Sorry...I am okay now...really. Holly-I had no idea you knew of Ani DiFranco. I have been a HUGE fan of hers for EONS. One of my tattoos is actually in homage to her... Yeah...most people pay homage on their skin to Harley Davidson..."Mother" ( )...or Elvis...I have one for Ani. I actually just went and saw her live (AGAIN) for the umpteenth time the end of January. Do you listen to her a lot, or just casually? Yes...I am to AniDiFranco and Prince the way most over the top fans are to Jimmy Buffet or Elvis or Grateful Dead...
Holly-I am glad that my comments made you feel good. I hope so, because you deserve it. You look fabulous. Keep it up!
vmelo-as far as body types go...Holly is a "pear" body type...where when she is out of shape or overweight-her upper body and abs are smaller in comparison to her hips and thighs...which is her trouble area. (I know you cannot tell this NOW. ) I remember her journey here...and when she started out, her arms, shoulders, and abs were the first parts to show the fruits of her exercise labor...getting firm and defined first...and her legs have been what she has had to work really hard for.
Me on the other hand...I am an hourglass shape...which, when I am at my goal weight and am in peak fitness is a good thing...because I am 5'7"...with a smaller bone frame...and I am built with a full bust...smaller waist....and fulll hips and thighs....BUT...there is a catch to this....
I store fat EVERYWHERE but my abdominals. When I lose weight..my waist is the first to "show" it. My abs have pretty good definition in them...and look pretty good for having 2 babies...BUT...my trouble areas are evenly distributed....I have trouble both with my hips and thighs....and with my upper arms. So...I have no trouble baring my belly in my dance costumes....but I don't want to go anywhere near a tank top or pair of shorts.
So...I do my abs a few times a week...plus there are a lot of waist and ab working in my dancing...but in my strength training I really have to work my upper body and lower body. I have been feeling some great muscles in my thighs and in my arms...and I am starting to see some nice definition in my biceps and triceps...but since I am still overweight I am trying to lose excess fat by upping my aerobic workouts here lately. I am hoping that when I drop some more weight that the muscles in my arms and legs that I have been working for will finally be revealed.
Yes...I know the apple shape that you speak of...your problem areas tend to lie in the abdominals/waist...and the upper body. But...on the positive front...apples usually have GREAT legs.....so you can be out there in Daisy Duke shorts while I am hiding mine in a muu-muu. (Really...I don't wear a muu-muu) What would benefit you is to strength train your entire body...but to really work the abdominals and the upper body. Over time with doing that...and getting to your goal weight...your upper body will become much leaner. I know you can do it. Why don't you pm me with your basic workout schedule that you do...and I can give you some "personalized" suggestions for you abs and upper body...as I work my upper body A LOT. My goal is to have lean muscled arms like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2. My "motivational scene" in that movie is when they show her working out in her cell....
Well ladies...everyone have a great day now. Hope everyone is doing well!
Amy
Aphil, how generous of you to offer help! I definitely will PM you. By the way, I’m jealous of you. An hourglass shape is the traditional feminine shape that I think most of us strive for. No wonder you’re into the belly dancing thing. I’ve always wanted to take belly dancing lessons, but I’ve also always been concerned with my flabby stomach showing!! (Seriously, though, I wouldn’t let that stop me if I could find a good instructor, convenient time, reasonable price, etc.)
You are right, however, about my legs. They have been my one asset. I mentioned to Holly in my PM to her that I was ecstatic when miniskirts came in style when I was in high school. That was my trick ---draw the eyes downward . . .
I’ve been doing just “okay” on my eating and really well on my exercise. I find that personal pressures and stresses seem to take a toll on my self-control. I have managed not to go over maintenance calories, though, so that’s something.
*and I'M jealous of hourglass shapes and fantastic legs uh-oh! sorry aphil, I slipped up ;D*
Amy, I've only known about Ani DeFranco for a couple of years...I DO remember you saying that you were going to one of her concerts a brief time ago. And I found that quote in my "Tough Dames" calendar and thought it was right on.
My new tapes arrived today!! Again, I got "Fat Burning for Dummies" ( ) done by Gay Gasper, "Crunch Fat Blaster - The Next Step", and "Keli Roberts, The Ultimate Step Workout". I went against my own advice about not doing a new video as my chosen exercise for that day until I get used to it, and tried the easy "For Dummies" one. It was very enjoyable; very simple and basic, the instructor is as cute as a bug and friendly. Also gave advanced exercises' version to pump it up, in a split screen. Or I could do it with ankle weights, 'cause my perceived exertion wasn't really high. Can't wait to try the others, and let you know how I hurt the next day
Took my dog for a rabies/parvo shot this afternoon; a clinic was held at our Town Hall, and that's only 1/2 mile away, so we walked/ran meaning Tasha PULLED me, she was so happy to get out, and a big dog like her gets momentum. So we did walking/jogging, and I was pleased that my heart rate stayed okay, elevated a little, but no hammering like a couple of years ago. And everyone at the clinic said , "oh, what a pretty dog!" and when Tasha nervously, jumped up and tried to "hug" me for reassurement, everyone goes "awwwwww! how cute"
Been really, really wanting the empty white flour-type carbs...TOM is approaching, guess I can always blame it on that But I DO so want to report an improved measure/weigh-in on April first, so I'm trying to keep that in mind.
Sweet dreams, ladies, have a POWERFUL, IN-CONTROL day tomorrow!
I havent' posted for some time and just wanted to let everone know I'm still here. I finally weighed myself this weekend and am back at a 6 lb loss. Which is where I was before I started gaining and freaking out. Thanks for everyone's support.
I have done terrible for 3 days. My boyfriend is on vacation this week, he usually works evenings, so he's home when I am. He went to Krogers yesterday and bought junk food. I am having a problem with it. If I can't stay out of it this evening I am going to ask him to hide it from me. My son bought home Dunkin Doughnuts Sunday. I have only eaten a half of one.
I'm glad to see everyone's messages, it helps me stay on track. I am still going to the gym 3 day per week and counting calories and fat grams.
Hi, all. Welcome back, Debbie. Congrats on getting that 6 lbs. off. Wow, I can completely sympathize with the temptations you have around your house. I was doing great yesterday and anticipating a dinner of broiled chicken, a yam, and green beans (all of which I actually like), but when I got home my husband had made homemade pepperoni bread (it was his day off). For those who don’t know what this is, it’s slices of pepperoni, cheese (usually mozzarella, but my DH used gruyere –sp?-), and roasted peppers rolled up in a crusty Italian loaf. It was made all from scratch and smelling just scrumptious. So, I ask you, could you have resisted? If so, you’re a better person than I. Oh, well, at least I added a serving of green beans to the meal!
Holly, I’m glad you enjoyed the tape. I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about Gay Gasper on another forum I frequent (Video Fitness). That’s a cute story about your dog. What kind is she? I have two: a beagle and a mixed breed. The mixed breed is about 30 lbs. and the beagle is 37, but the beagle is really strong and pulls so hard that he can almost drag me. I have to try hard to try to rein him in with my arm and upper back muscles rather than letting him pull on my lower back. I feel like I get some resistance training while I’m walking him!
Well, as everyone can tell from my pepperoni bread story, I have been on losing program. Luckily, I HAVE been on maintenance calories. I figure I’m just going to have to ride out this spell of lackluster eating until I get my willpower back. It doesn’t help that my knee has been hurting me just a bit (I think it’s a result of some improper kicking techniques I used when I did my Kathy Smith kickboxing DVD on Saturday). Thus, although I worked out for quite a while on Sunday (at least 1 ½ hours), I didn’t do anything on Monday or today. I’m hoping I can at least do some upper body weight lifting when I get home today. I had ordered a Cathe Friedrich Boot camp/Muscle Endurance DVD & got it in the mail yesterday. I’m really motivated to try the Muscle Endurance one, so if DH takes a nap after dinner, I’m set. If he doesn’t, then I’m out of luck since the living room is the only room in the house where I can work out.
Hello debbie, welcome back! Congrats on being back at the 6 lb. loss. Keepon doing a fantastic job at going to the gym, counting the cals and watching the fat!
I surely sympathize with you on the issue of the junk food in the house. It's hard enough for US not to buy it; so hard to resist when it's actually IN the house. I am sending you strong mojo to resist it. One thought that has helped me, is "just because it's THERE, doesn't mean I have to eat it!" Kinda lame, but hope it helps.
Homemade pepperoni bread/pizza, oh man, does that sound good!!! vmelo, I don't think I could have resisted either. My dog is an "Alaskan Shepherd" - what the heck? She looks like a light-colored German Shepherd, with a thick curly-husky-type tail, and real thick (shedding!!!) fur. And about 70 pounds or so. She should be alot thinner, her human keepers need to walk her alot more. Which we will, when the stupid snow and ice and frozen mud (AAARRGGGHH sorrry) go away.
Amy, I just keep re-reading and groovin' on what you said about me I thank you again so much! Something that was in the Maintainer's Forum, was how we perceive ourselves...we take a pair of jeans out of the dryer, hold them up and think, "do I really fit into these smaller-looking jeans?!" It can take a while to accept the outward changes, so I thank you very much for the positive affirmations
vmelo, baby that knee! I took debbie's good advice about really stopping the work on my shoulders, when my one side was hurting. Now it's all better. I hope you like your new Cathe DVD. I'm so technically-challenged, I am afraid to learn how to use our DVD player. What a dope I am
And I hear you about needing the living room to yourself...in my pic, you can see how TINY our living room is...I can push that low bench out of the way, but that's about it. AND there is a ceiling fan above...have to turn that off before I exercise, else I risk chopping off a finger or hand Thank goodness, my boys (ALL three, haha) are very good about gracefully exiting the room when I say Clear Out! They make fun of Gilad, anyway.
That's it for tonight. Still having the strong hunger cravings for things like bagels, toast, breakfast cereal...have tried to have some small portions, so my calorie count doens't get too fouled up, but it's hard...!!!
I forgot to tell you that I tried another of my new tapes yesterday, the "Crunch" one. HAH!!! This one will take me a YEAR to learn! Mambo? Cha-cha-cha steps?! Kendall (guy) looks very cute doing these steps lightning-fast, and I was laughing out loud at myself trying to keep up - 13 yr.old son was snickering at me also. So I just kept stepping vigorously to the beat. At least it's variety
I caved to my carb cravings last night, bagel AND 1/2 pb & j AND small bowl of cereal. However, I am not beating myself up over it. If I remember that I had them, and try to curb a little today and tomorrow, that should be alright. I hope.
Going to do a Gilad tape now, then just watch my third new tape, to get a feel for it. Have a great day!
Good morning, all. It's a beautiful, sunny day here in NJ. Although it's still a little too cold for my tastes (it always will be unless it's 70+), that sunshine really lifts my spirits.
Holly, our workout spaces sound identical. I, too, have a ceiling fan, so I usually have to position my step so that I'm not directly underneath. I have to turn it on, though, because I have no air conditioning in my house (yes, you read right). This is especially fun in the summer
I did manage to do the upper body and ab parts of my Muscle Endurance DVD last night. Boy, was that tough! My biceps are sore this morning, and I expect other parts to feel the same later on (I'm usually more sore two days after a workout than I am the day after). Cathe Friedrich includes some really creative ab work on this DVD, so it was fun (well, as much "fun" as an ab workout can be, that is).
My eating is status quo. I had fruit salad this morning, but when I was on the road, I realized I was still hungry. Next thing I know, I'm in Starbucks ordering a tall coffee & a slice of lemon pound cake. The pound cake is a whopping 500 calories! However, even w/ that, I should end the day at about 1600 calories if I eat as planned. The one thing I'm not doing is panicking. On past "diets," if I veered from my plan at all, I'd have gone in to panick mode, immediately thought "I'm going to gain all my weight back," and proceed to do just that. I guess that's the biggest change from then to now: I know that I'm going to ride out this lackluster eating stage. I am not going to gain my weight back, and while I may eat more than I planned, I will not pig out. I still feel in control, which is drastically different from when I've overeaten in the past.
Oh, well, I better get back to work. I hope everyone has a great day!
Well...this week's weigh in is showing a .2 lb loss. Small...but I have plateaued scale-wise for a long time...so I'll take it. I have stayed the same weight for quite a while....most of the changes has been in the measurements and body fat department...so it is nice to now have the scale creep down again as well. I am hoping to reach my "40 pound loss" marker pretty soon...which will be at 171 pounds.
Thanks for saying you are all jelous of the hourlgass figure. It has it's good and bad points...for instance...I can look good in my belly dancign costumes...because the cleavage and small waist...and my butt and thighs are covered in harem pants or a long skirt...I can look good in a 2 piece bathing suit for the same reason...as long as I wear a sarong and cover my thighs...BUT...I look terrible in a big t-shirt and shorts...because my bust is large, and my hips and thighs are large...so if my shirt covers my waist and hides it...I look large EVERYWHERE.
So....I definitely have problems in the legs/butt/arms department! Ah well...I am working on it.
My update.... At Monday's weigh in I was up half a pound but my weight has been all over the place lately so I've seen lower numbers since then. I haven't started exercise yet (bad bad, I know!). I had a pig out day yesterday and now I'm feeling guilty. But, I'll put it behind me and start fresh today.
Two more days until my birthday... my goal was to be under 180 for my birthday and today I'm weighing in at 179.5 so if I can keep it under control, I'll have reached the goal. However, I am so ready to lose more so I guess I need a new short term goal for after Friday
Maybe, if I work really hard at it, and add in that exercise, I can reach 175 by Easter. I'm afraid to give myself a goal I may not reach though... it can be discouraging. But, I need something to work towards so I will quit slacking and slipping up so often!
Aphil, I hear you on the downside of the 'hourglass' figure. My hips are not hugely wide but I am large chested. The tshirt problem is definitely just that, a problem! When I lost all that weight a couple years ago, I was finally feeling comfortable enough to wear more fitted shirts and it made all the difference in the world (if you don't feel uncomfortable showing off a large bust ). Although, at the weight I'm at now, it doesnt much matter because my tummy is far from showoff-able so the tshirts hide it well
I've gotten compliments on my legs even when I was far from my most desired weight. My 'skinny' sister used to be jealous of my legs so I guess I have that in my favor. I think if I ever get to my goal weight, I'll be really pleased with how I look. However, we won't know until we get there will we? So, I really have no excuses and so much to look forward to. Now, to keep myself remembering that!!
Time to step on that treadmill or take out a DVD...
Christine, tomorrow's your birthday? I sincerely hope it's a wonderful day (if I'm not here to say it then) and I do hope that the scale shows you what you want to see. IF it doesn't, don't get discouraged! Instead, try to make the time to do your DVD or get on the treadmill. I know that 's easy for me to say, as I don't have the little one to take care of that you do. Just remember it's the slow and steady long-term commitments to eating better, drinking lots of water, and exercise that will get you to the hottie that you are (and I'm jealous of your *ahem* chest and nice legs! )
We actually might hit 40 degrees today! Spring is taking especially long this year...I remember last March we actually went on a 300 mile 'cycle ride...no way that's happened yet now. BUT this weekend might be good for a ride. I can't wait to start commuting using something that gets over 60 mpg with the way gas prices are now.
I work noon to eight pm today; tomorrow 6 am to 2 pm; and Saturday 4 am to noon!! How's that for crazy?! That last shift is for baking; I'm only doing it as a favor to the boss who hasn't hired a baker since the last one left (has been doing it himself, to save money?! but driving himself mad - he's been doing that early baking shift for over a month nonstop) but he has a contract for the sale of the business to wrap up the end of April, so he won't hire someone even temporarily. And I have nicely refused to do it more than twice a week. I do not like getting up before 3:00 am to arrive at work at 4:00 am! But I made that clear to him, way back in October, so I am not going back on my word or anything. I can't wait til my beloved summer job starts!!!!!!
ok, I gotta clear the living room so I can jump around Oh yes! something that was posted in another forum somewhere....I'm paraphrasing, but "we have to be able to push ourselves PAST our comfort zones to make the exercise work". That is so true for me. I get to the point where I'm ok doing a certain exercise, or just so pleased that I can complete it...but the last reps are supposed to be hard work, not easily done. Here's to PUSHING OURSELVES OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE TO MAKE PROGRESS!!
I am having a great day today! I weighed myself this morning and have lost 8 lbs in 6 weeks. It doesn't sound like much but it has been years since I have seen anything over a 3 lb loss. I have promised myself that I will not get on the scales everyday, only once a week.
Holly, yes, tomorrow is my birthday. Thank you! I will be 29 for the first time (I do get to turn 29 every year after this, right?)
Debbie, congrats on the loss! That's awesome! I think I need to follow your lead and stop stepping on the scale daily (I tend to let the numbers effect me too much).
Anyone who wishes may send me some of that cooler air. Its been in the 80s and even then 90s some days here. This is not March weather! I guess I'll have to get used to it if I plan to settle down in Arizona, eh?
We brought the free weights and aerobic step in from the garage yesterday.... I'm running out of excuses. I think I may have to actually move my arse now
My calories were maintainance level yesterday... better than my pig out the day before but if I keep this up, I'm certainly not going to be losing any weight! Where is that self discipline when I need it!?
Well, I'm off to get my day started. Hope everyone has a great, OP day!
Hey silence...we are very close in age. I am 28...will be 29 this Halloween Eve!
Yes...I have been laying off the scale except for once a week...a healthy weight loss is 1/2 to 2 pounds a week...and there are 7 days in a week...you do the math. ha ha Weighing in every day...even staying on plan 100%...is too disappointing when you weight every day!
Aphil
HOLLY! YOUR SIGNATURE QUOTE!!!! 
Holly-I had no idea you knew of Ani DiFranco. I have been a HUGE fan of hers for EONS. One of my tattoos is actually in homage to her... 
(Really...I don't wear a muu-muu) What would benefit you is to strength train your entire body...but to really work the abdominals and the upper body. Over time with doing that...and getting to your goal weight...your upper body will become much leaner. I know you can do it. Why don't you pm me with your basic workout schedule that you do...and I can give you some "personalized" suggestions for you abs and upper body...as I work my upper body A LOT. My goal is to have lean muscled arms like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2. 
