Eek, someone was telling me today about a type of running that involved short bursts of flat out sprinting and jogging. I think it had a Swedish name? Anyone have any ideas?

Edited: Nevermind, fartlek apparently.

It's really the board member's fault for not shunning "exxie".

As long as "she" cant get some giggles here, "she" will keep posting here.

Shunning works quite well with most all humans, but it has to be a unanimous decision by everyone.

5 times a week?! I literally have no experience/knowledge of weight lifting but don't you want to give your muscles time off by alternating the days you lift? (Making 3 times a week more ideal)

I'm going to join a gym on the 2nd of January but I think I'll start with 3 times a week + 5x runs a week. Also watching my diet like a hawk. Still trying to figure out what SHOULD be on my diet.

Try using one of the calorie counter apps to get a reasonable, one touch look at what you're eating and your basic nutritional needs. You just type in or scan the barcode of things you eat, as you eat them. I've found that using that plus a dietitian consult has me really thinking a lot more about what I put in my body, which is pretty great! They'll let you track your exercise too, to make sure you're not doing too much or too little as it relates to your goals.

Today I have probably the worst DOMS I've ever had in my quads and hamstrings after the squats yesterday morning. This was after a weeks break from them due to other obligations. I also went deeper than I'd go normally, the norm being parallel.

I've had bad DOMS in my legs before, but never so bad that walking up a stairs is agony, and walking in itself is damn difficult. It's all good though.

Due to my hectic schedules I don't have these luxuries, luckily I have a close friend who's been into the health & fitness scene for 2 years now. He's got my back.

These go on your phone. You just type in your food right before or after meals. It's super, super fast.

I'm upgrading to a smartphone later this week so I might be able to try it out then but in the meantime I'm playing it by the ear with suggestions and smart tips from others who have been successful.

Are you referring to the "myfitnesspal" app on the apple Iphone?, I have this app on my Iphone and it's great way to track the calories you consume, and the effect exercise has.

Over the last 14 months, I have lost around 20kg (45lbs), but most of that has been through HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).

I actually don't know what app I'll be getting, it's just a typical android smartphone. Nothing fancy. Also congrats on your progress! I know just how hard it is to stick to HIIT every morning feels like climbing a mountain right now.

I think what you are referring to is also known as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), this involves for example sprinting or running as fast you can for say 30,45 or even 60 seconds (if you are fit enough), then rest for 30 seconds, then repeat.

I have been doing HIIT training at the gym, and I have lost 20kg (45lbs, and have dropped two sizes from an XL down to a medium. HIIT is far more effective for fat loss than slow boring cardio.

Thanks for your kind words, HIIT training can be torture, especially when you first start, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes, plus the results are far more rewarding.

Some of my happiest moments in life were spent doing fartlek training back in the 90s , before compartment syndrome permanently put paid to my running.
The training is brutal yet strangely joyous as well.
I have never done or read up on of this HIIT, but maybe in the new year I will give it a try on the bike in an attempt to lose 10-15kg of fat.

I'll try again, as my last comment was misinterpreted and T'Domed:

Paleo diet. Look it up. I've lost a bunch of weight, it's easy, and it's as intuitive as falling out of bed. No app required.

The only problem is you won't believe it can actually work. Oh well, I tried.

I wonder, what degree of pain is acceptable, and what is 'too much' in exercising?
Sometimes I think I take it too much, and sometimes I chicken out too early...
Any advice?

LOL, last time, lights totally went off in the locker room, while I was naked and wet in the shower. Had to go down the halls to the front desk to turn them on. (they are controlled by a remote panel). At least I was able to find a towel in the dark to wrap around me, otherwise them girlies at the front desk would be sooooo surprised. (they seemed kinda amused, anyway).