Hlsg/wwsg - 9/28 - 10/4

[Leslie Ferguson]

Getting a foot in the door early - lots of movement in last weeks discussion. I thought I'd chime in early, about the time that Laura is starting her race in Boulder... GO LAURA!!

Going to be a busy week but I think much easier to keep the healthy living portion going than last week. As it stands now, no travel or conferences to attend. Big healtful living events for me are friends coming in for a concert from the west coast (we're hosting their performance). Also celebrating 20 year anniversary on Wed!!! Go Les and Kathy!

Based on my race yesterday I think I'm on track for a good time in Richmond, as long as nothing happens between here and there. Lots of training still in the bag but I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Off for Church but thought I'd root on Laura.

Check you all later,
Les

[Michelle Achuff]

LOL, I had just decided I was going to sit down and start the thread and not be a big chicken like last week ;) But here, you are, bright and early!

I second the thoughts for Laura....sending <<gooood running vibes>>her way :cool:


This week promises to be a better week for me, too. Not the rocky start I got last week :rolleyes:. I'm taking my day off today, and yanno what? It's actually feeling pretty good. Treated myself to a piece of cheesecake last night and could only eat half a piece, it's been so long since I had something that rich it made me feel sick to my stomach. Anyone else have that happen when you start cutting down/out certain types of food? I'm staying away from the tape measure, and again, not as big of a deal as I thought it might be, actually feels pretty good to be 'free' from it this week. I'd rather not know maybe, because I feel pretty darn good right now!

My husband's MRI came back last week (I don't remember if I posted this or not)...they're showing the arthritis, a thinning of the bone in his lower spine and a bunch of scar tissue (from a surgery over 20 years ago) that is irritated and inflamed. So....he has a couple of choices, live on pain meds (which does not seem feasible to me, not to mention the narcotics are *highly* addictive) or go in for surgery. We're told that surgery sometimes makes things worse, but at least it would be better for a while. As it is, the pain got so bad this weekend again that he could hardly walk, feeling the pain all the way down in one of his legs. This is really just terrible. I am being the dutiful nurse though and making sure he gets his medicine and plenty of rest...it's really about all I can do. We see the doctor again on Wednesday...so there's the update on him. We sure could use some positive energy here.

Other than that...I'm drowning in apples! I've got the last of the harvest off of our three apple trees and hoping to finish up this week. Apple jelly, apple butter, applesauce, apples for pies...good grief. I'm canning so much I can't even imagine having to buy anything apple this year!! If only the pear tree had done, as well. Good thing is, the house smells like fresh baked bread and apples...how nice and comforting is *that*?? :D


Here's my goal for the week:

Sun- Off (done...hahaha!)
Mon- Lower body weights/cardio 10
Tues- Pilates
Wed- Upper body weights/cardio 10
Thurs- Cardio 20
Fri- Pilates
Sat- Cardio 20


Healthy living goal this week is to find some time each day to do something fun and peaceful (i.e. reading (not research!)/sewing/watching a movie, etc). Sometimes I get going so fast and furious that I simply forget to stop and breathe!! Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Les~ I'm so happy for you that the race went well! Sounds like you're just where you want to be right now, and that's a good thing ;)And congrats on the anniversary..that's wonderful!

Laura~ You must report in....inquiring minds want to know...lol. <jumping up and down> How'd it go????

Leah~ You start work this week, don't you? Good luck with that!!!! Hope it goes great. :D

Signing off for now...


Smiles~


Michelle

[karen w]

Nothing new to add here. Today was "family day" so DH and I took the kids to the pool more for recreation than "mommies laps!" Anyway, tomorrow morning I'll do my laps!!

Just wanted to wish you a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Les!!!!! Congratulations on 20 years together!

Karen

[JackieO]

Hi, all.

Les Happy anniversary! Twenty years -- quite an accomplishment, but I'm sure LW is as charming as you are! ;) Congrats on your race, too.

Michelle I'm so sorry for your poor DH. :( I hurt just reading your posts about him....prayers are being lifted your way. Keep on being good to yourself, nursemaid.

Karen Hi! Keep in touch this week!

BIG NEWS HERE: "This just in from the local tennis club..." DS won his first-ever USTA-sanctioned tournament! :D He's won the consolation bracket a number of times and he's won some junior satellite tournaments, but this is his first "official" tournament win! It was an all-De Pere semi-final; the four Boys 14s finalists were all from the same freshman class (this tournament drew a few kids from the Milwaukee area and a number from the lakeshore and Fox Valley). DS had an easy win over a classmate in the semi-final, but then played the boy who is ranked two spots ahead of him in the state listing. He won 6-0, 6-1! If you had told me that score yesterday, I would have said you were smoking something. But the other boy had a three-set semi-final earlier today, which I think took the starch out of him.

I get so nervous watching DS play that we went early so I could work out and get rid of some of the anxiety. There's NO ONE in the fitness facility on Sundays at this club -- well, almost no one. There were never more than two other people in either the cardio or the weight room while I was working out. That Nautilus equipment is giving me a run for the money, too. I can feel it....

Haven't really gotten back into planning for the week...but I will go back to the club for a cardio workout tomorrow after work and cardio/upper body strength training on Tuesday. The weather is supposed to continue to be crappy (cold, cloudy with occasional rain), so no bike trails for the early part of this week.

I cooked up a storm yesterday and this morning, however....did a "sticky chicken" in the crockpot, which was turned into African Chicken Peanut Stew and chicken salad; made the lime-glazed banana bread from the Sept. CL, and some cheddar-Bay biscuits to go with the chicken salad for lunch today. So, I have a few meals planned ahead, which gives me flexibility for the coming week. I can already tell my metabolism is gearing up for cold weather. It's saying, "feed me, feed me." :eek:

Laura Sign on already and tell us how you did this weekend!!! ;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey gang - I found Laura on the Boulder Backroads (http://www.boulderbackroads.com) site. It looks like she had a good finishing time, came in at 2:17:06, a solid first race. Now all we have to find out is how she is. Hope her feet/ankles/legs are doing okay. Plus I hope that she had a fun race.

Michelle - There's nothing better than the smell of cooking apples. A real fond childhood memory was waking up to the smell of homemade apple sauce in the crockpot. My grandmother made a fabulous apple sauce from the appples she got in northern Oregon (imo some of the best in the US). Still like to chop up apples and make fresh (and hot) apple sauce on a cold winter's morning. Sorry to hear about DH back. I'm of the school that pain medication isn't the real plan - it only masks the problem. I'd believe that I'd take the surgery (1) if there wasn't some other non-invasive means to "fix" the problem and/or (2) if it could provide relief - even if for only a short time. Personally hate to take pain pills, in fact I still have all but 2 of the 20 vicodin they gave me gave me after my lymph node biopsy. I just hated that groggy feeling. Let us know how things progress. Plus I'll keep DH in my prayers.

Jackie - Tell your DS that's great, a win in a USTA event. IMO (biased as it may be) LW is more charming than I am. And I'd say that she's working on saint based on 20 years with me :D . Not many impatient women would travel to all corners of the earth (coming from a non-traveling family) with a career Naval Officer.

Thanks too Karen I really appreciate it.

I've talked about the healthful living for the week - like to add positive weight maintenance. So far so good, <8 weeks from the marathon and I haven't started losing weight - a good thing. This week's workout scheme is a step back week (long run wise):

Sun XT/weights (done)
Mon 7 x 800m intervals
Tue 5 miles easy
Wed 45-55 min tempo (What an anniversary run ;) )
Thu 6 miles pace
Fri Rest
Sat 12 miles long run pace.

Added later I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a Beginning Yoga tape(s)? My mother (65 this year) has Parkinsons and I'm trying to find her things to help mitigate the effects of the syndrome (she's working on her 14th or 15th year of Parkinsons). I've heard that Yoga is good for Parkinsonians - helps build smooth strength and isn't hard on joints and is low impact (relly essential because she has osteoporosis too). I'm looking for something that she could really use for Christmas. TIA.

Peace to all and best wishes for the remainder of the week.
Les

[ellery]

Hi everyone. Good morning, good morning. I'm very happy here because it's a bit of a chill in the air this morning. I still haven't seen a single leaf turning around here, but the chill makes me feel as if there may be a sort of fall around here. (I'm ignoring the weatherman's report that it's just a cold front)

Yay Laura!

Les - happy anniversary and congratulations on the race. That's so wonderful! As far as yoga tapes, I don't know if they still have them there, but Target sells a nice intro to yoga tape by Rodney Yee. I like him. It's about 30 minutes, very gentle, and he's wearing a nice outfit she may enjoy. It may be what you're looking for.

Jackie - congrats on the son! What's the next step for him?

Michelle - I'm sorry to hear that your husband is still in pain. Poor guy. Poor you. And yes, I do start work this week, or actually orientation. That doesn't start until Thursday, though, so a few more days to goof off. It's going to be mighty hard getting up so early (5:30 am). Ack!

Other than that, I'm happy to report that I coaxed the bf into running with me last night. He's not a big fan of exercise, although he was coerced into signing up to do that race with me. Naturally he blew right by me in our jog. It's the weirdest thing, my legs weren't tired, I just couldn't breathe, which actually, come to think of it, is the problem on the treadmill as well. I ran the first 1.5 with him, then had to rest, got frustrated, thought ugly thoughts about myself, regrouped, and salvaged the "run" by doing intervals of running for a minute, walking for a minute. I came in only about 5 minutes behind him, but I was very very annoyed at myself. I don't know if it's just that I'm still out of shape (but he's much more out of shape than I am - he literally never exercises); or if I was unused to running outside; or if there's something wrong with me. I did 30 minutes of spinning last week (for the first time in 6 months) and about died, for the same reason, that I couldn't catch my breath. A friend riding beside me said she has exercise-induced asthma, and now that's got me to thinking. I don't know, though. I've never had this problem before, so I don't know if I'm just looking for an excuse or something to blame for being out of shape. Or maybe I'm just sick and don't know it. Either way, I won't have full medical coverage for another month, so it's not like I can do anything about it, such as get tested or anything.

I don't know. Anyone have any ideas?

[Laura]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes. The race was good, my "unofficial time" was 2:14:59 (based on starting my watch when I went under the banner). It was a gorgeous day, the temps were in the upper 40's - low 50s when we started, and probably got up to 60 by the time I finished. I felt really good until about mile 9 and then started to slow down about a minute per mile. My running partner took off at that point (which we both had agreed to earlier, whomever felt the best could go on) she finished about 5 minutes ahead of me. I did run the whole way, and finished well under my "goal" of 2:24. So all in all I am happy. I want to work on speed in shorter races this winter, and am thinking of doing the San Diego Rock and Roll half-marthon in June, with a goal time of around 2:11.

I am tight today, but nothing too bad. I do have a 5k I am planning on doing on the 18th just to see where my time is. As my niece came from Seattle to run the race also, I also have been spending time with my sister which is fun.


Jackie, way to go for DS, that is awesome! I am looking forward to not having to do a long run this weekend and baking!

Michelle, I am envious of all your apples. Do you have an apple butter recipe that you would want to share? I am sorry your DH's pain was so bad this weekend. I am sure you guys have looked into this, but it seems physical therapy can do so much to ward off surgery for back injuries, would that be helpful at all?

Les, congratulations on 20 years, that is wonderful.

Workout wise, I am walking around Garden of the Gods with my sister and niece this afternoon.
Tuesday: upper body weights/bike intervals
Wednesday: Lower body weights
Thursday: 3 mile run/ upper body
Friday: rest
Saturday or Sunday: 5-6 mile run.

[Minky]

Hello! All this activity on the thread, and it's only Monday afternoon:)

My workout plan:

MON - kickboxing (done)
TUES - cardio/weights
WED - kickboxing
THURS - yoga
FRI - cardio/weights
SAT - step class


Laura - Way to go on the race! And you're already planning your next one? I'd be in traction:p

Les - Happy, Happy Anniversary!

Jackie - Congrats to your DS on the tournament!And keeping my fingers crossed for tonight's game :rolleyes:

Michelle - Best wishes for a quick resolution to your DH's back pain. I can only imagine how awful this must be for him (and you.) Prayers coming your way...

Leah - I thought autumn was here last week too, but it's back to mid- to high 80's:( Good luck with your new job this week!

Hi to Karen! I love goofing off in the pool with the kids - I just don't get to do it as often as I like!

Have a great week, everyone!

[Michelle Achuff]

Well, I caved today and took a nap. I just feel *cold* all over. It was 32 degrees here this morning, frost outside even :eek: Ran around town for a little bit with my husband (as much running as he could do) and while it was bright and sunny and I was following my regular eating/drinking/exercise schedule, I just could not shake the tiredness. Feels like the cold is in my bones, made me want to snuggle up under the covers (which is exactly what I did!). I've been doing great the past two weeks with *no napping* :D Thanks largely in part to switching when I take my b-complex and getting the protein you all were telling me about (magic stuff!). Does anyone else have this happen as it gets colder? I think I want to hibernate...lol. Even so, the workout this morning went well, I can sure feel my abs and obliques...*very* sore. Where IS that masseuse? lol....

Les~ Picked up a book today called "The Adonis Complex" re: what we've been talking about with body image/eating disorders in males. Fascinating and sad, some real interesting research. Thanks for the thoughts about my husband. He and I have discussed extensively pain meds v. surgery. I'm all of the opinion that the meds are just a bandaid for the symptoms and won't fix the underlying problems (they just won't). The doctor says that sometimes surgery causes more pain (more scar tissue to inflame eventually)...but, I've pointed out that he's lived over 20 years with pretty manageable pain (only occassional flare ups). When he had his surgery orginally (he broke his back powerlifting in a competition in Florida) they thought he might not regain the use of his right leg. That proved untrue, but this leg is giving him so many problems, in fact, it buckled on him when we were in town today and as it stands he cannot feel it but for fleeting moments. *Very* scary.

Btw...awesome on your positive weight maintenance, that's got to feel so good! And a run on your anniversary....I can just see you running with a banner on a post streaming behind you...."Les + Kathy = Love 4 Ever" lol ;) Corny, but hey, bet the image makes you laugh too!!

Leah~ I don't know anything about exercise induced asthma...but I do know asthma is scary and a serious thing. PLEASE be careful until your health coverage kicks in. I'll keep you in my thoughts. And just a thought too..just because you *might* be looking for a 'reason' (instead of saying you're out of shape..as you said)..doesn't mean this isn't a valid problem for you. Just be *careful*...ok, I'll stop being a mother hen now...:rolleyes:

Jackie~ That is so AWESOME about your DS! I could just read how you must have been beaming at that! Isn't it great when our kids do something extraordinary? ;) I'm pulling out a chicken for sticky chicken this week...I've never made it before (but I found an old post of yours) and you inspired me!

Laura~ Sounds like you did great! I was reading your post and half laughing (at myself)...I was shaking my head and my husband said "what's up?"... To which I said..."Mile 9...mile *nine* she got tired, and she kept going...I would have been wheezing and passed out on the road". Anyway...lol, that is great..sounds like you are having fun ~smiles~ And yes yes, I do have an apple butter recipe (will post at the end of this post)...seriously, if you make apple butter you might as well save the apple juice from it (freeze it if you want!) to make jelly from eventually, that way you get maximum canning from the apples. The apple sauce is nearly the same consistency as the butter (IMHO) although they taste different the way I make them and the applesauce is a bit more..liquid I guess.



Minky~ Thanks so much for the well wishes on his pain. :D Goofing off in the *pool*? How warm is it there? I'm looking for warm apple cider and flannel shirts and jeans (that fit :eek: oh that's a sad sad topic...lol). Kickboxing, way cool, I know some other people here do that as well...someday I want to try this (if I ever get over thinking I'll look like a total goofball!!!).

Ok, here are those recipes for Laura and anyone else that wants them....


Apple Butter

2 quarts cooked apple pulp
4 cups sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t cloves

Use apple pulp left from preparing apple juice for jelly. Press through a sieve or food mill. Measure pulp. Add sugar and spices. Cook pulp until thick enough to round up in a spoon (this took me no time flat, it was already pretty much this consistency so I cooked it until it was totally hot for canning). As the pulp thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking. (If too thick, add a small amount of water for desired consistency) Pour hot into hot jars, leaving 1/4" head space. Adjust caps. Process pints and quarts 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Yield: about 5 pints.

Apple Jelly
4 cups apple juice (about 3lbs apples and 3 cups water)
2 T strained lemon juice (if desired)
3 cups sugar

To prepare juice: Select about one-fourth firm ripe and 3/4 fully ripe tart apples (honesty here: I totally ignored that part...lol). Sort; wash; and remove stem and blossom ends; do NOT pare or core. Cut apples into small pieces, add water, cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 20-25 minutes, or until apples are soft. Extract juice. (And save this pulp for apple sauce or apple butter!!!)

To make jelly: Measure juice into a large sauce pot. Add lemon juice and sugar and stir well. Boil over high heat until jelly mixture sheets from a spoon. Remove from heat, skim foam, if necessary. Pour hot, into hot jars with 1/4" head space. Adjust caps. Process 5 minutes in boiling water bath. Yield about 4 half pints.

Applesauce

Note: this is the recipe as it appears, I have made it this way and it is wonderful, but for canning because I had all of the apple pulp I just did it with the pulp.

5 or 6 cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 T water
1/4 t ground cinnamon
1 t vanilla
2 T sugar (optional, I've never made it without!)
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan, cover and set over low heat. Simmer until the apples are soft, 20-25 minutes. Mash with a fork until the mixture is a chunky puree. Cool. (or you can run it through a food processor for a smoother sauce.


The first two recipes come from the Ball Blue Book and the Applesauce is from Fine Cooking, January 1999. Hope it comes out great!!!! :D

Smiles~

Michelle

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by Michelle Achuff
Well, I caved today and took a nap. I just feel *cold* all over. It was 32 degrees here this morning, frost outside even :eek:

BRRR!!! I don't even want to think about 32 degree weather, I was wondering what I was going to do when it hits the 40s later this week. :eek:


Originally posted by Michelle Achuff
Les~ Picked up a book today called "The Adonis Complex" re: what we've been talking about with body image/eating disorders in males. Fascinating and sad, some real interesting research. Thanks for the thoughts about my husband. He and I have discussed extensively pain meds v. surgery. I'm all of the opinion that the meds are just a bandaid for the symptoms and won't fix the underlying problems (they just won't). The doctor says that sometimes surgery causes more pain (more scar tissue to inflame eventually)...but, I've pointed out that he's lived over 20 years with pretty manageable pain (only occassional flare ups). When he had his surgery orginally (he broke his back powerlifting in a competition in Florida) they thought he might not regain the use of his right leg. That proved untrue, but this leg is giving him so many problems, in fact, it buckled on him when we were in town today and as it stands he cannot feel it but for fleeting moments. *Very* scary.

I'll have to take a look at the book. I'm really intrigued by the subject (based on personal experience and probable future employment).


Originally posted by Michelle Achuff
Btw...awesome on your positive weight maintenance, that's got to feel so good! And a run on your anniversary....I can just see you running with a banner on a post streaming behind you...."Les + Kathy = Love 4 Ever" lol ;) Corny, but hey, bet the image makes you laugh too!!


Certainly am laughing right now! Brought a smile to my face just thinking about it.

Today's workout was a good one - tired but not beaten. Got my 7x800m intervals in and felt strong at the end. I don't think I could have done more but wasn't completely spent either. The marathon is lookking better every day.

Best to all,
Les

[ellery]

Wow, Michelle, those recipes are making me hungry. I might have to try that applesauce one. I'm too lazy at this point, though, so my current favorite apple recipe is just slicing them up, tossing them in a pan with some butter and spices and frying (is that frying?) them on the stovetop. They're done in 10 minutes. Yum. Yum.

32 degrees???? Wow. When I was saying it felt like fall here, apparently I've lived here long enough to have a skewed reality. It's currently 70 outside and to me that feels pleasantly cool. I think it was in the 60's last night and that was "cold." It feels wonderful and hopefully the cold front will stick around for a little while. I'm about over these days in the 80's.

I forgot to post my workout plans for this week since I was so busy complaining about my non-existent asthma. Next week I'll have decided it's just a brain tumor. Whatever it is, I'll just keep plugging on. Hopefully my lungs will get stronger or more conditioned or whatever their problem is, they'll get over it. Don't you just hate it when your body is not cooperating?????????

Sun: jog 3.1 (done) :)
Mon: allover body lifting, teach class (done) :)
Tues: cardio on the bike (feet are protesting)30-45 min.; kickboxing
Wed: lift, teach class
Thurs: run 3.1 if my feet feel better/ some sort of cardio
Fri: lift, 30-45 min cardio
Sat & Sun off

I'd like to get in a yoga video workout at some point this week, but we'll see how the week goes. I sure do miss my old yoga studio. It's hard to make myself do it when I don't have the yoga nazi shaming me into working harder. :(

Have a good night everyone. I'm off to the showers!

p.s. For those of you who work out at home, both Shape and Fitness magazines have good exercises in them every month that are good to add to your routines. I regularly steal from them and use their moves in the classes I teach. They also have good exercise and general health tips, as well as recipes. Sadly, I don't get a commission from this endorsement. Oh well...

[JackieO]

His win even made the local sports listing in the Green Bay Press Gazette today!

Laura -- Way to go in your race! You rock. I wish <I> had been able to spend the day walking through the Garden of the Gods....even with tightness from a half-marathon! :D Hope you enjoyed your day.

Minky -- Even with a comfortable 17-0 lead, the bad Brett just resurfaced for an interception. :( As we parents of Little Leaguers always say: "No lead is safe."

Michelle -- Hope your sticky chicken works for you. I love it for the versatile and cheap dish it is! That "four balls of foil" trick is ingenious, IMHO. So sorry to hear of your DH and his problems. That's scary -- I hope and pray he improves.

Leah -- I don't know much about exercise-induced asthma, although I think I have experienced it a few times. Then, it seemed to me that after a REALLY intense workout, I would get hit by sneezing jags. The first time it occurred to me, I was about 30 years old and had just finished a 5k race in Vail, Colorado. (About 3,000 feet more elevation than I was used to running.) I turned in a very good time, but within a half-hour of completing the race (for which I rec'd a medal -- it was so many years ago, I don't remember exactly where I placed, lol, but obviously in the top three in my age category), I started sneezing incessantly. It lasted for about an hour until I took a benadryl and it went away. I've had a few other incidents like that since then, but none as intense, but then, I don't work out as intensely as I used to. :o

I also hear you about missing yoga. I had the same thought tonight. I've gotten over most of my frustration with the "Bates Motel" fitness club and have accepted this is where I'll be working out for the next year. (Nathan, my trainer, is even younger than I thought, but incredibly nice. If he is on duty, he ALWAYS comes to talk to me when I'm working out, and today he came over to chat about DS' win at the tournament. Sweet kid.) But I really want to do some stretching and I really want some GUIDANCE in doing it. I could pop in my Denise Austin video, I suppose, but then I'd have to learn how to use the new VCR/DVD player connected to my HD projection-screen TV (and I only really know how to turn it on to cable). :o :o :o I'd much rather do yoga with a class and a real live instructor, but the yoga classes offered at my club are designed for the stay-at-home crowd, or at least the consultant-flexible crowd.

Ok...workout plan for this week:

Sunday -- 30 mins. cardio (bike and elliptical) and lower body strength training --done.
Monday -- 30 mins. cardio (same as Sunday) -- done.
Tuesday -- 30 mins. cardio (walk/run combo on treadmill) and upper body strength training
Wednesday -- off (I'm making pork chops w/caramalized onions and caraway-buttered noodles with acorn squash for dinner -- it is FALL in NE WI!)
Thursday -- 30 mins. cardio (not sure what) and lower body
Friday -- off (Fish Fry night with new friends! :D :rolleyes: )
Saturday -- 30 mins. cardio and maybe upper body

I have a plan -- I'm feeling organized! Must be the cold. Not sure how low the temperature went this a.m., but the house was cold and the down comforter sure felt good! DS says we can't turn on the furnace until Oct. 1, which he pointed out is Wednesday, which sent me into a tailspin realizing I have several deadlines at work on Wednesday. No travel this week, however, so it should be accomplished without difficulty.

Let's see how long we can make this thread this week -- check in early and often!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Leah - Not being a doctor I'm not the one to ask but LW has asthma and a friend from grad school had exercise-induced asthma and what you have certainly sounds like it. The only other option is that the cold air is bothering your lungs. ;) I'd find it hard to believe that you'd be winded for any other reason considering how much aerobic exercise you're already getting. I hope that your feet feel better soon. What seems to be the problem (forgive me if I've forgotten already - not like there's nothing on my mind right now :D )?

Jackie - It is nice to have a "live" exercise leader not just a video. At least you have Nathan to cheer you on when he's in the gym. I hope that your year in the purgatory gym goes quickly. Here's hoping the Packers don't pull a Redskins and try to give the game away in the last couple minutes or like last week snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Michelle - I told LW about the visual image - boy was she ROTFL. What a great visual image.

And I'm with Jackie - let's see where we can take this thread this week. BTW, looking for some of the lurkers and long time friends. Come out, come out wherever you are!

Peace and a pleasant Monday.
Les

[Michelle Achuff]

DH: "Why are you getting up so early, it's Saturday!"

Me: "No...it's Tuesday."

LOL...god, don't I wish it *were* Saturday. These chilly mornings are going to be the death of me yet. Anyway, I guess that's what a narcotic induced sleep will do to your sense of space and time. I really feel for him. Thanks again to everyone for thoughts and prayers. I am anxiously awaiting the doctor's visit tomorrow so we can see what the course of action is.


Leah~ Well, it didn't stay 32 degrees all day long, but yes, the bus stop was a chilly place to be! I love the colder weather (after the humidity here in the summer, it truly is a blessing). It just seems to be taking me longer to get used to the change. Funny, I lived in Detroit for many, many years not too terribly long ago and when I first came here, I was like: this is winter? Bah! lol. Perspective changes so much with time! I hope that you get your yoga workout in this week, sounds like you could use it...not as good as the 'live' thing I'm sure (although I've never done it) but better than nothing, maybe? I know that I have been feeling at my calmest, most centered self during and after the Pilates work outs (today is Pilates day...yay!:D ). Makes a huge difference...plus, I feel kinda taller...lol. Thanks for the tips from the magazine, always looking for new things to do here! Personally, I love working out at home. I'm not much of a gym person, just too many people. When I goof up, I like to do it in private :o ... Still, I *would* take a yoga or a Pilates class (and maybe someday kickboxing). I've heard that Pilates classes are enormously expensive though...I'll stick with the tape I have for now and the woman in the dance studio with that pretty English accent, lol, her and I get along just fine!

Jackie~ I wish I had known about the 'four balls of foil' *years* ago...lol. Awesome little trick. And sorry, but I was laughing pretty hard about your tv situation. I am SO that way with our stuff. It doesn't help that there are five million remotes at the 'command center' (husband's designated chair that no one else touches...lol). I have zero aptitude for anything mechanical that is not a kitchen appliance. I am even here, on the computer, thanks to him and to user friendly places like this. It's just not my thing! He had to get a new motherboard yesterday for his system and I just stood there in wonder...too much for this brain to process (perhaps I'm in need of an upgrade myself...lol). Anyway, I DO hope you get it figured out so you can at least use your tape! On another note: Yes, Oct 1st is Wednesday...the day I'm going to measure...lol. After all the hullabaloo in my brain, I'm not sure I really want to know :confused:

Les~ I'm glad that you and LW got a laugh out of that! :D My husband and I laugh a lot together (even through all of his pain)...it seems to be the thing that keeps us sane and close. Funny how laughter makes even the most dire situation feel better sometimes.

~~

Ok...kinda funny story (Jackie will probably appreciate this). Last night we were all watching a movie (husband, me and the twins). And he falls asleep, which is fairly normal due to the medication. BUT...before he falls asleep he hit fast forward on the dvd (a new dvd player that I don't understand). Well, I didn't want to wake him up and had no clue about the remote (wouldn't touch it if my life depended on it). So the kids and I watched a really 'fast' version of said movie. It was actually a crack up. The kids thought it was funny and it was almost like those old foreign films where they're talking and they stop but the mouth is still moving. Anyway, got a good belly laugh out of it and the kids sure were entertained. ;)

Just thought I'd share!

Smiles~

Michelle

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by Michelle Achuff
Jackie~ I wish I had known about the 'four balls of foil' *years* ago...lol.

Okay - I surrender. What is the four balls of foil trick? Did I miss something?


Les~ I'm glad that you and LW got a laugh out of that! :D My husband and I laugh a lot together (even through all of his pain)...it seems to be the thing that keeps us sane and close.

I firmly believe that our sense(s) of humor have helped us stay together as long as we have. That and our sense of adventure. One cannot leave the US and fly for 12+ hours and land in Japan in late at the night and not have a sense of humor and adventure.

Sorry to hear about DH and his pain - there's got to be an end soon.

Peace,
Les

[ellery]

Yup. I'm doing really well on my goal of trying to cut down my time on the internet. Oh well, time enough for that starting Thursday.

Michelle, has it occurred to you that maybe the reason you've been more affected by the cold, and a little tired, has something to do with the little (ha!) crisis your family is going through? Maybe your body is just telling you that you need a little more nurturing. Bake some chocolate chip cookies or take a hot bath or build a fire or make s'mores or go buy some pumpkin scented candles. Just a thought.

Nothing to report on this end as it's still early. Thanks for all the thoughts on the whole asthma thing, though. It's so weird to think that there may actually be something legitimately wrong with me that I'm back in denial. Maybe it's just something I can push through or maybe it's all in my head. Who knows. I'm still doing that race even if it kills me. By then my health insurance will have kicked in (and will be no good if I'm dead) and I can take my hypochondriacal self to a doctor.

Hope everyone has a good day and enjoys their appropriately chilly fall weather. It's going to be in the 80's today here. Grrrr... :mad:

p.s. I don't get the foil balls reference. Is that another thread? I hate being left out... :rolleyes:

[JackieO]

Originally posted by ellery

p.s. I don't get the foil balls reference. Is that another thread? I hate being left out... :rolleyes:
It's a really nifty way to fix a chicken in the crockpot. I used to "stew" the heck out of chickens by adding water and then it was really nasty work to pick the falling-apart chicken out of the crockpot. I learned, courtesy of the Great Food board, that you can merely crumple up four balls of tin foil, place them in the bottom of the crockpot and put your whole bird on top of the foil. No water added. You can salt & pepper the bird and stuff the cavity with aromatics for flavor. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or in my case last weekend, I started out on high for an hour and low for four hours and it was done beautifully. The legs have a tendency to fall off when you lift the bird out of the crockpot, but the rest of it remains intact. Plus, you get really good drippings for gravy or soup base.:D

If this isn't more than you wanted to know, you can do a search for "sticky chicken" and get all sorts of advice on cooking a chicken in the crockpot. :rolleyes:

[greysangel]

Actually the foil balls or "donuts" work great for roasting too. I make a foil donut and stick my meat on top of it when roasting...it heats more evenly, there's less mess and less fat!

I'm late this week! Things have been nutty. We went to our friends house who was supposed to be hosting our little wedding. Well, it wasn't as far along (he bought it a year ago) as we thought it would be with him offering it up and all. :o Dh likened it to post war Berlin :eek: :D So after being totally blown away by this and figuring out the best way to tactfully get out of it, we managed to come up with some alternatives. The producer is finally stepping up to the plate and helping out with phone calls etc. IMO they should have been doing this from the start instead of putting it in my lap but I digress :D

This weeks' work out is a change up from the heavy lifting I've been doing. T and Th are still spinning. M, W, and Saturday is the calorie blasting total body circuit. Basically it's 1 set of 20, 2 exercises per muscle group followed by 10 minutes of cardio. Repeat 3x and on the last cardio extend to 30 minutes. I did it on Monday and it FRIED me. I was a puddle of sweat by the time I left the gym. Yee haa.

Oh, on the healthy living front, there is another benefit to this whole taping thing. The owner of the gym I go to met me (he's there at night and I'm a morning gal) due to this stuff and he wants me to be a speaker when they host their weight loss clinics :D WOO HOO!

Take care everyone!

J

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ah, the code is broken - sticking a slab 'o meat on aluminum foil as a roasting method. Great idea.


Originally posted by greysangel
This weeks' work out is a change up from the heavy lifting I've been doing. T and Th are still spinning. M, W, and Saturday is the calorie blasting total body circuit. Basically it's 1 set of 20, 2 exercises per muscle group followed by 10 minutes of cardio. Repeat 3x and on the last cardio extend to 30 minutes. I did it on Monday and it FRIED me. I was a puddle of sweat by the time I left the gym. Yee haa.

Sounds like an awesome workout. Must be overwhelming. How often do you total body circuit?


Oh, on the healthy living front, there is another benefit to this whole taping thing. The owner of the gym I go to met me (he's there at night and I'm a morning gal) due to this stuff and he wants me to be a speaker when they host their weight loss clinics :D WOO HOO!

Take care everyone!

J

That's great!! I bet that you will knock them dead. Glad to hear that someone has seen the change in you and is willing to let you share your success.

Today's workout was perfect - temp was nice outside and I did my easy run. A little more "healthful" work to do today and then pick up the last piece of the anniversary present (a stuffed animal to present the earrings :D ).

Peace,
Les

[greysangel]

Les;

I did it yesterday, will do it tomorrow, thurs spin, fri off and Saturday the circuit again. I will probably do it for two weeks...I was feeling kind of burnt out with the heavy weights/low rep. This one is a bit more invigorating!

And thanks :D

and awwwwwwwwwwwww on the present!! How sweet are you? :) Today I got myself a present...new sweats! This morning I went to the gym in my shorts and thought to myself, it's starting to get way too chilly for shorts :o :D

J

[tmsl]

Hey gang!

Sorry I have been such a slug about posting this week. We had a very busy weekend and I opted to menu plan and grocery shop instead of working out last night. I hadn't worked out since last Wednesday as I had to pack before we went out of town. I guess you could say I got a workout in Friday night as I ran to the line at the concert to be able to get a position up front. :D The show was fantastic and I got to spend quality time with my family on Saturday as well.

Anyway, tonight when I went to the gym I decided I would run on the treadmill to start my workout. I ended up running for 45 minutes and broke my plateau of 2-1/2 miles with a 3.58 mile run!!!!!! I was very excited that I pushed myself to do this and I feel like I should be able to run my race and finish the distance. I have only been running for a year and a half and not so much this summer, so this is a major accomplishment for me. After a crappy start to the week I feel very energized. My plan for the rest of the week is to alternate the eliptical and running and get my weight workouts in as well.
To the other Laura~congrats on your race!!! I know how great you must feel knowing you accomplished what you set out to do.
Jeanne~new sweats?? All your going to do is get them sweaty!!
:D Congrats on the positive turns for your wedding and the recognition at the gym.
Jackie~way to go Son!! and Sticky Chicken??? It sounds so appetizing:p
Leah~last year when I did a 1 mile race, I was wheezing all afternoon after the race. It was cold(25 degrees) and fall with the leaves so I may have induced the asthma with the conditions. Also I pushed myself so I probably didn't have enough O2 getting where it needed to go. Just be careful and don't push yourself to hard.
Michelle~sorry about your DH weekend. I hope he finds some relief soon.
Les~is there a course you can teach our husbands on appropriate anniversary etiquette? JK-my DH is very sweet and tries hard. It is nice to know there are other people besides us who still love their SO after 10+ and 20+ years of marriage. The world needs more of that.

I hope I haven't missed anyone. Have a good week and stay warm!!!

Laura K.

[Leslie Ferguson]

JeAnne - Don't I know it, I think it was in the low 50s here (bad for a thin blooded person like me). I've actually started wearing slippers this week - considering I haven't had to put them on since March/April. LW put the blanket back on the bed this morning because we're looking at the low 40s tomorrow (of course there should be some way for us to figure out how to beat a 40 degree night :D ;) ). Thanks for the complement too, part of the fun of the past 20+ years has been the neat way gifts get delivered - like roses to her work tomorrow ;).

Laura K - Great job on the run! Bet you feel great about it. Running in line... maybe, quality time with the family - definite healthful living. I'm glad that you enjoyed the concert too. BTW - maybe I can enlist Michelle to help me write a book about being a considerate and inspired gift giver. :D It's funny how much a lot of the folks I work with seem to be so down about marriage - but that may be an occupational hazard (their cop out IMO).

Thanks for the wishes everyone - I think this will be the best anniversary in a couple years.

Peace until tomorrow,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Just thought I'd chime in that LW was totally surprised with the present - I actually got the earrings tied onto the antlers of a plush moose with ribbon. She didn't initially notice the earrings but once she took the time to look she saw them. What a fantastic way to start the day. :D

Hope that everyone is healthy and their workouts go as planned.

Peace,
Les

[Minky]

Good Work, Les! Enjoy your anniversary - are you cooking at home or going out for dinner?

Michelle - Thanks for posting those recipes - we just went and picked (tons of) apples, so now I have a couple of new recipes to try:)

I did my lifting yesterday, and kickboxing today and I can already feel my triceps and deltoids talking to(ok, yelling at:o) me. Good thing I'm planning on yoga tomorrow. Will also take the boys golfing, since they have no school tomorrow or Friday.

Hello to everyone else, and here's to coasting into a great weekend!

[Michelle Achuff]

This is the first I've gotten a chance to post since yesterday when I went speeding off to the hospital with DH...so here goes. Bear with me if I'm not my usual chipper self, I'm truly and totally exhausted...

His pain just got worse and worse until *he* suggested going to his doctor again (it has to be very bad for that to happen). We went to see his doctor for all of five minutes before he said to go to the hospital and get admitted. He's been in the hospital now since yesterday afternoon. My brain has been juggling care for the kids, as well as dealing with the driving distance (45 mins to an hour from our home to the hospital). Things are pretty much in stasis with him for the moment. Today they were supposed to start an epidural and cortizone injections and see if that reduced swelling etc. Someone broke the machine :mad: ...soooo, he's just on a hell of a lot of pain medication for the second day in a row. He makes no coherent sense and he gets frustrated rather easily. It does not help that the nurses habitually do not bring his medication on time and I have to hound them for it. I find myself trying to be the liaison between everyone and just make sure things get done without my husband getting more stressed out and having more pain. Supposedly, tomorrow morning they will do the epidural/injections. I truly feel for him. I spent last night in the hospital with him (slept in a recliner) but kept waking up every 15 minutes to 'check' on him. It was a long night. I'm going back there tonight again while someone stays with the kids. Bottom line, I don't trust he'll get his medication/pain relief without me there to demand it. That is a really sad thing.

Anyway....I'm just exhausted. I feel like crying, I'm cold, I'm tired. I guess I'm whining a lot, but this is really overwhelming to me. I figured you guys would understand or at least would let me whine a little. Sometimes it's hard to be the rock, and I'm trying to hold steady. I keep telling myself, we'll get through this.

Les~ I'm glad to read that your anniversary gift went over well, I'll bet she was just beaming :)

I would respond to everyone individually, but I just can't muster up the mental energy to do it. Even so, I've read all of the posts and I'm glad for all of the positive things going on. Jeanne, hang in there, sounds like you're gonna do great! And brrrrr, I hear ya on the sweats thing.

Sorry this post is such a downer :rolleyes: But, thought I would update everyone. Thanks for the continued prayers and support...


Michelle

[ellery]

Oh Michelle, that's so awful about your husband. No, you're not whining at all - you're going through something unbelievably hard. I think it's almost worse to be the one watching the person you love go through something - I'd rather be suffering, personally, than to be the helpless one watching. Hopefully he'll get the epidural and it'll help. I had a slipped disc a few years ago and went through that epidural. I won't even tell you how much the dang needle hurt but it did fix things, so here's hoping. And good for you to be bugging people to make sure things get done - unfortunately, sometimes it's the only way. Remember, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Now I almost feel guilty about whining about my nonexistent breathing problem. I feel kinda like I'm getting a cold, or maybe it's just allergies, so maybe that's all it is. I appreciate all the reminders about running in the cold, but the one time lately that I've run outside (versus indoor on the treadmill) it's been 85 degrees out. Dang tropical climate.

Nothing exciting to report here. I skipped a cardio workout yesterday in favor of a yoga tape at home (it reminded me how much I love yoga and miss my yoga nazi), and then did kickboxing later. Tonight I was supposed to teach but no one showed up for class (slackers). That didn't do much for my ego since I'm used to being the diva instructor and one of the most popular instructors everywhere I teach (no ego problem here when it comes to teaching), but this is a weird market down here. I don't know where everyone is working out, but they're certainly not in this health club. So I did a little lifting (shoulders), then rode the bike for 30 and the elliptical for 15. I'll try running tomorrow after work and see how I do.

Hope everyone is well. Michelle, I'll send up a little prayer for you and your husband tonight. Les, happy anniversary. Good husband!

Night all,

[karen w]

{{{Michelle and DH}}}} I hope things brighten up for both of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Karen

[Laura]

(((((Michelle & DH)))))

You are not whining, and even if you were, that is why we are here. I am so sorry to hear about what is going on with your DH. I hope he is able to find some relief soon. Please make sure to take care of yourself as well.

I initially came on here to tell you thanks for posting all the apple recipes, I really appreciate it.

Your family is in my prayers.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Michelle - I don't hear any whining from where I sit. I think I'd be furious about the medical treatment like you are. I'd also say that fear of the unknown and the fact that DH tells you he's in pain, which probably doesn't happen often unless he's really in pain. Ditto what Laura and Leah said too - venting frustration and fears is what the healthful living support group is all about. I'm like you too - I'd much rather be in pain and poked on than to sit there and watch as LW is in pain/getting a catheter inserted/etc. because at least my pain is something that I can effect and hers isn't. So vent away.
As my dear mother says - we'll be assaulting heaven with prayers for you and your husband. Peace and patience for you, guidance for the docs, and rest for DH.

Leah - One thing I've come to appreciate in the past two years is pain/discomfort/inability to do "your thing" is significant to you. There is a thing called quality of life. No discomfort/hinderance is insignificant to the person dealing with the condition.

Minky - Separate dinners this evening. I ate in and LW ate at work (works 3:30-8:00 on Wednesday). Probably won't get the chance to have a good anniversary dinner out until next week - friends from Monterey CA show up tomorrow evening to do two concerts (their first two ever) in Norfolk. BTW - I didn't tell you what LW decided to give me for my anniversary/christmas present - my own gas cooktop. We're going to replace the old solid top electric cooktop (which I don't care for) with the cooktop of my choice. Can't beat that can you? And yes, the cooktop is something that is for me... I'm the better cook in the family (her admission too). But...

All this makes my workout and the "report" of my anniversary seem insignificant or at least unimportant in the grand scheme of things. So I'll sign off with - for all who are afflicted or are suffering in mind body or spirit I pray for peace and comfort.

Peace friends,
Les

[greysangel]

((((((((((((((((((((((((MICHELLE)))))))))))))))))

Hope you and DH are doing ok.

JeAnne

[JackieO]

{{{{{Michelle & family}}}}}}

I hope things are going better today...

[Leslie Ferguson]

I would bet that Michelle is pretty wrung out right now but here's another message to wish her and DH the best and peace and comfort as DH is laid up.

Had a tough workout today - did my 6 (8 total) miles at race pace. My legs felt like rubber when I was done. Of course you can't fault them - I just finished doing my tempo run less than 17 hours before I started the race pace. Here's looking at tomorrow and the rest day - I certainly need it physically.

Peace to all and prayers still being lifted,
Les

[Michelle Achuff]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
I would bet that Michelle is pretty wrung out right now but here's another message to wish her and DH the best and peace and comfort as DH is laid up.


You were so right, I was worn out and totally exhausted last night. I think it's more mental and emotional than anything physical, but it's amazing how those thoughts/feelings can affect your physical health. I am completely overwhelmed by all of the support here (in a good way of course)...thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart for your messages of well wishes and prayers and thoughts. It truly brought a smile to my face. Here is the update:

My husband is home from the hospital, although heavily sedated/doped up. The medication list is staggering, I had to make myself a schedule so that I would not forget or give him something too often. He had an epidural with cortizone shot at the hospital yesterday. They are hoping the cortizone injections (he'll have another in a week) will do the trick, I am doubtful of this....how will this help bone spurs? No one seems to be able to tell me. However, if it doesn't work, the next item on the agenda is surgery :( , but at this point, surgery would be a *relief* and honestly, I wished they'd done that to begin with. His pain is pretty terrible, but he is mostly not lucid at all. We have the strangest conversations now and sometimes he will ask me where I am going even when I am just sitting there talking to him. I have to leave to fill another prescription this morning and it is making me anxious to leave him alone even for a half hour. I reason that he'll likely sleep...I'm hoping.

So...I am back at home, and happy for the comforts at home. My sleep is not so great, I keep waking to check on him, even when he is sound asleep. I feel like a mother with a newborn baby in that regard. I am trying to take it easy on myself, while still maintaining a sane environment for us all, which is difficult. I am going to take advantage of the kids being gone to school and get some tasks done, but I also plan on taking a nap (I will make myself do it, I will!).

Geez o pete, has my healthy living stuff gone in the crapper this week. I have taken it all in stride, but I couldn't help noting it for the record...lol. I realize that when he was in the hospital I wasn't drinking hardly any water, I even had a soda (haven't done that in 3 months...I'm upset that I did that), I had some really 'bad for you food' and of course, I wasn't exercising. Even with extenuating circumstances sometimes I am too hard on myself. But, I am making every effort right now to say...the past few days are just that...*the past*. This morning I got up at the usual time and had my cup of tea and am now capping off a bottle of water. I'm getting him settled and I'm going to do some Pilates. I think that focusing on breathing would be a *real good* thing right now. Anyway, I'm hangin in there, and so thankful to have all of you as friends.

Leah~ I think it's so great that you got to do your yoga tape! :) I feel like doing Pilates for the next week (and nothing else) but, I'm guessing that probably would be the best course of action for healthful improvement (compared to the weights and cardio)...it's still tempting...lol. Thanks so much for the prayers, they are certainly needed. Didn't you start work today..yesterday? Or am i totally off??

Karen~ Thank you so much...brigtening on the horizon, I'm hoping!!!!!

Laura~ You are so welcome for the recipes :) Anytime! I have some more apples to do today...the very last of them. I had planned to do them the other day, when we went to the hospital. I love them, but I will be glad to get the last of them done...lol!

Les~ Your report about your anniversary was not insignificant! :D Just because bad things happen sometimes, doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about the good things. I, for one, was glad to read about it and how great it was. Those things sure make me smile. And thank you so much for reminding me this is a support group. Truth of it is, it's *always* been hard for me to reach out for help or even for shoulders to cry on. I grew up in a family that said...'crying never fixed anything!' Sometimes I revert back to those ways in the extreme. It *was* hard when he got the epidural...I know how much those hurt from experience :( I hate the things and said I'd never have one again, but I'd do it for him, if it would've helped.

JeAnne~ Thanks a bunch...I'm hoping he's on the mend and trying to face the possible bumps with at least a positive attitude, eventually this has got to get better if we keep plugging away.

Jackie~ Thanks!!! Well there is a piece of good news...I have sticky chicken in the crockpot liner in the fridge...yummm...going to cook it today. I have a feeling crockpot meals are going to be a good thing for us...lol.

Well, I think that's everyone. My healthful living plan for today (I can't even think beyond a day right now)...take it slow, and steady and do *something* nice for myself, even if that means a hot bath or a girlie movie or something...whatever, I'm going to find time for that, and a nap today.

Hugs to everyone, and thanks again for being such good friends! Who says all of the people on the internet are bad????? :D


Smiling at all of the good things in life~

Michelle

[jazzyjas]

I have been hiding out and just lurking this week as I am fighting off a cold and have had a hectic schedule [and not meeting too many goals on the healthful living front] but I wnated to break my silence to let Michelle know that my thoughts are with her in this very difficult time. I have delt with hospitals a lot this year and I am glad to hear that you are back at home and I hope that your husband finds some relief

jas

[Michelle Achuff]

Thanks so much for the thoughts, jas. Don't be too hard on yourself...it's hard to meet your goals when you're under the weather and sometimes we just have to adapt. Hope the cold doesn't get too bad and you get better soon!


Smiles~

Michelle

[Leslie Ferguson]

Michelle - Thanks for reminding me that good news is often as important as life changing/upsetting news is. I'm glad that you appreciated the story of my anniversary. Like you said also, we're here to support each other, something that has been driven home time and again in the past 8-10 months for me. Glad that DH is home and I pray that you can get some sleep and comfort while you're there.

Jasmine - Sorry you're under the weather - things will get better, honestly they will.
Gotta fly - one concert tonight.

Peace to all,
Les

[JackieO]

Michelle Thanks for the update. Take gentle care.

Jas Ditto what I said to Michelle! ;)

You aren't going to believe this, but I went to the gym five of the last six days! Three strength training workouts this week and four cardio workouts. I'll hit the gym again tomorrow afternoon (I think) because DS has an in-house tennis tournament. Speaking of which, if you want to read a cute profile on his potential doubles partner next spring, go to this link:

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/life_12543729.shtml

Enjoy your concerts and company this weekend, Les!

Ta ta....happy hour calls! :o :D :cool:

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks Jackie tonight's concert was a [size=4]huge[/b] success. My friends played for just under 90 minutes (about 16 or 17 songs I don't really remember). The audience was really getting into the music and the message. It was way cool that the audience had folks from their 20s through I'd guess their early 70s. It would have been nicer to have a few more people but considering these two are from Salinas CA (south of San Jose) and this was their first concert ever we can't complain. And based on their performance this evening they may get invited back to do at least a couple more concerts. I'm really pumped.

Jackie - Congrats on 5 of 6 days with workouts. Coming back with a vengence. :D And that was a neat article on DS potential doubles partner.

Here's to a restful evening and a weekend filled with times of recovery and peace. Until tomorrow,
Les

[Michelle Achuff]

Happy weekend everyone! Just checking in... ;) DH is doing a bit better this morning (he hasn't passed out from the meds yet!!) although his pain is always worse in the morning. I imagine he'll be going to rest soon, but this feels like some progress. I have some people coming over to help today (thank god for friends!) and I will actually take a nap without waking every 10 minutes to check on him.

Jackie~ That's great about your workouts...what a comeback! Hope next week is a good one for you too on that front. The sticky chicken was *awesome*, using the leftover bones (and meat) to make a chicken stock and some homemade chicken noodle soup for Sunday...mmmhmmm...doesn't chicken soup fix everything???

Les~ Awesome about the concert! Sounds like everyone had a good time, it's amazing what music can do to you and how it can really add to a fun night. I just love all kinds of music, especially live music. There's nothing like seeing the musicians perform :D

Well...I think I'm making the right decision this weekend. I'm scrapping my workouts (Sunday was supposed to be a day off anyway). I've got that nagging little critic in my head that says that is lazy, but I'm choosing to ignore it...lol. Truth is, I need to re-energize. My healthful living goal just for the weekend is to delegate some tasks to my friends, and accept their offer of help. I'm trying to be good to myself so I don't wear out on my husband this week. Toying around with doing a four day workout next week and then back up to six again the following, maybe I should ease back into things. I just hate feeling like I'm slipping when I'm making so much progress! Any thoughts on this???

Hope everyone is having a great weekend....


Smiles~

Michelle

[JackieO]

Les So glad you enjoyed the concert. Dork that I am, I clipped out an ad from today's paper for three upcoming organ recitals at St. Norbert Abbey (just up the road from my house). The third performer (next spring) is hmmm... I forget the first name but last name is Conte and he plays the Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia. Haven't been to the Abbey, but it sounds awesome. I love organ music....

Michelle I'm glad your DH seems to be making some progress and that you have good friends who can pitch in. My simple advice for easing back into your workouts is "listen to your body."

At the gym yesterday, I had to ask one of the fitness Nazis for some help adjusting the seat of the leg press machine. She told me in no uncertain terms that I was too far away and had to adjust it much closer to get the full range of motion. She squeezed me into the machine, then made me get out and SHE reset the machine to the wrong position and told me to demonstrate how to set it up for myself! Well, I have to admit, she was probably right, because between my glutes and my tired calves (from the seated-calf press machine), I'm taking today off from cardio! :rolleyes: DS is being rather obstinate about not going to play tennis this afternoon (it's a voluntary, round-robin type event), so I guess I'm going to get a little "busy shopping" done -- I need to run to Office Depot, Linens N Things, etc. It is sunny but cold here today, should be warmer tomorrow, so maybe DH and I can get out on the bike trail again.

As if anyone is interested in this....I need to go put my grocery list together!

Slugging off to run my errands....:o

[Laura]

Hey everyoone,

I too have been a slug this week. This cold has knocked me for a loop. I got one short walk in. Last night I had some friends over as a small going away party for my boss, and I stayed up too late, so the chances of working out today are slim and none.

Michelle, do take care of yourself and accept the offers of help.

Jas, I hope you are successful in fighting off your cold, mine hit so quickly, I was really surprised. So far my kids have avoided getting it though.

Jackie, way to go on all your workouts. That was a cute article, if I let my daughter see it though, she would just say he was cute! :D

Les, I am glad the concert went well.

Leah, I hope you're breathing issues get better and that it is not exercise induced asthma.

Well today I need to do some work (too much party planning yesterday) and just taking it easy. It is cool here today (50s) so soup might be in order for dinner.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Laura

[JackieO]

Originally posted by Laura
Jackie, way to go on all your workouts. That was a cute article, if I let my daughter see it though, she would just say he was cute! :D

Laura
Art is VERY cute....the picture doesn't do him justice. He still has a baby face, but he's about 5'11" and very muscular, although still thin. When they took his picture along with DS last Sunday as the tournament finalists, Art draped his arm over DS, who is about 5'3" (although he is starting to broaden out through the shoulders). They were both pretty cute. I think Art is well on his way to being the stud in the freshman class....

My shopping expedition turned out to be a real dud, but I redeemed myself when prowling the aisles of the liquor store. Bought a bottle of brandy for $4.99 on closeout! (When you mix it with sweet vermouth for Manhattans, you don't need top shelf!) :o

[Leslie Ferguson]

Michelle - I'm with Jackie. Listen to your body as you get back to your workout routine (not that I always do but that's what I'm told to do). And I'll echo Laura - let others do as much as they are willing to do. There is no need to be a hero and do everything yourself. If friends want to help then trust them. How does DH sleep? Meaning is he fully laying down in bed or does he have his head partially raised? I find that when my back hurts I like to sleep with my head slightly elevated for two reasons (1) it seems to take a little pressure off my back and (2) it tends to keep me from moving around in bed (probably more important).

Jackie - Glad you're getting some of the music that you so enjoy. Although I'm biased I really like both guitar music and 'cello. Of course I play both of those instruments (go figure).

Today's workout was pretty good but I felt like I was sledding in July. Not moving very fast and kind of slogging around (and it wasn't damp). I think I hate my shoes :mad: they just haven't gotten any better. Tonight's concert was great - they were a little more relaxed, of course yesterday was their first ever concert. To top the night off I decided to make dinner after the concert (to save money and make a healthy meal) and had marinated tuna steaks, wild rice mixture, green beans, and a fabulous salad. What a hit and the topper to a perfect evening. Feels funny though - I drank a moderate size glass of wine (I don't drink but maybe twice a year) and boy did I feel it. :rolleyes:

Be seeing you in the morning... peace to all,
Les