The Health, Wellness, weight loss, and fitness thread

[GardenoftheDead]

I should probably use my university's gym more than not at all. I have the bad mindset of,"I'm healthy already and thus I'm not putting the extra effort forward," though.

[the_carl]

I stopped going to the gym this semester, and I'm noticeably weaker/less fit now, or at least *I* think so. Gotta start doing shit again and get that six pack back.

[IEatCats]

I want to start running, but I really only have Chuck Taylors.

I can't seem to find anything definitive on whether or not this will kill my legs.

Thoughts?

[Jwar]

I want to start running, but I really only have Chuck Taylors.

I can't seem to find anything definitive on whether or not this will kill my legs.

Thoughts?

Personally, I would never run in a shoe like that. I mean, there's barely any traction or arch support, so you're lucky if it doesn't kill your legs. Two years ago I went to a shoe store and them measure my feet and shit. I ended up trying on like 12 pairs of shoes before I found a good running shoe. They cost me around 120 bucks! But man, you can tell the difference! That was when I was in the Fire Academy and they made us run EVERY DAY! lol. I kind of miss it. But seriously, if I were you, I'd look for a different shoe. Doesn't have to cost 120, but something with more support and more geared towards running.

[hbombgraphics]

I want to start running, but I really only have Chuck Taylors.

I can't seem to find anything definitive on whether or not this will kill my legs.

Thoughts?

Personally, I would never run in a shoe like that. I mean, there's barely any traction or arch support, so you're lucky if it doesn't kill your legs. Two years ago I went to a shoe store and them measure my feet and shit. I ended up trying on like 12 pairs of shoes before I found a good running shoe. They cost me around 120 bucks! But man, you can tell the difference! That was when I was in the Fire Academy and they made us run EVERY DAY! lol. I kind of miss it. But seriously, if I were you, I'd look for a different shoe. Doesn't have to cost 120, but something with more support and more geared towards running.

I agree, don't run in chucks if you can avoid it, there are a ton of good shoes at decent prices.
Check out www.final-score.com

Also: In my opinion barefoot running on grass would be better than chucks

[jfrey]

I want to start running, but I really only have Chuck Taylors.

I can't seem to find anything definitive on whether or not this will kill my legs.

Thoughts?

Personally, I would never run in a shoe like that. I mean, there's barely any traction or arch support, so you're lucky if it doesn't kill your legs. Two years ago I went to a shoe store and them measure my feet and shit. I ended up trying on like 12 pairs of shoes before I found a good running shoe. They cost me around 120 bucks! But man, you can tell the difference! That was when I was in the Fire Academy and they made us run EVERY DAY! lol. I kind of miss it. But seriously, if I were you, I'd look for a different shoe. Doesn't have to cost 120, but something with more support and more geared towards running.

Arch support and heel cushion are in the long run actually bad for your feet - for your whole body really. Even that your toes are enclosed is bad for your feet.

Why arch support is bad:
An arch's strength is derived from compression. The only way to weaken an arch is to apply force from underneath. While this may be a temporary solution to a weak arch, it will not allow the arch to ever become stronger. The system of muscles in the foot will further weaken as a result. This impacts you in many ways, not least of which is in how you absorb stress.

Why heel cushion is bad:
A wedge of cushion under your heel 1) forces you to land on your heel when you're running. When you run you should be landing mid foot or slightly foreward, pronating slightly in an inward roll, your toes should stretch forward and plant, and then you push off. And 2) because your body is always looking for stability, will cause you to automatically plant your foot harder than you should, causing harsher impacts and stress on your body.


*The second image shows a barefoot runner, but it's the same concept.

It's worth mentioning that before the modern running shoe with its arch support and thick cushioning, problems like plantar fasciitis and achilles heel were fairly rare. At this point in time, around 90% of frequent runners report running related injury every year. That is nearly every single regular runner.

[Jwar]

Interesting. Where did you get this info from? Is there a good online article you can share or anything? Also, if not the shoes I was speaking of, what else is recommend for running?

[jfrey]

Interesting. Where did you get this info from? Is there a good online article you can share or anything? Also, if not the shoes I was speaking of, what else is recommend for running?

"Born to Run" is an excellent book on the subject.
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Hidden-S ... 863&sr=8-1

Also this site:
http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/

^ Although it is predominantly about barefoot running, it has some good info about the mechanics of running.

Vibram's are very good running shoes - although you seriously have to relearn how to run - and they look stupid.
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/produc ... otwear.htm

Also, Nike just released a new shoe that has very little cushion, almost no arch support, etc. that is supposed to be pretty good. I forget what it's called. I believe New Balance has released a similar shoe. There's also Merrell and the Altra Samson.

http://www.merrell.com/US/en/Men-Footwe ... s-Barefoot
http://www.altrazerodrop.com/webapp/wcs ... 503_191692

One thing about running, in this kind of footwear: Before you start running hardcore, you should do foot exercises to strengthen the muscles that have become weak through the use of modern conventional footwear. I'll try to find a resource for you...

[hbombgraphics]

wow!!! this is some great information,
so my air maxes are actually killing me

[jfrey]

Ok, here are those foot exercises. These should be done for regularly for a few weeks before starting any serious running routine after a drastic change in footwear.

First this:
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/educat ... health.htm

And then this (Go down to "Step 3: Foot Fitness Program"):
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/educat ... _works.htm

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

so now that its nice out, i am walking to and from work everyday. its very relaxing after a long day, get some fresh air and a lil exercise...helps clear my mind before i get home and work on music stuff

also, am trying to quit cigs or atleast cut down on them drastically.

[bigchiefbc]

I agree with jfrey that arch support just makes your foot worse in the long run, it basically atrophies the muscles in your foot that should be supporting your weight.

My big thing with shoes for running, walking, hiking and basically any other athletic activity is ankle support, and that's only because I fucked up my right ankle really bad in HS, and without any sort of ankle support, my ankle will buckle constantly and fuck it up even worse.

[hbombgraphics]

Dropped down to 202

I was at 210 most of the winter
hoping to hit 190 before August

Working on getting steadily healthier instead of just cutting a bunch of weight fast

Been doing a few things that have really helped

1. Soccer
2. Biking alot
3. Eating breakfast

[alexa.]

Eating breakfast really helped me out, too. Eating five small meals a day vs two huge ones really frees up your metabolism to do a lot more work.

+gazillions

[Eric!]

I'm a skinny bitch. 6'0 and I've been 145 since I was 16. Occasionally when the tubs take over, I' get up to 160. I'm hoping to gain more than this measly lean muscle mass via this as-of-late regular exercise. I should really start eating breakfast, too.

Also, big ol' prop-ohs to j-frey spittin mad knowledge