Hi Guys!

Yesterday I actually met my hubby at his job and walked for a half hour on his lunch break! Now that's a big deal! I drove like Mr. Magoo getting there, sincie I was on pain killers, but nevertheless I made it there and back. Waaaahooooo!! I had to prove to myself that I was getting better. I'm not good at being sick. I'm always trying to prove something, then having to go to lay on the couch from exhaustion. What an idiot. :dizzy:

Jusdoit, accountable, schmountable! Who cares if we exercise every day as long as we try. Our goal is to improve ourselves any way we can. I think it's fantastic that you try to exercise in the morning as you get ready for work and take care of your family. Or that you try to make it up after work, when that's an impossible time for most people. Do you know how many people use having too many priorities as an excuse for not exercising? You're actually making it happen. I'm super proud of you!! I don't know if I could do it if I had a child and a dog. That's a lot of stuff going on. All I'm trying to say is keep up the good work! You're doing a great job!!

Shasta, congrats on losing an inch this month!!!!! That is so fantastic!!!! You really motivate us with your journalling and exercise goals. I started journalling my cals again, too. It really helps me to stay on track. And congrats for keeping up with Denise Austin and now rowing for 24 minutes!!! People will be so surprised at how good you look when they see you at Thanksgiving.

Pamela, I forgot to tell you, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" Super congrats to you for passing up the cake. That is totally awesome.

Hope everyone has a great day. I've already fed my critters and plan on taking another slow drive to my hubby's job at lunchtime. I'm determined to get strong again.

(Hugs),
Dena

Thanks for the birthday greetings everyone! I still haven't biked again but am learning to control my food intake in proportion to my exercise output. If I don't do a set routine or whatever, I just cut back on food. We do a lot of mall walking though! I try and dance with Emmett whenever I can or just plain chase the child:) I'm also trying to clean the house which I'm sure is some kind of workout. Gotta go to bed, but wanted to post!
In Christ,
Pamela

Hi Gang! I'm back with a vengeance :lol: . Yesterday I bought two small notebooks - one for journaling food and one for journaling workouts. I had been using a running log for workouts but it just doesn't cut it anymore since I'm much more diverse these days. I started yesterday with the first "Hot Point Fitness" workout. I really liked it. Phase 1 is 3 days a week of weight training (with a short aerobic session) so that'll be Tues/Thurs/Sat. In between those days I'll do an aerobic workout. This morning I swam for 36 minutes. I hadn't swum (swam?) for about a week so it sure felt good. And the water was very warm :) - always a treat early in the a.m.

Dena - I love your Mr. Magoo story! That's so funny :lol: . Thank you so much for your encouraging words. It really helps :) . You are doing great going out of your way to walk with hubby. But, try not to overdo it. I know you're going nuts, but, as you know, it's better to take it easy now and fully recuperate, than to try to do too much and prolong the recuperation time. Did that make sense :dizzy: ? I know you know what I mean. I just happened to read something yesterday about someone that had been bit by a black widow spider and got seriously ill. I mention that only to say that your body really does need time to restore itself. Try to be patient. You'll be using up that pent up energy in no time ;) .

Pamela - Good job on being so reasonable with the "calorie input v. exercise output". It seems like such a simple equation but not so easy to put into action. It sounds like you're still doing lots of moving and I'm sure you'll be back on your bike in no time. Like I said to Dena, try to be patient and give your body the time it needs to heal.

I guess that's all for now. Tomorrow is another "hotpoint" workout. I'll let you know at the end of the first phase what I think.

Take care everyone:wave:

Fit Day
 

Hello ladies:
How is you???
I hope burnin butter!!!!
Today was Taebo day! Great workout! I was able to do my rowing for 24 minutes last night and wt.training for 20 minutes. I'm able to move a little bit better now so I'm sure that's a good sign. I know it will take time to really see results I'm looking for so I'm just aiming for my goal of five days a week.
I'm reading a new book called "thin for life"! It has such inspirational stories in there for me. It talks about not being so hard on yourself if you don't meet a goal, to just start new again the next day. Healthy self-talk is what they call it.
Don't be so hard on yourself if you miss a day excercising. I always think of that one quote : "It doesn't matter how many times you fall, but what matters is you get back up!"
I'm so proud of you guzs for all the hard work you all are doing burning those Calories! I know how much motivation it takes....STAY strong Ladies!!!! THanksgiving is jus a hop, skip and a jump away!!!!

Dena: Glad you had a nice walk! Just give yourself time to heal ;) I know how hard that must be though...Just don't over do it...hope you get better real fast!!!!

Pam: good job watching your diet vs. excercise activity. Sounds like your still burning calories!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!! Before you know it you'll be back on your bike!

Just do it: Your swim sounded so refreshing! I'm sure your journaling will be so motivating!!!! Your hot point fitness sounds really good, that's my next book to buy!!!!!

You ya all have a nice evening....

Take good care,
Shasta

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went on a bike ride today and it felt sooooooooooooo good:) We also walked the mall of America (it's busy again, yay!) and chased 5 under 2 yr olds in the nursery at church. It felt good to have to not watch the calories tonight when we got home (I indulged in some spaghetti but not ice cream!).

Shasta: Good for you reading the inspirational stories! That was an awesome quote too...

Justdoit: It's cool that you have logs now. I post my food journal daily on another site and it's good to see where everything is, has been, and where it's going!!!

In Christ,
Pamela

Hi Everyone!

I am just sooooo proud of you guys! You inspire me so much! Unfortunately, I think I overdid it these last couple of days. I have to call the doc again today for more pain killers. (And I don't usually like to take any kind of meds, except vitamins.) But, Jusdoit, you were right. I think I'm prolonging my recuperation period by trying to walk and wanting to take care of stuff around here. You know... things pile up... work, chores, etc. and I think I can handle it and then... bam, I'm back on the couch in excruciating pain. :dz: Then last night I started going into a freezing, then hot, then a freezing shakey feeling. I don't think that's a good sign.

I'm proud to say that I've been totally good on my diet. Can't believe I still have an appetite. What's that all about?! In pain, but still able to eat? :lol:

I really look forward to reading everyone's successes and accomplishments. I love all the new books and ideas that you are coming up with, too. :)

(Hugs),
Dena

Hey Y'all. I had my Phase I, Day 2 workout today (Hot Point Fitness). It was great. There are a few things I'm noticing about the program that is really helping me: (1) it makes me concentrate much more on lifting, rather than just racing through the weights to get to the bike or run or whatever; (2) I'm getting a much more thorough and longer weight workout; (3) Abs are part of the program so I actually do them; and (4) using a lot of free weights are making me concentrate and focus as opposed to the machines that you don't really have to think about. The free weights take focus to balance, etc. So, there's my report. Tomorrow is another swim day.

Dena - I certainly won't say I told you so ;) , but I will say I'm so sorry you're still in so much pain :( . I hope you got the painkillers and they're effective. That's great that you're still on plan eating-wise. Just concentrate on that and don't worry about the exercise until you are REALLY AND TRULY up to it :) . You're in my prayers.

Pamela - WOOHOOOOOO on the bike ride. That's GREAT news:D .

Shasta - tae bo, wt training, rowing, YOU GO GIRL!!!! I was thinking about you this morning because I know you've said how much you like weight training. I think you'd really like the Hot Point Fitness book. Pick it up when you can and let me know what you think. Right now I think I'll probably do Phase I a few times before tackling Phase II.

Take care everyone and thanks for your posts :) :) .

Just checkin' in
 

I went for a run on my lunch hour today (cuz I didn't get up for my swim this a.m.). I ran for 39 minutes (a route that usually takes me 36 minutes). I felt sluggish and tired the entire run. I thought it might be from the weight lifting, but when I thought more about it I think it was just because I didn't sleep much last night. That really makes a difference with me. But, as I've said before "I never regret a workout." So, I'm glad I did it.

Dena - I hope you're feeling better every day!

Pamela, Shasta and everyone else "out there" I hope all's well.

Have a great weekend everyone :wave: .

Hi everyone!
 

I'm new here as you can probably tell from my post count. Actually, I've been lurking for quite awhile but finally decided to join. I've been working out pretty consistently since the summer and I'm losing weight by making healthy eating choices.
I'm 26 and I'm a grad student. I'm going through a breakup right now. My boyfriend and I were together almost 4 years, so it's been hard but exercising has been really good for me.

Anyway, I work out almost every day. I work out MWF and Saturday and Sundays. I really like to do step tapes and other aerobic tapes. On weekends when I have a little more time I sometimes go to the campus rec center to use the elliptical machines. I try to do some weight lifting on MWF as well, and when I can I try to walk to classes (about 25 minutes each way).

I'm excited because I just found 3 workout videos at a used CD store for $5 each. I had been hearing good things about all of them but was afraid to spend $15 plus on any of them. So if anyone is looking to freshen up your workouts cheaply, try to find a used CD store that sells used videos too!

I'm excited to join this thread because everyone here is so enthusiastic!

Amy

Hi Amy, nice to have you aboard!! I'm Pamela, 23, mother of Emmett (13 months) and wife to Jeremy:) I really enjoy this board and hope that you do too. There's some great ladies here!!

I don't have much to report. Managed to get in an hour bike ride yesterday but it was very cold and my legs weren't working in it well. We mall walked the Mall of America with my friend from Chicago then she and I stayed up until 4:30 am!! It was really fun. I did nothing today. Jeremy has the cold now. *sigh* This just hasn't been fun with all the colds and injuries lately.

I think I may have to institute a winter plan for excercise which is something I've been dreading all summer. I'm sure with everyone's help on here we'll come up with something!
In Christ,
Pamela

Hi Pamela, thanks for the welcome!

I did a 40 minute Kathy Smith video this morning and did some light weight lifting (upper body). I didn't walk today or work out yesterday, and I always make a real attempt to work out on Sundays. I finalized my breakup on Saturday night though, so as good as exercise usually makes me feel, it was all I could do to get into the shower. I think it was okay to take a day off. But I did get back on the wagon this morning so that's something to feel good about!

Talk to everyone later! Amy

I did a 50 minute bike ride today. I ate "quite a bit" of junk but when I added up all I ate, it was only 300 calories worth. Not as bad as I thought. It's just that time of the month and all I want is chocolate. I just have a half serving of whatever at the time. I need to eat more fruits and veggies tomorrow:)
In Christ,
Pamela

Hi! My name is Shauna and I'm 22 years old. I am a newlywed and I seemed to have put on some weight since my wedding in June. Last summer I was at my highest weight ever, 181 lbs. I started eDiets and got down to 156 at one point. Now I'm back up to 173 lbs. YIKES! I have a pretty hectic schedule and seem like it's harder than ever to fit in any time for exercise. I really want to get back in shape. My clothes are starting to get pretty tight again and I just don't feel all that great. I don't seem to have as much energy either. I just need some motivation! My hubby keeps complaining that I treat him too good. He says that he wouldn't be fat if I didn't make the food taste so good. I keep telling him that he doesn't have to eat so darn much but he says that he can't help it when it tastes so good. I love to cook and I love to bake, so I guess that is a downfall when it comes to eating and gaining weight, right?

Anyway, any suggestions would be definitely appreciated. Best to everyone!

Shauna

Hi everyone :) .

Amy 8888 - Welcome! I'm sorry to hear about your breakup. I know that can be emotionally as well as physically exhausting. You're doing great though! Taking one day off is certainly deserved and getting right back to it the next day is awesome! Keep your chin up ;) .

Shauna - Welcome to you too! Congrats on being a newlywed :love: . I don't think being a good cook needs to be a hindrance at all. In fact, it could be very helpful in that you aren't always eating out or grabbing convenience foods. You simply need to focus a little more on healthy cooking (easy for me to say :dizzy: ). Have you ever looked at "Cooking Light" magazine? I really love their recipes. As for exercise, I find that the best time for me is in the early morning before the baby is up and before work. Otherwise, there's too many obstacles that get in the way. Is that an option for you? I know how hard it is to get out of bed in the early a.m. - especially when you're a newlywed :o .

Pamela - I'm glad you're getting in lots of riding while you can still do it outdoors. Are you a member of a gym where you can workout in the winter? I know it's a far cry from the great outdoors :( .

Dena - are you doing okay? I hope your recovery is going well. I'm thinking about you. Check in when you can :) .

I had a good "Hotpoint Fitness" workout this a.m. (for you newbies, it's a strength training program book that I've been following for a week and a half now). I lifted for about 40 minutes then did 30 minutes on the bike. Tomorrow is a swim day, then Thursday another lift day. I've been having a little trouble with "nighttime eating" lately. Darn it! Gotta work on that.

Take care everyone :wave: .

Jusdoit: Hopefully we will be out of the 'bad' debt in just a few weeks (yay and happy dance!) so we should be able to afford a year's membership to the local community center. I am looking forward to swimming in a pool again.

Shauna: nice to meet you! I too gained a lot of weight when I first got married 3 years ago. I started paying attention to what I was eating and excercising. Not that it's always been super easy or anything, and it takes time, but it is well worth it.

We walked all 3 levels of Mall of America today (3rd time I've been there in a week :lol: ). We also walked in 2 other malls today. (My mother in law from Iowa is here until tomorrow.) I'm trying to stay out of her delicious cookies! This is why I don't bake much anymore.
In Christ,
Pamela