Hey girls,

Starting off the thread....

Lexxy - did I see you mention yesterday that you got The Firm tapes? I love The Firm. CB got me Cardio Sculpt, Body Sculpt & Ab Sculpt for Christmas. I adore those tapes. I've been sick and not using them but I usually do either Cardio Sculpt or Body Sculpt & Ab Sculpt 2x or 3x a week. I also try to go to Circuit Training 1x or 2x a week. I've got a yoga class that I go to 1x or 2x a week and then I fill in the cracks with walking on the treadmill or the WATP tapes.

O.K. you guys. I'm still coughing up a storm and my sinuses are awful but I must be feeling better because I'm jonesing for a work-out (it's been a whole week!). If I'm feeling up to it tonight I'm going to do a little easy yoga or take a short, slow stroll around my neighborhood. In the meantime - help me out with my work-out craving - tell me all about your workout schedules - what do you do and how often - I love to get new ideas for shaking things up so I don't get bored!

Laura,

You saw right! I just got them, but haven't done them yet. I have to dig up my hand weights, I think I only have like 3 lbers. I'm going to have to go out and but a few sets it seems. My Canada day goal is to do the 30 day program that came with the tapes. I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but do you find they are difficult enough that you need lots of rest in between, or could they be supplemted with other FIRM tapes? I've also been seeing the infomercials for Power 90, and the results they show make it so tempting to buy. A friend of mine actually ordered them, so I'll have to get the scoop from her. Another thing I want to get is a total gym - yes, I do watch a lot of late night TV, but I promise I'm really not an infomercial junkie! We have one at my parents house that I used to use at home on college breaks, and it really made a difference. I'm tempted to buy one off eBay, but am holding back for a bit. Maybe the FIRM tapes will be enough, but I don't think 5-8 lb weights with that many reps will be enough to keep building muscle. We shall see.

I'm off to the beach today, so I know my eating and drinking will be crap. I kicked things off with a bang this morning eating tons of mini candy bars. I had stayed away for like 2 weeks!! However, I start my FIRM rotation on Sunday when I get back!

Oh, forget to say that weigh in was this morning - 168. Guess I'll change my sig. It's ok considering it read 171 a couple days ago, but am still up 1/2 lb from last week. I think my scale is kinda screwy, I don't get consistent readings, but it's digital and I don't want to spend the $$ again to get a new one!

Lexxy - I've never done the suggested Firm rotation - I'd get too bored. What I will say is that unless you are in superb shape, starting out with 3lb, 5lb and 8lbs will be more than enough for an excellent work-out. The cool thing about the Firm is that you can up the weights when you are ready to build more muscle. Also, I'd highly suggest that the first time you do each tape you do it without weights or with very low weights - just so that you can make sure that you are following all the steps and using correct form without worrying about switching around the weights.

Enjoy your weekend at the beach.

Hey Lexxy and Laura!!

Lexxy--I'm so jealous that you'll be at the beach. I'm sitting in my cubicle in a sweater and with my little space heater going full blast! I might have to try out The Firm videos, will you let me know what you think of them?

Laura--I'm sorry you're not feeling well, but it definitely sounds like you're getting better if you're feeling the need for a workout!

I skipped WI on Tuesday and will probably skip again. Things have been going pretty bad, WW-wise. I started seeing this guy and we go out to eat ALL the time. I told him last night that my jeans are getting too tight for me to be comfortable and that we've got to do something different. When the weather is nice, our nights consist of taking a 3 or 4 mile walk, then going somewhere to eat. Yeah, pretty contradictory. If we keep up with the walking, and I start eating better, the rest of my weight should come off in no time at all.

I've been pretty busy at work and haven't done much posting, but I've been lurking off and on, enough to have heard Jayne, Belle, and Robyn's bad news. My thoughts have been with each of you this week and I'm sending hugs.

I've been stressed by my lovelife, which hasn't helped the eating, but hopefully it'll all work itself out.

Oh, it's lunchtime. I'm running home to do the 3-Mile WATP tape and oogle Randy... Meow!!

Hello-I'm back. The funeral was beautiful (as beautiful as one can be). After being dark and cold the sun was shining bright and it was in the 50's yesterday so it was perfect for a graveside service. Our son read a story that he had wrote about his uncle and then placed a favorite toy truck of Norman's on top of his urn so that he could be buried with it. I was so proud of him. Afterward evryone came to our house for lunch and then some of Timmy's brothers (he has 5 of them) stayed on with some of our friends and we had way too much to drink. But it was fun, we sat around and told stories about Norman.
I wanted to share with you a poem that a nurse that took care of Norman wrote. Just briefly-I'll tell you about Norm. He was born in 1935 and right before his 2nd birthday he had the measels and got brain damaged from the high fever. He never mentally got past 5 1/2 years old but he could do things like cook and clean and wash himself. He was also hard to understand because he stuttered and just couldn't say words right. If you were around him long enough you could figure it out though. But he was like Mel Tillis-when he sang he had the clearest, sweetest voice. He also had an extraordinary memory and could remember the what car you drove and who you sold it to 50 years ago. After his mother died in 1994 we took over his care and he had a home health agency come in everyday for an hour or too just to make sure he was cleaned properly and to do some light housekeeping. He was obsessive-compulsive and everything had to be in it's place in his apartment-if you moved it he would have to straighten it. He washed his hands over and over, he always ate the same thing for supper every night, he was very ritualized. In the last 5 years a nurse came in to see him every week as well because of his failing health. And the nurse he had for the last 4 years wrote this poem for him.

Dear Norman

Dear Norman, it’s been 4 years or more that I’ve been your nurse
And each time I saw you we’d laugh and converse

You’d speak of the old days, of people you know
And when you would talk your love for them showed

There were times you were difficult, in need of your space
And you’d let me know with few words and I’d leave in haste

There were times you were boyish when you’d say good-bye
And you’d blow me a kiss with that twinkle in your eye

I always left smiling no matter how long the stay
You were always the best visit of my long day

I remember I’d ask, “What’s for dinner?” You’d say
“Oh Tim will bring me a hotdog and soda today.”

Everything in its place, oh you kept me in line
And my fondness for you just grew over time

Then one visit after years of me asking you
You sang me a song, quite out of the blue

With the voice of an angel, a smile on your face
As always you chose your own time and place

I write this for you with sadness and love
Dear Norman now sing with the angels above



I thought that was very beautiful. I'm glad it's over and things can get back to normal.

Lexxy-the beach? I'm so jealous.

Laura-I hope you're feeling better.

I skipped WW last Wed. I am getting back to it today as I have used up all of my excuses not to do it. I am going to do my WATP tape this afternoon. Have a good weekend.

oh Robyn ... that poem is so sweet. I'm sitting here at work crying ... so much for my makeup. God Bless his nurse - not everyone is as fortunate to develop a "relationship" with their caretakers; and some others become part of the family.

I'm going to have to come back in a bit and post more -

TTYL!

Robyn, such a sweet poem - but no fair for ruining out makeup while we're at work!!

Trust me, don't be jealous about the beach, it's totally going to be cold there too! Dewey beach is basically this mile long town in Deleware, right by Ocean City, MD. It's kind of a legendary party town in the mid-atlantic area, lots of 20's and 30 somethings go in on beach houses for the summer - ususally like 20 people buy shares of a house and go there on weekends. Mostly a big drunkfest. It's pre-season now, so it's not going to be relly crowded, which I like. My friend's landlord has a place there so we can stay for free when it's not rented out. The house is like a block from the ocean and I will be surprised if we actually see it. I went 2 weeks ago and we didn't.

Jess, what's a lovelife?? I haven't had one of thode in a loooong time

Robin - that's such a beautiful poem, So nice to have people who care so much. I'm glad the whether turned out nice.
Lexxy - you can burn off some beach food calories by buikding a HUGE sandcastle and then stomping it to the ground. I hope you have a fun day.
Laura - Glad to hear you're starting to feel a little bit better.
Jess - I skipped too, and probably will next week because TOM is visiting and I hate having to pay when I know I'm up. If I go back the following week I'll only have to pay the sign up fee which is less than 2 weeks.
Hi Deb!
OK - I'd better do some work. I rear ended a guy this morning on my way to work. At a very low speed but I'm feeling sore now and sitting at my desk is not helping. I hope everyone has a great OP weekend.
KT

Jess - you little witch. Randy is MINE!!! How many times do I have to tell you? Seriously girl - spill on the new boy. I want details. Are you stressing about this guy or about liking this guy and the role Aaron plays in your life?

Robin - what a sweet memorial service for your Uncle. How wonderful that his family and friends (including his nurse) could remember him with such joy.

Lexxy - Lovelife: a man who shops for a new lawn mower because he's afraid that yours will mow you.
Not as exciting as you remember eh?

Laura

OK, since I'm at a loss for how to handle this on my own, maybe you ladies can help me... OK, Aaron and I were together for nearly two years. During that time, he did a lot of things wrong and for a lot of that time, I wasn't happy. We broke up in October because of that, and also because I met someone who I wanted to try things out with. Things with the other guy didn't work out, so in a moment of weakness, I called Aaron up and we've been hanging out, talking, pretty much life like it was before we broke up. When I first started talking to Aaron, I wanted to get back together and tried to get him to feel the same way for the last 5 months. I got tired of waiting, and when I met someone else, I went on a date with him. I told Aaron that I was going on the date and suddenly he wants to get back together. But, Aaron has a lot of thing working against him, for example: no job, no driver's license, no car insurance, he's staying with friends because his mom kicked him out, he'll probably be going to jail at the end of the month. He's the nicest, funniest, sweetest, most caring guy ever, but let's face it, he's kind of a loser. To complicate things, I like this guy that I went on the date with and I wouldn't mind continuing to see him. But, I only told Aaron about the first date and have lied to him about the others, which I'll never feel OK with. I hate to lie to anyone, especially him. But, at the same time he's being a little unfair--he gave me an ultimatum saying that if I saw someone else, he'd never talk to me again. I think that's totally unfair. I feel that I have the right to see someone else until he gets his life together, because I'm not entirely sure that's going to happen and it's not fair for him to expect me to wait. This guy that I'm seeing now has a good job, makes good money, takes me out, etc. Basically he's not a loser. But, he's missing that something that Aaron has and I wonder if I like him or if I just like the things that we go out and do that I never was able to do with Aaron???? The lying to Aaron thing bothers me so much that I can't hardly sleep at night, but I justify it by telling myself that this is something I'm doing for myself and he doesn't need to know about it, as long as I never do anything like it if we get back together.

So, that's my lovelife causing me major stress...

Robyn--That poem made me cry as well. I'm sorry for your loss and thinking of you. Norman obviously touched many lives and will be remembered fondly by SO many.

Laura--It sounds like you have some excitement in your lovelife, I don't know why don't think lawnmowers and Randy aren't exciting.

OK, back to work for me...

Jess-we posted at the same time. I got the 2 mile WATP tape and I see no sign of Randy....sigh.

Deb-it made everyone cry. My 11 year old son cried at the funeral after the minister read it and he considers himself quite the tough guy.

Lexxy-Have fun at the beach. Stay out of trouble.

KT-Did you do a lot of damage to your car? Hope you're feeling better. Take a hot bath. I HAVE to go to WI next week to face the music.

Laura-Did you really get a new mower? How sweet...

Jess-I try not to give out any love advice. But I do think that it sounds like Aaron needs to get his **** together. Good luck.

You really didn't think that you could tell us all that and that I wouldn't comment did you?

"I feel that I have the right to see someone else until he gets his life together, because I'm not entirely sure that's going to happen and it's not fair for him to expect me to wait."

That's it in a nutshell Jess. It isn't fair that he expects you to wait unless he is actively improving his life and his relationship with you. And no offense sweetie, but from everything you've ever told us, it sounds to me like you put forth 99% of the effort in your relationship with Aaron. Also, note that Aaron didn't want to solidify your relationship again until he found out that another man was interested in you. If I were in your shoes, I would take that as a message that the guy doesn't want to be WITH me - he's afraid to be WITHOUT me. There is a difference and it's something to think about.

Now about the new guy. Who cares if you aren't in lust after a few dates??? If you think he's an interesting man, continue to see him. And don't lie to Aaron - no need to tell Aaron that you've been seeing him all along - just start telling Aaron that you intend to see Mr. X again and that you hope Aaron appreciates the friendship he has with you enough to continue it even though you are dating.

Sidenote: I didn't think CB had "it" for months last summer and I thought his best friend was a totally hottie. But CB took me out and paid for dinner and we had fun and I really enjoyed the things he added to my life...and one day I woke up in love. Crazy head over heels, adore this man, I want to spend the rest of my life with him in love. And the best friend? Turns out he's cute and nice and funny and so busy looking for the perfect woman that his relationships never last more than 3 months.

One final thing to think about chica - If the new guy is nice to you and you enjoy his company there is no shame in continuing to see him. He may not be Mr. Right. But he might be Mr. Right Now - and I don't mean that in a lustful way. He may provide things that you need in your life right now - and there isn't anything wrong with enjoying that if you don't lead him to believe that he's your prince. Besides - for all you know - he's not looking for Mrs. Right - maybe he's just looking for you - a kind, interesting woman to pass some time with.

Now, I'm done lecturing. But I'm going to find Jayne because she always has the best relationship advice.

Jayne?

Jaaayyneee??????

Where are you Jayne? We need you! And we need to know that you're hanging in there.

Laura

Jess - I understand your situation all too well. When my ex and I first started together he had no car, license, job and was living in his parent's basement (at age 34!) He'd get a bit of work here and there and things would be better then things would go downhill again. I thought to myself the whole time, things would be better if we just had money and at lease we love each other...then, he got his dream job, dream career actually and it almost magnified all the other problems we had. Granted, we had the alcohol issue to deal with...I guess my general point is, if it was working, it would be working regardless of your respective situations. If it didn't work (when you tried a few times) there's probably a reason it didn't work, or doesn't work. Just because things might not be there yet with the new guy doesn't mean that they won't develop or that you won't find someone else who is perfect for you. As far as the lying to Aaron, tell him. If he can't deal with it maybe that's a sign? OK, just my 2 cents. I hope you work things out to your liking. you deserve to be happy!
KT