Looks good! You are making Michelle Obama jealous!

No problem I hope they can help you. The shoe prices vary a lot so don't be surprised if the prices are a bit higher than you expect. It will be worth it though to not have that ongoing pain and also pay that little extra to have some actual professionals get you the best fitting shoe.

Jason I see you live in a city that makes running shoes (Brooks)

http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/do-running-shoes-make-us-run-the-risk-of-injury/19309476/[/url]

I would say a store like this one by your house would be a good choice to start with

http://www.seattleshoe.com/[/url]

They also get excellent reviews on Yelp
http://www.yelp.com/biz/shanes-foot-comfort-center-shoreline

Jason try a runner's specific shoe store. I have problematic shins at times when I run and the right shoes help a lot. Avoiding pavement helps too but it's doable once you get some recovery time and ease back into it.

Excellent job!!! Time to sign up for a 5K event for the spring now?

Hello all! I am a traineo old timer and lost a bunch of weight here in the past (then really stopped being so active in the gym and gained it back). I am working on losing the weight again but this time I decided to actively keep measurements of my body as well as the number on the scale. I was shocked about my waistline measurement in particular...

You might be shocked to know that as a guy I have my own "fat pants" as lots of gals like to call it. When I'm fit I wear a 34 waist, and as of the last year or so I've regressed to my 36s. In taking my initial measurements for my new goals I was very surprised to see my waist measurement come in at 39 inches!!! How could this be if I'm wearing size 36 pants?! Now mind you, the pants were a little tight, but not sausage casing tight! Here I was thinking all along that I was just about to need maybe 38s and had to exercise to avoid them; but really I was 38+ at the very least! Maybe 40?!

Is this something found just in the USA or what? Is this some kind of conspiracy to make us heavier Americans feel better? I'm wearing 36 waist jeans and slacks, so the conspiracy runs across all brands and styles of men's pants! I'm exposing the TRUTH about fat pants in the USA!!! I plan to be a LEGIT 34 inch waist by the time I hit my goals this time! Who's with me?!?

I wonder if this measurement change has slowly creeped up over the last 20-30 years. For example, is a woman's size 8 dress from 1985 going to fit the same size/shape woman as a size 8 dress purchased today? I have the same question about a men's size 36 waist jeans bought in 1985 vs today

Rise up against fat pants!!!

I find the best way to keep up motivation for the gym is to be involved in some sort of sport. It could be a group sport you join through a social club, city-run, or other (like softball, basketball, volleyball, etc). Another way is to make a promise to yourself to do an activity outside that you enjoy at least once a week that must be outside the gym, like mountain biking, street bike, walking, hiking, etc. That way you get to see in the "real world" how your training in the gym makes you feel. Another way you could motivate yourself is to register for a running race that is say 2-3 months in advance. This way you have this goal to work towards. Then after that race you can schedule another one at the same distance or push yourself to go farther. Good luck! It's hard for me to be in the gym too!

There are a lot of variations of curls but I think that's what you are going to need to do. Preacher curls, alternating dumbbell curls, or isolated curls using your legs. The only other choice I can think is to do bicep pull ups.

Push ups are not bicep exercise, they work pectorals and triceps

Sorry to hear about your friend, I hope he gets well soon!

Warm up is different for everyone but I usually just do some stretches and then maybe 5-10 of walking before the race just to loosen up. I stretch afterward too.

For a meal, I will have a banana about 45 min to an hour before the race, that's about it except for some water.

If the race is "chipped" then they will have a little ID tag for you to wear on your shoe. It knows when you cross the finish line so they can automatically record your time. Don't forget to turn the little chip back into the race folks when you've finished!

In a typical race it's best to start in the part of the pack that matches your pace. So if you're shooting for a 25-30 minute race time you should probably start about 1/2 or 2/3 back in the overall group of people. The faster people should be right at the starting line and the walkers the furthest back. Expect to start out slow until the runners start to spread out a little.

If there are water stations and you don't want to lose time, it is possible to drink the water and not have to stop to get a drink. When you grab the water cup, crush the top of the cup so it makes like a tiny slit instead of being wide open. That keeps the water from splashing out. Then just tip the cup up to your mouth and drink. Throw the cup on the ground there and a volunteer will pick up the cups later. You might have already known this tip from your tri's but just sharing for everyone!

Good luck with your race!

Whatever works for you is best. Typically the diet and exercise will drop you a quick 5 pounds but the weeks that follow get tougher! So weighing yourself too often can then become frustrating. Whatever you chose, it's best to measure at the same time each day so you have a better idea on your progress. I like to weigh myself first thing in the morning before hopping in the shower.

Steady progress is best to keep the weight off... 1-2 pounds per week is what a lot of people see until the dreaded plateau, which happens at different times for different people. If you plateau then it's time to change your routine up a bit.

Congrats on a great start!

I lost a great amount of weight on the elliptical machine. I usually get shin and knee pain from jogging so this was a great alternative for me.

Finally working, hooray!!! Now you can see how I've been letting my hair grow out...

Thanks anyway Rachael. It was a good idea and worth a shot!



Now don't go and try to change your profile pic, you'll end up like us!

I just tried a filename w/o spaces, still no luck.

The picture upload feature has been busted for about a week or so now. If you have a profile pic established, you're fine until you try to change it! I've tried several JPG's at different sizes. Nothing works.

I don't believe the WiiFit age. I'm 35 and the thing has said I've come in at 29 and then the next day 43! All depends how well you do in the balance game that day... some of them can be tough but I would argue balance does not directly correlate to age.



Also I feel that I get better response from the board if I use it on my hardwood floor versus on my area rug. Try it on the carpet for a few days then try switching to a hard surface.



Has anybody learned the secret yet to long ski jumps?

Wife (fiance actually until next year) likes the Wii Fit as well. Her first time on it she spent about 45 minutes doing the different yoga poses and also playing the games. This weekend she took all the records on the ski jump. I've played the games now with several niece / nephews and other friend's kids and all seem to like it. The hula-hoop game for Wii Fit is really popular too.



Now that I've had the machine a few days I feel it will certainly help with balance and core strength in the abs and lower back but will not be losing me any pounds. Admittedly I've spent little time with the aerobic and strength exercises. Maybe as I get more into it my opinion will change.

Got my Wii Fit board yesterday! It's a blast!!! I pre-ordered mine from amazon. I didn't have much time to try everything on there but I did the basic intro stuff and played a couple of the games (hula hoop, skiing, ski jump). I can't wait to play some more this weekend



I think this board is going to sell very well in the US and be hard to find, just like the Wii!

It is going to be different in that traineo can track your weight and diet and is free (of course you need to buy or have access to a scale). The Wii Fit will weigh you and track your weight, but does nothing regarding diet.



I just got my Wii Fit board yesterday. I can say so far I don't see it improving my weight. Perhaps it will improve my balance and maybe strengthen my core (abdominal) muscles. It sure is a lot of fun!



I plan to keep using both Wii Fit and traineo. I like the message boards and the encouragement from others that I get here.

You could also consider something like this however people have mixed opinions about the accuracy of the electrical measurement. I don't have one myself, nor do I no via the caliper method what my body fat % is.

My dad has run for years and uses the band aids. I don't seem to have the problem due to my soft and supple nips. Or I'm just not running far enough!

I've had shin splints in the past and they're quite painful. I think the #1 thing that helped me was going to a running store and having them look at my foot and my stride. The right shoe did the trick.



In addition I like to use the elliptical machine a lot in place of running. It's easier on the knees -- and shins. I still run but just not as often.



The stretching is also very important no matter what exercise you choose.

I lost 25 pounds using the elliptical machine as my primary cardio. At first it was really tough but I started to use the machine 5-6 days a week and got my times up to 45 minutes to an hour. I break a good sweat around the 10 minute mark and I let the machine run the cross training program which varies the ramp angle. It's a great workout and my cardio fitness is the best it's ever been.



I still like elliptical over running as it is less punishment on the knees.

It will shed weight for you but everyone's body is different. As you mentioned, you cannot really "spot train" to lose fat just in one area... but believe me, the elliptical will take off weight if you work hard on it. I lost 30 pounds with a combination of elliptical training and light weight training following that 5-6 times per week for a period of 3-4 months. I still do that routine although now I mix in some sports and other activities and I feel great!



Good luck in your training!

Well you used to do all that drinking with no exercise at all and you saw the result (weight gain) - now with exercise mixed in you might still lose weight or not gain any more, it's just your weight losses will not be as quick with the drinking still in the diet.



P.S. - drinking is still in my diet and I've lost 35 pounds in about 5 months But I do go to the gym 6 days a week and do 60 minutes of cardio every time (there's your fine print disclaimer!)

My advice would be to exercise on the elliptical for at least 30 min per day for 5 or 6 days per week. I go at a hectic pace, but my goal has been to lose weight (like 30 pounds!). For toning though I don't think you need to be as aggressive, just consistent. Try to find a regular time each day where you can commit the time.



I find that logging my workouts here is a motivator along with the other great people here who are making amazing changes to their bodies.



I don't know if your elliptical has preprogrammed "courses" on it, but the one I like to use myself is the one that is called cross training, it's a change in incline that looks like you're going up a hill, then down. The peak of the hill (most work) is 1/2 way in. I like this program because even though there is work involved in the second half of the program, I still like to think that I'm "going downhill" and that the hardest part of the workout is behind me.



I like listening to some rockin' music while I workout too, it keeps me motivated and working hard.



Good luck with your training! Let us know what is working for you! Just keep with it and you will see results for sure.

Every person has their opinion and is entitled to it, my opinion/advice to you is do whatever works for your body. Listen to what it tells you and experiment. They key is to do what you think feels best and keeps you coming back to the gym.



In general a light snack before exercise (with carbs) gives you a kick of energy in the gym. I like to have a little granola bar or a banana maybe 30 minutes before I go into the gym. But not mandatory.



Many say eating after the workout is important. I try to keep it small in portion size but healthy and always mix in plenty of water before, during, and after the workout. I eat a lot of chicken and veggies these days. Almost no pasta or any processed wheat stuff. I drink a lot of water throughout the day and I believe this helps curb appetite, and it's zero calories



I always exercise immediately after my work day, we have a gym at work. I am not a morning person so if I was forced or told the morning is the best time to workout, I would have quit a long time ago. I hate waking up early. Working out after work has been great for me.



Exercise order has been in debate here before too. I do what I like which is cardio first then lift weights. When I lift weights first I feel "cold" and like I'm not doing much work. After a 30-45 min cardio, the weights feel a lot better to me, so that's how I do it. People can argue and tell me it's wrong but... my results: 3 months and I've lost 25 pounds. I'm happy with that result. So I'll keep doing it the way that has been proven to work for my body.



So experiment and see what works for you and your body! Once you find that out you're going to be feeling great and will see all sorts of fantastic changes with your body and mind.

I like doing dips after every cardio workout. I just like to see how many I can do after a great cardio workout.



My dad is a retired cop and in good shape, so once I asked him... what do you do first (weights or running) and why? He said, "First you chase the bad guys, then you kick their a$$". Makes sense enough! So I do my cardio first then my weights.

I have not been trying to spot reduce but I would love to have my stomach smaller. It is shrinking, along with my waistline. My routine has been to eat healthier, portion control (lower calories per day), and combine with a workout 5-6 days per week of 45-60 min cardio, usually elliptical machine, and then 20 min of some weight lifting (alternate one day pushing exercises, next day pulling... 3 sets, 12-15 reps per set).



The result has been a drop in weight from 206 to my current 183 in about 2.5 months. And my waist went from 36 to 34. It takes time but it's worth it!

My goals combine what I think is the sometimes boring gym life with real life. I want to set goals on my time performance on 5K races, maybe later 10k races... I also love mountain biking so I measure my time to do a particular course and try to beat my personal best. Even if I don't, I feel progress when I power over more hills, catch some air or stop for water breaks less and less! It all says to me I am making progress and the sometimes boring gym life is really worth it.