Cake, Fantastic!!! My goodness girl, you are dedicated!!! And look at that new avatar pic!! Woohoo!! :carrot: That is so exciting!! I think it's safe to say that we are ALL so proud of you!! :bravo:

FSA, it sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! It's a hard life when the sun makes you sleepy, isn't it? Lol! :beach:

Well, I read that when you are strength training, you should go until your muscles feel tired, not hurt, but tired, so I upped the weight and the reps yesterday (and avoided some machines altogether), and I thought for sure I would be aching this morning, but nope! I really think I just can't distinquish the aches from my RA and fibromyalsia, which is great news! I was excited, lol! And I've been getting my 45 minutes of walking in everyday, so I'm quite happy! :yay:

I hope everyone is doing well!!

Hello ladies!! I've missed you!!!

and I'M DONE WITH MY THESIS!!! I finished it, bound it and turned it in on Friday, clocking in at 145 pages, so, essentially, I wrote a book. Rock on.

And I'd love to say that I spent the whole weekend celebrating, but the truth is, I've never been so utterly exhausted in my entire life. And I had two performances with the Handbell choir I co-founded four years ago, which has grown from a group of about 9 people into a full-fledged ensemble of 20+ ringers while I've been in college (if you don't know what hand bells are, ask me...I'd love to talk more about it, haha). So other than performing, schlepping big cases of handbells up and down stairs, and catching the occasional drink with my friends, I spent this whole weekend lying in bed, trying to to worry about the typos that I KNOW are somewhere in those 145 pages. Now I only have a few more papers and classes left, and a few weeks with my friends, and then I'll have graduated.

I haven't gotten very much exercise since I last wrote...I gave myself the weekend off, but I'm hoping to get back to the gym today. I estimate I've done 4 miles of walking since last Wednesday...and no push-ups, so I'll have to go back a bit on those. 7 miles this week to hit my goal of 50.

new totals: 43.3/14.5/28.8
AND ONE COMPLETE THESIS.

Jacqui since you were an English teacher, I'm sure you'd love to know that I'm actually an English major, philosophy minor, and so my thesis is one step closer to my B.A. in English. And unemployment. Hand in hand, apparently.

CakeBatter, way to rock that 5k!!! Your time is amazing! You should be extraordinarily proud of yourself!!

Thanks to all you ladies for your thoughts and support! Keep trucking, we're almost to May!

EDIT: went to the gym this afternoon, and decided to take it slow. 1 mile fast walk, 1.5 mile run. Totals 45.8/15.5/30.3

4/1- 3miles walking
4/2- 1 mile (15 minutes on nordic track) + long bad day at work!
4/3- 3.3 miles on nordic track, upperbody weights, and 2x40 reps ab lounge
4/4- 4 mile hike, .5 miles nordic track
4/5- shopping? I did get like 8000+ steps but did not sweat (2.5 miles)
4/6- 40 min Nordic track( 2.6 miles), upper body wts, 100 reps on ab lounge.
4/7- 57 min Nordictrack (3.3 miles), Walk 1 mile, 40 reps on ab lounge
4/8- 1.6 mile walk in the hay field
week 1 total miles-22.8 miles!!
4/9- 10771 steps at work today.....did all the extra gofering as I could (3.9 miles).
4/10 sat and did taxes all day, got called into work early
4/11 1.3 miles on the nordic track, then got called in to work again
4/12 at work.....nothing
4/13 walked 0.5 miles after easter dinner
4/14 nothing, some house work....forgot my pedometer
4/15 Serious housework 2.5 miles on Nordic track
week 2 total miles 8.2
4/16 3.6 miles on nordic track
4/17 3.8 miles on nordic track
4/18 0===>ran as maid of honor
4/19 in bed sick
4/20 2.8 miles on ski + 100 ab lounge crunches
4/21 1miles
4/22 house work, gardening
Week 3 total miles11.2

4/23 2.9 miles walking
4/24 3.7 nordic track
4/25 3.1 miles nordic track
4/26 None, stuck at work
4/27 5.2 miles Hiking/walking:D
4/28
4/29
4/30

Hi girls, it is the final countdown!!! My motto for the next 3 days is "EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!!!!!!"

icando~what was your thesis topic? Yay on finishing! I have seen bell choirs, I especially love to listen at christmas time!
jaqui~ glad to hear your RA is not slowing you down! keep up the good work!
Cake~ OOOOMMMMGGGG! Congratulations on rocking your 5K! Love your new avatar:cheer: Awesome job!
FSA- Glad to hear you got a chance to walk on your beach! It's been hot here too, but I've been kinda stuck at work this weekend. But I did get the garden weeded, hopefully my plants will start growing a little faster than the weeds- hahaha! Tomorrow, I am planning my first salad with the lettuce from my garden, Yummy!
Terapet- still having troubles on your job?, that sucks! Too bad it is even making your workout suffer, not sure how to help.....I think I would turn up my ipod and make sure they were songs like "take this job and shove it" by Johnny paycheck:devil:
Girls, Lets rock these last few days of April!

Apr 1 60 min Zumba class: 60 min Yoga class
Apr 2 60 min step class
Apr 3 30 min elliptical(8/8);30 min treadmill(4.3)
Apr 4 Yard Work
Apr 5 60 min Step class; 60 min Zumba class
Apr 6 60 min Step class: 60 min Yoga
Apr 7 60 min Body Sculpting class

Apr 8 60 min Zumba; 60 min Yoga
Apr 9 0
Apr 10 0
Apr 11 0
Apr 12 0
Apr 13 0
Apr 14 0

Apr 15 0
Apr 16 0
Apr 17 60 minutes Zumba
Apr 18 90 minutes walking (strolling pace)
Apr 19 60 minutes Zumba
Apr 20 30 minutes jogging outside
Apr 21 15 minutes Elliptical; 60 minutes Body Sculpting class

Apr 22 60 min Zumba; 60 minutes Yoga
Apr 23 45 min Step
Apr 24 60 min Zumba
APR 25 0
APR 26 45 min stroll with my neighbor; washed cars
APR 27 60 min Step; 60 min Yoga

Thanks for all the support ladies. Work is not a bad place except there is not enough work. I am with a small construction company and they are not finding any projects this year.:( So far they are keeping me around but they cut my hours and I can see there is definitely less for me to do. Plus my youngest is graduating and getting ready to go away to college. This of course is a good thing but it is still making me anxious and kinda sad. So, really just normal regular stuff that I just need to deal with. At least I am back at the Y although less frequent. There is a lot going on this month so realistically there is no way I can keep up the previous schedule.

Lewisempire-Congrats on getting in the 5 mile hike. Where did you hike?

Icando-:cheer:for completing the thesis! What a wonderful accomplishment.

Cake-WooHoo for running the 5K! That is great. Nice avatar.

Jacqui-I am so pleased you are enjoying your Y membership. I think weight training is so rewarding. No matter what, you always get better if you just stick with it. (Unlike tennis for me)

FSA-I am jealous of your beach. Sounds heavenly. I can hear the traffic outside my office window-I will have to pretend it is ocean waves. :D

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/1- 3miles walking
4/2- 1 mile (15 minutes on nordic track) + long bad day at work!
4/3- 3.3 miles on nordic track, upperbody weights, and 2x40 reps ab lounge
4/4- 4 mile hike, .5 miles nordic track
4/5- shopping? I did get like 8000+ steps but did not sweat (2.5 miles)
4/6- 40 min Nordic track( 2.6 miles), upper body wts, 100 reps on ab lounge.
4/7- 57 min Nordictrack (3.3 miles), Walk 1 mile, 40 reps on ab lounge
4/8- 1.6 mile walk in the hay field
week 1 total miles-22.8 miles!!
4/9- 10771 steps at work today.....did all the extra gofering as I could (3.9 miles).
4/10 sat and did taxes all day, got called into work early
4/11 1.3 miles on the nordic track, then got called in to work again
4/12 at work.....nothing
4/13 walked 0.5 miles after easter dinner
4/14 nothing, some house work....forgot my pedometer
4/15 Serious housework 2.5 miles on Nordic track
week 2 total miles 8.2
4/16 3.6 miles on nordic track
4/17 3.8 miles on nordic track
4/18 0===>ran as maid of honor
4/19 in bed sick
4/20 2.8 miles on ski + 100 ab lounge crunches
4/21 1miles
4/22 house work, gardening
Week 3 total miles11.2

4/23 2.9 miles walking
4/24 3.7 nordic track
4/25 3.1 miles nordic track
4/26 None, stuck at work
4/27 5.2 miles Hiking/walking
4/28 2.6 miles walking
4/29
4/30
I think I can....I think I can.....I think i can....!!!!

Ran for a while today, walked for a bit.
4/28 - Ran 3.1, walked .7

Totals 50.6/16.2/33.4

reached 50 mile goal.

LewisEmpire - my thesis was about representations and theories of War in women's literature, i.e. what women think about war, how they write about war, and how they hope to end war. Basically, I spent 9 months thinking about war, all the time.

Good luck with the last days of April, everyone!!

ICANNNN :bravo: :congrat: Congrats on finishing your thesis!!!!! :carrot::carrot::carrot::cp::cp::cp: That is fantastic!! :dancer::dancer::dancer: And now you are almost completely finished with school!! :cheer3: :cheer2: :cheer3::woohoo: WTG!!:encore:And of course, I just love hearing that you are an English major! It's always nice to know I'm not the only crazy one around, lol!! :D

Lewis, you are doing a GREAT JOB!!! Way to finish strong!! :carrot::carrot::carrot:

Terapet, I am so sorry to hear that the construction company you work for is having such a hard time. :( I think you are doing a great job with your exercise considering all that you are dealing with! :hug:

Hi FSA, Cake, and all the rest of our ladies!! :wave:

ORIGINAL GOAL (45 min once a day): April 1--Biked! April 2--Biked! Walked! April 3--Biked! April 4--Walked! NEW GOAL (30 min twice a day): April 5--Walked! Biked! April 6--Biked! Biked! April 7--Biked! Biked! April 8--Biked! Biked! April 9--Walked! Biked! April 10--Biked! Biked! April 11--Walked! Biked! April 12--Biked! Biked! April 13--Walked! Biked! April 14--Biked! Walked (kinda)! April 15--Biked! Biked! April 16--Walked! Biked! April 17--Walked! Biked! ORIGINAL GOAL (45 min once a day): April 18--Walked! April 19--Walked! April 20--Walked! April 21--Walked! April 22--Walked! April 23--Walked! April 24--Walked! April 25--Walked! April 26--Walked! April 27--Walked! April 28--Walked! April 29--Walked!

hey girls just wanted to stop in say HI. I am still kicking just haven't been able to post as much as usual. Today is 20/20/20/20 int he gym today.. This is my killer day. 80 minutes of cardio!

ICAN - WTG YOU SHOULD BE SOOOOOOO PROUD yourself!!!! I love english and literature that is what I want to major in.

Good Job Ladies. Tomorrow is our last day of the month ....let's get it IN!!!!

hi girlssssssssssss :hug: miss you all. Congrats to everyone on their workouts. I need to run and will be back later because I want to do personals and catch up here and post my minutes too. I have been walking and getting around TOM pretty good this month. Oh, I posted our new thread for May (sister thread) so it is up and running. ICan, omg, congratulationssssssssssssssssssssssss :) I will be back later on, hugs

Wow congrats Cake!! Nice time! I am so ready to get on the ball training for a 5K, but time is NOT on my side right now. We'll see what next month holds. I certainly hope it means more time to post here and keep in touch better with you ladies. I am not as focused right now which is presenting another challenge. I have made progress. Reacher 169.6, but stalled out due to TOM!!! UGH!!! so frustrating! Well, a couple more days, we'll see how it goes! Best of luck to all meeting goals in these last couple days. Sounds like everyone has already pretty much done it! I have stayed mostly quite active, but therre have been a couple days that weren't as good. Mostly, I'm pleased with my progress. I'm signiong up for the May thread in the hopes that I can actually be moe involved at some point in the next couple weeks...it's so much easier with you loadies egging me on!!!

okay girls, I am back. Its so strange, it hasn't been that long since I have posted here but it feel like forever. I really miss you gals and you all have really made this a fantastic thread. I love our team (same in our sister thread) and I think it so neat how we stick together and help keep each other going........really love each and every one of you, let's keep it rocking chickies :).

Terapet, NOooooooooooo, it is not dumb! OH god, don't say that girl. It's not dumb at all. I hope your feeling better, you sure have a lot going on right now and many changes taking place so with good reason you may of been feeling a bit anxious lately. The exercise though? That one may help you get over it, yes? It's a great outlet and I hope you can get through that barrier to utilize it to your advantage! I am sorry to hear of the difficulties at your work, construction is at a difficult place right now from what I understand , but hopefully things will pick up this spring and we will begin again to grow in an economic sense.
I was talking to my cousing on Sunday (during the family get together) and her oldest daughter is heading off to college. She is proud as well but beside herself and already thinking of how to deal with the changes. So glad your back at the Y and don't forget you got us here! :hug: Glad your here terapet.

Lewisempireeeeeeeeee, hi :) wtg on the miles girl! :carrot::carrot: oh how nice! Did you have your first salad with the lettuce? wow! and weeding already! lol. OMG, with the recent warm days here, the weeds took off too...Dh reminded me the other day! lol ;) Tell us about that salad! :) p.s you can, you can :) keep it rockin' chicky.

Icandoallthings, congratulationssssssssssssss :carrot::carrot::congrat: on completing your thesis and graduation, etc. and you still reached your goal miles! amazing! As for not celebrating because you were tired and needed to catch up on some rest, I can see that! You have been working so hard...congrats yet once again and hope to see you continue in our journey together :).

jacquiiiiii, hi :) I am so so glad that your athritis has not been bothering you and you have been enjoying the Y and just kicking some major hiney! That is so wonderful! wtg on your 45 minute walks and all else you have been doing.

Cakebatter,,,,,,,,,,,,,, hey hey our runner! :) congratulationsssssss cake...on your run and your time! oh you! THat is fantastic, wtg cake! :carrot::carrot: Good on that your st ill going to be here, oh I hope so sweety...would miss you much too much if you go...we need you! Let's all keep on truckin' together.

Hi pretty freind and Ms perception...and a big hi to all.

Girls , it's been an incredible month together. We still ahve tomorrow left. I didn't do anything today, my foot wa s little sore so I took the day off but hope to get some stuff in tomorrow for our last day. I took a walk with DH on the beach yesterday but I really should of known better than to walk on an angle like that (that particular beach slopes) as it gets my ankle everytime! Needless to say, sure I will be fine tomorrow and ready for some action! How can I not be? Your are awesome go getters, all of you! much hugs, talk more tomorrow!
No workout for me yet today but boy did you a4/1 -40 min. wii aerobics
4/2 -68 min. ( 30 min. walk-t.m, 20 min. wii aer., 18 min strenght training).
4/3 -none
4/4 -82 min. (40 min. walk-t.m, 20 min. wii aer, 22 min. u.b.s.t)
4/5 -60 min. walk-outdoors.
4/6 -40 min. wii aer.
4/7 -17 min. u.b.s.t
Total: 307 min.

4/8 - day off
4/9 - 80 min. walk-outdoors
4/10 -50 min. walk-outdoors
4/11 -none
4/12 -60 min. (40 min. wii aer., 20 min. u.b.s.t)
4/13 -75 min. (40 min. wii aer, 35 min. walk-t.m)
4/14 -105 min.(60 min. walk, 30 min. wii aer., 15 min. u.b.s.t)
Total: 370 min.

4/15 -20 min. walk
4/16 -90 min. (walk, aer.+u.b.s.t)
4/17 -40 min. walk
4/18 -none - just so busy cleaning, etc...lots of ex. that way.
4/19 -Day off
4/20 -90 min. (30 min. wii aer., 60 min. walk)ll inspire me to make sure I get in my walk or a workout.........everyone is doing great! Have a terrific evening girls, Catch you all real soon!
4/21 -60 min. (45 min. wii aer.,15 min. u.b.s.t)
Total: 300 minutes

4/22 -20 min. walk
4/23 -35 min. wii aer.
4/24 -60 min. walk
4/25 -45 min. walk-beach
4/26 -Day off
4/27 -20 min. walk
4?28- 45 min walk (beach)

4/29 - none
4/30 -
4/31 -

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/1- 3miles walking
4/2- 1 mile (15 minutes on nordic track) + long bad day at work!
4/3- 3.3 miles on nordic track, upperbody weights, and 2x40 reps ab lounge
4/4- 4 mile hike, .5 miles nordic track
4/5- shopping? I did get like 8000+ steps but did not sweat (2.5 miles)
4/6- 40 min Nordic track( 2.6 miles), upper body wts, 100 reps on ab lounge.
4/7- 57 min Nordictrack (3.3 miles), Walk 1 mile, 40 reps on ab lounge
4/8- 1.6 mile walk in the hay field
week 1 total miles-22.8 miles!!
4/9- 10771 steps at work today.....did all the extra gofering as I could (3.9 miles).
4/10 sat and did taxes all day, got called into work early
4/11 1.3 miles on the nordic track, then got called in to work again
4/12 at work.....nothing
4/13 walked 0.5 miles after easter dinner
4/14 nothing, some house work....forgot my pedometer
4/15 Serious housework 2.5 miles on Nordic track
week 2 total miles 8.2
4/16 3.6 miles on nordic track
4/17 3.8 miles on nordic track
4/18 0===>ran as maid of honor
4/19 in bed sick
4/20 2.8 miles on ski + 100 ab lounge crunches
4/21 1miles
4/22 house work, gardening
Week 3 total miles11.2

4/23 2.9 miles walking
4/24 3.7 nordic track
4/25 3.1 miles nordic track
4/26 None, stuck at work
4/27 5.2 miles Hiking/walking
4/28 2.6 miles walking
4/29 2.6 miles Nordic track!!! Goal surpassed!!!!!!!!!
4/30

WOW! I met my mileage goal! I couldn't have done it without the support and friendship of all you April challenge chicks!!!! I wasn't sure I was gonna pull it off this month, but the last few days you all cheered me on, so I couldn't letcha down! Thank you to you all!
Let's RROOCCKK May!

stairmaster 1.8 miles, walked 1 miles--I'll add the stairmaster to the walking section.
53.4/19.0/34.4--somewhere along the way my math got messed up, so i rounded it out in this one. i think. bit brain dead.

I'm hoping to run a 10k tomorrow to end April with a bang! Good luck on your last days, everyone!! I'm looking forward to seeing you in May

Hey GIIIIRRRLLLSSS!

I got in 3 miles yesterday and my 20/20/20/20! I was so proud and drenched in sweat!!! I surpassed my running goal by almost 23 miles!!! OMG and tonight after I WI I will post my final end of the month weight and type my farewell post!...unitl MAY that is :D

I'm gonna catch up with you all in the May thread. I hope to be online more regularly by mid-month, so I may join the exercise thread late, but I'll be reading it. Keep up the good work everyone! Such an awesome job this month!!