theginnyray Member

Great idea!

I'd also recommend asking someone at the gym to show you how to use the machines! I was super intimidated by them, but my husband (patiently) walked me through every machine and made me try them out. Some of them I didn't pay attention how to adjust the seat or something, so I did feel dumb at first, but once you touch the…

I pre-log my meals in the morning or day before. We're big into meal planning, so I always know what my meals are for the week. I don't like surprises - so if I determine that my dinner is going to be more calories than I would have liked, I can plan my afternoon snack accordingly.

I also second snack-girl.com But I usually keep Nature Valley ones around. They are pretty delish. I get burnt out on the protein bar type ones pretty easily, and they always have a funny taste. And regular ol granola bars covered in chocolate defeat the purpose of trying to be healthy! If it's an on-the-go snack - how…

My mom has had both of hers replaced, she isn't a runner or anything tho. I am thinking you might be able to physically do it, but the problem would lie in hitting the ground wrong - replaced hips can be displaced just by stepping off a curb wrong, so I would worry about curbs, uneven cement, holes in grass etc. After her…

I do love mornings, but there are still some mornings when I just want to sleep in a little longer and not workout. Here are some things that help me: 1. Have your entire outfit/accessories ready for you. Shirt, undies, bra, pants, socks, headband, water bottle, shoes, keys, gym pass, anything you need for morning, ready…

Go to a Running shoe store - I wouldn't recommend going to a big box chain. The running store might be a smaller, local chain - but find somewhere that specializes in running. Hopefully someone in your area will can recommend a place, or head on over to Google and search for a running store in your area!

Bingo. I can, and will succeed, without a fitness training certification.

Coffee creamer, specifically Coffee Mate. Sometimes fat-free, sometimes full fat. I love it. I never even use an entire serving, but it just makes my day. There is nothing I've completely given up, but tons and tons of stuff that is special occasion/weekend-after-a-mega-workout treats. Like, instead of ordering a Large…

Get up earlier! Do a short and sweet video in the morning. You'll feel refreshed and have more energy. As you start to increase your fitness level, do harder videos and get up earlier. I work FT too, at a desk job, but working out is incredibly important regardless. Errands on the weekends, or on your way home from work…

Yup, I'd also recommend going to your local running store and getting fitted. Not like Finish Line or Sports Authority or something, but an actual running shoe store. The associates will be more in tune with runners, rather than selling sports equipment or the newest Nike shoe (not to say big box store associates don't…

Haha, Yup! I also check out their gear - do they have cool shorts? A fun race t-shirt? What kind of headband is she wearing? Before I started running, I had the same fear. There is no "pretty" running face. I was also afraid people would think I ran funny, or would know that I was just starting (as if that mattered???).…

Less about the months, more about the mileage. I change shoes every 500 or so miles, so try to add up how many miles you do (weekly/monthly average) and go from there. *Edit* Don't wear new shoes to your race, either wear your old ones (which are probly still fine), or break in the new ones now.

Hi! Welcome to MFP! Thanx for posting your story, it was a good read (glad to hear you are out of your dark place!) and I just wanted to say that I feel you on the evening snacking! I've upped my calories to about 1400, rather than 1200, and that has helped me. I also try to keep busy after dinner, and chug as much water…

Shop sales and plan ahead. If apples are on sale, stock up on those. If green beans are in season, eat a bunch of those. Plan your meals for the next week, so you know exactly what you need to buy. Buy just that stuff. In my house, I do the shopping and the majority of the cooking. If you don't like what I make, make a pb…

Fish - I wish I liked it, it can be soooo good for you! But the smell, and the look of it... ugh. Just thinking about it makes me want to barf! Melons/Squash - I can't do it. I could puree squash into something and handle it, but not on its own. No amount of EVOO will salvage zucchini for me :-( Salad gets to me after a…

I think it's up to you and your body. Do what feels right. I don't buy into the whole "don't eat after Xpm". If I want to eat a light snack at 8:45 and get into bed at 9, then I do. Unless I devour a Big Mac and fries, it's never hindered my weight loss or maintenance. If you find that eating late keeps you up later, then…

First of all, congrats on the new (or new ish) relationship! Now that the honeymoon is over, and you realize that your eating habits are out of whack, it's time to get back on track. I was in your shoes. I went from never eating out, making my own healthy meals, to all of the sudden being in this awesome relationship -…

Love: Running (freedom, relaxing, zone out) Biking (I feel like a kid again!) Planks (quick and easy!) Hate: burpees, grasshoppes (they never get easier!) weight lifting on machines (boring!)

Great thread! I think about this often, actually. My kid isn't even two yet, but I hope he follows in our footsteps of activity. My parents weren't terribly active, so I did normal kid stuff - bike riding, rollerblading, etc etc. I wasn't very social, so I didn't play any sports (I'm not exactly a "team player" :-) ) I…

I'm a runner too and I've been doing this video for 3 or 4 weeks now! I'm still with level one because I can't do it 5-6 times a week AND run (that just eats a LOT of my time). But so far I'm really liking it. It's a lot more lower body work than I was doing before, so I was sore for about four days after the first time I…

Did I miss what kind of exercise you are doing? I like video workouts, but they get boring - so I like to keep a radio next to the TV and listen to that. I prefer talk radio, but that's just me :-) Running on the dreadmill is boring - but my first priority is to get on and cover the screen. I like to see how long I've been…

If you're planning on running a race, I would get at least three outside runs in. The dreadmill is great, if that is your only option (weather, kids, life) - but being out on the road is totally different! I was an outside runner for years, took some time off with a baby, and started up in the middle of winter, on the…

If you want to quit the gym, quit the gym! Sorry you get getting lots of pro-gym responses, I understand what you are saying. So, I would go with the bike - like, get a bike and go bike outside (you said you were already running outside?). You can get a stationary trainer thing to also ride your bike inside. The stationary…

Here is a whole list of gluten-free crock pot recipes. I don't eat g-free, but I've tried quite a few of these recipes with success. http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/12/alphabetical-listing-of-recipes.html

Ok, so the damage is done. It's time to move forward! No one said the journey is going to be easy, it's always going to have ups and downs. We just have to pick ourselves up from the downs and keep going. You can do this!

How does your daughter feel about the weight gain? Does she complain about it? Does she notice? Are you making a bigger deal about it than she is? I agree about getting her more active and involved - however you need to do that. Get on a bike with her. Get roller blades, scooters, trampolines, new running shoes, do it WITH…

I usually do 5-7 miles on MWF, and the same or longer on Saturday. I also add some bike rides in there (3-5 miles, maybe a long weekend one), and also try to do workout videos on off days. My body just doesn't feel good running more than two days in a row. I can do a major bike ride or something, just not running. Listen…

Race. Do it. Do it. Do it! Sorry, I love running. I'm no help. Can you train for the race every other week? I mean, obviously you are fit, so how much "training" do you need? With the workouts you are doing, you can't have lost any of your fitness. Besides - all of this weight training you are doing will make you a better…

Fantastic! I've had a similar experience, altho I'm not as far into my journey as you are. But I also wasn't eating those workout calories back and was shedding weight like crazy! After a plateau, and now feeling incredibly hungry 24/7, I'm eating those calories back and I don't feel bad about it.