[chick_in_the_hat]

I had a great bike ride to the gym yesterday...and some big fun buying "new" clothes at the thrift store. Stocked up on sweaters....had to clean out the closet to make room...

cindy - the xbike handlebars only go left and right, not forwards and backwards...but that would be neat - "look Ma, I'm popping a wheelie!"

angel-eyes! Your feet are prolly back to normal by now...I had forgotten about the 'on your feet all day' aspect of retail...ick.
Hope you have fun with your friend visiting!

ledom - I'm gonna have to look for those Big100 bars...mmmmmmmm. peanut butter I found Nestle low carb fat free cocoa with marshmallows that is only 35 calories per serving...good stuff. I'm getting back into herb tea with splenda....mostly to warm up. This office is too freaking cold!

graciezoe....ya fall down and ya get right back up...

[BfL_Cat]

Hey gals, just time for a flyby, but wanted to share that I did 2, count 'em, 2 workouts today! I did my cardio in the am before work, then did my weight (UBWO) at lunchtime. I've really been dragging since, but it feels good.

Oh, and Gina, you inspired me to dig out the heart monitor I have and strap it on for this morning's workout - I think that's part of why I'm so tired - I really pushed myself to keep my heart rate where it needed to be.

Cindy

[graciezoe]

Last night, while getting dinner ready, I had the TV on...and who should be on the Tara Banks Show(I know, awful show) but Jillian. The show was titled Diet Wars; Jillian, the Dr. from the Fat Smash Diet, and a woman who writes books about the RAW Foods Diet were all on. Each person talked about the components of their diets, as the other two pretty much dissed the diet. Then each person was given a two person team to work with for the next two months. In two months the idea is to see which plan is most successful. Tara invited people to comment on her website on who we thought would be the most successful. When I looked, it was mostly people saying they thought the Fat Smash Diet people would lose the most weight. Most people were commenting on how hard Jillian's plan looked...or how it seem to involve too much exercise...or how they didn't want to spend alot time counting calories. I, of course voted for Jillian's plan. I'm sure her team will win.

Last night, feeling bad about my week-end, I took a 1/2 hour interval cardio class. This morning I did 65 min. on the treadclimber. I hope the weather cooperates this weekend because a bunch of us are going hiking. Everyone have great day!

[ledom]

Morning - graciezoe, another hiker!?! I love hiking, especially right now - it is so pretty where I live with the changing fall colors. Hope you have a good hike.

I have big paddling trip this weekend. I am going out of my comfort zone to a river in the north part of the state and looking forward to it.

This is a busy week for me but next Wed. I am taking off for a few days. I am really looking forward to taking a little photography trip. And generally just be alone with my thoughts for a few days. I am feeling the real need for some solitude.

[chick_in_the_hat]

Evil potlucks.....I had a really bad food day yesterday. But I'm done - today has been good! Spin class and front day later.

graciezoe - it will be interesting to see how the Diet Wars thing turns out. Raw food seems like it would be hard to get used to....and stick to....same with cutting out so much stuff like Fat Smash....I'll stick with my calorie counting.

ledom - some alone time sounds kinda good...I used to be into photography...I should try waking up my creative side again.

Cindy - I was amazed at the difference when I use the HRM....

Twinklegirl, nikkii & angel-eyes!

[ledom]

Hey angel-eyes! How's it going? I was just thinking about you and the adjustments you must be making now having added work to the equation. Hope you are settling in.

Ah Gina - tell me about it! And this is the SEASON for such nonsense too. Heaven help us get through Nov. and Dec.!!! Not only is Nov. Thanksgiving but it is also my birthday month. From Nov. 20 to Jan. 2 I can get hopelessly lost. Hope not to do that this year though.

I am still stuck in my losing during the week what I gained over the weekend trend. Will this be the weekend that I break out of this rut? Stay tuned for updates.

So, I am feeling burned out. Day before yesterday about 20 minutes into my workout I just walked away. To compensate I did a powerwalk for the mile around my neighborhood. I think it might be time to do something different for a week or two. I always crave getting back to Jillian's plan when I take a break from it so that may be my new plan for the next little while. I'll probably work one body part each day and add a powerwalk to that. I'll keep you posted on that as well.

Hang in there everyone.

Oh, and Cindy, it sounds like you are totally working it and getting into the diet/exercise groove. It just takes a little to get started but once you get that momentum going the effort seems to even out.

[TwinkleGirl]

G'day my girls!
How are we all? I have been having one busy week! My dad, who's sick, is getting sicker and.. well, i won't get into it here because it's a long story, but that has been taking up a bunch of my time and energy!
But i did manage to get all of my weight workouts in and it's been a long time since that has hapened. I have to admit, while i didn't lose anything this week, i am amazed at the changes i've noticed. My biceps have grown, my triceps are tighter, my shoulders are more defined, my quads are really developing... the weights are really starting to change the shape of me body! So i'm not that upset that i didn't lose.

Ledom- I have days like that too, where i just have to walk away from my workout. I figure it's better to walk away for one day than to push on and start to really hate it.

Gracie- It might be a little late, but great job ont he 2lb loss!

Chick- What on earth is a potluck??? It sounds scary...

Angel- How's the new job going? Being on your feet all day IS hard, but on the upside you're also probably burning a bunch more calories!

Cat- Great job on doubling up on the workout! One a day is more than enough for me! LOL!

[chick_in_the_hat]

Twinklegirl - yes, potlucks ARE SCARY!! They are where everyone brings a dish of food and everyone shares. Invariably a lot of people bring high fat, (but also pretty good flavor) stuff. It ends up being like a buffett - you might start trying just a bite....but it doesn't end up that way.

The good news is that I lost 3 pounds. Let's see if it stays off... Today is a rest day - I only worked a half day as well...feels like playing hookey!

I have house cleaning planned for the weekend NOT....We'll see if I actually do it. So far I have managed to hang out online....I guess I could be defragging my hard drive and call it cleaning... If the weather clears I'll get some bicycling in...if not a couple spin classes ought to fit the bill. It finally started raining here. It's nice as long as it doesn't last too long.

ledom - your post reminded me of a thread in the support forum - Interested vs. committed I'm not saying you are in the interested category - I think you are committed. But there were some interesting points made. The fire is still in you, maybe it just needs a little kindling.

[ledom]

TwinkleGirl - I am so glad you noticed all those changes. I knew they were there, you have been working so hard. Isn't it so wonderful when you start to really notice the changes.

Thanks for the link Gina, just what I needed to read this morning.

Got in a great 70 minute hike yesterday morning. The day light savings time gave me just enough light to hit a mountain trail before I had to go to work. Headed for the hills now for a paddling weekend. Ya'll have a good one.

[angel-eyes]

HELLO!!!.....hello! What a week I've had. My new job is crazy hard on the legs and feet. Its been 5 yrs since I've had a job (I've really enjoyed the SAHM thing) but what an eye opener!!! The ladies that I work with have a term for the high heeled cosmetics girls.....they call them "barbie's" haha.....have no clue how they can wear those 3" high heels. Me? I'm wearing low heeled loafer type with nice comfy soles....THANK GOD!!! and I'm still feeling it. I thought I'd be getting about 20-25 hrs in ladies wear, but my supervisor is scheduling me 32-38 hrs!!! The money is great, but I asked her to shave my hours a bit......I gotta see my boys. I miss them so much.

Then if thats not enough.....my best friend flew in from Canada for 4 days of whirlwind shopping. Yup, shopping!!! The last thing I really wanted to do since I"d been on my feet for 7-9 hours a day.....but we had alot of fun. She even had to buy another suitcase for what she bought!!!!

I missed you guys though.....seems I have no time when I get home and I'm dog dead tired!!!! Hopefully my body will SPRING back.

Chick....Congratulations on the 3lb loss!!! Can I say....WOW? So proud of you.

ledom.....That must have been a glorious hike with the leaves changing colour. And it was BEFORE work.....workout done, CHECK!!! Enjoy your paddling weekend!!!

twinklegirl.....I'm sorry to hear about your father. When you are ready, feel free to tell us more. It won't be a burdon, we are here for you!! On a positive note, great to hear about the muscle definition!!! Looking GOOD!!

Nikki.....How are things 'down under'? Hope you are having a great week.

[nikkii]

Hi ladies, how are you all, sorry i have not been on, i have had my friend from interstate here visiting, so i have been doing the sight seeing tours,,,lol
Well i have had i feel a few depressing weeks,,,mainly cause of my head..lol I have occiputal tendonitis where the tendon in the back of my head is in spasm, like a migrane, wacked on the head feeling for a while, and i have been on panadole forte, neurophen and vallium ,,,,had a cortisone injection in my head, and xrays yesterday, which i get reslts tomorrow.....but i have been so hungry and emotional, and i just cant control my eating!!
I had a win today on our big horse race the melbourne cup, and won $100 so i went and brought a heap of salads and try and get into healthy foods instead of junk....
I have been watching old tapes of the biggest loser as i miss not seeing Jillian on anymore,,,and watching the biggest loser (US) just hasnt been the same, i dont like Kim....but it is good to see Bob has stepped up a notch and not so soft, but they dont show enough of the trainers.....
I have been checking out Jackie Warner Bravo tv Workout online, looks ok,,,,I wonder why Jillian is not in partnership with the gym now?
Well i hope everyone is doing well, sorry if i rambled ,,,i just am feeling so empty and worthless a bit right now,,,,that i just work, eat and sleep.....and stress...
I know i need friends...lol
I want Jillian!!!!
Nikkii xxx

[TwinkleGirl]

Hi Girls!
Nikki- I'm with you all the way! I want Jillian too! Biggest Loser just isn;t the same without her. I don't find it anywhere nearly as motivating.

Angel- Thank you. My dad just gets sick a lot and is disabled. It just makes me all emotional when he goes into hospital... i go crazy! But thank you!

Ledom- Hope you enjoyed your paddling weekend!

Chick- Thanks for explaining potlucks to me! AWESOME JOB on the three pounds! That's huge! You really deserve it, you work so hard!

Gracie and Cindy! How are you both?

The weeks going ok, my food has been a little off, but i'm still stressed out so i expected it. I'm still working hard on my weights and i'm still noticing new, bigger, more toned muscles. It seems like they popped up overnight! Hope everyone is having a good week!

[nikkii]

Hi all, i hope your dad is going to be ok twinkle... Well my work out buddy on fridays has been a hinderece lately, full of excuses not to work out,,,which is depressing as she is 140kg, full of aches and pains, wants to get pregnate, ,,and lose weight and because she seen some guy come on tv and say that you can eat what you want, chocolate and all, and just sit on a chair with a resistance band for 20 mins a day, you can lose 6kg a week! which i think is a load of crap and she is the only one i have heard talk about it, so i think she may have made it up, and talked herself out of not counting calories, watching what she eats and most of all excercise..And is like talking to a brick wall....i had her doing Jillians cardio kickbox every friday and we havent done that for weeks now...
So today i am motivated to start my walking and jillians dvds again....i need to pull myself out of my depressive mood, as sitting on my fat butt sulking wont fix my problem!!
Well, on that note i am going to get the kids, go for a walk and cook calamari and fish with salad for dinner tonight....
Goodnight
Nikkii xxx

[graciezoe]

Hi everyone

I had a good week, I did my 6 day's on the treadclimber and also went for a 4 hour hike this morning. The weather has been perfect and I love the smell of the woods this time of year. On the weight front, I've lost 3.6 lbs this week...yeah me!!! I'm having trouble getting weight lifting into my schedule...alright it's not fitting the time, it's feeling intimidated by them. I strive for 1 hour a week, I usually end up with only 45 min. but I know I should do more.

I followed my food plan, eating fish five times this week. I'm already worrying about x-mas. Between my B-day on Dec. 23rd, work x-mas party on the 22nd and the actual day itself, I'm sure I'll lose total control.

Yesterday, at work, I got three..."you're looking great". That always makes it a good day. I hope everyone has a great week-end.

[nikkii]

Hi everyone!
Well done Graciezoe, that is a great effort! Well i wouldnt be too worried about xmas...deep down you know what is and isnt, and if you do let go a little, not to feel guilty....with new years around the corner, your news year resolutions may counter act it...lol
But i know what you mean as i am going to Perth for 2 weeks, and in those 2 weeks i will be confronted with vast amount of food, and alcohol to make the world drunk! lol
But i know that i will have to pack Jillian's dvd's with me!
Anyway, food wise i havent been that good, i have to try and lay off the breads and pasta and sweet things...But it dont help when it is the time of the month....
I have done a few walks this week which i am happy with, but it is so stinking hot today....it is over 30 c now,,,,no way am i walking in that heat! so i might go tonight when it is cooler.
I am hanging out for Monday night for the Biggest Loser as i have read online that Bob and Kim have a arguement as Kim questioned Bob on his training methods in front of everyone!!!
Something Jillian would never do is question Bob's methods!
Well i came across a jillian michaels fan site which as some good videos... it is http://jillianmichaelsfan.tripod.com/ it has a few interviews with jillian, baxters weigh in etc...
Regards Nikkii xxx