Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED (Page 7)

2011-01-18 11:58 AM

in reply to: #3256125

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Why aren't these races in our race logs people?

LOL... you don't have to log them if you don't want, but it does give us a good way to encourage you and hold you accountable.

I'm guilty too, I've only signed up for 1 2011 race officially so far. I know I'm doing others but I want to meet with my team and some of my other friends to coordinate and nail down a plan. I should be able to put together a calendar fairly soon.

2011-01-18 2:10 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Veteran

220

Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Do arm warmers serve a purpose other than taking them off if you get too hot on a run (unlike a long-sleeved shirt) or is it just to make a fashion statement? Opinions?

2011-01-18 2:23 PM

in reply to: #3306900

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

libramom - 2011-01-18 2:10 PM

Do arm warmers serve a purpose other than taking them off if you get too hot on a run (unlike a long-sleeved shirt) or is it just to make a fashion statement? Opinions?

that's about it. I love my arm and leg warmers. Especially, spring and fall training. Sometimes you start out on a long ride and a couple hours later it's 10-15 degrees warmer. You can just take them off and stuff them in your jersey pocket.

2011-01-18 2:31 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Hey Brian, I'm interested in joining your Mentor group. My name is Henry. I'm 33, living in Minnesota and training for my first sprint on May 7th. Your weight loss history is relavent to me because I've been considered obese since I was 12. I've come a long way in that area, but still have about 20 lbs to lose. If that happens during training, cool, but my main focus is being as healthy as possible & completing my first tri! I know the weight will come off if I stick to good habits. I'm only 5' 4" and about 160 post-holidays

but that's down from 195 a year and a half ago, and down from 235 five years before that! Last spring I completed a round of P90X and learned a LOT about nutrition and how my body reacts to intense workouts. My lowest weight was 155, but I've been sidelined since September with a back strain. I've used that time to refresh my swimming (I swam competitively as a kid, but until recently hadn't swum laps for over 20 years. Luckily it's coming back quickly!) I ran my first 5k last summer and I cycle as transportation almost exclusively (although the majority of my time has been spent on a single-speed). I'm looking forward to combining the sports in one race!

I'm just starting to run again post-injury, with my in person PT's guidance. So far so good. We have increased my activity level and I'm back to every-day training, but minimal running. I'm swimming with a Masters class 2x/week and doing a self-designed workout program the rest of the time that includes core work, upper & lower body resistence and elliptical, in addition to the swim/cycle/run. Soon I'll be starting a 12-week program that will take me up to race day.

2011 Races: Chain of Lakes Triathlon (sprint distance) May 7th, Alexandria, MN
Warrior Dash 5k & obstacle course July 23, Afton, MN

2011-01-18 2:46 PM

in reply to: #3306953

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

QueerDrummer - 2011-01-18 2:31 PM

Hey Brian, I'm interested in joining your Mentor group. My name is Henry. I'm 33, living in Minnesota and training for my first sprint on May 7th. Your weight loss history is relavent to me because I've been considered obese since I was 12. I've come a long way in that area, but still have about 20 lbs to lose. If that happens during training, cool, but my main focus is being as healthy as possible & completing my first tri! I know the weight will come off if I stick to good habits. I'm only 5' 4" and about 160 post-holidays

you got it! Welcome!!

gadgetlaw

2011-01-18 3:29 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Veteran

458

Greensburg, PA

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Hi,
I am looking for a group to join, and wasn't sure if yours was still open or not. On the main page it now says closed, but on this page it says Open for Business? Do you have room for one more?

Karen

2011-01-18 3:31 PM

in reply to: #3307015

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Awesome! I went back and added my last week's worth of workouts to my log - haven't used it before but I'll get the hang of it. Anything prior to that isn't really worth noting. I've been active, but at a minimum due to the back.

2011-01-18 4:29 PM

in reply to: #3290949

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

I'm trying to follow the instructions for getting this thread into my "dashboard" I can't figure out where to paste the link. Help? It would be great to not have to dig for this thread every time I log in.
Thanks!

Edited by QueerDrummer 2011-01-18 4:35 PM

2011-01-18 4:37 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: QOTD proposal

Hey folks, for my first Tri the swim is indoors and the bike/run portions are outdoors. Has anyone done something like this? Any idea how the first transition works?

2011-01-18 5:06 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Hey Karen

I just closed the group but of course there is room for one more. You're welcome to join us.

I'm headed off to computrainer class right now. I'll update our list with links in the morning.

Henry, I can help you out in the morning too. Unfortunately right now I'm on the road and my phone is about to die.

mcommend

2011-01-18 5:40 PM

in reply to: #3305827

Veteran

283

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Brian,
Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I taught myself the swimming last year by watching Youtube videos. It was the first time that I ever formally swam. I really didn't think that I was swimming fast. My only goal is to gain the endurance to complete a mile open water swim in a race. Now I have to go swimming again tomorrow to make sure that I counted my laps correctly (but I am almost positive that I did count correctly)

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night....

2011-01-18 9:12 PM

in reply to: #3307383

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

mcommend - 2011-01-18 5:40 PM

Brian,
Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I taught myself the swimming last year by watching Youtube videos. It was the first time that I ever formally swam. I really didn't think that I was swimming fast. My only goal is to gain the endurance to complete a mile open water swim in a race. Now I have to go swimming again tomorrow to make sure that I counted my laps correctly (but I am almost positive that I did count correctly)

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night....

hmmmmm....are you swimming in a yard pool or meter pool? Either way, your doing really good. I couldn't swim at all till last year. I feel like I just learned myself. On a good workout with some drills and broken up sets I usually swim between 2000-2400 meters in an hours time.

2011-01-18 9:14 PM

in reply to: #3307259

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

QueerDrummer - 2011-01-18 4:29 PM

I'm trying to follow the instructions for getting this thread into my "dashboard" I can't figure out where to paste the link. Help? It would be great to not have to dig for this thread every time I log in.
Thanks!

Henry,

Go to the top of the page: Settings/Training Blog Customization/Dashboard

paste the link there and hit the update button

LMK if you need more help with that

shrevemaintenance

2011-01-18 10:13 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Regular

Goleta / Santa Barbara

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

I am not sure what is going on but I am gaining weight every day. I have been really watching what I eat. About a 700 to 1000 calorie deficit every day if you count all the exercising. I am back up to 200 pounds again. I don't look like I did the last time but it is sort of discouraging. I know I am gaining muscle but I thought I could still get down to 190. I have only gained more weight with all the training. Wierd.

2011-01-18 10:45 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Dale

A couple of things here. I noticed that you're using a calorie goal of around 3000 each day. IMO that may be pretty high. Let me do some checking to make sure but for weight loss I think you may want to be down around 2500 minus a calorie deficite for weight loss. Second, as we lose weight it gets harder. Not only is it important to count calories but also be careful of what type of calories you put in your body. Try staying away from processed sugars and other processed food. That will help you burn the stubborn fat that sticks like glue around your lymph nodes. Also, remember the earlier article we looked at about balance between training gains and weight loss. There may be a little sacrifice here. Remember too that muscle weighs more than fat. So if your wwaist size isn't going up than you are probably not gaining fat but muscle.

Edited by Meulen 2011-01-18 10:47 PM

2011-01-19 7:43 AM

in reply to: #3307758

Veteran

220

Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

Meulen - 2011-01-18 9:12 PM

mcommend - 2011-01-18 5:40 PM Brian,
Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I taught myself the swimming last year by watching Youtube videos. It was the first time that I ever formally swam. I really didn't think that I was swimming fast. My only goal is to gain the endurance to complete a mile open water swim in a race. Now I have to go swimming again tomorrow to make sure that I counted my laps correctly (but I am almost positive that I did count correctly)

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night....

One way down is 25 meters. 28 laps= 700 meters. I know because I swim in the same pool!

shrevemaintenance

2011-01-19 8:11 AM

in reply to: #3256125

Regular

Goleta / Santa Barbara

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Brian, I have been watching carefully what I eat. I have a somewhat physical job. Half of it is driving and the other half is Hiking,crawling,lifting and walking. I set my calorie goal at level 3 (somewhat active) That is where the 3000 Calorie estimate is from. I usually burn another 500-800 a day doing exercise. That puts me at 3500+ every day. My calorie intake is about 2500. If I don't eat at least that much, I feel very hungry. I know it has to be muscle cause I don't have a growing waistline. It still bugs me that I am at 200 again. I wanted to weigh less so it would be easier to run and swim. Guess I will always be a clidesdale.

2011-01-19 11:03 AM

in reply to: #3308165

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

libramom - 2011-01-19 7:43 AM

Meulen - 2011-01-18 9:12 PM

mcommend - 2011-01-18 5:40 PM Brian,
Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I taught myself the swimming last year by watching Youtube videos. It was the first time that I ever formally swam. I really didn't think that I was swimming fast. My only goal is to gain the endurance to complete a mile open water swim in a race. Now I have to go swimming again tomorrow to make sure that I counted my laps correctly (but I am almost positive that I did count correctly)

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night....

One way down is 25 meters. 28 laps= 700 meters. I know because I swim in the same pool!

Actually a "lap" is down and back and a "length" is down. So if it's a 25 meter pool and one swims 28 "laps" (down & back) it would be 1400 meters, wouldn't it?

2011-01-19 11:11 AM

in reply to: #3308246

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

shrevemaintenance - 2011-01-19 8:11 AM Brian, I have been watching carefully what I eat. I have a somewhat physical job. Half of it is driving and the other half is Hiking,crawling,lifting and walking. I set my calorie goal at level 3 (somewhat active) That is where the 3000 Calorie estimate is from. I usually burn another 500-800 a day doing exercise. That puts me at 3500+ every day. My calorie intake is about 2500. If I don't eat at least that much, I feel very hungry. I know it has to be muscle cause I don't have a growing waistline. It still bugs me that I am at 200 again. I wanted to weigh less so it would be easier to run and swim. Guess I will always be a clidesdale.

Hey, not sure what program you're using, but I use www.livestrong/myplate and I know they overestimate a bit on activity, and therefore calorie goals. But you can custom set your own calorie goal. I've lost quite a bit of weight in the last year (and simultaneously added muscle, so I know the weight lost is fat) and I highly recommend taking the necissary time to visit a site or 2 that estimates calorie burn based on your individual & specific activities. Figure out your BMR using a BMR calculator and then try http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc. I know it takes a bit of time to add everything up, but it will give you a more accurate idea of how many calories you use in an average day. Then you can factor your deficite better. Brian is right about what kind of calories you put in your body, and you might also want to research what time of day it's best to eat what kinds of food (carbs v protein, etc). Lastly, while muscle weighs more than fat, it also helps to burn calories more efficiently (so lean muscle increases your metabolism). If you've already accumulated some muscle bulk, you might consider a higher cardio to resistence ratio (I'm assuming you do both, sorry if that's not true) and try to avoid eating anything in the 3 hours prior to going to bed.
Hope these tips are helpful and not just repetitive of what you already know!
-Henry

2011-01-19 12:02 PM

in reply to: #3308820

Veteran

220

Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-OPEN for business!!

QueerDrummer - 2011-01-19 11:03 AM

libramom - 2011-01-19 7:43 AM

Meulen - 2011-01-18 9:12 PM

mcommend - 2011-01-18 5:40 PM Brian,
Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I taught myself the swimming last year by watching Youtube videos. It was the first time that I ever formally swam. I really didn't think that I was swimming fast. My only goal is to gain the endurance to complete a mile open water swim in a race. Now I have to go swimming again tomorrow to make sure that I counted my laps correctly (but I am almost positive that I did count correctly)

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night....

One way down is 25 meters. 28 laps= 700 meters. I know because I swim in the same pool!

Actually a "lap" is down and back and a "length" is down. So if it's a 25 meter pool and one swims 28 "laps" (down & back) it would be 1400 meters, wouldn't it?

You're right, you're right!!! 28 laps=56 lengths=1400 meters. Sorry!

Edited by libramom 2011-01-19 12:11 PM

2011-01-19 1:00 PM

in reply to: #3256125

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Dale

I'm using livestrong.com like Henry. I sit on my butt all day at work but choose the active lifestyle because I pretty much workout everyday. I don't typically lose a lot of weight this way. Maybe a pound a week. That's pretty healthy weight loss though. I can get a little better results if I add some long low intensity workouts and create 1000 or more calorie deficite for a few days. I just make sure my net calories are over 1200 for the day so you don't throw your body into starvation mode. I think you may be eating an extra meals worth of calories a day using 3000+. Your going to feel a little hunger till your body gets used to it. What I do is carry a bag of raw almonds with me and eat a handful a couple times a day when I feel hungry. Try to eat your carbs early in the day and by dinner eat only protein and vegetables. You can eat snacks after dinner but only protein. Examples would be hard boiled eggs, a scoop of peanut butter, a glass of milk, etc. Your losing more and more weight your body actually needs less calories because you are not carrying all that weight anymore. Give 2600 a shot. I think it'll work for you.

2011-01-20 8:35 AM

in reply to: #3256125

Elite

3515

Romeoville, Il

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

QOTD: What's your biggest weakness when it comes to nutrition and how do you try to solve this problem?

Mine: Boredom eating!!! I eat when I'm bored. I try to stay busy. The hardest time I have is spending time watching tv with my wife. (she's going to kill me for writing this.

) I get bored and head for the kitchen cubbards. I recently, put a trainer in the living room so I can ride the bike if I get bored. I also try to snack on healthy things like a scoop of peanut butter or have a glass of milk to make me feel full.

2011-01-20 9:24 AM

in reply to: #3310649

Veteran

220

Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Sweets!!! I love chocolate and I could eat it all day, every day. I allow myself to have some (whatever form that may be- a little piece of cake or a little cookie or whatever) a few times a week. I can't give it up completely or that will make me want it more and I can get out-of-control with that stuff! I keep a huge water bottle at my desk and drink about 5-6 of those throughout the day, which seems to curb hunger somewhat. Whenever I'm really hungry I'll have brought a piece of fruit or almonds or a granola bar, but it's always real food. The more you eat it (veggies, fruit), the more you want it. You train your taste buds to eat a certain way. I always eat real foods, never ever processed.

I also make sure I allow my body to get enough sleep. You could be working out 5 hours a day and eating the healthiest food possible, but if you are depleting your body of sleep and rest, your metabolism isn't going to be great. I think sleep is underrated and critical if you want to perform your best. I also think it goes hand and hand with nutrition.

2011-01-20 5:08 PM

in reply to: #3310649

Veteran

318

Minneapolis

Subject: RE: Meulen's 'Let's tri this Thing!' beginner mentor group-CLOSED

Mine is probably stress eating, although the boredom can be a problem too. Luckily (?) I don't have much down time to be bored these days. We only watch tv once we've laid down for the night. Gotta love those sleep timers! I do watch a lot of movies, but on my laptop while I'm cleaning the kitchen, folding laundry, etc. I'm hardly ever sitting still. If any of you work in an office though, you know how high-stress this "non-high-stress" job can be! I carry all my food for the day with me 90% of the time, but if I didn't for some reason and it's a rough day it's way too easy for me to cave at the thought of Chinese takeout.

Keeping a water bottle filled at my desk, and carrying enough food to eat/graze every 2-3 hours really helps keep me honest. It's far easier to turn down those office treats when I have something yummy that I like on hand like a Clif Builder bar or turkey jerky & almonds!
High 5 on the no-processed-foods, Erin! I try to stick with minimally processed or at least organic.