My diet is going quite well (17 lbs so far!) and I just have a few questions:
1.) Why are fish oil caps included in some diets I've seen?
2.) Is jogging in two ten minute sessions (separated by an hour or two) just as good as doing it in one 20 minute session?

Thanks!

My diet is going quite well (17 lbs so far!)
Congratulations! :tu: 17 pounds is awesome. How long have you been at it?

and I just have a few questions:
1.) Why are fish oil caps included in some diets I've seen?
For the Omega-3 fatty acids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid). There are a lot of supposed benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects, improved cognitive ability, improved cardiovascular function, etc.

I'm not sure how definite these benefits really are, but I take fish oil (~5g per day) because it's pretty cheap, unlikely to turn out to be unhealthy, and potentially beneficial.

2.) Is jogging in two ten minute sessions (separated by an hour or two) just as good as doing it in one 20 minute session?

Thanks!
For burning calories? Yes, but exercise isn't really efficient. Diet is the key to weight loss, and you seem to be doing well there.

For overall cardiovascular health, I'd say that one 20 minute session is going to be a bit better than two 10 minute sessions. Keeping your heart rate up longer should improve your cardio health more (obviously there are limits to this). How much better is it really, though? I'm not sure.

I do know that two 10 minutes sessions are a whole hell of a lot better than zero 20 minute sessions, though, so if you'll do 2x10 consistently but won't do 1x20 consistently, do the 2x10.

Congrats again. Keep at it.

One 20-minute session is definitely better than two 10-minute sessions (all other things being equal). Basic fitness advice is to have your heartrate elevated for 20-45 minutes.

If a person can't manage 20 minutes in one go, fair enough, but it should be something they work up to. It won't take long.

The benefits of fish oil are well documented. There are literally hundreds of studies showing its benefits in a wide range of areas.

Plus, every single CSCS of note from Poliquin to Cosgrove to you name them recommend fish oil.

I believe Charles Poliquin says it is his number one supplement to recommend to his athletes.

You should shoot for around 3 grams of combined EPA/DHA per day. Some folks go much higher, but too much can possibly be dangerous.

I take 12 capsules a day, 2 with each meal which comes out to just over 3 grams EPA/DHA. Make sure you get fish oil that has been purified by molecular distillation to remove heavy metals. Nature Made is a good brand. No need for fancy expensive supplements like Flameout.

My blood pressure used to be 138/90. Today it's 100/60 which happens to be the absolute lowest blood pressure still considered normal. I credit the fish oil, in addition to a clean diet and regular exercise.