Whew! I'm with
Raindancer in that catching up with all the posts is a workout in itself!!! Well, here goes:
Purple - You made me feel so guilty for not being around to cheer you on, and you certainly have had some downers in your life with DH's job. We are all here for you, whatever team you happen to end up on, even later, if you need us, just drop in.
Also - thanks for the sites and how to get Jillian's show onto the MP3. Keep those workouts going, especially when your life is stressful, it's the best common denominator. And, YaY!! for you not going to Jack-in-the-box!!! You're doing great!
Yelie - way back, the saying about your fat cells crying (sweat), that does give a great "visual" - makes me want to make 'em cry harder!!! And what an awesome goal, to look svelte in your bridesmaid's dress. Picture that right now, and
keep that at the front of your mind throughout the challenge - seeing yourself just the size you want to be. It all happens in the mind first.
Kim - good to hear from you again and that you had a loss. Hearing about your runs motivates me and someone else agrees here too. Run,
Kimmy, Run.
Dee - So good to see you back!!! Here's hoping this challenge will be the one that grabs your will power and jerks you on over onto the wave that will take you to your goal . Really good to see you - I know, I said that, but well, it is!
Eny - "Here comes the bride . . . 5 pounds swept aside." You can do it, especially now at the beginning of the challenge when hope and energy is high and we're all here to cheer you.
Jennifer - good to see you again too, but so sorry about going through all the dental pain. But it looks like you'll be feeling better just in time to get started. Actually, might be the best time. Glad you're here.
Karen - I think I noted you said you had a problem with working out. For me, setting a definite time was the winning strategy. But, I'm not hard on myself if I'm a bit late, but my time is morning (after a small breakfast). Last challenge, I didn't exercise regularly until about the last 3-4 weeks, but it made a difference - I lost 25# last challenge and hope to do the same this time. With exercise being regular, I'm pretty hopeful. The other thing that really helped me was entering everything I ate into Fit Day - if you're faithful, putting everything down, you might see you're eating more calories than you thought - I know I did. Hope this helps somehow.
Manick - I never noticed you were from Oregon before! Where are you? I'm in Roseburg, and I know what you mean about the gray rainy days of winter here. But I love it here, and wouldn't live anywhere else - it is so gorgeous the rest of the year. Nice to meet a fellow Oregonian.
Ashley - so glad you are safe from Gustav. Let us be here to lean on when you need a shoulder.
Amy!!! - OMG! What a nightmare of events going on in your life. Glad you share it here and not turn to food to comfort you. Glad things are calming down, though I know its hard when mom and dad fight, not to mention your friends. Hang in there sweetie.
Tori - Welcome, good to have you.
Blueyed - You have a wedding too??? That's 3 people picturing themselves at their most beautiful for motivation. You've got till October to reach Onderland - I'm cheering for you!!! And getting up at 5:30 to workout - I can see the new you already.
As to
Kelly's QOTD - I work out in the morning, after a small breakfast. I feel better all day, plus it's done and out of the way. Then if I want to do another workout later, its a bonus. I've made myself a little calendar (made it in MSPublisher) with 4 items on every day - WATP/legs; Abs; Elliptical; and Other. I highlght each in different colors if I did them, leave them untouched if not. It's nice to see the colors filling in and it makes me not want to spoil the "picture" of me being healthy.
Kelly - you have knee problems - so. . . now that I've messed mine up - any advice? I've started wearing a brace when I workout, which helps, started back on glucosamine and got inserts for my shoes because my feet pronate. Any other ideas? to get the pain to go down?
DH and I have been working on a gazebo in our front "yard" (we're on 5 acres). Lots of scrubbing, turning, painting of who knows how many board feet of lumber. The area is already bricked 14 feet square and wisteria already planted at several corner and middle areas. Still harvesting potatoes, spaghetti squash, zuchinni, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onions, cabbage and lemon cucumbers out of the veggie garden and working to clean up the rest of the area for soy beans next year, plus maybe some corn. Pumpkins are also coming in now. DH had a friend pass away and another is in the hospital, plus work has increased for me - all my reasons for being MIA. I'll check in more now that we're almost on our way. Love you all and good luck.
Dora
we're very proud of him but knew he had it in him the whole time 
so we'll have him home for a week or so before he has to leave again in Oct for training. but this class is over for me in mid Oct....and am debating taking another one. this is hard stuff...course accounting probably isnt the best thing to take in a 8 week time period 
