HLSG - Week of 9/25

[Kelly]

Well - how did we all do last week?

I did better than the previous week. I lost 1.5 lbs and kept to all my exercise goals - people at the gym are actually starting to recognize me (yeah!). I'm feeling so much healthier already!

[lindrusso]

Way to go Kelly!!

Well, after getting this all going, I'm just not sticking to the plan. However, I'm not daunted and am off to the gym today to get a good start this week. With the cold weather setting in and the thought of being cooped up inside all day with the boys - I'm sure I'll be heading out to the gym a lot more!! I think I'm strange in that I may be one of the few who gets in BETTER shape in the winter!!

I'm also excited because my gym - the YMCA - is having a holiday survival program. You get weighed weekly and if you get through the holidays without gaining you get a t-shirt saying you survived!! This will be great for me!

[Laura]

I did well toward the end of last week (we won't mention the beginning) I did not do anything yesterday but ran this morning and hope to make it to the gym this afternoon after I pick up the kiddo's. Fortunately for me I am currently living in an apartment complex that has a relatively good fitness room that no one seems to use but me (that and my free weights and I am in good shape.)

My goal this week is to run 4x at 3 miles and then do a longer 5 mile run on Saturday. I will also hopefully lift 3x this week and stay away from my constant nibbling (working at home is killing me!)

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Good job Kelly, lindrusso. Motivation is key here, even when we slack off, we need to keep at it.

[iqueen]

Happy Monday everyone. Well, I had a decent week last week. Lost .6/lb. Walked 18 miles and lifted 2X. The weekend wasn't as bad as usual so I don't feel like I am starting off the week "in the hole". Hope to see the results of last week's efforts on the scales at this week's WW meeting. I am only 6 lbs. for goal and I really need to bear down to get those last 6 off. Have a great week everyone!

[Pat58]

Congrats Kelly! And everyone who kept up the good battle. The past week was great for me but I had a bad Monday today. The positive was that I stayed true to my healthy eating program all last week and my workout plans. But I overdid the "weekend warrior" workouts. Saturday I weight-trained real hard on legs, but I felt so much stronger I just had to challenge myself. I also jogged on the treadmill (if you told me a year or even 6 months ago I'd be running on the t'mill, I'd have said "you're nuts.") Then Sunday I did a step/kickbox class. I felt so fit and overjoyed to be able to keep up, but I should have stopped there. I tried a power yoga class right after and after overtraining Saturday and Sunday, all the pressure on my hands in yoga flared up my RA. It is my own fault, the teacher kept stressing, "do not do anything that causes pain" while this dumbo, in complete denial, is thinking "Yeah, I'm strong, I can do that." I ended up exhausted, deprived and starving all day Sunday, ate too much Sunday dinner and raided the cookie jar last night. I haven't had a healthy food item yet today, nibbling and picking on sweets and carbos all day. So I came here for support, am going to make a vegetable soup for dinner and just pick up the pieces tomorrow after a GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP. It can be done! I refuse to go back to the old "I blew it, may as well give up" attitude.

[JennyR]

Last week was hit and miss. Ate out several times for get togethers. My choices could have been better but I avoided the "clean plate" syndrome. I developed a cold, so my exercising was shorter than usual. Basically, a glass half empty or half full scenario. And that whole water thing? Ugh! The past 3 days my motivation has plummeted. I am encouraged that I didn't drop the exercising and that I managed to not clean my plate. I just want to see myself get a little bit more motivated. Iam considering joining a Y as one will soon be opening near me. You Y members, are you program members or are you full members? And does it help motivate you? I enjoy outdoor activity in the fall, but I'm in a cold spell now and that I don't like. That's why I'm considering the Y, in preperation for the winter.

[Natasha]

All right! Looks like everyone so far had a pretty good week. Keep it up, guys!

Kelly, I m happy that you re feeling more encouraged than last week.
Laura, glad to know you re still running! Pat, are you going to stick with kickbox or power yoga? Hope the rest of the week goes well for you.

As for me, my week was better than last week too. I m still not on course on my training schedule, but oh, well... I ran better and stronger tonight than I have for over a week, so I m feeling pumped. Also, I am probably going to be getting a new coach, so that s exciting.

Happy week to you all. Talk to you soon.

[andi]

Wow! Congrats to everyone! I think just checking in and working on those goals is great-we may not all have success each monday. I pigged out over the weekend and feel lousy today, low energy. I wonder if it has anything to do with all the sugar I inhaled. The scale has not changed since last monday (I guess I'm thankful) and overall since we began our support group I've lost 6 lbs! Is anyone else able to correlate what they are eating with their energy levels and ability to work out?

[Missi]

Well, it was a mixed week for me. I stayed true to my workout plan, but ate really badly Thursday and Friday. I feel good that at least I did work out.

Andi-- I have noticed a huge difference in what I eat relative to my workout. I keep track on the cardio machines to see my progress and I do much better when I have eaten healthy. My overall energy level, too, is completely different when I eat well. (you would think that would give me motivation to always eat healthy things, but unfortunely when chocolate cravings hit,no motivation works!)
Good Luck this week to everyone!!!!!!!!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by JennyR:
You Y members, are you program members or are you full members? And does it help motivate you? I enjoy outdoor activity in the fall, but I'm in a cold spell now and that I don't like. That's why I'm considering the Y, in preperation for the winter.

I'm a full member. I don't know how YMCA's differ, so I don't know if what I tell you about mine will apply in every case.

I love our facility - it is brand new which makes it even nicer. I love that it has child care so that I can go pretty much any time.

It does motivate me - having a place that I KNOW I can go pretty much any time and not be interrupted is great. Plus, there are so many programs (some come with membership and some are extra) that if I ever get bored, it's my own fault.

The Y also offers so much more than just a place to work out. My boys take swim lessons there; they have a summer kids program that the kids can go to 3 times a week for crafts, sports, and on and on. In a small town where I stay at home with the kids, this Y has been a blessing when winter options are limited.

[Janet R]

Hello, all! This week has started out pretty good. Last night I worked out and was feeling great. Then I had a health scare. Looks like maybe another surgery in my near future. No the cancer has not returned. Just a little 'clean-up'.
I still intend to really watch what I am eating, and make sure that my meals are not ruling my life.
As for the depression that I have been feeling, I have dedicated myself to healing my spirit, as well as my body. Recently I have noticed that my depression has been effecting my children's attitudes, self-confidence, and grades. I can't let myself ruin my children's lifes' along with my own.
I really for the first time in a long time, feel like I am beginning to feel like the best is yet to come!

[cookgirl]

Last week? I can't even remember last week! It's been crazy, and that's what gets me. If I'm working overtime, I'm NOT about to exercise. Although I did make myself get out there about 4 days, so I guess that's okay. This week is different. I'm out everyday jogging and walking. This weather is fabulous!

[andreajackson]

The only thing I have to say is that I visited the Cheesecake Factory this weekend. So that tells you how good my weekend was. I was feeling pretty gulity about that so I have been trying to eat healthy this week. I am starting to worry about when the cold weather sets in how I will be able to get a good workout, because I don't belong to a gym. Any ideas?
Keep up the good work everyone!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by andreajackson:
The only thing I have to say is that I visited the Cheesecake Factory this weekend. So that tells you how good my weekend was. I was feeling pretty gulity about that so I have been trying to eat healthy this week. I am starting to worry about when the cold weather sets in how I will be able to get a good workout, because I don't belong to a gym. Any ideas?
Keep up the good work everyone!

Love the Cheesecake Factory!

What do you do for exercise? If you like to walk and have a mall nearby, many malls open early for walkers. Now when I did this there were very few my age doing it, but it was still a nice option. At the time I was living in Texas, so I did it to escape the heat in the summers! You don't belong to a gym, but is there a place where you could maybe take a few classes every week (aerobics, yoga, whatever)?

[Missi]

Andrea Jackson--

I am on a budget and could not afford a membership to a gym. I joined a class at the community college in my town and have access to their cardio fitness equipment. It's worth checking out if you have a community college in your city. You might also want to look into the Y or see if your local library has workout videos available. (all good ways to work out in the winter without going broke while you get into shape!)

[andi]

Originally posted by JennyR:
Iam considering joining a Y as one will soon be opening near me. You Y members, are you program members or are you full members? And does it help motivate you? I enjoy outdoor activity in the fall, but I'm in a cold spell now and that I don't like. That's why I'm considering the Y, in preperation for the winter.

*For some reason my computer will not read the UBB code to bold the above...

Anyway, I joined the Y here six weeks after I had my baby. We bought a family membership so the whole family can participate. The kids do swimming lessons, etc. In addition, the nursery is super and provides me with one less excuse to exercise. The variety of classes and exercise options are also motivating. I really feel it's worth it!

Missi-Thanks for adding your experience with the food issue! I ate way too many malted milk balls last night (fund raiser from school!) and was dragging today so I think there really is something to do with what we put into our bodies. I need to find more easy, quick energizing recipes to have on hand to stay on track....

[andi]

OK-this is bizarre...Do you think my computer can read my previous note????