JLynne, I can relate! A few years ago (gym rat phase of life, pre-running) I was working out hard 6-7 days a week, and doing weights 3-4 times a week (mostly Nautilus, some free weights). I wasn't fanatical about my diet but did eat mostly high fiber/low fat foods. I weighed between 129 to 132 and was cut beyond belief. My body fat measured less than 10% on the bio-impedence meters used at the gym (not on a scale, but measured on your arm). I was, in looking back on it, too thin but oh boy was I in shape! Then I got bored with the gym and started running. Did both for awhile, then just running with maybe one day of XT a week. Over the next 3 years or so, I've gained over 10 lbs. even with running 40-50 mpw. I do know I eat more, but I don't eat junk, hardly ever sweets, I don't remember what ice cream tastes like... *sigh* It's hard. I love running, but it does make me hungry. DH says I eat way more than him on a regular day, even more after long run days. I could never keep tracking data the way Lou does. I do journal my food intake sometimes, helps me get back on track, but I tire of it after a few days.

Lovely chart WRFB No Turkey Trot for me. I was going to do one, but it's about 45 miles away and they have such odd distances - either 2 miles or 8 miles. Well, with driving time, I don't really want to be gone as long as it would take me to do 8 miles and just running 2 miles isn't really worth it to me. So, my running partner and I are going to meet up Thurs a.m. for our own Turkey Trot - probably 5-6 miles. Then I won't feel so bad about the pumpkin and pecan pie I plan on sampling that afternoon So, I had a podiatrist appt this a.m. He took the insoles that I use in my running shoes (New Balance motion control insoles) and made some modifications to give me a bit more lift/arch support on the right foot. While walking, he noticed I overpronate quite a bit on the right and have a tendency to walk with that foot 'outwards' a bit. He did not want to go towards custom orthotics for me yet, as he wants to see if just making these slight modifications will help me. He did recommend reducing my running for a while to about 1/2 of what I would normally do and just see how things go. Also gave me some stretches I need to do faithfully as my AT and calves are pretty tight. I think doing yoga more regularly would definitely benefit me.

I remember very clearly when we decided to lose the weight in 2002. I was appalled at my weight which had crept up 10-15 pounds in the previous few years. I was running (some), but of course not nearly enough to eat whatever I wanted. I think that would be about 200 miles/week. So we both did the calorie counting thing, aided by some software that helped to track everything. I remember that my allowed calories in order to lose 2 pounds/week was 1155. We lost most of the weight within a few months by strictly tracking and limiting calories, and Lou kept up the diary far longer than I did. I don't think either of has varied more than a few pounds either way in the last six years. We've never gone back to our old habits of regularly eating too much of the wrong foods, though we are able to indulge occasionally as long as we're running a reasonable amount. I agree with Dark Horse (uh oh). It is all about eating fewer calories than you burn. And since most overweight people aren't in good enough shape to burn many calories in exercise, the equation is 90% about eating and only 10% about exercise. Exercise is a good idea of course, and will become a bigger part of the equation as the individual becomes more fit, but it isn't a primary consideration at first. And certainly the inability to exercise much, for whatever reason, should not be an excuse not to lose weight. (I've heard that one too). All the rest of it, carb/protein balance, special foods and diets, "fat-burning" hoo-ha, time-of-day, etc has very minor impacts. So minor that they just distract the individual from the real goal of NOT EATING AS MUCH. I like to say that losing weight is really very simple, but not very easy. I ran 7 miles this morning in much warmer temps. Tomorrow will be a rest day to get ready for Thursday's 5k.

I think weight loss is a simple calculation calories in minus calories out. If that calculation is positive, then weight will be gained. If negative, weight will be lost.

Lou, exactly.

I agree with Dark Horse (uh oh). It is all about eating fewer calories than you burn.

Don't know what I'm doing today. Prudence would call for another day at the gym, maybe elliptical.

Is Prudence your new trainer?

I've also found that the best way to avoid unhealthy foods is to NOT BUY THEM. This sounds so obvious, but a lot of folks probably miss this very easy strategy. They buy chips and ice cream, and then try not to eat them.

That's my problem!! This version of treadmill lungs makes a lot more sense to me than what was described in Prevention. I might be able to do these since they recommend hanging on and going much slower. The others - forgetaboutit!! http://video.aol.com/video-detail/treadmill-walking-lunges/3851175613 Where is Tim Bo today??

I agree with you Tammy 100%.

Hi all y'all. . . Delurking just to mention that I tried out the walking lunges on the tread mill today. Walking lunges with hand weights or with a bar in the Smith Frame are a normal part of my weight routine, but I hadn't tried them on the belt to nowhere before this. My verdict is - FUN and challenging. I used a 15% incline at 2 mph and held on as I lunged for ten minutes. I think I will make these a normal part of my routine. I found them cardio-intensive but was able to maintain good form because of the stability offered by holding on. Give 'em a try! Back to lurk-mode.