Autumn: I joke about passing out but never did. My goodness be careful out there.

LifeGuard: What a great idea your friend has for celebrating her birthday. Gives me something to think about as well. The problem is that it would be one more to do list and I don't think I have the time to even think one up much less execute it. :lol3:

Mel: LEGS! that may be sympathetic to my knees. Is there such a thing? Anyway, I'm game for anything. I did a full body workout yesterday and just a 30 minute cardio recovery today. So I'm good to go tomorrow. :cool:

I love it! Ya'll are little energizer bunnies!

I've been sticking to my 3 workouts a week and I need to schedule some more cardio in there. The last month of school is just packed with activities and sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed with everything there is to do. So I may just skate on through May with my scheduled work outs and on plan foods and catch my breath in June.

Yea for summer!!!

Lydia & Mel, we need some pictures of your workouts!

Lifeguard, I love how your friend is celebrating her milestone.

Autumn, be careful out there. :hug: It is one thing to push yourself, another to kill yourself! Take some time to recover from that cold, 'kay?

Hi Elisa and Kaw and everyone else!!

On Friday I'm going to try some of those muffin recipes that call for protein powder. My daughter and her fellow track athletes are trying to increase their protein but they are not big fans of meat, so I thought I'd bake a few batches and see what they think. How else do you guys use protein powder?

Have a good one, ya'll!

autumn - yoga has helped me with everything! ;) Really though, the yoga I take (it's called power yoga) and I think it's a bit more strenuous than some yogas. It's a fabulous workout and it has immensely helped my flexibility, balance and strength. And somehow even with all that, it's relaxing and it's been a great addition to my workout. I can only squeeze it in once a week but I love it.

:D

All this talk about b'days reminds me of my girlfriend's 50th b'day. All she wanted was to have her husband give her 50 kisses throughout the day. I thought that was such a cool way to celebrate her b'day.

My DH has scheduled a 2 week canoe trip in far northern Alaska which covers his birthday - does that excuse me from getting him a gift or otherwise celebrating? :)

Good morning, everyone! I seem to be getting up earlier and earlier: 5:30, this morning. Not quite sure why, if it's stress or too much coffee or what. But, it's *annoying*! I don't mind mornings, but this is a bit ridiculous!

At any rate, I'm pleased to report that I have 3 days of my back-on-track challenges -- "no excuses" eating for maintainers and "5+2 at the gym" here -- under my belt. Yesterday I, gasp, did cardio at the gym, and I didn't even die from boredom! This morning I'll knock off another lifting day, and be right on track to complete the challenge over the weekend.

Pat: I think your gift to DH should be a gallon jug of mosquito repellent. Or, a paddle. (My family once went on a week-long canoe trip in northern Alaska only to arrive at the put-in point and have Mom and Dad look at each other and say, "I thought YOU packed the paddles." The good news is that they're still married.)

Be strong,
Kim

Originally Posted by kaw:
(My family once went on a week-long canoe trip in northern Alaska only to arrive at the put-in point and have Mom and Dad look at each other and say, "I thought YOU packed the paddles." The good news is that they're still married.)

Be strong,
Kim

Hahahahahaha!!!! That's fantastic!!!! Apparently my grandparents once forgot the sleeping bags but didn't realize until they were across the lake.

Hmmmm - I love canoeing!

Kaw - :rofl: DH is going canoeing on the Noatak the last 2 weeks of August, so the majority of insect life shoudl be gone. This is a guided trip - 5 clients, 1 guide, and he had to be interviewed about his past experience before they'd accept him! Me, I might enjoy canoeing more if DH weren't in the stern getting exasperated that I don't understand exactly what he wants me to do. He's canoed most of his life, me less than a dozen times.

Thanks for all your concern. I didn't blackout, but I would have in another couple of squats.

I've always wanted to try canoeing. Maybe I can try it this week.

I'm meeting with my trainer this evening, and he'll be giving me my exercise plan for vacation. I'll try not to blackout. :)

Originally Posted by WaterRat:
Me, I might enjoy canoeing more if DH weren't in the stern getting exasperated that I don't understand exactly what he wants me to do. He's canoed most of his life, me less than a dozen times.

The last canoe course I was on the instructor would not allow friends & mother/daughter groups to paddle together (it was an Guiding event so all women). She said she NEVER allows couples to paddle together as she wishes to preserve their marriages!! LOL

Autumn - you should try it if you have the opportunity. So relaxing. Such a nice way to enjoy the water & wilderness.

Hi all. Well, after a full week off, I think I'm back in business. Did my first split routine today: shoulders. Felt good to get back into the exercise routine, and hopefully my knee won't be complaining tomorrow, about the easy 2 miles I put in today (jogging).

Okay everyone. I can now call myself a Mel's Bootcamp survivor. :coach: I discovered that she was planning to be in town this week and offered, okay, begged her to come to my gym to workout. I know how antsy I can become without a proper workout for more than three days in a row so I wanted her to be able to workout in peace. The reality was different. I could not help myself. I shadowed that poor woman all over the gym. It was great fun for me and I walked away with my ego still intact. Here's what I learned:

Mel really is my height. It's so nice to be eye to eye with another person.

I really can effectively warmup in the free weight area without the aid of my beloved cardio equipment. Thank you jump squats.

Lunges and I may become friends again after a knee scoping. I tried these presurgery and it felt like the tines of a fork poking through the underside of my kneecaps.

Mel really doesn't need both legs for a workout Everything she does is just on one leg. Trust me folks. Single leg deadlifts, and single leg rows are all about the set up. I heard her mutter that it's easier to execute these on a bosu ball. I have my doubts :dizzy:

The barbell can be used for more than the back squat. Okay, I already knew that but it's been a while. A year since I've done a squat push press combo. I know, I know it's in The Rules... but I've been chosing those exercises cafeteria style. :o

After all these years there is still hope that I may add height to my 5'2'' frame. :yes: Barbell Rollouts! Really, I swear I could feel my vertebrae separate down along my spine as I stretched out into a prone position about to kiss the bar. If I were about to meet my maker it would have been during this move. I'm relieved to know that I can further hit my lats by attacking this move from my knees as opposed to standing and rolling out. Now that I know both methods you can bet that I'll play with the standing one until I get it right or end up in the ER room. :s:

Weighted T-pushups are just as fun to do as they look. :D 'Nuff said.

I still have pretty good form with a back squat after taking all winter off from this exercise. :cool: Yes! Like riding a bike

I have plenty of room for growth in strength and stamina before I may even hold a towel for Ms. Mel. I was watching, she was using weights at least ten, fifteen, and twenty pounds heavier than I lift. I suspect she was holding back to be polite too.;)

Finally, and most importantly, it's okay to be "A Girl" while lifting. Mel has proved to me that lifting gloves will not clash with a running skirt and a pretty silver necklace. :chin: Maybe I could add a little bling to my workout wear as well. It'll be a hurdle for me though as my girlfriends all know I'm hesitant to even do this in my nongym clothes.

Mel is as we all know her here, a wonderful person. At the gym I introduced her as my mentor to the staff member who took our photos. Believe it or not, I think I made her blush. The reality is that Mel is as motivating, inspiring, honest, and real in person as she is within the forum. I am so glad to have had this opportunity to put a face and voice to the avatar. Thanks Mel! :hug:

Midwife: I do have photos. I told her you requested them. I really wanted them too though. ;) I'm going to send them to Mel for her approval before I post them.

What a great wrapup, Lydia! We all wish we could have been there too. Looking forward to pictures!!:D

Lydia - I'm so envious!!! I wish we could all train together.

:D

Originally Posted by midwife:

On Friday I'm going to try some of those muffin recipes that call for protein powder. My daughter and her fellow track athletes are trying to increase their protein but they are not big fans of meat, so I thought I'd bake a few batches and see what they think. How else do you guys use protein powder?

Have a good one, ya'll!

My DH makes what he calls 'power muffins' and they are quite tasty. Here is his recipe

Makes 6 jumbo muffins ( or 12 regular size):

3 scoops (3/4 c.) protein powder
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. white flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder, 1/2 t. cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg, 1/2 t. salt
1 c. milk
2 eggs (I used fat-free egg stuff)
1/2 c. applesauce
1 T. olive oil
1 c. blueberries

Mix as normal for muffin mixes ( wet into dry all at once). Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Regular muffins will be less time - but he always does the jumbo size.
At times he uses half splenda and half sugar, and will sub dark chocolate chips for the blueberries. He makes these quite often.