B]Home exercise enthusiasts -week of april 26[/B]

[Valerie226]

Back from vacation. we went to yellowstone, our absolute favorite place. It wasn't real busy (except for the campground) which we used one night and then went elsewhere. weather was lovely sunday, mon, tues, wed. we did hiking and critter watching. depending on which end of the park, things are quite melted out or still very snowy. we could have skied but it was very warm and the snow was sloppy. was supposed to get much colder and more snow the day we left. Hiking at 7500 feet is a great conditioner but we didn't do great mileage or pace, just enjoyed springtime.

Stacy, I'm impressed with your consistence in working thru STS. Be proud of yourself! the week before we left I repeated 1,2,& 3 and will the same this week before moving forward. My timing could have been better to say the least.

I need to get my diet back on track. a little extra wine and cookies this past week but nothing real excessive. I'll take a look at the diet monitoring site you mentioned last week.

charisse I hope you were able to complete your half marathon in fine form. Report in and let us know how it went.

[srahndennis]

Valerie!!! I'm so glad you're back. I was lonely last week. :( Your trip sounds great! I had fond memories of Yellowstone. I'd love to go back there some day but it's just so darn hard to get to from Texas. By the time we'd get there, our vacation would be over!

I think you chose a great way to start STS. You're going to love it! I'm very pleased that I've kept to it. I've worked out 5 - 6 days/week for the last 10 weeks! Definately a record for me and I've certainly proven to myself that I can handle it physically.

I really like the calorie counting site. It's been very easy to use. I tracked everything last week - another accomplishment for me. When I add in my exercise, I almost always have more calories than I need. I'm not sure yet how many of the exercise calories I should eat - I just plan to track for a few weeks and see how it goes.

Today I did Kelly Coffey Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Bootcamp Cardio Premix plus Yoga Abs from Ab Circuits. Tomorrow I start back with STS!

Charisse -- I hope your walk was fabulous!! Check in -- we need details! :D

[cniles]

Hi guys!!!:):):)

Sorry Stacy I was MIA last week - it was crazy as I was getting everything ready for DH to be solo with the boys this weekend!!!

WHAT A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE!!!!! First of all, they made it a fun run due to the excessive heat index (over 90 degrees). So we only did 7 miles ( a little over one loop of Central Park). There were 10,000 women there ranging in ages from 86 to 12. Almost every state was represented.

It was so cool. My friend really pushed me - especially once we knew we were only going 7 miles we decided to run/walk. we were done in 1 hour and 54 mins but it took us 40 mins to just go the first mile and a half. We were dodging people right and left!! We ran the last 1/2 mile. I got goosebumps as we ran toward the finish line - people on both sides cheering!!!! Carol Alt (super model over 40) gave us high fives as we crossed the line.

We then spent time with my sister - ate out and shopped. It was so much fun. We got back this morning. Back to reality!!! And back to some regular workouts!

Thanks for thinking of me! :)

[Valerie226]

Congratulations charisse on finishing the race, and with adversity! 2 hours with a heat index of 90 is pretty darn hot! warm temps and humidity can make any exercise 10x harder. Good call by officials to shorten the course... don't want people by the dozen dropping over from weather conditions. I remember the first( and one of the only) 10K races I ran... it took the better part of an hour to move up to the start line, so many people! That must be a wonderful feeling to have people cheering you on at the end. Glad you finished and ti was a success.

I'm getting back to normal workouts. did bike, treadmill and elliptical for 1 hr 15 yesterday, followed by coremax 3. this morning was yoga and repeat STS disk 1. there is a disadvantage.. I know what's coming in the workout.. this will be the 4th time I'm doing this one, and "pushup" is becoming a 4 letter word.

Stacy, not sure what equipment you have. I ordered a giant rubber band for pullup/chinup assist. you tie it on a bar and then stand/kneel on it . It supports part of your weight so (in theory anyway) you can ease your way into doing chin ups. I have a bar I can attach it to so for $25 plus shipping ( ripoff $13.69) I'll see if it works. I have no hope of doing either exercise without some help. I'll report back when I test it out. If you google assisted chin ups or pull ups you can find a video clip of how they work. You can see people doing all sorts of manweuvers to get inot chinups and some look safe, others don't.

[srahndennis]

Hey, Charisse!! Congrats on a fabulous race!!! Your time seems pretty fast for a walk/run. You should be proud! I'm so jealous. DH is going to NY at the end of May and I can't go with him -- just too much going on and it's the last week of school. I love Central Park!

Valerie -- I'm going to buy Cathe's new tower. I didn't have the equipment to do pull ups/chin ups the first time around so I did barbell pull ups instead. Seems kind of silly to buy just to do these exercises but I need a barbell stand, too, and this will work for that. I want to increase my weight for benchpresses but I'm having trouble getting the bar in place.

Today I did STS Disc 25 -- Chest & Back. It's the first workout of Mesocycle 3. I really didn't like it at first. You alternate the same chest exercise with a back exercise 4 times. That's fine but it took me a while to get a rythym going. Both exercises in the first round required a barbell but at different weights and I had trouble changing my weights during the rest periods. The other rounds were easier because they used different dumbells or I could use the barbell on one exercise and dumbells on the other so I didn't have to change the barbell. Come to think of it, the tower will make it easier to change the weight on the barbell, too! I know pushup is a four letter word! But you will really see yourself making progress...just wait - I think you'll even surprise yourself!

So good to have you guys back. I was boring myself! :eek:

[Valerie226]

sometimes I feel the urge to be accountable.. i didn't want to, but I did STS #! again today after a bike warm up and 30 on the treadmill. also did the extended stretch after. very nice cool down. guess i did enough with my yoga this morning.

stacy.. hope the tower works for you. I have faith in cathe so you know the product will work. I'm getting maxed out on space and am trying not get more "stuff" in the room. a big rubber band seemed like it would fit OK.
I hear you on the barbell changes. it takes me a long time to switch weights on mine. we have two but DH's is so heavy I hate to break it all down and then have to put it back together. I don't have a rack for barbells either, they live on some utility carpeting on the floor.

Congrats again Charisse! I forgot to mention, goosebumps at 90+ degrees is a feat in itself! Carol Alt is still beautiful.. I saw pics of her in a mag recently and she still looks great.

Has anyone heard from josie recently? hope she's doing Ok and is back on program.

[cniles]

You guys just amaze me with the STS work!! GREAT job!!!:)

I was really hoping to get something in today - but 1/3 of the way through my Pump, Jump and Jab I realized Sam had a game today! So I changed shirts and walked about 20 mins before they started. So a little was done but not a lot. Tomorrow......:p

Haven't heard from Josie but I haven't been around recently either. Hope all is well! I know Alysha has been busy working out - she posts on facebook. I'll check in with Sue too.

[SueK]

Hi guys! Sorry I've been MIA. I've been too hot to move the last few days. :p I'm loving the cooler temps today.

I've been alternating my workouts between powerwalking/running and then the next day I'll do a Cathe DVD and do weights for my upper and lower body. So, nothing new as far as my workouts go, but I've been consistent with getting up and doing them, which is most of the battle, huh?

Do any of you follow The Biggest Loser? I do, and always find that Wednesdays are easier to workout after being inspired by watching the show the night before.

Charisse- great job on the walk last weekend! I think that was a wise move for them to shorten the distance, since it was so awfully hot. Way to go!

Hi to Stacy and Valerie!

[lindrusso]

Just checking in quickly........

I know Alysha has been busy working out - she posts on facebook.

Oh, you just had to post that after I've been really bad about working out, didn't you? ;) :p

I have to come back later and read more about what everyone else is up to, but just a big hi for now! :)

Things have gotten very busy and I have had a hard time fitting stuff in. This week will be almost as bad - Chuck is leaving for 3 days - but I really, really hope to fit a few workouts in. I did start off the week well by working for several hours outside on Sunday and mowing, etc. What I *really* need though is to do some strength training!

Anyway, I could go on and on about all the stuff I haven't been able to fit in to my schedule but hopefully I'll find a way this week.

Do any of you follow The Biggest Loser?

Yes! That's partly what inspired me to try running a little. I'm excited for the last two shows!

Well, better get going. My engine light came on last night and I need to get my car checked before work - with Chuck leaving today, the timing is quite inconvenient! Grrrrr......

[cniles]

Hey guys.... Here's a link to some pictures taken by the More magazine staff! I'm the one on the left with the really RED face:p

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=47210&BIB=7718&S=230&PWD=

Yesterday I squeezed in Power Half Hour - uff da. It's been awhile since I've done weights! We have off tomorrow so I think I'll wait and workout in the morning - then CLEAN.

My sister is a big fan of the biggest loser - believe it or not I've never watched it.

Sue - great job on your workouts!!
Alysha - I know you will get yours in. I was at a running store in NYC and saw the nike thing that you have. Do you like it?

[SueK]

Love the pics Charisse!!

Alysha- I saw your post on FB about doing weights today. I've been finding that the days I lift are the days that I look forward the most to working out. I've really been enjoying getting stronger. I had to lug some summer stuff out of our shed earlier this week and I remember thinking that it felt heavy last year, but when I lifted it this year I had no problem. That was a great feeling!

I took today off. Woke up with neck pain and a headache. I went to the chiro this afternoon for a maintenance adjustment and feel better already, so I'll jump back into it tomorrow morning.

[lindrusso]

Alysha - I know you will get yours in. I was at a running store in NYC and saw the nike thing that you have. Do you like it?

Charisse - Great job and great pics!

I love the Nike monitor. It's very easy to use and it really motivates me. It motivates me by pushing me a little farther - if I'm at 1.85 miles, I'll push to 2, or a little longer - if I'm at 51 minutes, I'll push to 60, etc. I also push to go a little faster, trying to beat my last average pace.

It's also very handy when you're walking/running where you don't already know the distance. I was walking near the campus the other day and could easily make sure I got my 2 miles in without already knowing a circuit/route.

Alysha- I saw your post on FB about doing weights today. I've been finding that the days I lift are the days that I look forward the most to working out. I've really been enjoying getting stronger. I had to lug some summer stuff out of our shed earlier this week and I remember thinking that it felt heavy last year, but when I lifted it this year I had no problem. That was a great feeling!


Weights used to be my favorite part but lately it takes more effort. Part of that is because I'm doing them at home and I have a hard time focusing - I do much better at the gym or if I have a recorded workout to follow. I can tell I'm getting stronger though and yes, it does feel good.

I also have a harder time fitting it in because I'm much more enthused about the cardio than I used to be so if I have to choose between the two, I tend to choose the cardio. Plus it's easier to fit in if I'm in town taking kiddos to practice - I can get in a walk just about any where, any time.

Being enthused about cardio is definitely not a bad thing but strength training seems to be what helps me lose weight most easily, so I really need to step it up. So, I'm off to Amazon to order a Cathe DVD right now!

Glad your neck is feeling better Sue!

[Valerie226]

Hi everyone! DH and I went xc skiing on wednesday and had a good workout, about 5.5 hours up and back, with a half hour for lunch. good spring snow conditions so cut some fun turns. unfortunately all the tree pollen gets on the snow surface and coats the ski bottoms. makes the skis stick like crazy and not slide, and is absolute he11 to get off. takes white gas or kerosene and a brush. sometimes there's so much pollen it's not possible to ski at all.... so then we snowshoe. Took thursday "off" and did some power gardening. lots of hauling and shoveling, really not a day off in any sense. today I need to do STS 2 &3 cause I'm gettign my last laser treatment this afternoon and won't be able to work out tomorrow.

Great pics Charisse, and congrats again on finishing. I've never watched the biggest loser but have seen clips from it. yesterday oprah had kirstie alley( annoying creature) on and they were talking about valerie bertinelli's swim suit cover shot. Wow, she looks great! jennie Craig sure got their $$'s worth out of her success. I was making dinner so didn't hear much of the discussion but I wish oprah would have Valerie on soon. she is so darn cute and she worked really hard to get into incredible shape. I don't watch o very often, so maybe she's already been on?
Alysha you might like Cathe's strength workouts. I am new to weight training and I need a program to follow. I like her circuit workouts too. Oh heck, I like everything she does. who wouldn't want to look like Cathe & crew? I wish I could say it was helping me lose weight though. :(

SueK, I had the same experience as you when I unloaded garden supplies this year. all those 50-60 lb bags didn't seem like the challenge they were last year. Gettign stronger is a great feeling!

Stacy, I haven't gotten my pull up assist band yet but am hoping maybe today. when can you expect to get your tower?

[lindrusso]

Alysha you might like Cathe's strength workouts.

Oh yes, I do like them very much - I've been able to try her workouts for free on Fit TV but they cut stuff out so I want a DVD. Plus, my DVR keeps going out.......

I was reading how you can mix and match and create your own workout with her DVDs - that is SO cool! I'm now following her on Twitter and Facebook and was surprised to find that she follows all of her followers on Twitter. She might change her mind if she gets as many followers as some of the celebs out there. ;)

Wow Valerie - your workouts always sound quite intense! Good for you!

[srahndennis]

Hi, everyone!! It's been a couple of days but I've been keeping up....all except for today. I've done something to my knee and it's not feeling too good. I did a boot camp workout on Monday -- some high/low but I didn't think too bad, STS chest/back on Tuesday and ran on Wednesday. My hamstrings were tight but everything else felt okay. Thursday morning my knee felt weird but I did STS Plyo Legs anyway. I didn't go nuts with it and thought I was careful but now my knee is definately bothering me. I was planning to do a step workout this morning but changed my mind. Tomorrow will be upper body and I'll walk on Sunday. Hopefully, it will be better after that!

Alysha -- Since you're more into cardio these days, you may want to look at some of Cathe's circuit DVDs. They alternate cardio with weights (although not usually heavy weights). Two of my favorite workouts are Low Impact Circuit (my very first Cathe workout) and Cardio & Weights (also comes with Imax 2 - a HIIT step workout).

Valerie -- You've been very busy!! Good luck doing STS 2 & 3 today! That's more than I would want to tackle. I'm not expecting the tower for at least 3 months, maybe longer. Those things always take a while. I will probably wait until I have it before I do STS again, though.

Charisse - I loved the pictures!! Were they really taken at the end of the race??? There's no chance I could ever look that good after 7 miles!!!

Sue -- So cool to recognize your strength gains in everyday life!!

[Valerie226]

Didn't quite reach the goal today but I did run 30 minutes on the treadmill and did STS 2. Time got away from me! no time to do #3, but that's OK, it'll keep til sunday.
I figured out how to do a semi chinup on my existing equipment. I was worried about getting tippy but it wasa real solid. I put one leg up high and support part of my weight. but when I got home today my giant rubber band arrived so I will try that soon.

alysha, it's sort of a shock to go thru the TV workout in fine style, and then get the FULL DVD that totally kicks your butt. I noticed that especially with Bootcamp.

Stacy, I would definitely take a couple days off leg workouts & give the knee a rest. It's a big mistake to keep pounding it, two days off and then reassess. much smarter than pushing. I have respect for the grief knees can cause.