Good morning and best wishes of a Happy and STRONG New Year to everybody!!!

A dear friend of mine is arriving later today for our annual feast of roasted duck, cabbage and dumpling - not a meal that will help loosen my pants (I hear you, Mel, mine feel tighter than I would like, as well) but it has been our tradition for many years and I don't have the heart to spoil it. Judging by what's happening outside, I will burn some of the calories by shoveling snow.
I would like to make it to the gym but that depends on how long my friend will stay (gym closes at 6 pm today). If not, the treadmill is only one flight of stairs away.

Happy 2010!!!

Alena

Happy New Decade! I realized this is the first decade in 3 that I will be entering at a "normal" weight. Not my lowest, but to paraphrase Alena's signature, yes those are a pair of size 4 jeans covering my bottom! Thank you eating right (most of the time) and to those who introduced me to a love of the endless possibilities of the weightlifting world.

Time to clean up my eating again. Alena, that meal sounds divine!

Mel

What did you decide to do for dessert, Alena?

This is going to be a great decade, Mel!

Just got back from a kick butt workout at the gym. We did some ring twists that our trainer has her MMA guys do to train for UFC fights. Cool!

Happy New Year, all!

Happy New year all! Gonna be rocking some cardio later today!

I rang out the old year with 45 minutes on my bosu, started my new year with the Atlanta Track Club Resolution 10k. Waiting for my official chip time to be posted on the website, but unofficial looked like 1:08:55. Woo hoo!

Edit - splits from my 10k... started the GPS about 3 minutes before the race started, so I'm knocking 3 minutes off the mile one number in my head. I was at 55:30 at mile 5, so that makes sense.

splits
mi pace
1 13:11 (- 3)
2 11:35
3 10:57
4 11:01
5 10:58
6 10:59
7 11:02

I think these are probably my best per mile times ever.
Good New Year's Day everyone!

Jan 1, 2010

Warmup: 5 minute row

Workout:
Kettlebell Clean: 8kg @ 3 x 10 (per side)
KB Press: 8kg @ 1 x 10 (per side)
Windmill @ 3 x 3 (per side)
KB High Pull: 8kg @ 3 x 10 (per side)
KB Snatch: 8kg @ 3 x 10 (per side)

Cooldown: 5 min stretch

Other: 3.2km walk

What a great day, Shannon! Are you having fun with the BOSU? Try those Bulgarian split squats with your front leg on the soft side

Sacha- That looks like a FUN workout. I mean it- I love all kettle bell workouts

I was a vegetable today, watched the NHL outdoor Classic (darn Flyers lost ) on TV, then watched Ohio State WIN the Rose Bowl! Go Bucks!!!!!

Back to the gym tomorrow and a serious dedication to leaning out again. I've been way too loose with the food for the last 3 weeks and really have to crack down for more than 3 days in a row.

I think my next fitness purchase is going to be real weight lifting shoes. I've been doing Olympic lifts in running shoes and after a lot of reading and nagging by a few other cross fitters, I'm now convinced of the need for a less squishy, shock absorbing and more stable shoe. Lifting shoes actually have a wood or other hard sole in them so that all the power is transferred into the lift rather than being absorbed by a well cushioned squishy sole. You sure can't run in those pups, but I think some of my stability problems in overhead, explosive lifts may be footwear. Just some It's possible

I think they are ugly, but.....

Mel

But that means the Bruins won! (Boston born and raised gal here)

A lazy day here too. We went to a alcohol-free party in Anchorage last night, and then stayed there at a friend's house. Visited with her this morning, came home around lunchtime, and been doing small chores, reading, cooking, laundry. It's -8F here, so any inclination to go out is gone. All things fitness are closed. Tomorrow it's back to real life. Gym is open, pool is open, grocery store is open!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Mel: Lets see how many different types of athletic shoes line your closet. Go ahead. It will be fun to see how much of a difference they make in your lifts! I also found this info article about lifting shoes. Like the part about lifting in running shoes similar to standing on a giant marshmallow

http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/W...tingShoes.html

I also hear you on the leaning out. I have visions of what I want for this spring. Visions. That's the first stage right. Got to be able to visualize it. I just need to get all the people and the food crap out of my house so that I can refocus. Fortunately the foods been good up till this week. I'm just feeling water bloat but it's enough.

Shannon: What a fun way to ring in the new year! I went in for a workout this afternoon. Nothing too difficult but enough to feel good and then go home to my guys.

Sacha: That looks like a fun workout! I like your new ticker too.

Looking forward to getting the boys back in school and my house in order. Two.More.Days...

Have a great evening

hi LWL,

A new decade!!! I also am entering this decade in WAY better shape than I did the last. It is incredible how much has changed, and how much better my life has become. My personal resolution apart form the usual eat better- workout more consistently-lose the last 10 pounds is "less attachment". De-clutter my life, de-clutter my house, de-clutter my mind and de-clutter my body.

I'm starting on cleaning house again, then helping out DDs friend with her computer.

have a great day all,
rabbit

Oh a decluttered house and mind. I'm so with you Rabbit.

So, as I was lying in bed last night I was thinking some more about the lifting shoes Mel. Suddenly it occurred to me....the perfect lifting shoe with s-t-y-l-e...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...K7R8BSWFVWQ9DY

Yep. Had them as a kid. Not so sure I want to go stomping over to the free weights with these on though... Honestly, I think they would kind of hinder dorsiflexion of the foot...

Off to get my workout this morning...waiting for DH to return from the coffeeshop to take over parental duties for a couple of hours. I've got a lot to accomplish today and am very tempted to just stay home and get "stuff" done...but I'd only end up being resentful about it later and NO ONE likes that.

I got these in September and have been very happy. He makes them custom to your foot tracing. You won't regret weightlifting shoes at all! Rogue fitness is a great company too.

http://www.weightliftingshoes.ca/index.html

Jan 2, 2010 - OFF
(Will still do a 1-2 hour hike with dog and H)

Lydia, that was one of the articles I read. And landing on a marshmallow is exactly how it feels. Today I wore my hiking boots for the Oly strength class. We did power clean squats and I felt MUCH more stable. Again, not exactly fashionable or light!

Sacha- I think I'm going to get the Rogue shoes....but they are currently out of stock in my size and a 4 week waiting period A couple of people I know lift in Converse Chuck Taylors. I may try that. At least they are relatively cheap.

Todays WOD was

"Jackie"

1000m Row

50 Thrusters (45)

30 Pull-ups

For Time!

The row really pre-exhausts you. 1000 meters is a long row! I could barely do the pull ups by the end, and usually that number of pull ups are no problem.

I am heading out to find the perfect pair of jeans

Mel

Hello all,

Do you mind if I join you? I'm in the same mindset as Rabbit! Clean mind, clean house, clean eats! Is there room for clean jerk in there, too? :-)

I got so busy last year I had to drop out of 3fc and now I have the same weight to lose. Boo. The good news is that I did keep going to the gym, and so the gym employees still remember who I am! But I do have to clean up the kitchen this year!

I have 50 pounds to lose, and as another 3FC member reminded me, that's one pound per week to meet my goal by next New Year's!

Happy new year!