[amoses]

Eyle~ Go for it! That sounds exciting. Sounds like you are doing good with your walking. It is nice to see your self getting stronger and going longer each week.

[HollyBerries]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. It's a HUGE boost to get such positive reinforcement on such a consistant basis. I am using this board not only as that, but also as an incentive. I love reading about how well everyone else is doing, but have made a promise to myself that I can not come and visit until I have worked out. I have not missed a workout since finding you guys!
Aphil, thanks for the tips on getting some fiber in my diet. I have had such a rotten relationship with food for the past few years, I have forgotten what fruit tastes like. In fact, while I was reading your post, I called my hubby while he was doing some grocery shopping and had him pick up some fresh strawberries and some pineapple. We have lived together for 3 yrs and he has never seen me eat fruit. I think he thought it was a prank call!!! I let you know how I do.
The weather has finally gotten beautiful here in IL. My flowers are blooming, and Buddy, my Jack Russell Terrier is running around the backyard like his behind is on fire!! If only I had an 1/8th of his energy!!!
We are going on a short vacation to visit my hubby's mom in Tulsa, OK on Thurs. This will be a true test of my willpower. Everything revolves around FOOD!!!! Wish me luck!!!

Talk to you all soon!!!
Holly

[Lisi]

Hi Holly,
I want to say welcome too.
I like what you said about working out first. I have to do that about exercise too. Sometimes I just plan on checking my mail and I am here way too long. Today it got hot out and I had to wait and squeeze in a shortened walk later.

But I did it my 30 min.

[Lisi]

Well, I've caught up on reading, but still have to sort you all out.
Aphil, you make me wish I was home in Wichita, gardening. but the funny thing is our rental here in Savannah is on Jasmine.
Amie, sorry about such a car expense
Chrissy, I think your van has 9 lives

[cacmsc]

The spring weather is finally here and I think we are all grateful for that. Aphil thinking of the shorts and swimsuits really is a good idea. It will help motivate us for sure. I am glad the weather is nicer and now if I can't get to the gym at least a walk can be fit in my day. I have been trying to do a schedule of when I will exercise it seems to help. I have been doing it in the morning before going to the office. The gym isn't as busy and easier to get on the machines of choice. I stayed right around 1450 calories yesterday. I also worked out in the a.m. before work. I baked cookies yesterday but only ate one and wrapped the rest to give away and mail out to my son and daughter in law. Well have a good day everyone and Holly welcome aboard.

[amoses]

Eylse~ I use to live in GA for 9 years. I lived on Tybee Island for about a year or so then we lived in Wylmington Island for about 4 years than we had a house in Savannah were I went to middle school. It was too hot in the summer!

OP today! We had a great eveing. It was 80 yesterday and my DH actually went for a nice walk with me after dinner through our neighborhood. That was nice. Then I did my 1 hour Pilates. I am getting ready for those shorts. My tan is coming along nice now.

Have an OP day girls!

Amie

[Yolie]

Hello everyone!
Well I decided to allow myself one cheat day which is today. I had a donut for breakfast. Boy do I feel guilty. I am working out today for 1 hr 50 min. The scale finally moved downward 2 lbs on Mon. This morning it was up 1 lb. I hope it is water weight. Hope everyone doing great and motivated. We can do this!!

[Lisi]

DH's granddaughter Kaitlyn Rose arrived 4/6 at 3:47 PM - early, and fairly quickly
We head for Atlanta Thurs am - probably returning Sat. Be good y'all - ttyl.

Grandma Elyse

[Universityprincess]

Hey everyone,

My trampoline and African dance classes are kicking my behind...in a good way. I wish I could lose a pound a week, but so far that is not happening for me. I need to reschedule my appointment with the nutritionist so I can figure ou how much fat/calories I need to eat in a day. I think I lost a pound, but I am not going to add it to my weight tracker until next week at my official weigh in (my friend and I called this week's off due to...visitors)

I've been weight training like crazy, my bicep is looking pretty nifty, lol. I need to do some ab work, but I just don't like doing it. I know I need to work it into my routine somehow. Anyway, I just got back from the gym, so I am going to hop in the shower and call it a night.

Have a good evening everyone!

[cacmsc]

Yesterday I stayed within my calories for the day. I lacked in the area of veggies and will make up for that today. Lately, I haven't been as good about water intake and now I am charting to try and get into a routine of having enough for the day. I haven't had any reg. soda in along time and don't miss that now. Well I am off to the gym this a.m. and have preplanned my menu for the day. That seems to help me with staying in my limits I have set for myself. My scale day is saturday and I need to measure myself again. eYLSE CONGRADULATIONS ON THE NEW LITTLE ONE! I have 4 grandkids and love each little one of them. I am lucky to have them all living close to me so we get to spend time together often. Enjoy!
Princess your dance classes sound like lots of fun. Isn't it great when our bodies start to reshape! I just love having things starting to fit better and I feel much better.
Have a nice day everyone and stay motivated!

[angelinabtl]

Morning Ladies,

"Grandma" Elyse~ Congrats on the new grandbaby, how exciting, and what a beautiful name.....

University Princess~ Those African dance classes do sound like fun, I bet it is really good excersise, I wouldnt mind taking something like that(if I could find a place)...and I cant tell you how long I have been wanting a trampoline, ever since Amie and Scott was up here like 5-6 yrs ago and we all got on the one at her moms and had a BLAST!! (Amie you remember that) Those 2 things you are doing are both great excersise, you go girl!!!

Amie~ I cant believe your DH went walking with you, lol...I think its great, hopefully that wont be the only time he goes with you

Well it has been just beautiful out up here the last few days so I have been walking in the evenings after supper. The kids and fiance went with me on Tues. and then last night just my finace and I went, now that was a good walk, he walks fast anyways, and I had to do some fast steppin to keep up with him these little short legs can only move so fast, but let me tell you they were movin last night I felt so good when I got home, I love a fast brisk walk in the evening. Suppose to be ok out today and then sunny and nice throughout the weekend so I will be doing that brisk walk each day. Doing good staying OP as far as eating. I am hopeing for something of a loss this week when I get on the scale Been keeping up on the arm weights to, have done those monday and last night, I have been trying to keep on a schedule of those and do them everyother day. I hate slipping up, and I did, now I need to get back on track!!!

Well you all have a great day and keep those chins up!

Lori

[aphil]

Morning everyone!

Lisi-congrats!!!! let us know how the baby is!

UniversityPrincess-the dance collective where I started taking belly dance classes is sort of an "alternative" dance and fitness school. (Meaning not tap, jazz, and ballet like a lot of dance schools! ) There are fabulous instructors there for belly dance, African dance and African jenbe drumming, taiko drumming, modern dance, children's movement classes, Pilates, yoga, and at one time there were classes for hip-hop and breakdancing.
We often are in shows that include the members of the local African jenbe drummers and dancers-and they are phenominal! It is really a great workout!
If anyone is interested in looking to take a class like that, or belly dancing, or some other "harder to find" class-search online-or call all the different dance schools and see what they offer. The classes are around-you just have to do a little more research to find them.

Today is another busy one for me. Still frantically trying to finish costumes-and I have to start preparing for the show this weekend. Tomorrow night is the "welcome" party for the guest instructor-and we are havng a carry in dinner for her. I am going to the store tonight to get some fresh fruit to cut up and bring with me.
I also have to color my hair, get my vending (selling) stuff ready for Saturday, and run through the dances a couple times...and Dryel my costumes.
I also need to get a decent cardio workout in today!
Aphil

[VermontMom]

Hello ladies!!!

We've had (FINALLY!) some warmer weather (low to mid 50's with SUN) so yes, I've had the bike out...on Wednesday did almost 90 miles, with the sun warming my leathers, and my breezy half-helmet on ......awesome!!!

Welcome Hollyberries, from another Holly I'm still VermontMom, so as less confusion with two Hollys, or I'm pleased to be BikerHolly

Welcome also Yoli!

Lisi, congrats on the new granchild!

hi cacsme, good to hear from you!

Lori, glad that you also are getting some great weather!

amie, hi, SORRY about the expensive car repairs but CONGRATS on being down a pound, you're doing so well!!!

Hi aphil!! you busy woman, you Hey, I remember the "ugly bushes"!!! You've also got great will power to resist weighing for so long.

hi UniversityPrincess! good for you for taking those exercise classes!! and for your weight training. That exercise is gonna burn calories, speed you metabolism and shape those muscles! yay!

We still have piles of snow around, and the places where the snow has retreated has shown the UGLY UGLY lawn underneath...sodden, black with the unraked leaves (oops ) and the dreaded......DOG POOP SECTION!! The ground is too saturated to do any raking yet (there are PILES of sand, gravel, crud along the driveway) but I can do picking up of winter debris - about a million branches, about a billion twigs and what's blown out of our recycling bins all winter

did I tell you all that I'm "off" south Beach now, just going back to my regular way of "doin' it". My husband is still doing a modified SB, but I don't know if he's losing any more. He still doesn't exercise at all, always has an excuse, it would help him SO much, just to feel a little better! I know he always is a little more energetic once it's spring/summer, especially with all the cycle riding...maybe that's what he needs.

Oh! this will be fun (I hope). Our foodservice wholesaler is having a food show next Tuesday at a local hotel's conference center, and the night before is a "casino night" (play money) with games, raffles, prizes, a dinner. As a client, I was offered a free room at the hotel for Monday night! Yay!! I LOVE staying in hotels, as I never get to So I'll drive there from work on Monday early evening (it's about 50 miles from here), change and attend the Casino night; spend the night, then attend the Food Show that's from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. My husband can attend the Casino night and spend the night with me, but then has to go to work the next morning.

This is the ONLY benefit I've received from my grueling winter as Assistant Manager, and I'm gonna take full advantage of it!!! There is a heated indoor pool, and an Exercise room....double YAY!!

What am I wearing, I hear you ask? Well, I have a couple of choices. I can now fit into a pair of black Limited size 8 slacks, I don't' know what style they're called, alot of young girls wear them..they are low (below my belly button), no real waistband (no loops) and zip up the side. They are nicely snug, have some lycra or spandex to make them snug, and a slightly flared leg.

I have a pale violet silk shell, with a snug little light cardigan sweater (the sweater is a kinda shortie one) that look good with the slacks.

OR I have three dresses to chose from...I have two that are "pellini" brand, they're casual prints, short-sleeved, long in length (mid-to-bottom calf), pretty cute, would look good with some black sandals I have..OR a dressier number I got yesterday for $6.00 - it's black, rayon, short sleeved, slight shoulder pads, v-neck, an open back with a tie back there, and longish length also. And for another $4.00, I got a pair of HIGH heels (3 1/2 inch heels) ankle straps, the very pointed toe that is squared off? does this description make any sense

I'm still very self-conscious about my upper arms, they're proportionately bigger than the rest of me, but maybe with some tanning/bronzing lotion, I won't be as self-conscious.

I am pleased about fitting INTO the dresses - one pellini is marked S, the other 9/10; and the black dress is a 6! But remember I have jeans marked 8 that are snug

I have off today (not by choice, just my hours cut) so I am soon to exercise, haircut at 11:00, laundry, picking-up, then maybe a ride this afternoon, if the sun comes out!

[VermontMom]

I received this insert in my motorcycle insurance bill...from the Sentry Insurance co., some facts about motorcycles that car/truck riders should know...hope you don't mind if I post it here

TEN THINGS ALL DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MOTORCYCLES

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle - they ignore it - usually unintentionally.

Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at intersections.

2. A motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle's speed.

When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into or out of a driveway, realize that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. A motorcycle can easily be hidden in a car's blind spots or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car such as bushes, fences and bridges.

Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. A motorycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is.

Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light.

Allow more following distance. At intersections, expect that a motorcyclist may slow down without visible warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders - especially beginners - sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.

Watch for other signs that a motorcyclist is making a turn.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust posiiton within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind.

Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to allow you to share the lane with them or to be reckless or show off.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions.

But, don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult.

Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury in traffic collisions than other roadway users since they don't have the advantage of being surrounded by 3,000 pounds of steel.

When a motorcycle is in motion, think of it as a person.

*************** now a word from Holly, BikerChick

We motorcyclists KNOW that we are smaller, and harder to see. We KNOW that car/truck operators do not want to cut us off, or cause any collisions. We do all we can to make ourselves visible to you, as to keep accidents from occuring. We want to enjoy the road as you do. We don't want you to think we're nutty rebels well, some are, but not all. We obey traffic laws as you do, smile and wave at little kids, raise money for good causes, just like everyone else. We're just doing it on two wheels, and it's alot of fun.
Thank you for listening

Holly, member AMA (American Motorcyclist Association)
member UMV (United Motorcyclists of Vermont)

[aphil]

Holly-I have seen pictures of your NICELY SHAPED arms. You have no reason to be self conscious.