Thanks ladies, I wanted to post that I am sick and may be missing from here for a while. I slept til 1PM today. Just feel horrible. Flu-like symptoms, very congested. My joints are all aching, fever, rash, and shortness of breath to the point that I can't hardly make it from one room to another. I'm waiting for my DH to get home at 3PM to see if he can take me to the doctor. I really didn't trust myself to drive the 45 minutes to get there. I'll be back when I am feeling better.

Oh goodness. Feel better soon, Lily! You'll be in my thoughts.

Lilly,
I hope you get well soon!!
Rabbit

How are you feeling today, Lily?

Hi everyone. I am still feeling poorly. I'm on antibiotics (Z-PACK) and some cough medicine. This usually works well for me but takes a few days to feel better. I am still very tired and sleeping a lot, congested and coughing. I badly needed to go shopping for a Birthday gift for my MIL, but I will send my DH to pick her out something. (He is terribly at picking out gifts).

Happy Sunday, gang! I'm up way too early .... The gym doesn't open until 8 am on weekends, which is just plain nuts (but not as bad as Megan's!) So I'm hanging out, drinking coffee, and killing time. Cardio and arms on the schedule for this morning.

We're glad you're feeling better, Lily! It's too early in the year to get sick. So what did DH buy for his mom?

Megan - great to see you again. How are those knees?

Boarderchick - a half marathon! Heck yes, you can do it!! Be sure to fill us in on your training. I hope it's going to happen someplace warm in February.

Paperclippy - is this the week for your surgery? for a fast recovery!

Robin, I hear you on the abdominal fat. I read that's it's a secondary estrogen system, so when the ovaries start to shut down, the abdominal fat kicks into gear to try to maintain estrogen production. Grrrr ... Wish I knew a secret to target that area, but ... I think it all comes down to the Big Three of clean eating, weights, and cardio. Damn, where's my magic pill?

Food's been good, exercise's been good, scale's not budging. Such is life.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Morning Meg. I'm on my way to work. You ... are just outta bed a waaay to early! Have a good gym visit!

Well, so are you!

Hmmp! My gym is not open on Sundays at all! I often take it as my rest day, or a cardio only day. Sometimes - like maybe once a month - I haul out my home weights and a DVD.

I'm back from a my 3 day meeting. Food was okay, not perfect. Fortunately I brought my own stuff for breakfast, as their idea (the hotel's) for a breakfast buffet was fresh fruit - which was good - and stale dry pastries! I was not even tempted. Meanwhile I had lf yogurt with blueberries, and a hard boiled egg, along with their fresh fruit. Much better. Exercise was minimal as I've felt rotten for a couple days - sore throat, burning eyes, fatigue - all the symptoms of getting a cold. Darn. I don't have time for that.

My FIL has been released from the hospital and is now at a nursing home for a short stay. My sister-in-law who is the only child living near him has gone to San Diego to visit her grandson. FIL can use the regular meals and the socialization, and he'll continue to get PT for his knee.

My friend's DH who had the stroke 2 weeks ago died yesterday. He had an overwhelming infection that they were unable to stem. They had signed a DNR order earlier, and while it is very sad and very hard for his family, it may be for the best. He would have been unable to walk and speak, and there was some question whether he could have gotten off the ventilator. They have a son and daugher both in their 30's. Life is just so unfair. He was a healthy guy, worked out, did yoga, hiked and climbed. They'd been Peace Corps volunteers in W. Samoa in the late 60's and had gone back to visit a couple summers ago. They'd spent about 2 weeks this summer on a wilderness canoe trip in Canada.

Pat, I'm so sorry about your friend's DH. No, life sure isn't fair.

Hope you can keep that cold away - how about curling up in bed with something hot and soothing and a good book?

Pat Sorry to hear about your friend's DH ...

Good Morning Maintainers! Here's a little something for Pat

Good morning Susan and gang.

I'm back from 30 minutes of Bat Out Of **** cardio on the elliptical ... my new game is to get 1000 strides every six minutes ( = 10,000 strides per hour). I dropped the resistance to 7 (easier on the knees) and made it to 5141 strides in 30 minutes. I'll go back and knock off the other half hour when I do my back workout this afternoon.

Speaking of backs, I found a photo of my back from last year and wow, does it make me mad at myself. At the time it was taken, I thought - eh - but now I have a lot less muscle and a lot more fat, thanks to my shoulder surgery. Even though my weight is the same, my body composition is a whole lot different (all hail the power of muscle )

So my new goal is to get my back back. If I have time today, I may post the photo in my profile for motivation.

The forecast for today, tonight, and tomorrow is rain and SNOW! What's it doing where you are?

Hi everyone, just wanted to say that I'm feeling a little better now. Up and out of bed this AM. Able to eat a little now.

Good news, I cancelled the repeat nerve study on my left foot/ankle. I am getting improved movement and sensation of it now. I am so glad my Dr. said that I didn't have to go through that painful test again since I am improving.

I weighed today for the first time since last Monday and was down 1 lb. which I expected since not feeling very hungry while sick. Since feeling too obsessed with losing more weight, I'm only weighing once a week for now and am maintaining well. I'm at 139 lbs. this AM.

Amen Meg. I rarely get on the scale because it plays games with my head, but my pants-o-meter had gotten so tight I thought I better find out the true scope of the damage.

Well chickies and scale-watchers, do I have news for you.

It turns out that I'm only 5 pounds over my maintenance weight! Now, it may be true that 5 pounds can have a significant impact when your frame is smallish (as mine is), but, my friends, most of my clothes will tolerate a 5-pound swing; in fact, most of my clothes used to be able to handle as much as 7 pounds.

But no more.

This time, I could not button my gabardines! This is astonishing to me. And this shows me what time, age and gravity will do.

So, if you are inclined to hang your happiness on a number on the scale, I'd urge you to rethink because this is going to happen to every single one of us. On the charts, my weight is "normal," but on my body, it sure as heck isn't.

The good news ... the GREAT news ... is that this morning, I COULD button my gabardines, and I'm wearing them right now. Let's sing a hymm of praise to the trinity: cardio, weights and good nutrition.

On another note, I just stumbled across some wisdom from the ages. It struck me with such force that I've made it my new signature: The Buddha said, "As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are. Otherwise, you will miss most of your life." For me, that's maintenance to a T! Do what you need to do, just for today, just for this moment.

Lily, you were posting while I was posting. It's great to see you up and around.

And Pat, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I'll hold you in my heart, my dear.

Hugs chickies!