Week of Aug. 2 - Aug. 8, 2004
 

Good morning chickies and chickeraoos (I'll leave it to you to figure out who's who :lol: )

Well, as Garrison Keillor might say, it's been an interesting couple of weeks in Lake Wobegon. Around here, I was thinking of it more as Woe Begotten. I haven't been posting because I've been reading. And re-reading. I've gone through most of the posts from LWL from the past several weeks; I've read the bulk of the Maintainers forum; I've dipped into Dr. Phil and Tom Venuto. I've read and read and read. You know why? Because I just couldn't get with the program.

I also was brought up short by the thread on what everyone's eating. You'd think I have this stuff down cold; after all, I've been hanging around for the better part of a year. But somehow, I really LOOKED at those daily logs for the first time. I looked at 'em seriously. And that little lightbulb went on. Then, I hit Silverbirch's thoughts on eating thoughtfully. And I got it. And since I was afraid I'd missed too much in all those other threads, I went back and re-read them, too.

While I've been re-reading, I've been re-tooling my diet. JuJu over on Skinny Daily wrote a column about how foods affect you. Read that. Thought about it. Tinkered some more. Result: After about 4 days of a seriously clean diet, I feel better today than I have in several weeks. This, mind you, is without exercise, so there's no endorphin high.

Soooooooo, I see progress. Finally.

At the same time, I had my annual checkup last week. Doc is sending me to physical therapists for massage therapy. Maybe that will help. This is a great doc -- she and I agree that what I need more than anything is exercise, but that it's hard to exercise with persistent aches and pains. So, she's working with me. Very nice. If the massage doesn't work, I'm going to ask for a referral to the Sports Med clinic in Indy -- it's big, and if someone there can't get me on the straight and narrow, then nothing can.

So, it's a new week. I think I'm ready.

Happy Monday to all.

Hello all,

first of all the good news: we signed the pre-sales contract for the house on Saturday! In France, that means we have 7 days to think it over, but the sellers are bound! So now BF is going to look for mortgages. If everything goes well we'll be able to move in on the 15th of October, I can't believe it.

L2l, thanks! I like it too!

lanaii, the house is actually out in the country, about 40 km from work, but it will take me the same time as before to get there as it's all freeway, so it's fine with me, I love living in the country. I like the kitchen, it really IS cosy, although I am also a fan of Italian design. This is in fact so much more livable and comfortable.

Welcome Evangeline! buying the house really feels like a milestone in my life, too!

Robin, you post made me very thoughtful too, so I'm going to have a look at the eating logs and probably feel guilty first and then inspired...

This was one of the hottest weekends this year! first on Saturday we went to sign the pre-sales agreement with the couple. They had to sell because of a divorce, but it was so funny us sitting there in the boiling heat (no airco at the real-estator's office), drinking hot coffee (nothing else available), and then the owner says: "would you like to take the dog too, it's so attached to the house? I was speechless!" That poor dog!
Maybe it's a French thing, but I would never do that to any pet of mine.

Sunday a Greek friend came over and we went swimming in the river close to the new house, which was wonderful. the nicest thing was swimming upstream and staying in the same place, better than a pool anyday. the water was clean and cool too, a breeze was blowing, I got some more tan, in short, the perfect afternoon!

Where are you all, lurkers and Silverbirch?

GG

Hello all,

GG congrats on the house!! You must be so excited!!

Airegrrl, clean diet definitely makes a big difference. I've been floundering a little bit but keeping my workouts. I'm between working on losing weight and maintenance. So I'm also brushing off the books and re-reading. I still journal, I've accepted that I have to do that to be successful at being healthy.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer! I'm kind of looking forward to fall. The yard work is not fun for me and I can't wait to go shopping for new fall fashions in a smaller size! woo hoo!

Jennifa

Hello and good morning all,

Friday, I decided to start Phase I of South Beach Diet as I have become aware that I have grown too dependant on LC "items" such as LC slim fast shakes and LC protein bars and I would like to move away from that. Also, I have realized that I have become way too dependant on sugar free drinks so on Friday, I decided that I am only going to drink water from then to the end of August. I seriously think I am addicted to aspartame because the first few days were really hard.

I went to the gym on Saturday and worked out my legs and they are still sore, but that is good. I hadn't had soreness in my legs for a few weeks and it was starting to worry me so I had to tweak my workout a little. Yesterday, work kept bugging me so I didn't have a chance to go to the gym (though to be honest, I wasn't planning to anyway) but I did do my bellydancing video which was fun.

Today, will be a gym day, but late as Mondays are always busy at Ballys and I work out better when there are fewer people around. I tend to be willing to experiment a bit more with exercises and try new things.

Happy Monday!!
 

Robin,
That is so wonderful that you did a lil' soul searching and found something ;) . Sometimes even we don't know what causes us to do (or not do) certain things. I have found that logging my diet and excersise has been immenesly helpful to me. I sort of view dirty eats as like ...drinking...you still do it occassionally but you know your abusing yourself and you try not to make a habit out of it..were all happy for ya:grouphug:

GG,
Yay!!:dance: Oct 15th isn't that far away. How awesome!

Jennifa,
Journaling is how we get to know ourselves and what works and what doesn't. I log my diet and excerisie here as well as on Fitday ( I learned about fitday.com from Mel,Meg and Lanaii) and I keep a journal on Fitday as well. So very helpful. :comp:

Nelie,
I am not real familiar with the south beach diet but I am very familiar with the 'instant' diet. Ie; bars, shakes etc. for most of my nutrition.:nono: I would by lyin' if I said I don't still occassionally use those tools but I make a sicere effort to get my nutrition from whole foods.

I am off to start the Diet and excersise thread for this week . I have a couple confessions :( but I am feeling good and strong this morning and am ready to stick to my program. I try to remember to eat 'thoughtfully' as I learned on here and to respect my temple.

XOXO
L2L :wave:

Hello Boys and Girls :wave:

Just back from a 20K bike ride and a good back workout with DS... He's doing quite well now, I'm slowly weaning him into a better split, because I'm the trainer and *I* like to work one body part/day...:D

Robin -- Thanks for that post, I re-read it also, because a lot of what you said applied to me lately too... I've had now 5 days of clean eats and feel 100% better and down 2# this AM, thank GAWD!! I'm just glad that as I move along this road to better health that I do live and then learn, and my food choices are getting better... When I think back to what I used to eat, I am amazed I could put that stuff in my mouth...

Nelie -- Welcome to the world of unprocessed foods! Once your body gets over the initial withdrawals it will thank you and if you happen to eat some LC items your body will tell you that it doesn't like it ... I know mine does by making me sleepy and listless and when you want to workout with intensity you can't have tiredness now can you?

L2L -- I try to remember to eat 'thoughtfully' as I learned on here and to respect my temple. THANK YOU, for that I have added it to my sig, I hope you don't mind?

Pearls and temple bells
 

I’ve been here, feeling a bit quiet but diligently stringing the daily pearls on my clean eating necklace and going to the gymn.

(Meg, thank you for telling me about stringing the pearls. As part of throwing things out I am re-reading all my books and have just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by, of course, Harper Lee. Last read by me in probably 1971. Definitely a keeper. Anyway, in it Scout is very sniffy about a girl who has an Add-a-Pearl necklace! My necklace is the same but different and coming across the phrase did make me laugh.)

Mel – a rather belated thank you for reminding me about planning. Yes, of course, it’s essential and I added it to my sig. If I don’t plan, I’m sunk, good and proper.)

I’ve been coming to work (this is where I do my LWL business) and trying to tease a contract into being. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. It might happen.

And I’ve been going to beaches (one visit was also a contract recce) and … wearing my shorts. Yes, it’s been warm enough to wear shorts and I’m sure I look much better in them this year than I did last year. They are more like culottes, I suppose. My second pair is still a bit tight but not as bad as last year. I may possibly be able to wear them in public by the end of August if I carry on with this regime. BTW, going to the beach is an active experience with hardly any sitting around. Sand-dunes, rock-pools, walking, walking, paddling, running, jumping. And each beach is different. There are so many here.

Glad you’re all around, ladies and gents.

Robin – very good work on going over the canon. It’s packed full of wisdom – more pearls, I suppose, for those who can see and dive for them. Will you be able to fit in any endorphins soon?

GG – a house in the country. Oh, yes. From one who lives in one and works in another, congratulations. It’s a good step.

L2L – you’re doing well. The temple is looking gorgeous but keep on sweeping those darker corners!

Nelie – I’m glad you’ve come to join us. I’ve never eaten that instant stuff because I’m too keen on food! Wholefoods, yes, for me that’s the way to go. Good luck on the South Beach. And I also do better at the gymn when it’s not too busy.

Jennifa – good to see you! I’m back on the hula-hooping now my knee’s better. Still an out-and-out amateur though!

Jack – keep on trucking!

And all you others too.

Can’t hang around, I hear the chime of the temple bells. It's time to go to the gymn.

Love, Silverbirch.

Good morning LWL,
Just a quick check in before I head to the gym. Full load of clients today and hopefully I'll find some time between to do shouders, calves and cardio. In general, it's quite dead there, but Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty well booked for me. Luckily, they are my short lifting and cardio only days. Food and water is ready to go, and I'm outta here!

Hello to everyone :wave: Welcome back, Robin! Special congrats to GG :)
Sorry this is so short-

Mel

Quick check in before I grab some tea and start on some major edits...

Everything's going great here for me on the West Coast! Same old same old. Drinking an ocean of water every day - the tea is for my throat - I've got a bit of a summer head cold right now - not enough to keep me from working out though!

I'm feeling fabulous other than the coughing. On the bright side, the cold is making me VERY thirsty so I'm definitely getting in all my H20!

I saw that GG has bought a house...I think I'm the only renter on this board now :lol: and unless we win the Lotto I don't see that changing anytime soon. Ah well, we have a nice landlord and I like our neighborhood so things can be worse!

Besides work, the gym, yoga/Pilates, of course there's the whole horse thing going on...shopping for a new bit this weekend to go with my new-to-me saddle and brand-spankin' new bridle...other than that everything is the same around here :)

Hi Guys!
 

Hi everyone:wave:

Jack,
You are so funny! I always enjoy reading your posts. You find humor in evrything and your obviously a born writer. :joker:

Mel,Question:
I have kicked around becoming a trainer, if only so I could be in the gym more often. I trained people years ago. I wasn't certified nor very experienced and I am not sure I was even giving very good advice, but I was young and halfway cute and sadly that was good enough for him to hire me.
I work full time and am also starting my own line of make-up and skin care, which I will sell online. I wouldn't mind getting to where I could work from home doing my web business and train a few people at the gym ,as well ,since I would have some time freed up and I think I would enjoy it. Forgive me if I ask anything too personal or nosy and feel free to not answer. I would love to get some info on when and how you got started , how you built up your clientale, how long it took or anything else your willing to share :comp:

Lanaii,
Love your new sig ;)

Everyone else.
Bless your wonderful hearts:flow1:
XOXO
L2L

Good Morning Everyone,

I made the mistake of doing my cardio yesterday morning and my upper body workout after work last night. Well as I may have mentioned I just finished converting a room in my house to have a centralized place for workout equipment and both my DD and DH decided to “christen” the new room by coming out and “cheering” me on. They are both nuts. I told them if they were going to be out there with me they had to pick up some weights and join in so they hurried back into the comfort of the living room. Yah gotta love ‘em. I was pleased to find out that DD actually did come home from work and use an exercise bike I have in there, my least favorite piece of equipment, it was given to me and I decided to fit it just in case I decided to use it. If she enjoys using it I’m really glad I fit it in. She works as an electrician so she has really strong arms (for a girl) but she doesn’t get much in the way of cardio.

I assume they wouldn’t tease me again this evening but leaving nothing to chance I got up this morning after everyone left (fortunately they both have to go to work a couple of hours before me) and did my lower body workout. That was my plan all along and last night motivated me to make sure and allow myself sufficient time in the morning, besides when I’m using weights I like to really focus on the muscle I’m working and I don’t do it as well if I feel self-conscious because someone is watching me.

Anyway it feels so good to be actually using my equipment again.

Have a good one.

still catching up on the posts from last week and yesterday but wanted to say WHASSUP!!!!!??????

Keep it moving people!

Tiki.

tikanique,

Not sure where to post this, but THANK YOU for the "kanye's workout plan" recommendation (albeit indirectly!). I'd been meaning to get that album for the longest time, but i finally downloaded that song on itunes. The whole thing cracks me up, and I get really pumped on cardio during that, "eat your salad, no dessert" part! ;)

L2L- I'll reply to you in a PM probably tomorrow. On my way to bed- early clients. The downside of trainerdom :faint:

G'nite, all!
Mel

Tiki, I wuv you. This was enough to give me a wonderful fit of the giggles and connect me at the hip to the LWL lifestyle. All in 20 words. You are my hero.

Let's see ... L2L, you were kind enough to congratulate me on my soul searching. While there might have been a touch of that, I must confess that what I really did was re-read the manual. Back when I was in WW, I often heard the admonition to "work the program." So, for several months, that's exactly what I did: work the program according to Robin. I worked it with a tweak here and a tweak there. Would anyone be surprised to hear that I wasn't very successful? When I got with the program, the pounds came off.

You would think that I would learn. But you would be wrong. Because when I started here, I did the same thing all over again. Tweak. Tweak. Tweak. Don't get me wrong: I'm not beating up on myself. Just standing back and watching wryly. Such is my life.

GG, congrats on your house, and Jack, congrats on your three pounds. Yes, son, it's all about balance. Eof AZ, love your story -- hang in there. I, too, find self-consciousness creeping up when I least expect it. Sounds like you've come up with a great way to defeat the monster. Ilene, Karen and Mel --- one of the threads I reread was the personal introductions -- some great insights there. Thank you. Greetings to Jennifa, Nellie, Silver, and Anne, didn't I see your name pop up last week?

Tomorrow's hump day. We can do this folks.

Last in, first up. Just time for a quick post. I urge you to visit JuJu's Skinny Daily Post for a wonderful column on walking this walk one day at a time. It's here: http://www.skinnydailypost.com/. I think I'll frame this one!

whew! finally caught up. New house? In the Country? GG that sounds so GREAT!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I am imagining I would enjoy it. I am so tired of living in the city. sigh.

I wuv you too airregirl. This board always has a lot of character, from the die hard posters to the ones that come and go and come back again. It is the best support network I have ever had for fitness.

Ilene, I like your new signature and although it no longers says "da queen" you still rule!

My shoulders are ACHING! I worked them to a pulp on Monday and they are still tender. I was scheduled for a run today but seeing that mother nature is pouring rain on the motorcity, I will have to settle for the exercise bike and the dumbbells in my room instead. However, the goal is to get the workout in, regardless of the weather.

Tiki.

Hi everybody,

just checking in, still at work...
Tiki and everyone, thanks for your nice comments, I feel really happy about my new house and my new life in general here in France. We just had BF's cousin over, and on Friday MY cousin is arriving, so never a dull day...
Working out does not work out these days, I try to do some but it is just not the same thing with my gym closed. I want to set up a room in the new house with some equipment we already have that's BF's, and add some of my own (barbells and free weights, yippie), but that's still going to take some time. meantime, I stick to cardio whenever I can, mainly squash, walking and swimming.

I'm also still working on the cookbook project and wanted to ask you all to PM me with your tips on avoiding sweets and treats at work, or anywhere else, and what you do to speed up cooking times etc. also anything you think is a great tip in the kitchen or help to you.

Does anyone know if it's possible to order and ship Splenda to Yurrup here because as far as I know (Silverbirch?) it's still not on the market here?

GG

Wowzers! Crazy week for me and I finally have a second to pop in and post. And how great to see the week started off by Robin! :cool: I love reading your posts — I always find myself thinking about them after I go away from the computer — they’re good cardio meditations. You usually manage to strike a chord with something going on in my life (and probably lots of others here) so thank you. :)

Nelie and Evangeline — I haven’t had a chance to say welcome — so glad you’ve joined us! And Teapot too! I’m sure our Official Greeter has been performing her duties up to spec (she’s irreplaceable, you know ;) ).

I took a week (well, six days) off from lifting after getting a little excessive over the past few weeks but have still managed to sneak in some much needed cardio. Back to weights tomorrow and I can’t wait. :D Our gym just got spinning bikes and I’m assuming they’ll start offering classes soon. I’ve never tried spinning but hear it’s an awesome cardio workout so will definitely give it a “spin” (yuck yuck :lol: ).

Speaking of cardio, Jack and I were reminiscing this morning about how many calories the machines used to say we burned back in the old fat days. When I first heaved myself onto an elliptical, I had to punch in 255 pounds. Let me tell you, I burned calories like a madwoman at that weight, despite really not going very intensely or for very long. Same for Jack, in spades. Nowadays we have to work much harder and longer for a lot fewer calories. So we decided that we would try putting in our “old” weights one day and see how many calories we would burn at the rates we can go now! I’m guessing I could hit a 1000/hour since I used to be able to hit 850, no problem. We’ll report back.

Anyone tried any new (clean) recipes lately?

Hi Meg,

Just sneaking in during my lunch break.
Nicest recipe this week (tried it on non-gym buffs on holiday and they loved it)
Broiled chicken breasts (in tin foil in the oven, no salt or anything added)
Served sliced with whatever you prefer on the side and topped with a coffespoon good olive oil and lemon juice (and salt). Simple and very nice!

have to go, see you all later!

Can you translate for me, please?
 

I think you North Americans must know about this. Is it what you call pot-luck? We’ve been invited to a party on Saturday afternoon and asked to ‘bring something to share’. We know the man, the woman is American. So what do I take, as a pressed-for-cash body-builder? Something which will keep me going (plate of salad, some cc, etc) or something which will keep everyone else going (my famed chocolate fairy cakes, for example)?

Another transcultural one. GG has asked me if Splenda is available in Yoorp. Time to tell you that I haven’t a clue what it is but have assumed, when you talk about it, that it’s an artificial sweetener. Now I’ve confessed, do tell me more. Does it have aspartame, for example, or what? Is it safe for humans? For rats? Do tell!

[Have now googled it. Seems a complicated money-spinning story involving the United Kingdom’s very own Tate and Lyle. (Well, it’s global of course but the HQ is in the UK.) It’s made of sucralose which has just been approved by the EU.
http://www.tateandlyle.com/PressRele...elease1247.asp
http://www.splenda.co.uk/
http://www.splendaingredient.co.uk/
I’ve never liked the sound of these artificial sweeteners. Don’t think I like the sound of this one. I’d rather use honey.]

Have been to the gymn this morning (chest, triceps, bit of cardio). I’m being quite virtuous about eating carefully. Results will occur, in due course. I’m right, aren’t I?

I’ve decided that I must have my hair cut and that it will be an investment. I haven’t been able to justify the expense until last week when enough was enough! (Background: I have it cut in London (4 hr train ride away) because it’s cut well and it keeps me in touch with the metropolis.) In the past few years I’ve found it’s been growing fast and luxuriantly. Every three or four months is just not often enough (and it used to be, just about). I and my hairdresser of very long-standing put it down to my health and well-being. I think Meg wrote something about this the other week. Is it every three weeks you go, Meg?

Still trying to tease that contract out of its hole.

Hope you’re all doing well.

Silverbirch.

G'morning SB! Yep, I have to get my hair cut every three weeks now (it's short and curly) because it's growing like crazy -- don't know if it's healthy eating or protein or what! I never seem to lose any -- it just keeps getting curlier and curlier ... :dizzy:

Yep again on pot-luck -- that's what we call it. My vote goes to bringing something that is both delicious and on your diet plan. That way you're guaranteed at least one thing that you can eat, even if everything else is fattening. Did your hostess specify what she wants you to bring, like a salad or dessert or main course? Or can you pick? If you're free to choose, I find that everyone seems to enjoy cut up fresh fruit (berries, melon, pineapple, cherries etc or whatever is available to you) and perhaps a dip or a fresh veggie tray and dip. Or fresh fruit kabobs (the fruit chunks on a skewer). There's a million kinds of salads -- layered ones are pretty. A hot veggie casserole?

Do I want to know what a chocolate fairy cake is? :D

I think you might! It's a small chocolate sponge cake, usually in a paper case. About 2 inches diameter. Not as big as your muffins. Almost harmless (emphasis on the almost - and appearances can be deceptive - and one is often not quite enough - and you know about stories like that - and don't lick the bowl - and don't make double quantities).

Thanks for the pot luck ideas. I think the Man and the Boy intend to make 'bread fish', their own version of breadsticks (i.e. breadsticks in fish format). I'd better work out something for myself!

Just sneaking in for a peek, and I found this. We're so close but yet so far. In these parts, we call 'em cupcakes, and they are the delight of every small child and the bane of every hardworking mom.

I really think I prefer the image of a chocolate fairy cake, delivered, perhaps, by Tinker Bell on gossamer wings of silver.

:cloud9:

Finally, a moment to report on my first visit to the physical therapist/massage therapist yesterday. I think I'm going to like this woman! Her name is Lori, and as she took my history, she was poking and prodding. Fingers like steel on her :eek: If there's one thing I've learned about good physical therapists, it's that they can always find those sore spots on the first try. Sure enough, she hit the bull's eye -- repeatedly.

Silverbirch, you should have been there. She read me the riot act about posture! Observed that mine was lousy. Also observed that my shoulders are weak, as is my middle back. So, while I was being throughly iced down, she brought me several exercises using therabands to work the back. I'm very optimistic.

Silver, about that potluck (also called pitch-ins in the Midwest), I often take a bean salad. One of my favorites is white beans and tuna, but I also like any combo of beans dressed with oil and vinegar. Several benefits: it's good; it's filling; it's clean; it's inexpensive; and it travels well. Hope this helps.

Well, I see there are lots of other threads going, so I'm off to explore.

Ta Ta.

Hey Guys
I have been so extremely busy at work today....Gotta bring home the bacon bits, ya know!
Just wanted to check in and say I'm thinkin' about all 'o' ya..
Blessings
XOXO
L2L

Hi everybody, I’m new in this forum – have just started lifting weights, and wanted to say hi. I have lurked here for a while; I’ve been lifting weights (dumbbells) at home this summer, but wanted more so I joined a gym. The instructor gave me a proper program and I start off with weightlifting 3 days a week. The gym, and the big guys there, are still a bit scary, but I get such a kick out of lifting! I want to be strong! :D (And lean. Heh)

I’m doing a 2 day split and a combination on the third day:
1st day: lower body (squats, leg press, leg curls) + shoulders
2nd day: upper body (bench press, one arm dumbbell row, biceps curls, triceps extensions, back hyperextensions)
3rd day: combination (squats, bench press, one arm dumbbell row, ab crunches)
all days: warm-up before, sit-ups and stretching after

The plan is to do this program for 3 months, then I'll meet up with the instructor and evaluate.

As for eating: I eat 1500 calories a day, and have started trying to eat 30%protein, 30%fat, 40%carb – I have never eaten so much protein in my life before! I don’t eat meat (but fish, eggs, dairy), so it’s a challenge to eat enough protein for me.

I’ve lost weight, but very slowly and over a very long period of time. I lost 35lbs 1 ½ years ago, maintained the loss until April this year when I started another losing-weight-period, which I will do through October. In November I’ll start maintaining the new weight loss. So far I’ve lost 19lbs since April, so it's off 54lbs in total.

But anyway. Just wanted to say hi. You have a really nice group going here, but you already knew that, right? :D

Hiya there Mette! and welcome to our corner of the forum. You sound like you are certainly off to a good start. 54lbs lost? That is GREAT!!!!! and I like your Wonder Woman symbol.

Like L2L, I am kind of nose to the grind stone, trying to earn the cheer fees, football fees and mortgage - they can keep the bacon ;) so I will be out of pocket for a while BUT drumroll please ddddddddddddddddddd

I DID A TOE TOUCH!!!!! Do you know how many muscles it takes to do those suckers right? Strong abs and legs and back muscles and shoulders (gotta swing those arms). Now, at practice I tell the team, if my old behind can workout and learn how to do one, they better workout and learn how to do one.

I've noticed that I'm not getting as sore as I usually do from my weight lifting so I think its time to up the weights a bit. I'm just worried about being too tired afterward to get through the day AND through the cheer practices. Maybe if I lift only two days a week but hit more muscle groups in those two days, it might work. I'll try it and let y'all know how its going.

Tiki.

Good morning my dears. It's a beautiful day here and I feel better than I have for several weeks and I just wanted to share that fab feeling with all of you. Did my cardio this morning, then a yoga routine, then the exercises the therapist gave me. And so it begins.

Mette, welcome. You'll love it here!

Tiki, I'm not sure what a touch toe is precisely, but by the power of brilliant deductive reasoning, I'm assuming that somehow your toes are meeting up with the top of you somehow. You go girlfriend. That's awesome. :cp:

All you hard workers: hang in there. Blessedly, it's Friday.

Be careful!

Hi everyone!

Just a shorty for me too, hope all is well. Squash was gooooooooood, endorphines are still up high, I had so much more energy yesterday evening to iron (groan).

Silverbirch, I know Splenda is a sort of chemical derivative of sugar, but on the continent it's not in da shop yet. I was opting for Splenda because it's less invasive than e.g. aspartame, and doesn't lose its tase in cooking as far as I can see in recipes etc., and because I need to cut down on sugar (makes me really sluggish). I also use honey, but sparingly, and I can't stand honey in coffee (lucky me I don't drink a lot of coffee anyway).

Thanks for the link, checking it out. Meantime, does anyone know if the stuff is available by e-mail order and if yes where?

Tiki, wish I could do a touch-toe....


Greetings, start the weekend well!

Lieke alias GG

Howdy y'all!!

Thursday is always my CRUNCH DAY...activity wise that is. Here's my yesterday:

3:30 am - wake up, feed cats, dress and at the gym by 4:00 am (Jim was working an early shift this week so had to move up my times a bit this week.)
Did arms, cardio, a bit of abs and stretches - left the gym at 5:30 am.
Showered, made breakfast for both of us, fed cats again, cleaned litter box and out the door and at work by 7:30 am, through 4:40 pm.
5:15 - 6:15 pm - riding lesson at stables, then got in my car and went like a bat outta **** to my Pilates class (and she really worked the crap out of us - my 'powerhouse' was screaming 15 minutes into the session!) which was from 7-8 pm.
Went home, ate a chicken salad, crashed into bed around 9:30 pm.

This morning - woke up at 4:00 am (Jim has today off!), got to gym around 4:30, did shoulders/calves, stretching, 25 minutes light cardio, and the 6 am Spinning class.

Now I'm here at work... :) and I feel great BTW!

On massage therapy - LOVE IT. I get massages every chance I can get - at least once a month. We also have a massage therapist here at work that does 15 minute chair massages on Weds and Thurs. Very popular and a great benefit (of course it isn't FREE - it's $15 for 15 minutes - this ain't the 1990s where all those great freebees were handed on a platter to everyone - most of those companies went POOF after the big dot-com crash...).

On Splenda - I love the stuff :) the store just started selling the big sacks of it. I haven't ever baked with it, but I do add it to my oatmeal prior to nuking it. As the price of Splenda goes down and the exclusive patent runs its course, we'll see the generic versions come out and the price will go down still lower. However - I still prefer Sweet N Low in my iced tea - some weird preference of mine!

Mette - welcome to LWL! :) I'm sure Ilene will pop in with her trademark greeting...

On Sport Horse Nationals - Dakota's owner and I decided to pass on that. It was a matter of childcare (for her) and $$ (for both of us). Doing the show would have cost at least $1500 between the two of us (and that's probably a low estimate). We're looking at doing a small, one-day schooling show in either October or December at this point...however I did let my trainer know that (since I have that week off anyway) I would be willing to come to the show and assist with the horses that ARE going! At the very least (if she doesn't need me) Jim and I are definitely spending at least a day or two out there in Sacramento - this being the first Arabian National event in California, I can't POSSIBLY miss it. I'm sure the shopping will be fabulous also... :devil:

Gotta run and get some work done! Whew!

Hi everyone-
It's been a wild week for me too, and it's not over yet. The gym was DEAD until the beginning of this week, and now it seems most people have come back from the shore or wherever they disappeared. Now it's back to fairly longs days. Good for the paycheck, bad for computer time and ME time :^: My boss asks me every day if I'll please start training clients at 5am, and daily I tell him it would kill me, my marriage, my son would never go to school, etc. I took his early sessions for a week while he was competing, and it near killed me just for the week. I know, I'm a wuss.

Ds is really sick- he's tested positive for strep, but is also showing signs of mono and meningitis. I'm scared to death for him. We'll know by next Tuesday what ails him if it's one of those. Dh has him at the doctor (again) right now. He spent half of June and most of July camping in areas that have high incidence of Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus, so those are also on the possible list. :?: I hope whatever it is clears up THIS month. Luckily (last week I was bemoaning this) school doesn't start here until after Labor Day.

Did back and bi's this morning and was able to go heavier than I have in a while :) I skipped cardio yesterday because I pushed leg day a little too hard and my abs and incision really hurt. Sore legs and butt are good, torn stitches are NOT! Still trying to decide whether to do cardio today. I may give it until tomorrow, then really hit it hard. I'm NOT one of the lucky fast metabolism folks who can get away with no cardio :(

Mette- Welcome to our corner of the world :wave:

Hello to everybody- gotta scoot back to the gym!

Mel

Hello, Hello, Hello everyone!! :wave:

Well I haven't been as busy this week as you guys, but it still has gone by fast! Between driving son to work, working out with him, working out alone, biking, housework, painting the bathroom, driving the little :queen: around... I haven't had much chance to post ... I've also gotten into reading this summer too... I've read 4 books I think... The one I am reading now is Patricia Cornwell's, Hornest's Nest... before that I read Maya Angelou's I know Why the Caged Bird Sings... Oh and Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs, I really enjoyed that one!

Food has been so-so, but workouts have been good...

Karen -- reading your post made me out of breath!! :lol:

Mel -- Sorry to hear about your DS, that certainly is worrisome!

Must not forget ~~ Mette -- WELCOME :dance: WE DOOOO LUV NEWBIES !! :dance:

Sorry can't stay long, Little :queen: needs yet another ride!

TTFN...... :grouphug: to all the rest LUVS yas too!! :D

Hey Jack- It's no fun being the almost 50 year old sister of three younger brothers! Your bike ride sounds fun. We have lots of pieces of "Rails to Trails" pieces but they don't link up to anything or go for more than 5 miles or so. There is one, the Schykill Valley trail, that goes into Philadelphia, but it's not the most scenic of rides.

Ok, the latest diagnosis on ds is that he has strep and Lyme disease. He's on enough antibiotics now to kill any critter in his skinny body. He got weighed at his doctor's office today and is officially 5'10" and 119 pounds :o
Not a lot of muscle there :( or fat. I think I'll let him make a double batch of cookies tomorrow as long as he hides them from me.

Ate clean, so I'm headed to bed before I do any damage. Long cardio tomorrow.

Mel

Oh my, Mel how do you get rid of Lyme disease?

Thanks for the welcome everybody. :wave:

Mel – sorry about your son, hope he gets better once the antibiotics start working.

Tiki – wow! A toe-touch! Whatever kind: I’m impressed! Was it a bending-over (to touch toe), standing up (raising leg), jumping, or what???
MrsJim – getting at the gym at 4:00 is dead impressive too!

I’ve just finished my first week at the gym. Did lower body on Wednesday and upper body on Friday. Today my arms are sore and feel great. The squats (I’m starting off using a 45lbs bar) and the bench press (2 x 22lbs dumbbells) are definitely favorites so far.
I did lower back extensions on the extension bench, and couldn’t even complete my 8x3 program – so lower back is obviously a place I need to work on.
I get such a kick out of this! :D

Have nice weekends everybody.

Just a quickie before starting my day at the gym :)

OMG Mel - Lyme disease?!? I've met a couple of people who had that - NOT fun. Right now, West Nile just popped up here in the Bay Area, so THAT's our big deal at the moment - I've just gotten some mosquito repellent to keep in the tack box at the stables. I definitely DON'T want to get WNV. All our horses have been vaccinated for it - it's especially deadly to equines.

I don't own a bike at the moment but I've heard a LOT about Rails to Trails. Sounds like fun!

Another busy day here...gym, stables, and in the afternoon I have my first Pilates Reformer session which should be interesting :) And hopefully I'll get a chance to clean my fridge, which should have a condemned sign hanging on it! :lol: