New year new me

Hi - I'm facing the usual post Xmas/New year challenge of wanting to shed a couple of pounds, I am also about to turn 40 (can't quite believe it!!!) so i figured I better do something about it.


So my plan is to start running, and work my way up to a half marathon somewhere, hopefully in the first half of the year.


Any tips/schedules you would advise?


Perhaps it might encourage you if you are in the same boat!

Be careful when you do exercices, you always have to insist, which is difficult. It's true that you will lose weight but if you stop, you gain again.


My way is to eat less and less, and it works. All you have to do is the determination.


Walk is also the good way. Take a walk in the park, after work...

Are you me? Approaching 40, ready to lose a few pounds?

In the words of my sport loving husband 'eat less, excercise more'

Easier said than done. I had him and a personal trainer friend look over this website, they thought it very sensible. It is a very, very easy introduction to running. I am in week 2. PM me if you want a friend in this.


Cool running - couch to 5k.


http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

you could try the eat right program, look at their web www.eatright.com.hk

looks like walking and running is a theme for jan - i am in the lose a few kilos bucket as well! a friend of mine introduced me to the 'peak walk' mid dec and while i had to put my heart back in my chest the first day, i got used to it pretty quickly...it was a great way to tone up my butt quickly and because it's up hill, it's like doing number 6 incline on the tread mill for 30 mins - it's a fabulous work out...and it's such a beautiful walk. anyone interested in going please pm me. i always find exercise works best if you have someone to chat to while you are doing it. I haven't tried the eat right program chill'in recommends but eat right has absolutely the best coffee in hong kong - so a stop there could be the reward at the end.... conveniently located just off the escalator on the way down on staunton - i know two people who have done their eating program and swear by it - worth checking out if you need someone to guide on the portion control piece. interested peak walkers, pls pm me.

anything like that in shanghai ?

No not that I know of, but it is certainly popular in Hong Kong. eat right has a pretty good reputation when it comes to weight loss, and as only mine mentioned, fabulous coffee!

Hi


Running is the best way to loose weight fast. Having said that to make it a delight rather than a chore one must start power walking first then jogging and the finally graduate to running. All these need to be done for a minimum of 20 mins for a minimum of four times a week. This is important as only after 20 mins our body starts burning calories. Do not fail to take breaks after every 20 mins, keep your body hydrated by sipping water during the process. Stretch your body before and after your work out to avoid muscle cramps. Good running shoes and specially designed inner wear for women are a must.



Some pointers that helped me



Cut down on aerated drinks, alcohol, and any other beverages with high sugar

Eat whole grain as much as possible

Avoid white foods such as white rice, white flour pasta, white noodles etc

5 Prunes , 6 walnuts and green tea everyday

Eat 4 hours before you sleep - The most effective

Eat only when you are hungry

Portion control is very important

Make sure you eat veg and fruits during every meal

Eat dry fruits when you feel peckish

People overeat either when they are sad or stressed or just tired - Check which category you fall under and address that issue first



The most important never starve or do not completely stop having your favorite Burger or chips or pastry , cos one fine day you will start craving for these (trade my man to a muffin mode) and before you know it you will have finished a dozen of these .



Remember to reward yourself once a week with your favorite food. Above all enjoy food do not fall into the trap of calorie counting.

Hi MerryMary Congratulations on taking that first positive step! Running has in the past been the only thing I found to shift weight, but that did not come really until I signed up and started training for a half marathon. Truth be told I should really do it again as I could definitely do with shifting with (more than) a few pounds again.


For me I have found things that keep me on the straight and narrow with running is signing up for races...inevitably I would come in at the back of the pack, but each time I don't have a race signed up for I find my motivation to get up and out the door would wane. You can check out www.hkrunners.com for races around our region to sign up for. The other major helper in the past was to have someone to meet up with who was also training for runs, as the deisre not to let my running partner down forced me out the door many many times. The benefit of running with someone else is also you will no doubt each have your off days where the other persons pace setting forces you to keep going when you would feel like quitting.


I started off like you with the gym, but if you can switch to outdoor running it makes a huge difference, plus helped rack up the KM's needed to complete a half marathon. We used a training schedule that I think was 16 weeks where you gradually up the mileage on a weekly basis, there are many on offer on the web.


Good luck with both the running and weight loss