I will say this about this program - it doesn't take much thought - it just takes DOING. And that's really what I needed right now. I needed an integrated program that worked me all over and I could just put my legs and arms in the right place. (I had higher expectations of my strength though. . .)

Once I get the basics down (and I can finish the entire tape without my supporting limbs trembling) then I can mix it up with other stuff.

Star - cannot wait to see how you construct a new program. I confess, this is still so new to me that I really had to convince myself to restart again last week when I got my new VCR.

Fiona - Wow - 7 times already, and that's not counting any massages! Will they report to your insurance company about your attendance? How do you get it refunded?

Jen, how are you doing on your arm exercises?

Julie - when I registered they took down my insurance number, then I guess they report to the insurer at the end of the month whether I was in 8 times, and then the insurer pays them, then the credit shows up on my bill the next month. Something like that. They are always two months behind in crediting, due to "getting you in the system," but if/when I ever cancel my membership, they will cut me a check for the two months' credit. Kinda neat.

Fiona

Julie - Well I'm really glad you got back to it after your DB hooked up the VCR. All it takes is something like 2 weeks (?) to form a habit......
You know about just watching the tape and DOING is why so many people love exercise classes, it doesn't take much thinking.....lol
Fiona - That is cool that your insurance pays part of your membership fees. BUT here's hoping you won't ever cancel your membership.....lol Sounds like your enjoying it so far and once that HRM gets to you - watch out!

Getting back to fashion - Oh that was on the other thread. Anyhow, I was wondering if you girls have cute workout clothes that motivate you to get going? I only ask becuz I truly think it makes a difference; if I look good - I feel better. What do you think?

Star - you're right, sometimes it's much easier to let an expert tell you what to do than to try to be creative and come up with something. . . I'm hoping that it'll eventually be like cooking - learn the basics, then can learn what to combine to make the best dish (me!)

About clothes - I'm not very inventive since I do it at home . . . Maybe that'll be another carrot I hold out in front of me??

Fiona - it is so cool that they'll do that for you -

I'm hoping that the upper body won't KILL me today -- those tricep dips. . .

Julie & Fiona....Hi Fit Chicks....

Well, I got back with the program today, broke down and went to my old gym....The Weight Station. It's a coed place real close to my work, I have gone there for about 5 maybe 6 years. So to do this, I packed my gym bag with all my stuff last night, then got up at 4:30am. Got some coffee, went down to the 'Star Gym' and did the bunn and thigh roller and some stretching, then got in the car and zoomed off in the dark, coffee in hand.....
Well to my surprise, several of my old friends are still pluggin away there. The women only section got all new Lady Apex weight machines and two recumbent bikes. That means the only thing I need to go to the coed side for is if I want to do the treadmill, which I will (have to keep an eye out for new hot males...lol) Anyhow the recumbent bikes have a built in HRM, which is totally cool! Today I wanted to slide in without too much notice so I choose to do cardio; 30 treadmill and 20 recumbent bike. It was just like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget. For me I'm talking more about just going to the gym, not the exercises. It's almost like I never stopped going, some things never change. For now I will be going back there M-F, cardio 3 days and weights 2 days, with hopfully doing my tapes at home prior to my 5:30am departure time. I'll keep you posted on how this all goes and if anything changes.
I am really geeked about all the new equipment and the girls there tell me they just got it yesterday....perfect timing.
Julie - your right - once you get this "Project You" plan down, you'll be tweeking it to meet all your needs and likes. At the rate your going, you might be doing this by next week.....lol
Okay chicks - have to go and do some work, check you later....

Star - you are my fitness roll model. I am still at the point where I have to say - okay, just PUT the tape in the machine. . .

It's interesting that I really thought I'd be able to zoom through these tapes and do all the reps - and I'm still not able to do all the abs reps, or the tricep dips. . . but I still follow along and do them as much as I can. Also have to remember that I'm working muscles that have only lifted a fork for a while (not exactly, but sort of). . .

And for the cardio - I can definately feel that I'm losing speed about 20 minutes into the tape. I'm thinking I need to eat sooner before I start. . . I'm eating a lite about two hours after I wake up, and then I sometimes don't eat before I work out, which can also be another couple of hours after the lite. . Still need to tweak this, I think!

Hi everyone,
My name is Nisha. I have never posted anything in before, this is my first time. I'm 27 and stay home mother of 2 wonderful boys. I live in Norway and life is good except when i think about my weight. I've started excercising in a fittness center and i'm hoping to lose around 20lbs before Sept. Is it possible? Can anyone give me ideas, advice or suggestions on how to loose thoes pounds.

Hi Nisha - welcome. Are you changing anything in your diet (that needs to be changed, that is) along with the exercise? The non-scientific advice I've heard from the smart, fit-chick ladies on this board is that it's hard to accomplish weight loss with exercise alone - you have to pair it with eating right, as well.

As for your goal of losing 20 pounds in 5 months, that's 4 pounds a month or about 1 pound a week - very doable if you make a plan and stick to it.

Again, welcome!

Fiona

Julie - I think it is very flattering to be anyone's 'fitness roll model'.....I am snickering as I type......But I don't feel like a roll model, I'm just very lucky to love exercise (fat or thin).......Doing it for so many years, I have learned alot (despite being blonde&old).

Julie you said: "I really thought I'd be able to zoom through these tapes and do all the reps - and I'm still not able to do all the abs reps, or the tricep dips. . . but I still follow along and do them as much as I can. Also have to remember that I'm working muscles that have only lifted a fork for a while (not exactly, but sort of). . ."
Julie about that statement, You HAVE made huge strides, I'm impressed with your total spirit of 'just do it'... First of all, you are using muscles that haven't been stressed in awhile. Second you are building muscle, this doesn't happen overnight, BUT once you have built muscle you never lose it, it might go unused for awhile but it has memory. Therefore, you are in the process of a very important and time consuming phase, building a foundation. So with all that in mind, just remember what's happening right now and maybe you can think of the light at the end of the tunnel.........

Hi Fi
And Welcome Nisha! Fiona has given you some very good advice....

Okay gals, I'm looking at the suggested training schedule for the MS Walk I'm doing in September, and I'm trying to figure out how I am going to come up with time every weekend starting in about June to walk 12-18 miles a day! Just for your amusement, here is the suggested 18-week schedule (I've separated the weeks with "----", the # is how many miles per day):

0-3-0-3-0-3-4-----0-3-0-4-0-4-5-----0-4-0-4-0-3-6---
0-4-0-4-0-3-8-----0-4-0-4-0-4-10----0-4-4-0-3-4-8---
0-4-0-4-0-4-12----0-4-4-0-3-4-10----0-4-0-4-0-4-14---
0-4-4-0-3-4-12----0-4-0-4-0-4-16----0-4-5-0-4-5-12---
0-4-0-5-0-4-18----0-4-5-0-5-6-12----0-4-0-5-0-4-20---
0-4-5-0-5-6-12----0-4-0-4-0-8-10----

0-3-3-0-0-20-20-10 (The big weekend itself!)

It's insane! Just to meet the miles for the first week, I'm going to have to increase my cardio from 30 minutes to an hour-plus. (Not that that's a bad thing, it's just kind of a scary thought.) And I know I will need to switch to training outdoors at some point, but I think I'm going to stick with the treadmill for the first several weeks until I figure out how to pace myself for those longer distances. Hmmm.

Fiona

Star, thank you for your words of encouragement. I do agree with you about the muscle memory - there are certain moves that I recognize from other tapes (LONG AGO) that I can follow much easier. And, I have to be honest, just doing something that is a challenge is carrying over to OTHER areas of my life. And thanks for reminding me that even though it is not easy and certainly not 'fluid', it still counts (now that is also a good lesson!)

Fiona - the training program for these things are a killer. That's why I asked if there were local groups that you could train with. One thing I did when I was training for the Avon was to find a 3 mile circuit and did it most mornings before work. And then on weekends I'd do it 3 times to get the mileage up. And truthfully, I wasn't ready. I should have done many more long walks before the actual event, mainly because I was so sore after I was done. BUT, I did finish the walk. I walked every mile. So you don't actually have to follow the exact program. The other thing is, is that you don't have to go for speed - go for endurance . . if that makes it any easier. They kept on telling us that it wasn't a race.

Also, you can do the treadmill, but I found that it really helped me to do the streets around my house - I got used to hills, uneven pavements, the whole thing.

Julie

Hi Nisha!

If you're already going to a health center, you're already ahead of the game! You're beginning to change your habits (as long as you GO - I haven't always taken advantage of all the exercise options available to me).

Maybe your health center has some help on how to modify your diet? There are several ways to track things, but it all seems to come down to calories in and calories out.

I think you've got the big thing straight, though, life is good! Starting from there, with that type of positive outlook, just by modifying your activity and your foods, you should make your goal of 20 pounds by September. That sounds really doable!

Julie

FI - More power to you girl! I have never done such a long walk or jog. Back in the day when I jogged 3 miles a day, on weekends I could double that with no trouble. I would suggest that you just get your miles up there, not meaning up to 20 but just start with like 3 a day and maybe more on the weekends if you can. Let me ask you this, why did you commit to do this? lol

Star - ha! Actually I'm doing it because I attempted it 3 years ago (2002 - interestingly, one of my dearest friends was diagnosed with MS two months AFTER I signed up to do the Walk that year) but DIDN'T train properly and ended up hurt and didn't finish. And it's always bugged me, but the last couple years it has always been on the weekend that DH and I celebrate our anniversary so I've used that as an excuse - not anymore!

Oooh, my new HRM is here! It's so RED and SHINY!!! The directions are clear but definitely translated from another language. Oh, this is hilarious - I ordered it from some place in New York, and the brand's distribution center is in Minneapolis. I don't know why, but I find that funny.

Ah, thank you website - it figures calories burned based on the stats of a 25 year old, 150 pound male. Take it or leave it, I guess! :rolleys: If you get the slightly more expensive one, it allows you to input your height, weight and age to get a more accurate calorie count.

Okay, quickly doing some work, back in a few...

Fiona