We all get feedback from loved ones and well meaning friends. Often the advice is good and, other times, not. Because I am not at all in a neutral state of mind these days, I am asking for your opinion on this I am curious what you all think of this.
Please, click and read the article before reading the rest of this post.
I’ll wait right here…
The link was sent to me by Big Sis, who had read it on a group blog that she and her running group use to collectively post items of interest, etc. If it was sent only as an FYI, I’d probably have received it more gracefully. Instead, I read the email and immediately went into resistance. Yes, my relationship with Big Sis is a funny one. She pushes my buttons and I kick back. Nonetheless, her intent was well meaning.
Had she not included references to “getting fluffy” while doing endurance training, I might have clicked on the article sooner. Perhaps I would have been more open-minded, had she not suggested that I break from my amazing and hip coach and get a personal trainer instead. Big Sis’ insistence that I am “pounding the pavement (and my body)” too much just about did it. I ignored her email and the link until last night.
I found it hard to concentrate on the article with the muscle-bound guy in the sidebar. After completing the read, I do admit that I would love to have a stronger core. But…I have to ask how real the message is. The woman portrayed does fitness for a living. She gets paid to work out so of course she looks good. She has to. I doubt that what she wrote is all there is to it.
Even so, I LOVE to RUN. That is what I do. Running is what makes Juls happy — even when both Big and Lil Sis are kicking her butt on the trail (which is exactly what happened on Sunday).
As for Coach, I’m sticking with him because there is more to his coaching than just posting workouts for me. Unlike a personal trainer, who’s focus would be on developing a weight-training regimen alone, Coach sees me for all that I am and works with that. Believe me, weights are coming. Right now, we are just getting my running back on track.
But… you can do weights without that junk. What is this all about?? I’m kind of surprised at this post. You do what YOU want to do. You don’t have to listen to anyone else and you certainly don’t need that muscle powder junk. I mean, I take protein powder after my weight workouts, but you don’t need this junk and you don’t need to be a body builder. You’re fine Julie. Listen to your own body and your own brain.
I haven’t lifted weights in so long and I am missing them, but I do find that the bike does help my arms and abs stay in a bit of shape. This might bode well for VM.
I think you look fabulous, btw.
I’m with Susan: you look fabulous! And I’m with Cynthia: listen to you! I can’t run right now and it’s frustrating, because I do love the release it provides, that is my happy exercise. I also lifted, when I started and I liked the way my body was shaping up… but there are only so many hours in a day and when I ran out of time to do it all, I just kept the running… :) You pick what’s best for you. :) Hugs! :)
I’ve seen that article circulated as “proof” on another forum I comment on that endurance sports are not conducive to weight loss. I have said it over and over again that this is FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt).
It’s already a well known fact that you can train for Ironman and not lose a pound because a) you have to eat while you are training b) you have to eat when you are not training c) if you don’t train in the right zones, you don’t lose fat (as atested to by Gordo over at Endurance Nation).
Now they pass this article around as Gospel when in fact it is a half truth.
With that said, the other half of the truth is if you really want to burn more calories, then cross training with weights will do that, AND make you a more balanced runner to boot.
I enjoy my relatively light weight training and have learned to love track work / regular 5K’s if you want to call that intervals.
At the end of the day its duration times intensity that will increase fitness(and get you to BQ). Long runs, hill runs, track runs, short crappy runs, it all counts. When I wake up at 4 AM to run I turn on the TV and see someone like that person in the ad on every channel, I think its just an ad, so I go for a run!
Thanks to all of you for your feedback.
First off, let me just say that I don’t consider myself “fluffy.”
I want to run (faster if possible). I’d love to tone up (possibly lose a “few” pounds).
I am not willing to add the powder crap but I can do some weights or abdominals (in fact I have been doing a little). Time is limited though, and it will dictate what I am able to do. I am sticking with Jeff and will be leaving it to him to say when and what.
there is validity to what the article talks about, but there are a couple of things that it fails to mention. first, if your goal is to run a marathon and bq, then you NEED steady state and long distance runs, not ripped abs. second, you do what makes you happy and if you can do it in your skin and not the skin someone else has in mind for you, then you’re looking at a more confident and happy you.
i’m sure you’ll see some body changes when we start into your interval training this fall, and if you had a day or two to dedicate to the gym, you’d probably see more definition. but then again, that takes away from your overall life balance and we have to take all of that into account.
i’m glad that you know what works for you. don’t let your sis or a marketing biased article get you worked up. you’re much better than that.
I really was happy to see that article because it gives more validity to other anecdotal information about people gaining weight while training for a marathon. For me, I think it gives me a reason to add speedwork into training, to keep down the “softness” that seems to build up when I do endurance training.
Ofcourse, I would still stick with Jeff for training. For a Cali boy, he’s pretty smart.
If you can’t lose weight training 20 hours a week and eating only 2500 calories a day then you have a very slow metabolism. That article seemed very questionable to me.
Cross training is good. Recovery drinks with a lot of glutamine in them are good. The market is flooded with them.
Doing what you love is great.
That blog entry was a very long infomercial and nothing more. Run on!
Don’t worry about it. I agree with the others about that article being a bit biased, and I’m always suspicious of ANY nutritional supplements.
I love triathlon, and I’ve done an IM, so I’ll never say a bad word about it .. but you have to LOVE doing it. If you just love running, stick with running. I tried to throw in some weights and core strength exercises a while back, but didn’t stick with it because I didn’t enjoy it. Mental well-being and long-term health should be your primary goals – so if you’re consistent in those regards, let your body take whatever shape it wants to get you through those long runs.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence, the weight training or body building side and the endurance sport (long distance running) side. I’ve found that runners generally don’t weight train and those who weight train don’t like running or most forms of cardio. (This is coming from people I’ve actually talked to.) IMHO, it depends what your goals are. For me, running won out over weight training. Currently, I am running with a running coach to work on running form (bio-mechanics, endurance, etc.) but I’m also doing some weight training with it. The moderate weight training IS helping my running. I can attest to not losing weight and not gaining muscle when marathon training, but most of that comes from my own ignorance. I sort of agree that they’re trying to sell supplements, but the Cossgroves do have several good workout plans based on what your goals are. Sure, they are out to make a buck. What I don’t like is when they start bashing endurance training. I know PLENTY of endurance athletes who aren’t fluffy. I run with most of them every Tuesday and Saturday. ;)
Everyone’s already said it, but I’ll repeat it here: no two bodies respond the same way to the same exercise. I know of many people who gain weight while training for long-endurance races but they seem OK with that. I’m not sure a supplement is going to solve that. You’re fine, Juls. Stay the course.
I agree with all that’s been said. I run lots and I try to fit Pilates in three times a week. That’s because I really like them both. I can’t get myself to stick to weight lifting because it’s boring and I don’t like it. Plus, I wonder just how many hours of the day am I to give over to exercise? I’m already at a minimum of an hour a day – I just don’t have more time to give! Plus, really, in the long run (hah!) isn’t cardiovascular health more important than whether I can wear a crop top?
Great comments everyone. I tried to return everyone’s email. If I missed you, please know that I appreciate your input.
Off and on I *have* done weight training. At times, I also find it boring. Other times, I completely enjoy watching my muscles come out (if only for the workout). It’s a beautiful thing.
I did gain this past year but it was due to inactivity after my treadmill fall and NOT from running. I wouldn’t consider myself “fluffy.” “Soft” maybe, but certainly NOT fluffy.
I’m indirectly responsible for this because I posted the article that Big Sis saw, but I posted it because it’s a continuing frustration in our running group that we can run marathons and still not have killer bods (although some do!). So I thought it would foster some good discussion.
I run because it makes me feel good and keeps me sane, and running long feels even better. However, I keep gaining weight while training for marathons and this time it didn’t come off. As I start training for the next one next week, I am going to have to really think about how much and what I eat and why I’m hungry all the time. I do Pilates but don’t enjoy weight training, so if that’s really the “secret” I’m in trouble.
I also thought the article was self-promotion with maybe some truths in there, but all of us are unique “experiments of one” with different metabolisms and genetic tendencies. So there is no one solution. We also have to consider life balance and there are only so many hours in the day. And yes, I do want my glass of wine. :)
Terri: You are not the least bit responsible. It wasn’t the article as much as it was the delivery. As I said, Big Sis means well. She just isn’t always careful in how she says things and I AM overly sensitive. I love her just the same. I knew if I posted here that you would also get a discussion – perhaps what you were looking for (but maybe not due to my post). The input on your posting was minimal due to the limited access to the blogosphere at large.
In the past years, I’ve pushed my GU intake from every 40 minutes to every 5 miles (or so). It doesn’t’ always work because I sometimes feel “the bonk” sooner and it’s too late. But, I am trying to limit my intake to what my body actually needs rather than what some package says.
I am also keeping a food log of EVERYTHING that I eat. It can be tedious be keeps me honest. The other day, I logged “ONE peanut M&M” and coach laughed that I put it down. I log the wine too. It’s all about accountability…to myself. That’s what it is all about.
Thanks for info. I think a well rounded routine is the best way to go. I love it all!
I of course agree completely with Jeff, not only because he pays me to agree with him but just because the choice of words..life balance. Know one better understands life balance like another parent. Sometimes running the mailbox is all you can get into schedule as a parent, especially as a single parent.
And I agree with you, these people are paid to work out, just like movie stars are paid to look great, and can pay to have personal trainers, cooks and babysitters 24 hours a day. Not to mention house cleaners, bill payers grape peelers and so forth.
Life balance…running makes you happy that is important, a happy you is a happy mama, that is really important.
When I bought a bike a few years back, I asked around – what’s the best bike? The consensus answer from the experts was – the bike you will ride.
When I bought a telescope a few years back, I asked around – what’s the best telescope? The consensus answer from the experts was – the one you’ll use the most. (If you buy one that’s too big and you hate lugging it around, you WON’T lug it around, it’ll just decorate your closet).
I don’t ask experts what exercise is best. Maybe I’m getting wiser. :)
I also believe that you must love what you do. We run for more than just killer bodies. It is what helps to balance me.
I’ve had enough children (6) and enough life to know that a killer bod is NOT what life is all about.
If it is what makes someone else content, then more power to them. I have had that type of physique in prior years and I am just not willing to take that kind of time away from those that I love.
I am continually looking for the balance between health and obsession, between being fit and being consumed with myself.
It is a beautiful journey! Enjoy the ride!
I will add, I find it quite humorous that smack dab in the middle of that article is an ad for Donuts! Whole wheat, which I suppose is meant to make you feel healthier downing them, but seriously, donuts? LOL