Man, I'm about give up..

[SpeedKing9]

This weight loss/muscle gain is getting very difficult for me. I mean, I enjoy doing it, but my shins are starting to hurt on my right leg. What should I do about that? I stretch before I run the mile. I'm thinking of just not eating for like 2 weeks to lose my weight! I'm so frustrated, because I'm seeing no results in my abs! although, i have noticed it elsewhere except there!!! i know this sounds weird, but i'm getting kind of desperate and i really want to lose my gut fast...

sorry for the rant

[JaredExtreme]

Well, about the shins hurting. If you're doing a lot of running or sprinting, some athletes get shin splints. This happens to people who aren't getting enough calcium.

How long have you been trying and what have you been doing?

[SpeedKing9]

I have been jogging a mile everyday. I drink a pint of skim milk every morning. Yeah, it's not actually my shins, but a little bit to the sides of my shins. They feel like bruises or something.

[kikboxr1]

Don't give up just because you aren't seeing results yet. It takes a very long time to notice a difference by looking at yourself, because the change is gradual. If you are training with weights as well, then definitely do not use your body weight as a guage for your improvement. The most important thing is to stay motivated and you will see results. About your legs hurting, that is normal and they will soon be conditioned to it.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Something I picked up from a track buddy that pretty much cured any shin splints I was having. They are called "Toe Tappers"


Sit in a hard chair, or anything to keep your back straight.

Bring your legs in parallel with your shoulders, so your knees are both pointing forward. This is a normal and relaxed sitting position.

Move your feet close together, and keep them parallel. Ensure that your heels are slightly behind your knees.


Keep your heels on the ground and alternate lifting your toes.

After about ten reps apiece you should feel the muscles in the front of your lower leg, on the outsides, moving and starting to burn.

Do this until you cannot stand it anymore. FEEL THE BURN BABY!

After about 50 reps you should have a good burn going. This strengthens the muscles in your shins. You can do this anywhere you can sit down.

Several times a day, every day. Let me know if this helps or if you need clarification.

Piece,

SZ

[Tony10]

I can tell you--although you have some solutions above--that 90% of the time when I get shin splints it's because my shoes are worn out.

If you run everyday, or do any kind of bouncing/impact exercises everyday or many times a week, your shoes wear out after a month, sometimes less. No joke. I couldn't believe it either but now, like clockwork, I know when I need new shoes: when I start feeling those shin splints.

Or, as you said, that inside-the-ankle pain--just above the heel, along the inside of the lower calves... same thing.

Try new shoes. Trust me. It changed everything for me.

[Szczepankiewicz]

I wonder if those "Girls jumping on trampolines" on the Man Show every get the shin splints?

[Oberleutnant]

speedking: I've already listed other options in previous threads for you...and I've even stated that distance running is probably not your best option considering your goals...

Originally posted by JaredExtreme
Well, about the shins hurting. If you're doing a lot of running or sprinting, some athletes get shin splints. This happens to people who aren't getting enough calcium.

How long have you been trying and what have you been doing?

There are many potential causes of shin splints, but this is the first time I've ever heard this one. What lead you to believe this?

[Szczepankiewicz]

Not enough calcium would lead me to believe that it was bone related. From what I understand of shin splints it has very little to do with the bones. I am correct in this? If anything, more postassium would be helpful don't you think?

[Kyoshu]

If your wanting to lose body fat while maintaining muscle mass, then long distance running isn't really what you need to be doing. Long durations of cardio use up to many protiens that you muscles need, resulting in more loss of muscle than body fat.

If that's what your goal it, you need to look at interval training instead.

Kyoshu

[macdawg]

Make sure you do your mile run the first thing in the morning without eating first, easiest way to burn fat instead of burning off your last meal when you run. Then about 30 minutes later eat breakfast. See if it helps, I did it for a while and I felt more energetic all day everyday I did it, it felt awsome.

[GuardMaster]

Weight loss comes down to burning calories. A mile run might be intense and improve your cardio but even at fast pace your not going to burn enough calories to lose weight.

I am losing a good 2 pounds a week. All I do is some light weights for reps, and then jog for 1 hr 3-4 times a week.

The jogging isn't very intense but its enough for me to burn a good 750 calories a workout.

[likuid]

i agree with guardog and macdawg...in addition to that, the shin splints are also caused by a lack of leg conditioning. that means that if you are new to running, then shin splints are very common. it's like any other activity, if you just started playing tennis regularly, just out of the blue, you'd probably experience some pain in your arm for a while, until it gets conditioned. Well, it's the same thing with running. Proper stretching for your lower legs may help alleviate some of the pain.

btw, run longer, and stick with. Most diets fail because people give up too early. Despite what others might tell you, it is nearly impossible to lose more than two pounds of 'fat' per week (notice i did not say water). so just stick with it, you can do it