Valerie – There have been studies on the effects of short-term training, with one coming out just recently. Here are a few links, but the message is yes, short bursts of high intensity exercise can be very beneficial.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0918142456.htm
http://jp.physoc.org/cgi/content/abstract/575/3/901

Ammi – Your Gazelle rider looks so cool! I have been thinking I would really like something for home and might need to look into one of those. Does it have variable resistance?

Kayley – Welcome back! Your pics are great. Sorry to hear your schedule is so crazy.

Luan – Your starting pics are great. It is weird – we are around the same weight but you look so much smaller to me than myself.


Thanks for all the suggestions. Water is so important and I have a bottle I keep with me at all times, but sometimes I am better at reaching for it then others. The stress is also probably adding to the back pain. I have been thinking I should find a chiropractor/osteopath but have been holding off because of the cost and also I worry s/he will just say it is because of my weight.

I am feeling a bit better today. I got a good workout in last night and then a good night sleep. I ended up oversleeping a bit, but I needed it. My stress level has also dropped somewhat because I have figured out how to cover payroll (whew!). I came SO close last night at the grocery store to buying a box of petit fours (I have a thing for little foods – I am not sure why) but I resisted with absolutely NO help from my BF. With all the stress I have really wanted to head for the chocolate, but I have mostly been keeping myself at bay. I know it won’t help and in the long run will only make me feel worse.

I am busily trying to get donations for my walk on Friday. So far I have $275, which is pretty good. My crazy BF donated $100 of that and I don’t know whether to be pleased with his generosity or upset that he is spending money he doesn’t have. The walk is only 2 miles so nothing big. I think one of my long-term fitness goals will be to do the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk someday (both my mother and my grandmother died of complications of breast cancer) http://www.the3day.org/

Anyway, I really need to get back to work.

Hi Ladies,

WEll, I just got back from the Dr. a bit ago. I was very hungry when I got home after my fast and I had a salad with cottage cheese on it. Yummy.
I have been having back problems for about a year now and my Dr. is sending me to a surgeon to have a lump on my lower back removed. It seems it is pressing on a nerve that is making my back ache so badly at times I can't stand up. I'm a bit nervous about having it removed but extremely hopeful that my back problems will be over with. I haven't been able to exercise the past two days because of the back pain. I'm going to try to do my exercises today though.

Lavandel: Congrats on -10. That is so awesome. No wonder you are walking on air!

Mechelle: Glad you are feeling a bit better.

Sharon: I have 25 miles so far. Pretty good for me. lol

Kayley: Welcome back. Glad to see you are okay and hope Andrew continues to heal well.

Nancy: Hugs to you.

Ammi: you are doing so well. Love your gg pictures. lol

Hi to Everyone and blessings,
annie