Hey Jill. I'm sorry to hear the bad news. Hang in there.

first - OMG Jill, I am SO sorry for the tragic loss of your friend, and for his wife to witness such a horrible thing!! please, the next time you're with her, let her know a vermont rider sends her huge sympathy and condolences

SBD Sass - bless you on the tummy comp I guess I am finally down enough in body fat, so that the muscles I have been working on have at least a fighting chance to try to show I can place the success to South Beach diet for losing the weight; and for (usually) consistant exercise for the muscle tone.

But, as everyone has at least one good feature or point about their body, I've been lucky to have a defined (dipped in) waist; and I like to work my abs; BUT I still have god-awful ugly chunky legs and thick ankles

reda - I did get the bank/credit card thing resolved; it was MY fault Back in April, my husband thought he lost our checkbook; and I rushed to cancel that account and start a new one; and notify everyone who we had on auto-pay. BUT I forgot one credit card that had a zero balance, and I didn't have any recent payments to help me remember that...so I didn't notify that card company. And then bam, out of nowhere, there was a charge for a software upgrade, that wasn't expected ( I guess they thought they could be renewed yearly?) anyway, THAT was the charge.

soooo...the people at the credit card co were very good about it; they accepted my blundered apology, and waived the late fees, and put our APR rate back to where it was...but NOW I have to watch for our other accounts, to see if they raise our rate, and if I can talk them out of it!

thanks for listening

We got about 2 inches of snow..could have been worse! But I still really, really want to ride on Halloween!! Hope it happens...

Hey, I've been meaning to post my daily exercise...I'll do a little catch-up here -

Monday 10-20 Gilad's 45 min. toning
Wed. 10-22 Keli Roberts Step aerobics with light hand weights
Thurs. 10-23 Gilad's Step and Tone
Sat. 10-25 Denise Austin Sizzler (cardio and strength)
Sun. 10-26 Petra Kolber (mostly cardio, some strength)
Mon. 10-27 Keli Roberts step aerobics
Wed. 10-28 Denise Austin Sizzler

that was such a funny scene!! and I actually did laugh out loud once I wiped it off my cheek

Oh my Jill I am sooo sorry to hear about your dear friend, that would be just awful having to watch it. Please send my condolences as well....

Holly that was great of your credit card company to take the apology and put you back to normal. Having good credit and keeping up on payments or just paying them off right away does work in our favor usally.

Oh ya just remembered Jill your trip to see daughter and grandkids is coming up very quickly are you getting ready?...

Deadwood well we are driving because they have snow in the mountains right now and last time we looked weather wasn't looking good for area.

Sass Thanksgiving Challenge well I just started back with exercise routine yesterday but now I just need to get eating under control. I am thinking with going to Deadwood that things will be out of control... This is where we get to go to let loose without knowing to many people but those that go out with us usually and we are very good friends for many years. But with that a little story I have to tell

There was like 6 of us that went out there for a weekend ski/snowmobile trip and us girls had quite a few drinks and I let one talk me into getting in a wet t-shirt contest (first one ever) so all 3 of us signed up with like 15 other girls well of course wet t-shirts usually end up no t-shirts and needless to say I heard a group hollaring go Reda and clapping and when they got to the front it was my husbands boss and friends, shirt came down super fast and talk about embarassing but really I had a good time and got 2nd place a local gal got 1st but it was fun. It was worth $500

Oh so back to challenge I will probably go full force on Sunday not that I am totally loosing control now but I am not a 100% on plan either but close. I believe my goal will be to lose at least 1-1.5 pounds a week, this will be very doable for me. I looked at your ticker and yours is looking great
Holly looks like you have an exercise plan all planned out, you really do work your butt off, I am back on my exercise routine but today no exercise per say but we did cut up that huge tree and haul it back behind the garage so I did get probably more exercise then usual.

Okay I will quit rambling, have a great night

good morning chicks! well reda, I guess driving is the thing to do, if there's snow in the mountains. We know you'll still have a great time!

thanks for the story about the t-shirt contest!! wow, congrats on your placement and winnings!

today's exercise was - Petra Kolber tape (mostly cardio {sweaty!!} and some strength) 36 minutes; and Gilad's Abs tape (12 minutes) and about 40 pushups (not all at once!)

have a great day!

reda - 2nd place is just as sweet at 1st...I want to do a wet t-shirt contest! Ha! Congrats! And I have trouble messing up challenges because I must reach the goal. I haven't cheated on my diet since the challenge so that's a good thing. My goal is like yours. I need to drop 1.5 lbs per week for a toal of 5 weeks. Boy, this is not going to be easy. Hang in there though 'cuz we can do it.

Holly - Where did you get your Gilad's Abs video from and can you tell me what Gilad has you do in the video and how long is it? How many crunches do you actually end up doing? I'm currently doing the Power 90 Abs portion of Tim Horton's workout and those 100 crunches in 5 minutes is what turned me on to his video.

Hey Sass

I get my Gilad videos from www.collage.com it's a really great way to choose videos, because they are indexed so well; and if you check em out online, you can do previews...I actually usually order from their catalogue.

The Abs tape I do, is from his QuickFit System, which is a collection of tapes that I splurged on, the collection was about $70 I think. It has tapes that are really relatively quick, like not more than 15 minutes. Three are cardio; and the rest are: Hips, Legs and Buns; Shoulders and Arms; Back; Abs. The point is to pick a Cardio tape then a strength tape, for a quick but effective workout. The Abs tape is 12 minutes long, and let's see if I can remember all the different crunches-

lying down flat; first do abdominal lifts; to warm up
Regular crunches; hands behind head; lifting up (shoulder blades off ground) and releasing. maybe 16 of those
Same crunches as above; now lift and twist elbow towards opposite side; about 8 of those; then lift up again, regular crunches, about 4, then repeat 8 the twisting elbows to opposite sides;
then up; bent knees brought up; about 4;
then lift and elbows to knees; 4 X's
knees up again 4 X;s
elbow to knees 4X's
8 crunches;
then head up; knees up; hold for count of 3, squeezing; release. Do again. repeat about 6 or 8 x's
rest a second
Then Elbow to Same side, of knee (working obliques) 8 x's Then right elbow, left elbow, right to same side; 8 x's (OUCH) repeat that 3 times ; Then seven turns in a row; repeat; Then other side!
Then lift; twist to right,center; then down. Up, twist to left, center, down. Do this 8 times
rest a second
Then bend knees, feet on floor; cross right leg over left knee; left arm extend, right arm donw by side. Crunch up and bring left elbow to right bent knees. LIft up 8 Times. Then lift up with both hands behind head, 8 X's. Then crunch up; bring up your knees; lower. 8 x's. Repeat . Then crunch up and bring knees up at same time, as a single movement, 8 times. Then do the same, with other leg crossed.
Then sit on floor; bring palms on floor behind butt; keep your knees at 90 degree angle bent. Bring up your knees, pulling in your abs. a small movement. Don't do it if yr back hurts, I don't do this one too much.
Then lie down, on stomach. Bend arms in so you can rest your chin on the back of your hands. Lift up your upper body, keeping your legs straight out behind you. This is very good for lower back. Then stretch arms out in front of you (still laying down) Lift up your right arm as you are lifting up your left leg; then lower. LIft up your left arm as you are lifting up your right leg. This is also for lower back. Alternate, about 8 times.

that's it!! I just did this as I watched the tape. I hope it made sense. Probably not

I like the collection of tapes except for the Cardio ones; they use alot of boxing moves (uppercuts, punches, etc) that I don't care for. So I do something different for cardio, then do a strength tape. You need dumbells for the Strength tapes, prob ranging 3 lbs, 5 lbs, 10, 15 when you're feeling burly

And now so you don't all erroneously think I'm so together with my eating, I had MAJOR sugar cravings today and had two big-*** cookies and two packs of M & M's. Boy, was it all good

Hey Holly are those M&M's addicting!!!! Can't just stop at one or even half the darn pack Oh well it is only one day and tomrrow is a new day!! I just have to remember when I have those off days myself

Your collections sounds really good I may have to do some checking online. I currently am doing the Couch to 5K and Jillians 30 Day Shred it still kicks my butt!!!! I have been looking at the 3daymelt, it looks like a good program as well and really works the whole body but right now only looking haven't ordered and it is really cheap so not sure what is holding me back....

I did get to ride again today, it was really nice but tomorrow we leave and it is suppose to be nice here over the weekend but I will miss riding to take our weekend getaway!

Well I will check back in Sunday night or Monday morning- Have a Super Great Weekend!

This is almost equivalent to the Power 90 Abs workout I do everyday. 10 sets, 10 reps makes 100 crunches in 5 minutes. Once I master this I will look into getting yours because it's longer.

I'm also do the 30 Day Shred like you Reda, but I think I need more cardio...do you think there is enough cardio in the Shred????

Hi Ladies... wondering if I can join this little group.... Here is a little about me... Im 29, live in Massachusetts.,,, I am a true New Englander. Love the Red Sox, and the NE Patriots... huge sports fan and athlete.... I started my "life changing" about 3 weeks ago... I woke up and just did it.... Im a big girl... and need to lose weight..

Now onto the good stuff.... I have two Harleys... I started out with a Sportster... absolutely love my Sporty.. its an 883R - they don't make this Racer anymore.. its very special....

Last summer, I bought another Harley.. this time a Street Bob Dyna 1558cc's... Now this one is really my baby... I dislike chrome, so I blacked out pretty much everything... I will post pics soon....

Please let me know if there is room for another biker...

Thanks, everyone,

Jessica
(Go Patriots)

Always room for another biker!!!

Jessica!!

My next bike is gonna be a Night Rod...which is a slight change from this (what I've been riding since 1985)


it's starting to look like I should start playing the lottery to find the dosh for this... Ah well...

Jessica! Of course we have room for one more biker chick! Glad you're here...and 2 Harleys...you GO Girl!

Gina...you will look so dam hot on that new bike.....hope that Lotto hits soon!

Hi Holly, Reda and Sass! Thanks sooooo much for the condolences...his wife is doing OK. At first she said she would never ride her bike again....now she's thinking she will. A positive step for her. Randy would defininitely want her to. He loved riding more than anything.

Yes...trip to Wyoming is coming up fast....2 weeks from tomorrow! I'm starting to pack a few things, although I leave a lot of stuff out there so I can just throw a little in a carry-on and GO. Mostly gifty stuff for Ashlyn and Jaeden (4 and 6). And here's the coooolest thing ever...we got web-cams and we talk and sing and color and do puzzles, etc. and every day that I'm off work we play and have lunch together. It's such fun and just like being there except that I can't hug them!

Rode yesterday...about 225 miles...just HH and me. Went up through the Ocala National Forest and almost over to the west coast to Rainbow Springs...had lunch and rode home a different (and as scenic) route. A great riding day! 75 and sunny.

Holly...you are in one dedicated mood for weight loss rite now, along with Reda and Sass. Me.....I'm in EATING mode...scared to weigh myself, but I promise to next weekend. Only exercise I'm doing are the miles I run at work, but I think I might just dust off my Gazelle and hop on it this week.

Jessica! of course there's room, we welcome ya! and yeah, congrats on TWO bikes!

HI JILL! aw, that's so nice about having the web cam to visit with the girls. Oh, and don't be thinkin I'm always doing what I should, that stoopid Halloween candy somehow pried open my jaws and jumped down my throat glad its all out of the house now.

We went to a friend's house (also motorcyclists) for a Halloween party last night, boy was it fun. The woman goes all out for decor and food; she had this huge table spread with a black spiderweb lace tablecloth; and platters and plates and bowls of spooky food - "zombie flesh on a stick" was marinated pork brochettes; "slick eyeballs" were marinated mozzarella balls; "worms on wood" was crisp baguette slices spread with gorgonzolla (sp?) cheese and caramelized onions; other stuff that I can't remember but it was really a big effort and yummy!

I drank WAY too much and flirted (with hubster's OK) and enjoyed being in my Stern HeadMistress costume (all items bought at thrift store! even better)

I don't remember leaving their house, don't remember the ride home (almost an hour) and woke up when hubster was parking the van. I reached for the door handle; felt the (ugh!!) vomit start to percolate, and managed to open the door and neatly barf onto the driveway

staggered into the house, got upstairs; and weaving by the bedside, dropped outer coat, dropped suit coat; unzipped boots, and fell into bed still wearing shirt, miniskirt, tights, necktie, big earrings, contact lenses and a ton of makeup, LOL! Woke up at 6, with a spinning head, and was SO glad that we gained an hour of sleep! drank some water, then back to sleep, and stayed in bed until after 9:00. Then I had to get ready for (groan!) work. But after 2 Exedrin, I felt OK.

So that was my Halloween