You will have to try running or swimming to mix it up. I know how much you hate running, but try it. 3 two mile runs a week to start. Make sure to rest for 1-2 days between runs.

G

But the scenery in the spin class is so good.

Join a run group for a new perspective!

G

I fear that after the first miles of a run group, I will need binoculars to see any scenery worth seeing . . .

Okay, I will look for my running shoes and try to run a bit.

A run group is an excellent incentive. If you hang with the 14 min/mi girls, you will have A LOT to look at. You will train harder to be able to keep up with the < 10 min/mi girls. ;)

But seriously, I'll be interested to hear what the cross training will do to your weight. Make sure you start out slowly to ensure no injuries.

G

So, the last time I ran, there was a sadistic guy yelling at us to go faster, scary guys from the opposing town swearing at us and trying to beat us up, my friend was puking as he ran, my lungs were on fire, and I wanted nothing more than for the race to end. This is why I am apprehensive about running.

LOL. I take it you ran a 5 or 10k and decided to quit afterwards?

I don't consider myself a "runner" and don't think we are made to run a ton. But 10-15 miles a week will do wonders for weight and fitness IMHO. I just run slow and steady and joining a group has helped to get one long relaxed run in a week. I also stop running as soon as any injury starts to develop and start again when it healed, slowly ramping it up again.

I have raced 5ks and it has been fun but mainly a way to check your fitness by measuring your time against a known distance. It is good to go back 10 years later and still get about the same time ...

My weight's been flat but I am happy, as I have family visiting and that's usually a 5 pound gain.

G

I was on the cross-country team in high school. I went to high school in El Segundo, which was a middle-class, almost entirely white town (I think I was the only non-white kid I knew in H.S.) surrounded by what were then rather iffy and quite non-white towns - Lawndale, Torrance, Inglewood, Lennox, etc. "Cross country" meant running city courses past boarded up houses, liquor stores, sketchy alleyways, and what seemed like unfriendly spectators. The word was that you couldn't be the last runner on the course because you'd get pulled off in an alley or bush and beat up, maybe this was just something the older guys said to the JV, but anyway we all ran our guts out for every race, finished with cramps and knotted legs, burning lungs, throwing up. We didn't know anything about pacing or tactics, just ran flat out as hard as we could.

After a season I switched to the tennis team, and that was a lot more civilized.

Maybe those are nice towns now, I don't know. This was about 35 years ago. But I've never forgiven running!

190.2 last Thurs.
189.6 yesterday (Tues.)

I need to catch mossguy!

I see a trend! And that's over the weekend - that's usually my worst spot of the week!

I am flat at 182 for a week now. I really have to step it up to lose the second half of my goal 'til year's end.

I have a 10k scheduled next month ...

G

Since Thursdays are my official PPOT weigh ins:

190.2 last Thurs. (11/1/12)
189.6 yesterday (Tues. 11/6/12)
189.8 Today (11/8/12)

Not sure what happened, I feel like I've really been on it the last couple of days.

aigel, yeah, weekends are tough for me, too. Much easier during the week, there's just not a lot of food around during the work week.

I'm also trying running as a weight loss tool. I run every night now, and am increasing the distance. I have a minimum of 1.5 mile runs each night, but I'll go further if I feel I can. I did 3 miles last night, which is the furthest I've run in probably 20 years.

My son and I are also training to do a formal, sanctioned 10K race. He's young and in shape, and could probably knock it out right now (the goal is to run it without stopping or walking). I hope to be ready by January 1.

What's your goal weight?

Mc Lovin,

I am shooting for 175 this year but ultimately want to get to 165 and run a marathon in 2014. In 2013 I want to run a couple halfs. My knees and connective tissue are strong enough to go 10ks now, but at >180 lbs I doubt I'd finish a marathon without really hurting. (I am not too worried about my time, just finishing without major walks!).


G

OK, so for Stage 1, you have 7 to go, I have 5.

Let's see who can drop 5 first!

I've been surprised that my knees have been holding up. I've had problems running in the past, with sore knees and a tight lower back. But this go around seems ok so far.

182

18 . . . 9.

Ten # heavier than I was this summer. I can definitely notice the flab too.

The down side of living in the North? Not getting enough exercise? What are you going to do over the holidays? 200? :)

G

179 this morning after a few days away in the woods. Hunting season is starting to pay off! Let's see if I just was dehydrated or if I can hold it over the next two weeks.

You'll have to step it up McL!

G

190.2 (11/1/12)
189.6 (11/6/12)
189.8 (11/8/12)
189.4 today (11/13/12)

Damn G, you went from 182 to 179 in less than a week?

Please show me where those woods are!

This is some extremely tough sledding. There's honestly not a lot of places for me to step it up.

I've been exercising like a dog, 2X a day, including at least 3 miles of running every day. I've also been lifting far harder than normal. Physically, at my age, I can't do much more without having a breakdown of some sort.

I've also really been watching what I eat. My biggest change is absolutely no food after dinner. So I eat nothing after 7 pm. My total calories are less than 2K per day, for sure. I shoot for 1500. I eat a small enough amount per day that I need to be somewhat careful about getting up too quickly, I'll get lightheaded some times.

I've now done this for over 3 weeks straight, no cheating.

I guess the upside is I haven't *gained* any weight. I also, perhaps naively, feel like the weight is going to start dropping soon. Also, I was at 193 in late October. So I've lost a solid 3 lbs in 3 weeks.

But feels like it should be more . . .

PS, believe it or not, this thread is keeping me really motivated!

185 here I come.