tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post6788927151921478294..comments2023-09-09T05:35:11.672-07:00Comments on Boots and Saddles: Mel's runningMelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-63026032168021470782013-09-12T12:53:21.211-07:002013-09-12T12:53:21.211-07:00" Reverse psychology: it's easier to fore..." Reverse psychology: it's easier to forego dessert today when you know you can always have it tomorrow. " so true!!!! I think it's one reason the 2 day/week fasting/being super strict has worked so well for me. It's relatively easy to forego the bowl of ice cream today knowing I can have it tomorrow if I want. the rest of the time I do like you - 80-90% of the time I make the healthy choice. Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-15427842532387263022013-09-12T12:15:37.653-07:002013-09-12T12:15:37.653-07:00HIIT is da bomb. Interval training is pretty much ...HIIT is da bomb. Interval training is pretty much my go-to method of training for myself. Even when strength training, I break it up into modified intervals. I have high-intensity interval training days (1 or 2 days a week), and days where I'll alternate jogging and walking so I can go for a longer period of time over a longer distance. The only time I injured myself was when I started trying to do more long slow distance at the same pace (jogging). My body just can't handle it, specifically my left Achilles tendon. <br /><br />I love the effect of HIIT in horses. For jumpers, which is what I used to do; for more intense trail riding; for dressage. My mare was more powerful for her dressage movements when we did a HIIT session every other week. <br /><br />On the diet, I did best when cooking everything fresh at home. We included a protein at every meal, with whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies. Drawback: it is expensive to eat like that! We finally have farmer's markets in the vicinity; we just have to get in the habit of buying produce from them. My husband and I still cook often at home, but in the long term, we've had the best luck with everything in moderation. 90% of the time, we still will go for the healthier option. Reverse psychology: it's easier to forego dessert today when you know you can always have it tomorrow. Nicole Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817619834026667737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-5731549914865085782013-09-11T21:36:50.588-07:002013-09-11T21:36:50.588-07:00Gail! Your comment inspired a whole 'nother b...Gail! Your comment inspired a whole 'nother blog post! :). Which I wrote on my computer tonight but I'm am NOT letting myself do a quick edit and post until I'm done with my neuro assignment tonight, which means it will go up tomorrow :). thanks for the great thoughts!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-64189211829922466682013-09-11T18:48:33.377-07:002013-09-11T18:48:33.377-07:00I think what you've posted about the condition...I think what you've posted about the conditioning effects of HIIT is really interesting. I am curious about how the differences between human and equine physiology would impact the effectiveness of using HIIT with horses, especially over the long-term. I know you said that you thought it worked for Farley, but I also remember reading your review of a book on cavalry training that claimed doing 25 miles a day/6 days a week also seemed to be effective. In particular, I would be concerned about the impact of doing several sprints per workout on a horse over a period of weeks, months, or even years. Based on what I've read, it seems horses are really biologically designed more for long, slow distance work than for anaerobic work (given estimates that wild horses typically travel between 20-30 miles per day). If that's true, would using HIIT over the long-term (say 5-10 years) really be effective for gaining fitness, or would it best be utilized for horses that are already fit and in shorter bursts maybe as part of a pre-race conditioning program?Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17080104319886657109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-40404266528925000992013-09-11T11:25:31.207-07:002013-09-11T11:25:31.207-07:00The HIIT workout that I saw described was actually...The HIIT workout that I saw described was actually for stationary bikes and I adapted it to running - so makes total sense that it works for different sports too. The only sport I haven't been able to apply it to is swimming - I just don't like getting very close to my max in the water. <br /><br />HIIT is how I trained for Tevis this year, and the 3 50s leading up to it. How else do you explain how d*mn good she looked with minimal riding, no hills, and very very very few long rides after 2+ years off??????? HIIT is magical for both man and beast as far as I'm concerned. <br /><br />I looked at the China diet after you mentioned it, but didn't get a chance to write down my thoughts. I'm uncomfortable with the amount of carbs and the lack of animal protein so isn't something I want to do for myself. I keep coming back to the fact that there IS a protein dietary REQUIREMENT, and a fat dietary REQUIREMENT....but there isn't one for carbs. I subscribe more to the "primal" diet (which is a subset of paleo) integrating intermittent fasting, HOWEVER, one thing I do appreciate about the china study (which is also an emphasis of the primal diet) is that you should eat REAL food. <br /><br />I'd love to see an end to the strict "calories are the only thing that matters", or the practice of changing food (sugar or fat content - or even taking gluten out of things that traditional have gluten) to make it "allowable" under any one food philosophy. Instead, I don't think you can wrong following any food philosophy that emphasizes consumption of real food and avoiding processed, fake food (like gluten free bread, carb free cookies, sugar free chocolate etc.). Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-42164110415113876832013-09-11T11:12:04.239-07:002013-09-11T11:12:04.239-07:00I did the run interval thing for a few months last...I did the run interval thing for a few months last year. It really truly worked wonders for my fitness. However, the swim injury of my ankles flared up and I had to come to the conclusion that running just isn't something I can do if I want to have a sound body in later years. So after a winter of skiing in a manner that - in retrospect - was HIIT-esque and provided me the strongest legs I've ever had, I resumed HIIT on my bike! 4 steep hills in my neighborhood. I'd go out a couple times a week and book it up each hill. HOLY CRAP. My entire fitness level was so much better. Hikes that would have had me puffing before didn't phase me. It was awesome.<br /><br />And then I moved and lost my hills and haven't fallen back into it in 3 months. *sigh*<br /><br />BUT I have taken HIIT and applied it to Q's endurance training. In two sessions I noticed a drop in how quick she could pulse down. I'm striving to do HIIT workouts with her 1x a week, jumping or dressage 1x, and a trail ride or distance ride on the old RR trail 1x. I continue to be surprised on the RR trail or trail-trail workouts how fit she is despite the relatively minimal work we do. Its really freaking awesome. I love that she's getting sufficient rest, too. I feel like our training is right on track for her first 50 in October. HIIT is pretty sweet.<br /><br />Oh and I dunno specifics per you diet...but I've altered mine as much as I can from The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and I've become trimmer than I ever have through a period of minimal workouts. I feel great, too. Have to recommend it!Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.com