ms_dr_heart

I'm fixing my bike (it's secondhand, but fits almost perfectly) and need three things: head/tail lights, pedals and gear shifters, but can't pay for all of them at the same time.

Which should I get first, where should I splurge and can I skimp on any of them?

I'm a civil engineering student and my job requires me to be both out on the field (construction site) and in the office to submit reports and whatnot.

Field work requires durable, comfortable clothing and standard safety gear (vest, hard hat, non-skid footwear). My male coworkers usually wear flannel shirts and jeans.

Office wear evidently tends more towards business casual, though it's not strictly enforced. However, the only other female here is an accountant, so she never goes outside.

I need outfits that will do well in both environments. Any help?

I did my last HM in Vans, hehe, but I just got back from a (non running related) knee injury so I figure I should probably use something with a wee bit more cushioning.

I won't run a lot of miles per week, just going from 10/week to 20/week over a couple of months, give or take a few. Also, I danced and did martial arts for years, and am actually used to working out barefoot, so I don't need that much cushioning.

Anyway... Should I go the high-end route of getting my gait analized and buying shoes that are probably a lot more expensive, or just find a cheap pair that feels comfy?

Bear in mind I'm on a fairly tight budget here, max I can spend is about $100, and that's stretching it.

I'm getting back in the game after an injury last year. The plan is to do 3 short runs during the week, with Thursday as a X-training/rest day, a full rest day on Saturday, followed by doubles on Sunday, and easy stretching on Monday.

The first 8 weeks are very low mileage, with a long walk on Sunday, while I rebuild my base.

Week 9 I will take off, with only light stretching/X-training.

Weeks 10-14 focus on speedwork, with an easy run on Sunday.

Weeks 15-26 easy runs during the week, and a long run on Sunday.

Six months total, then a two week break before I decide what to do next.

The meal plan is pretty simple: eat a small meal/snack every 3 hours, making sure I eat every food group every day (except sweets), plus a multivitamin and glucosamine. No junk food except on my rest day (carb-loading), and high-protein recovery foods after doubles.

Still, it feels like I'm forgetting something... Any help?

My mum died when I was 8, and I've lived with my gramma (who passed away), my aunts and cousins since then. I moved out during college, but still visit every other weekend, since it's only about two hours away.

The thing is, I love my family but I just don't get along with them. We share precious few interests or beliefs. They're meat-lovers, I'm a plant-based eater, they're religious, I'm not. I like reading, they like TV... the list goes on and on.

I'd visit more often, but I just can't connect, and I feel guilty. Is this kind of thing normal... ish?

I have a California ID issued by the DMV, but that expires pretty soon. I can't apply for a new one because I no longer live in the US so and therefore don't have a valid address.

Should I just get a passport card or something like that for when I'm visiting and want to go out? I'd rather not use my foreign ID -- I get too many annoying questions (starting with "Are you here legally?").

I'm a Civil Engineering major, and will hopefully get my degree sometime next year. My old netbook can't keep up with me anymore, and I'd like some advice before I buy its replacement.

I like doing fieldwork and need a computer that can take some rough handling, but can't afford a Rugged laptop. What are some reasonably hardy brands?

Also, I found an affordable Vaio S series laptop, but I think it looks too delicate. Should I buy it anyway or try elsewhere?

I'm going to be a bridesmaid at my cousin's wedding. The gowns are long and red. Mine is one-shouldered and slinky, with a slit up one side, and silver/crystal decorations on the strap and on the opposite side. Shoes are silver and strappy, with 3 inch heels.

What jewelery and makeup would go with this? I normally don't wear much makeup, just lipstick, but I think red lippy would be too much, so I have no idea what to use. Also, any ideas for my hair? Mine's medium-length and straight.

I already have a prescription from my doc, but I'm not convinced yet.

I have a healthy diet, and I work out a lot, but I just can't lose weight. I've tried a host of diet/workout tweaks, and nothing. My athletic performance has improved considerably, but I'm still overweight.

I'm mostly concerned about the possible side effects. I feel so frustrated - I have a cheat sheet in my hand but I'm afraid to take it.

What would you do?

I run 4x a week, at least 12 miles per week, and working my way up to half-marathon distance over the next 3 months. This weekend, my long run is a 10K.

I also do 2 hours of belly dance 2x a week, and about 20-30 minutes of strength training 3x a week.

As for my diet, I eat nothing with legs, just tiny amounts of fish once or twice a week (usually in sushi), 2 servings of fruit per day, minimum amounts of wholegrain wheat products, plenty of legumes, veggies and lowfat cheese, and a small serving of nuts/seeds a 3x a week.

I don't eat or drink anything with sugar or artificial sweeteners in it, not even fruit juices, just a daily glass of soy or almond milk, and about half a glass of wine 3x a week. Also, lots of water, an iron supplement and a B-complex.

For the record my diet has been approved by my doctor - it was she who make me cut out juice and beer.

So, my initial weight was about 152 lbs, and I've lost only about 6 lbs in 8 weeks. What on earth am I doing wrong?

I've recently taken up running, and I want to get back to dancing as well. What worries me is that three years ago I got serious injuries from over training and I don't want it to happen again. So, my schedule would be:

Monday: Easy run + 90min Jazz dancing

Tuesday: 2h Belly dance + easy run

Wednesday: Jazz + Upper body training @ gym

Thursday: Belly dance + easy run

Friday: Jazz + Upper body training

Saturday: Long run

Sunday: Lazing around and eating Mexican food

So... Is this alright? Or... Should I cut out bellydance? Add more upper body workouts? Please help!

I'll be a bridesmaid in June, and the bride is letting us choose our own dress styles. We'll go to a seamstress, so that we are all using the same shade of red, but otherwise, it's pretty much up to us.

Things to consider:

The party will be in a garden, and will probably last through the night.

At first glance, I look like an hourglass figure, except I have no boobs. Also, I'm petite.

Any ideas?

I have a strong feeling my classmate likes me. He's always eager to please me, but sort of shy around me, and today a mutual friend "casually" asked me to let him hang out at my place for a while.

He hasn't actually said anything to me yet, so I can't be too direct, but I have to be clear before he gets his hopes up or anything. I like him, but he's just not my type. Help!

On a scale going from "don't worry" to "start panicking", how normal is it to cough up a little blood after a technicolor yawn? It's happening fairly often, and it's starting to get kind of painful. There used to be almost no pain, and today I'm feeling a slight burn.

My family does a secret Santa thing, and this year I got my 7 month old nephew. I'm really short on cash, and even more so on ideas. Normally, I'd make something, but I can't knit to save my life, and he's not old enough for cookies yet. Please help!

We've been seeing each other on and off since August. I really like him, and he made it clear he likes me, too -- even if we've had few dates, there's lots of calls, messages, etc. However, the past two weeks he's been pretty distant.

I sent him a FB message (we haven't added each other), and he didn't answer. I texted him last Friday and the same. Later on, he texted back and apologized, saying it was because of finals and he'd been sick, but I had more finals than him, so I can't accept that as an excuse.

I called him earlier, and he didn't take the call, just texted me that he'd call tonight (and he almost always does call if he says he will).

I seriously like him, but I'm starting to doubt him, and the last thing I want is to be the girl who can't take a hint and keeps being pushy. But, I also know he's insecure and I'm afraid if I back off too much he'll just give up on me.

I don't know what to do. Should I give him one more chance, or just give up already?