Take care of yourself

Running burns better than anything in my experience. It's also hard on your knees, or at least mine, especially when I'm heavier. I need to get below 200 before I can make running a regular part of the routine. But nothing keeps the pounds off for me like it.

The problem with cardio without weights is that you lose muscle as well as fat. If you want to be skinny, that's one thing. If you want to be built but not fat, then you need to throw some weights in there.

 

I doubt I'll run either. Those days are over. I'll burn anywhere from 300 to 560 on the elliptical and anywhere from 900 to 1200 elevated walking at 3.5 on the treadmill; though today I did 30 minutes at 3.6/15-incline. I might be able to go as high as 4-speed and 15-incline. Might try it tomorrow, for at least 40 minutes.

 

I mix in some lifting for that very reason, even though my emphasis - as my avatar gives away - is running/cardio.

My athletic skill set is very minimal. But so far, my primary one seems to be being able to run a lot without getting hurt. That’s a blessing not everyone is endowed with.

 

That’s impressive.

 

I’m down 35+ lbs. since July (I was ashamed to weigh when I started the diet). Right now hovering between 202 and 205 (I’m a shade under 6 feet). Started to push it against last week ... want to be at 190 before May.

Ran my first-ever 5K on Thanksgiving but had hurt my knee that week and only now am back out there in reasonable form. I still lift at the Y three days a week, though.

Will be glad when these goddamn Girl Scout cookie terrorists are gone. Make America Great Big Again wasn’t part of the deal.

 

This is not a revelation, but I think some people are just better built to run. If you're 5' 9" and 150, you're just carrying much less load than someone like me or @Songbird. David Epstein's really good book, The Sports Gene, drove it home for me that I'll never be a natural runner. Just too much leg mass, apart from anything. (Apparently one of the signs for a good running physique is slender legs below the knee.) You're lucky that you can just run. I'm pretty envious of people who make it look easy. I always look like I'm suffering, which I am.

Walking is a lower impact, less effective, really fucking boring substitute.

 

Thin Mints are the most deceptively named food in American history.

 

Thin Mints are the Clean Coal of food.

 

My drenched shirt would argue otherwise ...

... but it helps to have the teevee on SportsCenter though Neil is a bit too much some mornings. What the fuck is this BARTENDER!!!11!! shit?

 

My new treadmill knocks out the satellite when it’s on. Steady diet of “Cheers” and “Sports Jeopardy” re-runs on the DVR getting me through right now. Spring can’t arrive soon enough.

 

I actually like to run. Perhaps it's a little masochism but I likely enjoy it more than most 250-pounders with big upper bodies. Problem is my hand-me-down treadmill is so loud that I can't run during my free time -- in the middle of the night when the kids are sleeping. I need to budget my time a little better so I can run a couple times a week when kids are at school.

 

I run without music or TV. Healthy punishment.