It’s been a full week since I last stepped on the scale, and I’ll admit that I’ve been getting a bit nervous about today’s weigh-in. Overall I’ve had a good week, but not having the constant feedback (as inaccurate as it may be at times) made me uneasy. Yes, I was sorely tempted a few times this week to “cheat” and step on the scale, but I refrained. So how did my week without the scale go? Let’s take a look at this week’s numbers:
- Weight: 229.2 lbs
- Pounds lost this week: 1.2
- Pounds lost so far: 50.8
- BMI: 29.42
Pounds to goal #1 of “overweight” BMI: 0.0Goal met 4/9/10!- Pounds to goal #2 of “normal” BMI: 35.2
It feels good to have made it into the 220′s, and that also means I’ve passed the 50 lb mark!!! 
All in all, I’m very happy that I took this week away from the scale. It gave me some time to relax and just trust myself that I knew what I was doing. However, with all that being said, I think I’m going to take the advice of Mac and Andrew and start using Physics Diet for my weigh-ins.
If you’re not familiar with Physics Diet, the basic idea is that you record your weight every day, but instead of using your scale weight, the site calculates a moving average that is a more accurate estimate of your “true” weight. Basically, it smooths out the bumps from the little ups and down and inconsistencies in your daily weigh-ins.
I realized that even weekly weigh-ins can be pretty inconsistent – you could be doing great all week, and then either have a bad day right before your weigh-in day, or are retaining some extra water, or whatever, and still have a bad weigh-in (or vice-versa). I think the Physics Diet approach is going to yield the most accurate, consistent results. The only downside of starting to use Physics Diet is that my moving average is of course higher than my current scale weight, so it sort of feels like taking a step backwards, even though it’s really not.
Luckily for me, I’ve actually been using Physics Diet all along, so I’ve already got my full weight history in there, I just hadn’t been reporting my weight based on the moving average it calculates. Here’s what my current numbers look like from Physics Diet:
- Weight: 231.8 lbs
- BMI: 29.76
Couch to 5K: Week 3
Week 3 of C25K hasn’t gone all that great, mostly because I’ve still been so sore from the previous week. My ankles and muscle on the inner part of my upper right thigh have been killing me. I managed to do the first 2 days of week 3 at a slowed pace, but I was definitely hurting afterward, even with lots of stretching and ice. I’m holding off on completing week 3 until I’m feeling better again. I don’t want to push myself too hard and end up really hurting myself.
For you runners out there, any ideas on what I can do to prevent this ankle pain? Is it something with my form? Or maybe my shoes? I’m pretty sure that the pain in my leg is due to me running a little funny from the pain in my ankles, so I think if I can solve the ankle pain issue, that problem will go away on its own.
Weekend Warriors Challenge
The next edition of the Weekend Warriors Challenge is just around the corner – keep an eye out for the offical announcement on Monday. Last time around we had a Star Wars theme – any good ideas on a theme for this month’s challenge, just to help keep things fun?
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Way to go in resisiting the scale all week, that’s awesome opossum! Welcome to the 220′s!!! Let’s make this a short visit! The 210s await us!!!
.-= Erin´s last blog… Fast Cars and Scale Freedom =-.
Brandon…Take a look at the miles of running you’ve been doing for week 1 and week 2. Not the overall miles, just the miles you actually are running. If week 2 was more than a 10% increase, that may be too much for someone just starting out. You’re probably right about the ankle problems altering your gait and causing the other problems, that’s very common. And finally, what shoes are you running in? Have you been to a running store and had your gait checked? Maybe you do (or don’t) need a stability shoe to help you keep your feet aligned as they strike the ground. Most specialty running stores will be able to watch you run and give you advice on the type of shoe to buy. Some even have video analysis for free. Great job on the weight loss. I knew you’d be fine.
.-= mac´s last blog… Get Fit Slowly Book Shelf =-.
Thanks for the ideas Mac. Right now, I’m running in just a pretty plain pair of sneakers. Not great, I know. I’ll have to do some looking around and see if we even have a specialty running store like that here in Anchorage.
Congrats on hitting the 50 pound lost milestone!
.-= Matt´s last blog… Bowling Balls and Dog Food =-.
I also use PhysicsDiet. I think we should go for a “Braveheart” theme this time. I always wanted to be be William Wallace anyway.
.-= Frank Dobner´s last blog… Can I Lose Weight Without Eating Vegetables? =-.
OOH, I’m w/ FRANK!!!!!
ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH! ALBA GU BRÀTH!
.-= Erin´s last blog… Fast Cars and Scale Freedom =-.
Hmmm, Braveheart, I like it!
Congrats! Great milestone to hit.
Sorry your ankles are hurtning. Maybe look into some Vibrams? They take a bit of getting used to, but I love them now!
.-= beej´s last blog… How much a year changes =-.
Thanks beej. I’ve definitely tempted by the Vibrams. I’m going to a running store tomorrow to get my gait checked and see what they have to say about the whole thing.
Great job 50#’s is HUGE!!!
I am getting some asics this week, running sneakers are a must if that is how you are going to exercise.
AWESOME job on the 50! And I’m glad you took a week off, trusted yourself, and reaped the rewards. I think Physics Diet sounds pretty interesting. I might check it out myself. I mean, since I came to terms with my scale, I weigh myself every day now, more so because I’m interested in water weight fluctuations to see if what I eat affects me (kind of like a really crappy science experiment).
Anyway, if you’re sticking with shoes, I would go get your gait checked. You might be overpronating, you might not have proper support, all of which could cause your legs and ankles to hurt. What you SHOULD do is leg exercises as well. You need to build up calf/quads/hamstring/glute muscles. I mean, it sounds silly since you’re already using them to run, but your legs are carrying a lot of weight (so are mine).
Take a break from running and rest up. You want it to be enjoyable, not painful.
I second Beej on the Vibrams but they DO take getting used to
.-= Jess´s last blog… Day 81: Stepping Outside the Box =-.
Thanks Jess. I found a place here in Anchorage that will analyze your gait, so I’m going to check them out this weekend and hopefully find some shoes that will help give me better support. I’m still definitely interested in the Vibrams, but think I might wait until my body is a little more used to running first.
I TOTALLY forgot to add. Practice midfoot striking (running form). You can even practice this with shoes on
It’s just more natural when you do minimalist/barefoot but just be conscious. Like, maybe take a quick 10 second jog barefoot. Get the feel. Then mimic with your shoes!
.-= Jess´s last blog… Day 83: Wanderlust =-.
That’s right too I forgot to add that as well. If you try learning forward *slightly* I believe the perfect angle is 5.something % it is easier to hit midfoot. From experience, it is best to concentrate on it for a brief portion of your run then return to your normal foot strike and work up to doing it all the time. It works different muscles and it HURTS the next day if you’re not careful.
.-= Rita´s last blog… The Week that Was and the Next Installment of… =-.
Congrats on the 50+ pounds loss!!!! That’s awesome!!!
.-= Chad´s last blog… My First 5K: The Night Before =-.
I haven’t had your pain problem but I do think the ankle in causing the leg pain. Definitely get your gait checked if you can find a place.
Congrats on the loss!
.-= Karyn´s last blog… My hubby…the snitch! =-.
I had the same problem right about week 3. It was all my shoes. When I decided I was going to commit, I went to a running specialty store. They helped me into a nice pair of sauconys and the pain dissipated almost immediately.
I may take the plunge and join WWC…eeeeeek!
.-= Tara´s last blog… Wonder if what you say helps / Forging relationships / Revisiting an old enemy =-.
I found a specialty running store here that will check your gait, so I’m going to head there tomorrow and see about getting a good pair of shoes.
You should definitely join us for WWC, it’s always a good time!
I reckon you should go to a proper running shoe shop and get yourself tested. I only get sore ankles when my shoes are either too old or not the right type for my feet.
And congrats on the 50 pound milestone!
Thanks Andrew! I did manage to find a running store here that will analyze your gait and tell you what type of shoe you need – I’m headed there today!
Save a seat for me in the 220s, I plan on joining you next week!
Congrats!
.-= Steve´s last blog… A wee bit blah… =-.
I’m here waiting for you buddy!
I maintain Star Trek. I’m a geek purist.
And congrats on losing fifty pounds in under five months! That’s amazing and really a testament to what people can do when they put their mind to it.
I’ve started using Physics Diet as well. I’ve been thinking about recording that as my weight, too, just because there have been times I’ve found myself not eating something that I know will make me retain water, even if it’s healthy (like air-popped popcorn) because I’m weighing in the next day. I like the idea of a system that eliminates day-to-day extreme gains or losses.
.-= Jeremy Logsdon´s last blog… My Fifteen Reasons =-.
I’d definitely like to do the Star Trek theme as well, I just have to figure out a way to tie it in so it’s not a complete stretch
I really like Physics Diet for the same reason – before I would purposefully not eat certain foods the day before my weigh-in, because I didn’t want to be retaining extra water. This way, all of those types of little bumps get smoothed out, and I don’t have to worry so much.
50!!! 220′s!!!!!! Who da man? YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!! You continue to impress me!!
.-= Craig´s last blog… My First 5K! (Results!!) =-.
No, YOU DA MAN!
Congrats Brandon! You are doing super awesome!!!
That’s great that you are going to a specialty running store. They’ll be able to help you for sure. I used to have plantar fasciitis, which was awful, but disappeared shortly after I found the correct shoes!!! Good luck.
.-= Carla´s last blog… A great day for a picnic =-.
I just got back from picking up my new shoes, so now I’m very excited to go out for my next run and check them out!
What shoes are you using? Have you had your gait checked? Are you stretching? Swing by and take a look at my runners stretching guide – may help.
Lower leg / ankle problems may also be a result of too much heel striking. Find a specialty shop, have them check your gait. If there’s not one around shoot me an email and I will try to help.
.-= Joe´s last blog… 2010 America’s Run Half Marathon Review =-.
I had just been using a pretty basic pair of sneakers. I just got back from the running store, and they were very helpful, and I got a pair of shoes that seem to fit very comfortably and offer plenty of support.
I am doing stretching before and after my runs, but probably not as much as I should be doing. I’ll definitely take a look at your runner’s stretching guide.
I’m very hopeful that these new shoes will help a lot, but if I still continue to experience problems, I’ll definitely hit you up for some more advice
Wow it appears we at least have a consensus that is might be your shoes, lol.
Definitely be careful, in case it’s inflamed tendons or something. Some good rest (and new shoes) and you’ll be good as new.
Congrats on the 50lbs, those big landmarks are fantastic, WTG.
.-= Rita´s last blog… In the Year of Weddings…We Add Another =-.
Congrats on hitting the 50 lb mark. That’s great!
.-= Tishia – No More Plus Size´s last blog… 5k Completed =-.