[COLOR=purple] Good Morning,

It looks like a new thread is started everyday for this group, so I hope it's OK that it was started by me today!

I'm new to the Exercise Club, but this looks like a good place for me to be. Here's a little about me:

I'm a 38-year-old married (DH-Jim) mother of 3--Josh, 13; Nick, 10 & Hayley, 8. I started my diet on June 11, 2001. I was sick and tired of "fad diets" that didn't solve my weight problem in the long run. I decided to just go with a more traditional diet--limit calories (1200/day), limit fat (<30/day), increase fiber and get enough protein everyday. My goal weight of 133 is a based on reaching a BMI of 25 (a BMI above 25 indicates overweight). I've lost 21 pounds so far on my way to a total weight loss of 90 pounds.

I walk on my treadmill everyday for 25 minutes and use my home gym to do strength training. I keep a "fitness journal" to chart my progress. I'm very motivated and hope we can share ideas and motivate/support each other.

I just bought a new fitness gadget called the "Powerbelt". Anyone have it? I'm going to use is during my daily treadmill workout (just call me the "multi-tasking queen".

Robyn

Hi Robyn
I'm glad you're here! I just found this place here this week too. I'm taking all the support I can get! I think I have 3 or 4 bulletin boards going but it's helping. I rode my bike for an hour today and I'm playing with the idea of trying the Tae Bo video my friend lent me. Dh is going to work now and won't be home till after 10 so I have to get some kind of other excercise in today. Hope everyone else has a great weekend!!
In Christ,
Pamela

Robyn,
I just realized we're both in the Twin Cities. I have some friends from church who live in Blaine. We live in Maplewood. If you would ever like to go mall walking or swimming, let me know. My email is [email protected].
Pamela

I managed to eek out 4 workouts last week. My goal this week is 5 (with an ultimate goal of 6). I ran for 40 minutes this morning, so that's one day done .

Welcome Robyn! Congrats on your weight loss and healthy life style success so far. You're doing great!

Hi Pamela! Did you try the tae bo tape yet? Let me know what you think.

Hi to all the rest of you motivated exercisers. I gotta get to work now. Well, first I have to get a cup of java since I have a bad case of Monday morning blahs .

Later gators

Hi Guys!

Happy Monday! I wasn't feeling up to par today, but I dragged myself to the gym anyway. I started out slowly with the weight machines, then felt a little better and did my free weight routine. That made me feel a little better, so I went on the treadmill... just planning on staying on for 5 minutes. Well, that turned into 10, which turned into 20 and before I knew it 40 minutes went by. When it was over, I felt great! Who knew?! lol

Here's to exercise! Hope you all have a healthy, fun week.

(Hugs),
Dena

Good day all!

Robyn & Pamela Welcome!-

Pamela-did you try the Taebo yet? I have the tapes & do them sometimes. Billy is very motivating--make sure you start with the instructional video first --they cover the basics in detail unless you've taken kickboxing before. I've seen women at my gym get injured b/c they weren't properly trained.

JustDoIt-GREAT job on the exercise.

Dena-I do that also say okay at least 10 mins then it always ends up lasting longer.

Well I'm back from vacation and trying to get back into my work routine. I did exercise while on vacation--I had to make sure I didn't gain any weight from all the good food I ate.

Yesterday was step class & weights. Today is power yoga & pilates.

I plan on exercising Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat & Sun this week.

Have a great Tuesday all

I had a good workout at the gym this a.m. Lifted weights then did 20 minutes on the bike and 20 minutes on the elliptical. I made sure to push myself so it wasn't a "sissy" workout . That's 2 days down and 3 to go for my goal this week.

Dena - I remember someone telling me "when you don't feel like running, just put on your shoes and go outside, if you still don't feel like it then just walk." I always ended up running. That's great that you dragged yourself to the gym. Ya never know!! And my motto is "I never regret a workout." .

Sherry - good for you for keeping up the exercise on vacation. Good luck with your 6-day workout plan this week. I like that plan. I hope to get to a point when I can consistently pull off 6 days a week.

Catch ya'll later

What's up guys? I'm back from Hilton Head. We had a great time. I ended up gaining a pound which is ok with me. It's much better that gaining 5. I walked on the beach 5 times last week for an hour early in the morning without my husband. I also played a lot of paddle ball. Last night I went to kickboxing class and will be going again tonight. Tomorrow I plan on doing my arm tape and walking on the treadmill.

Hope everyone is having a great day!
Saggy

Hi everyone!

I'm happy to report that I worked out at the gym today, too. I did the machines, free weights, treadill for 30 minutes and the stationary bike for another 30! Wooooohoooooo!

Saggy, glad you had a great time on your vacation. Excellent job on walking an hour 5 times a week by yourself! Plus playing paddle ball and then doing kickboxing, too! I'm impressed!

Jusdoit, love your attitude and your motto! I hope to exercise 5 times this week, too. Like you said, 2 down... 3 to go.

Robyn and Pamela, WELCOME

Sherryi, wow... step class, weights, power yoga and pilates! Fantastic!! Your attitude gives me incentive and motivation to go for it. Thanks.

Let's keep moving!
(Hugs),
Dena

Okay my confession time. I didn't exercise at all yesterday unless you count going up & down stairs to & from my bosses office all day! After working over 10 hours with lunch at my desk & then my sweetie was home early & wanted to spend some time together. Well I was too tired to exercise. I'm going to the gym today for weights & step class.

I've been looking for some motivation and some goals & I found one. My gym is offering this contest called inch loss. I get measured on Saturday then they design a specific exercise & eating plan for each participant. You get measured every 2 weeks and have to use the weights 3 times a week. They had this contest before & the girl who won got some great prizes. There is a $2 fee but the 1st place winner gets all the $. I runs thru November. I'm very excited about it

JustDoIt-Great job on the exercising

Saggy-Glad to hear you had a nice time in Hilton Head. Did you ever make it to Charleston?

Dena-you are the exercise queen.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday. Take care. Sherry

I have been busy working out ~ but I have been camping too, so I haven't been near a computer. I have managed to make it to the gym every other day still. The nice thing about living in North Idaho is you can camp in totally remote beautiful places and still only spend an hour or less to run home for stuff.

Sunday I got up and walked out to the docK and did yoga and strength training (sit ups, push ups, leg lifts, etc... ) as the sun came up. Then I did knee exercises down in the sand on the beach and then went for a swim. My DH is the Island Ranger at Priest Lake. He is in charge of both islands and all the remote (boat access only sites). While he is working we get to stay at the Forest Service Camp Host cabin with the hosts. It really isn't camping, but it sure is nice. The island is 2.3 miles around and makes for a nice morning walk (since I can't run yet).

Yesterday I went to the gym and did free weights with my DH. I benched 95 lbs 2 times and 100 lbs 1 time. That is 2/3 of my body weight!

I will be here infrequently for the next three weeks. I am going to be spending most of my time up at the lake.

You can see Kalispell Island that I stay at at http://www.priestlake.com/
There are also nice pics at http://ww.priestlake.org

I had a fairly decent swim this a.m. Just over a mile in 40 minutes. I didn't even have to share a lane which is always a plus . Then I went home and actually had time for a little breakfast before getting the baby up and out the door!

Saggy - your walks on the beach sound wonderful! When I was young and single I had an apt. a block away from the beach and I could run on the beach every morning (or as often as I could motivate ).

Dena - awesome gym workout! We're on our way to our goal. 3 down 2 to go for me....how 'bout you?

Sherryi - the "inch loss" contest sounds great! Definitely a motivator. Good luck - I know you'll kick butt .

Morrigan - I'm jealous of your "camping." I've only been to Idaho once. We went white water rafting (I can't remember the name of the river?). It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! And great job keeping up the excellent exercise routine!!!

Take care everyone

I haven't been doing as well as I want to. I've been doing workout videos but it's just not the same as the biking. Oh well. My dad returns early tomorrow morning so I will be back on the trail again. I didn't do anything yesterday except super fast house cleaning, chasing my almost 1 year old and toting around one of those cross country ski machines around the thrift store. Hehe. I just needed something for those days when I'm stuck inside and I can't handle another excercise video! Today I did Denise Austin's daily workout on Lifetime, a few minutes on my new machine and took Emmett for a walk to Lake Phalen to look at ducks. So a little bit better. I'm just very tired lately and it's been hard to do anything in this heat! Take care.
In Christ,
Pamela

I guess I've been working too hard this week and not getting enough sleep, because today was another one of those days when my body was screaming, "Do I really have to go to the gym?"

But then I remembered your motto, Jusdoit, and got my jogging shoes on and "just did it." I went to the gym and worked out! Yaaaaahooooo! And like you said, you always feel better afterwards, and I do. So that makes 3 down, 2 to go. Thank you.

Sherryi, the contest is such a great idea! You're going to look super fantastic!! Oh, by the way... if I had to choose between the gym and my hubby, I'd choose my hubby hands down. I'm glad you got to spend some time with him.

Morrigan, have a great time camping! Wow, benching 95 and 100 lbs. That's amazing!

We're all doing such a great job! Let's keep at it.
(Hugs),
Dena

Good afternoon Ladies

Morrigan-Lake looks so relaxing--I'm jealous

JustDoIt-AWESOME for you on the swimming-you are becoming the exercise queen

Pamela-it sounds like you've been exercising to me with all the stuff you are doing.

Dena-great job on making it to the gym & just doing it

Well it was so hot yesterday It was 108 at 6 PM. I was too hot but managed to pull myself kicking & screaming into the gym--it my gym the only gym that is so hot that it makes it uncomfortable to exercise. I wanted to scream HEY TURN THE A/C UP--WHERE IS MY MEMBERSHIP $$$ GOING!!!!!!!!! Ah I feel better thanks for letting me vent. It is a record high again today here in Charleston, SC. I'm not going to the gym today but will do something at home not sure what. It is almost too hot to exercise again today. I might do some yoga.

I start my inch loss contest on Saturday. I will get measured & weighed in on Saturday & get my exercise & eating plan.

What do y'all think about the no carb diets? Just curious. My opinon is for me it is not realistic to say I won't ever eat carbs b/c I love them. One of my co-workers said I should try their no carb eating & I was thinking they should try exercising but didn't say anything.

Thanks for letting me ramble on! Have a great one all! Take care. Sherry