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I'd like to chime in here and say that I drink a cup or two of black coffee about a half-hour before a run. It warms me up for cold weather running (winter in Seattle) and the caffeine gives me a little boost I need for my daily 5k runs. Now, I'm not sure if this is a completely healthy thing or not, but it works for me. Also, I never add anything to my coffee and I've come to enjoy the taste.
 
I used to be 300 lbs 4 years ago. I dropped 80 lbs in 8 months by doing moderate exercise and not eating like a pig. I recently put 35 lbs back on due to stress and saying "screw it, I'm eating the damn nachos". Now I'm trying to work it off again.
 
Thanks! Now down to 168.8lbs/76.5kg today. Next and final target 154lbs.

First target was 182lbs, second 168lbs, final 154lbs. Will always be working out once I achieve the final.

Started 235lbs July 2015. 183lbs August 31 2016, 168.8lbs November 13 2016.


Was originally 40"/38" jeans in past years now down to 32" jeans.

166.6lbs/75.5kg November 27, 2016. On route to the 154 target.

Body Water 63.5%
Body Fat 13.3%
Bone 6.0lb
BMI 24.7
Visceral Fat 9 (1 - 9 Safe Zone)
BMR 2156.0kcal
Muscle Mass 120.4lb
 
I'd like to chime in here and say that I drink a cup or two of black coffee about a half-hour before a run. It warms me up for cold weather running (winter in Seattle) and the caffeine gives me a little boost I need for my daily 5k runs. Now, I'm not sure if this is a completely healthy thing or not, but it works for me. Also, I never add anything to my coffee and I've come to enjoy the taste.
The only negatives are possibly having to stop sooner than expected for a bathroom break, and a slight increase in heart rate. If you are running with a heart rate monitor and trying to stay in zone 2, you will need to take such into account.

As to "chiming in," Apple won't let you do that anymore with the new Macs. :eek:
 
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The only negatives are possibly having to stop sooner than expected for a bathroom break, and a slight increase in heart rate. If you are running with a heart rate monitor and trying to stay in zone 2, you will need to take such into account.

As to "chiming in," Apple won't let you do that anymore with the new Macs. :eek:
Good advice about the heart rate, thank you :)
 
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So last Saturday I was jogging and my right calf muscles tightened up pretty bad a mile into my 4 mile route. I figured I'd just power through and now for the last week it's felt right and uncomfortable. Did I sprain/strain something? It doesn't hurt in the resting position, just when I flex it. Any advice on how to care for an injury like this?
 
So last Saturday I was jogging and my right calf muscles tightened up pretty bad a mile into my 4 mile route. I figured I'd just power through and now for the last week it's felt right and uncomfortable. Did I sprain/strain something? It doesn't hurt in the resting position, just when I flex it. Any advice on how to care for an injury like this?
It sounds like a strained muscle, a sprain usually involves the joint and its attachments. I would recommend seeing a physician to assess the severity of the injury. Until you can do that, rest and elevation of the leg would be beneficial. In the future, try to avoid the thought of "powering through", pain is there to alert you to a problem and should not be ignored.
 
It sounds like a strained muscle, a sprain usually involves the joint and its attachments. I would recommend seeing a physician to assess the severity of the injury. Until you can do that, rest and elevation of the leg would be beneficial. In the future, try to avoid the thought of "powering through", pain is there to alert you to a problem and should not be ignored.
Thanks. I'm traveling fir work right now and I'm not going to pay out of network prices to see a doc. I'll just not run for a while.
 
So last Saturday I was jogging and my right calf muscles tightened up pretty bad a mile into my 4 mile route. I figured I'd just power through and now for the last week it's felt right and uncomfortable. Did I sprain/strain something? It doesn't hurt in the resting position, just when I flex it. Any advice on how to care for an injury like this?


If you stretch before you run you should consider a Foam Roller to align the fibers in your calves and quad.

 
If you stretch before you run you should consider a Foam Roller to align the fibers in your calves and quad.

I realize it's been a while since I attended medical school, but that sounds like bro science to me. Is there any medical proof that a foam roller actually aligns muscle fibers? Workout techniques are repeated all the time without a shred of medical proof.
 
I realize it's been a while since I attended medical school, but that sounds like bro science to me. Is there any medical proof that a foam roller actually aligns muscle fibers? Workout techniques are repeated all the time without a shred of medical proof.

I use a foam roller almost every day and it helps alleviate tightness in muscles, joints, and tendons. It helps.
 
I use a foam roller almost every day and it helps alleviate tightness in muscles, joints, and tendons. It helps.
Oh, I don't doubt that you think it helps, power of suggestion can be quite powerful. But, a foam roller cannot align muscle fibers.
 
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The scale was 4 pounds heavier the day after Thanksgiving, and I even ran 6 miles that day! A little more than half of that has since been lost, so I'm again close to my comfortable goal and back on to working on my stretch goal. I am hoping for a 6.5 mile run tonight after work, which would give me 100 for November and put me in line for an easy December to reach my yearly goal of 500 miles.
 
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In my opinion, you don't know what you're talking about. :)
That follows. You cannot accept being corrected by someone who has the proper training so you fall back to the only defense that your mind will allow you to support. Along with medicine, I feel you could benefit from the study of psychology.
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The scale was 4 pounds heavier the day after Thanksgiving, and I even ran 6 miles that day! A little more than half of that has since been lost, so I'm again close to my comfortable goal and back on to working on my stretch goal. I am hoping for a 6.5 mile run tonight after work, which would give me 100 for November and put me in line for an easy December to reach my yearly goal of 500 miles.
That's the attitude, push on toward your goals :)


I need to buy a good pair of running shoes, but the number of choices can be daunting. I'm thinking Brooks, Asics or Saucony. Anyone have any suggestions for good running shoes that won't wear out in a few months?
 
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That follows. You cannot accept being corrected by someone who has the proper training so you fall back to the only defense that your mind will allow you to support. Along with medicine, I feel you could benefit from the study of psychology.
[doublepost=1480532911][/doublepost]
That's the attitude, push on toward your goals :)


I need to buy a good pair of running shoes, but the number of choices can be daunting. I'm thinking Brooks, Asics or Saucony. Anyone have any suggestions for good running shoes that won't wear out in a few months?
Altra makes an excellent running shoe. It has a wide toe box and allow your toes to splay naturally (as you would walking normally) so your feet won't be cramped. I have 15 brand new pairs (various models) of Altra waiting to be used. They are zero drop shoes and take several weeks to transition into. They are very popular with street and trail runners. Best place to get great prices on them and other brands is shoebuy.com (they allow returns) They are having a 30% off sale right now. If you do order running shoes, I suggest you buy 1/2 size up. That way you feet have room to swell and your big toe won't be hitting the front of your shoe etc. I normally wear a EE - 4E and I am able to wear Altra shoes just fine (in their D width) because of the wide toe box.

Their Provision 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 shoes are good street running shoes.
Their Paradigm 2.0 shoes are great for long runs, as they have a good bit of cushion.

I get the Altra shoes when they are on sale. That way I can afford the shoes, instead of paying retail.
 
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Altra makes an excellent running shoe. It has a wide toe box and allow your toes to splay naturally (as you would walking normally) so your feet won't be cramped. I have 15 brand new pairs (various models) of Altra waiting to be used. They are zero drop shoes and take several weeks to transition into. They are very popular with street and trail runners. Best place to get great prices on them and other brands is shoebuy.com (they allow returns) They are having a 30% off sale right now. If you do order running shoes, I suggest you buy 1/2 size up. That way you feet have room to swell and your big toe won't be hitting the front of your shoe etc. I normally wear a EE - 4E and I am able to wear Altra shoes just fine (in their D width) because of the wide toe box.

Their Provision 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 shoes are good street running shoes.
Their Paradigm 2.0 shoes are great for long runs, as they have a good bit of cushion.

I get the Altra shoes when they are on sale. That way I can afford the shoes, instead of paying retail.
Thank you very much for the great information. Altra has some rather attractive offerings, I'm going to research this more in-depth but it appears Altra may have a new customer. Registering at shoebuy.com now.
 
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Thanks for the info BasicGreatGuy! I've been thinking about squeezing in quick runs after work so I'm consdiering starting road running. I use Salomons and La Sportivas for trail running and hiking. I don't think they would be best to use for running on the road.
 
Thanks for the info BasicGreatGuy! I've been thinking about squeezing in quick runs after work so I'm consdiering starting road running. I use Salomons and La Sportivas for trail running and hiking. I don't think they would be best to use for running on the road.
You are welcome. If you have any questions about Altra shoes or running equipment etc., I will be glad to help any way I can.

6pm.com is another good shoe site that has good prices a lot of the time.

I really like the Paradigm 2.0. I can run 30+ miles in them, and my feet still feel relatively fresh. Altra Torin is also a good model for road running.
 
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