Have to start somewhere MLH! I am making a slow return to running and am…running slowly. But I get faster all the time. It is harder to claw back some speed now than it was ten years ago.
I absolutely agree about tracking food intake to make sure nothing is escaping notice. I love to eat nuts and my idea of a serving is more like four servings, so I have to think about serving size.
MaineLonghorn does Crossfit, which is strength work. I understand running slowly- no problem with that. However, 14:00 mile pace is not running. It’s either running with walking breaks or a fast walk. I have done MAF training (low heart rate) which requires really slow running and/or walking breaks to keep your heart rate at a certain level. Slower than maybe a 12:30 - 12:45 pace is a walk.
@romanigypsyeyes you are doing so well!! I was glad to check in and see this thread is still active.
I agree with everyone that calories burned are totally inaccurate on Lose It as well. I haven’t added calories burned into the total calories eaten for the day. I figured it was too hard to work them off to add them back in.
I crossed (barely) into the 140s this week. It was a bit surprising but I was pleased with it! So far I am down 45 lbs since Jan 2017. I still walk about 5 miles a day a 5 days a week. If I only get three though it is still a win. I started a yoga class twice a week. I would really like to do that more but then I wouldn’t have time to walk.
I have been using my iPhone to track my steps and distance but lately it seems to be off. Especially the colder it got. Does anyone else just use their phone?
Looking forward to warmer weather to walk despite the 6 inches of snow today. It is great to see so much success on the thread.
I think there are varying opinions on how well a phone’s step count works. The same might be said for a Fitbit device. I think though a Fitbit on a wrist is going to just be more stable in terms of counting steps - it’s secure in one spot, your wrist (make sure its not too tight or too loose). A phone on the other hand can be in a purse, a pocket, a hand, etc. Cushioning (in your heavy coat pocket for example) can affect steps counted. I’ve heard that battery can affect step counting (???).
Can you adjust settings on the phone for stride, etc. ??? You can do that on a Fitbit.
I think what is most important is to get a baseline. If you’re going to use your phone, then track what it records over a period of time to see what YOUR average is. Maybe you see your average is 8k-10k steps on your phone - then that’s your baseline. Or find a baseline for a walk route by recording the # of steps of the same path over a few days of walking.
So I use a Fitbit Blaze. I don’t carry my phone all the time - and I want credit for ALL steps and stair climbing! That said, I have always set my step goal at 10% above what I want to be sure to get. So my MINIMUM daily steps is 11K - with that I figure I get 10K for sure (my actual daily average is a good bit higher).
@abasket Maybe I should look into getting a Fitbit. I have been relying on my iPhone for a year or so and walk basically the same paths so it was really noticeable when the counts were off. I don’t need all of the info that Fitbit gives so I have resisted buying one. I might try one though. Thanks!
@alexgrin , you will be much better off without weird medical procedures. If it was on your toes it would be called frostbite 
Ouch!
I haven’t noticed much of a disparity between an Apple watch and an iPhone. I just use 90 cal/mile for walking, zero for stairs climbed (I assume that it is included in the walking figure) and use the calorie figure on the cardio gym machines, and the cyclometer app for bike rides (I set my weight 5-10 lbs lower the app doesn’t overestimate).
The iPhone counts all of your activity, which might add up to several miles just normally walking at work or home.
Well, I’m running the entire time - not walking at all. My heart rate was up to was up to 152 bpm. It’s probably because I’m heavy, but I really am running. 
This is one reason I didn’t start running for many years. I was ALWAYS slow. But my friends encouraged me, too, anyway, and I’m glad I did.
The good news is that my resting heart rate is down to 62 bpm, MUCH lower than it was a few months ago.
You’ll get faster, and so what if you don’t! Just turn your feet over a tiny bit quicker, which will lead to a little bit faster pace and more calories burned. Do you know your max HR? the 152 may or may not be high for you, depending on your max. You can’t go by the formulas, unfortunately, until you know your Max HR. If you are brave, you can do a self test by running a half mile as fast as you possibly can (with someone there to catch you when you collapse off the treadmill) and see what your HR is. It’s worth it to know that number to some degree of certainty.
Yes, I use just my iPhone to track steps. I use the Pedometer App.
When we hike, if I remember, I’ll “record” the hike using the AllTrails App. The distance walked on AllTrails closely matches up with Pedometer.
I don’t know how accurate it is, but as long as it’s relatively consistent, I’m content.
I’m never sure what thread to post in but thought I’d bump this one up.
I’ve never committed to running. I’ve played around with the idea and go though short periods of running/walking but it hasn’t stuck.Question for those of you who run on a regular basic so do you run outdoors or on the treadmill? In the past I’ve run a loop in my neighborhood that is a mix of flat, slow incline with one decent hill. When I get in the grove I enjoy sprinting up and down the hill.
Im feeling the need to switch up my cardio a few days of the week. Presently I’m taking a dance movement class once a week. Rising the stationary bike 3 to 4 days a week. I’ve switched my bike routine from a steady rate for 50 minutes down to 30 minutes with intervals of higher speed. This week I decided to check out the outdoor track at my gym. It’s not a full size track I would say it’s a 1/4 mile per loop. I’m alternating running and walking with the hope of building up to more run less walk.
My goals aside from increased strength and energy is to get my waist measurement down to a healthier size. My BMI and weight is in the normal range but my waist measurement has been slow to move. I’m on the border of unhealthy for my height and weight. I’m 5 5 1/2 with a waist measurement of 32 1/2.
Any suggestions?
I started running at age 53 - been 5 years now. I am not a long distance runner, nor a big race runner but I run for myself usually at least 3 times a week, usually a distance of 3-4 miles each time. If nothing else I am consistent!
I highly recommend the Couch To 5K app/program. It is a 9 week program - but I took at little longer to do it because if I felt a week was hard for me I chose to repeat it. 3x a week you do a 30ish minute prescribed segment. You always start and end with a walking warm up/cool down. In the beginning you will do more walking than running. Short cycles. Like “one minute walk, 30 second run”. It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life when I completed this and ran my first 5k!
IMO it is very important to practice good form. You could probably find a beginners class at a local running store in your area.
Another valuable option for me is using the Galloway method. Basically setting a walk/run pattern to help you build endurance and perhaps longer distances (but still good for shorter distances!) I use the Runkeeper app and I make custom running workouts to choose from. A favorite is 5 minute walk warm up, run for 3, walk for 1, run for 4, walk for 1 - rinse and repeat until I’m done! And then a walking cool down.
Running has definitely toned my legs (they used to be my worst feature!) some AND my arms - that was a bit of a surprise.
Also, I almost always run outside. Treadmill = Dreadmill for me!!! I prefer the fresh air and the interest of moving - it feels more natural.
The biggest mistake new runners make (and the thing that makes them hate running) is going too fast. You should be able to converse in short phrases. So what if you are very slow? Don’t feel pressured to be fast. You should not be gasping for air unless you want to throw in a little pickup segment or finish up with a short sprint. Build up the endurance and you will get faster. If your track is 1/4 mile around then it is a full size track. I try to run outdoors, but have a good treadmill at home (and at work, for that matter) if I need it on bad weather days or to supplement my daily mileage. I don’t love the treadmill…
I added couch to 5 k to my phone and I’m going to look into the other app and the Galloway method.
Confirmed that it is not a full size track, 6 loops makes a mile. Today according to my iPhone I went 2.2 miles in 30 minutes. A combo of running and walking. I think it was an improvement over yesterday. I didn’t follow any plan just ran till I felt like I needed to walk and alternated based on how I was feeling. I will see how my hips feel tonight.
How many days a week should I strive for? I want to increase my endurance but no desire to run races. I have sensitive hips and I don’t want to end up with bursitis again.
Any feeling on whether strength training should be before or after cardio?
I just had to do a return at the Ugg store and the front half of the store is Hoka. The shoes and now the clothing are a nice incentive to get in shape. The rainbow of shoe colors is awesome.
I am doing the Couch to 5k program right now while recovering from injury. The program is 3 days a week and it’s how I got started with running. I do Pilates training or other cross training on the days I don’t run - so 6 days of exercise a week and 1 day of complete rest (no intentional exercise, just dog walking or the like).
I have always hated running and I think it is still not my preferred way of exercise. From my limited running experience, running outdoors is “harder”, esp since I live in a pretty hilly place there are lots of up and down hills, which makes running outdoors a lot harder and (I think) burns more calories.
That being said, we have had a long (and seems never ending winter), I run on the treadmill four or five times a week this winter and only about 1.2-1.3 miles for about 12 minutes (with cooldown). my regular strength training and interval training have improved my endurance significantly, I will be doing a 10-k run in a week and am hoping to break the 60’ mark.
I’m telling you so many of the now runners on this board started with C25K - and most are still running (at least the ones that have expressed they did C25k) -it is an excellent program that will teach you to breath (SOOO important in running), to pace, to judge your mileage, to build endurance, etc. Give it a fair try - at least a month. Completing a day will be super satsifying! Don’t worry that a session of the app isn’t giving you a ton of mileage. You are learning much more that is important than distance. Cross training - your other exercise is super important as well.
Three times a week is plenty. Your body needs to adjust to this new activity. Don’t worry about mileage or speed. Just one day at a time.
@abasket - you’re a good sales woman, I’ll give the C25K app a fair try. I can see how people get addicted to an exercise routine. I find myself not wanting to make plans that conflict with my Pilates and my strength training class. If I take to running I will probably only run outside. I live in a temperate climate and with the ongoing drought I rarely even have rain to deal with. I also think I’d be bored on the treadmill. Taking into account some of what @abasket and @MomofWildChild have suggested I’m going to start off just using the track at the gym. I’ll save my hilly neighborhood for when I’m in better condition and I’ve improved my form.
I was a decent runner, then I let that go by the wayside. Then got back into it after a 20+ year hiatus. Then my body needed to be rid of parts that were causing issues. I am now getting back into running with a modified run/walk/elliptical program. Sort of like the @sabaray’s c25k. I much prefer to be outside, but when it rains, it usually pours here. My treadmill distance PR is 18 miles (don’t ask ). I have ran a tad longer than 26.2 miles outside, and it was easier than the blasted 18 on my Precor.
After my knee surgery, I have never gotten back into my biking as before. I still do it, but only make it about 30 minutes each time. I usually combine it with some resistance training afterwards, so it hasn’t been a total loss. But D1 has signed us up for a 35 Kilometer bike ride in Prague that goes from the city to some castle. I’ve found a couch to 30 mile 8 week training program for bikers that I started yesterday so that I can do the excursion. Here’s hoping my knee holds out!
Wonderful @Nrdsb4 care to share the link or the search words for that couch to 30 minutes training program