I just realized when I typed the thread title that this is a leap year! so add some leaps to your workouts

I did a short but heavy leg workout this morning. Then my lower back screamed at me and I stopped. sigh...one step forward, one step back. I was hoping to go skiing tomorrow but between the rain forecast and my back, it's not looking good

Food was dreadful yesterday. I dipped into "work food". So far I've been successful and using the "not my food" mantra, but I was tired, sore, upset, and there was a BIG box of "nutty, sweet and salty" Nature Vally bars sitting there. A very big box to start with.

Back on track today with salmon, spinach and oatmeal for breakfast!

Anybody have exciting weekend plans? boring weekend plans?

Mel

Boring here! I was shivering in line at the gym when they opened the doors this morning (I must be ). It felt like I had 25 pound plates strapped to my legs doing the elliptical, but I made it through my 30 minutes of intervals and did 5 minutes on the bike for dessert.

Today is a cooking day. I maxed out my soup pot with three pounds of mixed dried beans, two big ham bones, water, onions etc! I'm keeping a close eye on it and hoping it cooks down because right now I can't even stir it. I'll also bake some Fiber One muffins and make the cottage cheese "cheesecake" -- not sure which flavor. With a freezer full of grilled salmon, I'm in good shape.

I haven't been lifting on the weekends since the gym is still insanely crowded. I'm addicted to the peaceful 6 am weight room, with me and about 8 - 10 guys, everyone doing their own thing -- with no chitchat!

Mel, was it smoked salmon for breakfast? Or were you hardcore and went grilled?

Hi ladies,

I just got back from the gym where I had an excellent and exhausting workout. I'm eating breakfast now: I call it a 'Burrito Omelet'--an omelet with black beans and salsa inside, topped with sour cream and hot sauce. Only 256 cals, 25g protein and 8g fiber. What's not to love?

I should be cooking today too, Meg. It's my turn to make our lunch soup for the week and I should make more salsa and some more of these kamut crackers I've been enjoying with hummus in the afternoons. But after my week from ****, I really, really need to get some work done, so the cooking might have to wait. Tonight bf's band is playing at a local wine bar, so I'll be doing that in the evening. Tomorrow one of my friends is having one of his famous brunches (read: boozy event that begins with cocktails at 11am and doesn't end until evening). It's tough.

I've got a nice stiffness on today. Ah - the rewards of lifting!

Hi LWL,

I posted on the other thread! Just to tell you that I loved the video of the overhead squat. It looked like an enormous lot of weight, and she really really looked good.

Baffled- good to hear that you are back from your week in ****. Scary that the meds can screw one up so bad. I quit smoking and I find keeping my food in hand much more difficult. in 2 weeks this will be 80% second nature to you.

I did the 2nd week of NRWL workout 1b today, and elliptical for 35 mins. Food is still out of control and the scale is up.

Have a great day all,
Rabbit

Btw, I warmed up today with a long set of OH Squats. I just used one of those light body bar things because it was just a warm-up, but it felt pretty tough anyway. I need to work on my squat form anyway, and I'm thinking maybe the OH part might help me to keep my UB upright while I squat down lower.

The other thing I discovered yesterday (looking at millions of those crossfit videos) are Tabata Squats. Next time I'm stuck somewhere without being able to exercise, or if I have an unreasonable amount of anxiety to work off, I'm doing those. You can see the Crossfit people doing them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku-eOGXScOQ
(For those who don't know what it is, you do as many squats as you possibly can in 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds and then do squats for 20 more seconds. You're supposed to do 8 sets. The rest at the bottom in this video is just an extra dimension of torture, I think.)

Ouch! I'd say it's an added dimension of torture. I've done tabata squats often in the past, but never "rested" at the bottom. Rest like that I could do without.

Meg posted a tabata squat video last year where three girls were really flying. Of course, they rested at the top. Considering, the pause at the bottom here, the girl in the brown pants was incredibly impressive. I think I would have been more like the guy in the white shirt that looked like he was ready to lose his lunch.

Of course, If I did lose my lunch, I would make sure to hit the guy cheerfully calling out "rest" as we sat in the bottom for 10 seconds. I bet that sucker had a smirk on his face when he was calling out rest too.

Oh my! OUCH. We had a bodypump instructor who had us doing tabata squats, but never with the rest. Now it makes my knees hurt to watch. That gal in the brown pants was like the energizer bunny! And what made me want to lose my lunch was the camera operator! Every time he did a fast pan I felt a lurch......

lol, I do them with my clients as an alternative to leg cranks. One of my least popular bodyweight warm-ups

Mel, I thought your inner sadist would enjoy making use of such an exercise.

Mel's inner sadist is pretty extroverted.

Hi LWL,

All those people in the videos look so gorgeous like what they are doing is effortless.. I'm a long way of that, and I do not think I'll ever get there.

Great weather today, sunny! I went for 30 mins run on the threadmill in the gym today, and for the rest I am intop house cleaning cardio and getting DS and DD into cleaning their rooms and doing their homework cardio. I sometimes feel pretty stupid bugging them about their school responsibilities. DD isn't too bad, but woth DS I feel like i am more concerned about his futire than he is. Surely this should be the other way round?

Have a great weekend all,
rabbit

I am so mis-understood

Rabbit- How old is ds? I have exactly the same situation. Unfortunately, I don't think it's unusual with boys.

Sore quads despite a short workout!

So I went gym shopping today. It's the first time in three years that I've decided to take a look around.

These places were like vacation resorts. While I was touring the womens' dressing room a member approached my DH who was waiting in the pool area. First, let me tell you, this guy lost his credibility when he flopped up to DH with fins on his feet. So sorry I missed this. He buts in the conversation my DH is having with the sales guy to say, "Just face it you will just have to join because this place is pure heaven." I guess my idea of heaven is a little different than aquaman's version.

Both of these gyms boasted every kind of "Machine" on the market today. Most of which I would not sit my glutes on anyway. What I also don't need is a gym that offers a spa and hair salon. When the sales guy took us back into the massage area with the dimmed lights, music, waterfalls and leather couches, it spooked me.

By the time the tour was over I was filled with anxiety. Shouldn't I be impressed with the numerous conveniences these places offer: saunas, spas, hottubs with waterfalls, beautiful locker rooms, cafes, and OMG on staff hairdressers?

As I looked around I viewed these places from how I would use them. I love my current hairdresser and would never dream of having anyone else cut it. I am far too cheap to spend 6.00 on a protein drink at the bar. And I don't think I could squeeze in enough time in two hours to take advantage of the sauna or whirlpools. Unless I'm nursing an injury. In both cases the free weights area were the same size as the gym I currently use. The cardio areas while bigger didn't have anything that my current gym doesn't already own. My gym also has more FreeMotion equipment than the other two.

In the end I think I will renew my current membership. I am looking for a new experience this year but I know I will not find it in these places. My next trip will be to visit some personal training studios. Maybe that's the next level that I need.

It makes me sad to think that so much effort is placed upon providing these amenities to appeal to people seeking good health when what they really need is just so basic.

Anyway, just a vent. Thought I would share.