DVD/At Home Exercisers - Week of Jan. 8

[JoanneOR]

Hi everyone!! Hope you all had good weekends and workouts. We finished putting all the Christmas stuff away, went to soccer games and ballet. Why does it never fail that you always find at least one decoration left out when you put all the holiday stuff away??

Exercise: nothing Saturday, Sunday was Cathe's Cardio Fusion, and today to the gym for sculpting class. Lots of newcomers at the class and the gym was packed.

Time to get ready to go home....

[JuliN]

Hi Joanne -

Thank you for starting this week's message string. Last week was really busy for me, so I only got 3 exercise sessions in. Saturday I did the FIRM Vol.3 - an oldie but a goodie, nothing on Sunday, and last night I did Pure Power Yoga (30 minutes). The Florida/Ohio State game started at 8, so I had to do a short workout.

On the last string, someone asked about a good beginner Yoga tape. I would recommend any of the Yoga Zone tapes. I think there's one called introduction to yoga. I think it's really good for beginners because it is a small class setting and certain members show modified versions. The host, Alan Finger, is very good about pointing out variations for certain physical concerns like weak knees or tight hamstrings, etc.

Have a great day, everyone!

Juli

[engineer]

Hi everyone. Sorry I’ve been MIA but my back just isn’t cooperating:mad: . I didn’t do anything since Wednesday and I’m getting pretty frustrated. So I scheduled an appt with the Doctor for tomorrow and if I feel like I do right now when I get home I’m going to do something. I’m going to try the exercises from my plan – see what I can do and what I can’t. And I cancelled my training session this week as it’s not worth it since I haven’t exercised in a week. The only healthy thing I’ve done is get in the sauna twice :rolleyes: Sunday and Monday). But I made gluten free brownies this weekend and I’m hearing them call my name!:eek: I feel just bloating and yuky so something has to change and soon.

DM says that the wind really blew yesterday (100+mph gusts in places) and that the drifts are as hard as concrete so the snow blower won’t go through them. And they are supposed to get another couple of feet on Thursday. DF is frustrated and sleep is not consistent so things are just tough there. Hopefully DM can get to her Dr. appt on Thursday to discuss her elbow but we’ll see. Weather is supposed to turn cold again here with highs in the single digits for this weekend. Not looking forward to that, but usually it is bright sunshine when it’s that cold so take the good with the bad;) .

Juli - I love vol.3 because of the leader. Sandahl has such beautiful form and lines from the dancing. But it's alot of higher impact and sometimes my body doesn't appreciate it. Good job on the yoga also.

Joanne - Thanks for starting the thread. Good job on getting everything tucked away for another year and starting so good this year on the workouts. So how many of those new folks in your sculpting class will make it to February?

Take care everyone - see ya tomorrow.

[JoanneOR]

Juli, thanks for the yoga recommendation! I'll look for that one. I think I have that Firm tape - but I've never done it! Maybe I need to dig it out!

Engineer, hang in there! It's best to rest your back - you don't want to injure it further. The crowds definitely slow down in February at the gym!

Today I did Cathe's Imax2. I was worried I wouldn't get through it since I've been sick and not doing too much cardio. But I did and felt pretty good.

[engineer]

Well we made it to hump day and that feels good:) . (No bosses here as they are at a big meeting – back tomorrow). I did workout last night as I was going bonkers not doing anything but I took it easy. I did lower body work (backing down on the weights and if anything tweaked the back then I didn’t do it), and trunk work and finally I got on the treadmill but only did a half hour at a much lower intensity. Just moving and sweating felt so good!:D Then I did Cathe’s Total Body Stretching – Basic Stretch. Moving is wonderful.

Today I had an appt with the regular Dr and she said that I have a severe sprain which takes longer to heal than a break (so I’m happy the x-ray said nothing was broken?:rolleyes: ) Anyway she gave me anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers and told me to keep working with the trainer. Just take it easy and modify when necessary. This afternoon I go to the chiro and we’ll see how that goes.

Near blizzard on the way into work this morning so I’m sure the test drivers are happy. And the girls get there hooves trimmed today also. Busy, crazy day.

Joanne - I've tried yoga and the Firm Power Yoga tape is the only one that I really enjoy because it moves and just feels like I'm making progress if that makes any sense. High five on doing well on Imax2 - not an easy wo. You are a super woman!

Anyway take care everyone - it's all down hill from here.

[JoanneOR]

Engineer, good job on modifying the workouts. It does feel good to do something, even if it's not at as high of an intensity as you are used to. Hope the snow doesn't hit you too hard. We've been really lucky this year (if you don't like snow, that is!) Only one snow storm which was pretty minor in early december and nothing since. But, you never know what'll happen in Chicago.

I don't know what was wrong with me this morning - just could not get into my workout! Should have stayed in bed! I did All Body Cardio, which is a CIA video. It's actually really good with cardio and weights. I've done it before, but this time I just got so bored I started doing laundry instead! It's alot of drills and boot camp stuff - I think I need more choreography! I didn't sleep well either, so that didn't help.

Tomorrow I'm going to do something fun, like Amy Bento's hi/lo. Hopefully that will work out better.

[cniles]

Hi guys! I'm here! I did nothing on Monday, yesterday I went for a walk with my neighbor and today (finally) I did Body Fusion with Cathe! Good workout. Busy week - I have Bunco tonight so I have to run... but glad it wasn't a break Engineer!!!

Joanne - sometimes we get in a video funk - it'll pass:) I think the sleep issue probably didn't help either!

Juli - you sound like you're doing great!

I promise to post more tomorrow - I made Anna's One Bowl Chocolate Mocha Creme Cake to take to bunco tonight - yummmmmm;)

[JuliN]

Hi Everyone --

Big hugs to you, Engineer. I'm glad it wasn't a break but a sprain isn't any fun, either. You're doing a great job on modifications. Remember: Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's ready to go further (That's a line from one of Patricia Walden's yoga vids)

JoAnne -- I get the video funk, happens a lot when I'm tired, too, or mad about something. I just can't concentrate. At times like that, laundry is a reasonable alternative; or maybe a walk;)

I hear ya, Charisse, busy week for me too. Last night I did my usual Navel Power yoga while the chili for Friday night was simmering. Wednesday is usually rest day/date night with my DH. I had an afterhours meeting tonight so our date is very low key -- we're watching Grey's Anatomy (1st Season) DVD. As I'm typing this, the potatoes are baking so I can make Baked Potato Soup. It's from CL a few years back. This is so yummy!!!!

In the winter, we and a group of friends have a rotating "Soup & Games" night. The host has to prepare two kinds of soup and some bread, and the guests bring the appetizers. Cheap and good -- especially after the holidays. This Friday is my turn and I'm making Easy Chili (made yesterday) and Baked Potato Soup (baking the 'taters tonight and preparing the soup tomorrow night) I make homemade bread every week in the bread machine so that part is easy. Then we play board games. My favorite is Blokus or Taboo or Sequence. I also love card games like Euchre.

Enjoy Life!!!

Juli

[engineer]

OK – I have to say it, after all the poking and popping yesterday I got home and could barely move without wincing:mad: . So no workout for me last night. And my eating went down the tubes. I just didn’t want to work hard = no utensils! So I ate some cheese puff things that DH was kind enough to pick up for me. That was dinner (curtsey of Cheetos:eek: ). Oh well, I’ll pick myself up today. Hopefully by the time I get home I’ll still be functional and do something, but for sure I’ll eat better – I promise.

When we went out to put the girls to bed, DH showed me what Josie had done while getting her hooves trimmed. Seems she got bored (always does by the 4th foot) and she slowly moved sideways and put her backside into the window on the screen door of the tack room:rolleyes: . There is glass everywhere. No one got hurt and it didn’t even startle her but we definitely are going to have to do some replacement. Anyone have a good way to get up glass off of a dirt floor? Sweeping it up from the concrete on the inside of the tack room was easy but the stuff that fell outside is a little tougher. The joys of having a 2000 lb 2 year old …Ok she’s 7 now but she acts like she’s two. But I will say that their feet look good and I’m like this ‘natural foot’ thing.

One more day to go – oh and all the bosses are back (boo hiss).

Juli - Can I stop listening to my body and tell it to cooperate?;) But I hear ya and I'm trying. Soup and games night sounds like fun and your contribution sounds very tasty. Did you make any special kind of bread? Good job on the yoga and have a fun party.

Charisse - only one more workout to make 3 for the week. Good job, especially since your just getting back into the 'routine' after x-mas. Chocolate Mocha Creme Cake - you guys are making me hungry!

Joanne - I guess we're all in agreement on the video funk thing but I just want to say that at least you didn't just sit on your backside when it hit. No, you got some other tasks done which I figure just shows that you are not a couch potato but an active person so high five for that. Hopefully Amy will fill the bill today.

Chow ladies.

[JoanneOR]

Juli, that soup and games night sounds like so much fun.

Charisse, mmm, how was the mocha cake?

Last night I actually slept through the night - not as long as I would have liked, but I didn't open my eyes from the time I got into bed until my alarm went off. My four year old rarely sleeps through the night, so that was a treat! I felt much better doing my workout this morning. I did about 30 minutes of Amy Bento's hi/lo and then the legs part from her All Pump Extreme.

I'm either going to take rest day tomorrow or do something light. I'm getting anxious for my Bosu workouts - they should have been here by now. Maybe today.

[cniles]

Hey guys,

I'm in a bit of a funk this afternoon. Got word that my neighbor, who has been fighting pancreatic cancer, passed away this afternoon. He's only 53 and has 3 young boys. The two older boys are always at my house with my two boys - so so sad. My motivation to workout just went down the tubes. That's number 2 for our neighborhood in the past 2 months.

We were just talking about it last night at bunco - we knew it was soon. I'm going to repeat what we've said many times... hug your loved ones everyday (as many times as you can!!)

[JoanneOR]

((Charisse)), so sorry about your friend. Really puts things in perspective. We really take for granted the things that are most important - health and family. I'll definitely give my family lots of hugs tonight.

[JuliN]

I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbor, Charisse. We lost one of our former neighbors to pancreatic cancer too. He was about the same age. He had served in Viet Nam and was exposed to Agent Orange. It's been documented that vets with exposure have higher rates of pancreatic diseases, including diabetes and cancer. I want to you know that the family and the neighborhood are in my thoughts and prayers. This is a loss for all of you.

I didn't read your post until this morning. Makes me all the more grateful for my family and my own health. Last night I did a FitPrime workout (the one with Susan Harris). I always feel terrific in the morning if I work out the evening before. Today I am doubly grateful for a healthy body. And I'll remember to treasure my friends when they come over tonight.

Juli

[engineer]

Good Friday morning to everybody. Well I just got off the phone with the clinic and the radiologist and some other doctor types examined the x-rays from Wednesday and have declared that I cracked the ‘wings’ on the L3 and L4 vertebrae:mad: . But because I am healthy and active I should be OK without any ‘intervention’. But it still smarts like the dickens. No workout last night but I didn’t just plant myself on the couch with junk food either. I cleaned litter boxes and did laundry and stuff like that. And I ate fairly well so although I didn’t do as well as I had hoped it was better than the day before. Baby steps are OK too. :D

It’s super cold here today so the pups are spending the day in the entryway to the house in their airline crates. 14 year old dogs do not stay outside at -20F, even if they are former sled dogs:) . That means no grocery shopping tonight, have to do it Saturday. Oh well maybe I can do something active tonight.

Charisse - Hugs to you and your family and the neighbors at this trying time. Peace is his now as well as freedom from pain so it is a blessing. Remember exercise helps with sadness/depression so try to get out there and move and celebrate living.

Juli - Just want to say good for you, so many people don't make the connection between working out one day and feeling good the next. I think that's what keeps folks like us going, because we do. And Susan is cool no matter what video and she's super in person too. Have fun tonight.

Joanne - Excellent, so glad the 4yo let you sleep all the way through the night. What a sweetheart. Your workouts are so 'big' that I am always super inspired by you. Thanks. Hope those bosu workouts show up soon.

Stay warm and safe everyone and I hope you have a good weekend.