Home Exercise Enthusiasts -week of Jan 20

[cniles]

Hi everyone!!

I started the weekend well - BSS4 with Pam (mostly weights) and then woke up Sunday morning to our basement flooded!!!:mad: Our pipe burst and we had 2 inches of water on the floor. We're in the middle of finishing the basement so we don't have our rugs in yet... thank God! But we spent 4 hours cleaning up the mess. (I have blisters from pushing the broom!) Bill fixed the pipe - it must have froze and then blew right off. So it's still really damp down there - we're running fans and dehumidifiers. Thank goodness most of our boxes are on shelves off the floor. We did have to throw out 2 area rugs - they were trashed.

So we're off today because of the holiday. I did Dangerous Curves Ahead by the FIRM. Good sweat. I need to lose 5 pounds. I'm going to start a food journal b/c I've been mindlessly eating since the holidays. And I'm posting my exercise on the calender. Time to step it up!!!

How was everyone else's weekend? (OH and our Steeler's won!!! Woo hoo!!):)

[Valerie226]

Charisse.. that's awful! We've never had a pipe burst although we had an almost frozen one in 1990 that we thawed out with a hair dryer. water had stopped flowing but it wasn't solid so we totally lucked out. we had just moved into this house a few months before and it got much colder than usual for a long time. we wrapped all the pipes and learned we need to leave cetain cabinet doors open when it gets that cold... one of those unpleasant lessons you won't forget. a couple throw rugs is a small price for a big lesson! and the mopping was probably a great upper body workout....:p

I'm back from our trip but haven't done the computer switchout yet. need another cable.
3 days with only a 40 min run the exercise. the hotel had an exercise room but only the recumbent bike worked OK so DH and I went for a run. it sure is harder running on the street versus a treadmill. I ate reasonably well, more wine than usual. Stuck to salads with very minimal dressing and vegie pizza. DH's family = a bunch of party animals. sitting in airports and on a plane does not qualify as exercise. Anyway, no major dietary damage!

my computer does not like going back and forth to last week's thread ( it will lose everything I've typed so far) so I gotta do this from memory. Snowshoeing especially with poles is a good cardio workout. How hard depends on how steep and snow conditions. dry fluffy stuff versus solid icy stuff versus "post holing" into deep heavy stuff, and anywhere in between. I use poles for balance,plus your arms get a workout especially going uphill or down. I use them just like hiking poles. I've seen people snowshoe without but I can't imagine going without poles. especially going downhill they help balance and take some pressure off your knees.

Emilee I've seen loads of different versions of planks. on your elbows and toes. on extended arms and toes. Cathe does many versions... basic plant on elbows and hold, rock backward and forward or take small steps sideways and back while holding the position. important to look in a mirror so that your butt is not up like a tent or stomach sagging in the middle. just holding the position straight and flat is surprisingly taxing!

Canice take 220 and subtract your age. then multiply that number by the per cent to get your target heart rate range. you need a heart rate monitor to get an idea if you're in range ( taking your own pulse doesn't work ) and you need to keep your heart rate in the zone for a while, like 20-30 minutes. you need to work up to it. some equipment has "grab on" monitors. there's not total agreement but most seem to think best fat burning zone is about 70%. As you get more fit the amount of work you can do at a particular heart rate increases. the last books I've read didn't even mention measuring heart rates, more about perceived exertion. keep working at it and increasing the intensity and the time.

[Valerie226]

new computer is up and running. I had no idea I'd be able to see the thread entries below the posting area. I've always had to use the back button and sometimes I'd lose what I just typed. This is MUCH better

[testkitchen45]

Charisse, sorry about the flooding!! :(

Valerie, congrats on sticking to your plan even though you were traveling. That takes dedication. :)

Tonight, DH and I did chest & shoulders. Whew! And abs, of course. I'm up from 3 sets of 12 on that godawful ab-chair thing (Roman chair? chair of death? ;)); I was shooting for 3 sets of 15 but could only manage 3 sets of 13. It's still a lot better than the 3 of 3 I started with.

Tomorrow is legs & triceps, then Thursday is back & biceps. I hope to get some aerobic time (on the elliptical) in there, too; I went from Level 2 to Level 3 today but didn't have time to stay on there for very long. Child's play for many of you, but I'll take every little milestone I can. :D

[cniles]

yay Valerie - new computer!!! Woo hoo!! Sounds like you did a GREAT job of monitoring your eating while away:)

Testkitchens - You're doing great! I love that you are workingout with your hubby!!

What a historic day:) We were able to watch the inauguration at school with the kids - 4th graders. I think most of them understood the importance of the moment.

I came home and did Pump, Jump and Jab. I so love this workout. (I'm doing it alot!) Tomorrow is soccer practice for Sam so I'm not sure what I'm going to squeeze in.

[SueK]

Charisse-- sorry to hear about the flooding! We came close to that on Sunday....it was -12 and we ended up having to heat up the pipes in the garage so that the water would start flowing again!

Anyway....I have been MIA from this thread, but not MIA from working out, thankfully. Didn't do it today, but will tomorrow. Other than skipping today, I've been faithful about it. I still have yet to use that darn Kettlebell, but I've been sure to at least do the treadmill and weights. I have a very busy rest of the week, including a day trip out of town, but will fit those workouts in in the mornings and stay on track!

[avariell]

I have had a busy few days so my workouts have been neglected slightly. I did do a really tough leg workout Monday morning... my calves are still sore from it! :eek: My calves are never sore... it is very strange.

Last night was ballet, which should just have its name changed to Torture Hour. I am usually so tight from working out the day before that the stretching just kills me. I could barely get my leg up on the barre last night. I think I am still feeling some after-effects of being sick for so long... just not quite recovering as quickly as I was before.

Tonight I plan to get some quick cardio in on my parents' treadmill since my sister is in town.

It looks like the deep, deep freeze is finally lifting - so here's hoping no more frozen pipes for anyone!

[testkitchen45]

Tomorrow is legs & triceps . . .

I officially hate my husband. :D :D

Just kidding; of course--he's wonderful. :) But he told me when we began working out in December (sporadically b/c of the holidays) that I would reach a point where "you'll hate me" for the workout he made me do. That happened yesterday. I was doing lunges holding barbells and thought I was gonna die. But I finished 3 sets of 10 on each leg, holding 10-pound barbells. I made him review the muscles I had just worked, b/c it's motivating to hear that I just worked my rear view. Legs & Triceps is also known as Butt & Bingo Arms (you know, the part that jiggles when you raise & wave your hand & holler, "Bingo!" :D :D).

He said I didn't eat enough yesterday (protein, esp.) & that was my problem--and NOT to diet until he maxed out the weight I could lift. Obviously, that's not a green light to eat cr*p, but rather he said to eat three sensible, protein + carbs small meals b4 our late-afternoon (b4-dinner) workouts--otherwise, I simply won't have the strength to lift much.

Trust the master . . . ;)

Josie, I'm sorry your ballet became Torture Hour. Sounds like you underestimated just how much being sick took out of you. Hang in there! Any adult still doing ballet gets 5 stars in my book--that can be work. :)

Sue, what's a Kettlebell? :confused:

Charisse, is Pump, Jump, & Jab a boxing DVD or something? I always want to do DVDs totally privately b/c I'm such a klutz. :o :p

[avariell]

This is a kettleball-
http://www.independent.ie/multimedia/archive/00173/kettleball_173243t.jpg


The whole protein dilemma is hard for me. I just don't think I can get behind drinking protein shakes regularly - there are too many funky ingredients that don't jive with my desires to eat real food. And, I also cannot bring myself to have meat with every meal. I suppose I need to eat more quinoa and legumes :) I can tell you (testkitchen) that eating more protein after a heavy lift does help with muscle soreness. A smoothie with some good fruits and a scoop of protein powder is a pretty typical post workout/recovery meal. (Of course I rarely do this - but I am just telling you what I know ;))

[srahndennis]

Boo to frozen pipes! What a drag, Charisse! I have the Pump, Jump & Jab DVD on my netflicks list. Your reviews are making me just want to get it!!! I like having some workouts that are a little shorter - sometimes I just don't have the energy for Cathe's hour.

Some folks on the Cathe board have been talking about Chalene Extreme. It's peaking my curiosity. The workouts are shorter but sound like they still deliver results. Something to think about, I guess!

Yesterday I did Pyramid Up Upper Body Premix. I went heavier knowing it was shorter (just up the pyramid, not up & down) so maybe that's part of the Charlene Extreme logic. Anyway, was good, quick and my pecs & biceps are sore this morning.

TK - You are moving right along! It's so fun to see the progress. Your DH sounds like a great slavedriver....er, I mean coach!! Seriously, it's wonderful that you all are doing this together. My DH is a runner so at least we're both advocates for exercise but he doesn't lift.

Valerie -- Congrats on the new computer. It's amazing how quickly technology changes. I'll bet your new one is much faster.

Josie -- Calves are the only lower body part that I actually like to work out. If yours are still sore today, you know you really worked them! Ballet with sore calves doesn't sound like too much fun!

Oh, I forgot to mention the highlight of my weekend.....I got to take a cooking class with Pam Anderson! It was so much fun. She talked a lot about her new approach to eating and how she was able to shed 45 pounds in 8 months. Quite inspiring! I didn't have her book but of course, I ordered it from Amazon as soon as I got home.

[testkitchen45]

Oh, I forgot to mention the highlight of my weekend.....I got to take a cooking class with Pam Anderson! It was so much fun. She talked a lot about her new approach to eating and how she was able to shed 45 pounds in 8 months.

Do tell! What's her new approach, which helped her shed 45 in 8? :)

[cniles]

Stacy - that is soo cool!!! Where were you at? I use her crab cake recipe all the time:) And Charlene Extreme? I'll have to google it/her?? I haven't seen the name in the collage mags yet.

Sue - good for you still working out!! Was Jerry home to help heat up the pipes? Are you ready for next weekend?!!!:D Bill can't wait!

TK (like the abbreviation!) - the "master" sounds like he has some good advice!;) (Actually sounds like my DH) I loved the bingo arm description!!:p

Josie - I'm with you on the protein drinks! DH drinks a shake he makes with yogurt, bananas, milk and whey powder (shudder) - I just can't do the texture thing either!!

I made myself do Cathe's Cardio and Weights this afternoon - minus the weights. So I did the cardio portion and abs. Still a lot of sweating. I will not be able to do anything tomorrow due to the boys haircuts and Jack's band concert....

Here's to the end of the week!!

[srahndennis]

I am really dragging this week. I think I have a bit of a sinus infection. Every morning I wake up with a headache and don't want to get out of bed! :mad:

The class with Pam Anderson was at the Central Market cooking school. It was the first class ever for the school at that location. I was so disappointed when this store opened and they weren't going to have classes. I guess they just needed time to get it up and running! I'm only part way through her book, but Pam's approach to weightloss is fairly simple -- eat less & move more. When she lost the weight, I think she was exercising a lot -- she started walking, then walking more, then running. I have a feeling she was walk/running before each meal on a fairly regular basis. She eats frequent, smaller meals througout the day -- every 3 - 3 1/2 hours. Real food. She counts calories but I don't get the impression she is overly concerned about fat or monitoring carbs/protien, etc. I've only made one recipe so far - the creamy chili soup that TerriA posted but we really liked it. The recipes are simple and quick, which is good for me. She also encourages you to use the recipes as a formula -- mixing them up and swapping things based on what you have or want so that it's not the same thing over & over. Anyway, nothing revolutionary but inspiring to read all the same.

[avariell]

Stacy- I feel ya! I just cannot get in the groove this week. I have been having some bad dizzy spells (I think related to ear drainage) and gross congestion. I have my follow-up appointment with my ENT surgeon on Feb. 6th where I find out if I can have sinus surgery. I really hope I am a good candidate for it. I also need to make some serious lifestyle changes after learning I am allergic to everything :) Anyway- I hope you feel better soon!!

I might have to check out that cookbook. Are most of the recipes for 4+servings? That is my pet peeve. I hate leftovers and scaling recipes down for 1 or 2 servings gets tedious.

[Valerie226]

I haven't done enough this week. I got so blasted tired from our short ( 3 day) california trip. I have sleep issues and traveling makes it worse. Thanks charisse, I did watch the food intake pretty closely considering. We had some decent salads for lunch, one mcD's and the other Jack in the Box. Not very caloric except for the dressing and it's easy to get by with about 10% of what's in the bag. I did get in some minimal bike, treadmill, elliptical time, yoga class tuesday. wednesday we went snowshoeing, about 4 hours round trip. snow is still totally awful ... death crust... although it was a nice warm sunny day.

For some reason ( with new computer) getting on this site is hard. I keep having to sign in even tho I'm checking "remember me", and then it takes me way out to the main community page and I have to work my way back to the thread. new computer is much faster but I can't figure what's wrong. I'm not having this issue at any other site.

TK, from what I've read plus personal experience, it's hard to o lose weight at the same time you're building muscle. there's a book floating around called "feed the muscle, lose the fat" that I want to read that addresses this issue. everyone's metabolism responds differently. I personally have to be somewhat hungry to lose weight. I wish it were otherwise but for me, no. frequent small meals seems to be the approach most popular now. I use cottage cheese, small amounts of nuts or peanut butter rather than meat. If I'm not hungry ( not starving but feeling like I want to eat) a good part of the time, it's a sure sign that I'm gaining weight. ( I come from a family with major weight issues.) Your DH sounds like a good coach.... just be aware guys with their larger muscle mass can get away with many more calories than women. careful on the portion sizes.... this is always an issue for me. the good news is that fat takes up 5x as much space as muscle, so if you build lean muscle mass you may have a lot less "weight" to lose than you think. It sounds like you are making great progress! "Bingo" arms! that is too funny!

Stacy.. so cool you got to meet Pam anderson! she looks so different now that she's lost all that weight. One of my favorite salad dressing recipes is from her newspaper column. I don't eat meat so I've never bought any of her books but she seems to have a relaxed non judgemental approach to cooking and I like her entertaining ideas.

Josie.. I hear you on cooking math. I cook for two 99% of the time and it does get easier in time. I even appreciate leftovers mean I don't need to cook every night. DH tends to eat more than one serving too, and if I make "two serving" dinners, I end up not getting enough or listening to complaining.

[avariell]

Valerie- have you tried changing your bookmark to https://community.cookinglight.com ? The "s" is important. It fixed all the problems I was having logging in.

We are all pretty blah right now! Hopefully the weekend perks us up :)

[Valerie226]

Josie, I think that will work! I didn'[t have to sign in this time.

[Valerie226]

just reporting in that I did cathe's GSchest/triceps along with the standing portion of GS legs on friday. this was a difficult week to get in exercise so I will try to be back on next week. today I plan on GS biceps and some cardio, probably treadmill. my thighs got pretty sore from GS legs. hadn't done it in over a week so this is punishment.