First off, I ran two summers ago and lost 20+ pounds in about two months time. Over the course of two years without running and a terrible diet (and mainly from just this winter), I have gained it back. I am now 170 lbs, about 5'8" or 5'9". According to weight charts I am 7 lbs overweight. When I used to run I didn't really follow any specific schedule or diet. I ran when I could because I worked varying schedules. I tried to run at night when I know I will have nothing to do at that time on a consistant basis. It's also cooler outside. I'd say I got in 5 days of running per week, for about 30 minutes each time. I pretty much just don't drink pop/soda, try to eat smaller portions, and drink a shitload of water. I try to eat Lean Cuisine things (frozen diet meals you make in the microwave). Never took any vitamins or supplements or anything.

I've started running again. I want to know what kind of diet would be recommended for running. Also, what kind of vitamins would be good to pick up? My goal is weight loss, but I also want to increase my stamina/endurance. I was thinking about participating in some running events if I can pick it up. My diet is about the same as before. Every morning I have a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats or some oatmeal. I'll have a Lean Cuisine for lunch. I always find myself eating small bits of things between lunch and dinner. Sometimes another bowl of cereal because I'm so hungry. Then a lean cuisine for dinner. Sometimes I'll have what my family is having if I deem it to not be junk food, but they all pretty much eat like shit and are fat so I stick to the frozen dinner.

I also picked up a multivitamin today. Just a generic version of "men's one-a-day." I was wondering if there was any other specific pills I should be taking. There's so many, I have no idea what is useful.

Sorry for typing so much, I'll narrow it down here:
-What vitamins should I be taking?
-What foods should I be eating or not eating?
-How can I get rid of cramping and stomach cramps?
-How can I increase my running time? I seem to be stuck at a 30 minute threshold before I get tired or cramped or something goes wrong.
-Any other tips are good.

Hmm. As for vitamins, shruggage. You're not super tall, and it's usually tall people who have joint problems, but you might consider something like Glucosamine/Chondroitin just in case. Make sure you get enough calcium, because running can be hard on your bones, not just your joints.

Foods, I guess it's mostly just what you think is healthy. A little bit of bad food won't do much, it's just terrible when that's all you get. Get some fruits and vegetables, meat for protein and iron. Dairy'll have good calcium and protein, and grain'll give you fiber and protein. Don't eat things that look like they would be junk food and you'll be fine. As you probably know, take in less calories than you expend and you will lose weight. Take in more and you will gain it.

I hear that potassium stops cramps. But I have no experience with this.

Just run. Try going slower if you can't go as long as you want. The main thing you need to run though is willpower. I could only run a mile till I made myself run five.


As for tips, I dunno. I never got too into running, though I did run pretty decently for a few months before I hurt my knee, way back whenever. Don't run on cement. Asphalt is pretty bad, but cement is really bad. For your joints and bones. Grass would be good, but it's often uneven. Dirt tracks are all right. Treadmills are ideal, despite the major boredom factor.

Make sure you drink a lot of water. Even while you're running, sometimes. It's best not to run more than fifteen minutes without a little bit of water. I used to run for at least 45 minutes every few nights, with no water, and I got really zitty. Also I sometimes didn't shower after (:/) and that got me bacne.

And don't pay attention to weight charts, just look in the mirror. Unless you have a crazy mental disease. And Lean Cuisines might be decent for you, I have no idea, but I'm sure they cost more than you need to be paying to eat well.