Hello,

I've been overweight my whole life. I'm now 26, 5'11'', and 259 lbs. I was 266 lbs 8 days ago when I started to change my lifestyle. So I've lost 7 pounds so far, probably mostly water weight, but it's a good start.

Anyhow, I know absolute nothing about fitness and the past week proves it.

I decided that I would set a goal of only watching TV while I'm on the treadmill for one month. I love to watch TV and I watch way too much of it, so it will be a win/win situation. It pretty much worked, I actually look forward to getting on the treadmill so I can watch TV, I'm watching a lot less TV, and for 10 days I have stuck to my goal. I'm already 1/3rd of the way there!

A couple years ago when I was on the treadmill a lot I could barely get to a mile. It just seemed like it took forever and watching the distance reading slowly creep to 1 mile was agonizing. It didn't last long and the treadmill started collecting dust. Now that DVR is invented, however, I can watch TV shows that I enjoy while on the treadmill and I'm doing 1.5 miles before I even notice.

So, for the past 10 days I've been doing 1.7 to 3.5 miles a day on the treadmill using the interval heartrate setting on my treadmill. Well, this resulted in me finding out what "shin splints" are.

So now what do I do? I want to successfully complete my goal but my anterior shin muscles hurt so bad that I can't get on the treadmill. Internet sites said stretch the muscles and stuff, but I don't think that is going to cut it. I think I'm going to have to rest my shins for a couple of days and start out slower next time, working my way up I guess.

What's frustrating is that if it wasn't for the shin pain I would be fine. I was right in the aerobic range of my heartrate, I could go for 3 miles easy while I watched two TV shows. I was well on my way to getting to 4 15 minute miles.

I have a feeling I'm doing this all the wrong way. But I hate going to a gym because I have a bit of social phobia and am extremely uncomfortable in that setting. So all I have for cardio is my treadmill.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Keep the chin up, be strong....THRIVE......see yourself in the person you WANT TO BE.........and you WILL BE.........ROCK ON!


Go here: http://training.fitness.com/wellness...tml#post234274

I want you to read the 2 "thoughts for the day" posts for November 1, 2007.


Dont let this FETISH with the TV control you, YOU CONTROL IT....ROCK ON!

KEEP up the progressive instinct!........FLAT ROCK IT!

KEEP IT UP!--------Progression BABY!


How much rest are you allowing your legs per week? Bodily IMPROVEMENT and repair comes through REST.

If you dont have the money to buy weights and a bench (and a place to put it in your home), the other optimum place to train is the away gym.

TO be blunt.....you just FLAT HAVE TO GET OVER your phobia...take steps to defeat this MAJOR complication in your life.....do not SUCCUMB to it.....deal with it.....and set steps to conquer it.......HOW? If you cant deal with this on your own.....seek professional assistance. Or just force yourself to go a few times, and build up your SELF-IMAGE.....

What are you worried about? What people think of you in the gym.....TRASH IT......they all CRAP the same way you do.....and have just as many if not more faults then you......they ARE your equal.....no less.......Put yourself at the top......and take OFF......

You MAY have been going about this the wrong way, but Im not sure at this present time with what I know.

How often have you been working on the tread mill per week? How long have you been doing this?

You DO need a Full Body workout construction AND a foundation to learn your calorie needs.......I can assist you with BOTH........



Best wishes to you in all that you attempt to accomplish




Chillen

*bump*

Yates where are you? I see you on from time to time......why no response?




Best wishes to you!



Chillen

First of all I need to congradulate you for wanting to do something about it. Have you ever exercised before? If you haven't then you should take it slowly because your body is not used to the impact of a treadmill. I would recomend a softer impact exercise such as a stationary bike. When I first started to exercise, I had a hard time running and walking on a treadmill due to my weight. As I continued to lose, it became alot easier to use different machines with little and now no pain in my arches, ankles and knees. Goodluck and keep us posted.

Hello,

I went to reply on the 11/01 but the webpage started giving 500 internal server errors.

Anyhow, thanks for the replies and encouragement. To answer your question's Chillen, basically my legs only got 24 hours rest and then I would do another 2 to 3 miles on the treadmill. I had done this every day for 10 days strait. And now I've excersized 14 days strait.

I did get a stationary bike and alternate with that between treadmill. 48 hours rest instead of just 24 made a huge difference, my shins barely hurt at all on the treadmill now. I had wondered before what cross-train means, now I know. I'm going to have to trade this bike in for another one, though...the seat is sooo uncomfortable, my butt hurts even the next day!

I've lost 4 more pounds, so 11 total. I hope I'm not losing too fast, that it's not muscle and it's just fat, but I'm not going to complain. There is one pair of pants I can button that I couldn't before, so I know I'm losing in inches.

joel, I have excersized before, but it was like 0.5 to 1 mile every other day and it only lasted for 4 or 6 weeks. I've never exercised like I have been recently.