I can't believe there isn't a new thread out here already. Wake up everybody!!!

GG - So good to have you back. Getting settled in can be a bear to deal with but just keep thinking how good it will feel once you are all done.

Hi Sheila - welcome to the nuthouse. Congrats on your loss.

Jack, as soon as I finish this post, I am going to check out your pics to see if you are as new and improved as everyone is saying.

Ilene, I forgot who said it but I do agree, your hot flashes are only cause you are hot stuff, girl!

Hi to everyone else.

I bought the crew B&J Ice cream this weekend (big sale on it) and it was so funny. I picked up New York Super Chunk sugar free version and it was noticeably lighter than the original recipe for it. I still didn't get it, but I did wonder just what all they left out to make the container that much lighter.

I got a good bikeride in Saturday, skipped the gym Sunday but did get there this AM for cardio and back. My back is already sore from throwing the football with DS' football team Saturday. I may be in trouble later on today and tomorrow.

I went to see Dodgeball this weekend. Hilarious movie. I almost wet my pants. Ben Stiller is one funny, crazy actor.

Peace. Tiki.

Good morning everyone! New week, new resolve - I plan to get my eats back on track.

Had a good chest and shoulder workout this morning - only 3 sets of each, still at about 1/2 my normal weights, but it felt good - no shoulder pain, and it actually felt like I was getting a workout.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday! Can't stay long, so I'll pop in later!
Cindy

How is everyone's week starting? Good I hope.
Sumpin' to chew on...
My hubby sent me an article about this baby (well he is 5 now) in Germany who was born very muscular (some of you may have read this?) and now he is 5 and just BUFF with very low BF. Turns out he doesn't produce Myostatin.
Well, I know that they are researching differant meds that duplicate this for people wiht Muscular dystrophy but I wasn't sure if there was any OTC supps. out there that helped with this type of thing. Now being a person who quit being concerned about being 'too' muscular years ago (ain't going to happen) I am intereseted in anything legal that can safely help my progress. After all, More muscle equals less fat. I found 'Myostat' by Biotest. I ordered some and I will let you know how(if) it does anything for me. Apparently they have a patent pending ingredient (Myozap) that inhibits (actually blocks) Myostatin. They have licenced it to only one other company who helped pay the bills for the research, and that would be Pinnacle nutrition who markets 'Myoblast.'
I have never used any of the OTC Andro's from fear of masculinizing effects. Creatine is the only thing I have ever found that really helps.
So. I'll let you know...
Just FYI

Back to work
XOXO
L2L

Hi Jack, Tiki and Cindy ...

Welcome back SB and GG ...

It's 1PM and it seems that I've gotten a lot done... Did some groceries at 8AM was the first person in the store ... Came home gave S a hair cut, just a buzz cut with the electric razor ... Then he got dressed nice and I took him to some places to take resumes for a summer job ... I know he's a bit late for a summer job, but the kid is the master procrastinator ... he's also very very shy and it's killing him to do this, but I can tell when he comes out of the establishment that he feels good about himself ... I just keep telling him that the more he does it the easier it'll get ... I wish someone would call just to boost his confidence up AND get him the HE** out of this room ...

After this I went with D&S to get some paint chips to paint the mini-me-'s bedroom...if you think I'm a you should meet D .... OYE ...

OMG, S asked if he could come to the gym with me!!!! I'm so happy!! I can't take him today because I've already got plans with someone to workout but I certainly will tomorrow. He's looking forward to it too!!

Eats are clean so far so good...

Hey gals. Remember me? I think it's been...........a few months.
Been busy, real busy. I am my husbands secretary for his business, and summer is his busy time. Plus our secretary at the Birthcenter resigned, so now i've been given more responsibilities there, and i have to go there more often. Not to mention the little one keeps me running
I haven't been lifting lately, which i'm really mad at myself about
My problem is silly: I can squat over 50lbs now, but i don't have a rack (whatever you wanna call it, to hold the bar for squats) and i cannot lift 50lbs up and over my head to my shoulders . So i have a need of more equipment but have no funds and no room to put it. I guess i could start concentrating on my arms untill i'm strong enough to lift the bar over . Well mabey that's what i should do. But i have been walking my hilly neighborhood with the stroller, 2.5 miles 3-4 times per week, weather permitting. and i've been eating well.
my sister was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which increases your metabolism, dangerously, and i guess that makes you more hungry. So she comes over yesterday and starts eating me out of house and home! and she wanted me to join her! I had to put my foot down, i don't have hyperthyroidism! and i'm glad, although i was jealous watching her with a jar of peanut butter in one hand and caramel sundae topping in the other . See the temptations we face! But i was proud of myself for resisting
Well, i'm gonna go cook dinner. Hope all is doing well with everyone and i'll try to check in again soon
E

Legs and shoulders today for me. Legs are feeling it already Shoulder felt it the first rep of presses I rested it for 4 1/2 weeks! you'd think that would be long enough. As Jack says, just take me out and shoot me! I think if we all got together we could make I fully functioning weightlifter AFter that long a rest, I've reached the depressing conclusion that there really is something wrong other than overuse, but my arm is going to have to fall off onto the floor before I step in an orthopedist's office again. Guess my shoulders just won't ever look like Serena Williams'es. Lot of my parts don't look like hers On the up side, I think it's all starting to finally come back. I was able to superset squats and jump squats. Three weeks ago, I couldn't even demo jump squats. So maybe don't shoot just yet

Very dull day at the gym. You sure can tell who the "hardcore" are on a nice day in late June with a Phillies game going in the evening.

Food is back on track after a headlong tumble Friday night. It was actually painful. Three cheers for oatmeal and eggwhites! And buckets of broccoli.

Welcome back GG and SB! GG, sounds like you are keeping your sense of humor about the whole job/move experience. Hang in there

Ilene- Good luck getting DS employeed! How old is he? Mine is in that awful too young to work (other than cutting our lawn) but too old for everything else. Right now he is in Colorado at camp and then a few days with Grandma, but other than a week of Boy Scout Camp, I have his lovely sulking boredom to deal with all summer. I'm trying to get him to start lifting- at least arms and chest. The kid's a beanpole and at least it would make him feel good. Hard to convince him of that, tho. Especially when it's my idea.

L2L- Keep us posted on the myostatin. After discovering that creatine made me look like SpongeBob, I've pretty much given up on all supps except protein powder and vitamins, but I keep an open mind.

Hi Cindy! Glad to hear your shoulder is improving. Send a little this way!

Gotta go, almost bedtime (insert snooz smiley),
Mel

Just a quick post before bed time...

Mel -- My DS is 16... The other day we were talking about weights and I can't remember the convo but he said: "You mean I could go to the gym?" I said: "Well yes!!" DS: "Why didn't you tell me?" Me: "You never asked!? " ... Soooooo, today he asked! Sooo tomorrow we are going together, how kewl is that ... Mel, I'm not too sure what to do! What would you suggest? A full body workout with only 2 sets of 10? No matter what we do, I know he'll be sore because this kid IS *the* couch patate of the year! He always kids that he doesn't have a six pack but a keg! .... he's not that big but just out of shape ... What I may also do is go with him for 45 mins then take him home and go back and do my workout because I won't get one with him as intense as I like it!!

Gosh, I'm sending healing vibes to all you sore shoulders, elbows...etc, etc... Like Mel said all of us put together we'd make ONE awesome BB...

Elasky -- Welcome back ... Sounds like you're quite busy!! But are getting some exercise in just the same, way to go for that!

Well off to bed... TTFN ...

Real quick-
Ilene CONGRATULATIONS on getting him interested in going with you! I'd suggest full body, but don't let him go to failure on anything. Puts too much pressure on growth plates for still growing kids, and can cause permanent damage to the ends of the bone until they are fused (around 20-22 for boys). Let him go to town on arms and chest- that's mostly what tennage boys want to work on anyway (BTW, anyone know when their BRAINS grow up???)

Mel

Hi y'all! How's the weather where you're at everyone??

Chalupa del Fuego seems to be over his sniffles and lethargy...now he's chasing Chubby Girl around the house again. Looks like Jim and I are going to have a quiet 4th of July - my sis and BIL and kids flew up to Telluride on Saturday and won't be back until the 5th...and my parents are on an Alaskan cruise. Sis actually invited us to come with - but who'd watch the kitties? We're watching their place right now. Sister has the NICEST backyard - it's HUGE and just perfect for sunbathing, very private...in fact yesterday I grabbed a book out of her library ("Like Water For Chocolate" one of my favorites which I haven't read for quite some time!), grabbed a bottle of water out of her fridge, stripped down to my undies and got some sun on the back of my legs. Her two kitties were laying down snoozing next to me for almost 2 hours. Ahh the good life!

The GAP is having the best sale right now! I can't believe they have so much of their good summer stuff on sale - I got myself three bras, some hipster undies, and a really really cute workout outfit for muy cheapo.

Both eating and workouts have been spot on, and of course I'm spending lots of time at ye olde stables as usual. Don't want to waste a day of the gorgeous weather ya know! I'm planning on going back to that Pilates class this week - probably Thursday evening again. It was fun!

Oof - gotta get our salads ready, then back to my sis' house to let the cats back in...

REal quick here too -- Jack don't read this, close your eyes!

Mel -- I think male brain plates grow properly around 40sh or so, or later for some... I'm sure I read that somewhere!! Thanks for the info ...

Hi Karen -- Why didn't ya just go topless ? ?

Jack open your eyes!

Ok, bedtime for Bozo here... TTFN...

Good morning, gang! Can you believe it’s almost the end of June already? I can’t since we haven’t had much summery weather here in Pittsburgh so far this season — yesterday, for example, being cool and damp and gray. The weeds are loving it, though.

I had a lot of fun with Jack in the gym yesterday — we started out with a few rotator cuff warm-ups and stretches that I learned from physical therapy. He needs to take it easy on that shoulder (like the rest of us!) and try not to be too gung-ho with the weights but he’s a strong guy!

I can feel my tri’s already — today’s going to be chest day, early for a change since my workout buddy has to go out of town later on. Speaking of working out, Muscle and Fitness just came out with a special "101 Workouts" magazine/publication that looks to be worthwhile. Lots of stuff geared for different ability levels and amounts of time in the gym.

About SF B&J’s ice cream — could it be lighter because it has a lot of air whipped into it? I think that’s why cartons of cheap ice cream are so light — lots of air. Maybe that’s how ole Ben and Jerry try to keep the calories down? I checked out their new “low carb” ice cream and it’s all FAT! Still major calories, so that went back on the shelf and I bought SF Popsicles instead (15 calories each).

Cindy — Great news on the shoulder — you were so so smart to rest it instead of pushing through the pain and really messing it up! How’s that new guy in your life?

As for when boy brains grow up, all I can say is that it isn’t age 18! It’s a funny age because the baby birds are perched right on the edge of the nest — on the one hand, they can be SO mature and responsible (when it suits their purposes) and then they revert to kindergarten behavior and humor (fart jokes, anyone?)

Food’s been really good this week and I’ve been running again without too much toe pain. New tunes on the iPod so it’s time for the gym.

PS -- Mel and Ilene both get gold stars for Fitday yesterday!

Good Mornin' Jack and Meg!! and all you LURKERS out there!! Come out come out wherever you are!!

Meg you done good too on your fitday yesterday ... Jack when will you add yours to ours ...

Well I've got to run, DH is back from work because he's on vacation this week and we have to do the mini-me-'s room... TTFN...

Not Lurking, just been Pondering!

The strong south-westerlies we’ve been having have dispersed some of my dark clouds. (Thanks, L2L, for mentioning the cloud and for mentioning me above!) I’m on some additional medication for my hayfever. The doc said, ‘You shouldn’t suffer like this!’ I had to agree!

I’m still babying myself at the gymn and congratulating myself for going. One step at a time. I’d like to move from the ranks of the walking wounded to the jogging wounded before too long. And then, onward and upward. But one step at a time will do for now. At present, I’m not quite sure which bit of me I’d put forward for the Completely Fit and Awesome Weightlifter Kit. (Slang note: ‘fit’ can mean ‘sexy’ in some parts of Britain. That biscuit, etc discussion (?) on the Men’s Corner was hilarious! There’s got to be a PhD in this stuff!)

GG – good to see you again. Elasky – course I remember you! Good to have you back too. And well done for resisting that PNB and caramel thingy.

Ilene – perhaps going to the gymn will boost your son’s confidence and make him less shy? It’s helped me over the years.

FYI section: In her days as a scientist, Margaret Thatcher (former prime minister of the United Kingdom) was responsible for research on how to add a lot of air to ice-cream, and thus make a lot of money. Hmm.

Annual accounts time now.

Love to you all, Silverbirch.

Good afternoon all.

I've been thinking about Silverbirch's list of woes. Having just come through my own spring of discontent, I think I know whereof she speaks. In fact, I tried to put some of my thoughts into a post a couple of weeks ago, but I don’t think I was able to articulate things very well. Let me try again.

Yes, Silverbirch, it is just a phase. But when you’re in the middle of it, it can be damm difficult to see that, and equally difficult to cope. In my own case, I was not deeply depressed, but I was dogged by a nagging sense that nothing was really going right. My glass, which is always half full, was half empty. I didn’t feel very good; I was dealing with old injuries and chronic low-grade pain that just wouldn’t go away; I slept like the dead but awoke feeling unrested and un-at-peace. For days at a time, I was remarkably unproductive at work except for the absolute must-do jobs. My normally can-do spirit, couldn’t.

Why does this matter here, on a discussion list that’s dedicated to clean eats, regular exercise and lifting weights? Because, when I become mired in a downward spiral, I fall off the wagon. I don’t eat as well as I should and I don’t exercise. Note: I may not binge, but I don’t eat well, and now, in an irony of ironies, I can tell precisely how bad eating cwap makes me feel because I’ve learned how good clean eating makes me feel. That, in turn, makes me even more depressed, because then I REALLY begin the mental games. I beat myself up about my own inability to resume my routines; I chastise myself for every unhealthy bite I put between my lips; I curse my body for illness and injury.

Plain and simple: it’s not a pretty sight.

The phase has come to an end. What ended it? I don’t know, but I suspect that taking off a week had something to do with it. I had only planned on taking 2 days off, but a number of planets suddenly aligned themselves perfectly, and I was able to take off 4. I slept. I puttered. I walked. I listened to music. After a chaotic year, I needed that time as I have never needed it before. And I’ve given the whole thing a lot of thought.

I believe that we all go through these phases all the time. No matter how much we plan and strategize, we get caught up in Life, and Life can be a thumper. For me, it was a frantic year, punctuated by professional challenges. Silverbirch, it sounds as if the pressures of parenting and making a living are ganging up on you, and you’re injured to boot.

Somehow, we’ve got to tough it out. We’ve got to do what we can to take care of ourselves, but maybe the most important thing we can tell ourselves is simply, “This, too, shall pass.” I’m thinking that if we recognize these phases, and acknowledge them, then we can whittle them down to size, and not allow them to set us off on binges and other unhealthy behavior.

And if we’re really lucky, we can learn something from it.

This time, I got lucky.

The good news is that I did NOT gain back 50 pounds in the eight weeks or so that I was “lost.” But I probably DID gain back three or four. For now, I’m not getting on the scale; I’m just using my pants-o-meter. The second piece of good news is that my new healthy habits didn’t desert me. While I didn’t always eat wisely, I did eat many clean meals. I drank a lot of water.

Good news No. 3: I went in search of an exercise alternative. Because I was so exhausted, sore and stiff, I just couldn’t lift a single dumbbell. Even the thought was daunting. But as Mel pointed out, “you’ll feel a lot better if you get moving.” So, I tried something new: I tried a yoga class.

I’ve mentioned it before, but I haven’t told you this: it looks like yoga’s going to become a new passion. Perhaps I’m drawn to it because it aligns with my spiritual life, which is rich and full. But I love the movement. I’ve bought a number of tapes and several books, and I’ve contacted a certified personal trainer, who also teaches Pilates and yoga. I’m going to be looking for a way to integrate yoga, weights and cardio. I’m doing this partly because I have to – it’s the only combination that is going to allow me to continue to exercise -- and I’m doing this because I enjoy it. And once again I’ve learned that we have to accommodate the bodies we are given, especially as they age and change.

So Silverbirch, and everyone who is muddling through a phase, or injuries, or Life, I send you warm and healing vibes and much much affection.

This, too, shall pass.

Hi all,

If we are building the perfect body them I will gladly donate my arms and shoulders - they don't ache - but we need to slap someone else's muscles on them cause they sure ain't cut either.

My back is sore from yesterdays lifting and the football as well. Tonight I hit bis and tris with DS. He is only allowed to lift my 15 and 10 lb dumbells cause he still has a LOT of growing to do.

I learned years ago that men grow up a LOT slower than women so I decided "If you can't beat 'em, you might as well join em". I have a neighbor who is the same age as me but to see the two of us, you would not know it. She weeds her gardens, sips tea on her porch, wears knee length shorts and never raises her voice. I turn cartwheels on the front lawn, play football with the boys, don't even HAVE a garden, count to 60 at the top of my lungs before screaming out "Ready or not, here I come. Anyone around my base is out!" I think the guys are onto something with the delayed maturity cause I sure am having a heckuva good time now acting less than my age.

Peace. Tiki.