Home Exercise Enthusiasts - Week of July 27th

[srahndennis]

Hi, everyone! I'll get us rolling this week.... It's Monday, and I actually got up to workout! Yeah!!! I did Power Max today, one of Cathe's older step workouts. Was a great workout and my knee is feeling okay so I'm a happy girl.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Valerie, glad you're feeling better. And don't worry -- you'll be back to Muscle Max before you know it. I'm still sore from doing it on Friday!

I caught the sale at www.deepdiscounts.com and ordered a bunch of new workouts. If you use the code, SUPERSALE you'll get another 25% off, too. I think the sale runs until early August? I have not ordered from them before so it's not a recommendation necessarily, but the pricing is some of the lowest I've ever seen.

[cniles]

Ooooh Stacy - thanks for the link :)

Yesterday I moved all my workout stuff back to the basement!! I went from a 9 inch screen to a 52 inch :eek: Wow - that's what these people really look like!! And I can see sweat on them now too :p

So yesterday I did Pump, Jump and Jab and today I did Fat Blasting something or other :cool:

We leave Friday for our vacation - Fri-Sun we're in Annapolis with my parents/sis/aunt and Sunday we go to Bethany Beach to our beach house for a week! I can't wait! Lots to do to get myself organized!!

Valerie - hope you had a good weekend (and shower!) Will be back to post more - off to take jack to an ortho appt!!

[Valerie226]

I'm here but haven't done much. We are having a major heat wave, temps are running in the upper 80's to possibly mid 90's. even the basement is kinda warm when it's like this. Please don't laugh, everyone who lives where this sounds like moderate temps. we are cooking!

I took the weekend off. I am going to be a marshmallow before the month is up. I think I posted I worked out on friday and didn't even get slightly sore from standing part of GS legs, the portions I can do. I see the doc again today and although I know I can't raise my arm, I'm hoping he'll OK me using 5 lb weights in both arms as long as the weight stays low. we'll see. swelling is totally gone, just a slight bruise on my upper arm. sleeping is better, and during the day I don't notice anything at all.

Stacy, you must be giggling when I'm talking about 'roasting" when it's in the upper 80's! I've never been able to do anything strenuous in heat, even when I was a kid. and as a cranky adult it's not changing.

totally off topic here, but DH and I have been agonizing for a year but finally traded in our truck/camper in for a new bigger set up. We had a tiny pop-up camper, want to do longer trips and more space. If we caught rainy weather we were literally falling over each other in our old set up. It worked well for weekends but for a week or two ...I just couldn't stand it that long. so we did the deal this weekend, new truck, camper on the way. Not a 'big" one by most peoples standards but bigger for us and we hope a lot better for longer trips.

I'm planning on doing a week or two of less difficult workouts when I get released to build back up. don't think I'll start STS right away since I'll be running into vacation time and I don't want to not finish a second time. no new workouts for me until I get thru what I've got here

[Valerie226]

whoops charisse.... guess we were posting simultaneously. the basement is always better in the summer. I'm heading down there right now. and 9 to a 52? culture shock. we have a 25 inch in an alcove in the wall. bigger would be better and we could fit more now that everything is flat screen. for us TV's seem to go on forever and it's hard to justify if it's working OK. ... get ready for vacation!

I didn't get a full shower yet. DH is pretty extreme and didn't want me to get it wet although my discharge summary says 1 week. the steri strips are looking might dirty by now. we've got a hand held shower head so I'm clean except fot that one tiny spot. see the doc again today. I'm shooting for a little more exercise than I've been getting.

[srahndennis]

Valerie -- Good luck with your doc visit today! Hopefully, he'll give you clearance to do a little more but if not, don't sweat it. You'll be back at it before you know it. You're no marshmallow!!

Ha! I try not to laugh at others' heat waves. :D Really -- it's all relative. We've been over 100 for so many days this summer I've lost track. Somehow, we're dealing with it. BUT -- we have central air and we crank it down when we work out. Still not as cool as I'd like but it's what we can do. Now, your 40 degree drizzle?? You can keep that. See what I mean???

Congrats on the new truck & camper!!! That's great! I totally understand agonizing over a decision. I still haven't done my kitchen counters.....

Charisse -- Congrats on your new set up!!! It's certainly nice to SEE that someone else is sweating, too. The week at the beach sound heavenly!

Okay -- Here's a strange question. Has Jack starting wearing deoderant? I think we should start Kyle this summer but I don't have a clue what brand to buy him. I don't want anything that would be too harsh. Am I overthinking this????

Oh, and I did workout today :D. Tried Amy's Slo-Mo Challenge Total Body Challenge #2. Lots of exercises that are different than Cathe's. Not sure if I got a good workout or not. I told DH to check with me tomorrow. If I'm sore, I did okay!

[cniles]

Lol! Not a strange questions at all, Stacy :) Yes, he has. He got a sample Old Spice one when they had the 5th grade health talk - he didn't like that. I picked one that Bill uses Gillette Fresh sport something or another... and also Axe (which I think is strong). He goes between both and is sporadic about it. He won't hit puberty till he's probably 21 (ok a slight exaggeration here!) but he takes after Bill - small stature etc.. Dr said he's fine just a slow developer;) I only smell him after workouts and time spent outside.... NOW my neighbor - same age, 12, absolutely NEEDS it EVERY DAY!!!:D

Soooo - do you think he'd be open to you asking him? Again, if you don't mind spending a little money, you could buy a couple of small ones and see what he thinks... I know Jack would not want to smell them in the store (which is what I do!!) Good luck! Let me know how it turns out :)

No exercise today - I ran errands and had my hair done. Workout scheduled for tomorrow!!

[srahndennis]

Ha, Charisse -- Kyle's fine talking about this. There are no secrets at our house! It's all pretty much fair game. Kyle has some symptoms of early puberty but he still smells like a wet puppy to me when he's sweaty. But then again, I'm not known for the sensitivity of my sniffer. Everyone around here smells something before I do! I did think that it would be a good idea to get him used to it over the summer, though. Thanks for the info! It's funny how they're so big yet so little.

[Valerie226]

Did my workout yesterday. 10 bike, 25 elliptical(one arm version) and GS legs standing. I can't do moves like dead lifts and did not get approval yesterday to change that. my doc (and DH) are both pretty careful so a few weeks yet. I clarified I CAN walk uphill on the treadmill as long as I don't run. I need to keep the arm swing minimum but it's not much interference. otherwise I'm using my arm for all normal stuff as long as I don't raise it too high. the bruise on my upper arm is 95% gone. nobody could tell I had anything done. all is fine though still trouble sleeping. it's so hot right now that no one is sleeping, so not a good time to judge. the doc turned off / down some other settings and will keep working on it until I'm happy. My arm is "functioning" so it won't waste away like when someone in a cast.

all I can say about deodorant is to keep it deodorant not antiperspirant. pre teen and teen age boys don't know moderation. try to get something not stinky to spare the rest of us! You guys are probably not old enough to remember English Leather. think it came in deodorant, after shave, and cologne. I remember it from high school and if I EVER smell it again I will puke:eek: guys used to BATHE in it!

We just couldn't decide about the camper upgrade but had to do both at once. there was no doubt about replacing our truck and it will be great not worrying about how heavy things are, or having enough room in the frig. it's bigger, enough so two adults can spend an idle day or two and not be ready to kill each other. .

I am SO GOOD when it's 40 and drizzling... comfortable for me. it will be 100 possibly today, wednesday and maybe thurs. we have air but we have a 3 story house, and heat rises to the upper floor which is of course where the bedrooms are. I slept down stairs last night but the furnace cycling on and off kept me awake anyway. and I can't get it down to 50 which is what I like best.

Stacy, if you can do it, go for granite. We replaced 20+ yr old laminate with granite and I'm crazy about them. It was expensive but they work well and are so beautiful. I originally was going to get quartz (like Silestone) but after looking at granite it was no contest. and the price was not that different. Corian is not tough enough for kitchen counters IMO, my neighbor did that and is disappointed. and it was not inexpensive. Depends on how big an area you're doing, and you don't need the most expensive stone. some of the more common granites are much less expensive than fancy ones and function the same. I didn't want anything too 'weird" since the kitchen is where a potential buyer will look first, and you will usually get back what you invest. assuming the hoursing market is ever normal again, that is.

[cniles]

I second anything besides Corian... when we moved into our house 6 years ago, I was over the top about our corian countertops.... however, after time it has cracked in the sink. Now granted I think I am to blame as I have placed hot pots in the sink - didn't know I wasn't suppposed to do this!:cool: I know I can polish out my scratches but my sink is pretty hard up!!

Valerie - English Leather - i believe my mom bought my dad some of that one year.... AXE is the big stuff nowadays. Phew. AXE bodywash, spray.... Jack just has the deoderant and is fine;)

Sounds like you are doing fine my dear with all of the adaptations you have to do - no marshmellow you will be :) Hang in there - it will continue to move forward!!!

[Valerie226]

excuse me charisse, but who would think there was a problem with putting a hot pot in a kitchen sink???? I was told you couldn't pour boiling water in either, as when you dump spaghetti thru a colander. Well, why have a sink if you can't do normal sink activities?
my neighbor liked the look of Corian....she really doesn't cook much but she was noticing scratches and scuffs that did not come off within a week. I know she spent a lot on it. I'm not careless but I want a surface that doesn't need special care and fussing. I zodiac/silestone would have worked too but the granite is so much more beautiful and pricewise, not much difference. I'd go back to plain laminate before I'd do corian.

Yes Axe. I can smell it a mile away. has the same effect as English Leather once did. My nose has gotten more sensitive with age and I prefer DH not wear any fragrances and buy both of us unscented products.

Did 20 bike and 25 treadmill 3.8 mph at 7.5% grade. was going to go another 15 minutes but my mother called so I stopped early.

[srahndennis]

I completely agree about Corian. I've just never liked the stuff plus my sister had it and I saw it scratch and stain (and she's not a cook!). I would be super ticked if my sink cracked!!! I originally thought I wanted Silestone but will probably go with granite, too. I just dread finding a contractor, looking at stone, finding a sink and stovetop, having workers in the house, and the mess of it all. Our flooring experience, although it turned out well, was a four month nightmare. I think I'm still gun shy!

Axe seems to be the rage, huh? I had one other mom mention it to me, too. Haven't smelled it but can tell from the packaging that it's trendy. I think I do remember English Leather...or maybe I'm confusing it with Old Spice!

Valerie -- Probably good that your doc is conservative. Better safe than sorry! I think it's remarkable how well you're doing.

Today was Cardio Coach #6. First time I've run in about a month. Felt pretty good and I was happy with my mileage.

[cniles]

:p I remember just about falling over when the kitchen/counter person told me NEVER to put a hot pan/pot in the sink! Hello?? Yup - next house or next project - granite.

I didn't get my exercise in in the morning so I told Jack to push me to do it in the afternoon. He was good! I did BSS3 with Stephanie - heavier weight workout. Last push before the beach vacation!!

Gotta a lot to do today - mow, clean , pack... trying to squeeze in one more before we leave tomorrow.

Valerie - sounds like you are doing great!! Hang in there with the weather - especially since you guys are not used to it!!

Stacy - good job with the run! I haven't run since last week - it's been so stinkin' humid here.. Yuck

If I don't get to post tomorrow - Have a great week - I'll be back August 10th!:)

[srahndennis]

Charisse -- Have a great time! We'll miss you but we'll be here when you get back! Love it when kids hold you to it. DS tries to keep me out of the chips (baked, but still....) :D.

Did Maximum Intensity Strength this morning. This is only the 2nd time I've done this one. I remember the first time almost killed me! Much better this time -- I won't be so scared of it anymore!

[Valerie226]

The countertop process here was a breeze. a guy came and measured after we picked out a stone. there were 200 stones to choose from in an outside yard. much better for colors/pattern than an indoor warehouse. It wasn't that hard to choose. there were way-out-there stones, common ones and a middle range ones. we ended up in the middle with a stone that looks great and DH & I both love.

got an undermount porcelain sink. (the corian continuous countertop/sink units look nice but present the problems we've been talking about) got a porcelain sink at Home depot on sale along with a pull out faucet. we recycled our not-too-old cooktop. DH and I did the prep and finish work ourselves . the granite was in stalled painlessly in a couple hours. they bring the completed pieces to your house and slip them into place and cement the seams. it needs to be sealed in a couple days but that seal bonds to the stone lasts for years. All in all it was easy and made a dramatic change in my kitchen. It was a pleasant experience. well, writing the check was a bit painful but for a semi-kitchen remodel it was great. DH and I did some ceramic tile work to finish.

It was last summer and turned out great. we still need to get our floor refinished but something always conspires to keep us from doing it. more about exercise later.

[Valerie226]

Yeah, have a great vacation charisse. hope it's not so humid! or too hot. get all the chores done and then have fun.

Guys, we are absolutely dying... it was 102 yesterday. I consider anything over 75 "way hot" so this is unbearable.... and we have "air". but it's not up to these kind of temps. only about 10% of people in this area have air cause it's not needed very often. I don't remember ever running it more than 2 days and usually we turn it off late at night but it didn't get any cooler than 80 over night and the air is stinky, humid and is causing major allergy symptoms. I haven't taken allergy meds in years and have needed them every day this week. Plus, the power lines are sagging because of the heat causing outages. so far our power is still on. so that's the whine. Ohhh for 40 degrees and drizzle....

I did nothing yesterday... we cleaned the basement cause it was cool down there. good reason for some overdue cleaning.

Stacy, I can't imagine how you workout in temps like this. I feel like a blob of grease on the floor. I have never acclimated to heat. It flat out makes me sick. I just read about how the military makes people acclimate quickly...make them work out 90 minutes a day in sweltering temps. I guess if they don't acclimate, they just drop dead. what a choice. :eek: Says it takes about 10 days. I wouldn't last 30 minutes.

[srahndennis]

Valerie -- Yes, I've heard the weather in your area has been very hot! Hopefully, you won't have any power outages. We had rain this morning so it's a little cooler but humid, of course. It's pretty common this time of year for our overnight temps to stay above 80. We keep our thermostat set on 78. It's a little warm for me at night but I make do. We do crank the air down in the morning when we workout. We'd never make it otherwise!

Hope your allergies get better! Have you ever tried a sinus rinse? I'm such a poster child I'm sure I've gone about them here before. But I rinse everyday and it's made a world of difference. I use www.neilmed.com.

Well, I'm sitting here eating dark chocolate M & Ms.....I must stop!!!

[Valerie226]

Did 20 on the bike and 35 minutes on the treadmill. 4.1 mph at 8% grade. did just over 2 miles in 30 minutes, and then a 5 minute cool down. I'm not sure how to calculate it but that's as much mileage as I do running at more than twice the incline so it can't be a bad thing. our basement is fairly cool but I did work up a sweat, as much as I ever sweat. nothing like DH who leaves a spray zone .

it was cooler last night and will be cooler tomorrow but we kept the AC on because the cool down wasn't expected until early morning today. as I type I have windows open and fresh air for the first time in several days. we have new small bushes planted this spring ... looking pretty wilted. it would make much more sense to plant things in fall and let them get established during cooler wetter weather but the nurseries never have any stock left in fall. I guess no one feels the gardening urge in fall but it would make more sense.

I'm familiar with neti pots but I'm not desperate yet and it looks so unpleasant. since allergies aren't usually an issue for me I never pursued it. I have a grass allergy but all the grass is totally dead now and for decades I've avoided any problems by having DH do the mowing. If this continues I might get the courage to try it. I picture all the water going in and not coming out, gwetting trapped somewhere in my skull ( filling up the spot where my brain's suppsoed to be) or going down my throat... oh you know how it looks.

[Jessica]

Sorry about the heat, Valerie. We've had an unusually cool summer, which is great as far as I am concerned.

I was out of town for most of a week and didn't work out, other than carrying DS2 everywhere. Am going to get back into it tomorrow. It's been hard to get to the library but I am not really getting bored with the couple DVDs I have at home because they have several workout options and I forget the moves anyway. :o