MyFitnessPal = my fitness friend

Created by MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods

I started MyFitnessPal about a week ago and, even with its quirks, I really like it. Its format is very similar to LiveStrong (count calories and exercise), but is more of a community forum. The calorie counter is almost as nice as Daily Plate's, but the food selection is just not quite as good. MFP is all about people encouraging people. There are tons of blogs and an endless sea of advice.

You have your own news feed, kind of like Facebook, where people can comment on your progress and workouts. I think having people keep tabs on you keeps you motivated and is encouraging.

I only have a few friends on MFP by-choice - and only one is someone I met on site. The news feeds can get a little out of control and distracting with strangers, so having people I actually know on it is nice.

If anyone wants to be my "Pal", lemme know! :)

Good luck and stay healthy!

Me = Not Lame

This is why I am lame:
 So, I kinda let my diet fall by the wayside... weigh side... more like waist-side... I have eaten horribly for the past week or so... I still worked out a little, but I did not get hardcore into workout #3 of The Shred. I got a little sick, work started kicking my butt... Excuses, excuses...

This is why I am not lame:
No more excuses! I'm getting back into it. I have been using LiveStrong, but I think I may switch to MyFitnessPal just for a little bit of a change and kind of a 'reset'. I'll let you know which I like better.

As far as how I feel about The Shred:
Its pretty good. After about 2 1/2 weeks, I went for a run and ran 20 minutes straight without cramping up or anything. I even sprinted the last minute. Before the Shred, I was so out of shape I could barely run ten minutes without getting a stitch in my side.  I also noticed that my clothes fit better, and I felt better about myself. The number on the scale did not change much, despite counting calories. I got a little discouraged, but have found that this happens to several women regardless of the type of exercise and diet. The point is, don't let one measurement throw off your psyche. Stick to it and you will earn your results.

It does not have enough cardio for a sustainable workout routine though. The best workout for your heart is 30 minutes of sustained cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming, dancing) at least 3 times a week. You do not start burning fat until after 15-20 minutes of rigorous, sustained cardio. In the first ten minutes, you are burning calories/carbs, but your body's increased oxygen demand is what burns fat. The best way to track this is the keep up your target heart rate. Most exercise machines have heart rate monitors, or you can count your heart rate for 6 seconds and multiply by 10 (i.e. 12 beats in 6 seconds is 120 beats per minute). The Shred does, however, provide good strength training/circuit training to build up muscle to boost your metabolism even when at rest. 

The warms-ups in The Shred are pretty decent, especially in workout #2 &3. However, there is definitely not enough stretching at the end of the workouts - I think there is only 90 seconds dedicated to "cool down". No stretch should be held for less than 20-30 seconds!

So the best workout is really one of variety. Sustained cardio mixed with strength training. And don't forget to stretch!

Good luck ladies and gents.