First welcome to the board.
There is a fine line between strengthening muscle, ligaments, and cartilage and loosing & or damaging. That is why some folks say walking is better than running. Walking helps strengthen connective tissue while the constant pounding of running damages it. Of course probably 95% depends on ones own body.
It is never a bad idea to eat better.
There are docs on this board. Hopefully they'll chime in with professional opinions. I just stay in Holiday Inn Expresses.
