Lori, Your photo's are most inspiring! Congratulations on "coming out of your shell". I also went to your profile and the pic of your house is awesome....I dream of a porch like that. Thanks for the warm welcome.

You guys are moving right along. I'm unable to cehck in every day because I'm at the end of the semester and have two projects due. Only two more weeks and my summer can begin!

I got right back in to my pre-vacation eating and I'm really proud of myself about that. I've even lost almost 5 pounds in the 5 days I've been back but I'm sure most of that was water retention from all the food I ate while I was on vaca. So I'm still on track to reach my goal by Memorial Day.

Haven't had much time to work out or even get back into the gym since I've been back, but I did take my mountain bike out two days and ride for at least an hour. This weekend the weather isn't gonna be so great, so I guess it will be home workouts this weekend unless I can catch a little non-rainy break tomorrow and go out for a while.

I hope everyone is doing well and working towards their goals! I have a movie "shoot" to do for my class this morning, so I'm gonna go!!! Even though I can't respond to everyone, I do read! So keep posting!

Cammie, totally understand about that one. My sister is in college plus working, so she is always squeezing the homework in where she can, and it seems never-ending! Glad you will catch a break for summer!

PhatCat, and welcome to the challenge! I haven't seen Lori's porch yet, so I'll have to check out that photo!

Lori, love the new shirt! Losing weight definitely makes you want to buy some clothes you never could look good in before, so I know exactly where you're coming from! Speaking of flashback clothing, I confess I kinda miss the baseball jersey "concert shirt" fashion of my youth. Those were comfy!

Today I tried to make some progress on my push-up goal for this challenge. Those things are pissing me off! I can only crank out 3 or 4 to start, then I have to rest, can do about 2 or 3 with some creative grunting noises thrown in (I'm pretty sure those make you stronger, lol), rest, 2 more, rest, 1 more, etc. So, I did about 12 of them today, but not more than 4 strung together. I will keep working on it!

My pull-ups seem to be getting worse, but I think it's just the workouts we've had this week...my grip and my shoulders were fried this week, so I couldn't get more than 2 pull-ups with the blue band today, as far as putting them together. It's mainly a grip strength (of lack thereof) issue, so I'll keep working at that one, too!

Not a goal for this challenge, but one I'm working on, is to climb the rope. I can actually climb it pretty well now, and know I could make it to the top, but I am working on my descent. Don't want to get to the top, then drop like a bomb, burning my hands and legs up, so I'm going up only about 6-8 feet off the floor, then practicing coming down in a controlled manner. I am getting better at that one, so I may be able to do the full rope climb soon!

I also tried jumping rope today. Oy. I can do about 3 jumps before I feel like I'm going to pee my pants (TMI, I'm sure, but if you've had kids and/or been very overweight, you KWIM). So, I just tried that: 3 or 4 jumps, rest, 3 or 4 jumps, rest, etc. I will practice that daily, because I do not want to be embarrassing myself when 150 jumpropes come up in the crossfit workout!

That's probably enough blabbing from me, so I'll mosey over to the weight lifting board and see what those goons are up to! Later!

I would like to join this challenge!

The pool at my apt complex opens on Memorial day, so I would like to be able to wear my new bathing suit and feel hot in it My plan to make the hotness happen is by toning up. So my goal is to make sure I get my workout in every day!!

Phatcat & Sweetcurves - welcome

Jams - congrats at meeting one of your goals

Lori - thank you. Also congrats on the clothes getting baggy. I have gone through so many sizes this past year. I love it every time but it gets expensive having to get new clothes all the time. Love the shirt also. Glad you are feeling healthy too.

I had a d'oh moment today. I went to the gym this morning at about 9:30 to get a half hour of incline walking in before my strength training class. Then I realized my class was not until 11. So I did 50 min of incline walking and 20 min on the bike and took some time to call my husband and let him know I would be home late. The class was 50 min upper body and 10 min core. I bench pressed 95 lbs today. It was only for 5 reps and I had a little help at the end but I still did it. WooHoo. Also, my 5.5 mile jog is spreading throughout the trainers at the gym. Apparently is is more of an accomplishment than I realized. After all I know a lot of people that can do more. Oh I almost forgot the scale was at 179.2 this morning. WooHoo finally out of the 180's.

Oakey, that beats my max bench by 5 pounds...awesome job! Actually, my bench might even be less now, since I haven't done it in a while. It doesn't come up very often in the Crossfit workouts...mostly we do push-ups, so it will be interesting to see what I can bench if it does come up. I don't think I've ever run 5 miles, either. You are rocking the workouts! Congrats on getting out of the 180s!

I was so close to getting out of the 170s, then my weight started going up the last 2 days, and I'm back to 174.2 today. Weird! I'm not really concerned, though...I figure it's just water weight from the workouts. I might do a long slow run today, though, to help move it along, if I feel up to it later. I kinda miss the longer runs, just crank the tunes and zone out.

Sweet, ! I like your challenge goal! What are you doing for your workouts? We need details!

Today is a rest day for me, well, a rest day from the Crossfit workouts. Yesterday's projects got put on hold, since we had a deluge of rain that started right after lunchtime and went all day. Today is sunny, so I'll attempt to get some major work done on the chicken coop and get some mowing in, assuming the riding mower works after being neglected all winter. It had some sort of "issue" at the end of the season last year, which I assumed was a loose blade, but I couldn't get the bolts to budge on the blades, so if I get it started, then I have to figure out what's wrong with it. I'm really not too skilled with the mower maintenance thing, but I'll probably get an education in it this year, whether I like it or not.

Oakey, meant to say "thanks!" about the OHS goal. I was really excited to get that 45 lbs overhead for more than 2 stinking reps, and then to get the 50 lbs a few times was a good confidence booster!

Thanks for the welcome.

My plan includes working out 6 days a week. I like to alternate between strength training and an aerobic workout... Love my Jillian Michaels and my Richard Simmons. Usually I do each workout 3 times a week. But, since my goal is to try to really tone up, I will be doing my toning 4 days a week and aerobics 2.

If I am really motivated though, I may sneak in a couple nights each week on the treadmill too.

Hey Gang! I've been popping in the past few days trying to keep up, but I've been so frustrated with IE and 3FC. I was getting hung up every couple of clicks. So, I just downloaded Firefox and it's working perfectly. Thank goodness!

All is good here, busy as always. The kiddos are asleep tonight (for a change) so I actually have a lil time to myself. As usual, DH is playing computer games so I'll hang out here with my buddies.

The scale continues to drive me crazy. I talked with my trainer about it and he's not phased at all. Doesn't want me lowering calories or changing anything up. Just keep on pushing through. I can definitely feel some body changes going on...I spent a good part of the weekend cleaning out my closet. Wow...I have/had WAY TOO MANY clothes. I am getting rid of everything that is too big (expect a couple old favorites that I'm saving for a great "after" picture) because I will NEVER need those fat clothes again! I have bought a few new things for spring. I'm going to visit my BFF this weekend and of course I had to have some new stuff for the trip. I can't wait....to get a little break and to see him. I will not make my goal that I had of 227, but that's ok. I'm doing my best!

This weekend was nonstop rain so no biking for me. Hopefully we'll see the sun again one of these days.

Jam - You are a crazy workout queen!!! Seriously...how do you keep up with it. Your "rest" days are well earned!!!

Sweet - WELCOME!

Oakley - You are on fire!!! Keep up the amazing work! Seriously...I can't imagine being able to run 5.5 miles...ever!

Cammie - Awesome job getting back on track after vacation!

Lori - You crack me up. You were definitely in a great mood when you wrote your last post.

Phat - WELCOME! Yes....fruit = good in my book!

DG - HI! I went through a phase where I was seeing a slightly lower/same weight at night as the morning. I have no idea why. It hasn't been the case for quite some time. Of course I'd be happy just to see a lower number someday....anyday...soon...please!

HOWDY! to anyone else lurking around! I'm outta here for now.

Hi everyone. Just stopping in for a quick minute.

Barb & Jams - thank you for the nice comments.

Barb - Isn't cleaning out the closet fun when you can see all that progress made. I gave away so many clothes recently. With going through so many sizes in one year it is hard to keep up. Nothing fits for very long. I also kept some of my larger clothes for the before and after picture.

Sweet - I have quite a few DVD workouts but the Jillian Michaels ones are my favorite. Which ones do you have? I am currently trying to do the 30DS for 30 days straight. Although I missed 2 days due to circuit training class.

Today was my rest day and unfortunately I went over in calories today. I am okay with that. I will just do on the lower end tomorrow and make up for it.

Hi to everyone else. Hope everyone has a great week this week.

phatcat~thanks so much~You are awesome~i love my house ~It's a farm house~On 4 acres~Me & the hubby have been fixing it up best we can~I am planting alot of flowers everywhere~We did buy 2 black rocking chairs for that porch and enjoy some evenings out there rocking~THATS SO PEACEFUL

jamsk8r~I definetly miss those baseball shirts also! They was sooo cool to me and comfy.

oakeyson~we will be to our goals soon and then we can buy our forever wardrobe~which would be nice. I bought alot of drawstring skirts to help with the size changes~so far so good.

BARB~ "It's too quiet. Where are all my buddies?" ~I was leaving something exciting for you to read since you said that in an earlier post hahahahahahaha And I know I am your buddy
Just bugging ya~I promise I was just thrilled I am sooooo dang close to onederland and rather quickly actually. So I got carried away Blabbing all kinds of silly stuff hahahahaha
I will hate to see how I will react when I do reach onederland & My main goal.
I weighed 207.2 this morning~Another amazing Number ~aint seen that number for years~SO WHAT ARE YA DOING FOR MOTHERS DAY??????
My kids ordered me some marigolds From school~I Love flowers~I am gonna make a flower bed with them on Mothers days~And plant the marigolds.



I AM SOOOO TIRED EVERYONE~IT WAS LAUNDRY DAY~To those who think chores is not a work out I disagree totally~I feel like I ran a marathon twice today~ hahaha~GOODNIGHT EVERYONE~& TAKE CARE

I'm back again....cause I have to share this with friends who will understand my excitement. I'm not quite ready to post new pics to the masses, but I am comfortable with this little group.

So, on Friday I went into the gym to have the manager take some pics for the testimonial. I haven't seen them yet, but when I came home I took some myself. I was using the camera on a timer and the light sucks and somehow all the pics turned out fuzzy....but CHECK THIS OUT......The first picture was taken the night of my 20th HS reunion last June.



The friend I'm going to see Friday last saw me the week of the reunion!

The shirt and pants I'm wearing are XL...yes....only 1 x in that size. I haven't had only one x in LONG time! Looking forward to losing the x all together!!!

Thanks for letting me ramble and share.

Lori...YAY...AWESOME number. Mother's day? I won't be home. I'll miss my boys terribly, but they aren't old enough to understand. I'll still be in MN because my friend's 40th bday also falls on Mother's day. I'll be celebrating with him and his family.

Off to bed....

Wow, Barb! You look amazing! I'm sure that "x" will be out of the closet in no time. I was going to say, just to second what your trainer said, if you're seeing changes in inches, forget the freaking scale! I haven't lost much by the scale, actually it was exactly the same today as it was 4 weeks ago, but, I've lost 2 inches off the measurement around my "belly button" line in the last 4 weeks, so the scale can kiss my (bleep)! Thanks for sharing the pic with us!

Speaking of shrinking out of stuff getting expensive, is anybody else shrinking out of their shoes? My feet have actually gotten shorter, besides getting narrower...I guess the extra weight can kinda flatten out your arch, maybe? I can't figure how they got shorter, other than to guess that is the case, but now all my shoes are too big, and, the really expensive part, my skates (ack!). Of course, this COULD be a good excuse for me to treat myself to a pair of these lovelies, as a reward for getting to goal ....

Good Monday All,
I'm off school all week....yippee....wish I had a garden to work in.

Lori- I am so envious of your farm house and acreage! We live in a townhouse with a small front porch for my planting pots. This year I planted a cherry tomato in one of the pots. It has a couple of little tomato's on it :-)
Oh...the marigolds are a great gift..they keep away the "bad" bugs from your garden.

Barb-OMG!! Those pics are amazing. I bet you are feeling so good. Moving is easier and all. I love to take bubble baths and I was finding that I could hardly get out of the tub anymore. Congratulations on what you have accomplished.

Cheryl-You seem to really be embracing the exercise...that is my goal...I know the weight would move if I would. My husband bought me a kettlebell...I swing it now and then, but I really should commit myself. And the shoes! Those look so sleek....my last pair were a size 8 and I usually wear a 7.....I feel like I have on snow shoes when I put them on.

Have a great day everyone.
Your New Bud,
Kathy

barb- Wow what a difference!! You look amazing!!

to everyone else!! Sorry I cant stay too long I have way too much to get done today!!

Things have been good here, I am up 2lbs, stupid TOM!! Everyone is doing so great keep up the good work.

Ill be back later after I get all my stuff done for some more personals, I feel like I have been gone forever or somethng!!!

Have a great Monday!!

Morning, peeps! Just a flyby before I have to run to the gym. Figured out what was wrong with the scale the last two days..TOM. Seemed like I just did that, so I didn't realize it was that time again. Annoying!

Kathy, exercise and the pursuit of fitness is addicting, if you find the right kinds of exercise for YOU. I enjoy jamskating and crossfit and running, so that's what I do. The pic is of the pimp skate boots I like. It's $600 just for the boot, not including plates and wheels and stuff, but it's a very nice leather boot! In reality, I probably could not be that self-gratifying and wasteful of money, since I can get a comparable boot, though not in cool psychedelic prism-y green, for about $200, but it's fun to drool over them and pretend I have money to burn, lol!

Angel, Lori, Oakey, everybody else, I gotta run, so I can get a decent warm-up in!