Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

[winger]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

With all this in mind, it's a pain in the (neck) trying to find ways to stay active. Guess I'll just go back to walking a lot and stretching whenever possible.

Walking is still great for you, and by doing an active rest you will be able to return to your running form alot quicker. Plus it will keep the blood flowing to your injured bits and it will help them heal faster!

Stretching is also awesome, and maybe you could do some yoga, poses can be modifed but you would be working on your core and it will help keep you relax, again to help speed up your recovery.

 

[ScottM]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Cycling question that maybe some of you can help with. I tend to ride fairly upright (my ride is a hybrid, not a road bike, and has regular straight handlebars, so I can't really ride bent far over), and my left hand has always been my balance hand for as long as I can remember. So everything I need to do that requires taking a hand off the handlebars, hitting a button on my iPod or my computer, taking a drink, adjusting my helmet, whatever, it's always my right hand. As a result, there's more stress on my left arm, and I'm having pain in my left elbow, sometimes when I'm riding but also at other times when I lock my left arm. So my questions are:

1) Short-term, has anyone dealt with this type of pain before, and if so, how would you recommend making it go away?
2) Long-term, is there any good way (i.e., better than "just do it differently") to break myself of my riding style and become more ambidextrous?

I would *guess* you may have a form of tendonitis. I developed a case when I had rotator cuff surgery in my dominant arm, and had to rely on my left arm/hand for most activities. It tends to arise on occasion, especially if I abruptly change my workouts. I believe the treatment is largely conservative, and relies on resting and icing the affected area. I would suggest you try balance your riding tasks between the two arms when possible. If it keeps up, or affects you in other activities, you may want to consult your MD "just in case".

*The foregoing does not constitute medical advice. The author is not a doctor, does not play one on TV and did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.*

On my front, I found, happily, that I dropped 13 pounds in the past 2-3 weeks, and will try to drop another 15-20 over the next month or two. I recently went for my annual physical and was kind of embarrassed that I had put on that much. Shows what 6-7 day workweeks and eating at your desk can do to you, even if you can find time to workout.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Walking is still great for you, and by doing an active rest you will be able to return to your running form alot quicker. Plus it will keep the blood flowing to your injured bits and it will help them heal faster!

Stretching is also awesome, and maybe you could do some yoga, poses can be modifed but you would be working on your core and it will help keep you relax, again to help speed up your recovery.

I've noticed that too. I've got a new spring in my step, I'm able to stand a lot longer, and I'm still able to do a lot of cooking without moving the right arm too much. It's a pain to button my work shirt, but other than that, I'm feeling a lot better.

Also, I'm having fun with real food. I've found good, healthy recipes that don't skimp on taste, plus I've been buying fresh produce from the farmer's market instead of the grocery store. And I'm finally embracing the fact that fat is flavor, so it's alright to use a bit of olive oil or butter when cooking my veggies.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Had an awesome time this weekend at the Women's Football Academy at Michigan. We did a bunch of rotations learning different football drills. The rotation in the weight room with the strength and conditioning staff was really cool. Did some ab work, some balance stuff and some "weight lifting" (they had the lowest weights on the machines so that everyone could participate...it was fun watching them put the weight back on, as we were the last group).

I think I might work out more/harder if I had Michigan's strength and conditioning team yelling at me like I did there. And if that's how they treated a bunch of women, I wonder what they are like to the football team.

While we were in the weight room I took a look at some of the football team's records. Squats 680 lbs. Bench Press was 400 something. I can't remember them all. I was impressed. Also interesting to see the "nutrition drinks" a bunch of vitamin loaded things, and a gatorade dispenser with 5 different flavors.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

I finally joined a gym this afternoon. Found a simple one that just had cardio and weights, was open 24 hours (with keycard access), and costs a mere $35/month. It'll be nice working out at 6 AM without waking everyone else up...

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Today is the official start of our fall Marathon training- it's the first summer meet and workout with 501. I had a minor "stress" with our running schedule- on two of the schedules we started with, we had two 20 milers scheduled while we were on a 3 weekend trip abroad. While it was easy to move one of them up a week (right on time with an 18 mile race), moving the other down a week gave us pause, since it was only a two week taper to the race.

But our coach is confident that assuming we taper quickly from there, we will be ok.

So now the challenge REALLY begins.

What's kind of interesting is that between the various training programs, the weekly mileage isn't all that bad- the highest week (not Sat/Sun) is 8,6,8, and we've been able to run 10 miles on Tuesdays with the work outs, so it won't be too hard to fit all these miles in. AND we will be working a Hingdon plan in with our plan to lower the miles, but increase the speed a little.

Now to get Mrs Alfa qualified for Boston, and me to be under 4:00!!!

I honestly can't belive I'm saying this- but I'm actually excited about it!!!

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Today is the official start of our fall Marathon training- it's the first summer meet and workout with 501. I had a minor "stress" with our running schedule- on two of the schedules we started with, we had two 20 milers scheduled while we were on a 3 weekend trip abroad. While it was easy to move one of them up a week (right on time with an 18 mile race), moving the other down a week gave us pause, since it was only a two week taper to the race.

But our coach is confident that assuming we taper quickly from there, we will be ok.

So now the challenge REALLY begins.

What's kind of interesting is that between the various training programs, the weekly mileage isn't all that bad- the highest week (not Sat/Sun) is 8,6,8, and we've been able to run 10 miles on Tuesdays with the work outs, so it won't be too hard to fit all these miles in. AND we will be working a Hingdon plan in with our plan to lower the miles, but increase the speed a little.

Now to get Mrs Alfa qualified for Boston, and me to be under 4:00!!!

I honestly can't belive I'm saying this- but I'm actually excited about it!!!

As you should be! Why do something like this if you're not going to be excited about it?? Good luck to both you and the Mrs!

Well, I wound up losing an entire week of running to the bike crash (and, well, 2 500+mile road trips in less than a week). My left knee was a swollen, painful,black and blue mess, and after trying to walk on it a lot the 2 days after I hurt it I decided to rest let it heal up a bit. Yesterday was my first attempt at running again, and while it still wasn't 100% it did feel much better.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

As you should be! Why do something like this if you're not going to be excited about it?? Good luck to both you and the Mrs!

Well, I wound up losing an entire week of running to the bike crash (and, well, 2 500+mile road trips in less than a week). My left knee was a swollen, painful,black and blue mess, and after trying to walk on it a lot the 2 days after I hurt it I decided to rest let it heal up a bit. Yesterday was my first attempt at running again, and while it still wasn't 100% it did feel much better.

Like Bob- just take it easy while you come back. I didn't think the crash was that bad- but it's good to hear that you are running again.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Like Bob- just take it easy while you come back. I didn't think the crash was that bad- but it's good to hear that you are running again.

It didn't seem like it, but I guess it was. It also doesn't help that I'm generally uncoordinated and keep banging my knee in to things, so I imagine that's not helping.
And, like I told Flashy Man last night when we were talking, this week I'm putting the training program aside and just getting out there to run and ease back in to it. If I'm good again next week, then I'll get back on it.

 

[ScottM]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

It didn't seem like it, but I guess it was. It also doesn't help that I'm generally uncoordinated and keep banging my knee in to things, so I imagine that's not helping.

Bubble wrap, and duct tape. Be careful with the knees, since even seemingly minor injuries can mask something more. I walked around for a few weeks with a "sprain" that was actually a torn ACL.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Today is the official start of our fall Marathon training- it's the first summer meet and workout with 501. I had a minor "stress" with our running schedule- on two of the schedules we started with, we had two 20 milers scheduled while we were on a 3 weekend trip abroad. While it was easy to move one of them up a week (right on time with an 18 mile race), moving the other down a week gave us pause, since it was only a two week taper to the race.

But our coach is confident that assuming we taper quickly from there, we will be ok.

So now the challenge REALLY begins.

What's kind of interesting is that between the various training programs, the weekly mileage isn't all that bad- the highest week (not Sat/Sun) is 8,6,8, and we've been able to run 10 miles on Tuesdays with the work outs, so it won't be too hard to fit all these miles in. AND we will be working a Hingdon plan in with our plan to lower the miles, but increase the speed a little.

Now to get Mrs Alfa qualified for Boston, and me to be under 4:00!!!

I honestly can't belive I'm saying this- but I'm actually excited about it!!!

You should be! And I'm looking forward to running Detroit as well!

In the meantime, since I can't run Seaway, I decided to make up for it by running the Coast Guard 10K in Grand Haven next month, the Hey Radio 5K in August, and the Old Boys' 1/2 in September, all with my eyes on getting ready for Detroit in October.

 

[moose97]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Those of you that were talking about dumping soda a few days ago - wondering your thoughts on drinking alternatives. I'm not big on water (it doesn't have enough taste for me), but am okay with tea. Also, what are your thoughts on something like Crystal Lite? Just as bad as soda? I'm looking for a low calorie flavored drink that won't kill me or my teeth. Thanks for the input!

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Those of you that were talking about dumping soda a few days ago - wondering your thoughts on drinking alternatives. I'm not big on water (it doesn't have enough taste for me), but am okay with tea. Also, what are your thoughts on something like Crystal Lite? Just as bad as soda? I'm looking for a low calorie flavored drink that won't kill me or my teeth. Thanks for the input!

Have you tried adding a squirt of lemon or lime juice to your water? I'm the same way, and I found that really helped in terms of adding flavor. (There also have been studies that have shown that adding lemon to your water can boost your metabolism.)
Crystal Light is OK. I'm not big on something that artificial, but it is still better than a fully loaded soda. I'd say unsweetened teas would be a better alternative, and if you'd like it sweetened then add just a teaspoon or less of a sweetener.
If you have an extra pitcher you're not using, throw 3-4 teabags in and fill it with hot water, then put it in the fridge. Let steep and chill, and voila.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

What Short Stuff just said. I get the Lipton Cold Brew tea and use two of those in a half-gallon or so pitcher. Fill it with cold water before I go to bed at night and throw it in the fridge. When I leave for work in the morning I fill up a tall mug, drop in an ice cube, and away I go for the day, and no Pepsi or Coke for lunch. It's cheap and it's effective.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

I have to say that there are times when I hate running (usually when we "up" the amount of jogging in our training program), but the feeling afterward is truly awesome. (tcbg and I are working through our second week of Week 2 in the Couch to 5K program. Because neither one of us is in great shape, we're doing each "week" twice to insure that a) we don't overdo it and b) to be sure we don't hurt ourselves by increasing too quickly.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Those of you that were talking about dumping soda a few days ago - wondering your thoughts on drinking alternatives. I'm not big on water (it doesn't have enough taste for me), but am okay with tea. Also, what are your thoughts on something like Crystal Lite? Just as bad as soda? I'm looking for a low calorie flavored drink that won't kill me or my teeth. Thanks for the input!

Paitence. Eventually, you will loose the craving for a sweet drink, and water will be good enough. Think about it this way- water will let you taste the food better.

 

[ScottM]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Those of you that were talking about dumping soda a few days ago - wondering your thoughts on drinking alternatives. I'm not big on water (it doesn't have enough taste for me), but am okay with tea. Also, what are your thoughts on something like Crystal Lite? Just as bad as soda? I'm looking for a low calorie flavored drink that won't kill me or my teeth. Thanks for the input!

I generally opt for straight water, but I agree that adding a few shots of fruit juice can be helpful to give it some flavor. One of my buddies also adds slices of lemons, limes or oranges to his water pitchers. I think you'd have to change that out frequently, but it's a good way to add flavor. If I'm working out or working in the yard on a hot, sultry day (right now our heat indexes are above 100), I go for powered Gatorade in the water bottles.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Currently getting very frustrated with not doing anything, but I have headaches and vertigo courtesy of an ******* with a hockey stick in my game Sunday night.

It has taken a LOT of self control not to go to crossfit, but I went yesterday and felt sick just doing sit-ups, so I'm trying to not be an idiot and take a couple of days off.

 

[jmh]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Currently getting very frustrated with not doing anything, but I have headaches and vertigo courtesy of an ******* with a hockey stick in my game Sunday night.

It has taken a LOT of self control not to go to crossfit, but I went yesterday and felt sick just doing sit-ups, so I'm trying to not be an idiot and take a couple of days off.

Ouch... did you get hit in the head? I'm hardly a doctor, but that sounds like concussion symptoms.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2010: Whatever it takes

Question for those of you who are runners:
tcbg and I are doing the Couch to 5K program together. We're on Week 2, so the running/jogging isn't that intense. I feel great after each run/jog (though not always during ), so I was thinking about increasing the workouts to everyday, rather than every other day. The program is built for 3 days a week and it says not to increase, even if you feel you can. Thoughts on whether they're just being precautionary or whether I should just stick to their plan...?