to do the Couch to 5K program which has running/walking plans to build up to it. Shorten your run and alternate walking and running. Definitely don't push yourself too hard at this point, especially in the heat. And…