i love a scheduled rest day when i'm feeling tired. makes me feel that i'm 100% on program but don't have to push for an entire 24 hours - clever, aren't i?
Valerie -- good for you getting into the program like this !! i would still stick with the palm/fist method of portions, you can always hold your hand up next to your food and see it it's somewhere in the same vicinity of size. unless you have a little kitchen scale, and a whole lot of patience and time, then it's much, much easier sticking with the trusted palm/fist. i wouldn't be afraid at all to up the protein here and there.
Karen -- KAREN !!! thank you so much for that wonderful post to Valerie !!! as always, you are a treasure of information and very generous with your time and knowledge. i keep learning so much from you !! thanks
Niffer - you show that nutty nutritionist who knows what !! i'll keep Mike and his whole job situation in my prayers for the best outcome possible for you guys. that's a tough place to be right now. well....... about your job...... something very similar happened to me in 2001 and it took hard hard work in 2002 to reverse the effects of the damage.... but we did it and i can say that all the hard work has been totally worth it !! stick with it and stand firm in the belief that you can and will get your business going again
Virginia - i'm glad that you're resting this week. rest is just as important as working out and eating good.
Mel - are you now on the road to re-building your shoulder strength or do you still have to take it real easy with the weights? that's such a bummer (for lack of a better word)

well....... you can work the legs extra hard and get the endorphines going like that too !!
Melissa - i'm soooooo glad that you're enjoying yourself and working hard too ! it sure is fun, isn't it? try as much as possible to get in the 5th meal. you'll see that soon your body will be on it's own timetable and you won't even have to look at a clock to know that it's been 3 hours since your last meal.
Lana - i read over at L&S a few posts about people starting on the glutamine this past week too and they also feel the same effects that you do. it's not in your head

i'm going to get me some as soon as i find it around here ! we live in a very small city and i doubt that it'll be easy to find.
===============
wow ! sure is great seeing everyone here every morning like this.
yesterday was biceps and triceps. i'm working hard on them even though progress has been a bit slow. it's my weakest area and i'm really concentrating on good form when i lift those weights ! needless to say, my upper arms are sore today, along with my legs still from the workout on monday. i'm most definitely going to check into the glutamine, especially since i've heard only great things about it for a few days now.
gotta go and make some money now

at least make like i'm "working"........ i love being self-employed because i have only myself to answer to .
take care and have a great day.
adriana