I tried them and didnt like them at all. They just didnt feel right on my feet. And I'm 6'1 220lbs so I like to have a little more support than just socks.

 

Couple tips that have helped me drop from 180 to 170 in the last month and a half:
- Lift before cardio. Cardio to me, is mostly the amount of effort you put in. If you are tired while lifting, you wont see results, but if you are tired while doing cardio and still pushing then you will see results.
- On the subject of cardio, do high intensity intervals like 30 seconds sprinting, 1 minute jogging. Increase the sprinting duration when you feel comfortable
- Mix in some good fats like almonds, or instead of dressing on your salad, olive oil. Your body needs good fat to give energy and if you are working out at a high level, your body should be burning 50-65% fat with the other percent being carbs
- Protein. Don't overload it like a body builder but protein helps speed up the metabolism. Instead of having regular yogurt, substitute out for greek yogurt. More protein and less sugar
- Good, hearty, fiber filled breakfast. Fiber helped slow down your digestive system and won't leave you as hungry as empty carbs
- Don't starve yourself. Small meals 5-6 times a day with some source of casein protein at night with keep your metabolism up and help lose fat.
- Don't be consumed by the scale. The only reason I knew my weight before and after is a doctors checkup at the end of summer and weigh-in for hockey now. I knew I wasn't in the best shape so I just started working out more (actually including cardio, summer was more of a lifting and hanging by the pool deal for me instead of running after lifting) and eating better and I started to feel a lot more confident and had more energy about a week after. So many people are infatuated with the number on the scale but I think getting in shape is how you feel and pushing yourself to become better.

Just a couple of things that helped me, I'm not sure how much of this has been mentioned tho

 

I agree with most everything you stated except;

Everything I have read about cardio says to do your cardio before your lift because it is a better warm up for your full body and it makes for better muscle recovery and you have the potential to lift more during your workout. But I do agree, Cardio is what you put into it.

I dont totally agree with the whole fiber craze. I think its kind of lame. All it really does is make you poop more. Or at least it does for me

 

Ditto on the fiber pooping My boxers probably hate me if I eat a fiber one bar... the smell gets to me

And yes, Cardio before, you need to get your blood circulating

 

Judging from the title of this thread, I assume you're a Meat Head.

 

Well you're a rat Jim

 

Seriously? :roll eyes:



Alex 4.2:
They are actually quite beneficial. They will better your run form. Lots of people today heel strike when they run. Which is incorrect, and can cause lots of musculoskeletal problems/pain (Google POSE running or barefoot running).
Once running correctly, you will see that you don't need support in your shoe, no matter how much you weigh, that's what your feet are for. So that's where the five fingers, aka toe shoes, come into play. You will pay better attention to how your foot hits the ground, and focus more on your form. It's also quite painful to heel strike without 1.5" of padding, so you will stop doing it very quickly.
They can also help with other lifts as well. Olympic lifts/power lifts, things where having a shoe shaped like a wedge will throw your body/hips out of alignment, thus killing your form, and max potential. But, If you're a mirror stander, they will serve you no purpose as your foot position really doesn't affect your curl form.

 

Yes, seriously. I don't like them. I have tried them and worked out in them and they are not for me. I dont like they way they look or feel and when I say the only people who wear them are tools, A. It was partially a joke, and, B. the only people I have ever seen wear them are the guys at the gym who workout biceps and then abs and they are done. That is not working out. It's just my opinion.

D

 

Well I got to say D's984x4 thats kind of dissapointing for you to say. Thats not working out? Maybe the way you work out wouldn't be considered working out by them. Atleast they're getting out there and doing something moving around and staying active. You can't fault them for that.

@JNC995 thanks for the info I will probably try a pair. I know they are about one hundred bucks a pair but I can see the benefits could outweigh the cost. I normally just run on the treadmill do some pushups and crunches. Don't really lift weights mostly cardio. I like to keep it simple.

 

Yea, they are starting to rise in price. If you're just looking to run, I'd recommend the bikilas. They are the first one they designed for running specifically. Usually $90 anywhere you go. I'd recommend an REI if you have one around. They warranty the stuff they sale pretty well.

 

Well I don't have to great of an arch in my foot-its almost flat. I wonder if they will still work good but Im willing to try them out and see for myself.

 

I warm up with a 15 minute walk to the rec and then a mile run before. I was talking about extended cardio for the purpose of conditioning

 

Just thought I would check back in.

Its almost been a week, and I have no idea what I weighed before I started.
All I know is that some of my pants where getting tight.

Well, now I feel better overall as well as my paints seem to be fitting better.
Not sure if I have lost much, and I am not about to get on a scale until a few more weeks.

I am getting about half way up the trial easier than I was, but I am still out of breath when I get there.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

Good job man I need to get on the exercise wagon more too! After you said that I realized hey my pants are gettin kinda tight too Maybe that means the cookin is just good.

 

Yeah, my wife wants to fry everything.
I have (mostly) gotten her to start baking instead of frying and using the gorge foreman over a skillet.

Love shake and bake pork chops!

I am to blame for some of it though, I love to deep fry things, chicken and fries.