<p>Yeah, I think I caught a whiff of some burning muscle on the last hill this afternoon!</p>
<p>Have had a couple of ‘off’ weeks, meaning not as careful with the food intake as previously. Mostly due to the Fourth, and to having company in town, which meant more restaurants than usual. Am still working with the trainer and he’s given me some new stuff (to distract me, I think, from the fact that we’re still not really doing any serious leg work) that’s had some unexpected outcomes. When he shows me a new exercise, he usually gives me a goal of how many reps he expects I can do the first time around. I’ve been able to surpass that goal by quite a bit and he has been impressed… mostly it’s been tests of my core strength. Made another comment about my arms the other day and finally said, “I think I’m more excited about them than you are.” I told him it’s easier because he has a better view than I do. He actually sees the cuts as I’m working out… I don’t unless I’m in front of a mirror (which I’m still not comfortable with… watching myself lift weights). He says my upper arms have probably put on an inch since we began… I’m guessing that’s good?!?</p>
<p>Am still working with the foam roller on the IT band and it is feeling better. Am now also rolling out the adductor muscles as they seem to have tightened up. Also more diligent at piriformis stretch. See the massage therapist tomorrow and am hoping all those knots are gone and she will clear me for leg weights. </p>
<p>It has been hot here, too. I know this sounds really whiny, but I’m now having some sort of tennis elbow issue from, of all things, holding down the water nozzle on the hose. We have odd/even numbered days we can water outside with the sprinkler and even then, limited hours. It’s never enough to get everything (I have lots of pots, annuals, hanging baskets, etc.), so on the days we are not allowed to use the sprinkler, I can be out there up to an hour or more just holding the hose/nozzle and doing bushes (drooping like crazy), raspberries, and even some of my perennials. They keep talking about these rainstorms that are supposed to come through, then they fizzle out. Having to water some of my hanging baskets twice a day, too. I also pressure washed the garage floor last week and the nozzle squeezing aggravated whatever inflammation is already going on… well, and of course, you can’t pressure wash your garage floor and put dirty items back in the garage, so therein began my quest to clean equipment, etc. So I was using the pressure washer for about two hours! Good news is I won’t need to do it again for many, many months!</p>
<p>teri - watch out! Weeding and holding a garden hose like you’ve been doing can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome. Been there, done that.</p>
<p>I went for an easy run on my treadmill tonight, my first run in several weeks since my lower back incident. It felt GREAT! I had to remind myself that I had to take it easy and stop after a mile. Baby steps, baby steps… :)</p>
<p>Does it feel like the top or the bottom of the elbow or neither?</p>
<p>teri—watch that elbow. Give it a rest. I’ve been struggling with tennis elbow for almost a full year now (got it from golf!). It feels better - than comes back when stressed…like when I dug holes to plant my flowers. All these aches and pains are getting OLD. </p>
<p>Another hot humid day here. Chance of t-storms. I feel like I’m living in the movie “Groundhog Day”.</p>
<p>Had an MRI today for my back (which doesn’t hurt). My newest doc (prominent sports doc/runner here) feels that my left leg is so incredibly weak compared to my right that the pain in the sitbone might be coming from my back- even though my back doesn’t hurt. Could be a disk or nerve. Anyway, he also gave me a “steroid pack” with 6 days or oral steroids. Today is Day 3 and I actually think the hamstring connector/butt bone feels a lot better. I am wondering if I can blame some of my behavior on 'roid rage! 
I feel encouraged that I am taking some additional steps here. Dr. Jim and my PT refer people back and forth and communicate well, so that’s a plus, too. This doc is a non-surgical sports ortho. I have to have this test next week that sounds terrible- they stick needles in your back to test the nerves. Supposedly it’s not too bad, but I hate needles.<br>
In the meantime, I am in Denver for the weekend with WildChild trying to find him an apartment. I was looking forward (when the trip was planned) to some nice, cool long runs. Well-it’s supposed to be 90 and I’m not running…</p>
<p>Last night I did “run” 2 miles on the dreadmill at the gym before finishing up on the elliptical. Starting with the run helped keep my HR up on the elliptical. A 45 minute workout after a long work day. Not too bad.</p>
<p>Is the strength difference due to running style?</p>
<p>70 minutes on bike and 20 minutes doing a quick run through on weight machines today. Started charting weight loss…wish I knew how to make a chart on the computer! Writing down what I am eating. Weight down a tiny bit this morning. Thanks for the info idad. It really does motivate me and keeps me going. Hope your back is feeling better BB!</p>
<p>MOWC…hope these tests get you on the road to recovery! Good Luck!</p>
<p>I use Google Documents which includes a spreadsheet to track your progress. You can also make all kinds of charts from within the spreadsheet program and they usually only take a few clicks to make.</p>
<p>You can also sign up at Livestrong.com which has calorie counters and places where you can track weight (and some of your measurements too.) It even graphs both your net calories and weight on the same chart, so you can see if there are patterns and what eating too much (or not exercising enough) does to the weight chart. There’s a pay version of the site, but I find what’s available free there is more than enough for me.</p>
<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I need help. I’m looking for workout clothes. Easy right? But I’m in the plus size (I wear a 2X or a 22/24 or a 24 in pants). One time I was watching the Biggest Loser and saw something I really liked. A pink team member - can’t remember which season but she was young, and it was recent) ran a marathon in sports leggings and a dress-like top. I think that would be ideal because I like the feel of sports leggings (no chaffing) but I need a long top to go with them, since I don’t think leggings qualify as pants! I’d prefer it didn’t have a racerback but I can handle it. Know any good places to find an extra-long workout shirt or dress? Especially a banded one. I’ve tried…</p>
<p>old navy
target
fashion bug
lane bryant
penney’s
sears
danskin
champion</p>
<p>I just don’t know where else to look for plus-sized sportswear!</p>
<p>Applicannot, I’ve been lurking on this thread for months, but your question has pulled me out of the shadows! I needed plus size workout clothes when I started working out and found the internet was my only source. Lands End has nice stuff but not the dress you described. They do have a skirt, though. Justmysize.com has tons of stuff, including Champion. The prices online are actually cheaper than their outlet store. Good luck!</p>
<p>For all of you lurkers out there, we’re not all a size 2…and those that ARE are helpful, friendly…and inspiring! The more the merrier! </p>
<p>I’m heading out to yoga. Back is feeling better. Weight is STUCK though…again. At least I’m not gaining. I really need to get into the interval training idad keeps talking about. Need to find some hilly places to walk, although I’ll really miss the river view on my regular walk and I’m not sure my old lab can handle the hills…especially given how hot it is. We’ll see. Poor thing just about collapses after a walk in this heat right now. </p>
<p>MOWC, good luck with your back/leg. Denver sounds nice, always wanted to go there…but can’t believe it’s 90 out there. Nice that your son is settling in a great place to visit though!</p>
<p>Women’s clothing is above my pay grade, but if all else fails and you are looking for something grubby to work up a sweat, you might try a men’s t-shirt in a “tall” size. Tall is available in all the same sizes as regular t-shirts, but are several inches longer. Depending on your height, they might be just the length top you are looking for. Maybe not the most stylish option. I’m 5’8" and men’s tall shirts cover my bum (although I don’t think I’ll be wearing them with sports leggings anytime soon!)</p>
<p>LLBEAN sells their really nice t-shirts in “tall” sizes - small through XXL. They are available in short sleeve or long sleeve, with or without pocket.</p>
<p>[Carefree</a> Unshrinkable T-Shirt: Short-Sleeve at L.L.Bean](<a href=“Men's Carefree Unshrinkable Tee, Traditional Fit Short-Sleeve | T-Shirts at L.L.Bean”>Men's Carefree Unshrinkable Tee, Traditional Fit Short-Sleeve | T-Shirts at L.L.Bean)</p>
<p>Same concept would apply for sweat shirts, of course. Wasn’t that a “look” in the 80s? Throw on a headband and some big hair and you’d be ready for the remake of Flashdance!</p>
<p>Haha, well, I’m actually looking for fashionable workout clothes. I feel more confident and, therefore, more likely to go out and work out if I think I look decent. I am thinking of getting a simple knit dress from Fashion Bug to wear over performance leggings, but was looking for other options. The Biggest Loser is releasing a clothing line in September so hopefully I can upgrade then.</p>
<p>toneranger:</p>
<p>All that biking you have been doing must be nearly ideal interval cardio. Biking just clobbers me on the hills, although I haven’t been out for a few weeks in this heat. I know what it does to my heart rate and think I would get into dehydration territory pretty quickly. Around here, a bike ride is pure interval training. Constant short hills and the downhill stretches aren’t really long enough to completely recover. Up, down, up, down, up, down.</p>
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<p>That’s pretty entrepreneurial.</p>
<p>Did some internet research last night and think I have narrowed it down to golfer’s elbow, as it’s on the inside of the elbow as opposed to the outer where tennis elbow usually occurs.</p>
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<p>Well, I confess that “fashionable” isn’t my forte. I figure I could wear a $600 Fila ensemble stiched out of pure unobtanium fiber and the neighbors would still look out the window and chuckle at the old fat guy out there walking again…</p>
<p>My only concession to style is carrying an Augusta National Masters towel (aka “sweat rag”)to wipe my brow while I’m trudging up the hills! </p>
<p>Let 'em laugh. I’ve left 43 pounds on those hills.</p>
<p>“Let 'em laugh. I’ve left 43 pounds on those hills.”</p>
<p>Nice…</p>