So pretty, I see it as an eyeglass case.

Andrea~my DD found a Crossfit on Living Social for only $30 for the month. She's considering doing it. I think she'd do fine as she routinely pushes herself in the gym. Me? I'd probably puke! I've pushed myself close to that point before and it's not a good feeling.

Hang in there, Jessica!! Still thinking positive thoughts!

Pretty beading, Steph. I'm not sure what I'd use it as, though.

I have to go for a blood draw this afternoon. I had a draw for our insurance exam a couple of months ago and I sent the results to my doctor and he's happy with my cholesterol on that but wants additional tests (thyroid and vitamin D level). I assume vitamin D is some sort of test to determine future osteoporosis? I'm just glad that these tests do not require fasting! There's nothing worse than not being able to have coffee in the morning!

Allison , I hear you on the fasting blood tests. The lab where I go is right next to an IHOP, that place looks very inviting after a fasting blood test .

Hi all!

Thought I would check in as I've been reading daily but haven't had much to contribute!

Jessica - been thinking about you a lot! Keep those legs closed together for at least a while longer!!

Allison - Vitamin D is related to depression as well as osteoporosis and a number of other things, including slow metabolism!

Ahhh.... a discussion on cat puke. As the owner of 10 cats, including several long haired ones, it is a remarkable day if I DON'T have to clean up cat puke!!!

I had a wonderful weekend. Got a whole bunch of outdoor chores that had been on my "to do" list done. For me there is such a great feeling being able to cross stuff off lists - weird, huh?

I'm getting nervous about the 1/2 marathon I'm running on May 11th. We drove the course this weekend and it looks to be a toughie. I am hoping for a good time, but feeling scared.

Weight is in a good spot and I love seeing our weather FINALLY warming into the 60's. Hope everyone has a great week!

Jen

Steph-- looks like a beautiful book mark to me (says the librarian)

Jen-- my dd is just getting started on her weight loss journey (and started blogging about it). I sent her over your way as I've found you very inspiring! She hopes someday to be motivational to others too.

Andrea-- that cross fit sounds terrible. I have heard of it but I won't be seeking it out after your description! I've done some boot camps but that sounds really hard core!

Urban Dictionary on Crossfit:

That said, I get "free" classes through my health insurance in June. I am interested to see how it goes.

Cheryl (jamsk8r or something like that) over on the Weights board has been cross-fitting for years. She says that the experience really does depend on the particular (can't remember the crossfit term for the gym/dojo/centre) and to try out different ones to find a good fit. Mel, a moderator here for years, entered the Crossfit Games and did quite well a few years ago. And I think that our dear midwife is also giving crossfit a go. (Ain't that right, midwife?)

It sounds as though it's becoming a bit of a craze.

Cheryl and Mel were both big into CF. I didn't take official classes but did WOD workouts in my garage. They were hard as I remember. Though in hindsight, I felt good while doing them.

I'm back! And still standing. That was - hands down - the hardest dog sit I've ever done. I'm so glad it's over.

And I'm proud of myself for getting through it with only 2 minor over-eating incidents. And those were triggered by stress due to house hunting things, not by the sit itself.

Now to get my house and myself back in order!

to everyone - I'll try to catch up tomorrow.

Dagmar

Steph, the beading is really pretty! I could see them as decorative zipper pulls for totes, or stringing a few together in a circle to dress up a lamp. I used to do Christmas ornament kits in days gone by (pre-DS), some of which were 30+ hours to complete. It was as close to meditation as I've ever been. Maybe this fall ...

dagmar, good to see you again! and very glad you survived!

Crossfit just looks to me like a great way to get injured. Parkour, on the other hand ... I could see myself trying at some point.

allison, good luck with the bloodwork numbers! I'm doing a pre-assessment next week for the summer run training program - looking forward to seeing a major difference between now and the fall post-assessment. Low Vit D is also associated with some cancers, slow recovery from injury/surgery, and poor immune system function.

Jen, you sound like you're in a really good place! You'll knock that 1/2 out of the park.

I've spent three days coddling a cold. NOT happy about it! I'm starting the month at 152, most of which is bloat from the red dye in the Nyquil. I told my alcohol-abstinence buddy that if I could have just sterilized my throat with a shot of whiskey when I felt the first throat tickle over the weekend, I wouldn't be in this position. Yeah, she didn't buy it either. But she's not dinging me for the alcohol in the Nyquil, thank goodness.

Krampus, you know how peoples' way of eating can become sort of like a religion, not to be criticized by the non-devout? I think Crossfit and yoga are kind of like that. Any time anyone writes an article in the NY Times that criticizes either form of exercise, the comments section goes absolutely insane. The defense and criticism resembles the clashes among the followers of intermittent fasting, paleo, low-carbers, vegan, Clean Eating, Gary Taube, South Beach, Dean Ornish, etc.

Me, I think nothing in this world is above satire or criticism or jokes, but some peoples' way of eating and exercising seem to be absorbed into their identity and became very personal subjects.

I laughed at your Urban Dictionary quote, because there's a Crossfit "box" around the corner from my old apartment, which is located near the Metro North traintracks in a lower-income neighborhood -- and it is indeed amusing to see really fit, big, well-off white guys parking their nice cars in the area before work/after work and walking to the gym together. The rest of the neighborhood doesn't set foot there, I'm told. Too expensive. My former neighbors use the nearby Gold's Gym or Blink, or run outside.

I'm sitting here at home this morning hoping that the dishwasher repairman lives up to his promise. He usually works in Palm Springs on Wednesdays, but Wednesday is a better day for me to take time off of work because my assistant is in the office. He said he'd do my repair first, get it out of the way early, and then move onto Palm Springs. I said he could start as early as 6 AM. It's now 7:15 and no sign of him. He said he would call if the part didn't arrive. No call, so I expect him to be here. Any bets on when he shows?

Have any of you heard of a program called Fit in 42? I talked to DH about doing this and he didn't like the idea. Basically you go to their "class" every single day for 6 weeks. They work very closely with you so you really get the benefit. They counsel you on diet (a lot of them lean toward Paleo) and supposedly after you complete it, you're fit and ready to do it on your own. While I'd really prefer doing it with someone, it looks like I might have to do it on my own, if I decide to do it. I think the next round of classes starts in a few weeks.

Jessica? You out there and hanging in there? Still thinking good thoughts!!!

I just saw on FB that Jessica had the babies.

"I guess these babies did not want to wait another 8 weeks to be born! Allison Leah (in the back in photo) and Cecilia Rachel were born on 4/29 at 11:11 and 11:14pm. Allison was 3lb 6oz and Cecilia was 3lb 10oz. Both babies are in the NICU for at least a few weeks, but are doing well."

YAY, JESSICA!!!! Congratulations!

Congratulations Jessica!!!