Morning Chicks - Quick post here, I actually have to do alot of work today and get ready for the temp..........
Melissa - That is a great little article! You should post it here. My PT (personal trainer) told me about working out first thing in the moring is the best along time ago and about buring more calories......Actually I love working out early and getting it done. Then I have nights to eat and chill (lol).....
Went to the gym for the last time before I leave this morning. It was cardio day with some stretching (love those days). We plan on working out in CA as both my girlfriends are very slim (hate em). I work out more than both of them put together and they are both thinner and never really had a weight problem since high school (that's like 100 years)..... I think the difference is that when I gained up to 216 my whole body got puffy (is that a medical term?)...lol Since then I still have the baggage that came with it, even though I worked out heavy. The poor body/skin can only repair to an extent and ofcourse age plays a part in that. Hum, which one of the LA Lites takes away excess skin? I'm rambling - sorry.
I'm also planning on dropping some pounds while there, they are not big on eating, so that will be good for me. I met to weigh today but forgot, I will weigh tomorrow when I get out of bed (I haven't weighed in about 3 weeks or maybe more). I really feel a need to know what I weigh prior to going to CA. to see where I am when I return....

Hi fit chicks -

Well, I put exercise last night until late, and then did a new cardio tape - which I think is good, because it keeps my head interested, and I can see again that I have loads of improvement to make!

Melissa - thanks for posting that article! I've been doing cardio first on this program -it gets me warmed up for the weights.

I've also read about splitting your workouts - getting in one in the morning, another at night - to get your body revved twice a day . . . there is so much knowledge out there - I think that first and foremost, the important thing is to DO it, whenever you can fit it into your schedule. Then, once it gets too easy, it's time to ramp it up somehow, and challenge your body - that muscle memory - your body finds it easier to do the workout, and then it's not as effective for whatever your goals are. (this sentence doesnt' make sense, I think my gray roots are showing!)

Hugs,
Julie

Julie - You just hit the nail on the head about doing more, changing your workout for continued improvement. That part to me isn't fair, I think if we work out on a regular basis we should not have to keep doing more and more to get better results. I know that's how it works - but how much can a chick do?

Yes, Star, I wonder about people doing 300 situps - isn't there a better way???

Well, since I work out almost everyday it's hard to keep doing more. What I do is cardio one day, weights the next with various videos mixed in....When I can I love to ride my bike, rollerbalde or walk. I figure if this isn't enuf then I was met to not be on the cover of Fitness Magizine (maybe Arrp?)

Star, I am sure that you are meant to be a cover model on some magazine. . .I think that as long as you are happy with the results, that is good enough.

And you are changing your workouts now, right, with going to the gym?

Julie - Yes, I am happy with my results.....

Thanks for asking about changing my routine. I have gone back to the gym and lucky for me they bought all new circuit machines for the 'womens only' area. On M-W-F I do cardio, stretching, on T-T I do circuit training. Hopefully my weekends will be spent on the fitness trail right across the street from our new place. Everything seems to work out for me when it comes to exercise.

It will be fun to see what the girls have planned for our workouts in CA.

I found this in a exercise thread posted by scorchin.. Star would be proud that I was in a exercise thread... :lol:


Ten Fitness Obstacles and Their Solutions
By Edel Jarboe


Obstacle #1: "I don't feel like working out today." Whenever you feel tempted to skip your exercise routine or to put starting one off altogether, remind yourself of the reasons why you want to exercise. Write it down on an index card and read it whenever you feel like blowing off your health. Why do you want to get fit? How will being in shape benefit your life?

Obstacle #2: "I'm just not motivated to exercise." Setting specific daily or weekly fitness goals helps you to focus on your performance and keeps you motivated. For example, committing to working out four days a week or walking five miles gives you a specific fitness target to aim for and makes it easier for you to make the time to exercise. It is also helpful to keep a record of your fitness performance so that you can up the stakes and stay challenged. Most importantly, you can provide ongoing motivation by rewarding yourself at the end of each week or month with a pedicure, massage, or new workout gear.

Obstacle #3: "I don't have time to exercise." Schedule your fitness workouts for the week with a specific time, location, and activity. When you do this, you eliminate the excuse of not having enough time to workout. Quite simply, you make the time and honor this appointment with yourself.

Obstacle #4: "I have a hard time staying motivated." Keep a workout journal. Tracking your progress helps you to see how far you've come. Record the date, activity, how long you worked out or how many reps you completed, and how you felt afterward. You could also keep track of your measurements and how you feel about your body as it becomes stronger and leaner.

Obstacle #5: "I'm too busy to exercise." On crazy-busy days, instead of skipping your workout, do a mini-version of it. For example, if you don't have time for your usual one-hour step video, scale it down to 30 minutes using just the of warm-up and the beginner's level. Not only will you feel good about yourself but you will also maintain your fitness schedule. Being too busy is no longer an excuse because you can also take a couple of 10 or 15-minute fitness breaks during the day. Even on our busiest days we can find at least this much time for ourselves. The point is to keep moving so that we don't start using this excuse all the time and sabotage our fitness plan.

Obstacle #6: "I got sick and haven't exercised in months." Always have a backup fitness plan. Be creative and come up with alternative fitness solutions for when you are out of town, bored, or in a time crunch. Planning for setbacks keeps you in control of your fitness. Working out before you go to work, at lunchtime, or adding a new activity to your fitness repertoire are all good solutions to the above fitness obstacles.

Obstacle #7: "I'm not a fitness buff. I don't really like to exercise." Develop a fitness mindset anyway. When you see yourself as a walker, runner, or a step video queen exercise becomes second nature. How can you identify yourself as a fitness buff? Keep a regular exercise schedule and make your workout time as important as the other areas of your life.

Obstacle #8: "I don't like working out alone." Find a workout buddy. Having someone else there on your road to fitness makes workouts more fun and adds the spirit of competition to your routine. You also keep each other motivated. Make sure your exercise partner has the same fitness goals and that you both commit to a regular workout schedule.

Obstacle #9: "I'm bored with my exercise routine." Okay, so you've gotten your exercise routine down. Four times a week you run the same five miles. Yawn. Suddenly you don't feel like going for your run anymore. Spice it up. Look for new ways to make your workout fun and exciting. Try a new route or cross train. Alternate your running days with spinning classes, hiking, or rock climbing.

Obstacle #10: "I'll always be out of shape." Acknowledge that your fitness is under your control and that you have the power to take charge of your health. Believe that you can make it happen.
__________________

I joined a gym! Yay!
 

Hi ladies-
I posted in the main forum about how I just joined a gym and I'm loving it! Anyway, I have a question about the elliptical trainer. Or I guess mainly it's just about my heart rate. So I was doing my cardio and trying to keep it in the weight loss zone, but my heart rate was usually around 155 or 160. Which the machine said was in the Cardio zone. And I even got above the cardio zone once, so I just slowed way down. Anyway, I would have to barely be going in order to have my heart rate be in the 130's or so which is what it considered to be the weight loss zone. I'm just not sure what to do or if any of that really matters. Any advice? I hope my question made sense.

Also any good weight lifting ideas? last night I worked out my legs and biceps and triceps. I was thinking about doing chest, back and shoulders next time. But I don't know how often to work out each muscle group etc. A few years ago I had a personal trainer, but I don't exactly remember what kind of routine I was doing. I just remember working out different muscle groups and the same time and mixing things up every few weeks....

So I'm so glad to be working out now. Even though it has only been one time so far. It just felt so great to be back in the gym. Talk to you later.

Mandy

Hi Mandy - Wanted to give you my opinion on lifting weights (besides that is an awesome thing to do)....
You can train muscle groups like you are, just rest a day inbetween. "I worked out my legs and biceps and triceps. I was thinking about doing chest, back and shoulders next time. But I don't know how often to work out each muscle group etc."
So that is exactly correct, like if you do buttocks, legs on Monday, do upper on Tuesday, you can do legs again on Wed.
What I like to do is figure out I can do my entire body one day, that way I can do it on M-W-F if I want to or I can do it on T-T and do cardio on M-T-W.......I can get a pretty good workout in doing the entire body in about an hour 15 minutes, that frees me up the other days for cardio.......just a thought.......
sounds like you are doing great. I think once you work out with a PT you have a definate advantage and some stuff you just retain forever.....

Thanks for responding Star. So when you do your entire body at one time, how many exercises do you do for each muscle group?

Mandy - It varies but about 3 different exercises for each muscle group, 3 sets, 12 reps. Hope this helps...

I just wanted to jump in here for a second with what my plans are...
I'll be doing alot of walking at Talladega for the 5 days that we will be there plus we are taking our bikes.... :o Then when I get back, I plan on doing cardio MWF and the toning on TT...Just thought I'd let you know the plans... ;)

Rusty -
I'm gonna do weights (light) on M-T-F and cardio on T-T. Unless when I go to COD today they think that is too much, then I will reconsider my plan.....
WAY TO GO on getting back to working Rusty - you know it's all good!

Thanks guys. It helps going to the gym with a plan instead of trying to figure it out when I get there. :)
I think I'll continue to split up the workouts (upper and lower body) for a few more weeks and then I'm going to try doing my whole body at once. I get to go to the gym today yea! I just have an alternating days membership, so I can't go ......... shoot! I just realized that yesterday was my day to go!!! ahhh. I can go mon wed fri and sun. I guess I was thinking it was just everyother day, so I didn't go yesterday. That REALLY bums me out. Well, I guess I just have to do pilates again today. I'll talk to you ladies later.

Mandy