Aliasihaya - I've always wondered if a personal trainer could help me lose weight more efficiently than I am on my own. How long does your trainer have you do cardio/weights for? Does she give you advice about what to eat to fuel your workouts? How much does she cost? Free time is getting to be a bit of an issue for me, as I work full time and have 2 hours of commuting, and am also trying to finish my novel on my own time. I don't like to spend more than an hour total working out at the gym, because it takes almost an hour total to get ready for the workout and to clean up after it. How long does your trainer have you train?

Everyone, your body pump class sounds awesome. For some reason LA Fitness has phased that one out (at least around where I live). They now include too much cardio and balance exercises. If I wanted to do either of those things, I'd do cardio or yoga. It's weights I have a hard time disciplining myself to do, so I really wish they'd bring back the class. It was fun.

I hear you Writer!! That is EXACTLY why I started going to Body Pump! I was not able to push myself with weights because it doesn't give me the endorphin rush that cardio gives me so I have a tough time motivating myself. I am sorry that you can't get to a class...a lot of people are crazy about cardio and dance (Zumba is HUGE!!!) I need the weight training!!! I even upped my chest weight today!!! Woo hoo!!! 12kgs!!! 26.4 pounds not including the bar!!! Yay me!!!! :-)

~Raven~

Yes, yay Ravengirl!!! you are the awesome

NYxwriter, wow 2 hours of commuting a day, that must be hard.

Hello to everyone I'm tired of all the ice, and cold of winter. Having sunny weather helps but it's still below freezing like always...I'm just lucky that usually I'm at this point much earlier.

I'm still doing good on South Beach, tomorrow is my Day 14 (that means NO flour, NO sugar, NO D@MN cookies for 14 days!!!)

Good evening everyone!

Vermont, congrats on the 14 days on SB. It's really a great way of eating. And it's not super cold here, but it's been cloudy and rainy off and on since the start of the year. I'm ready for some warm sunny weather!

Raven, congrats on the weight loss!

I'm off to eat dinner...I marinated salmon in fajita marinade. This should be interesting...wish me luck.

grneyedmustang, how was the salmon?

good morning chicks. There was a really pretty full moon hanging over the small mountain that I see out the window as I sit here..now the moon has slipped down but the morning sun is making the snow on the mountain kinda pink..very pretty.

I'm scared that I started feeling a little down yesterday. For no reason, not that there ever is a valid reason! trying to 'count my blessings' ; nice car that works, everyone's healthy, roof over my head, i have lost weight and I can feel more muscle tone..but something is making me want to feel sorry for myself and be mopey. ???

Good morning everyone and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Vermont, the fish wasn't bad - it was a little bland though. I may tinker with the marinade and try it again.

And it's amazing how "feeling down" will strike sometimes with no reason at all. Usually when that happens I try to go work out, or walk, or get some kind of movement. Exercise helps me zone out for a while and not think about "being down".

Hope your day gets better!

How is everyone else?

it did get better, thank you!! I tried on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn since 2008 and they fit enough to wear to work..my boss said I looked 'thinner'...and a handsome man flirted with me the littlest things can change a mood can't they

Vermont, way to go you hot chick you! Sounds like you had a pretty darn good day. Your hard work is really paying off! Hopefully that will ward off any bad feelings until spring.

I've been doing pretty well emotionally, at least I'm not at that terrible hopeless place.

Grneyedmustang, the salmon sounds good. I like to marinate mine in teriyaki and any asian flavors.

I am soooo very glad you are NOT at that terrible hopeless place, hope! that place sux.

Thank you Vermont. I appreciate it.

DF had a cold last week and has been in bed for basically 4 days. I started getting a sore throat last night and was kinda suffering through work today at my part time retail job. I plan to load up on Nyquil and cough drops and hope that I don't have to miss any work this week. I talk on the phone all day so I'm praying I don't lose my voice.

Yesterday was the first day I've gotten out on Saturday, which is my only day off each week, in more than a month. Prepare to make fun of me but I got up early and bought the collector's edition of Twilight Breaking Dawn when it came out , then went to see The Vow with a friend and then met some other girlfriends for dinner. I had been staying in and saving money but I was due to see my friends.

Wish me luck on not getting sicker.

Well, I ended up with a terrible sinus infection. I'm staying home today to try to get over it. I went to the Dr yesterday and got some antibiotics so I hope they kick in soon. I plan to take a long nap today but it's hard to sleep when you can't breath well. The skin around my nose is absolutely raw from blowing it so much yesterday.

On a positive note I'm down 7 pounds just from eating at home more instead of eating out all the time. I'm still above my starting weight on my ticker. I need to change it because it is terribly wrong.

hey girls i am still about just taken a turn for the worse depression wise and uni has gone down ill so been really stressed and not mt self i am back on antidepressents now and im not taking to them to well and says im not allowed to drink hope your all ok xxx

Oh ems!!!! I'm so sorry to hear that. You have been missed. I was hoping it was just because you were busy. HUGS to you hon. Take your meds if they help, okay? we love you !

Hope4me, sorry about the sinus infection!! I know how absolutely horrible you can feel, before you start to feel better. I hope the antibiotics kick in sooon.

Ems, I hate to hear that you're having such a rough time. Are you taking the same meds you took before and now having different side effects or are you trying new meds? School is hard to handle if you are feeling really down. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Vermont, I went back to work today and I feel better than yesterday but still have a ways to go. How are you doing? Are you still following South Beach?

good morning chicks

Hopeforme, yes I'm still doing very good on South Beach. Today is 21 days! I did have one slip up on Monday, I had a cookie at work. Exactly the kind of thing I am trying to avoid completely! but that was the only sugar/flour in those 21 days.

it's easy for me because it's food that I do love. Egg (I use egg substitute) veggies (mostly I cook onion, bell peppers, broccoli/cauliflower) chicken breast, beans, tomato products, lean ground beef, low or no-fat yogurt, skim milk. Oh and nuts, I savor my 1 Tbsp. of natural crunchy peanut butter each night. I'm down almost 5 pounds which is not a huge loss for South Beach but I'll take it (or lose it ) It's inspired me to keep on keeping on, and to work out every day too.