Living Maintenance - Maintainers Chat: Week Of August 17 - 23

Good morning! I'm on my first mug of coffee and getting ready for a new week. This morning is going to be a bit out of the ordinary because I have my annual physical. I figure I can still make it to the gym but will have to cut it short after 45 minutes of cardio so I can shower and be there on time. The killer is the fasting part -- I always go to the gym without eating so no problems there but then eat as soon as I get home. Today breakfast will be delayed by a few hours and hopefully I won't gnaw my PCP's arm off. Fortunately black coffee is still OK!

Right now it's 3 degrees warmer here in Pittsburgh than in NM, where DD lives -- and our humidity is 89% while hers is 32%. There's the difference between NM and PA in a nutshell. :rolleyes: It's going to be the hottest day of the summer today, the weatherman says.

Tomorrow I'm scheduled for another steroid injection in my back and so get a day off from work (but will work Saturday to make it up). My last series of injections lasted for almost a year so I'm hoping for as good of results this time around. The bummer is that I'm not supposed to exercise for 24 hours afterwards. Whatever will I do with myself at 5:30 am?? :lol: Maybe they'd let me just walk a bit.

Other than that, it's going to be a pretty typical week. What's everyone else's week look like? :)

It's not often that I'm the second on to post on the weekly chat!

We made it to the Il Palio yesterday. And you'll be happy to hear I arranged myself accordingly!! We arrived around 3:15 PM and took one bottle of water in with us. We watched three of the contradas march in and then followed them to Il Campo where I bought a liter sized frozen water. It was actually nice to cradle that like a baby while we waited. It kept me cool. After about an hour the parade started. All the contradas march (there are 17 of them) and all are dressed in costumes that look heavy and hot. Some of the men wore pageboy wigs under hats. Other men wore full suits of armor. While marching in, there were helpers that would occasionally lift the armor for the man to relieve him of the weight. By 7 PM the horses and riders came out on the track. Since the starting gate is just a rope, the riders had to get the spirited horses to line up in a specific order before the race could be one. There were three false starts (which we heard was not unusual). Finally the race began at about 8:15 PM (during which time we were crammed in with several hundred other spectators). My frozen water melted within 2 hours and the crush of people was beyond hot. The breeze wasn't sufficient to keep us cool. Afterward we made it to our car and back to our hotel by 9:15 or so and relaxed with a cold beer. That was our dinner!!! And then we were off to bed.

Today, we got a little lost again (what's new--it's beginning to be the story of my life!!). But we finally figured it out and arrived in Perugia where we'll stay for a day/night and then on to Arezzo tomorrow. After that we'll make our way back to Florence (not looking forward to driving in there again!!) for our final night before we head to the airport on Thursday. We should get home late Thursday evening (Phoenix) and then I'll drive home Friday.

At this point I have NO idea where my weight is. I've eaten a lot more than I'm used to, but with all the walking I might fare okay. Well see on Saturday morning.

Good morning, Meg! Good luck with your doctor visit and injection.

Hi Allison! It sounds like you're having a great time!

I am going to get the kids off to school and hit the gym for back to back classes. I might even walk there and back. After that, I might brave the dreaded Wal-Mart.

Good luck at your annual, Meg. I hate fasting tests cause I am in arm-chewing mode myself by the time the blood draw rolls around. One of the ways I know I am doing well on my plan is that my body is very efficient with food and I get HUNGRY....vs that overstuffed bloated feeling from off-plan foods that just. sit. in. there. for. hours. Good luck staying cool today.

I love reading about your adventures in Italy, Allison! Sounds like you are making better food choices on your European adventure than I did.

Good luck at Walmart, Ward! We had a new one open here so I actually went in (I avoid Walmart as a rule). I was impressed with the prices and picked up a few things....and then was in line forEVER and remembered exactly why I avoid Walmart as a rule. :lol:

Meg, good luck with the doctor! I hope the back injections help too.

Speaking of doctors I had a weird incident when I went in last time. Normally my BP is right about 120/80. Last time I went in they took it as 135/95! I was like, uh, are you sure you did that right? My BP is *never* that high (mostly the bottom number shocked me, 80 is about as high as it ever gets and it's usually closer to 70). They took it again and got 130/92. Five minutes later I got a 123/82. :?: I don't get it.

Allison, sounds like you're having a great time in Italy!

Ward - LOL, I would call it the "dreaded" Wal-Mart too.

Midwife, how is it that Wal-Mart can have 40 lanes and somehow only two of them are open and there is a line of 30 people in each one? :dizzy:

Well, I did my second triathlon yesterday! The full report is up on the triathlon chat thread in the exercise forum. In summary, it was fun, but I ended up walking half of the run and my total time was somewhere around 2:20 (no official results yet). The rest of the day yesterday is kind of a blur since I was so tired. I came home, took a shower, took a nap, drank some water, took another nap, at massive quantities of watermelon, took the dog to the park, came home and ate more watermelon, ate a big bowl of pasta, and went to sleep at 8:30.

Normally my BP is right about 120/80. Last time I went in they took it as 135/95! I was like, uh, are you sure you did that right? My BP is *never* that high (mostly the bottom number shocked me, 80 is about as high as it ever gets and it's usually closer to 70). They took it again and got 130/92. Five minutes later I got a 123/82. I don't get it.


This is actually quite common. Some people experience anxiety just walking into a doctor's office, so their readings are always high the first time. Then they settle down. It's also not uncommon to measure BP at home and get two different readings 5 minutes apart, if you sit quietly for the 5 minutes in between.

At my old doc's office, they would routinely measure twice--once by the nurse when you got into the exam room, and then again by the doc when he came in. My reading the second time was always significantly lower.

Jay

Good morning everyone!
I have to just do a quick run by because I am back to work (school) today.

Allison-- your travels sound amazing! Can't wait to see pics!

Jessica-- congrats on your tri!! I looked up tri's around here and they have some "tris for fun"-- is that the kind you do or do you do a competitive one?

Meg-- hope your shot works well. My mom-in-law gets them routinely. They don't work all that well for her-- she really needs surgery but doesn't want to get it. Of course, the fact that she never exercises or does PT doesn't help her either.

Hi to everyone else!

I have been monitoring my post cruise weight daily. I was up 7 pounds after the cruise last Monday. By the time I weighed in Saturday, I was up 3.4 pounds. This morning the scale suddenly slid down leaving me only up about 1.5 pounds. I am going to keep working hard and hope my weight is back to normal within the next week or two. My dh is traveling which always makes it easier for me to stick to plan.

Ward-- are your kids starting school today? We start next Tuesday here though I am officially back today. I also have a "No Walmart" rule. I hate that place. Love Target, but hate Walmart. Though I think the Walmart here is actually a lot nicer than where I used to live.

Michele, my kids went back last week. Only one behavior warning so far, but they'll start getting more comfortable with the new teachers soon. ;)

I also love Target and avoid Wal-Mart, but they are the only store that carries my beloved snack size Zone Perfect bars. I also really like this one brand/style of sports bra they have. So every once in a while I have to make the trek over there. I probably go to Target once a week. Oh, and speaking of Target - the last time I was there they had a bunch of C9 workout tanks on clearance - I think I bought 4 ranging from $3.50 to $7.50. Great deal if you're in the market for new workout wear!

Good morning!

I despise Wal Mart, but will admit that we sometimes get groceries there if we are looking to trim some expenses that week, and there is one right around the corner from my office so I sometimes run for quick things during the workday... It always takes forever, the self checkout is never open so it teases me when I'm in line behind 30 people with full carts and I have two items, and it always feels like I'm leaving a piece of my soul behind when I leave... Even at the new one just north of me that is a lot nicer than the traditional Wal Mart... :eek: I do like Target though, shop there a lot.

Ward - thanks for the info on the tanks! I need to check that out. I got some good deals on workout wear a few weeks ago at Ross - running shorts for $4-$7, tanks all over the board price wise. A little limited on sizes and colors, so not much matches, but I don't particularly care about that as I primarily workout at home.

Michele - DSS started pre-K last week, too. We've gotten more than one behavior warning already... :( Glad your weight is coming down post cruise!

Jay - same things happens to me with BP - nurse takes it out front, doc or second nurse takes it again when they come in, it is always lower. I used to think it was just me until they said they see that a lot.

Jessica - high five on the triathlon! They are having a sprint one here Labor Day weekend, but I think I found out about it too late to be ready for it... Don't even own a bike. Might try one next year if I get a bike - DH & I are thinking about them so we can bike with DSS as he gets older.

Midwife - I find myself starving a lot too, so it is because our bodies are more efficient now? I like that thought. :)

Allison - you guys sound like you are having a great time!

Meg - hope your visit goes well today!

The baseball game did get rained out for us last night - we got there at a little before seven, went in and got settled, got some snacks, rain started around 7:30, our seats were covered so we stayed seated trying to wait it out. We lasted until 8 to try to give the rain a chance to stop, but then went ahead and went home. I think that he would have been fine if it hadn't been raining - there wasn't anything going on at that point and boredom set in pretty quickly.... We'll try again, maybe on a Saturday. He was very excited all the way there and seemed to enjoy himself (except for the loud drumming of the band outside the park) up until that point... I ate a hot dog with chili, cheese and jalapeno peppers. I'm not sure what came over me....

Good day everyone!

Shannon, pityabout the game!

:wave: to everyone,
Rabbit

Shannon, I can relate most concepts in life to birth and breastfeeding and I kind of relate this concept to breastfeeding (bear with me!). Breastmilk is readily digested and babies are very effficient at using breastmilk so often breastfed babies want to nurse every 1-3 hrs (or cluster feed even more often--although that tends to be more likely in non-Western cultures). Formula-fed babies tend to stay fuller longer and can stretch out their feeding intervals to every 3-4 hours or so. Sometimes breastfeeding mamas are surprised at how often their babies want to nurse, expecially when what they consider average or typical is based on formula fed kiddos. When I am eating healthy foods, I need to eat often and I feel contentment and also I feel hunger a couple hours later. When I eat junk food, it just sits and hunger doesn't occur for hours and hours. Anyway, it's a fun reflection for me....I think my body is more efficient with healthy natural foods.

Midwife - that makes a lot of sense! I felt all full and kind of icky after the hotdog, pretzel and milkshake blast of last night, but have eaten larger quantities of healthier foods that didn't produce the same effect...

One of my coworkers is on the hCG diet - she isn't giving me a lot of detail, is actually avoiding my questions, but I know she is eating very little - I'm thinking less than 1000 calories per day, maybe closer to 500. I guess she is also getting the hormone shots as well - she stumbled a little giving me the name of the diet, so I think she didn't really want me to know what it was... I'm pretty worried about her. I just don't see good things coming from this... Should I try to talk to her? We have discussed dieting a lot in the past. I actually started dieting and exercising after I started working here, so she has seen me be successful at weight loss. She has been on a diet as long as I have been here and hasn't successfully lost much of anything.

That's tough.

Does she know about 3FC? I really think that the Maintainers accountability thread shows how succcessful weight loss occurs. No gimmicks, no injections, just plenty of healthy foods and exercise. Sometimes in the "Does it Work?" thread I just want to answer "If it worked, there would be some maintainers from xyz plan." And of course, there are not. I know there is a sticky in General Plans about Hcg....Super low calories are not great either. I think for me, the click was, "I have to stop abusing my body." I think overeating unhealthy foods and also starving oneself are both self-body abuse.....different ends of the spectrum perhaps, but eating enough food is just as vital as not eating too much. But I'm preaching to the choir, eh?

Midwife - I've sent her the info for 3FC, The Daily Plate, lots of articles as I run across them. She is very educated on the process, just doesn't see results so I think is looking for a quick fix. She takes hormones for endometriosis and believes that they caused the most recent weight gain. I've known people who gained weight and attributed it to the hormones from BC pills or other medicines, do they really do that? And if so, will a different type of hormone counteract that? I just don't know the answers.
ETA - wow, I hope she is eating more than 500 calories per day... She was telling me last week that she and her mom were talking about me and my maintenance for the last year, how I still bring snacks, measure, weigh & plan everything, eat a lot of salad, plan a light lunch if going out to dinner, etc. So she sees the maintenance process and knows it is doable. She also saw pics of me at my highest weight. Hm.

Shannon, if you think she's avoiding talking to you about it, it's probably because she doesn't want to talk to you about it. So, if it were me, I'd back off.... JMO

Jay

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing Jay. There are some mixed signals though - she typically brings up conversations with me about diet and weight loss and such just about every day, but since the new diet started she hasn't talked about it as much as she used to talk about other things. Now, she has brought the subject up herself since the new diet, just keeps it really vague, talking more about the types of foods she is eating than the program itself. I'll let it lie and see if she starts talking more again.

Shannon There are lots of people who talk about weight loss and dieting. But it's kind of a hobby to them, not a permanent lifestyle change like it is to us.

My DH has to talk and decided and plan for months before he actually starts doing something. Maybe your co-worker is like that and just has to find the right plan for herself.

I never give advice about weight loss any more. Everyone is different and has to find their own method.

Have you directed her to 3FC?

Dagmar

I have been back to eating only regulated portions of healthy foods for 3 days and have dropped 6 lbs.

My body knows what it wants. It's just my brain that keeps getting in the way.

Have a great week all!

Dagmar :dance:

Hi,

Re: healthy foods... I started taking a bag of veggies to work. nothing special, raw broccoli & carrots. But it works wonders to keep me full and out of food trouble. I can sit behind my PC and mindlessly munch a carrot or broccoli stem instead of much worse stuff.

AND I lost 1 pound last week (HUGE for me)

Shannon - I agree with Jay & Mudpie. Possibly she is just daydreaming without being at the point where she'll pursue the dream.

have a great day,
rabbit

I am SO glad that I am not the only one who avoids Walmart like the plague! For a long time the only place we could buy vacuum bags was Walmart--I sent my husband!!! (Now we own a Dyson.) I love Target and shop there as often as possible! I do admit that when DD was getting ready to go to college, she shopped at Walmart (being value conscious) and she dragged me in there once to help pick out dishes. I had to admit they had some good buys.

We're in Arezzo today in a very new and modern hotel. Very unlike the ancient ones we've been in so far. Some are so old it is as if the bathrooms were installed as an afterthought. And showers? Did anyone THINK that it was important to be able to turn around in them let alone lift your arms overhead to shampoo? I don't think so! Oh, and bidets...personally I think they just take up precious space.

Hello everyone,

I am just jumping in here like I am not terrified! :eek:

So, this morning I hit the 130s, which means, according to my plan, that I am now starting the transition into maintenance (range 130-135 I think). I want to lose the last few pounds more slowly so that I can make the transition less jarring emotionally for me. :dizzy:

I am upping my WW points by 4 today, and will do so for two weeks to see what happens (ToM starts at the end of this week, so next week's results will not be reliable to gauge results). If I continue to lose, I will add 2 more points and wait another 2 weeks.

Today is also my 8th wedding anniversary - what a nice present to give myself. Last year on my anniversary I was just starting my journey, and weighed 214 lbs (-14 lbs). Today, I weigh 138 lbs. Not too bad for a year's work.

Anyway, I am going to work hard to post regularly here (I am a pathological lurker ;) ) to help myself make this transition as smooth as possible.

I look forward to chatting with all of you going forward.

Heather

Hi everyone,

BF and I are working things out so far. He has some "deal-breaker" issues that he's agreed to work on (initially he didn't want to work on them, and like I said, they're deal-breakers), and we're working on reconnecting. But we made it all of 1 night broken up, then all of 1 1/2 days "taking some space". We don't like to be apart for long, lol - we've never "broken up" in our 4 years together. As I said he's working on things still, and we are as a couple, so everything's not magically perfect but I'm doing a lot better and hopeful that we can work things out.

Between the emotional ups and down and the rainy tropical storm weather I've been tired, though! I'm going to try and get in a good energizing workout this afternoon. The only downside to us staying together is that my appetite is back, but oh well, that's my life. I did realize when I didn't have an appetite that I'm not listening to my hunger cues closely enough. I'm going to try and focus on really listening to my body.

Allison you're bringing back memories of my trip to Italy. Now I'm thinking of all the bathrooms that a group of high school kids from the U.S. were not thrilled about. Two footprints and a hole in the floor - are you kidding??? We thought the bidets were quite amusing too. I'm so used to the "new" plumbing we have here, seeing the older types in Europe was quite a shock at 16.

Rabbit and Dagmar, great job sticking with healthy foods and lots of veggies! :carrot:

Shannon, it sounds like a tough situation. Of course you don't want to see your co-worker use some unhealthy super low-cal plan, but it sounds like you've tried to encourage her in healthy ways in the past and she's not ready for those methods. Just be ready to listen/give advice if she does ask you for it. In response to your hormone questions, I can say that I do think my BC pill makes me retain water a bit differently than I used to, maybe even retain a bit more water... but no more than 5 pounds of it. I've actually switched pills a few times thinking it could help me lose weight. I accepted that my extra 20 lbs is possibly 2-3 new pounds of muscle, 2-3 pounds of BC water weight (but probably not), and all the rest is because I eat too much! I don't have experience w/ other hormones, but for me, BC was an excuse.

Michele, great job getting the cruise weight off!

I also hate to shop at WalMart, but I'm a woman on a serious budget and they do have some deals and items I can't find elsewhere. However the nearest one is 60 miles away so that curtails my shopping there.

Got to run and get some work done. Have a great day everyone!

Hi Heather, and welcome! Glad to have you with us!

:lol: As soon as I set foot in WalMart, I become immediately aggrivated. I am not sure why, but my mood always changes the moment I enter through those automatic doors. I have heard all sorts of ethical reasons why not to shop there, but like Megan said, they DO have some good deals. I LOVE me some SUPER Wal Mart. Yes, my inner redneck is emerging!

Happy Wedding Anniversary, MrsWolf/Heather! :D and :welcome: !

Megan - I am glad to hear your BF is willing to work on his issues. I hope these deal breaker issues are not core parts of his personality. I hope he is willing to not only change them for you, but for himself, as well. :)
:lol: Bidet... oh... yes, THOSE! The first time I saw one of them, I was a kid. I was very confused and thought it was just a fancy water fountain, so I started drinking out of it. Once I found out what it was REALLY for, I was less than thrilled.

Oh... yeah... I'm back.

I took a 4-6 month hiatus from life to dive into bodybuilding h-e-double-toothpicks, but I'm done with that. I doubt I will do another competition again; the tactics one must use to get down to such low body fat percentages are not physically or emotionally healthy. However, I did well, placing first in my weight class and second overall. I have two trophies in my living room -- and one of them has my name on it. :D I was going to do another competition, but I decided I had enough after one. It is not for me. I followed a VERY restrictive diet, eating nothing but chicken, egg whites, almonds, olive oil, and green veggies, then worked out way more than any human should. I had no time for anything or anyone else, so I became quite anti-social without meaning to be.

Once I stopped contest dieting, I was SO hungry. I was like an Ethiopian child who just got rescued to America. I once learned how to have a sensor in my brain that said "JUST STOP EATING" but bodybuilding demolished it. After a month of treating my body like a DUMPSTER in a downtown dive(junk food, alcohol, drugs, you name it, if it was unhealthy, I did it), I'm slowly getting my life back and finding balance. I don't ever plan on being so obsessed. EUGH! There is SO much more to life.

Oh. Today is my birthday. And I'm slightly sick. I caught a cold that I probably would not have caught if I was living healthy this month. I'm at a bizarre moment of transition in my life (you know, I'm returning to the real world ;)), but I know this will pass and soon, I will be happy and healthy again. And I can't wait. :D

Shane, happy birthday!!! Congrats on the bodybuilding trophy, that is amazing! Also, welcome back! (enough exclamation points for you yet?)

Megan, I am so glad your BF agreed to work on things with you. DH and I almost broke up once in college (we'd been together about 2.5 years at that point) but we didn't even manage to actually do it. Hopefully your relationship will become stronger for going through these trials together.

Heather, welcome! :welcome: It sounds like you have a great plan for transitioning into maintenance. Happy anniversary!

Dagmar, 6 lbs is awesome! :high:

I am laughing at myself today. You guys know that I have never been low-carb, and I am a total carb fiend. My two staple foods are rice and pasta and I have at least one of those two every day. Yet somehow, today's lunch looks like it came straight off the Atkins diet! :lol: Leftover flank steak with a corn and tomato relish. And that's all. :rofl: I just think it is hilarious because I really never eat meals like this.

In other news I jumped back into NRLW today after a brief (2-week) hiatus for triathlon training. Today was the first workout of stage 3. I only did one rep of the body weight matrix, but man, that workout kicked my butt! And it took *forever*. I'm going to have to see if I can do this one all at home with dumbbells because I just don't have time for an hour and a half workout at lunchtime. (I skipped the second body weight matrix in the interest of time, but I admit I slacked on the squat jumps.) Mostly the reason it takes so long is the 105 second rest between sets. When you do three sets with that long of a break, that adds up to about 35 minutes *just of resting*.

Meanwhile work is launching a no-holds-barred attack on my weight maintenance. Yesterday it was the unannounced dessert buffet at the company-wide meeting, today they just sent out an email saying there's an ice cream social this afternoon. (And did I mention leftover desserts from yesterday are still in all the break rooms?) Next week they are taking me out to dinner (and this one I really can't get out of) to celebrate our project being almost done. Oh, and I get fed lunch at our weekly project meeting. :faint:

Good afternoon. Where did my morning go?

Thanks for all the advice on my coworker. I'm going to just hang back, let her lead any conversations about general diet issues, offer no opinion.

Shane - welcome back! And happy birthday!

Megan - I'm glad things are working out with BF.

Heather - welcome, and happy anniversary! It is a great gift for yourself!

Allison - the bathrooms in France really freaked me out... Like Megan, I had a hard time with the foot grooves and holes in the floor in some of the older public areas...

Dagmar - I'm glad your body is responding to the healthy food! Six pounds rocks!

Rabbit - high five on the pound lost! :)

Jessica - I would have a hard time with all those desserts lying around... Be strong! :)

I did a good job with the food yesterday and drank a lot of water to try to flush out some of the sodium from the baseball game. This is the last week before TOM next week, so I'm going to be a little squishy this week anyway.... Blah...

Good day everyone!

Happy Birthday
Shane

... and Congrats on your Body Building Success.

Good luck in your transition back to real life.

Hi Shane - Happy Birthday!

Hi Heather - congratulations on your success! Awesome job!

Megan - glad to hear you guys are working it out. :)

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday and 1> they don't seem to carry my preferred sports bra any more, and 2> there were no snack size Zone Perfect bars, either! A 20 minute drive to **** and back for nothing! (Although I still managed to spend almost $100. How does that happen?) Oh well - at least I know that I have absolutely no reason to return, ever.

Thanks for the warm welcome, ladies. I was looking at pictures, and I have to say... what a difference a year makes!

Pictures here (http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh388/MrsWolf/Anniversaries.jpg)

These pictures were taken on my anniversary last year and today!

Happy birthday, Shane!

Heather

Heather - thanks for sharing the pics! You look great!

Allison - The bathrooms in the rooms older hotels in europe were added as an afterthought. Like in the 1950's it would be commen to have the bathroom down the hall, and cheaper hotels (like 1 *) will still have one bathroom down the hall to share for several rooms. America has much more bathrooms to bedrooms than europe has.

Shane - wellcome back!

heather - wellcome!

My trip to France in college was a bathroom nightmare for the first few days... They bathrooms on the plane were having some difficulties so only one was open and it wasn't vacating like it was supposed to so I refused to use it after the first few hours in flight. Got to Charles de Gaulle airport and the janitorial staff was on strike so the bathrooms were horrendous... Again, refused to use them. We were bussed from Paris to Tours where we were staying the first 8 weeks, a multiple hour trip - stopped at a rest stop where I discovered the two foot channels and hole in the floor toilet... Freaked out, couldn't figure out what to do, didn't use it. Got to the train station where our host family was picking us up, they got there, took me home and wanted to give me a tour. It took me a while to get a word in edgewise to ask for the restroom, then they told me not to flush it unless I had something solid, that the dad would flush it nightly. I freaked out and burst into tears. At that point I had needed to use the bathroom for something like 12 hours and thought I was losing my mind... I wrote everyone I knew how I had gone to some crazy country with no bathrooms... Funny now, but pretty darn traumatic at the time... :o

Thanks for the birthday wishes :D

Heather, what a transformation! GOOD JOB! :D You look much happier, too.

Jessica - ACK, all those freakin' DESSERTS! STAY STRONG, GIRL! Dessert buffets tick me off to the extreme. Desserts are my dangerous drug of choice :lol: And if there is anything I haven't tried, that's even worse, because I will HOUND IT. Oh, most of my contest diet looked straight off the Atkins diet, specifically Phase I, which caused me to go CRAZY. I love carbs. They make me happy. Not just desserts, either ;)

Rabbit and Allison - I have not stayed in a European hotel that only had one bathroom per floor, but I know it is not too uncommon. I stayed in a hostel once, which means sharing everything with everybody. which actually ended up being a great time despite the lack of privacy.
On a side note, speaking of travel, I heard the bathrooms in Tokyo play waterfall music for you as soon as you shut the door ..to maintain your privacy.

Hey everybody...just stopping by to say hello. Been with my mom after her double knee surgery yesterday. Slept at the hospital last night and will again tonight. Then will go home tomorrow evening so that I can get my 2 oldest kids off to college Thursday (DS) and Saturday (DD).

Very tired and VERY off plan. Eating has been not so good and exercise has been nil although I am taking the stairs whenever possible. I have not exercised since Friday morning except for a half hour on an ancient treadmill...didn't even have a cup holder for my bottle.

No time for personals...don't even have time to check the pages of posts on all the threads I follow. I do hope EVERYBODY is doing great!!!

Joci

:welcome: Heather and :welcome: back Shane.

:balloons: Happy Birthday Shane!

Dagmar

HAPPY BIRTHDAY , SHANE !!!!!!

Happy Birthday Shane! Glad to see you back! Wow on the bodybuilding but glad you are ready to get back to "real life".

Hi and welcome Heather!! Looking forward to getting to know you. You look amazing! I did/do WW too and love it!

Happy birthday shane !

sorry to hear your mom's in hospital joci

Good morning! :coffee:

I feel SO much better today than I did yesterday. As I mentioned before, I caught a cold. Everyone at work has had it for around three weeks, but I thought I escaped it. On Sunday, I felt like I had the hangover from...you know where... but blamed it on all the EXCESSIVE partying I'd been doing and figured all that finally caught up to me. Of course, once my co-workers saw I had joined them, they laughed and said, "HAHA! Oh, we are SO SORRY, Aidyn! Look! We got Aidyn sick!" I didn't work out yesterday and am SO stir crazy today. I know I probably should lay off the heavy weights until I am totally done with coughing, but maybe a little bike ride would be nice? :D

So yes, I spent my birthday wallowing in my misery and watching movies. I felt too sick to go out anywhere. I was seriously starting to think I had the flu (full body aches, coughing, headaches, stuffy nose, no appetite, no energy at all -- closing my eyes felt like the best option -- I am not that much of a wuss about pain or illness, either, but this was not fun) so I am relieved to see I'm kicking this thing's butt!

In better news, I've been eating very healthy things since Sunday. I know that is just a few days, but one day at a time... right? I must say that after a month of partying, I am very happy to be back on what most of my friends call a "crazy health freak diet." ;) This usually happens after I fall off plan; I just feel SO much better when I'm treating my body the way it is supposed to be treated... don't we all?

Joci - It is ok to be off plan right now. You know you can get right back on it... you are dealing with a VERY stressful time in your life. :hug:

Wow!! Great pix, Heather!

Wow - it is almost four... Where did the day go? Oh yeah, it was spent reviewing occupational medicine clinics for addition to my worker's compensation panel... four hours of my life I'll never get back... :dizzy:

Got up and exercised today - did a number of dumbbell exercises, lots of pushups, some ab work, 7 miles on the stationary bike. Left arm and elbow a little sore, think I overextended something... Owie.

Shane - glad you are feeling better today! And glad it wasn't flu...

Joci - at times like these the plan is less important that surviving. Things will settle down. How is your mom doing?

Have a good day everyone! :wave:

Must*stay*strong*today!!

I am still working hard to take off my cruise weight and am getting close but today may prove a challenge. I am a school librarian and we have a staff retreat today. Last year we played Survivor all year-- we had teams and our teams did challenges, etc. for teambuilding. All I know is that this year we are doing The Amazing Race. We are supposed to dress comfortably so we can "move" and we are going to an undisclosed location for lunch-- we were told to bring our appetites! I don't want to be derailed but it doesn't sound like I will have good options.... I plan on sneaking a few snacks into my purse and eating those and little else unless there are good choices.

On the plus side, I plan on going to Latin Dance tonight. I haven't been in months due to my work schedule and other commitments. It is my favorite class at the gym! Cha Cha Cha!

Hey ladies! Work has been SO busy, and when I am home now I don't have much computer time. I would post a pic of Phoebe, but work is being screwy and not letting me get to my facebook account :(

I did horrible last week and gained 2.4. I was so tired from work and being back on my medication. I barely journaled. So far this week has been OK. Last night was the only rough night. I ate lunch at 12, and didn't eat dinner until 8:30 because Phoebe went to bed REALLY late and then instead of the nice healthy salad I had planned, DH and I just heated up some frozen-in-a-box empanadas :oops: Today will be better!

Michele -:dust:

modkittn - It is hard to stay on track with a little one, much less with new meds throwing you off as well! This week will be better! :)

I had a good day yesterday, ended up about 250 calories below my normal level. Won't happen that way today - it was due to schedule crazy rather than planning, but I'll take it! Got up and exercised this morning, 50 minutes on the elliptical. Might have some lawnmower cardio when I get home, might not. :)

Hope everyone has a good day! :)

Michele and Lori - you BOTH can stay strong, rawr! Frozen in a box empanadas... erm... if ANY kind of empanadas are thrown in front of me, even the frozen ones, all willpower goes down the drain. I LOVE those things. There is this place here called Latin Cafe. One time, I went in there just to get ONE empanada, but since I come there on a relatively frequent basis and it was closing time for them, they put in THREE empanadas, FOUR croquettes, SIX random sweet flaky pastries, and a flan for good luck... all for the price of one empanada. I jokingly said, "Ya'll are going to get me so fat."

Shannon - 250 calories below - woot woot! That is awesome, especially when it's unintentional. Better to create a deficit than a surplus, no? :)

As for myself... yesterday was another day of healthy, clean eating, as today will be, too. I think I am going to go to the gym later and work out for an hour with weights, though I won't push myself the way I normally do. And I am definitely going for a walk on my lunch break! I'm going crazy here. I miss high intensity exercise... A LOT. Oh. I'm going to this ice cream social thing on Sunday. I promise I'll behave.. :devil:

Hey ladies! Work has been SO busy, and when I am home now I don't have much computer time. I would post a pic of Phoebe, but work is being screwy and not letting me get to my facebook account :(

I did horrible last week and gained 2.4. I was so tired from work and being back on my medication. I barely journaled. So far this week has been OK. Last night was the only rough night. I ate lunch at 12, and didn't eat dinner until 8:30 because Phoebe went to bed REALLY late and then instead of the nice healthy salad I had planned, DH and I just heated up some frozen-in-a-box empanadas :oops: Today will be better!

I forgot I could add attachments! Here is little Phoebe (first one is me and her!):

Hi everyone,

So I have a confession to make... for the last six weeks or so, I haven't been keeping a food diary. :o That's not to say I've been eating too much or awful things - I've mostly eaten healthful things in proper amounts, still worked out, and have maintained my weight, such as it is. But now I'm starting a food journal again b/c I need to get several pounds off. I guess I was sort of just taking a break to maintain for a while, even though I still weigh more than I'd like. Hopefully I won't repeat my normal cycle of POP for a few weeks, then far enough off plan to make up for any loss I had in those few weeks...

Last night I had a smaller than normal portion of turkey meatballs with pasta for dinner. Even though the "healthy" recipe feeds 4, I made it into 6 or so servings. Concentrating on the whole "80% full" thing, thanks Pat. I'm trying to up the cardio b/c I really need to blast the fat, but I feel like doing more high-intensity cardio is countering the lifting I do. I want to maintain the muscle I have, though, not lose it, but could do with just maintaining muscle tone and concentrating on losing fat right now. Despite my heavy Oxygen magazine reading I'm confused how one accomplishes this. Any thoughts? Hrmm... :chin:

As you all know I live in a very rural area. The grocery store is small and doesn't carry a lot of the things I like to eat, but does carry 6 oz. Stoneyfield Farms lowfat yogurt cups. Until two days ago... I walked into the store and another yogurt was on the shelf! :fr: I just can't eat other yogurts, they're gross...no Yoplait, no Dannon, no Weight Watchers, no no no! (Do we have a temper tantrum icon?) I'm hoping they're just temporarily out of stock... I love my SF yogurt.

Shane, glad to hear it sounds like you're getting over your cold and are getting back into the groove with exercise.

Shannon, isn't it nice when you end up accidentally under calories? I know plain old mowing a lawn is lots of work, but I'm totally picturing you riding a riding mower as a bull rider would ride a bull.

mod, I don't have kids, but can imagine that taking care of a child would put a major kink in my health and fitness routine! I hope today is better, but don't be too hard on yourself.

Michele, I hope the lunch options aren't too terrible. At least it sounds like you will be doing something semi-active. Enjoy the Latin dance!

Joci, I hope your mom recovers from her surgery and your kids get off to college ok. Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate right now - hang in there!

Heather, sadly my office network is blocking me from your picture site. It's like they don't want me to be on 3fc when I'm supposed to be working... :devil: I wish I could see the pics though.

Have a great day everyone!

Shane, do you have any photos from your bodybuilding competition? I'd love to see them!

I'm supposed to do my first workout B for stage 3 of NRLW today. We'll see if my legs can handle it. I swear, the workout A dumbell single-leg Romanian deadlift didn't feel that hard to do, but it killed my legs the next day! At least today I can walk normally again. I've now decided that any exercise that has "Romanian" or "Bulgarian" in the name is going to be a killer.

Just out of curiosity, did any of you ladies who did NRLW do modified versions of the exercises to match your available equipment? I don't have access to any barbells so I'm doing all the barbell exercises with dumbells. Hopefully that's okay. I know it's not quite the same.

Megan - here's my Cliffs Notes version on how to maintain your muscle and blast fat:
Doing HIIT is a very good idea, along with continuing your weight training. Make sure your diet is VERY clean. Keep simple sugars out of your diet (even natural ones like fruit) except for before and/or after your workouts. Make sure each meal has a complete protein source. Don't weight train for more than an hour at a time, as you risk the chance of burning muscle that way and "working your nerves". And of course, remember to eat every 2-3 hours.
This is about what I do for maintenance/fat loss and is a watered-down version of a bodybuilder's contest preparation. It's ok to cheat every now and then, of course -- you can still make progress even if you're not insanely obsessive. :)

Lori - Phoebe is SO adorable and her hair color + eyes are so pretty! :D

Jessica - there was a professional photographer at the competition taking pictures. He is supposed to e-mail me to let me know when the pictures are up... once I have them, I will most definitely share!

Here are some pictures I took in preparation for my contest:
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The dark hair color is my current hair color and the hair color I had on stage. I had red hair until a week or two out, though.

(Do we have a temper tantrum icon?) I'm hoping they're just temporarily out of stock...

You mean this guy? :tantrum: It's tantrum surrounded by colons. I don't blame you either! When my store discontinues something I rely on I feel like that too.

I woke up about 5 with a killer headache, took some advil, turned off the alarm and went back to bed for a couple hours. No workout for me this morning, and I have a meeting tonight. Guess I just made today my rest day, and will slip my weights to Fri/Sat and cardio to Sunday.

Doing HIIT is a very good idea, along with continuing your weight training. Make sure your diet is VERY clean. Keep simple sugars out of your diet (even natural ones like fruit) except for before and/or after your workouts. Make sure each meal has a complete protein source. Don't weight train for more than an hour at a time, as you risk the chance of burning muscle that way and "working your nerves". And of course, remember to eat every 2-3 hours.

This is the essence of the Precision Nutrition program as well, though I've not heard the 1 hour limit on WL. It works pretty well for me, though I still crave some carbs for dinner, and will have a 1/4 cup or so of brown rice or sweet potato. PN doesn't recommend cutting out all fruit, just that you have more veggies than fruit in your "5 a day."

Mod - Phoebe is a cutie!

Shane - thanks for the pics, you look great!

Michele - hope you were somewhere you could make good lunch choices. Amazing Race is the only reality show I watch, and if I were younger I'd have tried out for it! :lol: Hope your version is fun.

I've been to the eye doc this morning. 20 min drive each way, 40! min wait, and 10 min with him. I just had to have my new contact prescription checked, and sure enough he's tweaking it. So a week's wait for another trial pair, but if I'm happy with those I can just order more without seeing him again. It's nice to have found a eye doc in my age group - others don't encourage contacts after 60, but he has them himself and understands the issues his patients have. I've worn them since I was 18 and much prefer them to glasses.

Shane - check you out! Hot! :)

Jessica - the single leg deadlifts kill me, too. I'm not fond of single leg squats either. Ouch. I didn't do NRLW, but I remember someone modifying it. PhotoChick maybe? She is on my Facebook if you want me to ask her about it.

Megan - sometimes you just need a break from all the constant journaling.... And I would be mad about the SF yogurt! It is my absolute favorite yogurt, though Rachel's Wickedly Delicious Organic (not Rachel Ray) & Archer Farms, oddly enough, are close seconds.

Mod - gorgeous pics!

Shane - a deficit is always better than a surplus, even by accident! :) Did you stop doing high intensity exercise all together or are you just dropping down a little to recover after your competition?

Pat, I read your summary of the Precision Nutrition program and I think it sounds excellent. I have actually been keeping that 80% full idea in the back of my mind every time I eat as a perfect gauge. During the last month, I've eaten until I'm 300% full, which is not good! I got so used to be INSANELY hungry during bodybuilding contest preparation that I forgot in my regular ol' maintenance, I usually WAS only 80% full... therefore, I was always a TINY bit hungry but not to the extent of stomach growling or lightheadedness.

Thanks for the pic comment, too :o :) :D


Jessica - not to sound like an idiot, but what is NRLW ? :lol:

Shannon - I stopped high intensity exercise today and yesterday because I can't do it without coughing. I can't cough, because I have intense, raging pain in both sides from coughing too much... and it becomes 327840937490 times as bad if I cough. I'm trying my best to kick this cold-bug-hopefully-not-flu. I cough a little bit from time to time because I don't want mucus in my lungs, but I dread every time I do it. OUCH!!

Jessica - the single leg deadlifts kill me, too. I'm not fond of single leg squats either. Ouch. I didn't do NRLW, but I remember someone modifying it.

Oh those single leg deadlifts are killers! I really have to hold on to something as well, esp on one side. I absolutely cannot do one-legged squats, it's too much weight on one knee. I did some of NRLW and I remember that some exercises talk about modification. And I'm sure you can do nearly everything they ask for a BB with DBs.....

Shane, thanks for posting the pics, you look amazing! Look at those abs!! NRLW is shorthand for the workout plans from the book "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" which a lot of folk around here have done/recommended.

I did make it through my workout okay today, although I probably used less weight for the single-leg squats than I normally would since I'm still so sore from Tuesday. The YTWL was a killer too! And I only used 3lb weights for that one. :o

Here's a question that I hope some of you can answer. How do you weight train AND do cardio? I mean, in theory, I would do cardio MWF and weights TTh. But I'm so sore from Tuesday's workout I couldn't possible manage to run or bike on Wednesday, and Friday I'm so sore from Thursday I couldn't do it, then I'm still recovering Saturday, and I end up only doing cardio maybe once a week.

Shane - yeah, lowering the intensity sounds like a good idea! Ouch! Hope that clears up for you soon!

Jessica - I've been doing weight training MWF, 20-40 minute intense sessions that I follow with 20-30 minutes of light cardio to stretch out and cool down after. TThSa I've been doing to longer cardio. I found for the first few weeks that I was pretty sore so the cardio the day after weight training was hard, but it has gotten easier. I do find that it is easier to do the elliptical after weight training than the treadmill. Oddly, I don't have trouble with my Saturday runs at the park even with strength training on Friday. One thing I found was that if I did the strength training in the afternoon and tried to do cardio in the morning the next day I was more sore -is much better when I get up and do everything in the morning... I did read somewhere that a cup of black coffee consumed before a workout will help with the muscle fatigue and make it easier to exercise with sore muscles, but I've only done it twice now so don't know it it is helping or not...

ETA - Even though I am more used to it though, that doesn't mean I'm not sore every day when I start cardio after weight training... today was killer... Last week after the 'filthy 50' on Monday I thought I was dying Tuesday morning... :eek:

Jessica - OH, I have heard of that book, but I have never read it! Should I?
Everyone is different, but here is what I do as far as my weight training/cardio split. It is fairly flexible now... I like to give myself options. And for me, options work.
Monday - 1 hr - chest/back/abs - I either do no cardio or ride my bike for 30-60 minutes -if I feel extra ambitious with the weight training, I will train my chest 1 hr and train my back 1 hr later that day.
Tuesday - 1 hr - legs - and 20-45 minutes HIIT on the tredmill (depending how motivated/inspired I feel) and bike riding anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half
Wednesday - cardio day - 1.5 hours biking split up 45 minutes twice a day + 20-45 minutes HIIT
Thursday - shoulders and back - 1 hr + either bike, HIIT, or both.
Friday - Biceps, triceps, abs... if I do cardio, it's random bike riding.
Saturday - Cardio day - if I have the time, I will go on a nice, super LONG bike ride... either to another town (50 miles round trip ish) or on nature trails. I MAY do stairs, instead.
Sunday - either repeat, rest, or some fun form of activity like biking or rollerblading

Sometimes, I replace the tredmill with the stepper.

On any of these days, I may go for a 30-minute leisure walk.

And thanks for the abs compliment :D that was a big goal of mine... BIG, big goal... my stomach is honestly the most stubborn spot on my body... that, and my sides/hips. :mad:

You mean this guy? :tantrum: It's tantrum surrounded by colons. I don't blame you either! When my store discontinues something I rely on I feel like that too.

Yes, that's the one! Outside I was calm, serene. I imagine I had a slightly puzzled, perhaps searching look on my face as I scanned the yogurt shelves over and over... but inside: :tantrum::tantrum::tantrum:

I'm used to my small store not carrying the products I like, and going to the city every few months to stock up on some things. But to carry them and then take them away? That's just cruel!

Thanks ya'll for the :dust:!
It helped. Of course, there were ZERO healthy choices.
The amazing race part was fun though. We got separated into teams and given a clue. We had to figure out where to go and then we arrived, complete a task, get our next clue and so on. When we finished (we tied for 5th out of 8 teams) we were at a park with catered Mexican food. On the tables were chips, cookies, brownies... no fruits or veggies in sight. I helped myself to the smallest portion imaginable of rice, beans, and two bites of a chicken enchilada. I ate my stashed snacks with it!

Wow! Shane! Loved your pics. You do look amazing!:cp::congrat:

Megan-- I have gone through periods where I don't journal and I gain weight EVERY time. I have been journaling pretty religiously since I finally figured that out for myself.

Jessica-- I combine cardio and weights too but tend to do more cardio most weeks. On a typical week, I do the following:

Monday: Boxing Boot Camp (combination of weights, boxing, running, jump rope, etc)
Tuesday: usually nothing as I work two jobs
Wednesday: Spinning class
Thursday: Latin Dance class
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: usually elliptical (with lots of resistance and arms), but sometimes will run or lift weights

Right now I'm doing weights M, T, Th, F (usually with a 5-10 min cardio warmup) and HIIT cardio on W and Sat or Sun. The PN program changes every 4 weeks, so it may be different starting next week. I like that I don't have to design a program, just do it. :lol: I really don't like to do cardio the first thing in the morning, so I try to do it in the evening, or on the weekends late morning or in the afternoon. I do fine with lifting weights at 5:30 am though. Weird.

I got some new Nike Free shoes. They're superlight, "like barefoot" says the ad. I use them for lifting, but my regular cross-trainers for cardio.

Michele - that sounds like it was lots of fun. Boo, on no fruits or veggies! Glad you made it work.

Howdy everyone! I am back from an exhausting week in rural Arizona. It's the first I've really been back at my place here and so I am waiting until tomorrow to go grocery shopping... this means dinner was a piece of fry bread, some mixed nuts, and Annie's chocolate graham bunnies. gotta love it!

about that fry bread.... if you don't know what it is, it's basically wheat dough fried in oil and I had a bit sent home with me from the reservation. It's delicious and leaves my hands greasy. There are three more pieces in the fridge that I NEED TO THROW OUT! I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe when I bring home groceries tomorrow the fridge won't seem so barren and I'll be able to part with it. At least it was made in canola oil and not lard...

I did horrible last week and gained 2.4.

I know what you mean....I have had a terrible week too...actually am up a bit but I am going to give myself till next Friday to get back to what my ticker says....then if it isn't the same, I will change it. I am still at my goal since now I just want to maintain within 5lbs of 130...and I am still in that range. Don't fret...it will come off again. It did once, it will again :)



I had a good day yesterday, ended up about 250 calories below my normal level.

That's great on one level, but not on another. Remember you NEED to eat to lose and maintain. I know it feels good to not eat as much, but it can bite you in the end.

Oh I'm going to this ice cream social thing on Sunday. I promise I'll behave.. :devil:

I always feel that if I am good all week, it is okay to have a little fun on the weekends. Plus it gives me a whole week till I weigh in on the next Friday to work off whatever I ate on the weekend before. Enjoy yourself, don't deprive yourself but still be sensible.
Have fun!!!


Joci, I hope your mom recovers from her surgery and your kids get off to college ok. Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate right now - hang in there!

Thanks so much...to say I have alot on my plate is an understatement...looking forward to Sunday when things will sort of be normal...well a new normal anyway. I hope to sleep all morning :)

Good morning! :coffee: I am 95% over my cold! :carrot: Tonight, I am going to work out! :D Yes, I am quite excited about this; ironically, it has taken will power for me NOT to work out for two days.

Have ya'll ever heard a song called "Rockin' the Beer Gut?" It's by a band called Trailer Choir. I've heard it quite a bit lately and put it on my iPod. It makes me laugh... ironically, while I was listening to that song, I was reading an article on MSNBC talking about how guts have suddenly become trendy.
Is that TRUE? Where the heck was I when this was happening? What about when I was rockin' the beer gut? Just kidding... I'd rather rock a six pack, even IF it means I must have too much time on my hands ;)

iriswhispers - fry bread sounds excellent... I'm picturing something similar to hush puppies -ish? No? Or maybe like doughnut bread? :hungry:

Joci -- you're right :)
By behaving, I just meant... you know... ONE LITTLE cup/bowl/conewhatever of ice cream and no more. I am the devil around ice cream sometimes... it's one of my favorite foods EVER and I've been known to eat it and eat it until it's gone. I can't have it in my house :lol: I've actually come to the conclusion that it is pointless to buy anything unhealthy for my house because I only want to consume stuff like that as treats. That's just me, though... some people want ice cream or cookies every day and if they can work it into their plan, more power to 'em :)

*Crossing my fingers for your normal Sunday*

Oh, I know frybread well.

Pictures for Shane (don't recommend clickage by anyone who might be tempted) http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4RNTM_enUS330US330&q=navajo+fry+bread&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NJSOSrzfOYWcsgPW-ZjgCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=5

Of course the only place I can get decent fry bread east of Gallup is at the NM State Fair. I consider it a cultural experience and never think twice about incorporating it into my plan for the year.

Happy Friday all!

My legs are so so sore today after running several miles Tuesday, doing a legs workout Wednesday, and running some more Thursday. But it's a good sore b/c I know I'm kicking my but into fat loss mode! I did well yesterday with the 80% full too. I went to my friend's for dinner. She had slow-cooked pork with some chipotle sauce and served it with corn tortillas, etc. The pork was really good and I made a salad that I topped with all the fresh veggies, and just a small dollop of sour cream and spoonful of shredded cheese. Delicious!

Have ya'll ever heard a song called "Rockin' the Beer Gut?"

A friend and I were driving in my car last weekend and this song came on. We both couldn't believe it, it's hilarious! I also read an article on MSN about how guts are back "in", but it did talk about how there's still a double standard and it's more "in" for men to have them and women are still expected to have a flat/6-pack stomach. Figures. Don't they know that abdominal fat is a risk factor for heart disease?

Mmm, hush puppies... makes me think of the ho cakes and cheesy biscuits served at Paula Deen's restaurant. Don't go there if you want to keep that flat stomach!

Joci, it sounds like you really need that sleep. I hope you get to sleep in Sunday and enjoy it.

Iris, pitch it! If you're talking about it here you know you need to do it. I totally understand the fried bread obsession - why I only enjoy hush puppies, funnel cake, etc. on very limited occasions outside of my house. Do you have some tuna fish, pasta, anything in the cabinet you could eat instead?

Michelle, way to stay strong! It sounds like a fun day, even if there weren't great food options.

Jessica, I split my body into different areas (back, legs, chest, shoulders, core) and try to do strength training 5 days a week, and cardio 5-6 days, and only have trouble with cardio after my legs day (don't have trouble doing cardio - which for me is all about leg strength - if I have any upper body soreness). As I recall NRLW does incorporate lower body into each workout, so I see how you're so sore the next day that you don't want to do cardio. Maybe if you're going to do your NRLW routine T & Th you could focus on doing lots of cardio SaSuMo, then do lighter cardio (walking or light cycling?) as a warm-up to your routine TTh and throw in what you can W or F, taking one day or so off...

Shannon, I love the Rachel's yogurt, too, but can only get that when I go to the city. We must have similar yogurt palates. :D

I'm not sure where the weekend will take me. Other than to my washer/dryer and the gym, that is, lol. BF has to work tomorrow but I'm sure we'll try to do something together on Sunday. I got a sprouter for my birthday and definitely need to make some sprouts, and maybe pickle the jalapenos I still have coming out to wazoo in my garden... Anyone have any plans more thrilling than mine? (Though I do love sprouts and pickling things I've grown... I think I'm a health geek!)

Shane-- I know that song-- I think it is hilarious! Hadn't heard anything about beer guts being trendy though.

One of my favorite new things on my iphone is Shazam. If you don't know what Shazam is (I didn't), when you hear a song you like, you hold the iphone up to the music, it listens for a few seconds and "tags" the song. You can then learn more about the song, the artist, see a video of the music, buy it on itunes, etc. I have been busy at work this week tagging great workout music (mainly fast dance songs-- can't wait to use them at the gym!).

Good morning everyone! I started the day with a little excitement - my neighbors across the street had a fire in their front room while I was getting ready for work so I was blocked in by fire trucks for a while. Everyone is okay, even the four puppies that were upstairs. A decent amount of damage to the room where the fire was located, some pretty good smoke damage throughout the house, the puppies were all sooty. Turns out that there was a lit potpourri burned on a bench chair that was the likely cause of the fire - they apparently have had it lit non stop for three years and were very surprised that it caused a fire today... :eek:

Michele - That sounds pretty cool! I'm going to end up getting an iPhone, I just know it... I have even more of a yen to get one now since the battery in my iPod has died and it will only play when connected to a power source...

Megan - we definitely have similar yogurt palates! :) And I think your weekend plans sound fun, personally!

Iris - I also know fried breads well, my grandmother and great grandmother both make phenomenal ho cake.... I avoid it at all costs now. :)

Shane - I saw that article about the beer gut being trendy, too. Not sure I buy it. Enjoy your ice cream at the social!

Joci - I typically keep myself right around my calorie budget most days and try not to go under. Of course, I ended up 200ish calories under again yesterday, too... DH is watching his diet a little more closely now and I've found myself eating less this week as he does. I've modified our meals a little, which cut the calories for both of us. I need to go back in and tweak again so I don't go too short... I wouldn't mind losing a pound or so, as I'm a little over where I would like to be, but I think I am where my body wants to be so I shouldn't mess with it!:) Hope you have a good Sunday!

:wave: to anyone I've missed! Have a good day!

Iris, when I lived in Rhode Island there was this food called "doughboys." It's basically the dough they use to make clamcakes, except without the clams, fried in oil and covered in sugar. :faint:

Thanks for the workout tips guys. The NRLW workouts are all full-body workouts, so it's mostly that my legs are too sore. My three types of cardio are swimming, running, and biking, so I can pull off swimming with sore legs but not the other two. I will try to switch to SaSuM cardio, that might work.

Shane, I didn't actually "read" NRLW, I just skipped straight to the workout plans! :lol: It has a lot of really good exercises in it. I've seen a huge improvement since I started the program about 4 months ago.

Shannon, I'm glad they managed to put out the fire before it spread!

More later, I am starving and it's time for my lunch meeting.

Yeah, I am not sure that I buy the whole thing about beer guts being trendy, but the raging feminist in me says if they are trendy for males, they must be trendy for females, too! While I (again) do not know for sure that it is TRENDY, beer guts are equally COMMON on both sexes down here in Gainesville, Florida! EVERYBODY is rockin' the beer gut...
except, well, I'm not. :)
I agree that it is unhealthy to store so much gut fat! Some people naturally store fat around that area (heck, I do), but with some hard work and perseverance, that can go away... besides, there is also a difference between being a little soft and having a tiny bit of pudge in a certain area versus having a big ol' obvious gut.

Megan, I've never been to Paula Deen's restaurant, but I don't plan on going. Every time I eat greasy stuff, I feel like I have rocks in my stomach for hours. I'm the same with mindless carbs. But I think I have an inner masochist, because when I was preparing for my bodybuilding contest, I would watch Paula Deen on the Food Network while I was working out. I'd drooooooooooool, too. Mmm, drool and sweat. Spectacular.

midwife - oh wow, that frybread looks like... a cross between Naan and a...multigrain funnel cake without the funnel-y texture. MMMMM FUNNEL CAKE. I am convinced county fairs are a death sentence for all with all that fried chicken, funnel cake, and cotton candy... but it's so... so... goood

Shannon - glad to hear your neighbors are ok! :eek: wow, what a RANDOM fire, though... 3 years of lit potporri and just NOW set a fire, dang. Good thing it didn't spread on over to you.

I love funnel cake... Of course they were selling it at the baseball game I went to on Sunday. Our seats were in the second level, the funnel cake stand was all the way down on level one and I could still smell it...

That funnel cake aroma has a tendency of traveling faster than light beams in a paralell universe...

The next time you want to eat funnel cake, think of getting spun around upside down until you're about to vomit at some dinky county fair ride. Imagine the aroma of funnel cake and vomit as you hop off the ride while the world is still spinning.

See how much you like it then. :devil:

Michele - That sounds pretty cool! I'm going to end up getting an iPhone, I just know it... I have even more of a yen to get one now since the battery in my iPod has died and it will only play when connected to a power source...

:lol: Shannon! I would dearly love one, my inner-techie is craaving it! And you know, you could take your iPod to an Apple store and get a new battery.... Just sayin' :)

Fry-bread! Yummmmmm. We have a farmer's market here on summer Fridays and for the first 2-3 years there was a stand that sold what I know as Navajo tacos - basically fry bread topped with taco fixings. It was sooo good. They called them "stuffies" and that's what they did - stuff you! They haven't been there for the last 2 summers though. Our State Fair, which is in my town, starts next Thursday. There are lots of deep fried options there - including funnel cake. I stay away - far far away! :lol:

Had a good work out this morning, though my legs are tired/sore already. I have trouble doing a full cardio workout after I've done a lower body weight session.

Dang, I lost my post... "database error."

Pat, I looooove Navajo tacos. Fortunately I have only had them twice since moving to Arizona (a year ago) because they are delicious but not something I can make a habit of eating! At any rate, I just took the leftover fry bread to the dumpster because it's spot in my fridge has been replaced by berries, salad mix, and roast turkey. Much better!

I heard that "rockin the beer gut" song on my cross country drive this year... it made me laugh. I also saw an article about beer guts becoming chic, but only for guys. I don't know who thinks they look good on guys. Just because more guys are developing them doesn't make it attractive!

I need to kick my butt back in gear - I think the hard part will be finding/choosing a gym. Last year I was using the fitness center at the hospital, but they don't have classes which I really enjoy. There's an LA Fitness but they're pretty pricey and a YMCA which is in town that I am considering. Although I bet I end up back at the hospital... I get membership super cheap since I'm a student and employee of the health campus.

Shane - thanks for the country fair image! That actually helped me just a minute ago when I went down for my yogurt and smelled frying apple pies from the kitchen... :)

Pat - I actually didn't even think about taking it to the Apple store... I really am not in a good iPhone place right now, so I'm going to try that! Might stop the impulse shopper in me for a little longer...

Iris - high five on getting rid of the fry bread! :)

iris - YEEEEEAH no more fry bread for you! :carrot: Good job... even better that you replaced it with healthy food. :D
I agree that just because guys are developing beer guts does not mean it is attractive. One of my friends called me shallow the other day because I said I didn't want to date a guy with a gut (or a fat dude in general) UNLESS he wanted to commit himself to living a healthy lifestyle with me. I justified my so-called shallow preferences with the fact that unhealthy lifestyles are not compatible with mine, even IF the guy DOESN'T have a gut/ISN'T fat. The gut is just one manifestation. Plus, shoooot, if I must work hard for MY body and keep it nice, so must he! :lol:

Shannon - you are most welcome! :D Glad I could help keep you away from frying apple pies!

...it really is a pity that our culture teaches us from a very young age to enjoy foods that are not so healthy. :lol:

Shane, it's not shallow - you are aware that you wouldn't be compatible with someone who didn't share your lifestyle and that's a good thing! Otherwise it could be the source of a lot of frustration down the road.

By the way I just clicked the link to the frybread pictures and I am SO glad i did that AFTER I already threw mine away!!

It is a major source of frustration living with someone who doesn't share healthy eating habits. There is always high calorie "junk" stuff around and snacking going on and it's a lot more difficult to resist the unhealthy foods.

And it's really depressing watching someone you care for eroding their health and damaging their body.

Dagmar

Re: Shane's questions. I don't think that someone should be judged on the basis of whether they are overweight/obese. After all--all of us here know what that's like. On the other hand, you are attracted to someone or you aren't, and if they have a body that is unattractive to you, well, that is what it is.

My partner eats very differently from the way I do, but is a naturally normal-weight person. Some of my weight gain since we moved in together was a consequence of my trying to eat the same way. What finally happened is that I uncoupled our eating. I eat my foods, and my partner eats hers. Sometimes we do put together meals for both of us to share, and that's fun. But she can eat a lot more carbs than I can without gaining. Also, she doesn't tend to overeat, and she just stops eating when she's had enough, a concept I'm still working with.

(Case in point: The Doritos. I buy a bag and divide it up into serving-size zipper bags, which go on a top shelf in the pantry. They are for both of us. She will start on a baglet of Doritos, eat a few with her lunch, and then leave the rest in the baggie, just sitting there on the counter. For days. :dunno:)

However, I don't think that I would expect that someone else should change their lifestyle to suit mine. I wouldn't insist that someone I was just "dating" should "commit to a healthy lifestyle." Better not to date them!

Jay

WOW, Jay, I can identify with A LOT of what you just said. You know, it always baffles me when people can open up something yummy and NOT eat it until it's gone. Doritos are not my culprit, but Frito Lay MUNCHIES? Watch out. I'll do some damage.

When I moved in with The Ex back in December '05, I started eating just like her, too, except as you pointed out, everyone reacts differently even on the same diet. I ate exactly what she ate in the exact same amounts (she cooked often and served me, if she wanted seconds, she gave me seconds, too), but I gained 50 pounds while she stayed the same :lol: Her natural thinness has always baffled me, because she eats A LOT and never exercises, but I just tell myself life isn't always fair. :) As I may have mentioned before, we are still best of friends. She went on vacation with me for my bodybuilding competition. That weekend, we both went out to eat and then ate lots of other junk. I felt horrible, but she said, "Why are you so sick right now?" I said, "I've been a total glutton, I can't believe you're not feeling it." Her: "This is how I always eat. You know that."

Obviously, I never made her compromise her eating habits or lifestyle for me, nor would I make anyone else do the same. I don't believe in changing people; it's so, so important for two people to accept each other as they are. Sometimes, I've been an indirect positive influence on others in respect to health, but I would never make someone change parts of his or her life just for me.

I actually have no interest in casual dating anyone right now, even -- my life is far too busy and I am not emotionally ready -- it was just a curious, hypothetical question.

VICTORY!!! I weighed in at half a pound less than when I left for my trip. I must blame all the walking for this small victory!!!

I have my photos posted, but not yet captioned. If you want to look they're here:http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z104/alinnell/Italy%202009/

VICTORY!!! I weighed in at half a pound less than when I left for my trip. I must blame all the walking for this small victory!!!

I have my photos posted, but not yet captioned. If you want to look they're here:http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z104/alinnell/Italy%202009/

Wow! That is a huge victory!!!:carrot::carrot::carrot: I'll check out your photos later-- I'm off to my WW meeting and my weigh in-- I'm still taking off my cruise weight but I'm pretty sure I'm down from last week.

Dagmar-- sorry your dh isn't on track with you. He definitely sounds like the old me-- wanting to lose weight but not ready to do anything serious about it-- on the wagon, off the wagon.... Hugs....:hug:

Allison - way to go on the return weight! It reinforces that whole "French women don't get fat" thing - they have to walk everywhere!

Dagmar - I feel your frustration. :hug: DH has been very conscious of his eating the last few weeks and it really has made it easier for me to eat better. He hasn't had a particularly bad diet the last year, has maintained a 20 pound loss during that time, but wants to get better and lose some more. I've found this week that I have been coming in a a few hundred calories under my typical consumption for the last four days, and I know it is because of tweaking the calorie numbers on dinner to fit better with his plan. I also haven't grabbed as many snacky things for some reason.

Shane - I don't think it is shallow to gravitate towards people with similar interests as you, and one of your interests is obviously a healthy lifestyle. I would imagine that you would be naturally drawn to people with a similar lifestyle at this point rather than someone who isn't as in tune with it.

Jay - I struggle with eating everything in a bag as well. I can split snacks into small portions, either in baggies or by weighing a serving into a bowl, and then not go back for more, but if I just open the bag and dig in I have much less control...

Iris - there is something to be said for the cheaper cost of the hospital gym, but if it doesn't have things you enjoy will you actually go?

Did some solid strength training yesterday afternoon, got up and went to the park for my run today - 7.5 miles of which I ran 6, in two sets of 3 miles. I'm still not the fastest runner, but I do stick out the distance, at least at the park. It is easier there than on my treadmill because I can slow down to a low jog and then speed back up much easier. Keep having to change the speed on the treadmill so I end up quitting...

Good day everyone!

Allison, congrats on losing during your vacation! I went to Europe with my mom when I graduated from HS and we both lost a few lbs... certainly not because of diet, but we walked everywhere. That's sure "icing on the cake" for a trip! I looked through your first few pictures, but I'd love to see when you have them labeled.

I am honestly afraid to step on the scale because I think I am above my red line (135). I have lot of social festivities the next week or so with the beginning of the school year. My college is having a mixer for new students and their mentors (and I'm a mentor) which just happens to be at the bar. *Sigh* nothing spells empty calories like a drink or two.

Shannon, looks like I posted at the same time as you! It's funny I think you're actually the opposite of me - I tend to have an easier time running on the treadmill, but I think it's because of the heat here in Arizona. I get overheated and just decide to walk most of the time! I also like the treadmill because I don't have to carry my water bottle =).

I just checked into YMCA membership - there's a $50 startup fee and it's $38/month - this is in comparison with the hospital gym, which has no startup fee and will be between $10-15/month... plus negates the need to find parking downtown. BUT - no group fitness classes, which really motivate me on strength training, especially for my lower body. Decisions, decisions (and ones I need to make quickly!).

HOWDY! I'm stinky, sweaty, my hands are blistered, and I'm VERY HAPPY! :)
I just assembled a trampoline with an enclosure, along with four bar stools, all by myself! The trampoline supposedly takes two strong men normally, but I did it with no assistance whatsoever. The best part, of course, is I got paid overtime for it. Oh, how I love my job! The lady kept gushing to me about how I must be in incredible shape and that I'd put her husband to shame. Then, she went to comment on my muscles. Instead of rippin' em out and flexin' 'em the way I have in the past at such comments (to the point of where friends started calling me The Gun Show :lol:), I just smiled and thanked her. I'm trying to have a little bit of humility; pride is an unappealing characteristic -- one of MY unappealing characteristics that I've had WAY too much of these last 6 months while bodybuilding. Such a self-centered sport tends to turn most people into self-absorbed buttheads. I wasn't a butthead, but I was certainly more arrogant than I'd like to be.

Allison, CONGRATS on LOSING a pound during a vacation! WHAT a HUGE accomplishment! :eek: What excellent, beautiful pictures! I would LOVE to go to Italy; it looks like you had a great time. :) :carrot:

Shannon - even if you don't know it/he doesn't tell you, I'm sure you are an inspiration for your husband to live a healthier lifestyle. It's amazing how we influence those close to us... which reminds me:
The other day, my boss said, "I was at the convenience store and about to buy some stuff that I know would make you go, 'EUGGGGHHHHH.' Then, I thought, 'Aidyn wouldn't go for that' and I didn't buy anything. I went and got a sub with NO MAYO from Publix instead!"
Does your DH work out, too?

Iris - if I were you, I'd join the hospital gym... what a discount ;) Then again, it depends how cheap you feel, I suppose. I have an easier time on the tredmill too, in the sense that if I don't keep up, I'll fall off. :D OOOOOF! After running 3 hours on it one day (I had too many excess calories during my bodybuilding preparation and needed 'em gone...quickly), I have lost interest, though! :(