Brandy - Well I am not sure it is just with swimming but YES I notice an increase in appeatite when I work out seriously. It could be the swimming for sure because I push that hard on Saturday and then again on Monday.

Speaking of hard work-outs ... OMG!!! ..... I just did The Firm - Body Sculpting dvd, by far, bar none, the most INTENSE weight work-out I have EVER done. I thought I was in pretty decent aerobic shape ... this so kicked my butt back to square one and made me remember what a true work-out feels like. They say "visable results in 10 work-outs" and I am willing to put $$ on the line on that one, there is no way if you are doing this work-out that you can't not see results. It is so good!

I rented the series from the library so I could test it. I used a step stool instead of their patented "fanny lifter" and it worked just fine. I already happened to have 3 set of dumb bell weights (8 lb 5 lb 3 lb) so that worked just fine.

This is my tentative work-out schedule:
~Monday swimming (600 yards)
~Tuesday The Firm Body Sculpt
~Wednesday The Firm Abs
~Thursday MTv Power Yoga
~Friday - don't know
~Saturday swimming (600 yards)
~Sunday - don't know

I have "before" pictures (front, side, back) in my two piece swimsuit, and OMG it was frightening to see in photo. But they say a photo doesn't lie. My boyfriend took the pictures, and I did his. We commited to taking them in the same attire and same pose every Thursday night so we can see week to week improvements *crossing fingers there is some*. I am excited to see what The Firm difference is in 10 work-outs. Considering I am only doing 2 a week, it won't be for a month or so till I post some "before/after" photos. But I will let you guys see

Morning everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful hump day. Spinning today and I am TIRED!!! I taught last night and my class was full of a group of friends. They were a fun class, but hard to get to leave when class ended. (I got out a half hour late!)

Sassy-yeah, the firm videos are awesome. I used to do them alot before my ankle problems. I am SO nervous when there is a step involved now. I do NOT want to go thru another ankle surgery and everytime I get on a step I think of "just one wrong turn and you'll do it again." ANYWAYS, your workout schedule looks good. Remember to allow for a rest day, especially when you are beginning. It helps your body tremendously. Maybe put that on Fri. or Sun. I'd also try to have a more definete plan for the other open day. Its harder to "forget" to do it if you have something specific planned. I can't wait to see your progress. BTW-Your weight loss is AWESOME!!!!

Have a good morning, I'll be back later.

Good morning ladies ~
You guys are doing great!
Brandy ~ You are such a motivation here on the board, thanks for being here!
Actually, all of you are inspiring me to keep plugging along. I was doing great for January and half of February, now I'm kinda just scraping along but I have to get my head in the right place and get moving again!! I think I was just in a funk with work and school so at night I just wanted to snuggle with my family instead of workout. Oh ya, and those darn M&M's kept calling my name.

So....off to plan a meal schedule for the next few days so I'm prepared instead of grabbing whatever I can on the way here or there! I think that will help.
Sandra

Girls for helping me out the Pants are hung. I am pumped but also beat I did The Firm at lunch time and Boxing last night went over the hour to an hour an a half. But I love it my insturctor told me I was doing great and that I should take the friday and sunday class I might start next month. I love it such a great work out and it made me feel better. But after class and those damn ab excerise that he kept saying one more I was ready to

But I feel better today Thanks again

Morning! I think everyone is doing awsome!!! I went out for dinner with my folks last night,celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! I managed to control my food intake which for me is amazing when I go the a steak house! lol!! There was no cakes or anything like that so all went well! Have to go get some workout done,check in later!

Have a great day ladies!
W.

Wendy-Good job on exercising some control over dinner out.

Sandra-I am spoiled and my husband does most of our cooking since I usually teach in the afternoons until dinner time. I have decided that if I want to be healthy I need to learn how to nourish my body without anyone elses help. SO, I have been cooking (still only 1-2x's a week). I am starting to feel more confident in how thing turn out, but I am HORRIBLE at planning what to make.

Nikki-I am still jealous of your boxing. Are you going to add the extra classes? Sounds like such fun.

Well, I did an hour of hard spinning and another hour of pretty vigorous turbokick, so I am butt tired. Have just a few lessons to teach this afternoon, and have the evening off from church. (Thank God for subs!) I may actually get to see my hubby tonight. What a concept.

Doing well all! I am so happy that I am only minimually sore from last night. Which is so good - it is the kind that makes you feel like you did work but not so sore you can't walk ... YIPEE!

Tonight is The Firm Sculpting Abs, and I am actually excited for it. I am shocked! I have to work til like 8 tonight, but I brought a healthy lunch and dinner, so I am set I am working on the water intake, I like getting points there.

This game rocks! I have my Mom now doing it with me on the side too. Plus we have made a kid version of it that involves points for homework and chores. So between them, my Mom and boyfriend I have 5 additional people competing with me on the side

Wendy - I love the steak house so good glad you did good.

tofat - Yes I am going to join the class starting next month I am debating on Sunday though it's an hour and a half with boxing and karate put together I heard its very intense so I am working myself up to it. I just have to have a plan with someone peeling me off the floor and carrying me to the car...LOL

Hi everyone. Sorry I've been MIA for a few days, I seem to be in a bit of a funk. I am fumbling along, almost going through the motions and not exactly sure why? I have been doing this for so long, and although I'm getting my meals, water and excercise in for the points log.....I seem to be not to keen on really doing them. I'm just doing the same things over and over again. Does that make sense? I guess I just need some NEW MOTIVATION....and NEW COMMITTMENT!!! The scale also has been bobbling up and down as a result which should come as no real surprize either. Anyways....just wanted to give a shout out....

Goodness, where is everyone? I didn't even see updated points for many!??

Ladyfirelyte-Great points yesterday! I'd say you're definetly back at it. Congratulations.

Angel-eyes-I know how you feel of just going thru the motions. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to get out of that feeling. Mine are usually results of depression and I just have to deal with it. Take pride in the fact that you are doing it regardless of how you feel about it. Can you change up your exercise routine? Throw in some new classes, or try to do something physical outside this weekend. Good luck, and know you're not alone.

I've got spinning again this morning. Yesterday, the mic was broke and the music kept cutting in and out. I still got a great workout, but it was kind of annoying. It seems like a gym should keep their necessary equipment in better condition. Oh well, have a great one today.

Good morning all!! I'm back from my sick day off. Bad bad day with points yesterday, but my nose was just bothering the crap out of me. However, today is a new day and ain't nothing gonna stop me now!!!

Nikki-Great job on those points. You're doing great.

Wendy-Bless your willpower. I know if it was me in a steakhouse, all **** would of broken loose.

Sassy-You're workout schedule sounds great. I wish I could go swimming like you. Good luck on the before/after pictures.

Sandra & AngelEyes-Good job on stickin with it and not giving up. We all need a little motivation once in awhile. Head over here and we'll pump you guys up real fast.

Brandy-Great job on all the working out your putting in. You are my motivation to keep going!!!! And you're so lucky...I wish I didn't have to cook everyday!

Quick question ladies...you know how they say don't eat after a certain time (i.e. 7pm/8pm) but I get home from work at 7 and by the time I'm done working out and cooking it's already 9pm. Is that a good cutoff time if I go to bed from 11:30-12:00?

Have a good one ladies!!!

Rosario

Hello Girls

I see everyone is still doing great. I am doing good. I have kickboxing tonight. Something to look forward to. I just have to figure out what to make for dinner if it was up to me a bowl of ceral is good but no I have to cook for 3 other people Oh well.

Almost Friday. I wish it would finally warm up here. Its is cold outside hello it's spring. I would like to take the kids for a walk and go to the park to burn more calories.

Oops late for a meeting talk to you girls later

Today is a great day already! I started off the day at around 8am. Checked the boards, weighed in (overnight the pounds that I gained early this week suddenly disappeared!), did some stretching, then went straight out the door. I was going to do the second workout of C25K, but it was too dang cold! I did about 10 minutes outside before I had to come in. But that didn't stop me! I did another FIFTY minutes of laps around the house. I tell you, I was working quite hard, but I only got in 2 1/2 miles. Being short has definite disadvantages. But you know what? I'm not gonna sweat it. 2 1/2 miles before 10am is a GREAT WAY to start the day. If it gets a bit warmer later, I may try to do the C25K workout again. If not... I'll find something else to do.

Victory for me, ladies! Yesterday I did calisthenics and today I didn't wake up in ANY PAIN! I guess the extra stretching I did before and after really helped out. Sure, I'm a little sore, but last time I was in PAIN. I'm feeling so great right now.

I know it seems counter-productive... but I'm sitting here enjoying a fresh-baked double chocolate scone. I've been really good with my eating lately, so hey, why not. I'll just have a couple hundred less calories to eat good stuff. Totally worth not getting that half point, but that will only happen today! I'm hoping to go shopping later tonight to pick up some fresh fruits. I ran out a couple days ago and have been going CRAZY. I want some apples, dangit! Funny how I'm sitting here eating chocolate and all I can think about are apples. Weird.

Brandy: You're doing pretty great yourself! Nice points for the whole week, as opposed to me and my one good day I can't believe you've been doing two hours a day! I think I might croak if I did that.

Rosario: The old adage of not eating after a certain time is hooey. Eat when you can, just remember that your calories in must be less than the calories out in order to lose weight and you're all set. I have a cut-off time for myself simply because it discourages me from "grazing", as well as making it so I don't have to get up to potty in the middle of the night.

Morning!

Just here waiting for 5:30. I am soo bored. Our thread is getting a little quiet. Where are you ladies??

I'm doing good on points so far. Good job to me. Just need to get home and workout and get through dinner. I'm attempting arroz con pollo tonight. I've never made it and I have some big shoes to fill. My boyfriends mom, who is Colombian, makes a mean arroz con pollo. I don't know if mine will taste as good but i will sure try. Wish me luck!!

Brandy-You are freakin awesome!!! You had an ankle surgery (i just read that post) and you do all the excercising that you do? Wowee!!

take care ladies!!
Rosario