<p>bunsenburner - bike shorts AND a good gel seat made for women.</p>
<p>Just a few random tips of what has helped our family. We much rather cut back our caloric intake than increase our exercising. We generally eat our meals off of saucers (or sometimes salad plates). It may sound odd, but it really does make a difference, especially when you eat slowly so you can tell when you are full. Your plate looks full but your portions are naturally smaller. I try to put the fruit & veggies on the plate 1st & then the protien and a bit of carbs.</p>
<p>We also try to park further from our destination so we walk further to get there, and of course take the stairs whenever we can. Wearing very comfortable shoes really helps in this regard so we’re not hampered by worrying about how much our feet will complain if we walk further.</p>
<p>Really noticed metabolism slowing down when once I hit age 40. Now, my SIL & I split desserts, especially at buffets (which we try to avoid in the 1st place). We share a small portion of all the things we think look good & then go for a slightly larger piece of the one that we think was best. This helps us not feel deprived but not have such a sugar overload either.</p>
<p>Yoga is a great means of exercise that I really need to get back to, for toning, strength and yes, even an aerobic workout (if you do it properly, especially sun salutations, etc.) I can’t swim or run, but I do walk quite a bit, though need to start figuring out a better exercise routine. Thanks to everyone for helping inspire me to get moving again (easy to get derailed).</p>
<p>Will fully admit I had a not-the-best eating weekend and not a lot of exercise either - I can come up with excuses, but it’s better to just move on!</p>
<p>Woke up this morning and honestly the thought of junky food makes me feel yuck! Ready to eat healthy today and take a long walk (at least) later.</p>
<p>Just another tip to help with weight. Avoid salty food. Salt makes you retain water and bloat. I notice that I have a few extra pounds on me and my jeans feel tighter the day after a restaurant meal…most use LOTS of salt in their dishes.</p>
<p>Honestly, this thread has been very helpful. I think I had extra motivation to go to my club yesterday because someone asked about what we’re all doing. I didn’t want to report that I’d been a slug! So keep it coming!</p>
<p>Well, my exercise partner went back to school yesterday. Exercise this past weekend consisted of dog walking. Not doing so hot. But as abasket suggested, I think I’ll just move on.</p>
<p>wjb,
"Miami – Prunes are a great source of fiber, but those calories can add up fast. I love all dried fruit, but I’m trying to be more judicious about how much of it I eat. I’ve been in the habit of tossing back dried apricots or cranberries with abandon. No more. "</p>
<ul>
<li>Yes, dried cranberries are sweetened, I always limit amount of them. The others alltogether I eat a lot every day in addition to fresh fruits. Their calories are not sticking calories. I determined to disgard thatever calorie counts exists for some natural foods and see myself how my body react to some of them that I like. from my personal experience the following foods do not affect my weight: dried prunes and dates, nuts, olive oil, honey, fresh fruits, dark chocolate (85% cocoa). I DO pay attention to calories in ther foods and practically stopped consuming bread, pasta, potatoes (regular, not “sweet” potatoes), rice. I have them extremely rarely. I am not big fan of meat / fish either, but I am not vegetarian. I do not eat regular 3 meals / day either, but I snack whole day long. I just want to eat what I like instead of what others do. It works for me. I also do not get bothered with seasonal weight fluctuations. My lightest month is September, I always loose in a summer without doing anything special, and gain in a winter, although I exercise longer in a winter.</li>
</ul>
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<p>That’s six miles an hour. Not too shabby at all. That’s a lot faster than I run on the treadmill, which is 4.5 to 5.5 miles an hour.</p>
<p>^^ I often train at a 10 min per mile pace. I consider it pretty good! In fact, it’s a good training pace for me. On a treadmill I go slower because I think it’s harder. I try to do effort-based running, and as well as I did in 2009 with my training and racing, I was on the edge too much of the time and most of my training runs turned out to be time trials. A good rule for running is “Run lots. Mostly easy. Sometimes hard.”</p>
<p>MOFWC, you run a lot. We only run 3 miles. 
I could go longer, but H wouldn’t. He gets bored.</p>
<p>Our marathoner friend is training for another marathon. She said that she went for a short run on Saturday. When asked how short her short run was, she said, “Oh, very short, only 12 miles, not even a half marathon”</p>
<p>No school today and my D made pancakes. Not good. I ate 4. I did pass on the syrup. Now just need to put it behind me and get back on track.</p>
<p>^I really think you need to plan in pancakes to any diet. I get to eat waffles or pancakes once a week. I don’t even think twice about it. If I can’t eat the “bad” food some of the time, I’d be miserable.</p>
<p>After a mediocre start I am back with new dedication as I await the results of my mom’s angioplasty. She has always been fit in the old school way-- sensible eating, lots of walking, heavy gardening, but has high cholesterol despite a low fat diet. My father has had a couple of small strokes. </p>
<p>I’m just back from a run. After more than a month of highs in the twenties (at most), we have had a few days above freezing and the paths are free of ice. I was able to lose my fleece after a mile and could have gotten away with shorts if I weren’t such a wuss. :)</p>
<p>I haven’t read this entire thread, but do have a couple comments. I am not a big breakfast eater, partly because I like to run in the morning (early when it’s hot). I started eating these-- [Soy</a> Bars for a heart healthy diet at RevivalSoy.com](<a href=“http://www.revivalsoy.com/products/bars/index.html?-session=revivalsoy:442DD54702e221C416Tgk2872A44]Soy”>http://www.revivalsoy.com/products/bars/index.html?-session=revivalsoy:442DD54702e221C416Tgk2872A44) when my doc recommended soy for night sweats. I have stuck with them because they have a good amount of protien (20g) and calcium, are low in fat and are great to take along when I travel. (These are generally the only processed food I eat.) I usually have some yogurt and fruit or a smoothie after I run.</p>
<p>I spent quite a few hours over the holidays updating my running playlists. I looked for songs whose beats per minute match my turnover rate to keep my tempo consistent. I have some slower songs to warm up and cool down with (and ending sprint tunes if I’m up for it). I have more and faster songs that I can sub in as I work to pick up the pace. Also, a slower list for long distance runs. I am really happy I spent the time on it.</p>
<p>For anyone who feels they are late to the running “table”, my DH started running in his forties and on Saturday eclipsed his PR for the mile, set seven years ago! He is now a marathoner and last year celebrated hitting the half century mark by running an ultra-- “50 at 50”. He is my inspiration.</p>
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Make your dog your exercise partner if the dog’s up to it. Yesterday I did a 7 mile run/walk with my dog. He was dragging a bit at the end but I figure it’s good for him also - it’ll help counteract some of those avocados he eats. My dog’s my exercise partner on weekends.</p>
<p>During the week I have a different routine since I workout from work so then my exercise partner is talk radio.</p>
<p>Good suggestion. Our walks are brisk and multiple, which is about all either one of us is up to right now. He is not well trained in the concept of keep moving, and I have no desire to stop and smell the grass, so that may be one area we need to work on together.</p>
<p>^^ I’ve noticed that the faster one moves, especially if it breaks into a run, the more the dog will fall in line and keep pace with the pack leader (i.e. me/you). The dog needs to be in shape for the routine of course, but it’s good for both the human and the dog if they’re capable of it. My dog is always very eager to head out with me on these jaunts. My dog’s a boxer in pretty good shape and with a lot of energy so he can keep up okay - he just hangs a bit behind when I’m running up the hill towards the end of the 7 miles.</p>
<p>My dog will also step it up when I take him for a run, but is a total pita when we walk. (Always wants to stop and check his pee-mail.)</p>
<p>sabary…you can train him not to stop and sniff (or pee) every minute. Just give him a firm tug when he tries.
My dog has hip problems but he can still do a brisk walk for 3 or 4 miles. The days of long hike with him are over though…the last one we tried was too much for him. We have to remember that that he’s an old dog (12) with bad hips! Still, we’re very happy that he’s still able to enjoy daily long walks.</p>
<p>okay, you guys crack me up. I found particular humor in the pee-mail reference. </p>
<p>toneranger, he will respond to a firm tug and a verbal reprimand to come along. I also seem to recall an article in the Times that discussed this problem. I’m going to look and see what the suggestions are. </p>
<p>I can already tell that the gym is not going to be a workable long-term solution for me so it’s going to be weights at home and walking/running. I need to download the Couch to 5k program and go with that, I think. </p>
<p>Just keep trying things until you find what works, right? Right!</p>
<p>For a home program I’d also add one of those resistance balls. They are great for toning–you can work your abs and do squats among other things in just a few minutes each day.</p>
<p>That’s a great suggestion hmom5. Do you know any reputable websites that can demonstrate exercises/proper form? I know a few exercises for the abdominals but that’s about it.</p>