HL/WWSG April 20

[JackieO]

Hi, everyone.

I'm going to pick up on a couple questions/themes from last week's thread, so if you're new, you may need context.

Linda -- my knees may be in better shape than yours, but can I ever relate to your flexibility issues! I took a bunch of yoga classes about a year ago and felt pretty agile. Since I've upped the cardio/strength training, though, I haven't done much for flexibility. I can tell. The fatigue I feel on "the morning after" a good cardio workout gives it all away. I hit the snooze alarm three times this morning (a weekend yet!:o ) before going to church and I had a pretty compelling reason to be there on time (DS had to serve breakfast!). I tried any number of stretches in bed and still felt like I needed rest....

which leads me to my response to Les about whether getting more sleep makes you sleepier. HELLO: YES. Have you ever heard the adage: "Sleep induces sleep." Yes, it does. I had Friday off and didn't get up until almost 9 -- DS had a friend over and I heard them stirring so I finally roused myself out of bed and went to the couch to read the paper. :o Had great plans to clean the house and bake cookies, make dinner, go to church in the evening, etc. Well, I made it to the gym for a moderate workout, threw some leftovers in the microwave for dinner, went to church and immediately went to bed to watch tv. Saturday -- I won't bore you with the itemization, but it was rather a repeat of Friday.

I think this all has more to do with motivation -- while I am embarrassed about living in a home with a crunchy kitchen floor, I'm perfectly happy to live that way unless someone is coming over to "inspect" it. So that's my motivation. <my only motivation.> I spend my energy on things that are important to me, and cleaning my house is pretty much at the bottom of the list! :o :p <hope my Mom isn't monitoring this board!>

Whine and rant over:
Sunday - off, spent Easter with adopted family and we ate CHOCOLATE
Monday -- 30 mins. cardio at the gym
Tuesday -- yoga class
Wednesday - 30 mins. cardio and steam room/spa "cool down"
Thursday -- Hmmmm...maybe out of town for a client; if not cardio/strenght combo
Friday -- see Thursday if schedule conflicts.

Just adding that I managed THREE strength training workouts last week, so I'm not going to be a slave master to them this coming week.

[Leslie Ferguson]

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Jackie - I'd never really heard that phrase about sleep but I've heard other ones like it. I think (DANGER - Les is thinking) there is a lot to that statement too. In my past I've done quite well on what many would consider sleep deprivation (about 4 hours a night) and still had lots of energy. Then I would get a couple days of 7 or 8 hours sleep and be wiped out for days. I guess in the long run I need to listen to my body (hello?) and let it tell me what it needs for sleep. As LW said this weekend when I told her I fell asleep on the couch yesterday "you probably needed it." So I will just go with it and not worry too much about the hours of sleep as long as I'm sleeping.

It looks like this week will be a typical one for me. I'm in the office most of the week and the boss is in town so I should be able to get out on a fairly regular basis and do the normal workout. Which will/has included:
SUN XT w/weights - didn't take the day off for Easter
MON Run/elliptical
TUE Run/elliptical (supposed to rain...)
WED Run (class in the evening)
THU Elliptical
FRI Rest!!
SAT Long run

Being healthy -
(1) Keeping up on the positive progress in weight management (sneeking closer to the 150 point :) ).
(2) Listening to my body so I don't overdo the running and hurt myself.

Hope everyone had a good Easter and got all kinds of great treats. Just be careful of that Easter Bunny.

Peace to all,
Les

I'm told this looks like an Easter Bunny BTW:

=:*)

[heide]

Hi all. Whew! I thought I was going to take it easy last week, but I didn't and this week looks pretty busy too. We went deep sea fishing yesterday and I definitely think that should count as exercise. My arm is really sore from reeling in the fish. We caught 8 dorado (mahi mahi) and they're fighters. It was great fun and now we have a freezer full of fish. We gave 3 to the boat driver/fishing guide, took 5 home and gave one to our driver for helping us clean them. So I've got 4 big dorado in the freezer. Yay.

So, counting that, here's the rest of the week:

Sunday: deep-sea fishing :p
Monday: tennis, singles 1 hour
Tuesday: golf, 9 holes walking
Wednesday: tennis lesson, and perhaps another hour of play with friends
Thursday: golf
Friday: dunno, maybe tennis, maybe aerobics
Saturday: golf with DH
Sunday: man, I need some rest!

Have a good week everyone and get the sleep you need. ;)

heide

[scrappycat]

Last week was not good for me. I had a workout planned for Friday, but it is so hard to workout when kids are home and husband is home. So, I did a little gardening and hoped that made a difference. Plus my back has been all messed up, I plan to go to the chiropractor this morning, and get it all straightened out.

Monday: Cardio (if I feel like it after chiro)
Tuesday: Strength
Wednesday: Christi Taylor Still Jumpin
Thursday: Errands
Friday: Christi Taylor Hi Lo Heaven
Sat & Sun: Gardening and stuff!

Pam

[memartha]

Good morning everyone.

I don't have a real plan for the week, so let me think about it...
(as Les said, "Danger, Martha is thinking").

Sun.: we went out to Sturbridge, MA, and did quite a bit of walking in the sunshine. Good for the soul! (and did NOT eat any candy)
Mon: will go for a 2-mile outdoor walk and then up to see the start of the Boston Marathon (it starts a couple of miles from my house!)
Tues: 2-mile outdoor walk; no yoga class this week bcs. of school vacation
Wed: maybe convince DH to play tennis w/me
Thurs: on vacation in Providence, RI, will do some walking
Fri: same I hope
Sat: home, will probably need long walk ALONE after 2-day vacation w/DH and kids!

Healthy Living: maintain positive attitude, relax and enjoy school vacation week, smile, play lots of baseball in backyard with kids.

Will check back later! Martha

[Minky]

Good Morning!

Sounds like everybody had a great Easter - I know I did, and I didn't even eat any of the chocolate in my basket yet:p My sis (Kate) came over early and we went for a run/walk (though I did more running than walking - yay!) and then made a big breakfast for everyone - a very relaxing day...

Here's what my workout plan looks like:

Mon - kickboxing
Tues - run/walk intervals & strength
WED - kickboxing circuit
THURS - elliptical (?) and strength
FRI - off
SAT - either step class or run/walk


A great week to all:)

[jazzyjas]

Well, this will be a tough week for me (esp. emotionally) -- I have a lot of family obligations in addition to the other random life obligations. Hopefully I will be able to keep my work out schedule on track

Sun: 3 mile loop
Mon.: weights, belly dance
Tue.: 3 mile loop, mow the grass (I know that is not really working out but it needs doing so I better schedule it)
Wed: weights, 3 mile loop
Thu.: 3 mile loop, belly dance - 2 hours
Fri.: weights, (I will try to reschedule with my trainer for this friday)
Sat: 3 mile loop and maybe if the weather is nice?, plus practice my solo for the nursing home show on Sunday

Healthy goal of the week: try not to let my emotions get the better of me and sabotage eating or motivation for other things.

I haven't been keeping my food records -- so I will make that a secondary goal.

Hope everyone is having a good week and enjoyed family and food over the past few days.

Jasmine

[Leslie Ferguson]

It looks like there are some good plans this week - I hope that everyone's plan comes to fruition.

Jasmine - hope all the big things that are looming in your life go well for you this week. I'm sure you'll let the little stuff take care of itself.

Has everyone's kids (if they have them) had their spring break yet? I know that most of the kids in Norfolk are back in school this week (wouldn't know from experience - LW and I have no kids).

Looking pretty dreary today in Norfolk -less than 1/4 mle visibility this morning coming to work and it's still a bealk gray out there.

Check back later all,
Les

[Kate B]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I missed last week's message. I got busy and forgot. :mad:

I was visited by a personal trainer on Thursday, so I have some new weights/program to keep myself amused.

Here's my schedule this week:

Run with Minky on Sunday - DONE
Monday - Pilates - DONE
Tuesday - interval bench with new weights
Wednesday - kickboxing with Minky
Thursday - hopefully my new "slide" will be finished (Dad is constructing)
Friday - Pilates
Saturday - weights

Hope everyone has a good week!

Kate

[Leslie Ferguson]

Boy was my meterologist wrong! The sun broke through and it was a nice afternoon - even though I had to spend it all inside. :( Seems "funny" that the doctor wants to be inside as opposed to out in the fantastic weather (still more positive news and "clearance" from the doctors but still a couple more "rule-outs" to come).

Typical Monday too - worked too late, exercised in the gym (elliptical) and got home late, ate dinner and finished at about 8:30.

Still kind of wound up but I'm getting into the sleep mode - soon!

Hope everyone else had a good Monday - whatever that entails.

Peace,
Les

[scrappycat]

Well, I went to the chiropractor yesterday. I was a mess, I could tell because there was a "tight band" around my chest. He popped 2 ribs back into place and a bunch of other stuff. Felt better almost instantly. But since my muscles were kind of sore, I didn't exercise. Today is my weight day, and I might skip it too, just to let my back feel totally better. I have a whole mess of chicken bones that I need to roast to make stock. And then I'll can the stock, so that should be fairly active!
Pam

[HejazSunKat]

Hi Everyone...a belated Happy Easter to all.

Having a good week so far...

Friday: Tennis with DH
Saturday: Off - got the nails done
Sunday: Aerobics/Abs/Stretching (90 min)
Monday: Tennis lesson (60 minutes of non-stop torture-very windy)

My old bones are tired today so I'm just planning on an hour of yoga tonight and making an eggplant lasagne from the April, CL. I hope my husband's playing tennis so I can be left alone to putter around the kitchen!

Wednesday and Thursday I plan to get back up on the aerobics horse. Maybe schedule another rendevous with that Mistress of Darkness - Kathy Smith.

A couple of healthy living goals this week: I'm cutting out sweets & bread and controlling portions to keep the lbs in check before a trip to London on May 8th. Traveling always wrecks havoc with the diet. The other one is just to try and enjoy today.

Have a good week! :)

[MaryH]

Originally posted by jazzyjas
Tue.: 3 mile loop, mow the grass (I know that is not really working out but it needs doing so I better schedule it)


I swear I read somewhere about a female runner who said that she would mow the grass after running because it just seemed like a logical thing to do and was a good way to cool down. :eek:

My goal this week is to let the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans rest in peace. I'm usually fine until about 7:00 in the evening and then the craving hits. Those bunnies need their sleep I'm sure.

Mon: strength training - lower body (DONE)
Tue: 4 mi run (DONE)
Wed: strength training - upper body
Thu: 4 mi run
Fri: strength training - lower body
Sat: 5K race
Sun: 2 mi race walk

[Laura]

Hey everyone,

I need to be on this thread as I have already had 2 oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and it is not even 9:00 a.m.! :eek:! I am hoping to stay on track with my workouts this week. I am sore from starting my strength training, which is giving me an excuse not to run, even though I know running would be the best thing for me.

Monday: 2 mile run (Done)
Tuesday: 3 mile run/weights
Wednesday 3 mile run
Thursday: Weights
Friday: Bike
Saturday: 45 minute run.

Today and Tuesday's workout may get switched around depending upon how much time I have this evening. Saturday will have to be on a treadmill which is so boring, but I will be up in Denver both Sat. and Sun. all day for the kids' swim meet, so the best I can hope for is a Saturday evening treadmill run.

Have a great week everyone!

[heide]

So, I was really really sore from fishing on Sunday (just my left arm, from lifting the rod) so I was worried about tennis on Monday and golf today, especially since I'm left-handed. But the tennis and golf actually felt great because I was stretching out the arm that most needed it. Odd, that. I'm actually feeling a lot fitter than I was a couple months ago. All this work seems to be working. Amazing.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by jazzyjas
Tue.: 3 mile loop, mow the grass (I know that is not really working out but it needs doing so I better schedule it)

I thought I was the only one who "worked out" by cutting the grass. Like MaryH said though I do think it is logical to cut the grass after running - I'm already hot and sweaty and need to cool down so why not. Besides the grass grows like a weed here (if it isn't a weed :D ) in the humid environs of Norfolk.

Keep plugging all,
Les

[JackieO]

The best-laid plans.....<sigh>

Didn't get my workout in yesterday because DS forgot to take a house key with him when he left for basketball camp yesterday morning. Instead of having him bug the neighbors for several hours, I left work early and went home and just hung out there until my stock club meeting last night. (At least I am doing well with my "no eating after 7:30" rule.) :rolleyes:

I am heading to the gym in about a half-hour though, where I'll do a quick cardio routine on some sort of machine and my strength training routine. Was going to just do yoga tonight but since I blew off a cardio workout yesterday, I'm adjusting.

I also found out I have to go out of town for an evening meeting Thursday, which will probably require an overnight stay. phooey. I can probably sneak up to the gym at noon, though, and get another strength training workout in.

On the good news front, the sun is shining here today!! It's been so gray, cold and rainy for much of the last week. It's not exactly WARM, mind you, but at least it's sunny and that always gives one hope that the weather WILL get better!;)

On the not-so-good news front, my mother fell on Sunday. Didn't break anything, but walking is pretty painful. She most likely aggravated an old groin injury. She's supposed to rest most of the week and if it isn't better by Friday, check in with her regular doctor. (Like, what's he going to be able to do?) My cousin is visiting her this week, so while it's a bummer that they won't be able to get out and do much of anything, at least she'll have some company.

The pleasures of getting old....

[Minky]

Jackie - I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. Hopefully she'll be up and about within a couple of days.

I woke up to cold, foggy drizzle so I went to the gym and did my cardio there. I will probably trade to Thursday for walk/run. I really am not a runner but would like to "change things up" a bit, and judging by how my legs felt yesterday:o I'm using some very different muscles!!

Heide - I'm jealous - a freezer full of fresh fish:cool: I just can't get enough seafood!

Have a great evening!

[cinbis]

Boy, I feel really behind here! You've all made so many posts! School vacation week always throws me!

Sunday: 45 minute walk - the weather was great - I won't talk about my eating habits!
Monday: Bunny Buster at the gym! Our trainer had us do a strength and cardio workout.
Tuesday: I have done nothing yet...we saw Ghosts of the Abyss...it was very interesting. I'm going to walk on the treadmill....stretch.
Wednesday: Cycle
Thursday: Not sure
Friday: cycle
Saturday: not sure

Healthy living goal: I'm so glad I read this today because it helps keep me on track. I've haven't had very good eating habits this week. I'm going to lay off the Easter candy....again! I should add, that I'm not overweight, but I want to keep it that way!

[jazzyjas]

Well, in an effort to be good to me when life isn't going the way we would like it, I had my hair cut and colored today. (I know for some of you this isn't thrilling -- but I only get a hair cut about every 6 months and having other people fuss oven me -- well, it was nice after an afternoon talking about Dad's will) I go to the same woman who used to cut my hair when I was a little kid -- she was just out of beauty school then -- now I think she is a grandmother (which can only mean she had her children early). One of my childhood friends showed up at the salon she was in town visiting her mother for the Easter holiday and her mother had promised to bring the grand children by.

However, it meant I got home lots later than usual. I headed right out for the three mile loop and got home to mow the grass as the light was disappearing -- I did finish it but I imagine when I see it in the light tomorrw it will look horrible with lots of missed spots and what not -- but it is mowed.

I am more or less on track for the week (except that I missed belly dance last night although I heard rumor it might have been canceled). I didn't feel like rushing back into the car and hung out with the dog in the woods instead.

Tomorrow's three hour meeting was postponed so the gym is no longer a maybe.

Thursday is up in the air as the only plan I have is waiting around the hospital and then taking it from there (Dad's having surgery)

Hope everyone is doing well --

If I could just stop eating brownies topped with whipped cream...

Jas

[cinbis]

Jas-
Good for you doing something for yourself! I don't feel guilty about doing that anymore! I hope everything goes well with your father's sugery...nothing too serious I hope. Glad to know I'm not the only one over induldging too!
I did walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes and stretched...no big deal, but better than nothing!

[Leslie Ferguson]

For my tales of woe... No workout today - unless you call not throttling someone who richly deserves it a workout. :rolleyes: Even worse I spent all day at my desk slogging through a briefing for my boss to give next week. I shouldn't have been doing all that work but having gotten a below average brief (for the 3rd time :mad: ) I figured it was easier and safer for all involved for me to do it. I know - that is enabling - but the boss was going over the brief tomorrow morning and... now or never.

Jackie - Sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope that she comes around from the fall soon. I know how hard it is for older people to recover from accidents like that. Congrats on getting sun - hopefully warmth is near at hand. And ahhh, the joys of out of town meetings. :rolleyes: Just continue being good to yourself ok?

Jasmine - Wow! A really busy day. I also echo what Cindi said - good on you for doing something for yourself and don't worry about the brownies with whipped cream - I think the stress in your life will burn off a couple of those over the next couple days.

Heide - I too am jealous that you have a freezer full of fish - even though I get plenty of fresh stuff around here I can always use more. There is no such thing as too much fish in my book.

Welcome back to the temporarily predisposed (based on real world events I don't like MIA these days).

Hope tomorrow brings successes for all. Peace and pleasant dreams,
Les

[scrappycat]

Well, it has been one of those kind of weeks. I've done no exercising so far! I had planned on a Christi Taylor workout today, but I don't feel very dancey, so I'll do Kathy Smith instead. I just really don't feel like exercising. Do you have those days where it is the absolute last thing you want to be doing?
Pam

[cinbis]

Pam- YES! I defintely feel like that some days, but those are the days I try and force myself to do it anyway. I never regret it....always glad I did. Sometimes those end up being my best workouts and give me an incentive to go back the next day.
It's really gloomy here today....looks like it may be raining too. I'm off to cycle and hopefully will get there early to run or lift a few weights before class.
Les- you seem like such a calm and uplifting person (I always enjoy your words of encourgement). I'm sure if you felt that frustrated, that person really needed to be throttled!!!!
~Cindi

[JackieO]

Originally posted by scrappycat
Well, it has been one of those kind of weeks. I've done no exercising so far! I had planned on a Christi Taylor workout today, but I don't feel very dancey, so I'll do Kathy Smith instead. I just really don't feel like exercising. Do you have those days where it is the absolute last thing you want to be doing?
Pam

Look at JeAnne's post from The Me I Want To Be thread today:

Anyhoo...today's thought for the day. I had an intense spin session this morning. I was the only one that showed up along with the guy that leads the class so it was AMAZING. Sweat droplets were all over the floor, my clothes were damp (you know you're working when you have to peel off your sports bra and panties ) and I was grinning from ear to ear. At one point during jumps (I really hate jumps), he yelled "don't quit! Your muscles work for you! Dont work for them, make them work for you!" WOW. What a concept that our bodies work for us. We will our bodies and our selves day to day, moment to moment, meal to meal. Next time you are craving something or wanting to skip a workout, just stop in think...who's in control? The craving? The slug that lives inside of you? Or the strong willed winner?

Can you tell I'm pumped today?

JeAnne

The remark about "the slug that lives inside of you" REALLY resonated with me!:o I have been procrastinating on a whole bunch of things lately -- nothing really serious (referring once again to my "crunchy" kitchen floor!), and I am still pretty motivated to work out, but my mental to-do list is getting longer each day because I haven't crossed anything off of it in about, oh, a month!

But this is it -- I'm banishing the slug. Now. Today. After I finish this post, I'm signing off the Internet to wrap up the things on my desk, make those phone calls I've been putting off and heading out to do a mix of personal and office errands. Will let you know tomorrow how successful I have been! :o :D :confused:

Jas Hope the end of the week is better than the beginning, and prayers are being sent up for your dad's surgery.

Les Hope today is better than yesterday!

Ta ta. I'm off to slay the slug....

[jazzyjas]

Well, the lawn can definitely using some edging and trimming after my almost dark bout with the lawn mower -- fitday gives 3 calories/minute for lawn mowing with a power mower -- the same as walking 4 mph -- maybe I should just gardeninstead of all those walks with the puppy (although uphill ups the burn to 5 calories/ minute -- even if you slow down to 3.5mph)

I should be able to make it to the gym after finishing up my sub plans (Hardly worth it to take time off) and maybe work on the grass a bit (the high price of living in suburbia) after the dog's walk although I was asked to go to a meeting at 7 -- so...

thanks for all the good thoughts for tomorrow.

Today I crumbled the brownie, added sliced banana and then whipped cream


Jasmine

[Laura]

just a quick note to say that I was going to run outside today, but it's snowing!!!

[cinbis]

Laura, you're kidding??!! Did you get much snow? They did say we may get a dusting tonight, but I think that's more in the mountains (I'm close to the Mass. border). I hope we don't see any snow!

I had a great workout today...stairmaster for 10 minutes....squats and lunges on the Smith machine and a very sweaty cycle class! And no candy!

Still up in the air for tomorrow. My older son and husband are leaving on a camping/bike trip in the morning so I suppose I should stay home and see them off! I'm looking forward to a few days with just my 10 y.o.

[Laura]

It was only supposed to snow about 8000 ft. I am at about 6500 and we got 2-3 inches and it stuck! Still it is supposed to be in the 70's on Friday. I didn't get my run in today. I was planning on going to the gym while the kids were at swim practice, but then their practice got canceled. Honestly, though, I have been so tired of late, that I am glad for the day off. I will likely run tomorrow a.m. early before the kids get up, as it will be another busy day at work.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Two days in a row. At least I got out of my office today. I guess a plus is I didn't want to throttle anyone today. And by the way - the 4 hours that I put into the briefing was a hit! My boss was happy with only one of the 5 briefs he saw today -- mine!

Maybe tomorrow I'll get something in. I will need to soon or I'll go batty.

Laura - Sorry to hear about the snow. Isn't it April where you live too? :rolleyes: There isn't supposed to be snow at this time of year.

I'll be looking forward to talking to you all soon - having mail server problems right now - and it is very frustrating. I had 13 messages come up blank this evening. I may have to reply and ask for reruns. YUK! :mad:

See you soon,
Les

[cinbis]

Laura- at least you know the snow will melt on Friday! Fortunately, we didn't get any, but it is cold and damp again today. I'm planning to walk on the treadmill tonight....I think that's all I'm going to have time for. I heard the weather is going to be much better next week.
Les- glad to hear your briefing went well and that you didn't want to throttle anyone!!!
~Cindi

[Leslie Ferguson]

Here's to a new day - Thursday. I hope that today is as uneventful as my schedule looks right now. Maybe I'll actually get out for a run/elliptical at a reasonable hour today.

I guess I should confess that I've been working on my frustration level in check (...okay everyone now - DEEP BREATH in. Hold it. And exhale...) but this week has been overly frustrating. I'm glad that I've been able to vent a little here to keep my BP down and my sanity up.

I hope that the reminents of winter decide to leave the area soon - it's just way to late to be fooling around with snow. But I'm taken back by the first named Tropical Storm in the Atlantic - and Hurricane season doesn't start until May. If this is a precursor this year could be very messy! :rolleyes:

Happy trails to all,
Les

[JackieO]

Hi, all.

Laura -- my sister sent me an e-mail yesterday and said the weather was really yukky where she is (near Bailey), and I wrote back and told her keep the yukky weather in Colorado -- we've had our share. Glad to hear it is supposed to be nice tomorrow (we're in for rain :( :mad: ).

I am proud to say that the slug was slain yesterday (or maybe he just went into deep hibernation?). I accomplished an awful lot on my mental to-do list, and while I'm not off to a stellar start today, I am working hard on staying focused. I found the article on "mindfulness" in the May issue of CL to be quite intriguing and think I'll be putting some of those ideas to good use.

I have to go out of town later this afternoon for an evening meeting, which means no workout today, but I think I'll be primed for a good treadmill run tomorrow as a result.

Jackie....who is very much "in the moment" today!;)

[JackieO]

Hi, all.

Laura -- my sister sent me an e-mail yesterday and said the weather was really yukky where she is (near Bailey), and I wrote back and told her keep the yukky weather in Colorado -- we've had our share. Glad to hear it is supposed to be nice tomorrow (we're in for rain :( :mad: ).

I am proud to say that the slug was slain yesterday (or maybe he just went into deep hibernation?). I accomplished an awful lot on my mental to-do list, and while I'm not off to a stellar start today, I am working hard on staying focused. I found the article on "mindfulness" in the May issue of CL to be quite intriguing and think I'll be putting some of those ideas to good use.

I have to go out of town later this afternoon for an evening meeting, which means no workout today, but I think I'll be primed for a good treadmill run tomorrow as a result.

Jackie....who is very much "in the moment" today!;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by JackieO
I am proud to say that the slug was slain yesterday (or maybe he just went into deep hibernation?). I accomplished an awful lot on my mental to-do list, and while I'm not off to a stellar start today, I am working hard on staying focused. I found the article on "mindfulness" in the May issue of CL to be quite intriguing and think I'll be putting some of those ideas to good use.

Jackie....who is very much "in the moment" today!;)

If you're looking for another slug to slay I think I can find a couple here in Norfolk that could use it. :D

Good to hear that you're "picking up speed" and working on staying focused. Hope the trip goes well and that the weather holds out for you.

I didn't get the full workout at lunch but I did swing just under 32 minutes of Fartlek. I may try to sneak out to get the remainder of my workout in before going home to cook dinner (not sure what right now). I think I still need to get the remainder of today's workout in - it felt good to go out for as long as I did.

See ya later,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Well, I picked up another almost 35 minutes of running this evening - made almost 1:10 total running today. I'm stoked because it was nice out and I ran for the first time in 3 days (HOORAY for me!).

Isn't it amazing (NOT!) how a persons (ok an exercise adicts) mood changes when they get a good workout in?

I'm looking forward to doing something tomorrow - probably not too strenuous though because Saturday is a "big day" for my coach (kick-off day for Galloway in Norfolk) and I'm one of his pace-group leaders.

Hope everyone has a great Friday and remainder of the week.

((((Jasmine)))) I hope everything came out okay today. Prayers are still being lifted for you all.

Peace,
Les

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by scrappycat
I just really don't feel like exercising. Do you have those days where it is the absolute last thing you want to be doing?
Pam

Pam - Sympathies, sympathies...I think we've all been there. I had a night last week when I didn't sleep well so I was tired the next day. This was a day when I'd planned to exercise and the mental debate started about whether to blow it off and be a couch potato instead. The question popped into my mind: "Are you going to feel better if you DON'T do it?" I'm 100% certain I am going to feel better, mentally and physically if I do it. If I'm really, really not in the mood I'll generally tell myself: "Ok, I acknowledge you're tired and cranky but do it. You don't have to kill yourself. Just take it easy." 9 times out of 10 I end up putting more energy into it than I'd planned on once I get started. The getting started is my hardest thing but once I do I may not be loving it every time but I'm glad I'm doing something for myself and I feel great afterwards. It is difficult sometimes.

As you all head into your weekend I'm on day one of my new week. Last week was another good one (for me) as I managed 5 workouts. Thursday after work I did Kathy Smith - Great Buns & Thighs Step Workout. If anybody's in the market for a lower body workout video this is a good one. My legs are sore afterwards so I know it's working and it also gives you a good cardio workout.

Today (Friday) DH and I got out on the tennis court for 90 minutes so I'm off to a good start this week. After Kathy Smith yesterday and a whuppin' on the court today I could use a cane to get around.

I had a very pleasant and unexpected surprise last Tuesday - I got a raise! A complete bolt out of the blue. Somebody's trying to incentivize me not to go back to the States next year. Not enough to change my mind but thanks anyway, I'm happy to take it. :D

Hope everybody has a good, safe and fun weekend.

[scrappycat]

Well, I did exercise Wednesday after I realized that I would feel better if I just did it. I did Kathy Smith's 20 Minute Time Saver Cardio, only I did both 20 minute segments. Linda...I'm interested in her Step Workout. Are there many lunges in it, or is it a pretty basic step workout? I can do step fine, but lunges really bother my knees. Today I plan on doing Christi Taylors Still Jumpin'. It's such a fun workout.
Pam

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by scrappycat
Linda...I'm interested in her Step Workout. Are there many lunges in it, or is it a pretty basic step workout? I can do step fine, but lunges really bother my knees. Today I plan on doing Christi Taylors Still Jumpin'. It's such a fun workout.
Pam

Hmmm...no lunges. The main focus of this one is lower body work so it's not your straight step workout but you will sweat. Some 'over-the-tops' that you can do high or low impact but nary a 'repeater' to be found. She does a lot of basic step (you know, 'up, up, down, down') on the side of the step with the free leg (when you step up) going either out to the side or behind you. There are alot of squats in one section (that may bother your knees) and quite a good section of floorwork for the inner/outer thighs and the butt. I'm surprised I like this video to be honest. You don't want to do the things that are hardest for you and like alot of women I need the work from the waist to the knees so this is tough stuff for me. I have creaky knees too and they're definitely worked out after this tape but I don't feel like they are any worse off for doing it. I've been finding that the LESS I work out the more my knees bother me soooo...if they're going to hurt one way or the other I may as well work out. If you're thinking of buying this tape go to www.videofitness.com and see what other people have said about it. It would be good to get some other opinions.

You want to hear something weird? Get this: I've been having trouble wearing my contacts. It's been an ongoing problem since last summer and I finally went to an opthalmologist about 5 weeks ago. He told me I have 2 conditions: 'Blepharitis and severe dry eye'. So I go to look these conditions up in my trusty home medical guide and here's what I find out about dry eye:

The condition most often begins in middle age (Check) and affects women (Check) more than men. You may also have dry mouth (no) joint pain (BINGO) and not enough digestive juices in your stomach. (hard to tell!)

Hard to believe that dry eye can be related to my painful knees but what do I know? The knees have only been a problem in the past year as have the eyes. As for the other thing (Blehparitis) based on the descriptions I've been reading my medical book and on the internet I don't believe the doctor's diagnosis that I have it because I don't have the clinical symptoms. I'll go see a real doctor when I go home on vacation this summer.

[cinbis]

I'm not a slug today! I ran the 1.6 mile loop, a few sprints and a sweaty cycle class. I think my new running shoes helped today...no foot pain. It looks like a few of us from the gym are going to run the first 5K of the season on 5/12...two weeks...yikes! Hope I'm ready.
Linda- is home Lowell? I'm in Londonderry....not far from there. Is Lasik surgery an option if you do have the other conditions?

[scrappycat]

Linda..thanks for the reply on the Kathy Smith tape. It doesn't sound like something I would like. I DESPISE floorwork:)

But I have been getting that itch to buy a new tape/DVD, and I do have a $3.00 off coupon for Collage Video, so if anyone else has any recommendations.

I usually alternate Kathy Smith with Christi Taylor. I'm thinking about Karen Voight, since I don't have any of hers.

Pam

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by cinbis
I'm not a slug today! I ran the 1.6 mile loop, a few sprints and a sweaty cycle class. I think my new running shoes helped today...no foot pain. It looks like a few of us from the gym are going to run the first 5K of the season on 5/12...two weeks...yikes! Hope I'm ready.
Linda- is home Lowell? I'm in Londonderry....not far from there. Is Lasik surgery an option if you do have the other conditions?

Cindi - I think you'll be ready for the 5K in a couple weeks. Just remember that half the fun of a 5K is the people that are there with you (don't be like me and really race the thing - sometimes it is more fun to go with the crowd and see who's there). And remember also, you don't have to run every step - there are lots of folks that I train with that have competed in races only running 1 minute in 3. Plus LW did a 1/2 marathon without running a step - finished in a mind numbing 3:30 (better her than me).

You'll do fantastic on the 12th - I expect to hear that you've come in across the line and are ready to do another.

Today was a rest day and tomorrow we'll do a little (long) run. Hope the rain stops soon. But at least we won't be running in the swamp this week - my coach is having a kick-off event for the Galloway program at a park with a paved trail so I'm not going to get overly worried about a little rain.

Check you later.
Les

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by scrappycat
Linda..thanks for the reply on the Kathy Smith tape. It doesn't sound like something I would like. I DESPISE floorwork:)

But I have been getting that itch to buy a new tape/DVD, and I do have a $3.00 off coupon for Collage Video, so if anyone else has any recommendations.

I usually alternate Kathy Smith with Christi Taylor. I'm thinking about Karen Voight, since I don't have any of hers.

Pam

lol re: the Kathy Smith tape. I never said I LOVED doing it but I NEED it! Have you checked out Kari Andersen? Actually I'm not sure if it's Andersen or Anderson. Elisabeth on this board told me Kari and Christy Taylor are her 2 favorites so if you like Christy you may like Kari. I've got two of Kari's tapes and I intend to buy others when I get home to the States this summer (probably Christy Taylor too). I really like her. She's a good instructor and she's very down to earth. The people she uses on the tapes are fit but they look like real people not models which is something I like. I find that more motivating than looking at some perfect freak of nature who spends 4 hours a day in the gym.

The tapes I have are Fitness Formula and Body Tech. I like them both but BT is definitely harder than FF. Fitness Formula is geared towards Beginner/Intermediate but she shows a lot of ways to increase the intensity so you can work as hard as you want to. There's also a very good abs section included. I think she wastes a significant period of time with an extremely long cool down section that I'd rather spend doing something else but it's still a good tape. At the moment this is my 'workhorse' tape. The one you throw in when you're tired after work and you only have an hour or so before the family descends on you. You can get a good workout without having to keep stopping and rewinding to master choreography.

Body Tech is more challenging. There's no stopping through the aerobic section (like for pulse checks). It's also got a good weights section (includes a few lunges but you could skip those) and a decent abs section. I'd call this one an intermediate level workout for people who already know the basics of step.

I have a few Karen Voight videos too and I must say I like Kari better. I think Karen's a good instructor but her videos strike me as very LA-ish. She also has not inherited her father's acting ability and is completely wooden in front of the camera. She's fine when she gets going though. I don't know if you noticed but PaulaH just reviewed a couple of her videos on this board.

Good luck finding something you like! :)

[cinbis]

Thaks Les! I haven't been running all that much because of more aches and pains. My latest complaint is my hip. I'm not sure if it's related to hamstring tightness. It very sore again today. I am running the race with friends (I have the date wrong, it's on 5/10), so I'm sure it will be fun. But, if my time is going to be listed in the paper, I want to do well!!! I hope I want to run another when I'm finished because we're signed up for a mini triathlon in June!

It is going to be very rainy here today, but it looks like we'll have a nice stretch of weather starting tomorrow. It's a good day to stay home and clean the house!
~Cindi

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by cinbis
Thaks Les! I haven't been running all that much because of more aches and pains. My latest complaint is my hip. I'm not sure if it's related to hamstring tightness. It very sore again today. I am running the race with friends (I have the date wrong, it's on 5/10), so I'm sure it will be fun. But, if my time is going to be listed in the paper, I want to do well!!! I hope I want to run another when I'm finished because we're signed up for a mini triathlon in June!

I hope the legs start behaving. For you hip - are you trying to stretch it at all? If you aren't but would like to I can give you a couple stretches taht really work for me to keep my hip happy. They really are pretty easy (but involved to write out if you don't want them). Just let me know and I'll hook you up if you'd like. And I bet you'll want to run anohter as long as you don't do something that will cause you more pain (like go out too fast :cool: ). Going at a reasonable pace will put you in good stead all around.


It is going to be very rainy here today, but it looks like we'll have a nice stretch of weather starting tomorrow. It's a good day to stay home and clean the house!
~Cindi

It's never a good day to clean house :D :cool: - but I guess if you have to put up with rain then... you have to.

Had a great run this morning - almost 90 minutes (don't have any idea how far we ran) and it was good. To top it off there was NO RAIN at all this morning.

Hope the weekends are great and I'll see you in the funnies.

Peace,
Les

[cinbis]

I have a few hip flexer stretches that I do. Are the stretches you have already printed? I have a fax you could send them to if that's easier.

90 minutes...that's great! And no rain, even better!

I made the mistake of taking off quickly in a race last fall. I ended up walking after the mile point up a hill. That's the only time I've walked in a race and as luck would have it, someone I knew (an old boyfriend's aunt) was at the top of the hill cheering on the runners! Figures!

[Laura]

Yikes, I just looked at what I had planned on doing this week and what I actually did.

Monday: 2 mile
Tuesday: weights only
Wednesday: nada
Thursday: 3 mile run/lower body weights
Friday: nada
Saturday: 45 minute run.

Hopefully next week I will stick to my schedule a little better. No matter what I do, I can't ever seem to fit in 4 runs during the week. :rolleyes:

[JackieO]

Laura -- I feel your pain. :( I looked at my little calendar that I've been pretty faithful at keeping up since the first of the year and realized this week was a BOZO week in terms of intentions/reality. :o Part of it has to do with a major set-back a client experienced on Thursday night in front of a very ignorant city council that voted the wrong way on a project 3 years in the making. My self-imposed weigh-in today wasn't all that favorable, either, even though I have faithfully stuck with my "no eating after 7:30 rule" this week and I THOUGHT I had made good choices during the rest of the week. Guess that left-over Easter candy has made itself known.

On the positive front, the slug is still dormant. I accomplished a few tasks today that I've been putting off (of course, having a painting contractor come over Monday to give me an estimate has certainly given me motivation this weekend!). Made a batch of chili last night for a church fund-raiser tomorrow -- corn bread is in the oven as I type.

Will post again tomorrow on a new thread. I'm feeling motivated -- my trainer at the gym today came over to talk to me while I was doing lateral pull-downs on the cable-cross machine and said, "Isn't this an awesome machine?" and I said, "No, I basically hate this exercise but i do it because you told me to." She then showed me two different tricep and pec exercises that I can swap out from my free-weight routine and I'm psyched! My arms can certainly feel it tonight. It's good to mix it up!

Later....

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by cinbis
I have a few hip flexer stretches that I do. Are the stretches you have already printed? I have a fax you could send them to if that's easier.

I'll have to see if I have them in print. I know that I've put them in writing a couple times and I just have to remember where the got stashed (my mind is failing me at the moment).

Laura & Jackie - Sorry to hear that both of your weeks haven't gone that well. Hope your schedules settle down so you can get back to your planned exercises. As you may have seen this week wasn't the best for making my workouts but in retrospect I think I needed the 2 days off - at least physiologically.

:D That BAD EASTER CANDY! :D Jackie I hope you catch that little thing that keeps putting extra weight on you - I can tell you it didn't come from here. I've actually put some weight on this week (but I'll know for certain tomorrow) so someone else out there is giving us their extra weight.

Take care all and I'll see you tomorrow.

Peace, Les

BTW did you notice that we're almost at 3 pages this week? It's been forever since we've been that long.
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by cinbis
I have a few hip flexer stretches that I do. Are the stretches you have already printed? I have a fax you could send them to if that's easier.

I found this on a previous post. This is one of my favorties - it really works for me. If the description is too weird let me know and I'll see if I can rephrase it.

A hip stretch - Assuming the left side is closest to the pole in the description - - where you put the instep of your foot near an object (like a stop sign pole) - the opposite foot from the side that is closest to the pole Reach across your body with your right hand (in this example) and grab the pole. Cross your left foot in front of your right and lean away from the pole. This stretch should gently stretch the outer quad, the IT Band, and the hip/gleut. Repeat 2 or three times for about 5-8 seconds. Do this for both sides.

Peace,
Les

[cinbis]

Thanks Les. I'll give it a try!

I'm planning to just go for a walk today. Maybe I'll ride my bike. I'm putting my plan for next week into place!

I keep a food diary and I have a little chart where I check off each day that I haven't eaten any Easter candy. It's lame, but it works for me!!! I did put the candy in a closet where I don't see it constantly. I don't know why I buy so much.

Enjoy the day! Tomorrow is going to be 75 - 80!!!