Another newbie

[mogwai]

Hello everyone, a bit about me:

28 year old female
weight: 180 lbs
I made the mistake of letting myself go after college. I joined the ranks of corporate desk jockeys everywhere and was required to be on call for almost every job I've ever had, which demotivated me from trying to work out since it was usually interrupted. For the past 3 years I've worked in Antarctica where the hours are long, the food is canned/frozen/cafeteria style, and the workout equipment and facilities are limited. My weight creeped up to 200 lbs and I've been working on taking it off now! I'd like to see 160 lbs again, so I've got about 20 more to go.

I love weight lifting and have recently started up again 3 days a week. One thing that I've never been good with is endurance and cardio activity, so my goal is to majorly improve in those areas. When I started, I couldn't even run half a mile without keeling over. With the help of an inhaler and a few months, I can now almost complete a mile at a slow pace (4.5 on treadmill). I can bike about 20 miles comfortably, and I'm working on improving my swimming also. Sometimes it seems as if there are too many things I'm trying to work on, but I'm slowly seeing results in all areas. I probably manage cardio 4-5 times a week for at least 45 min a session.

I am generally trying to stick to a 1600 calorie diet of 4 meals @ 400 cal each. I'd say that I probably end up a bit higher some days, but its helped me to just be conscious of what I'm eating. I don't drink soda or eat very much junk food, but I do enjoy a cup of coffee and a glass of wine here and there.

Does this sound like a good start? Any suggestions?

[E36Guy]

Hey. Welcome to the forum! Glad to see you here.

Sounds like you have a great thing going. For some odd reason 1600 calories a day seems a bit low to me. Hopefully someone else here will confirm if that's good or not. All the nutrition facts on foods seem to be based on 2000 calorie days, so maybe 1600 is good. I dont know. hehe.

Anyways, sounds like the amount of exercise you are getting is doing really well. Keep up the good work and keep us update with your progress. Im sure you'll see that 160 in no time.

[cabezon]

Welcome. It's sounds like you are doing great. running, biking and swimming? that sounds like a triathalon in your future. I hear Antarctica has a marathon too. :)

I'm sure if you post up what your meals look like, Someone can make suggestions.

My only suggestion for running, is mix it up. one time add some 20 second sprints, and on another run, go a little slower but a little longer.

If you have any pics of Antarctica or anywhere else, I'd love to see them.

[LoveGuinness]

i totally agree with shaw.

the only way i find myself able to run faster longer is by pushing myself really hard during "short bursts"

ex: ill run my regular mi at 6.5 but then the last .1 mi i run it at 9.2 then i slow it back down to 5 for a breather and then pick it up again but this time running at 7. so if you are used to working out at 4.5 maybe for 30 seconds or so pushing yourself up to 5 or 5.5 and then see how you feel. there is also something psychological with that because for me im like OMG I just ran at that speed WOW! its very encouraging....even if i only did it for 25-30 seconds

[QueenMaa]

Hello Mogwai and welcome to the forum!:)