I really really miss my squat rack. That is my only real complaint about my new gym. I was kicking serious butt on squats in the cage.

Sigh...dd is sick which means likely no gym for me tomorrow. I hate that. I only lift 2 days a week, so missing one really sucks.

Thought I would share this inspiring story of a woman who proves that age is truly only a number.

Nelie, maybe we can train with her!
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertai...,3834830.story

I've seen a photo of her before on the net but never knew her story and that she was local.

Fran,

Wow, nice. Hopefully I'm kicking butt at 71.

Hot stuff

I've read about her before, too. She's pretty amazing!

Fran: Thanks for sharing that story. She absolutely beautiful. My goodness!

Oh. Check out what she's eating:

Ernie is lucky; her Trophy Husband knows just how to put taste and pizzazz into the small rotation of repeat dishes that a serious bodybuilder must continually contend with. This 66-year old can pack away the victuals: she eats a 9-eggwhite omelet plus a baked potato and a chicken breast for breakfast. Then she eats this same identical mighty meal again three short hours later. This sleek elder eats twenty-seven egg whites each and every day; along with three pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breast and a small mountain of steamed vegetables. Ernie has built a blast-furnace metabolism and her body thrives on lots of super clean calories.

my grocery budget. Her retirement must pay pretty well! BUt then, it's probably her largest expense - she eats and she's in the gym! And membership is probably free bc she's on staff there.

I may have to find out for myself - just googled the address and she's like 20-30 minutes from me! I might just have to go meet her. Ironically enough, she's in the same town as the hospital where I had my kidney stone surgery. That's pretty wild (to me, I'm sure you guys are like, huh?).

She is about an hour from me but it'd be worth the drive

Great article, Fran. Wow - I wish I looked like her now, much less at 71!

I've exercised two days in a row now. I have only done cardio so far, my balance is still a little shaky so I want to get that back up before I try anything else. I'm worried about starting to fall and catching myself on my arms. It was better yesterday, so I added in a few squats. I'm hoping today will be even better. I would like to try some different things in the morning.

Lydia - glad you are getting into your new gym! It does sound pretty cool, other than the cardio machines against the wall. I tend to put on music or something and zone out during cardio now that my machines are in my garage, but I used to love to people watch myself at the gym. I was bored in my garage at first, but got used to it pretty quickly.

Oh my, I feel pretty wimpy now. Can I grow up to look like that?

Me too, Pat!

27 egg whites per day would do me in, tho. I've finally given up on buying actual eggs and just buy the liquid whites. Sure speeds things up!

I did the world's fastest chest, back and shoulders workout today. I've had 2 doctor's appts this week for me and one for my son, and weight workouts have been what suffered. Managed 2 HIIT sessions this week after work on Monday and Wednesday in addition to my daily elliptical session. Tomorrow I'm taking off from work and skiing, so there is my workout I hope I don't freeze into a Melsicle

This Sunday we are having my ds's Eagle Scout ceremony which involves a buffet meal for about 35 people I'm trying to keep it simple, but have given up on super healthy. At least half of the attendees are 16-20 year old boys and I figure big trays of meatballs, a salad, BREAD, and dessert should do it. I may make a giant pot of my turkey breast black bean chili and stick to that and salad for myself.

Shannon- personal question- is it hard to get used to suddenly being a different shape? Is that affecting your balance?

Stay warm,

Mel

What Fran said...I couldn't afford to buy that much food! Luckily, I'm an easy keeper. I just look at food and gain a pound. Wish it was a pound of muscle! I have been exercising every day, because I wanna keep losing fat, but I am wiped after a few days. I tried a heavier calorie day (clean) and felt better the next, so maybe I am just not getting enough cals. I'm not really losing consistently on the cals I'm on, though (1600), so I'm not sure what to do. For now, I'm keeping it as is, and doing a recovery workout when I feel like I need a "rest day". I'm going on the assumption that it's a temporary fatigue related to upping my exercise output. If it doesn't get better in a few weeks, then I'll try more cals.

I did squats at the Y last night. I'm still not used to using a barbell for squats, having just had the dumbbells at home. My usual heavy DB squat is more like a front squat, more upright. I got up to 85 lbs with the barbell for the back squat and couldn't go any higher, because I was already having trouble getting full range of motion at that weight, so I just kept that on for my last 3 sets. It was hard to keep my form straight. The mirrors are SO distracting to me. My max weight for back squats is less than it is for bench press. I don't know if that's funny or just pitiful. I'll keep studying and practicing.

Ennay, I didn't know you changed gyms. What's the new one like, besides no squat cage? How did it turn out with that trainer? Good, I hope.

Mel, the pull-ups weren't that bad, just sets of 12. I just kept switching between pull-ups and dips. As long as I didn't stop, it was okay. Mine are still on the assisted machine, too. I can't even do one at my bodyweight yet.

Everybody else, . I've got to get off the 'puter and actually do something useful. Sitting here typing ain't burning the calories!

Mel - I'm pretty sure it is the new shape throwing off the balance. I've always been small, so this is totally different for me. I was doing step-ups last night and realized I was rolling my shoulders forward and that + the extra weight was throwing me off balance. I've paid more attention today and I'm actually rolling my shoulders a little forward almost all the time. I've worked on keeping them back today and the center of gravity seems to be back where I expect it to be.

Back to routine today. My weekend was a food fest and my pants can attest to that! Ds had his Eagle Scout ceremony and we 40 adults and teen age boys here for the ceremony and buffet dinner. Anyone want some left over meatballs and desserts?

Clean eating is going to be a shock to the system, but I know I'll feel better by tomorrow.

Back and chest at the gym today...cardio done!

Mel

Mel: Congratulations to your DS and you and your husband for making it to Eagle Scout! As the mother of Cub Scout I know the dedication it takes from all family members to help achieve this goal. In our case, DH gets all the credit. He is the current den leader helping our fifth grade cubbies receive their Arrow of Light. I wish you a smooth transition to the land of clean eating.