Active Community : Popular Threads - Nutrition

Stupid COLD! Train or not?

KIKat — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:17:24 GMT

I have a nasty head cold and am right int he middle of training for a 10K in less than three weeks, and a 5 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. I've been taking it easy for the last two days and it's driving me crazy. Any advice on training while getting over/having a cold?

Thanks,

Kat

Help with Plantar fasciitis/Heel spur

MelaMarla — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:37:48 GMT

Unfortunately, I am a bit overweight and could stand to use approximately 50lbs. I was in the process of working towards my fitness goal doing crossfit (which I found to just love). However, I incurred an injury with my heel. For years, I've been stiff getting out of bed or stiff after periods of exercise but I've always sucked it up...Now that I've gotten out of shape and attempted to get back what I considered I lost now I'm having this problem. I have a MRI scheduled for this Friday and I'll learn the specifics of the condition. I just wanted to know if anyone had any insight.

I need a better diet

FrankieAmons — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:43:12 GMT

I've had this problem for a while where during the day I have trouble staying awake and have little to no energy. When I get home I'm exhausted from trying to keep myself awake so I sit on the couch and watch TV the rest of the night. Then I get to a point where I can't fall asleep and stay up late watching TV, and the next morning I'm tired and it starts all over again.

So I've been trying extra hard to get more sleep every night, but that hasn't helped increase my energy during the day. My friends tell me its because of my diet. I guess I do eat too many carbs, pastas, breads, and meats.

I don't necessarily want to start a weight loss diet, but a way to boost my energy.

Are there energy food diets out there or supplements?

Make your own energy bars

Active Toby — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:12:57 GMT

Mark Sisson's site, Mark's Daily Apple is a regular read for me and today he has a great post, Make Your Own Primal Energy Bars in 10 Easy Steps

Total Batch:

Calories: 2288

Fat: 203g

Carbs: 110g

Protein: 40g

Not bad, huh? Give them a try and let us know how they turned out!

get rid of cramps in ribs?

MitchWilson — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:54:06 GMT

does anyone know how to get rid of cramps in ribs? whenever i run more than 2 miles at a fast pace, i always get really bad cramps in my ribs.

thanks for the help,

mitch

Nutrition for leg cramps

KeeleyH — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:07:11 GMT

I'm a 29-year old guy who has run a marathon, done a sprint triathlon (1/2 mi. swim, 20 mi. bike, 5k run), and ridden a century. On each of these endurance events, I've gotten bad leg cramps, starting with hamstrings and then quads and sometimes calves. I haven't had many problems in training for the events for some reason, but during races it happens. I have a feeling that it's a combination of pushing myself harder and not paying attention to my nutrition during the race.

The most recent was the marathon--my first. I ran in Warner Robins, GA (flat course) on a 20-degree day. I stayed warm until I had to slow down for the leg cramps (it was hot during the triathlon and century). I started having leg cramps at mile 15, and they were worst at mile 22. My pre-race dinner was multigrain pasta with marinara and low-fat ground beef, and for breakfast I had a big bowl of yogurt with granola, strawberries, and a banana before the race. I took four Gu packets with me during the race, planning on having one each 6 miles. I took the first two on my schedule, but the third came at mile 16 and the last at mile 21. I also had a fuel belt with water and Accelerade (31g), and I had at least one cup of water every two miles. Once the cramps started, I stopped at mile 17 and ate a half bananna as well as the third Gu packet, and I had another 1/2 banana at mile 19 or so. I had no other symptoms of dehydration or over-hydration, and I was able to eat a couple cookies, another banana, and have 2 cups of hot chocolate immediately after the race (it was cold!). My 1/2 marathon split time (before cramps set in) was around 1 hr, 48 min. I finished the race in just over 4 hours. I trained to run the entire marathon in just under 4 hours, but I felt great right up to mile 15 (actually, everything felt great other than cramping for the duration of the race).

I'd like to do another marathon and improve my time, and I really enjoy the endurance sports and competing. However, with the leg cramp problem, I'm seriously hampered from doing well or enjoying them to the fullest. Anybody have any idea what I can do to kick this problem? Am I missing something here with the nutrition or training? Thanks!

Winning Books for Active People

mike_cramton — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:03:24 GMT

In addition to Nancy Clark's excellent resource of food, nutrition and weight management books for active people --

http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Winning_Nutrition_Books__Good_Gifts_for_Good_Health.htm -- I'd like to share a few titles I've come across -- either by referral, online or by accident -- that have been more than influential in my journey of becoming more active, healthy and globally conscious. These are titles that are prominent on my bookshelf; books I often reference or re-read for inspiration and motivation:

"The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling" by Edmund R. Burke and Ed Pavelka: "Not only do they cover the basics, such as best bike gear, proper nutrition, and what type of bike to buy, but they give the lowdown on the latest equipment and explain bike technology without oversimplifying. Serious bikers will surely mark part two, 'The Rides,' which includes training schedules, charts, and race tactics to prepare beginners and experienced cyclists for Centuries (100 mile rides) to Ultras (any distance over 100 miles)."

"Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan: "It's a fascinating journey up and down the food chain, one that might change the way you read the label on a frozen dinner, dig into a steak or decide whether to buy organic eggs. You'll certainly never look at a Chicken McNugget the same way again."

"Diet for a Small Planet" by Frances Moore Lappe. "The book that started the nutrition revolution and taught America the social and personal significance of a new way of eating is still a complete guide for eating well in the 21st Century. Lappe offers a philosophy for changing the world by changing the way you eat."

"Complete Book of Chinese Health & Healing" by Daniel Reid: "Reid's third book on Chinese medicine, martial arts, meditation, and related subjects is thorough, clear, and informative. It opens with an account of the three treasures of Taoism: essence, energy, and spirit. Then, Reid weaves ancient and modern Chinese healing and Taoism together in order to paint a good picture of the background and current practice of his subjects. While the book contains much practical material on Chinese remedies and techniques, it also underlines the Chinese emphasis upon prevention."

Need some words of encouragement!

Malyna33 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:20:14 GMT

I am going to do my first 1/2 marathon in November. I am currenlty walking/jogging 4 times a week and have lost 78lbs total over the last 5 years ( I had 2 children within this time as well). I have always worked out on and off since I have always been on a diet. I have been heavy all my life and I now weigh less that I did when I was a freshman in highschool. (Only because of instead of dieting I finally saw it as a life change.) I am 5'7, 211 currently and plan to lose another 15 before the 1/2 marathon. I start the acutal training for the 1/2 marathon 07/04/09. I have had alot of friends and family tell me I am crazy for wanting to do this because I have never even done a 5k before. But I do plan to do one before November. I don't know if I can finish but I will be trying my hardest. My 1st motivation was watching the biggest loser but then was hesitant because my friends talked about how the contestests trained for hours a day. Then my father was recently diagnosed with cancer and seeing what he was going through made me get up and register. I am just tired of hearing words of discouragement and seeing faces from friends as if I am joking. Does it seem impossible to complete even if I chose to walk straight through? Is there anyone out there that has been in a similar postion?

Snacks?

jneptune — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:07:50 GMT

I typically have well-balanced, healthy meals, but I am always hungry and I snack often between meals. I love trail mix, dried fruit, and any mixed nuts but they are all pretty expensive unless on sale. I hate to go for the sweets and processed snack foods all the time, but quite honestly fruit and vegetables are only satisfying when I eat a ton of them and that can be expensive as well.

What kind of snacks can/should I look for that are healthy, satisfying, and not too pricey?

What's Your Ultimate Breakfast?

Active Sara — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:21:44 GMT

I just found this recipe the other day and tried it out. It's definitely a winner! It also combines vitamins ABCDE+K. Not to shabby.

The Ultimate Breakfast

Using a combination of eggs and egg whites helps keep the saturated fat content down without sacrifing a rich, satisfying flavor.

Serves 4

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

1 Haas avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Coarse salt and ground pepper

4 large eggs plus 4 large egg whites

¼ cup fortified low-fat milk

½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled

3 tablespoons canola oil

½ cup minced onion

1 small jalapeno pepper (ribs and seeds discarded), minced

2 cups fresh baby spinach, shredded

1 bunch chives, thinly sliced

1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese

Sliced mango and kiwi serving

This breakfast omelet combines vitmains ABCDE+K

Milk, eggs, and cheese lend vitamins A and D, while kiwi and mango offer vitamins C and E. Mango also brings in vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, as does the spinach (the leafy green also throws vitamin K into the mix). Not to be left out, avocado represents the B family and provides yet more K.

What's your ultimate breakfast?