Get fit..... trying to.....

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Hi
I am starting a personal 'Get Fit' campaign, and have decided to try to take
up running. I have not run seriously, since High School, some 15 years ago.
However, I need a way to shed the pounds I have put on, and also to increase
my general fitness.

I have a couple of questions.
1. Can anyone recommend a good startup programme for a novice to get back
into it?

2. Is it worth getting a treadmill to start, before hitting the road?

3. I am looking for some software that I can use to help track my progress,
and record my diet and exercise, and be able to monitor my progress.

Can anyone recommend something??

I have found this product, but have not yet purchased it.
www.dakware.com
I like the idea of being able to use the PDA, as I need a machine to remind
me, and organise me.

I would be grateful if anyone could offer any help.

Thanks

Joe.

1- It all depends on your current condition, your experience, weight,
how many times weekly you plan to run, etc. You can look up some
programs from http://www.runnersworld.com/

2- Definitely not. Many here will say that you will NEVER need any
treadmills. And besides, are you sure that you are into running for
keeps? There are lots of people who buy a treadmill (or any other
exercise machine) and let it rust in some corner of their house.

Prefer trails to roads if possible since they are more forgiving for you
joints.

3- I personally prefer a simple spreadsheet I prepare myself. It is more
than enough for me. So I really cannot recommend any software.

--
Burak
please remove Dot NOREPLY Dot to reply

You are too old, you will drop dead from a coronary. Quit now.

"...before hitting the road." I hope he means that literally.

Joseph Scully said:

I have a couple of questions.
1. Can anyone recommend a good startup programme for a novice to get
back into it?

As someone else mentioned, runningroom.com has a number of programmes
available. I use a 10-week on-line running clinic (www.runningroom.com
$59.95 Canadian or something like that), complete with on-line seminars. I
registered for the class based on an in-house clinic I did with the Running
Room a few years ago. The seminars have a lot of information--about
injuries, stretching, nutrition, how to choose a running shoe, etc. But
none of this is stuff you can't find elsewhere for free. In addition, their
beginner's running program is the same as runningroom.com's beginner's
program, which you can access for free (10 weeks of run/walk intervals with
a 20 minute run as the goal). There is an instructor for the clinic who
sends out weekly e-mails, and who is also there to answer any questions.
For me, having an "instructor" to whom I can report my progress, helps keep
me on track--I'm a big slacker, otherwise! The clinic also includes an
on-line fitness tracker, where you can report your running progress, as well
as other workouts during the week.

Quoted message said:

3. I am looking for some software that I can use to help track my
progress, and record my diet and exercise, and be able to monitor my
progress.

Can anyone recommend something??

www.fitday.com has a free on-line fitness/nutrition diary. I liked the
fitness part, but the nutrition part was a pain to use (but I find that of
most nutrition diaries available). They also have a program for you
computer, which is not free. I would assume it is similar to the on-line
version, but with more features. You could try out the free version, see if
you like it, then upgrade if you do.

Someone else suggested spreadsheets--I use a couple of the Microsoft
Templates for my own workouts--one for weight circuits and another for
cardio. You could easily set up your own, but if you use MSOffice, there
should be some readily available (especially with MSWorks). There are a few
others at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/results.aspx?Scope=TC&Query=fitness .

rona
--
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