DVD/Video/At Home Exercisers, Week of August 16th

[sweetpea]

Whoa! August 16th already! September is on it's way...well, charisse isn't logged on yet, so i may be safe starting this thread!

Today is Firm day--not sure which one yet, probably BSS2 with Emily since I have been ignoring my BSS2 tapes! so that is my plan for today...the big news is that I won an aucton on ebay for 3 (new to me) Firm tapes--one is calorie killer and the other is upper body something and another calorie killer type tape--anyway got a great deal on them and can't wait for them to get here! :)

Eric's race on saturday went really well--he raced with my older brother and another cycling buddy and they are usually "the" team to beat. Everyone hates the Citgo/PBF boys when they show up with their fancy tent, etc. :) But this year they had some fierce competition and they were neck and neck the entire time--with my boys ahead of them by only a few minutes at the most. Then came the part where they had to kayak and our team's kayak had to be reinflated IN THE WATER at least 2 times that i know of! so they got way behind...came into the transition 9 min. behind the other team then had to do one more trip around Indy to gather some clues then finish--and they did, second and 9 mins behind the other team! so at least they didn't lose any more time! Everyone, including Eric's teammates and other spectators, commented on how hard Eric must have been training b/c he rocked! i was extremely proud of him, b/c he has been working hard! And my brother is the one who does all the solo races, etc. and team races and wins everyone of them--well, it was a humbling day for him as his BIL rocked it rather than him! :) good for both of them i think! so anyway, i had a great day just lazying around their tent/transition area talkign to passer-byers (is that a word?) and reading my book and taking pictures. I did get my walk in before i left--i was out walking in the early morning darkness at 5 a.m but the sun came up fast!

So walked on saturday, sunday was off day and today is Firm day with Emily...what is everyone else's plan? how was your weekends?

Engineer--i sent you an email last night--just replied to your last one so that may be your home account?

Food plan for today:
bkft: had a banana and 2 bluberry/lemon biscuits (we love this recipe)
snack: milk and grahams/fruit
lunch: leftover stuffed green peppers and corn on cob
snack: cottage cheese and tomato
dinner: tacos/burritos with leftover filling from stuffed peppers and another glass of milk
snack before bed: cereal or ice cream

[TerriS]

Morning! Sweetpea, so glad to hear the race went well!!! Sounds like a nail-biter!

Well, we had the threat of a hurricane here to start off the weekend, but it turned out alright. The threat of the weather cancelled our Saturday plans, so DH and I did our run/walk routine, got in a good 45 minutes and I ran a little more than I usually do! We were able to get our exercise in before the "hurricane" hit - which turned out to be less than a half an inch of rain. :rolleyes:

Sunday the weather was a lot better, but for a lot of it I was stuck inside installing our new home computer. Finally I couldn't take it anymore, had to get outsde and took Jack to the dog park, which is about 45 minutes of walking even though it's stop and go and on Jack's pace. :D Then later, around 7, I still had energy to burn, so I strapped the shoes back on and went for another run/walk - this time I ran even more - burned about 250 calories in about 35 minutes, average heart rate 144 or about 75% of max! And hoo boy my legs are feeling it today. I don't usually run - my joints hate the pounding. But I've discovered that the nice asphalt trail we have is easier on my bones than concrete, so that's a bonus! That was a real triumph for me!

Anyway, since I did all that later last night, I decided sleeping was in my best interest this morning. I probably should have gotten up and done some pilates, though. Maybe I'll do that when I get home tonight.

eating plan:
b'fast: smoothie & toast
snacks throughout day: apple/Laughing Cow, yogurt & wheat germ; veggies & white bean dip; one of those 100 calorie packs of Oreos (I normally am all about the healthy whole grain snacks, but I just had to try these - they at least have no transfats and I wanted to reward Nabisco for at least making the effort)
lunch: leftover whole wheat spaghetti with sauce made from leftover ratatouille and ground turkey
dinner: something quick; cucumber/tomato salad, hot dogs or grilled cheese, watermelon
dessert: Edy's No Sugar Added ice cream

[cniles]

Wow - I don't know where to begin!! I read through the last couple of posts from last week - and have so much to say!!:D

Emily - good golly! I am so glad you are ok. About 5 years ago I hit a deer too and it shocks the heck out of you! My van sustained about $500 worth of damage and I think the deer was ok - same thing it disappeared. How was the doctor's appt? Were you able to hear the baby's heartbeat?

Sweetpea - what a race! How often does Mr Pea do this kind of thing?!! And to reinflate while in the water?!!! I thought of you and Emily today - I was in getting my annual GYN appt and there were all these pregnant mommies in the waiting room:)

Susan - glad the WW video looks like it will be good!! 2lb weights are great to start with - just take your time!!

Terri - so glad the hurricane let up! We were supposed to get it early in the forecast but Sunday turned out to be a sunny day! And way to go with your running on Sunday! (I giggle b/c my oldest son's name is Jack and obviously you have a dog named Jack!)

SarahSamurai - how ya doing? Was the weekend less crazy for you?

Sarah Shoefling - I love the Iowa state fair! Spent many summers there with my grandparents! When my mom was little she was with 4H and entered many food items!!

Engineer - When's your next event? Will it go during the week as well as the weekend? And 88 mins is ok my dear!!:)

Gil - Did you get your DBF's clothes back? How was your weekend?

Linda's gotta be getting ready to go - I think she originally said the 19th they were leaving.

Paula - hope you had a great massage course weekend!!

Ok - Friday we froze 10 dozen ears of corn and also green beans! It took all afternoon. Thank goodness my mom were here to help! We spent most of the day worried about my FIL who lives in Venice,FL. He was about 15miles from where the hurricane landed. They stayed at a friend's house which had storm shutters - they called us around 6pm and said all was well. Venice fared ok - they were really lucky especially as we see what has happened all around them. Very scary for a while though.

We went to the Phillies game on Saturday and had a great time. The ballpark is beautiful - I even had a famous Geno's cheesesteak sandwich (grease and all!) Yesterday I power shopped (without kids!!) and bought a new kitchen table/chairs and new pictures for our powder room I painted. I went with a tuscan theme and got some beautiful pictures of the cedar groves in Tuscany.

So today was my doctor's appt and am now trying to figure out what to do with the kids! Wednesday's my birthday and I'm having some of the neighbor gals over for food and cake:D

Hope everyone is doing well!! Have a great day!

[swquilts]

Afternoon all! Not an exciting weekend, actually rather nice after the hubbub of the party, etc. I do admit to not doing any exercise..:( , but we walked all day shopping for furniture, does that count? ;) I did get up this AM and did some pretty fast stuff on the treadmill.

Engineer - Yep, that DVD seems to be an ad for the 3 DVD set. But I think I could do all three parts and still get a good workout. (it's Susan BTW....;))

Sweetpea - How cool for Mr Pea!! Way to go! Sounds like you had a nice time too, everyone needs to kick back right?

cniles - TG your FIL is OK. I was looking at the news and the papers, man, the devastation is awful. You get kudos for doing all that freezing IMHO. :)

I have a question for all...what brand/kind of shoes do you work out in? Do I need a different pair for the treadmill, aerobics, etc?

Gotta boogie, work calls....:rolleyes:

[EsteemSamurai]

Guys,

Haven't forgotten you or lost interest, but things here have been kind of... well... bad. My grandpa died on Friday last week, Loki's been getting sick more lately (we think its just shedding-related and that the hairball prevention stuff in her food combined with the bath we gave her this weekend will help) and between that and gearing up to two back-to-back business trips starting tonight, I'm just a little overwhelmed. We're having the funeral next weekend - my mom leaves to help her mom today, and I'm leaving for Illinois for the business trip. It's a real bummer, because I'm going to be gone for two weeks back to back, and I can't bring my Firm with me... it's just too heavy to fly with. So I'm going ot have to rely on hotel gyms and my pilates DVD. Anyway, I'm going to catch up on reading soon and hopefully post again in the not too distant future.

Take care of you all!
~S

[engineer]

Good afternoon everyone. Spent this morning in the jury pool. No I wasn't selected and good thing too as it would have buggered up the horse show. Don't know how much I'll be able to workout this week but try to get something in tonight. I will try and get something more substantial out later but I'm really frustrated :mad: at the time lost today so I'm gonna try and focus on at least getting one thing done today at work.

THis weekend though I did get both dogs washed. Not that either one liked it but now they are fluffy and smell good:D And we got the girls out with the new pads on their collars so there were no rub marks. No exercise this weekend.

swquilts - as long as I'm thinking of it, I have New Balance shoes. I get them through Runners something. I call them up and explain what I'm doing and they send me shoes. I have one pair that I use for aerobics and treadmill. But I know that shoes should be different if running. Oh and they should be changed every 500 hours or 9 months if I remember correctly but I do mine once a year.

[cniles]

Sarah - I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. It must be a very difficult time for you. Especially with all the traveling you are doing. Hang in there - I'll be thinking about you - exercise if you can and if it's going to make YOU feel better. Don't let it drag you down if you can't. BIG HUGS.

Susan - I use a general aerobic shoe - I have used New Balance before and now I have .... New Balance. (just checked my shoes - didn't realize they were the same company) You probably shouldn't use a running shoe to do aerobics due to the side to side motion - don't want to twist an ankle. Do you walk or run - I have used a "walking shoe" in the past -

Engineer - ugh - I hate sitting around waiting - thank goodness it only took part of your day - Mine took 2 days to only find out I wasn't picked (which was fine by me!) Glad you got your doggies all clean!!;)

BTW - I have done NOTHING today - cooked/baked/organized but did not exercise. Hmmmmmm.... I think my weight at the doctors has allowed me to procrastinate until tomorrow (it was good considering it was a dr's scale!) Time to cook some cod with a pineapple-chili-basil sauce - yummmmmmm:)

[Gilgamesh37]

((EsteemSarah)) I'm so sorry about your grandfather, especially since it sounds like you'll be on the road when you'd much rather be with your family. I second the thought that you need to be especially kind to yourself just now.

Engineer--way to miss jury duty! Keep us posted about the show.

I'm another New Balance aerobic shoe girl. I have incredibly wide feet (quack quack) and they're the only ones I can find that fit me properly.

Gotta run--work is such a disaster I'm actually sitting here at my desk laughing like a lunatic, because there's simply no other response.

[shoefling]

Good afternoon all! I had a great time at the fair and wonderful weather. Had a walking taco and some cotton candy. Lots of walking at the fair and there were so many people! I think that it may have been a record attendance day. Went for supper Sat. night at the new Cheesecake Factory that opened in West Des Moines. We had a super long wait but the food was pretty good. And the Godiva chocolate cheesecake was yummy but very rich. Four of us didn't even finish a piece. And I also had lots of leftovers from my meal. They serve gigantic portions! Also checked out the new mall that opened in West Des Moines, the place was a zoo! It is pretty nice. Also made a stop at Penzeys. I may need to stop back when I am back in Des Moines next weekend because I was in there 15 minutes before closing time and I'm sure that I forgot something!

I did run about 4 miles on the treadmill at the hotel Saturday morning. Sunday was a rest day. I may do a FIRM tape yet this evening, but so far I have not done anything exercise wise today.

Sweetpea- Yeah on the new FIRM tapes! And I am glad that the race went well.

TerriS- Glad that you missed the brunt of the hurricane weather. Sounds like you got quite a bit of cardio in over the weekend!

Charrise- Sounds like you froze a ton of stuff. Good to have around during the winter months. Also glad to hear that your FIL is OK.

Susan- For running I have a pair of Asics that I got at a running store. For aerobics I have a pair of Avias that I got at Kohls.

Sarah Samurai- I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather's passing. Plus back to back business trips that take you away from family. Take care of yourself and don't beat yourself up if you don't get all of your workouts in.

Engineer- Jury duty is something I have yet to be called for. At least it didn't interfere with your horse show! We didn't walk through the big horse barn at the fair, but I think I remember seeing a shire in the Avenue of Breeds. I did see that the Budweiser Clydesdales were at the fair too.

Gil- Hope that work settles down!

[Molli526]

Hi Ladies!

The thread is at a size I can jump back in. My DH got our other computer on the "network" so both are online now :)

I've been a good Firm girl :) Last week, 3 days, and the plan is 3 days this week of The Firm, worked with Allie today (BSS2) and am doing cardio on my off days. It feels so good. I am also back doing WW and have seen some results so I am a happy girl :D

((Sarah)) Sorry about your grandfather.

Sweetpea, that sounds like a great race

Terri, Glad you were barraged by the hurricane

Charisse, You were busy filling up that new freezer!

Susan, I wear Cross-trainers, but I am doing mainly aerobics, and a nightly walk ~1 mile to the mailbox and back. I'm a New Balance girl too :)

Engineer, Good luck at the horse show!

Gil, Hi!

[cniles]

Good morning everyone!

Molli - good to see you! You are doing well!! FIRM and WW - you go girl!! And Charles is adorable!!!:)

Dragged my butt downstairs and did BS2 with Emily this am. I need to get back into a routine again. Hopefully this will jump start it for me.

Today may be a pool day - 85 and sunny. School starts in 2 weeks so time is limited!!

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!!:)

[engineer]

Good Morning everyone! Just wanted to say that it’s always nice to know I’m going to ‘talk’ to you gals; you definitely brighten up my life. Ok mushy-ness over now. Well last night I did the 15 minute weight loss program on the treadmill and then I did Bow Flex but didn’t get anything else done exercise wise, so only 45 minutes. But we did get both girls washed and all of the stuff for them packed and ready to load, found the shop-vac (Scott had put it away so well he couldn’t find it and it’s a rather large thing to misplace), I got three loads of laundry done and we got the trailer hitched because we needed to take it in and have the electrical system checked. Lights would go on and off on the way home from the last fair and we don’t have time to do it ourselves. So needless to say the diet went right out the window (did you see it fly by). Tonight we get stuff loaded in the trailer and clean out the walk-in, etc. Only slightly nervous now.

Sweetpea – Yea on the new tapes. (We’re terrible enablers aren’t we?) And the race sounds like it was a doozie. So why did the boat keep losing air? Congrats to Mr. Pea on a superb performance. Yes I did get your e-mail and am working my way through it – lots of information there. I will get back on the food diaries when I get back from fair so we will start again next week. How’s lil’pea doing?

Terri – Excellent way to work ‘around’ the weather. You are my new roll model. I’m terrible if my plan falls through I am very likely to throw in the towel. Have to remind myself – Terri worked around a whole hurricane! I can work around (blank). And it sounds like from all the miles you put in you definitely had earned a recovery day.

Charisse – My goodness you got a lot frozen. That cheese steak sounded so luscious! Thank goodness I can live vicariously through you ladies (no cheese steak here! Heck they don’t even have country fried/chicken fried steak!) . Don’t say you didn’t do something ‘cooking/baking/organizing’ is a big something. In fact it’s something I should do….again after this show is over. So you ‘got down with the fanny lifter’, great way to get back in the swing of things ~ Emily is so darn perky. You and the kids have a fun day at the pool.

Susan (swquilts) – A recovery weekend is important. You have been going like a whirlwind, and downtime was definitely a must.

Sarah – So sorry to hear about your Grandpa. My mother’s side of the family always says exercise makes everything better. Not sure I always buy it, but if you think it might help with the stress then I wish you luck with your Pilates vid and the hotel gyms. Otherwise take as much time as you need before hitting the gym again, just please check in occasionally, we’d miss you if you didn’t. I do hope Loki’s feeling better. Did you name him after the Norse god? Good luck on those back to back business trips, I’ve got my fingers crossed that things go smoothly.

Gil – are you still laughing like a lunatic or have the men with the butterfly nets come to chase you down? Hang in there. Or as we used to say at school – it’s always darkest before it’s pitch black.

Shoefling – Glad to hear you had such a good time at the fair. And again I am so grateful I found you ladies as the vicarious food fest is wonderful. Thanks for the cheesecake factory description – yummy! 4 miles on the hotel treadmill – you go girl! The Bud Clydes are why I have big horses. When I was little (4 or 5) they were at the Natrona County fair (WY) and my aunt and uncle took me. My uncle was the tallest person I knew (6’ 6” or so) and he had to hold me over his head so I could see over the horses back. Right then and there I knew I wanted a ‘big’ horse. As I got older (and fatter) I wanted a horse that I wouldn’t hurt getting on it’s back so again I needed a ‘big’ horse. And now I have them (be careful what you want you just may get it)

Molli - yippee on getting the computers up and running. And you are really on track with your fitness regime, 3 firms/ week, cardio in between and WW. You’re on your way to be a lean mean workout machine!

[TerriS]

SarahSamurai, so sorry to hear about your grandpa.
Molli, welcome back!!!

yesterday ended up being a rest day :rolleyes: unless you count sprinting around Costco...I didn't get home and settled until about 9:30 which is pretty much bedtime! I did manage to get up and do pilates with Denise Austin though, go me! Hadn't done that routine in awhile and it felt good! If the weather permits (I say that every day, don't I) there might be some evening cardio...maybe another walk/run?

Speaking of which, I have a pair of Brooks running shoes. I went to a good reputable athletic shoe store and told them that basically I walk with a smidge of running and do elliptical and other cardio work and I overpronate, and this is what they brought me that felt good. I know I should probably use cross trainers or something but running shoes tend to be the lightest, which I like, and because they have pronation control they are sturdy enough for my other kinds of workouts. That seems to work pretty well.

Super busy today....project upon project being heaped on me...must run!

[swquilts]

Mornin' all! (Well, it's still morning here...;) )The boss is out today so I've been surfing furniture. :eek:

I actually did aerobics 2 days in a ROW!! Wow, a new record for me, seriously. I did the WW one again and it really isn't bad at all. A good starting point for me. Maybe after a couple of weeks of this one I can "graduate" back to psycho, I have rhythm, woman Kathy Austin. ;)

Thanks for the shoe info. Right now I'm using some Avia that are sort of old, at least 500 miles on them babies. I also have another pair of Avia's, very lightweight, but I haven't tried them for aerobics yet. Basically all I've done in the past was the treadmill so I'll see how the second pair work out.

Engineer - Sounds like you are all organized and ready to hit the road! How fun! Where are you headed for this show? Just like to said to me, downtime is always needed. You'll make up for it when you get back home.

SarahSamaurai - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I can empathize on the business trips, sometimes they just don't happen at the right time. Is there any way you can reschedule it? :(

Molli - Hi there! That little boy of yours is sure a sweetie pie. Are you looking forward to the WW changes next week? I heard something about we can either count or not count points, like an alternative plan of sorts.

Gil - what do you do that its so wild there right now?

Off for now....keep your fingers crossed that I make 3 days in a row!! LOLOL :D

[Gilgamesh37]

mwa ha ha!!! MWA HA HA!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Still in lunacy land here in Gil world.....some truly wacky stuff happening that is just hard to fathom.

Meanwhile, I'm suffering from DOMS---I didn't get much exercise at all while on vacation, really just one long but very slow-paced walk one day. So I came home, worked out Friday (Volume 2, had to lighten the weights, I was dying), 4 mile walk Saturday, and then Tough Tape on Sunday. And my legs are just screaming, my thigh muscles are so tight and sore I'm hobbling around like Igor. Every time I go to sit down on the floor at home, I emit all these little "ooh! ouch! zowie! yow!" and DBF cracks up. Going to try to do something tonight, though, even if it's just walking or something light, gotta stretch these guys back out!

Wanted to add that in addition to my cross trainer/aerobic shoes, I have a pair of straight running shoes that I use for walking--they're Sauconys (with custom-fitted orthotics in them) and I love love LOVE them, have replaced them twice so far. By far the best feeling walking shoe I've tried. We have a great running shoe store in my town, though, that carries a billion different shoes and encourages you to jog around the building, hop up and down on the sidewalk out front, etc., to make sure they feel good.

[Paula H]

Finally some free time at the computer!! And what better way to spend it that to quickly catch up with my favourite exercisers?

My weekend was very busy but fascinating - if only I had the $$ to do the full training course!! It's not even particularly expensive (although I'd also have to pay for travel and accommodation), but more than we can spare right now. The fact that this treatment style would serious help preserve my arms (a big problem for massage therapists) is very tempting!

And when I got home I found Dr Love had made massive progress with the painting - he'll probably finish this weekend (if the weather warms up for drying - the whole country's in the middle of a big ole storm at the moment).

Emily - Feel free to drop on buy and "help" clean out the garage! Sorry about your deer incident.

susan - How are your arms and shoulder doing?

sweetpea - Congrats on your videos!! Have you got them yet?

Can I join the weak-lower-back club??

Anyway. My working out is still sucking. Monday I just caught up on paperwork, Tuesday I worked the morning in the lab, followed by yet another osteo appointment, which means today is still my post-treatment recovery day. My plans include a bit of housework (hoping I won't do myself damage in the process) and finishing up these client survey forms I want to get in the mail today.

I'm trying to tell myself that catching up on all this paperwork means that I'll have more time to exercise, as currently I spend way too much time procrastinating and feeling guilty for not doing the paperwork, but don't exercise because it'll take up time I could use to do paperwork. Argh!!!! Paula is a silly woman who tends to be a bit lazy.

Yoga while doing TV is remarkably easy. Start off with floor poses and then progress from there over time. Why not multi-task and open out your hip flexors and stretch your hamstrings while watching the news??!?!?!

The vacuum cleaner beckons - and then I've really got to clean those empty vases.

[sweetpea]

Hi all! I am still here after missing a day posting--heaven forbid! Didn't want you all to think i was somewhere pushing a baby out! :) my mom freaks if i dont' email her by 8 a.m. and calls me to make sure i am okay...gotta love my momma! okay, this is just a "drive by" posting as i am on my way to "work it out on the fanny lifter". I did BSS2 with Emily on Monday and was SORE yesterday in my calves and quads--i love that! haven't been sore in a long time and i haven't done that tape in a long time--think there is a connection? Anyway, not sure which one i will do today--probably BSS2 with Jen and see how the HRM works with hers (ran about 120-150 with emily's). Yesterday was walk day--so nice and cool again, but my garden really could use some rain :( I have all kinds of stories and comments to tell you all but no time right now--i promise to get back here this p.m. and fill you all in--here's a hint of what's to come--DH has been offered a 6 month contract with the England based firm that he had gone over to see in May (remember the drama?)--they wanted him to have more software programming skills in May and now they have adjusted their job description to fit him to a T and offered him the job again! YEA!!! more later --oh and i love my saucony walking shoes too--they look like granny shoes, but i love them. and i have Nike cross-trainers for aerobics, which i am off to strap on! :) happy wednesday my sweets!

[TerriS]

Good to hear from you sweetpea! How many weeks are you now?

Taebo this morning. Since we finally set up the VCR again I busted out the old original basic workout...it was like an old friend. Haven't done that workout in at least a year (didn't have a VCR for awhile). It was the first video workout I ever had and did it exclusively for a looooong time. Put everything I had into it and got a lot out in return. Plus have sore abs from pilates yesterday. Good to be sore, you know?

Hope everyone has a good day!

[cniles]

Good morning all! Sweetpea, I was wondering about you yesterday!! Can't wait to hear all about the job offer!! Yea!!!

Well I'm taking the day off in honor of my birthday ;) I just made Paula Deen's Better than Sex Cake (never made it before so I HAD to try it!!) The boys gave me 2 beautiful colbolt blue flower pots. And have to wait for DH's gift for later! I'm having a couple of the girls over for some nibbles and cake later tonight - get to try out my h'ors doerves skills!!:D

Gil - are you back on the ground yet - you had me rolling!!!!!

Susan - way to go with 2 workouts in a row!!!

Terri - I have a couple of old VCR tapes I would love to bring out again! I tried switching my favorites over to DVD but there are still a couple I couldn't find. and yes it's good to be sore!!:)

Engineer - best of luck with this weeks fair!! You sound ready to go!! I did see that diet fly by and in came those fried oreo cookies!!:D

Paula - yea for Dr. Love - can you post pictures when you're done?

Emily - we haven't heard from you this week... everything ok?

Hi to the Sarahs!!!

Have a great day all!!:)

[Gilgamesh37]

holy cannoli, I almost missed it:


HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARISSE!!!!

[EmilyK]

Sorry I'm so late at checking in this week. I'm here and fine, for the most part. I haven't exercised at all since the last time I posted. I will not hang my head in shame, though!! :) My dr. appointment sucked. I posted about it on the PG thread if you want all the details, but as a summary, we didn't hear anything. Then, I spent the afternoon crying and being depressed. I did change doctor's offices and am now going to be going to a group of midwives. Hopefully, I will like them better. The garage sale went really well this weekend!! We made around $185 (then take out our half of the $30 for the ad). Not too bad! Frodo was really bad, though. He has separation anxiety and went a little nuts when we were across the street. If he knows we drive away, he's fine. But, he freaked out and shredded our entry rug, tore holes in one of my throw pillows, and added some holes to my curtains. <sigh> Anybody know if separation anxiety can be fixed or improved?? Monday, I just didn't get time to post and then the fumes in our office got really bad in the afternoon. They actually came around at 3:30 and told us that we could go home if they were getting to us too bad. Of course, I did!! Then, that night I got really sick and went to bed at 7:30 (I think it was food related, not M/S) and slept until 7:00 the next morning - and then stayed home from work yesterday. So, that's about it. I'm still a little weak from the probable stomach bug I had, so no weights for me today either. Hopefully, we can squeeze in a walk tonight if the weather holds.

I'm not sure I'm going to try to catch up with the personals at this point... I'll just start fresh from now. Happy Birthday Charisse!!

[engineer]

Morning ladies. Last night we had one heck of a thunderstorm roll through (why did I move to a state where the storms come in at 2 or 3 am?) So the horses (and their pretty white feet) are no longer clean – ugh! Well we knew we would have to wash legs down there, but now it’s a big job. And I must say – I have a great DH! Last night we got home and I was all set to start loading and he said you go do your workout and I’ll work on pulling manes and tails and when your done come on out and we’ll get the horse stuff loaded. Can you imagine that? So I did Functional Strength with Bonnie and you know what Gil – You are soo right! She is really terrible on cueing. Now every time I do it I pick up another point where the cueing is wrong or late or whatever. It’s still a good workout and once I have it memorized I can ignore her but until then eck! Anyway I did that and it’s only 42 minutes but I did something. Of course when we were trying to PUSH the wagon into the trailer (dang it’s heavy when full of harness and doesn’t roll easily) my bum was killing me. But everything is in for the girls but their buckets and them. Tonight we load our stuff and then tomorrow we take off for an 8+ hour drive to Hutchinson. It’s going to be cool (upper 40’s, low 50’s) at night so we through in extra blankets. So I won’t be able to check up on all of you – but I will be thinking of you!

Terri – again I bow to you am exercise queens. I really admire how you can get up and get going - especially when it’s Denise Austin. She is way too perky for me first thing in the morning. And I find her voice grates on my nerves. But I will say good job on the am Pilates. And good job on getting the VCR back and getting out the old tape. They are old friends aren’t they?

Susan (swquilts) – 2 days in a row (very good) now for 3! I do see a trend developing. Keep up the good work (I’ll be checking up on your progress when I get home.)

Gil – Vol 2 is a killer (even if you back off the weights and lots of jumps) and then walking and finally Tough Tape. You’re being a gluten for punishment. It’s no wonder you’re hobbling around. (BTW I pictured you as Igor but from Young Frankenstein) I think it was from your mad laughter earlier. Anyway I hope that work is settling down some or at least that you keep out running the men with the white coats with the arms that tie in the back.

Paula – So glad your back! Also it sounds like the training went well. I have an idea to address two items you mentioned – a reward jar. Every time you work out you put some money in your reward jar for your class. That way you’re motivated to work out (even with paperwork looming in the distance) and you will get to go to your class! Dr. Love gets the gold star for being so diligent on the home decorating front. And you may say it’s easy but TV and yoga will always be a problem for me. I have enough problems with balance and breathing if I’m distracted – boom down I go.

Sweetpea – Girl we we’re wondering what happened to you. Good sore is pleasant (sometimes I wonder if we’re normal?). Good luck with Jen today. And you can’t pop in and say “I have all kinds of stories and comments” and then pop out. The suspense is killing me. And I am so excited to hear that DH got that job for the English company. See they knew (like you did) that he’s a winner and they didn’t want him to get away. Mr. Pea rocks!

Charisse – Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Charisse, Happy Birthday to you. (OK I’ll stop singing now) Let us know how the cake tastes (sounds sinful). You enjoy your birthday and remember tomorrow back to the grind stone.

Emily - Sorry to hear the Dr. appt was less than satisfactory. But hopefully this change to midwives will help. I don't know if Dr was a man but I prefer women - don't tend to think it's in my head and more willing to listen. (also realize that those items they stick in you are not very comfortable especially when cold) Very good take on the garage sale though. And yes seperation anxiety (in dogs anyway, still working on horses) can be corrected. Do you crate? And also practice with no big excitement filled returns be very matter-of-fact/low key. Hope this bug you have leaves you shortly so you can get back to your active and happy self.

[Molli526]

Happy Birthday Charisse!

Susan, I am pretty intrigued about the new thing at WW next week. I think they will be going back to exchanges. I will go by points still if that is the case. Just works better for me.

Engineer, you do have a great DH to encourage you to get your workout in :)

Yea for Mr. Pea and the job offer!

Emily, glad you have a new Dr's office :)

Gil, you make me laugh- walking around like Igor

Hi Paula :)

I haven't gotten my workout in yet today. Charlie was up every couple of hours wanting to eat, so I was up too. I didn't get up until 9am, which is pretty late for me. After he wakes up from this nap, I am going to feed him and head right to the basement and work out with Jen and BSS2. I have to say, after being away from my Firm tapes for so long, it is so nice to be back to them.

[sweetpea]

Happy Birthday Charisse!!! had to get that out! :) hope you are enjoying your day and your cake..mmmm..you WILL have to review the cake for us!

well, i'm bbbaaaaccckkk! shew! been a busy few days. Monday was a busy day getting my sister's Coke stuff ready to put onto Ebay to sell for her--took till 4 p.m. and still have some to do today! Monday's are just busy in general anyway after being lazy all Sunday...
Yesterday was a big day--DH had heard from the England company (it's called RTS) last week and about the possibility of them wanting to hire him--total shock by the way! So then he talked to Peter the England contact yesterday a.m. and they offered him to work on contract for 6 months then after that go full time--still working from home/traveling, etc. HE IS THRILLED and SO AM I! so glad we are faithful and didn't give up on God and His plan for us when all this didn't happen in May when we thought it was PERFECT! so anyway, he will have to go to England at some time, just not sure when. Probably in September but not sure how long--sounds like we have all the details don't we? :) so he WILL be home for october when the baby is due that is for sure. My mom/dad are all worried (my dad works for the same company as a consultant) about me freaking out if he has to go to England soon, but i am not--just 100% supportive of him and this job, i am really not worried! Mom wants me to go with him, have the baby in England and then she can come visit!ha! my younger brother is actually living over in London now, so that would work well! So anyway, we went to breakfast yesterday a.m. to celebrate then did some shopping in town while there then hurried home to bake a loaf of bread i had rising and whip up some banana bread at the same time, then pulled those out of the oven and took off to watch my nephew (15 months and the CUTEST kid in the world--although i AM partial!) so my sister/hubby could go to their midwife appt (they are doing a home birth this time around! yikes!) then i had to hurry home from there, pick up DH and head to our last Bradley class :( kinda sad, but hopefully we will have a reunion next spring so we can all show off our babies and tell our birth stories. i am kinda glad i won't have to spend all tuesday nights there anymore though--it's hard on me going to bed at 11 p.m.--i am a 9 p.m. to bed kinda girl you know? so yesterday was a whirlwind day--so glad i got my walk in early!

so today, i had the first day of our mom's connection group at church, basically a bible study group for women/mommies, etc. then headed to grocery, post office to mail ebay stuff then home to make lunch for DH and I and now i am trying to finish up ebay stuff and work on my grocery list for next week's catering AND...drumroll please...trying to get in touch with my FIRST CLIENT from the personal trainer place!! i can't wait to see what they want/need, etc. a new challenge and new money! :) so anyway, not TONS going on, but enough to keep me busy! so happy i have you all to share it with!

okay, now some personals...
Terri--how do you like the 100 cal oreos? i am thinking i need some of those, or maybe lil' pea needs them? ahhh...tae bo...i am half tempted to pull mine out again, but realized that i probably wouldn't be able to kick that well with this bowling ball attached to my abs!

Paula--i agree with Engineer--"pay" yourself everytime you workout and voila soon you will be off learning new things! what a great plan. and our love for dr. love continues to grow--i have some kitchen cabinets that need to be ripped out and new ones put in--is he available after he gets done with yours? so what are your osteo appts like? physically intense?

Charisse--DH does these adventure races usually once a month or so, he'd do more but most of them require a co-ed team and hard core girls are hard to come by around here...especially with his number one girl being prego! and glad you got all your produce frozen--feels good to know it's done doesn't it? i need to do something with all my tomatoes...and we NEED rain--my garden is drying up and i hate watering it-but alas, i will.

Gil--LOL! you kill me! i totally can see you throwing your head back at your desk and cackling! i had to think of the count from sesame street--i am constantly counting and adding in his "ah ah ah" after each number-DH gets a kick out of it. oh and you and Eric were walking the same way it sounds! he did so much rollerblading at the urban race on saturday that he used parts of his quads that he doesn't usually use and man has he been looking OLD!! i laugh and laugh at him when he goes down stairs--takes 15 minutes and he still looks funny.

Susan--yes ma'am shopping/walking counts as exercise, at least you aren't sitting on your butt at home! and like i mentioned before i have saucony walking shoes that i love and had always used old running shoes for aerobics till i realized i needed more stability--hence the Nike crosstrainers. and way to go on 2 days of aerobics in a row! can she make it THREE??

Sarah--so sorry about your grandpa--sending hugs and love your way--and will be thinking of you as your travel around--take care of you!

Shoefling Sarah--ohhhhh cotton candy! ohhhhhh Godive cheesecake...ohhhh...i am jealous, can you tell?

Molli--welcome back! i was wondering about you--and yeah to the loyal Firm-ies! :) and i love how you have Charlie as your avitar--show off that cute baby!

Engineer--i love mushy stuff too--i think the same thing everytime i log on to report in and check on everyone. and ONLY 45 minutes of workout--you slacker you! and good luck at the show--well you don't need luck, rather i should say--have a great time and don't be nervous! oh and the boat/deflating issues at the race on saturday--who knows WHY--bad boats with bad plugs--they alreayd promised that next year they will have REAL kayaks. genius, just genius. and lil' pea is doing great--thanks for asking--everything was great at our midwife appt last week--baby is head down, heartrate right at the midline of 140 and i am measuring right on target! so far so great.

Emily--oh i am so glad you found a new midwife group-=-i hope this works out better for you and i am still sorry taht the other one didn't work out/wasn't very sensitive to issues. and yea on the garage sale success--so nice to see money come from JUNK isn't it? too bad you might have to spend the money to fix Frodo's bad behavior, i.e. new curtains, etc.?! poor guy--i can just seem him tearing stuff up with those big cute ears straight up in the air! hope you feel better soon and hope it doesn't have to do with the bad air at work...

alright...enough for now, i think i am all caught up! have a great day you all--BSS2 with Jen this a.m. went great--what a workout! time for my nap...(hmm..maybe i really WILL take one today)

[EsteemSamurai]

Thanks, all, for the sweet condolences and kind thoughts. I appreciate it. I'm going to hijack the thread for a moment, so if you're short of time, skip this post. :)

So my life is one of those weird stories lately. Those bizarre happenings in an attached sequence that shouldn't really be, but occur anyway. Let me catch you up. Last week Friday my grandfather passed away, which we've discussed. It's the third death in 12 months for me, the second which was someone I was extremely close to, and it has affected me in a strange way. When Heather died (my best friend from high school and college roommate), I went through the usual steps - shock, anger, remorse, denial, sadness, acceptance... yaddy-yaddy-yadda. I love Heather so much, and I just want her to be where she's happiest, healthiest, and loved. And Heaven is that place. So I'm okay with it now, and we have conversations and life is fine.

But with my grandfather... it feels like nothing. My Mom called and told me at work and I didn't cry. Just sort of accepted it. Like, "Yep, that's what I figured would happen." I was more concerned about how DH and my brother would take it. I still haven't really cried about it. I don't know if its just not real to me yet... or what. But my behavior has changed in other ways. Of course my eating has been impacted... what kind of good little disordered girl would I be if it weren't (sarcasm, folks... when we're talking about death, it's to be expected)? I go in heavy, rolling waves of not wanting to eat/not feeling hungry to not wanting to eat/feeling hungry to wanting to eat/not feeling hungry to self-loathing and desiring to purge. This is not me. This is some other woman's disorder that's taken up residence in my body. And it's wretched.

But I figure I don't have time for that stuff, right? I mean, I have business trips looming, don't I? Sure... Monday I get up, go to work, put in a full day until my eyes are about bloody from staring at the computer - its about 5:30pm, I wolf down dinner, and then I leave for the airport. Flight is at 9pm. I get there in plenty of time, check in, check my bags, and wait a teammate I'm supposed to meet there. No sign of him... or is there? I see a guy sitting a little ways up from me, but he looks too greasy to be the guy I'm supposed to meet so I ignore him. Then I get on the plane and fly to Chicago. We get into Chi-town around 10:30ish (central time) - I get my bags with no real trouble and look around for the guy I'm supposed to meet. Still no sign of him. I go to the taxi area, hail a cab, and the fun begins.

You see, there are two types of cabs from O'Hare... city cabs and suburb cabs. The taxi man informs me of this and that if I take a city cab, it will cost me meter and a half. This is because city cabs, while much more prevalent than suburb cabs, suck donkeyballs. So I call 303 cabs, which is a suburb cab I could find a phone number for. The lady on the other side of the phone is pleasant and informs me that I will be looking for cab #102 at entrance 3G. Fine. I tote my little roller bag over to 3G and wait. And wait. And wait. By this time its 10:50 and I'm getting a little nervous. I notice a guy with a Firm bag and ask him if he's the guy I'm supposed to meet. Nope. He's in Chicago for training. Super.

11:00 - I see way down the line a 303 cab. JOY! It's my cab!!! I tote my suitcase down the line and try to get in. Except the taxi man won't let me because only city cabs are allowed to load from this spot and this cab is a burb cab. Mean Taxi Man. I walk back up the sidewalk to the area where suburb cabs CAN pick up, get in the back, and off we go.

*sighs* You'd think at this point that I'd have some sort of expectation as to where this could all go. But no. I tell the cabbie where I want to go - the Doubletree Suites in Glenview, IL on 1400 Milwuakee Ave. Milwuakee Ave is a pretty big thoroughfare, so I figured that'd be plenty. Ha! The cabbie looks back at me and asks if I know how to get ot where I'm going. "No," I said, "I know it's near to the mall, but otherwise I'm not really clear." "Well, should I take Dempster or Touhy?" he asked. "I don't know," I said, "Why don't you call dispatch and ask?" "Oh no," he demures. "I have a map."

And so we drive along and get off at Dempster, him telling me that this will run right into Milwuakee and give him plenty of time ahead to make sure he doesn't miss it. So we get off at the exit, drive for about 2 miles, and then pull off into an abandoned Mexican grocery store parking lot, no lights in site. No warning. We just do. He turns on an overhead light and I'm suddenly afraid I'm going to get killed. I fumble in my purse for my cell phone and palm it while he gets out a map. He pours over the map, "Glenview...glenview...glenview..." he says repeatedly, as though he's not sure where the hell Glenview is. I have visions of ending up in Wisconsin.

After five minutes, he closed the map and pulled back out onto the thoroughfare. We drive along until we get to the intersection of Demster (I think) and Milwuakee and we turn. We drive for another mile or so before I hear, "****!" and we pull off again. I figure we're turning around, and I'm right. What I didn't expect was to turn around IN A CEMETARY. I pretend to sleep.

The remainder of the drive was fairly uneventful. We only passed the hotel once, turned around (in a less frightening location - gas station) and then he pulls up to the banquet entrance, which is obviously closed. "Could we go to the front?" I ask timidly. He is apologetic. "Of course, just a moment," he says and he turns around... and begins to head towards the exit! "STOP!" I say, "The entrance is on the right. Here, just let me out and I'll walk."

He wouldn't let me. He insisted he drive me to the front, so I waited impatiently until we were in view of the doorman and hand him my credit card. Which he can't make work. The window of the cab says that if the driver won't let you use your credit card, the ride is free. I was not in the mood to deal with that and I had the cash to cover it in my wallet, so I threw some money in his direction, jumped out of the cab, grabbed my bags, and went into the hotel.

By this time, it was midnight. I get to the front desk and the woman greets me by handing me a phone. It's Lisa, the third member of the team I'm working with. Michael, the guy I was supposed to meet, is not here. Why? Because he got salmonella foodpoisoning and had to rush from the airport to the hospital. Apparently he saw me there, but was on his way running to the bathroom and didn't want to frighten me.

Ironic, eh?

Anyway, Lisa wanted to let me know that we were probably going to cancel the trip and head home the following day. She was going to call me after touching base with the client tomorrow morning. So, I took my complimentary cookie, hung-up with Lisa, and finished checking in. Went upstairs, called DH and then crashed... fell asleep around 1am and got up again at 6:30am.

Lisa called at 8:30 to confirm that yes, we were going home. Happily, no more cabs. We get to the airport, I change my ticket, and get on the 11am flight from ORD to LGA. On the flight home, I sit next to a guy who is auditioning for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - an ear, nose and throat doctor. Scintillating. But I wish him the best of luck... I arrive home by 1:05pm and am back in Stamford a little after 2:30. I have since learned that the site visit is to be rescheduled for next week. And I'm going to be doing both Morton Grove AND Glenview in one week. The week after I attend my Grandfather's funeral.

Skippy.

And now you're caught up for the moment. It's an odd life, eh? But at least I got the frequeny flier miles...

I'm not going to bother posting my food diaries, as it's really awful. As I alluded to before, I've been eating too much - calorically its probably reasonable, but I eat almost all of it at night time, so it really could be categorized as binge eating. My exercise, too, has been junk. All I want to do is sleep. *sighs*

Anyway. I will post personals next time, I promise. I need to get back to work, but there will undoubtably be more later. *hugs to you all*

[Paula H]

Just whizzing by before having breakfast to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARISSE!!!!

[shoefling]

Happy Bithday Charrise! Have a great and fun day!

Sarah-- You sound like you have a ton on your plate right now and not enough time/energy to deal with it all. Be gentle with yourself. Grief can be expressed in so many ways and the process isn't set in stone. It may be true that it all hasn't hit you yet. Especially with everything else that you have going on. Just try and take it one day at a time. It sounds like your trip was one from h*ll, and I am sorry that you had to spend all of that time on the plane, in the cab, at the hotel just to fly home and have to do it all again in a week. It doesn't sound like a good time at all. I hope that things start looking up for you soo! (((Sarah)))

Sweetpea- Yeah on the new client for you and the job offer for DH! Reading your schedule of activites for the past few days is making me tired!

Paula- Glad that the training went well. And yeah on Dr. Love getting some painting done.

Emily- Glad that the garage sale went well. Too bad about the damage that Frodo did to your belongings though! I don't have any advice on separation anxiety though as I have never had a dog.

Molli- Hope you were able to squeeze your workout in during Charles' nap!

Engineer- Have a great time at the fair this weekend!

Terri- I also have the original Tae BO tape and it has been ages since I have pulled it out. May have to do that one of these days.

Susan- Did you manage 3 days in a row?

I ended up doing BSS2 with Jen on Monday evening. Had to get it in before the Olympics came on. Yesterday I just took a short walk. Nothing too big. Today I am going to BSS2 with Emily. Will get to that after I get done playing on the BB. I worked 7-3 at the hospital today and getting up at 5 am so I can leave for work around 6 is not easy for me! So it will probably be an early to bed night for me! Tommorrow I have a bunch of errands to do. Grocery shopping, getting the oil changed in the car, buying school supplies for me, doing some inservice stuff at the hospital. I hope that it quits raining so I can mow the yard tomorrow too. It definitely needs it and I will be gone part of the weekend so it needs to get done!

[swquilts]

Slacker/loser checking in...:( . I could NOT drag it out of bed to do aerobics this AM. My body was talking me a little too loudly about abusing it for 2 days. So, I did some arm/rotator cuff exercises instead. Good for the arms, squat for the heart...oh well.

((Sarah)) I thoroughly despise it when the cab driver has no freaking clue as to where they are going! I know that frustration and a couple of the others you mentioned in your post. I have a big trip planned next month to San Antonio so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Has anyone ever been there?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARISSE!! and many, many more! Glad to see you took a day off for yourself, but it sounds like someone needed to make YOU a cake. :)

Engineer - good luck on your competition!

Gil - Girl, you just crack me up!! What DO you do for a living anyway??

Sweetpea - congrats to Mr Pea! Hope its everything you all want. BTW, when in Lil Pea due?

Emily - hope you get good vibes with the new docs. I thought there was a post on the Other Stuff board about canine sep anxiety.

Gonna run for now....time to GET OUT OF HERE!!! :D

[shoefling]

I just had to check back in to report that I did BSS2 with Emily this evening. Then when I went to jump in the shower I turned it on and....nothing! NO water! So I am going around the house checking all of the faucets. The faucets in one half of the house and the basement are working. But not the master bath. So I go around again. Now the master bath shower and faucet is working. Then it is not. I had to go drive around the neighborhood to see if they were working on a water main somewhere or something, because I know I paid my bill! Turns out the fire department is opening each of the fire hydrants on the street and running them for a few minutes. of course one of them just happens to be along the edge of our yard. I know where the super wet spot in the yard is going to be if I am able to mow tomorrow! :rolleyes:

Susan- Good for you for listening to your body. Even if you didn't get the aerobics in, at least it sounds like you got arm work in. Better than nothing is something in my book!

[Molli526]

Just popping in to say I really like the 100 calorie snack packs (Chips Ahoy, Oreos & Wheat Thins)

I was bad and didn't get my workout in. Got caught up doing other stuff, then we had a visitor, then dinner and our nightly walk.

[sweetpea]

good morning all-quick pop in before my walk. we have a meeting with our insurance man this a.m.--gotta get life insurance set up, etc. i hate insurance, have i mentioned that? oh well--off we will go to meet with him after i get my walk in--going to try to rouse DH to go with me since it's more fun that way! :) did BSS2 with Jen yesterday and my heart rate was in 130's during the warm up and cool down and for the rest of the time in 140-150's! even during arm work! shew-ee! i was pooped afterwards--especially after staying up late the night before and getting up early to do aerobics, but i was glad i did! I love walk days--no dungeon workout! :)

shoefling sarah--please send the rain (or your firefighters!) our way--my grass is dying, my garden is dying...got all hot/humid yesterday and really windy last night, but alas...no rain. and i must admit, i love errand day. love it. i know, i am weird.

susan--well kudos for you for getting up and doing your rotator cuff exercises--regardless of the lack of cardio it's probably something you needed to do! and lil' pea is due 10/15/04--i will be 32 weeks and starting my 8th month TOMMORROW! yowzas--almost here!

sarah--hugs and more hugs! holy cow are you great--i would have been stressed out/freaking out if all that happened to me--i have NEVER even been in a cab so you can imagine how freaked i would be! and when my grandpa died i didn't really grieve until the funeral and it hit me, but i think b/c he was old and had lived a good life, it wasn't so traumatic for me--does that make sense? regardless, take it easy and don't feel guilty for not feeling sad, etc. either you have accepted his death or it will come soon enough. :) now go eat a snack. (gotta love dietitians don't you?)

molli--glad to hear you like those 100 cal snacks--i am impressed they have no hydrogenated oil in them and i think i might have to try them!! and does your nightly walk count as PART of your workout?! :)

have a good day everyone--will be checking back later to see what eeryone else is up to!

[cniles]

First of all, THANK YOU ALL, for all of the birthday wishes!!!:) You guys are so great!!! I had a wonderful day - and am paying for it today!! My neighbors stayed till midnight. The food was good, the cake was delicious!!! And we had too many glasses of wine:rolleyes: So I am very slow this morning - hoping to get motivated this afternoon so I can begin to work it off. The Better than Sex cake was unbelievable (not sure if it was better than sex..;) - but it was darn good!)

Sarah - I read your post with my hand over my mouth the whole time. I am so sorry you went through that crap with everything else you're going through right now. Give yourself some time to grieve/process this. Rely on your DH (sounds like he is very supportive) - One day at a time. Hugs.

Sweetpea - 8 months!! Woo hoo - almost there!! And I'm so excited for you and Eric!! Congratulations - and your first client too - much excitement in the Pea household!!

Susan - 3 days in a row is a stretch!! Glad you did listen to your body and take it easy!! And the cake was just divine!:)

Shoefling - argh - how frustrating not to have water and not know why!!! Especially when all you want to do after a workout is take a shower!! Hope you get your lawn mowed!! We'll probably have to wait till Sunday - had massive thunderstorms this am and it's supposed to continue off and on thru Sat pm.

Molli - sometimes you gotta take a break and let your body catch up (especially with sleep!!) Does Charlie watch your workout? I remember putting Sam in the bouncy seat when I got on the nordic trak!!

Emily - I hope you are feeling better. And I'm so sorry you didn't get to hear the heartbeat. Hope the new group of midwives works for you guys - when do you go to see them? Hugs.

Engineer - thinking of you and your LONG drive to the fair!! Best of luck- I know you guys are going to do well!!!

Gil, Paula and Terri - Hi to all!!! And again thanks for the birthday wishes!!! You guys made my day!!:)

[EsteemSamurai]

Morning all,

Back to the ole grind. It's kind of nice to be at home unexpectedly - I get to move at a slightly slower pace than normal. Got up this morning at a luxurious hour - 7am, and then did the Firm with Emily. I had a harder time with it this time than the first, but I think that's because my excersise routine has kind of fallen apart. I'm going to try and get back on track though. I was able to do all of the moves except the jab-punch-knee raise combo and the shift from star to double knee raise. I always manage to pull it back together by the second double move, but that shift is just beyond me so far. Still, I was pleased. The only other move I crapped out on was the rope-pull set, because DH was on this way out and I had to give him his usual kiss good-bye. Ahh, men! :D

Anyway, then showered, got my yogurt and cereal for later sometime, and walked to work. I've got a pile of paperwork to go through, but nothing that's technically due today, so it's almost as though I don't need to be here. Hah! ;) So, I'll probably leave at a decent hour and get to the grocery store - Loki's running low on food and DH needs sinus stuff for the flight Friday.

Food plan today:
Breakfast: Probably nothing (I'm being realistic here... it just depends on when I eat my yogurt/cereal)
Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 6 oz. FF Strawberry-Banana Light N' lively w/ 1 C. low-carb cereal (Post Cinnamon Os... they're really yummy!)
Snack: Nothing
Dinner: 1 C. spaghetti squash topped with 3/4 C. ground turkey seasoned with taco seasonings, 1/4 C. FF shredded cheddar, and 1 spear broccoli, chopped, baked; 2 C. raw mixed veggies with salsa topping; 1 low-carb pita
Dessert: Depends on how my binging goes. If I can keep myself under rein, then I'll have a Slim-Fast shake for dessert (which hopefully will be better for me than the alternative). If not, a sundae made with 1 C. sugar-free turkey hill ice cream, 1/2 C. smores cereal, and 1 T. caramel topping

*whew*
AND NOW... personals! I'm gonna try and make these as current as possible, since I'm so behind.

Charisse: HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Joyeux Anniversaire! Celebrate like it's 1999... or something like that. ;) How was the Better than Sex cake? Did you side-by-side it to verify the claim?? ;-D What'd you and the girls end up doing?

Emily: I'm sorry about the Dr's appointment and I hope the midwives are more your style. It's all about you and the peanut, so take good care and make sure you're happy-happy (to quote Emeril). Congratulations on the success of the garage sale - that's fantastic! How are you and DH going to spend your newfound loot? For Frodo - I don't know if it will work, but when Loki was a baby kitten and still nervous when we left, I bought her a stuffed animal and had it sleep with DH and I for a while. Then I gave it to her in her bed and whenever I left for work in the morning, I put her in bed with her toy. DOn't know whether something like this might work for Frodo?

Engineer: Boo hiss to the rain that mussed your ladies pristine tootsies. On the other hand, just one more excuse to get some non-video related exercise, which I love. I'd imagine you work up quite a sweat trying to get the muck out of that long hair. And big points to your DH for being such a sweetie and knowing what you really needed. That's awesome! And PS - don't knock 42 minutes of work... there are so many people (myself included) who can't manage the minimum 20 per day, that you should take pride in all you do! Enjoy Hutchinson and the time with DH. :)

Molli: How long have you been away from the Firm? Do you have to go back to following Suzanne or does it come back fast? Nightly walks count! Don't knock 'em, even if you don't get a video in.

Sweetpea: Congratulations on the awesome new opportunity for DH AND to you for having your first new client experience. How was it? Did you have a good time and connect well with them? What'd you guys do? It's funny you mention your DH's new shot - the partner at our Firm called me yesterday to ask me if I'd be interested in a week-long trip to Lyon for a SOx review there, since the staff in the Lyon office aren't available. Lyon! France!! So, as with your DH, I may need to brush off my passport soon. :) What will he be doing over there? Where in England will he be? Will you and Little Pea join him for the stint, or will it be a long-distance love affair for a while? My folks did that a lot -my dad was in Singapore for 6 mos when I was in HS, for example. It's hard, but they managed and I can tell that with your faith and your great relationship, you could too. How was the Momma's Connection meeting? Do you find it supportive? What kind of Adventure Races do you and DH do? Are they multi-sport or extreme sport or what? Good luck with the insurance man... I don't like anything anymore that makes me think about death for too long. *sighs* But these things are necessary evils, I suppose.

The cab experience is just funny to me anymore. If I took this stuff seriously, I'd be in sad shape. I was scared at the time, but in all seriousness, I had my phone and I have relatives that live in the area (Park Ridge), so I could have called them in an emergency. And that's pretty consistent across the board - having moved so much, I know people most places, one way or another. :) But thanks for the props - I appreciate it. And I *do* love dieticians....I don't always listen to them, but... A nutritionist saved my life. ;)

Paula, Gil, and all the people I'm missing: Hihi! :)

SarahFling: You're really sweet, and you're right, there's a lot going on, but I'm afraid that if I cop to that excuse, then I'm going to allow myself enough rope to hang me. And I can't do that... I end up regressing into even worse habits and making the lives of those around me (not to mention myself) awful. So I guess I see it as more productive to psychoanalyze and TRY to get towards some sort of answer. I'm not any closer than I was, but I feel more in control if I try. Good work on getting that workout in before the Olympics - excellent prioritization skills we have in this group. :) And good luck with all of the errands today... sound a bit like the sort of afternoon I have planned. And PS - awesome work getting in ANOTHER DVD even with the errands looming and the house-gods angsty with your pipes.

Susan: You are NOT a loser. You are not even a slacker, but that sort of negative self-talk is just not right. Sweetie, you've been doing really well - don't down yourself for having a moment or two. Sometimes we just need a break... and our bodies force it down our throats. There isn't one person on this board who hasn't succumbed to the sweet, sweet siren of a snuggly bed. And you did your arm/rotator cuffs, so it wasn't even an empty day. So there. :) What's the trip to San Antonio for? I've not been sent to TX yet, though who knows anymore. I feel like I could be anywhere in the bat of an eye with this SOx stuff.

[Molli526]

Good Morning ladies!

I am happy to report I got my workout in this am- Calorie Killer with Nancy.

EsteemSarah- My first couple workouts back with the Firm, I didn't use weights when climbing the FL, now I do, but not very heavy. I am working on it. I also modify any jumping moves b/c I am breastfeeding and even when I workout right after I feed Charlie, my boobs are still huge and it doesn't feel all that great.

[Molli526]

Oh Susan! I forgot, I heard a rumor from another board what the new WW program will be. We will be given a list of Core foods that you can eat unlimited amounts of, and then also have a few points to do with what you wish. You can still do flex points too.

[TerriS]

Wow, they're changing WW again? I am still a Winning Points fan. I think people tend to stick with what they know works.

So, sore & tired this morning = day off. I am a big ball of stress, though, so I hope to get something in tonight. At least this weekend I have some good cardio to look forward to - DH and I are going hiking in Shenandoah National Park! It's how we celebrate our anniversary. That, followed by a scrumptious dinner. :D

[cniles]

Ok I just ate another piece of that gosh darn cake..... and then promptly threw out the rest.:rolleyes:

NOW I HAVE TO GO WORKOUT:mad:

[amiable_erin]

Hi all. I believe I'd be a good addition to this little group, I love workout DVDs! I used to do the whole gym thing, spending too much money, never really going - when all of a sudden I realized that I could spend less than $20 a month and buy a new workout DVD each month. Now it has been almost a year, and things were going great. Still, right now I think I need a nice group to keep me motivated.

I just got back from a two month trip to Asia, and I just moved & started a new job after finishing grad school...and needless to say my motivation has been zip! I tried to read through some of the postings, but I'm a bit lost by everyone's comments. Could you please introduce yourselves & if you have anything else you'd like to add, please do!
I'm Erin, 27, single gal who has subscribed to Cooking Light for the past 5 years or so. Live in DC, commute by metro so if I don't workout on any given day I at least walk 10 minutes X 4 times (to metro, to work, to metro, to home). I have a weight loss goal right now of 7 pounds. Working out has always been something i dreaded, but I've started to change that this past year...
WORKOUT DVD'S I OWN INCLUDE:
The Method: Afro-Brazilian Cardio (personal favorite!)
The 10 Minute Solution
Minna Lessig: Emergency Workout (personal favorite!)
The New York City Ballet Workout
MTV Power Yoga
The Goddess Workout with Dolphina
Goddess Workout Bellydance Beyond Basics
Goddess Workout: Bellydance with Veils
Cindy Crawford: Shape Your Body Workout (on VHS)

Hope to get a lot of info on the group!

[TerriS]

Welcome Erin!
And welcome back from your trip. Where'd you go in Asia? My hubby travels there for work from time to time and loves it.
I'm in the DC area too! I live and work in Arlington.
Anyhoo, I'm 30, lost 20 pounds in 2002 and am fighting to take off the last 5 that came back. My rotation includes:
- Taebo, original and Get Ripped series
- Denise Austin Mat Pilates
- an elliptical trainer
- a flat weight bench with dumbbells

I used to take bellydancing - loved it! - through Arlington County Recreation. I have some music CDs that I dance to from time to time too.

[Molli526]

Welcome Erin!

I'm Molli, 28, and my goal is to get off the weight I put on with my baby. He is almost 2 months old now. As of this morning I have ~6 pounds to go to get to my pre-pregnancy weight! I am also doing Weight Watchers. I want to lose at least 10 pounds from there.
The bulk of my fitness videos are The Firm, with a couple Tae Bo, Richard Simmons, WInsor Pilates & Walk Away the Pounds. DH and I go for a walk around the neighborhood most nights too. I have that Minna video, used it a few times. I should check it out again since it is one of your favorites.

[sweetpea]

Welcome Erin! :) yea! more sweaty bodies to chat with!! (that sounded gross...but you know what i mean)
I am 26, pregnant with my DH's and mine's first baby due in October (32 weeks along now), I am also a registered dietitian and have my own business doing small caterings/personal chef/consulations as they come up, etc. (nothing full time by any means). I gained 30 lbs my first year of college 8 years ago and lost it and more by doing the old Firm tapes only 3 times per week and cutting back on amounts of what i ate--been hooked on that plan since then! i also walk on my "off" days--only do videos 3 times per week since they include weights. I have 6 Firm tapes now (2 more in the mail as we speak!) and have Winsor pilates (dont' use anyomre now that my belly is so big) and also FitMama (a prego workout tape)--i mainly use only my Firm tapes. My current goal is to just have a healthy weight gain for this pregnancy and to stay fit/healthy and so far it's been great--little below average but to be expected since i workout and it's still a steady gain! and then it will be the same goal as molli's--to lose my baby weight as quick as possible/okay for my body. Glad to have another newbie on board!! oh and i would love to check out the bellydancing video--may have to put that on my baby registry! :)

[EsteemSamurai]

Welcome Erin! I guess I'm not the 'new guy' anymore. :)

I am 24, recovering from an ED which has pretty much goofed up everything that CAN be goofed up in a person's body - I went from WAY underweight to ... I'll be kind to myself and call it 'puffy'. I would like to lose ~10 pounds and tighten everything up so, even heavier, I'm not so puffy. ;) I'm an IT auditor with a Big Four firm. My exercise preference is just to be outdoors - hiking, swimming, kayaking, scuba, etc., but that's just not realistic with my job and its requirements, so I'm trying to migrate over to a DVD way of life. :) I just got the Firm 2, so I rotate between that, Pilates for Dummies, The Method Pilates, an ellipse machine, and walking. I live in an urban area like you, so I walk a lot - when I'm in the office, I walk to and from work, which is about a mile and a half, and I often walk to get the groceries (~2.2 miles round trip) or to get movies for DH and I (~2.5 miles round trip). I'd like to hear more about the belly dancing DVD as well - I'm not very coordinated, so routines are very intimidating to me (I can manage the 'For Dummies' series, but that's about the speed at which I can learn routines), but I think it looks like SO much fun.

Look forward to seeing more of you. :)

~Sarah

[EmilyK]

Welcome Erin!

Let's see... I'll be 26 in a couple weeks and DH is 26 - we live in the burbs of Cincinnati. I'm about 12 weeks pregnant, so I'm pretty tired these days and feeling kind of yucky. I lost 40+ pounds last year and have kept it off for about 7 or 8 months. I try to eat a diet full of whole grains, fruit & veggies, low fat meat and dairy, and no refined sugars or hydrogenated oils. Except at this point, I'm happy to eat anything that doesn't make me sick or queasy!! :D My "normal" pre-pregnancy workout was doing weights 5 days a week (alternating upper and lower) and using my elliptical machine. Lately, I've been trying to get into the videos, since I was bored with the ellipse. My videos include:

Prenatal Yoga
Pilates for Dummies
Windsor Pilates
BSS2 Firm DVDs

My to-get list: Fusion Pilates (prego workout)

Oh yeah! I also like to go for walks and hikes with DH and our pup Frodo.

Okay... my own stuff. I did absolutely nothing last night. I was exhausted when I got home from work and just didn't feel very well. Today hasn't been much better. The cravings are driving me up the wall, though! All I want to eat is crappy food! I could kill for Taco Bell right now and don't even get me started on Skyline!!! :D I tried to talk DH into going to the Bell last night for tacos, and he gives me the guilt trip of, "We're supposed to be saving money and eating healthy... we really shouldn't go to Taco Bell." Hello?!? Tacos cost something like $0.59!! Feed the crazy pregnant lady a taco!!! Geesh! I suppose it's a good thing I've barely gained 2 pounds, huh?? :D :) :D

I put off doing personals until too late in the day! I have to rush them so I can go shopping!! :D

sweetpea - Glad everything is working out for you and DH! Keep us posted on how everything goes!

Charisse - Glad you had a great birthday and the cake sounds awesome! I don't think I would have had the courage to throw it all out! :)

Sarah (esteem) - You are having a crazy couple of weeks, aren't you? Hugs to you... I am really sorry about your grandfather. I didn't post before because I was rushing through my post, but I do feel for you. Seriously, if you eat a few more times during the early/midday, you will have a little more energy... take it easy and hang in there! On Frodo's issue, when he's stressed like that, he doesn't want anything. No PB, no treats, nothing. He is really freaking out stressing about somebody leaving. I'm going to have to do some research on this!

Molli - Good for you, jumping back on the wagon and starting the Firm again and your other vids! Charlie is a real cutie!

Sarah (Iowa) - Did you get your errands and all of your other stuff accomplished today?? Poo! No water! That's awful!

Susan - I'll try looking at the other stuff board for SA tomorrow, thanks for the tip! I think 2 days on and one day off is perfectly acceptable! I hope you enjoyed the easy day!

[amiable_erin]

Thanks for such a warm welcome everyone! I've met EmilyK, EsteemSamurai, sweetpea, Molli, and Terri all this afternoon - my new support group! I look forward to meeting everyone else too.

So, I've done Tae Bo too, but only had the original workouts & found them boring after a while. Actually, that's what motivated me to buy a workout video a month. I hate working out, and workout videos end up getting pretty boring after a while...but I love shopping & I love working out with a new video for like 3 weeks straight - at which point I ususally get bored & the video ends up sitting on the shelf for the next year . :p So voila! Now that I buy a new one a month, things are much more interesting.

Re: belly dancing video (since so many mentioned it). Dolfina is a bit spacey ("find your inner goddess, let her fire come out, blah, blah, blah"), but other than that I love it! Mind you, once you get the videos you *will* want the skirt, and you *will* want the coin belt, so the cost is higher than just getting the video (trust me, it's more fun with at least the belt).

So,

Terri = how is the good grip series? You live so close to me, we are starting up a DC cooking club, you should join! (see supper club page).

Molli = I just moved from Michigan. I'm originally from up north, but I just got my master's at U of M. Your baby is soooo cute! What do you think of the walk away the pounds series? I've always wanted to get one of those.

sweetpea = I never really considered the firm tapes, but everyone here seems to be into them. what is their benefit?

Samurai = I used to work for E&Y so I guess we have that in common. ;)

Emily = 40 pounds! that is incredible! Congrats.

[TerriS]

haha, I already have a hip scarf, which I think would serve the same purpose as the coin belt! perhaps I can resist. Ah well. I actually try to hold off on buying more videos, but you never know. I like the Get Ripped videos quite a lot. I prefer the Basic workouts to the Advanced even though saying that makes me feel like a slacker. A, I generally only have about half an hour to work out, and B, I think Billy sacrifices a lot of form for insane speed and exertion in the advanced workouts. So I just give my all to those Basic workouts and according to my trusty heart rate monitor (HRM) I'm still working it pretty good! Anyway, I like both of the Basic Get Ripped workouts, and find they provide pretty good toning and cardio. Having the three different Taebos that I like keeps variety.

Will check out the supper club page!

Oh, you must check out www.collagevideo.com if you haven't already - I love that you can watch little previews of the videos online - really helpful in choosing! Their prices are great too.

[EsteemSamurai]

Erin, this is too funny. I graduated from UoM too (BBA focusing on IT and HRMS in 2002 from the Business School)! What other bizzare coincidences will we encounter, I wonder? :)

[Molli526]

I graduated from MSU :) I was accepted to UofM but my blood runs green, so I had to turn them down :D

I like WATP for a low impact workout. I love The Firm!

[shoefling]

Another welcome to Erin!

I am 27 years old and DH is 28. I'm a registered nurse and have worked in critical care for the last 5 years. I will be starting graduate school next week for nurse anesthesia. I actually have an orientation day tomorrow. Currently I try to do a hard workout at least 4-5 days a week with some walks thrown in on the other days. I am interested to see how the added stress of graduate school and studying will impact my exercise time! I have the FIRM BSS2 DVD's and a couple of older FIRM tapes. I mostly alternate the BSS2 tapes with days of running. I would love to get some more firm tapes but I am trying not to spend too much money these days! I also have a couple of yoga and tae bo tapes but have not done them in quite a while. I don't really have any pounds to lose, my main goal is just to tone up.

I did get most of my errands done today and I got the yard mowed. It was beautiful out! Mowing was my workout for the day. Tomorrow will be a FIRM tape. Hopefully I can get myself out of bed early enough to do it before my school orientation starts otherwise I will try and get it in tomorrow evening.

Gotta go get some laundry folded and catch some of the Olympics!

[Paula H]

Argh, another flying visit to my favourite thread!!! I had intended a "real" post, but time is against me and I have to get the supermarket...

Mainly yoga (yes, while watching TV) for me this week, but today I did lots of "functional fitness" - a serious housework catch up. I've spent all afternoon cleaning, hanging out washing, vacuuming, and then, joy of joys, scrubbing the floor. I'm wiped. My arms are tired, my heart is still thumping away from the excellent floor workout... I tell you, Dr Love had better darn well notice all the cleaning when he gets home, or he'll be in big trouble!! :)

Once I'm home from the supermarket, my plan is to tidy our bedroom a little bit, and then while Dr Love does the dishes (it's his job) I'm going to do some pilates, before cooking dinner. And then making my lunch for work.

I promise I'll post proper sometime over the weekend - but for now, have a good one!! :D

[cniles]

Welcome Erin!

I'm..... uh 38! and DH and I live in the Harrisburg area of PA. I have 2 sons, Jack who is 7 and Sam who will be 5 in a couple of weeks. Currently I'm a SAHM - but my background is healthcare - worked as a Recreational Therapist, Case Manager, Client Manager of a Healthcare publishing firm. Those days are over for now - I think I'm shooting for substitute aide in the schools these days!:D I've been a CL subscriber since 1992! My goals are to eat healthy, make healthy meal plans and work out consistently. My weight gain was with my kids - I lost 10 lbs last year on the SBD and have kept it off. Would LOVE to lose another 5 lbs and stay tone and firm. I am another FIRMIE - have BSS1 and BSS2 plus a variety of other DVD's from the FIRM. I also have a couple of Gin Miller tapes and Engineer and Gil talked me into Core Foundations (which I really like but it's really hard!:) )

Ok - enough of me! Yesterday was a very blah day for me. I did NOTHING. yuck. After I'm done posting I'm headed to the basement to sweat! We're expanding our deck this weekend - so tonight we're digging holes!! We're also going to put in a split rail fence in the back of our property so we're diggin' holes for that too!!

Terri - my neighbors just got back from Arlington - her FIL is buried in the cemetary and this is the first time they were able to see the grave site.

Sweetpea - What's your plan today? Are you going to slow down at all??? Did you hear from your new client yet?

Paula - I love your fly by postings!! Sounds like you got a GREAT workout while cleaning! I know I always feel my butt/hamstrings the next day from crouching/leaning over/pushing the swifter...

Shoefling Sarah - Are you excited? School starts next week for you? Have fun at Orientation!!

Esteem Sarah - Sounds like you're in a better place these last two days. Do you have a nice weekend planned?

Emily - Go get a taco girl!:D - one won't hurt you!! Did you get Frodo's um.... welcome home gift taken care of?

Hi Susan, Gil and Engineer!!!!!:)

Have a wonderful Friday!!

[EsteemSamurai]

Morning all!

Just got 'done' with the morning routine. I hurt this morning in my lower back and thought I'd try something different to avoid hurting the muscles I've been using consistently. Hah! I chose my Method All-in-One Workout with Pilates, and felt twingey during the warm-up, but pressed on. Finished that with no great trouble, and then began the dance-aerobic piece. First of all, I'd like to reiterate that I'm the clumsiest fool on the face of the planet. :) I really should just stick to For Dummies videos and the Firm (since I'm slowly getting that down)... glutton for punishment I guess. I managed the modified samba to double lunge combination, I managed the slut walk (my term), and heck, I sort of even managed the skip-to-m'-lou combination. Interspersed between these were really challenging weight sessions - I did the first with 5lbs, but pulled another muscle in my back so switched to twigs. I love the Firm. ;) Anyway. After the skipping we got to Warrior and I was just fed up with the whole thing. It'd been a total of 35 minutes, so I just quit and I'm gonna be okay with that. :)

We leave tonight for Wisconsin to go to my grandfather's funeral, so the next couple of days are going to be hard. Not the way I was hoping to spend my weekend (we were actually planning to go to IL to visit with some good friends before my Grandpa passed), but its something DH and I both need to do, both for ourselves and for my family.

SO, after I'm done posting I'm off to shower and then to call the local florist in the town where he's being buried to get an arrangement sent. Then DH will come home and we'll probably head over to the library to get some reading material - for me it's gonna be French immersion, I fear.

We're meeting my folks and brother at the airport at 4:45pm and won't be into WI until late tonight. Don't know how much posting I'll be able to do from there (don't even get me started on the lack of workout options in rural southeast WI), but we'll be back Sunday sometime.

Send positive thoughts in my direction, if you have a couple spare... I think I'm going to need them to keep up the right habits.

Charisse - good luck with those piling holes... that's some major work, ESPECIALLY in the rock-laden lands of PA. If it were me, I think I'd call that *all* my exercise for the day. ;) But I'm a bit lazy...

Paula - I'm sure Dr. Love will notice... afterall, he's Dr. Love :D

SarahFling - I'll be interested to hear what you think of grad school after being in the workforce. That's on my agenda in the not too distant future, as I think I've mentioned before, but I feel like every time I make headway, I find another excuse to put it aside temporarily. ;)

Erin - How's the choreography on your Belly Dance vid? Complicated? Would a coordination-challenged gal such as myself be able to manage it?

Emily - Tell DH to stuff it and go crazy - order TWO tacos, soft and hardshelled, for maximum craving satisfaction. ;) Also, would running a tape of you and DH talking in another room work to help your pup? Or having your wedding video on in the TV room? Something like that to soothe Frodo? I feel so bad for the little guy...

[cniles]

ACK!!!!!!! My sculpting stick broke!! :mad: :( :confused:

My twigs have been loose for the past year and DH has superglued them on twice BUT this am I'm just doing the first exercise of BSS2 with Allie when the bar broke!! Literally broke! ugh. I had to stop and put in another tape that doesn't use the stick. So I did Super Body Sculpt (which I love).

I have a feeling my darling children are behind this. They have been taking to going into the basement and playing with my stability balls and spongy weights. Grumble grumble kids grumble....... sigh. Now I have to either get creative and use something else OR go out and buy another one. There is no way of fixing this one either - it literally broke off into a jagged piece.

Esteem Sarah - I'll be thinking good thoughts for you this weekend. Hang in there - big hugs.

[sweetpea]

happy friday all! :) sure hope engineer is having a good show with her hubby and girls! well, today is Firm day and I think i will do Super Cardio Sculpt since i haven' done it in a while...and it's only 45 minutes long so i won't be wiped out. Been getting really tired in the afternoon lately but don't nap (just can't do it!) and so then by after dinner/or dinner time i am hardly moving. which is fine, i just stay still and read my book. I am def. beginning to feel the effects of being THIS prego--i love it, not complaining mind you, but it is def. becoming something i have to work WITH--like don't squat down real fast when you have a large ball attached to your abs--thought i was going to poop this kid out! shew...and it was while i was walking onthe trail yesterday! anyway, that is the plan for today--Firm video and NO quick movements.

oh and update on Eric and work things (i still haven't heard from the supposed client or the personal trainer guy who called me..grrr)--he is probably going to accept the job offer today. only issue for him is that the pay is less than he wanted but they consider this a support position and he is thinking it will be more than that...but that will all be renegotiated after the 6 month period so no big deal. plus it's a job he can still do from home, good challenge, interesting, etc. so what's to lose! He will then be gone for about 2 1/2-3 weeks (broken down into two trips) in September and home for October but doing work putting in a system in Indy. So lil' pea and I will be all alone...but i am thrilled for Eric and this opportunity for him and our family--thanks for all your well wishes and happy thoughts!

Charisse--so glad you had a great b-day. i am still trying to deal with the fact that b-days are SO different when you are older vs. when in school/younger--used to be SUCH a big deal and now...well, just another day! so i am glad you had a great one and i actually shrieked out loud when you said you threw the cake away! WHAT?? send it to plainfield, IN--i'll eat it! :) and who? me? slow down? when? where? well, no running around today, just a trip to post office and maybe up to mom/dad's before they head out of town for a week...otherwise no mowing grass (my usual friday fun) b/c it's been so dry here--just aerobics and helping DH get the cradle finished!

Sarah--i haven't met with the client yet..i hate when people dont' get back with you promptly, almost my number one pet peeve! Eric will be doing engineer work for this firm based England that develops robotic systems used in labs, etc. for retrieval (of test tubes, etc)--i don't really know all the details, but he will be doing troubleshooting with systems and will be working to fix them, etc. along with sales, etc. for the company. He will be in Manchester England when he goes over there and i won't go with him since i will be too far along by then to fly, welli could go on the first trip, but not the second...so maybe i will! :) yes, mom's connection is so good for me--not only to get out of the house and see my friends from church but also a great time of learning/fellowship--helps me to stay focused thru the week. Eric and i mainly do your basic adventure races, no super human ones, unless you count 24 hour or 30 hour races. I have only done one but would like to do more and shorter ones--like 4 to 8 hour races would be more fun i think! And i must tell you to keep at it with your tapes that you feel so clumsy with--they will only get easier as you memorize those tapes! :) iwill be thinking of you and sending happy thoughts your way as you and your family travel for your grandfather's funeral.

molli--i am anxiously tapping my toes over here waiting for my Calorie Killer tape to come!

terri--well, happy anniversary and have a GREAT hike, dinner and maybe some horizontal cardio is in the plan? i mean, it IS your anniversary, right? :) be sure to tell us about the yummy dinner...

emily--girl, i hadn't eaten taco bell in almost 7 years when at about 10 weeks i got a craving at 10 p.m. at night while watching a commercial for it--i said, man that looks good, DH hopped up, pulled on his pants and said "how many do you want?"--mainly b/c i hadn't been feeling well or eating much so he was ready to stuff me! i felt so guilty after he left and even guiltier when bythe time he got home, i didn't really want it anymore! you should keep a change jar around so you can "pay" DH to go get you one--just to show him how little it costs you can use pennies even! just kidding, i know you aren't really bashing your hubby, we aren't either, but they do do silly things at times!

Erin--oh my goodness i was LOL at Dolfina (which i think is funny in itself) saying "find your inner Goddess"..well i do that EVERYday! and i just imagine me belly dancing with THIS belly and a coin belt and skirt on...DH would die of either laughter or...no, i think he and i both would die of laughter. oh and the reason i love Firm tapes is b/c you get cardio AND strength training all in one tape--they do some weight work then will do a cardio routine then back to weight, etc. It's fantastic and very effective. My heartrate stays up in the 140's to 150;s almost the entire time--especially with the leg work! you can usually get good deal of Firm tapes/dvd's on ebay or they have the full system (their step (fanny lifter), weighted bar and videos) at Target.

shoefling--mowing is my usual friday workout, but drat--no rain means no grass growing and NOW it's finally raining! maybe tomorrow i will get a chance!

Paula--cinderella cinderella! i always think my mom singing that song when she would scrub the floors--and i still hate scrubbing the floors--something i need to do today since our hardwoods are looking a little nasty. i have been putting it off, but i must get it done--and no chance that DH will notice i did it...but Dr. Love, well, like sarah said--he IS dr. love so you know he will notice! :)

happy weekend all--hope linda is doing well and gil is still surviving her work flurry!

[Gilgamesh37]

First, I kind of wish this board allowed us to assign titles to one another (another board I belong to does—anytime you say something goofy, the mod swoops in and Ping! there’s your title for a while) because Emily gave herself a perfect title: “Give the crazy pregnant lady a taco!” I’m with the others, just roll with the cravings, you have a whole other person in there, you know! My devoutly vegetarian godsister was horrified during her first pregnancy to find herself CRAVING cheeseburgers….

Welcome Erin! I’m 41 and work in the surgery dept of a large medical institution (was it Swquilts who asked what I did recently?) as an Editor, which includes being Managing Editor for a specialty surgical journal. I also do a lot of HR stuff with our dept administrator—right now I’m deep into this year’s Promotion and Tenure process, for example. My job basically has three halves, which is why they had to hire an English major, because a math major would have spotted the problem with this arrangement right away…..I’ve been a vidiot for about 8 years---had hit my all time top dollar weight of 215 (I’m only 5’1”---I was a Whole Lotta Girl) and wound up losing 90 lbs, which, given the amount of muscle I’d put on in the meantime, was really too much, I looked ropey (but man! did I have some guns!) and ultimately gained back about 15 when I quit smoking. I held that weight—about 138—for about 3 years, until I moved in with my DBF 2 years ago. The moving process derailed my eating & workout routine, and I’ve been much less rigid with it ever since, which has resulted in my picking up another 20 lbs. I’m really working to get rid of it again, but now that I’m over 40 it’s much harder, and frankly, I’m much less inclined to be really hard on myself, because life’s just too short, you know? I have all the Firm videos up through BSS1, most of the FitPrimes and all of the ReVolutions (V, Tracie Long’s new venture) DVDs. I do not like Cathe, no matter how hard I try.

Shoefling, I’m going to try to PM you this weekend, but where are you doing your grad work, is it at UI? Cornell? I did my masters and my law degree at UIowa, so I spent a good portion of my adult life in Iowa City. I would love to move back there someday--I try to get back 2-3 times a year to visit, and I really love it and miss it.

Thinking good thoughts for Engineer & Scott & Josie & Pearl. And anxiously awaiting Linda’s reappearance on this side of the pond.

Charisse, how long have you had the sculpting stick? I’m thinking, GT has had SO many manufacturing problems with the various BSSes, you might be able to wangle a new one from them if you call and complain that it broke after only X amount of time. It might be worth a shot. Otherwise, check e-bay, but you should also check the various swap boards (that goes for any of you craving new tapes but low on cash—videofitness.com has an active swap, as do Firm Ya Yas, which is an EZ board address I can never remember) and I bet you can get one for cheap.

Eek! Look how long this got! My thoughts are with you, Esteem Sarah, and I hope your weekend goes smoothly, being with your family will be comforting, I trust. Everyone else, Go Us! Yea on working out, and I’m sorry I didn’t get to everyone.

Oh yeah, my workouts (duh!). Skipped Monday and Tuesday due to muscle soreness, Wed did Sculpted Buns Hips & Thighs (the all lying down one) because I’d given blood and didn’t want to do any arm work, and last night mowed ¾ of the lawn (DBF did the bit I hate, isn’t he a nice guy?) for 50+ minutes in my THZ and 403 cals. Which I blew by having leftover ribs & wine for dinner, but what the hell.

[amiable_erin]

Hi all, here's with the beginning of the good stuff. Since getting back from Asia (btw someone asked...I went to Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for 2 mo) & starting my new job, I've been slacking on workouts. Ugh! My short-term goal is to work out 3X a week for at least a half an hour. After that, I'm going to start really working out to lose some weight. So last night I was inspired to do my afro-brazilian cardio for a half hour...it is working!
Sounds like many of you are great workout buddies with all the ideas...heart monitors? Swap boards? I'm loving it!

The heart rate monitor really appeals to me, any advice on what to look for? I know it's not much to offer, but I'll put in my plugs for my favorites. First of all, if you have a large bust line and would like to bellydance, but ouch! the Shimmy's hurt...definitely go to titleninesports.com they have a great catelogue and are also on-line. The cat. has over 9 pages of sports bras and they rate them with dumbells! (5 d.b. means super stacked, 1 d.b. means pea size) When I started taking my workouts to the next level (running, etc.) I found that having a good sports bra was essential.

EsteemSamurai - the bellydancing video does get difficult at times for most, but the video goes in sections (arms, head, hips, shoulders, snakes, etc.) so I actually just skip through the parts that I can't do (for the life of me, some of the arm stuff is still hard for me!).

sweetpea - *lol* I know, last time I visited my mom & brought the dvd with me, she about died laughing. And a name like Dolfina! She actually re-named herself after getting in a boat crash & a dolfin supposedly saved her. Ugh! What a loopy gal. Still, it's a good workout to mix things up. i find straight cardio to be too monotomous sometimes, so i try to get as many dance type workouts to mix in there as possible. Also, my belly is not so pretty either, but I don't care when I'm shimming with my belt (makes noise). It takes the place of dance clubs if you asked me! ha ha ha

Have a good weekend all.

[TerriS]

Morning all! Actually it's afternoon here now. Just a quick report...elliptical this morning and I accidentally set the resistance higher than usual and then couldn't figure out why I was getting so tired and sweaty so quick - haha! I will be sure to be back on Monday will all sorts of food porn from our dinner(s) - and breakfasts, the B&B we're going to makes a wonderfully decadent breakfast. Horizontal cardio is a definite! (we're TTC after all and all indicators say it's GO TIME!) so here's hoping I bring back a souvenier too! :)

[swquilts]

I guess my post yesterday went to BB outerspace. :rolleyes:

A quickie today, I'm waiting for a meeting to start.

Hi Erin! I'm Susan, 47 :( and live in Central CA where it is HOT way too much in the summer. DH, 42, and I live in the country with 2 furballs that cost as much as kids. ;) I'm a Project Administrator (translation: Jack of All Trades, Master of None) for a large credit union.

I haven't been doing videos very long, but you will LOVE this thread each week, very motivating.

Gil - NO wonder you were going off the deep end the other day!

SarahSamurai - take care, you will be in our thoughts.

Monday is my NEW beginning day. Shoot, I'll admit, I've had a few of those!!!

Shoot, gotta go!!!!!!!!

[Gilgamesh37]

Originally posted by swquilts
I'm a Project Administrator (translation: Jack of All Trades, Master of None)


Too funny, Susan! Whenever I'm introduced to someone in-house (faculty candidate, someone from another dept, etc) and they ask what my position is, I always say "Utility Infielder"

[cniles]

Originally posted by Gilgamesh37
Which I blew by having leftover ribs & wine for dinner, but what the hell.

Gil I just spit my soda all over the computer screen!!:D :D :D

[shoefling]

Just a quick report in. Got up early this am before orientation and did about half of the BSS2 DVD with Allie. Worked up a pretty good sweat but didn't have enough time to get it all in before having to get ready to go to orientation. Tomorrow will probably end up being a rest day as I have to go down to the university early and get in line to get a commuter parking pass. Then I am driving to Des Moines again and will be back Sunday. DH, DB, his roomate, and I are going to see Kid Rock at the State Fair. I hope that it is a decent concert. I like Kid Rock okay, but I don't know a lot of his music. DH is the one who really wanted to go to the concert. Then Sunday I will probably end up going to the fair again. A bunch of DH's family is coming down, so I kinda feel obligated to go. Don't have time for a lot of personals, but I did want to put in a few...

Sarah Esteem--I will be thinking good thoughts for you over the weekend.

Gil--I will be attending the University of Iowa. We had a meet and greet with the second and third year anesthesia students and most of our professors this evening which was really nice. It kinda helped to see that all of these other people are making it through the program. It was also great to meet some of the people in the program and the faculty prior to the first day of class. Iowa City is a neat town.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend. Hopefully I will have more time to respond to everyone later!