Well, SHOOT!!! I was really looking forward to starting thread number 200! Instead, I've been working on re-starting our network here at home for the last hour and a half . Last week I even thought about misnumbering the thread, because 200 seemed so cool Just under two years to go, and I can start 300!
I'll get over it.
My weekend was very good, too. Lots of yard work that I've put off for at least a year, like digging out half dead azaleas and replacing them, hauling and dumping mulch bags, true functional fitness . Particularly because those were wet mulch bags which weighed way more than advertised. I did one good cardio session on the recumbent bike during a downpour, and food was spot on. None of my usual week-end "oopses".
This week I'm going back to my regular routine, so it's chest and cardio today. Hoping my back and hips hold up...so far I feel pretty good, and those mulch bags were heavy!
Hope everyone had a good weekend, and here's another for Ellen!
Well, SHOOT!!! I was really looking forward to starting thread number 200! Instead, I've been working on re-starting our network here at home for the last hour and a half . Last week I even thought about misnumbering the thread, because 200 seemed so cool Just under two years to go, and I can start 300!
I'll get over it.
You snooze you lose Mel!!
I did mean to mention the 200th thread but I forgot, dang!! My bad!!
Ellen, the guy that challenged me was NOT a cutey but he was funny to talk to afterwards. Now the guy next to me on the elliptical today was HOT!!!!! Dark chocolate skin, bald head, body to die for. I need to find his mother and thank her!
On another note, I did stiff legged deadlift for the first time today. I could really feel them in my legs but noticed another problem. My grip is awful! I could have probably done 10 more pounds but I didn't think my hands could hold the bar. Any suggestions for ways to work around that? By the time I finished those, my hands were too tired to hold the dumbbells for the rest of my back workout so I used the seated row machine instead.
Tik - on a bunch of exercises for back and legs, my grip is what gives out first - like pullups, SLDLs. some of the row machines, deadlifts ... Our backs and legs are much stronger than arms and hands, unfortunately.
I can think of three ways to deal with it (all of which I've tried with some degree of success). First, try an alternating grip - one hand over and one hand under the bar. Second, to strengthen your forearms and wrists, do BB reverse curls (overhand grip) and DB wrist curls (sit down on a bench and prop your wrists over the ends of your knees; do regular and reverse curls). Finally, try lifting straps. I can't do deadlifts (the regular kind) without them. They're a little tricky to get the hang of at first but maybe you can find someone with dark chocolate skin, bald head, body to die for who can help you out.
Oh, Mel, you have me in stitches! Tiki, I totally agree that the "scenery" is very important to getting a good workout. In fact, my trainer has promised to "reward" me for Sunday on Wed by mirroring my sumo squats. (gee, see what icons we have) Yes, it works for me. Somehow, I don't think having you mirror me, Mel, would have the same affect. He is so darn cute and sweet - I'd love to fix him up with my niece ...
Thanks to all of you again for being so supportive and excited about my race. I am off to the derm this afternoon and hopefully she will give her OK to start marathon training. I am not saying I will actually do a marathon, but the training looks slow, paced, and will give me an opportunity to run with other people. Laura - come to DC for a visit and we can do this together one Sat! Umm, I am not to sure how to say this ... but ... one of you could have warned me about the umm *aphrodisiac* quality of running in a race ... DH is very happy and hopes I continue this for a long time ...
Today I did UBW and spent 25 minutes on the stairmaster. It was my first time, but in my cardio rotation for this week. Wow, what a great machine. I didn't go fast, but it sure got my heart rate up!
Ellen -- We didn't want to warn you because we didn't want to spoil the FUN
I just had a really good leg workout and now I am enjoying this great post workout shake....
1c orange juice ( I rarely drink orange juice but I just needed a change)
5 large frozen strawberries
2 scoops of whey protein (40g - I just felt I needed the extra protein )
Splenda... Blended it all with my Braun hand mixer... It tasted like an orange creamcicle... I also added my Glucosamine and Glutamine to the mix...
Ellen -
Lots of congrats on the great finish on the 5k. And at the 'ancillary benefits' - man, I should have started training earlier! I hope your derm gives the ok and you are able to start DCFit. This Saturday will be my first official SJFit; I think we're doing 4 miles which I should be able to do no problem (she says, crossing her fingers). My week off seems to have helped physically, now I just need less going on in my life (please!).
Tiki- I use lifting straps and an alternating grip for deadlifts. I can lift about 50 pounds more than I could without the straps. Another grip exercise is "farmer's walks": just grap the heaviest dumbbells that you can hold for a while and walk around the gym with them. I'm serious. But straps make you look cool.
Ilene- I wasn't snoozing, and I'm not over it yet.
I just bench pressed my weight. Woohoo! only 3 1/2 weeks past my target date!
Ellen- Aphrodisiac effects? Hmmm....maybe I should do a 5K. I've run 1/2 marathons and marathons and that sure wasn't the effect they had on me. FURTHEST thing from my mind, in fact. Maybe the longer distances are too far. In fact, just thinking about doing my long run every Saturday or Sunday kind of put a damper on things.
I'm just bench pressing 50 now. I know that's not very impressive at all, really. Still better than the 20 I started at two and half months ago. I have no idea if that is good progress or not, but I figure any progress at all is better than none at all!
LWL # 200 April 25 - May 1...
... My weekend was very good, specially yesterday...
. Last week I even thought about misnumbering the thread, because 200 seemed so cool 
Just under two years to go, and I can start 300!
. Particularly because those were wet mulch bags which weighed way more than advertised. I did one good cardio session on the recumbent bike during a downpour, and food was spot on. None of my usual week-end "oopses".
for Ellen!
(gee, see what icons we have) Yes, it works for me. Somehow, I don't think having you mirror me, Mel, would have the same affect. He is so darn cute and sweet - I'd love to fix him up with my niece ...
You're my hero!!!! 
Way to go Mel !! You da bomb!! 
