Serious dilemma...

[SkaPaladin]

Alright.. hypothetical situation... (hypothetical, because I don't want to admit that this happened to me... oops)

Anyways, lets say, for example, that uh... my friend was well on his way to losing all the weight he wanted to... And he got lazy, and stupid, (actually, I have a... he has a valid excuse for all this that happened. I'll get into it later, because I'm in a rush right now)

Anyways. he accidentally gained back 20 pounds. Very close to 200 again. Not gonna let it happen again. (It's happened before)

Okay, here's the dilemma, though. I don't get paid again til next week. He doesn't get paid again til next week. He wants to go running, but no running shoes. (steel toed shoes only) but I don't think running in steel toes is a good idea.

But, if I don't get started now, (I'll just admit it. It's me) I'm afraid I'll lose motivation. I lost motivation easily.

Would I do a lot of dmg to myself if I were to try running, say, 3 miles a day as a part of my morning ritual, right before taking a shower, but after brushing teeth. Oh, I mean, running 3 miles in steel toes, for a week? Well, just til thursday.

I can't believe I let myself get this far, I'm so totally disgusted with myself. I was doing so good, and I do this. To myself!

And I don't understand why. I love me. I like me even more when there isn't as much of me to go around...


So yeah. Running 3 miles in steel toed shoes every day, until thursday. Would that be a mistake? Would I get shin splints, or possibly hurt my ankles, or what not? Or should I wait to start running til I get actual running shoes?

(On a side note, I borrowed money from my parents already, so I can't borrow money to buy shoes. Sorry.)


I won't be back on again til tomorrow, so I'll decide then.

Thanks in advance.

[apple]

Re: Serious dilemma...

First off all, welcome back to the wagon....stay put. And I'm glad you're owning your gain. Stay strong and focused and I bet you'll see what you gained gone again very soon.

Second, sure...exercise in those steel toe boots and pretend you're in the Army. Don't they make the most wonderful comfy boots ever? However, if the steel toe boots are not your forte of exercising in until you can get to the store to buy you a new pair of decent shoes (I recommend Nike because I have Nike Air Running shoes that I ware for walking and jogging), go without by doing a work out in your house for the next week.

Move furniture around a few times
Clean the house top to bottom every day until it shines
and if that ain't enough, walk in place and start shouting, "I'm in the Army now!"

My point...there's so much you can do for exercise without having to spend lots of money or waiting for the perfect shoes to wear. But (and a big but here), as soon as you can buy the right shoes for exercise, I suggest you do...your feet will thank you for them.

[dreamof145]

Re: Serious dilemma...

I agree with Apple...do something different for your daily exercise until you can get the proper shoes for running. Any movement is better than none. Walking in place, sit ups and other exercises, dancing, cleaning house or anything else that gets your heart and blood pumping is good for you.

[SkaPaladin]

Re: Serious dilemma...

Yeah, I can see your points. I do plan on taking on some running very soon, and I want to get a gym membership again (because my work schedule makes it dangerous to run before or after work)

I do exercise (almost) daily. And I got another warehouse job. But I want to stay away from gaining too much muscle. I want to slim down, and I read somewhere that running is the most effective way of attaining that goal.

It is, right? Running being a good way to slim down? My friend Richard says that he runs 3 miles every day when they wake up, as a part of their daily routine (daily routine as a marine). He's pretty slender, so I figured I could give it a shot.


Help me peoples. Slimming down, not bulking up. Any help would be appreciated.

[not2late]

Re: Serious dilemma...

Starbury shoes. They are as good as Air Jordans and Nike but less expensive....about $20. They might not be "running" shoes (they're basketball shoes), but they can be used for the time being.

Here's a link for a store locator:
http://www.steveandbarrys.com/Stores/state/none/1.aspx

[D14965]

Re: Serious dilemma...

Instead of joining a gym where I would only use the treadmill - I hired a treadmill and use it in my loungeroom while I watch the telly! no problems with inclement weather or muggers and I never get bored because I am watching the telly while I excercise and before I know It i have been at it for an hour! Maybe this is an option for you if you would nto be using the gyms full facilities

[Hoping]

Re: Serious dilemma...

Ditto on what Donna said. I really wish I hadn't gotten a gym membership. We didn't originally get it because of us, long story, but now I'm stuck with a contract. We don't have time to make it to the gym and I exercise by doing a $5 exercise tape. It was much cheaper AND I can do it any time of the day. The gym is only open for so long. Not to mention my tape doesn't charge me every month to use or NOT use it.
Running sounds muuuuch cheaper and effective to me. If that's what you want to do, go for it. Although I wouldn't recommend it with steel toe boots.

[Armywife101stfc1]

Re: Serious dilemma...

[QUOTE=apple]First off all, welcome back to the wagon....stay put. And I'm glad you're owning your gain. Stay strong and focused and I bet you'll see what you gained gone again very soon.

Second, sure...exercise in those steel toe boots and pretend you're in the Army. Don't they make the most wonderful comfy boots ever? However, if the steel toe boots are not your forte of exercising in until you can get to the store to buy you a new pair of decent shoes (I recommend Nike because I have Nike Air Running shoes that I ware for walking and jogging), go without by doing a work out in your house for the next week.


Ugh.. the army doesnt make the most comfortable boots there are! Trust me!!! LOL... My little input.. Who says you have to start running right away!? Why not a brisk walk to start ya off.. You'll still be getting up and moving.. and motivating yourself.. just consider it your induction to running when you can get some shoes!! SO GLAD your making the decision to start again.. The gain stinks I know.. but at least your not letting it get outa control!! At least you're deciding to do something about it NOW!! Best of LUCK!

[sadie147]

Re: Serious dilemma...

I wouldn't recommend the steel toe boots...if you do hurt yourself, knees ankles etc you won't be running at all for quite some time. so why not just wait? Also make sure you comparison shop for shoes, Apple recommends Nikes, I had a knee injury that was acutally agrevated by my Nikes, and I prefer Asics Gels and Saucony, it's definately an individual thing. Try the shoes on at the store and try running back and forth and on the spot in them. Also make sure they're not too small. I buy mine at the Running Room, they even have a return policy (and help you pick out your shoes)

In the meantime you can do other cardio exercises at home that don't really require running shoes....such as burpees: http://www.rosstraining.com/articles/burpeeclip.htm or skipping.

Have you run before? You will be best to work your way up to it, and make sure you take rest days, so you don't overdo it and end up with an injury. A really good training program can be found here: www.coolrunning.com .

I find running an awesome (and cheap!) weight loss tool.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Serious dilemma...

Who says one is obligated to run in order to slim down and maintain a low body fat? I am a huge walking proponent, because way too many people - from fitness beginners to those who have been at it for years - seem to apologize for not running, or not running yet. For about a hundred reasons, I refuse to ever do it; in fact, all I have ever done is brisk walking - and as someone very short who is naturally 4 dress sizes heavier until Atkins, that is saying a lot. In mid-2001, I kept my fitness regime exactly the same yet incorporated Atkins - and in accordance with the text, I refused to restrict fat, calories, or portions - and boom, 5 months later, I was over 30 pounds lighter and have maintained ever since.

My body fat is around 14% via hydrostatic weighing. There is something to the metabolic edge that comes with slashing the sugars and starches.

Expand your cardiovascular horizons. Aside from brisk walking, consider the elliptical and recumbent bike, too!

[CATBLUE]

Re: Serious dilemma...

If you don't want to bulk up with a lot of muscle then try swimming... It creates long lean bodies with great definition and works every group. Swimmers have phenomenal bodies. Runners have similar bodies but swimming is less stressful on your joints.

[D14965]

Re: Serious dilemma...

I am like sugarfreesheila ... A walker not a runner. I have problems with my knees if i run! A brisk walk burns the same amount of calories as running does

[SkaPaladin]

Re: Serious dilemma...

I thought running burned more calories, because it's like being in a constant state of jumping... (I read that somewhere)

[quotidianlight]

Re: Serious dilemma...

It burned more for the time but walking actually burns more for the distance and after walking your metabolism stays up longer since most people run to hard or too soft to stay in the target heart rate. Both are great exercise but if you can't run because of shoes there is definite benefits to walking.

[Sweet Strudel]

Re: Serious dilemma...

If you don't want to bulk up with a lot of muscle then try swimming... It creates long lean bodies with great definition and works every group. Swimmers have phenomenal bodies. Runners have similar bodies but swimming is less stressful on your joints.

Don't try swimming in your steel toed boots!