Exercise! - Everyday Exercisers, week of 5/21/01

Welcome to Everyday Exercisers -- a weekly thread that focuses on healthy weightloss and overall fitness through regular exercise. Our goals are to stay active, stay hydrated, and make healthy eating choices. We share our exercise plans for the week, and check in each day to share our progress...and our set-backs. Here you'll find a supportive and encouraging environment in which to pursue your fitness goals, and a community of people who share your commitment to fitness and provide motivation and inspiration to each other. Welcome! :)

Say hello to the new week! :)

I'm glad to see this one, after last week's fitness debacle. ;) A fresh start this week! And I've already begun, by making it to the gym this morning before work for 30 minutes on the bike. :D I feel better already.

This weekend: DH and I didn't go to the gym :(, but I didn't eat too badly, and we had a fun weekend together. The nice thing was that I was looking forward to going to the gym again on Monday all weekend! Who is this strange exercising person in my body? ;)

This week, having learned my lesson (again) about posting specific plans, I'm pursuing this general plan of attack:
*For this week, I'm aiming for 3x cardio at the gym, 2 lower body workouts, and 1 upper body workout. I'd also like to get in ab work 3x. Obviously I hope to do more, but that's my minimum goal. A slightly lighter week, since TOM is coming this week, and I know I'll have at least a day where I don't feel like working out at all.
*Starting my food journal again this week -- I slacked off last week because the tedium of all that recording was starting to get to me. I'm going to start again for a "check-up" week, just to check my fiber/fat/calorie goals and make sure I'm in the right range. Generally I find the food journal most helpful in the beginning, and then I start to get annoyed by the nit-pickiness of it and stop, and then after a few weeks/months of not journalling I start to slip. So, while I don't want to food-journal forever, I think that occasional "maintenance" check-up weeks of journalling will keep me on track long-term.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Hallloooooo??

Okay, well, I'll update for myself.
Yesterday, I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike at the gym before work. I got home late + didn't have time to workout before dinner, but I got antsy -- so eventually, as DH was obliging enough to offer to turn off the hockey game, I did my Firm Lower Body Sculpting tape and a segment from 5 Day Abs...in front of DH! :o I was very self-conscious -- but I also really wanted to get my workout in! :) And I did!
Had porkchops from a Cooking Light recipe for dinner (very tasty!), but snacked a lot beforehand. That's the nice thing about my normal workout routine -- generally I'm exercising during that post-work period that I tend to snack!
This morning I dragged myself out of bed + got in another 30 minutes on the bike @ the gym. I had to go down a level for most of it (I think the previous night's leg workout is to blame), but I still did it. Now if only I can motivate myself to do my Upper Body workout tonight! :)

I hope to see some new posts soon! It's lonely talking to myself! :(

What a great way to start off the new thread, Copperblu! Hopefully, we'll see a little more action here! :rolleyes: I was off work yesterday for the holiday, so I didn't get the chance to check in ~ I thought about you though!

BTW, congrats on your successes! Working out in front of dh? :o That's determination! :lol:

Had a pretty good weekend ~ did some major cleaning of my storage area, got about half of the garden planted, and then had some family time yesterday.... we went to the parade, had a picnic, and relaxed down by the river while the kids played... the only bad part is that I got a MAJOR sumburn on my shoulders, arms, and knees.... :eek: So, I'm a hurtin' unit right now ~ didn't sleep very well last night, either ~ therefore, I'm not sure about Curves today with all the movements (we'll see what my arms feel like later today) ~ but I should at least be able to ride my bike tonight if I don't make it to Curves.... we'll see.....

My plan this week, as always, is to get to Curves everyday (Tues-Fri this week). If I don't make it today because of my burn, I'll ride my bike for a 30 minute minimum. That's my pledge! ;)

I'll talk to you later!

Hi MTM and Copperblu.

I know it's been a long time since i have posted. This time of year i am extremely busy at work. If i hear the words "I haven't ordered a cap & gown yet" again, i think i will scream. But with a smile on my face, i tell them "sure we will order a cap and gown for you and you will have it in time for graduation".

Enough about that. I have been exercising even though i haven't been posting. Still walking on the treadmill as much as possible. I also bought a bike and dh and i take a bike ride together at night in our neighborhood for about 1/2 hour.

I am glad to see that you are both doing good and keeping up with your exercise. I know i missed a lot while i was gone.

MTM - how are your knees? Better?

Cooperblu - i see you are still enjoying your gym membership.

Have a good day and hope to post again soon.

Sally

And here I was whining that nobody loved me! ;) Two new posts! And Mustang Sally's back!!! :D

Marvin: It sounds like you had the great weekend I thought you would! What fun!! Except for the whole "ow, my own skin has turned against me!" bit. ;) I hope it gets better soon -- and I think you're a real trooper for even trying to workout with such a sunburn!
Re: working out in front of DH -- to his credit, DH was very very good during my workout, and did his best not to seem as if he was paying attention or watching me flail around. He also did not laugh at the 80s Firm stuff like I asked. :) He can be pretty nice sometimes. I think I'll keep him. ;)
Nevertheless, I'm not doing that again if I can help it. ;)

Mustang Sally: SO GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU!! I'm so glad to hear you're doing well -- and those bike rides w/your DH sound like a lot of fun! What a nice way to spend some time together. :) It's great to hear you've been staying active -- and have gotten your DH into the act as well!
Your cap + gown story is hilarious! Ah -- to be a teenager again....NOT! :lol: You must have the patience of a saint! :angel:
Great to have you back, and look forward to seeing more of you!

Yay! Yay! Yay! Welcome Back Mustang Sally! (you know, not that we were desperate for more company or anything! ;)) Congrats on keeping up with your exercise ~ that's great! I haven't gotten my bike out and ready for riding yet, but I keep meaning to.... I'll have to this week, because we'll be doing a bunch of riding on holidays next month, and I'll need to get all those muscles up and running! :lol: I am in a lot better shape than I was last year, so the trails shouldn't be quite as painful! ;)

:lol: Copperblu about your dh.... now, if I could just get mine to quit cracking jokes about my lobster-like skin! ;) I'm thinking of bailing on Curves this afternoon ~ my shoulders are burning something fierce! I would've be able to do it, if I had packed a tank top, but I never thought of that.... I will tomorrow though! I should be able to either ride my bike or go for a walk (once the sun goes down a little, that is!) tonight, so no worries.... :smoking:

Anyway, I guess I should go do a little work now, but I'll check in tomorrow! :wave:

I am soooo sleepy this morning! :dz: I've now had two nights of crappy sleep due to the throbbing in my skin! It's mostly the tops of my shoulders and my chest now.... everywhere else seems to be getting better ~ even looks like it might turn into a real dark tan! :smug: It should, for the amount of moisture I'm putting into it!

Anyway, as expected, no Curves yesterday, but I didn't even do anything! On the upside though, I only managed about 1100 calories, so maybe it's not a bad thing to skip the exercise ~ I don't want to create too big a deficit (sp?)...

I don't really expect to make it to Curves this afternoon either, unless the pain suddenly goes away. It's driving me nuts though, as I really do want to go work out! Wah!!!

Anyway, what's up with you guys? It's supposed to get up to 28 degrees C today, and I so wish I could be outside... (wearing my sunblock, thank you very much!) Talk to ya later!

Hope everyone had a nice night last night!

This will be my all-update post. :)

Exercise update:
*Last night: did my Upper Body workout (yay!), but didn't add the abs on afterwards (boo!).
*Today: slept right on through this morning and didn't make it to the gym. :( I know I won't want to go tomorrow or Friday, since the first few days of TOM are always the worst. Maybe DH and I can make it up over the weekend.

Food update:
Dinner: had a small Caesar salad made w/homemade lowfat dressing, + pasta w/vegetarian meatballs. Did have some chips before dinner, but measured it out + managed to keep it to 1 oz, so I don't feel too guilty. :) Am otherwise doing pretty well, and am back on track. I added a mid-morning snack to my plan on the days that I'm going to the gym in the AM and eating a light breakfast before going -- I get really hungry around 10am on those days, so have some dried apricots or instant oatmeal then, which helps a lot.

Weight update:
STILL weighing in at 150 -- will this plateau never end?? (Oh, I know the answer -- not until I stop slacking off + get it more than 3 workouts a week ;)) Haven't taken measurements -- that's for next week. I'm currently trying to comfort myself with the idea that even though I haven't lost any weight on the scale recently, my cellulite is headed for the hills! That's right, you better run! I will defeat you, oh Fat of Evil! :lol:
Anyways, that makes me feel a little better, but I've GOT to step up the intensity next week and break out of this rut.

That's it for the updates! And now the random babbling post! ;)

Hey Marvin! I didn't see you there when I was posting! We cross again!

Your skin sounds BAD. :( Have you been using aloe vera gel? Also, sometimes ibuprofen can help w/the pain a little. A sunburn like that can really increase your risk of skin cancer, so you be careful! :nono:

I wish I could go outside too! But here it's RAINING! :mad: And raining, and raining, and rai...well, you get the idea. It's supposed to rain all weekend too. Foo.

On to random babbling:
I HATE the first few days before TOM. I feel bloated + fat, and hate all of my clothes. It's just GREAT. :p I have to hide my credit cards to prevent me from buying new clothes + "things to make me feel pretty" as I call them, and it takes me half an hour to get ready, since I think everything looks bad. I hate to be a stereotypical female, but it's a really noticable shift in mood. And it stinks! :mad:

Previewed Karen Voight's Lean Legs + Buns (which I have owned forever and never looked at) last night -- it's longer + has a different focus that the Firm Lower Body Sculpting parts tape, so I'm thinking about adding it into the mix for variety. I can't make up my mind what I want to do next, and have been tossing all sorts of variations around in my head. I will try not to make the mistake of posting a specific schedule again :lol:, but it's so hard to resist!!

<sigh> There's just not enough time in the week to try all the things I want to! Firm aerobic weight training, cardio, pure toning, abs, yoga, Pilates...gah! How to fit it all in? AND cooking, AND doing work I've brought home, AND spending time w/DH, AND working on my own projects?

Pardon me, I'm going to go have a mini-meltdown. ;)

Greetings everyone -- I would like to join this thread. I am a newbie. I just found this site, and I am addicted and I love it! People with common goals of being healthy and losing weight! I have made a couple of great buddys on the buddy up site, but I would also love to join in here to help with my fitness and exercise goals, and maybe find out how everyone is reaching theirs, etc.. So I would first like to tell everyone hi and I can't wait to get to know everyone. Also, copperblu -- you use Firm tapes -- I LOVE my Firm tapes. Although until this past Monday morning they had about 20 layers of dust on them.

To tell you guys a little about myself. I have never been a major workout person, but when I met my hubby 9 years ago he was a major road cyclist and racer, and he got me into bike riding. I actually got into the best shape of my life about 3 to 4 years ago. Then I hurt my knees and I stopped riding. Then all of a sudden I don't know what happened, I fell in love with food, quit working out entirely and pretty much packed on (probably between 40 to 50 pounds). I refuse to weigh myself at this point -- it's too depressing. The last time I checked though I had about 35 pounds to lose, and I haven't weighed myself in months now. I just know I have now been to the store twice to buy larger size clothing.

This past Monday I decided to make a lifestyle change which includes working out. On Monday and Tuesday I pulled out my Billy Blanks "Tae Bo" tapes and did a short workout, but this morning, I actually pulled out "The Firm" tape and my hand weights and at least tried. I know this will be an ongoing long, long battle because it took me a while to gain the weight, and I know it will take awhile to lose it.

Still if I could log in and read about how everyone is doing on their exercise plan for the day, and then be able to post if I'm sticking with mine, I know it will help me stick with my plan and get back into exercising. So GREETINGS EVERYONE!!!!

Hi rblackstripes! Great to have you! I've got to dash out of work now, so can't write a long msg, but I just wanted to send a brief hello! :wave: Will write longer post later!

Ok. Can I jump in the exercise pool, too? I just started exercising last Monday. I only exercise on the weekdays and leave the weekend for the "natural" exercise I get by walking, working in the yard, going to the zoo, etc. I workout to (now, don't laugh) Richard Simmons Blast Off video. It is a 20 minute low impact aerobic workout. I just added two pound hand weights so I could get more out of the short time. I also added a 10 minute ab tape last night. Wow! I didn't know I had abs. Evidently, they are under there somewhere, because I can feel them now. I use the "Quick Fix Abs" tape with Julie Upton. I really like it. She is very good about explaining how to do each move. Funny thing is, the last time I worked out, for more than a week, was back in high school.

A little about myself: I'm 30, and have a wonderful husband, a two and a half year old son, a seven month old daughter and an eleven year old step daughter. I work full time and my husband stays home with the children. I get a lot of support from him and from these boards. I have never been this successful before. Although, I have never committed myself to it this much before either. Due to a hereditary heart condition, I had a heart attack at 28. That limits some of the activity I can do outside and the length of my workouts inside but it has not kept me from eating healthy and doing some type of exercise daily. I also broke my knee a few years back and am unable to work out on a lot of the machines at the gym. But, again, that has not kept me from moving my butt and doing something for myself. Besides, although I can't change my heredity and I can't turn back time to when I broke my knee, I can lose weight and get fit and that will probably help both conditions. I am very excited about my new life.

Question for the group: If you use tapes to workout at home, which ones do you use? Do you use the same ones or rotate them?

Hope everyone has a successful day!!

231/209/170
5'10"

Hi everybody! It's so great to see you! :wave:

rblackstripes Welcome to our thread! I'm sure Copperblu will be happy to have someone who uses the Firm series as well.... I'm not much for tapes, although I have several. I just get so bored doing the same thing over and over.... OK, that's kind of a silly thing to say, I do the same thing over and over at Curves every time! :lol: I guess it's the social aspect of Curves that makes the difference.... that, and I have to do it before I go home after work!

You've probably made a great decision in not weighing yourself... we get so obsessed by the number on that scale that we don't notice the great progress in the inches we've lost, or the buildup of endurance.... good for you!

Nettie Jump on in! I follow the excat same plan as you ~ "real" workouts during the week, and "fun" stuff on the weekends... Partly that's because I live out of town, and only go to Curves on the days that I work (Mon-Fri) It's great that your dh is supportive too, because it makes a big difference, especially since you have some limitations. I have knee problems too, and I know about modifying workouts ~ there are some things I just can't do.... But there's always something else I can do instead... I just have to do something!

Copperblu! Isn't it funny how we seem to post at the same time a lot!

Don't worry ~ I'm using my aloe vera gel like there's no tomorrow ~ and most of my burn is turning into a real nice tan :) The tops of my shoulders are still pretty painful though, and I don't think I'll make it to Curves again today, then I won't have any time tomorrow, so, this week is shot! Oh well, I've kept my eating in check, so I'll just keep on doing it! BTW, the way I look at it, everything causes cancer, so I'm not overly worried....

We're gonna get some rain now too, apparently! :) Thunderstorms! I love thunder! And we really do need the moisture, so I don't mind!

Oh guess what! I am on my way to organizing a beginners yoga class for my coworkers! I'm so excited! I really hope it actually happens, although it'll probably be a month or two before it does! ;)

Anyway, I've babbled on long enough, and I'll be back later to check in!

Wow! So much traffic! This is great!! :D

rblackstripes: Great to have you! Congratulations on starting on your renewed commitment to fitness -- we all know that that first step is the very hardest one! After I've been in a long lull, it normally takes me at least a few months of just thinking about exercise before I actually start doing anything about it! :lol:
I think that you have a healthy approach to your weightloss -- slow and steady does ultimately win the race, and we have to remember that what came on over the course of a few years isn't going to slip off overnight, like a "fat suit," even though we may feel it's just an outfit we've put on that's temporarily hiding the real us underneath.
I'm interested in hearing about your progress with the Firm tapes -- I just started using them this February, starting with the new Basics tapes. I've since moved up, but since I started going to the gym in the morning, I've found I don't have energy for anything longer than the Parts tapes at night. I'd like to start rotating some of the longer cardio+sculpt tapes in, but it's not happening yet. I think once I manage that though, between the cardio @ the gym + the full Firm tapes, the weight should come flying off! ;)
Anyway, welcome to the forum, and best of strength + luck!

Nettie: We'd love to have you in the "pool"! The more the merrier! (and the more people to help out when someone starts to get tired, and gets a figurative "cramp" in their side! :))
We will definitely not laugh at Richard Simmons -- ANY exercise is good!
I'm really impressed that you've managed to stay active through a heart attack and a broken knee! And I admire your positive attitude! You're right -- losing weight + staying active will benefit you cardiovascularly, and, w/the right exercises, strengthen your knee as well.
About videos -- I have a LOT of videos -- a lot of Firm tapes, some yoga, some pilates, some Kathy Smith tapes, some Crunch, several Karen Voight...I just get bored too easily + want to mix it up! Which also applies to your next question -- I do rotate my tapes. I like to come up with week-long rotation plans that ensure I get the right workouts at the right times (for instance, not doing two leg-focused strength workouts in a row), and do them for 2-4 weeks at a time -- which is about as long as I can do any rotation without getting bored! :lol: So I use a few of the same ones for a few weeks, and then switch. I can't do just one video for very long, as I'll get bored w/it, so it has to be a rotation of several videos at once.
I hope that helps, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have! Again, welcome to the forum -- and congratulations on getting moving! We're all in this together!

MarvinTM: That simultaneous posting thing must be like the cycling together business! :lol: Spooky!
I'm so proud that you're organizing a yoga class! That is so neat! Very "proactive" as they'd say in business speak. ;) I think that's wonderful. And I bet your coworkers will be really happy to have the opportunity. You can be the fitness goddess, sowing health wherever you go! :)
I'm glad you're taking care of your skin -- and I hope your shoulders give you a break soon! That's awfully mean of them to keep hurting! You should give them a stern talking to.

Phew! Long post! Going to have to break it up!

Since I went on FOREVER in that last post, I have to put my update here!

Update:
*Sorry to say I must report a bad day -- instead of going home + getting in my Lower Body workout, I shuffled home + got into my flannel jammies + wrapped myself in a blanket and felt sorry for my crampy self. :rolleyes: Oh well. Had chips (1oz) + a cookie, but lowfat soup + multigrain bread for dinner to make up for it. The rainy days haven't been helping my general mopiness either -- I can't wait until next week! Farewell cold rainy days! Farewell annoying hormones! Hello regular workout schedule!

Bio:
Also, since rblackstripes + Nettie were so kind as to introduce themselves, I thought I should return the favor and share some info about my own self, since even though I'm a re-run, I'm new to them! ;)
I'm 25 (26 in 11 days!), and live in NYC (Brooklyn) with my DH and one poorly behaved ferret. I've NEVER been an active-type person -- much more the bookworm type -- and can't say that I ever had any interest in anything remotely resembling exercise. ;) 2 years ago, I had had enough (+ was extra motivated by the weight I'd put on since moving in w/DH), and started dieting + doing Tae-Bo regularly for several months, and ultimately lost 20 pounds. By the time I got married in September, however, I had gained 10 of it back, and the other 10 came back on the honeymoon! I finally started moving again in February of this year, starting with the Firm Basics tapes, and have lost 10 pounds thus far. Recently DH and I joined a gym, so I've been struggling to fit that in (in the form of exercise machine cardio) my program.
I have also been on a plateau for about 5 weeks. Despite that, I like the changes in my body and life that exercise has wrought, and feel much better about my attitude towards exercise this time around. I'm hoping that perhaps my new fit lifestyle is here to stay. This time I am not dieting, which I think ill-prepares you for a lifetime of "real" eating, but just keeping a general eye on my diet + trying to keep it low in fat + high in veggies and whole grains.
And that's my story!

Just wanted to say "hi" to everyone and thanks for all the welcomes -- made me feel all warm inside (mmm like a warm oatmeal cookie). .. (smile). okay I'm weird I know :)

Thanks for the welcome Marvin-- by the way -- what is Curves? I've never heard of it before? Also, I do hope your sunburn feels better. My friend at work has just started itching and peeling from her sunburn. (I get to watch her wiggle all day cause she wants to scratch -smile).

Re: tapes - I must admit I do get burned out with my exercise tapes, as I am not a workout person at all -- I love movies and romance novels -- but when I workout I not only feel better physically but also mentally (my mind just seems more focused and I have a better attitude about myself throughout the day). I have just noticed that even this week, I'm not beating myself up that much about the weight. I even feel like I look better in my clothes (and I know I haven't even lost a pound - smile). I actually like the gym, but the area that I'm in there's one gym (and for some reason it's a party-pickup gym). I used to go and try to workout on a machine and a guy would be leaning or sitting on the machine I needed trying to pick up a girl, or better yet lean on the one I'm working out on (smile).

So I've been trying to buy a variety of tapes to keep me motivated. I have used The Firm tapes before and have lost quite a bit of weight with them (in the old days). I don't know how it will go this time though cause I notice as I get older it doesn't seem to come off as fast. Also, I've started turning down the volume on my tapes completely and playing my own music (that also helps me make the workout a little different). Still if anyone can recommend any other good tapes -- I am always looking for new tapes to make my workouts seem a little more exciting. Right now I have Billy Blanks Tae Bo, The Firm Series, and I just bought Kathy Smith's Aerobox and Aaron Lankford's Power Kicks (haven't really gotten into those yet), but will let you know once I do. Hopefully they won't kill my knees, but so far the Tae Bo ones are not too painful. The Firm tapes do hurt my knees at times though I just have to change the routines on the tapes. And - I have a Yoga for beginners (one thing I totally suck at -- STRECHING (smile).

Anyway I did workout today, but I don't want this e to be too long - I just wanted to thank everyone for the welcome.

Copperblu -- thank you so much for your e's and your intro -- your story is very encouraging! Hopefully I can stick with my fitness goals and maybe change my lifestyle 2! Also this may be a dump question but what are pilates?

Anyway wishing everyone on this board a wonderful evening (or is it midnite yet??) Maybe I just better say "Happy Friday" :)

Good Morning!

WooHoo!! Tonight is date night! I get to spend time with my husband without having to worry about diaper bags or potty training or Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. Of course when we are on our date, all we will talk about are the children and we can't wait to get back to them.

I worked out to my 20 min. RS video last night. I added the two pound weights again. This time I made it all the way through with the weights, except for the 3 min. cool down. Four pounds does not sound like much, but when you are constantly lifting them and pumping them over your head, they really work your arms and chest. I didn't do my abs tape last night because I wanted to give them a rest. I plan to do those exercises about three times a week. Now that I have upper body with my weights and abs with my tape, I need to get a lower body tape. I think I am going to try the FIRM tapes. Do they sell them in the stores or do you have to order them?

rblackstripes: Here is a web site that reviews fitness videos:
http://www.exercisevideosreviews.com/jstart.html
I found it very helpful. This way, when I buy a tape, I can check out the review before I pull the plastic off the box. She also has some very good tips about tapes and how to do exercises properly. There is also another site for reviews and these are written by regular people:
http://www.videofitness.com/reviews/

MarvintheMartian: Thanks for the welcome. Hope your sunburn is getting better. Since we are going to an outdoor concert this evening, I will be slathered in baby sunscreen. I am as white as you can get, and don't tan at all. Unless you count freckles. Unfortunately, people in Florida can't comprehend that I don't tan, can't tan. That's great about the yoga class. I see a lot of people are doing it now. I've never tried it. What does it do for you?

copperblu: Happy Birthday to you in ten days! Please send some of your rain this way. We are in a serious drought and Florida is on fire again. We are surrounded by water (the state is darn near an island) and we stay on fire. Luckily, none are close to Jacksonville yet.

Your plateau may be you losing fat and gaining muscle. Right now, I am depending on the scale to measure progress. Once I get to my goal, I am going to give up the scale and start measuring. As long as I have a healthy body, I don't care what it weighs. (I don't think anyone is going to have to pick me up in the near future.) You are right about the not dieting. Due to these message boards, I am convinced I am doing the right thing by not dieting or taking pills or juices. I am making a lifelong change. I have never done that before and have never had the success I am having now.

Hope everyone has a successful day and weekend! I usually post while I am at work, but I may sneak in over the holiday weekend and see how everyone is doing.

231/209/170

So great to hear from everyone!

rblackstripes: You may not be imagining things! When I started working out again in February, after a few weeks people started telling me I looked like I'd lost weight -- when the scale hadn't moved at all! I was befuddled, but it was very encouraging! ;)
I like going to the gym too -- although I don't like classes, because I get self-conscious. Currently I'm only using it for cardio because I don't have that much time in the morning and also, I am, perhaps, maybe, just a little nervous about trying all the machines for the first time. :o My gym has a special deal for a one-time meeting with a personal trainer though, so I might take advantage of that -- just so that I can get a feel for the weight machines without feeling like a big bumbly dork. ;)
I have to use a LOT of different tapes to keep me from getting bored, so I know where you're coming from! It can be a very expensive habit, trying to keep one step ahead of my boredom! :lol:
About Pilates -- it's an isometric (using your own muscles as resistance) muscle strengthening + stretching program based on a program developed by Joseph Pilates for people who wanted to stay in shape w/out equipment or while bedridden. Some Pilates studios use equipment based on his old system of pulleys + slides, but the majority of the work is mat based, like yoga. A lot of people find that it really works the muscles in a different way, and creates a longer leaner look than weight-training -- so I think it's a good counterbalance to my usual weight-training, and helps keep my muscles from feeling "tight." Still, I'm pretty new at it. ;) I'm going to try to keep it (& yoga) in my plan though, because like you, I am not good at stretching -- I have always been remarkably unflexible!
About oatmeal cookies -- believe me, I know. :) Yum...

Nettie: Congratulations on getting your workout in!! I know what you mean about light weight feeling like a lot when it's going over your head -- I always feel very strong during my workouts....until I have to do
"military presses" over my head! I have to pyramid down to my lightest weights for that!
About the Firm tapes -- they do have them in stores -- I've heard that Target, Walmart, + Suncoast video sometimes have them. You can also order them directly from The Firm at their website, www.firmbelievers.com. However, there are a lot of other online stores that carry a selection of the Firm videos, like:
www.buy.com
www.collagevideo.com
www.half.com
Often much cheaper than you'd find at the Firm website or at the online book/media stores like amazon and bn.com. A great deal going on right now is at www.musicgraveyard.com, which is currently selling about 10 Firm titles for about $5 each. You can also buy them from other Firm users on the forum that is maintained on the Firm website, but unlike e-bay, there's no monitoring of this activity, so it's at your own risk. I'd personally recommend the three "Firm Basics": Sculpting w/Weights, Fat-burning workout, and Abs, Buns + Thighs. These are labeled as Basics, and have solid color covers with the instructor on the front. They are a great way to get into the Firm, as most of the other tapes are in my opinion WAY too hard for a beginner or someone who hasn't been exercising for a while. I have a bunch of Firm tapes at home that I can't even use yet, because I'm not ready for them! :lol:
Phew! Long post!
Okay, onward -- about the plateau -- I measure too, and I know I've lost inches, but I don't feel like I'm losing inches very quickly right now either. I know that eventually both the weight + the inches will start moving downward again -- it's just SOOO frustrating while I'm waiting! I'm at one of those points where you just have to remind yourself to enjoy the journey + not think about the destination so much. And luckily, I have some good travel companions! ;)
Have fun on your date -- you definitely deserve it! -- and a great weekend!

I hope everyone has a fun (+ healthy!) Memorial Day weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all on Monday or Tuesday!

This is great!

My Update: My shoulders have finally stopped burning! Thank goodness.... the only parts of my that are peeling are my nose (very faintly) and a wee bit on the very tops of my shoulders... it's not even noticeable! I guess that's what you get for "bathing" in aloe vera gel! :lol:

I didn't make it to Curves last night (again!) but I did get out in the garden again for a while last night, so not a total loss. Today, I will have no time, as I leave for the city right after work, and probably won't get home until late...sigh....

And here's a re-run ;) of my life story... I am 25 as well, but won't be 26 until October 5th. I am very happily married to my dh, for two years on the 12th of June. We are parents to a herd of animals, with 1 dog, 11 cats (one preggers!), 2 budgies, 40 chickens, 8 turkeys, and two tanks full of fish! We're in the process of setting up the building of a new house, after which I will become a SAHM, which is my dream. I work fulltime right now for a local municipality, and like Copperblu, I am an avid book-lover and couch potato. I joined Curves with my mom and our coworkers at the end of last November, and I've lost some weight, and inches along the way. It's a really, agonizingly slow loss for me most of the time, because I didn't change my diet at all, and I don't plan to. I generally eat pretty well, but I don't deny myself anything. It seems to work for me.

rblackstripes ~ Curves is a women's only fitness and weight loss facility. Basically, It's set up with a number of stations, each of which work a different set of muscles using resistance. In between each machine is a recovery station, where you jog in place. You stay at each station for 35 seconds, and circle to loop three times. It takes about 35 minutes to complete, and you get a total body workout, cardio and resistance, and it's fun too. Their website is www.curvesforwomen.com and they might explain it a little better!

Nettie ~ Date night? At this time of year, I'm lucky to see my dh before sundown! He's an agricultural mechanic, and, actually, seeding is pretty much done around here, so it's not too bad. But, during haying (late June/early July) and harvest (Sept-Oct) I rarely see him. When I do, he just wants to eat and sleep! Men! :lol:

I've never actually done yoga, except for one early morning attempt, that left me sweating and gasping after 10 minutes! I really want to learn the proper way to do yoga, as it seems like a great and relaxing way to tone up. We'll see!

Darn you, Copperblu! We're cross-posting again! Nothing important to say, but have a safe and fun and healthy weekend, or else! :lol:

Anyway, I better hustle! I've got a busy day ahead, so have a good long weekend, you Yankees you! ;) I'll see you all next week! :wave:

Greetings everyone and Happy Friday! by the way, thanks Nettie for the tape info. I will definitely check out the site.

Also Copperblu thanks for the info re where to purchase tapes. I bought my first set of Firm tapes years ago when they first came out and they were OUCH around $45.00 -- now the price has dropped drastically and I have seen them at amazon around $13.99, but it takes them a few days to deliver them to you, and you still have to add on taxes and shipping. I have purchased movie tapes from half.com, but never thought about exercise tapes.

Re: workout - I actually had a decent workout day today -- I tried my Aaron Lankford Power Kicks tape -- it was okay -- although right now my knees are killing me so I know I will have to adjust my workout when I use the tapes. Also, I have decided that this Monday I will finally weigh myself and see just how bad the damage is. I have a feeling I will never know if I'm losing or how well my workouts are going if I don't weigh in, or at least take measurements.

Now the hardest part for me - its the weekend and I want to kick my beau off the couch and have him take me to dinner -- now if I can just be healthy this weekend! :)


I wish everyone a great day!

Just had to say " I JUST LOVE THE WEEKENDS!!" :)

I slept in this morning, but as soon as I got up, I did my Firm Basics tape this morning so am feeling pretty darn good. Knees are killing me though -- that's what I get for buying a tape entitled "Power Kicks" -- okay I'm not the brightest exercise guru out there (LOL)

Have a great day all!

It's Sunday and I just can't get motivated. I have my exercise clothes on at this very minute, have been staring at the tv, then logged on here for motivation. I've been reading quite a few e's and that's helped a little, I guess I need to just do it :)

Have a great day all!