Jane Fonda lives! In Utah, anyway.

Aha! I'm glad I asked, because when I think "leg lifts," I think laying flat on my back, lifting my legs vertical to 90 degrees, then lowering slowly -- so that's an ab/core thing mostly, but yours sound like they'd be a butt/thigh thing. I never do your kind -- maybe I'll get in touch with my inner Jane Fonda and give that a try. Amy, I don't envy you your throw-up bowl -- though we did also learn at WW yesterday how good it is to incorporate every tiny bit of incidental exercise you can, and i suppose getting up and down off the couch to empty said bowl might just qualify! Not to mention that the whole scene is probably also a good appetite suppressant....

Kudos to all of us -- and don't you think we'll get an extra dose of motivation as it gets to be more spring-like and thus more inviting outside? Something to look forward to.....

I like the new blog background!

FROM AMY:
I have been pretty successful in my exercise plan this week - until today. Mya has been throwing up since yesterday afternoon and Scott had oral surgery this a.m. So...I'm on the couch , my only exercise being getting up and down and getting gauze, soup, and emptying the throw up bowl. Are you all jealous?
Yesterday I took a great hour long walk in the beautiful weather and the day before I walked and ellipticalled so maybe that makes up for today and probably tomorrow. My leg lifts are also Jane Fonda style ( on my hands and knees and lifting my leg out and then back) . My legs and rear end burn after a VERY short time. Congrats Bonnie on your weightloss. Anyone else's body changing? Some days I really think I'm making some progress and then other days my pants feel kind of tight. Maybe I should get on a scale one of these days? I'm proud of us!!!!

I'm so proud of all of us. I have to say that we are doing so well! I think we are all getting really into our exercising! I don't know what everyone else is doing for leglifts, but I'm just doing the old fashion jane fonda leg lift. It seems to be enough for me because my legs burn after 30 on each side. if anyone has any other miricle ones, I would like to know about it. My 25 min. on the elliptical is happening. It feels kinda boring especially if I have to watch one of the kids shows. I'm still trying to cleanse my brian of my food plan issue. Bonnie i"m very impressed with your w.w. success.

your illinois correspondent reports

I wish I were heading off on an RV adventure today! But since I'm not, I'll just report the news from here. First, exercise has been happening -- in fact, I was at the gym last night, and there were some Northwestern students doing serious ab exercises next to me, which made me wonder: when you guys say you're doing "leg lifts," what are you doing, exactly? Second, WW has also been happening -- a little frustrating lately, just because it's been slow, but nonetheless I'm down 11 pounds and that's not nothing, so i will report it. The useful lesson I learned at our little encounter group today: when you think you really want to eat something, wait 15 minutes; most of the time that will be enough to forget about it, but if you still really want it, probably you should eat it! I think i've tried that in the past with some success, so i'm just tossing it out there are a potentially useful idea.....and I hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday!

Still exercising along

Hello all.  Just reporting in with the exercise world.  I have kept the same goals this week.  I was able to pull off Curves and elliptical on Monday.  Tuesday and today just elliptical.  Instead of Curves this morning I exercised my 'Mother letting go" muscle and sent Lena on her grand adventure in the RV with Grandma and Grandpa.  Quite an exciting moment.  That means I will have to pull off going tomorrow and Friday to Curves.  I have had luck with a little more veggies this week.  I have been making some yummy salads for lunch.  It simply is more time consuming but it really does fill me up to add all the veggies.  Hope everyone is having a good week.

I feel like it has been a long time since I reported in. I just wanted to tell you about a calorie tracker I have been trying. It is sparkpeople.com. It is free and it keeps track of what you eat and exercise. I was really good last week recording all I ate and exercised. It got mad at me toward the end of the week with the amount of exercise I was doing. I have been faithful at Curves and walking at least 3-4 days a week. We only walk about 2 miles. I will increase in a few weeks.

goals!

Well this week I'm going to try to amp it up a bit. I ready for some results! I feel like i'm right on the verge, but nothing is really happening. But I can't forget that I'm sure my heart is happier!
So.....
25 min on the elliptical 5X's this week (or walk)
150 situps
30 leg lifts
15 push-ups

Something that helps me in the veggie dept. is if at the beginning of the week I cut up a whole bunch of good veggies and put them in zip locks. And even cooking up some chicken breasts and putting them in the fridge. Then daily salad are a snap! So that is what i'm going to do for this week. I"m also going to try to go to bed hungry every night. Not starving just a tinge on hunger.
I'm officially going to Hawaii April 19th so this gives me something to look forward to and stay motivated. Dane and I are going to reward ourselves for being apart for 12 weeks and surviving it. Taking baby of course! He will just be getting done with his training and be very in shape. I can't let this depress me. I know I will feel better about myself if I at least keep exercising diligently. I'm also going to look into lipo of Utah and see what my options are. Just kidding. (kind of). Love you all. NObody get hurt this week!

Sunday blues!

FROM AMY:
I'm sitting here at my computer hoping it will cheer me up. I knew that the thought of you ladies would for sure cheer me. My primary class that I taught today was a nightmare!! The kids were out of control! So even though that is not an exercise topic it made me feel better to tell you. As for my exercise for the week- I felt much better about it than the week before. I actually only did 5 days instead of my goal of 6 but I still feel pretty good about it. I did do better with the vegetables than my usual but I can't say that I've enjoyed it. I think this week I'm going to try to do some salads for lunch which means lots of cutting. The juicer is a great idea but I don't have one. My exercise goal for this week is going to be my usual of 6 days. I'm going to try to add some outside walks if the weather stays nice. Bonnie, did you get the blizzard? Are you snowed in? I wish you all a happy week of exercise!!! Thanks for the motivation!!!!!

hello gals

Congratulation on all your efforts and recoveries! Dane and I are thinking about buying a nice juicer, so it would be fun to report some good juicing ideas. I have been diligent in my exercising. I haven't missed a day this week. today I went on the most lovely, challenging walk. I can't wait to do it again and all spring. I found a road around the temple that is against the mountain. It is all uphill! My legs feel a little shaky tonight which is a wonderful sign. I wish one of you could join me. I haven't had as much computer time the last few days, but I think about all of you everyday! You motivate me!

another week done

Well it was a good elliptical week but a not so good Curve's week.  Overall I feel pretty good about it since I did 20 minutes each day (except for one) on the elliptical instead of 10.  My back even survived.  Our belly dancing class always feels like the best exercise of all.  I think if I did that everyday I would be in excellent shape.    I am wondering how you 'increase vegi' girls are doing this.  I was one of them at the beginning of the week and I might have added about 2 extra servings above my normal intake.   Mostly I just thought about vegi's all week and didn't eat them.  I'm wondering if I should pull out my juicer.  It always feels very healthy but so much work.  I do like salads so maybe I just need to get creative with preparation.  Any ideas?  It sounds like everyone is moving right along.  We haven't been blogging as often the last couple of weeks.  It sounds like we are all staying on task though.  Good job everyone.

weekend workout

Since I live nowhere near a Hare Krishna temple, I just finished my weekend workout sans bangles and belly chains -- more's the pity! Sarah, once you get those, the need for the videoblog will become even greater. Things are progressing pretty well here -- actually, I'd say quite well on the exercise front and fine but slowly with WW. I do think I notice a little more general looseness in my pants, so I'll count that as my tangible progress for the week. Good for all of us exercisers, and keep at it!

veggie tales!!

I have had some success with my veggies this week. I've tried to make salads, munched on carrots, asparagus, broccoli etc. It helps to make the effort but I think I need to make it a habit. The prep IS a pain and sometimes I'm just not in the mood for vegetables. Good for us for trying! Any weight loss this week anyone? Inches? Tighter legs, bottoms, arms???? I don't know for myself since I'm not measuring anything I just feel proud of myself for exercising so consistently for so long. Bonnie, that's good that you're feeling back to normal with your back and really too bad that you slipped in public! I think tonight is bellydancing class?? I hope we get another report. Sarah and Kelly, I heard that they have belly chains and bangles for sale and the Hare Krishna Temple in Salem. That might really add to the whole vibe. Beth, how are you hanging in there this week???????

FROM AMY

veggie tales?

So, how are the veggie-eaters coming along this week? I actually like veggies, but sometimes the prep factor can get in the way -- I've tried to be better about that this week, with some success. My exercise schedule has been a little skimpy, though I did make a trip to the gym Tuesday night in the snow when I really didn't want to leave the house, and was so impressed with myself that i may just count it double. Partly i've been a little easy on myself because last week's spill didn't hurt my ankle but did wrench my back (to answer your question, Amy, plenty of people saw, including the university president who hustled over to help me up --partly to be nice, i'm sure, but partly to make sure no lawsuit was in the offing) -- but i think i'm pretty much back to normal now, so -- elliptical, here i come!

Happy Tuesday

From Amy :
Just checking in and feeling a little proud of myself because I've done two good mornings in a row. My legs are sore today from my leg lifts yesterday so I think that's a good sign. I wonder if it could help with the cellulite? I think It might not matter if I did leg lifts all day long though as far as that's concerned - we might be a little genetically challenged in that area - Clayton girls anyway, Bonnie, you might have a better chance. I feel like I might be more in control of my eating than I used to be. I think I'm doing quite a bit better in the portion control area. Well I'm going to sign off for now but let's keep on keepin' on!! I'm proud of us!

checking in

Hello everyone.  We did some computer moving around here and I couldn't post for a while but I'm back.  It sounds like everyone is moving right along.  Bonnie - I'm glad your fall wasn't serious.  You and Amy really need to watch your step!!! Beth - I'm with you with the more vegi's this week.  I just had that thought yesterday so I was pleased to see I'm not alone in my quest. Amy - your Oprah post has inspired me as well to add some leg lifts to my goals.  I am going to do things a little different this week.  I can tell by looking at my calendar that 3 times at Curves is not going to happen.  So I am aiming for 2 Curves visits, 15 min on my elliptical on Curves days, 20 minutes on the others with the leg lifts and sit ups.  And of course my 1 belly dancing class.  Good luck everyone.  I am so proud of all of us for exercising so consistently.  It has to be making a difference at least in our health if not our waistlines.

Beth Goals

Not losing any steam girls. Weekends are always difficult for me with healthy eating, but I acomplished my goals last week with the exception of missing a few day of sit-ups due to a sore muscle in my stomach. It just feels a little strange so I"m going to give it a few days.
I'm going to do the same goals as last week, but try to up the intensity a little on the elliptical. I'm going to go with Amy on more Veggies this week. Wishing you a good, injury free week. must go to bed. Love you all, Beth

Hello girls

I'm getting ready to head down into my little exercise cave. I struggled last week a little with my 6 days goal. I'm starting more optimistically this week. My goal is 20 min. elliptical, 5 min. leg lifts, 50 crunches and my usual stretching. Bonnie - so sorry you wiped out in the lobby!!!!!!!!!! Is your ankle ok? Did anyone see you? As for solitary vs. social exercising. I think I am also a solitary exerciser. I don't really like huffing and puffing and sweating in public that much. But the motivation of social exercising is good! Well I'm off to my elliptical maybe I'll learn some more t.v. nuggets! I'll let you all know. Hope everyone gets off to a good start this week!
From: Amy
p.s. I'm going to up my veggies this week

Oprahcizing!

Well, Amy, thanks for the Gwyneth/Oprah tutorial -- all very interesting. I think I'd throw up if I exercised in an 80-degree room, and the two-hour/day pace is a bit beyond me -- but the leg lifts and the reps-rather-than-weight ideas are both very good. Ah: we can learn so much from tv! :)

All systems go here in Chicagoland. I walked four days this week, with a good gym workout yesterday. A couple of friends joined my gym, so that may boost my motivation -- though, in truth, I prefer being a solitary exerciser most of the time -- somehow I don't like to converse while working out (ironic, since I made Amy do precisely that thing this week). What preferences do you ladies have in that vein?

And, finally, a pseudo-springtime caution. After a winter of mincing around like an old lady, being paranoiacally cautious about not slipping on the ice, this past warm and rainy Wednesday found me completely wiping out in the lobby at school, because my feet were wet and the tiles were slick. I lived to tell the tale, but it hasn't been good for the old basketball injury -- so my parting thought for the day is this: danger is all around! Caution is your friend! Just a message of good cheer for your Sunday :) -- have a good week, everyone!

How are we all doing???

From Amy:
So I have not met my goal for the week unless I exercise tonight twice! I think I can push out one workout tonight but not two. Since I'm now an Oprah fan I thought I'd share what I learned on Thurs. show. Gwyneth Paltrow was on and talking about how she lost her "after baby" 20lbs. They showed her 2 hour 6 day a week workout with her personal trainer. This of course cannot be for us but here is a couple of nuggets that they share that I thought might be of interest. 1) Women should never use more than a 3 lb. arm weight unless they want to bulk up. 2) she does about 20 min. worth of leg lifts for her bottom ( so as usual Beth was already on to this) (I've decided to incorporate this into my routine - 5 min. for now) 3) She does a lot of arm stretches without weights. I tried this yesterday and decided it felt pretty good. 4) always exercise in a warm room. she said 80 degrees. I didn't this was too practical for us in the winter. She said that was the quickest way to change a body shape. Anyway, thought you girls might like these suggestions. I don't have any confidence that if I do these things I'll look like Gwyneth. Congrats to Beth and Bonnie for your weight loss!!!!! Almost makes me want to get a scale but not quite!! I hope to hear from you all soon. It seems like we've been a little slow in the blogging dept. this week. Be strong girls!!!

I'm still here

From Amy:
I've missed you guys this week! I got my priorities out of wack! Just wanted to let you know I'm still here and I will post in detail later because I have a lot to say but need to run out the door in a couple of minutes. I just did my exercises. Hope you girls are having a great day.

walking and weighing

Hello bloggercizers! Sarah, you clearly walk a lot, with that number of steps -- and thanks for the info on your pedometer, because if mine doesn't become more consistently reliable I'll probably want to get a different one. And Beth, your words are wise: persistence is definitely the big thing with this whole exercise scheme -- and congratulations on your five-pound loss! This was a happy WW day for me, since I reached the 10-pound milestone. That's really great, but it's a bit weird because I don't really feel much difference in the way my clothes fit etc. But soon, i'm sure. As for exercise: I didn't set a more concrete goal than exercising five out of the seven days this week, and so far so good: walking Monday and Tuesday (incredibly beautiful weather yesterday), and also tomorrow -- then the gym twice in the Fri-Sun span. Keep on with it, workout women -- good job all around!

so far so good.

2 days of exercising down. I think we all need to rememer that perfection with ourselves and goal is not what we are striving for. I look at it more that if we fall off the ladder we must get back on and keep doing our best. We all have things that frustrate our exercising ambitions. It feels wonderful to acomplish a goal and have some control in our lives. I've had a terrible eating day. The kids having their valentine parties at school hasn't helped. So i'm trying not to throw in the towel and tell myself tomarrow can be a better eating day. I"m really enjoyoing my exercising though. I have to say I love the push-ups, crunchies, and leg lifts better than elliptical. I always think of jane fonda when I do my floor work.

checking in

Hello everyone.  I am chugging along in exercise world.  I am having some successes and some discouragements.  I have done my 15 minute elliptical session everyday but seem to have trouble getting to Curves with Josh's daily dramas.  If everything falls into place I can still get my goal by going Thursday and Friday.  I feel discouraged to plan such a thing though because then I feel freaked out when I can't pull it off.  Anyways...I'm trying to regroup my brain so I don't get discouraged.  I'm also trying to decide if I should adjust my strategy and add more to my daily elliptical time and change my curves goal to 2 instead of 3x's a week.  As for better news, I have managed to keep my pedometer on for 2 whole days.  Yesterday I did 13,130 steps and today I am at 9850 so far.  Bonnie -Your steps are great with no formal exercise with them.  I had mine on yesterday during Curves (that I have found to be about 2000 steps) and my 15 min elliptical.    I do like wearing it though because it does make me double think things like taking a farther away parking spot because I do want to see my steps go up.  For those that are still looking for a pedometer, I do like mine.  I ordered it off Amazon.  It is an Omron.  It was on sale for about $10.  It seems to stay clipped.  It saves 7 days of steps, resets itself to 0 at midnight.  The only thing I question about it is it doesn't count steps for the first 4 seconds.  I think a lot of my movements are about 4 seconds long moving from one area to the next.    My main problem with it so far is I keep forgetting to re-attatch it if I change my clothes.  Anyways, that is the pedometer scoop.  Hope everyone's week is going well.

six weeks?

Can you believe we have been doing this going on 6 weeks! I love it! This week just a slight progression in goals.
20 min elliptical 5X
150 crunchies
25 leg lifts (new)
15-20 push-ups.
wish me luck. I did a few leg lifts the other night and think its very needed for my recovery because they were sooo difficult. I'm excited to see if it gives me more strength back. I have to say i've gone from about 40%-90% in the last five weeks as far as feeling better from my pregnancy trauma. I'm hoping to exceed my normal soon. I also lost 5lbs last week! I broke down and got a scale. I'm just going to weigh in on mondays and not get obsessed. i bought the cheapest one so if i want to through it in the garbage it isn't a huge loss. Bonnie I'm so impressed with all your steps. anything over 10,000 is considered amazing I thought. You go girls!

finally, pedometrical success!

So, for the first time since I got it, I managed to keep my pedometer on all day. The verdict: 12,347 steps. No formal exercise today, but that total makes me think it's not terribly lame to count my commuting as at least quasi-exercise. I'd be curious to hear what numbers you ladies rack up, when and if you manage to keep it on for a whole day.

another week

Hello all. Just checking in for the new week.  I am going to keep the same goals as last week.  I didn't go to Curves today but I did do my elliptical.   I have forgotten the last 2 mornings to put my pedometer on first thing.  I do like it quite a bit though.  I just need to have it on the whole day  so I can have an accurate reading.  Hope you are all having a good start to the week.

I'm laughing so hard

From Amy:
I'm laughing because you guys are really the greatest. It's not quite 60 here today but warmer and we can see some grass. I thought about going out for a walk but am still paranoid that I could slip on the slush! I did do my elliptical today and the usual weights, stretches and crunches. I feel so much better after I exercise. I bought my pedometer - it reset as you know and then McKay decided it was cool and has been wearing it ever since. I think I'll have to go buy another one. It was kind of pinching my fat anyway. I do love the concept if I could feel like it was somewhat accurate... Have really good weekend girls!!!

spring!

My chunky feelings and I are headed outside because for the first time in forever it is WARM here today -- nearly 60, just beautiful. So -- my exercise du jour will be a nice long walk. Hope you're having a lovely Utah weekend too!

you girls!

If I want to smile during the day I check the blog. Still exercising. My chunky feelings keep me motivated! I keep laughing about the video blog. The reality would be hilarious. I might just observe on that one. I'm getting anxious for spring and my double stroller, but for now I'll keep ellipticating. He have to find Barb!!! p.s. you must realize how ever so slight my indention is. I was excited and showed Dane. I could tell he pretended to notice a difference. At first he just thought I was complaining about a hernia

i am cackling....

...over Sarah's advice that we just push through our "chunky feelings" .... it's wise, of course, but mostly I am cackling about the idea that my "chunky feelings" are only feelings, and not actually supported by visual evidence! Not so, I fear, but I will fight them nonetheless. I am also chuckling over your bellydancing men in genie pants -- all the more reason for an auxiliary videoblog!

Maybe one of our goals for next week should be to report on our pedometer experiences: what kinds we have, if we like them, if we trust them, if they change us, if they control our chunky feelings, etc. Mine still comes off with some regularity so I'm not sure I ever get a great count.

Oh, and exercise: gym yesterday, pilates dvd today, plus I think a little walk, since it is at long last sunny and almost a hospitable temp outside.

I love this blog too

Hello sisters and friends.  This blog does brighten my day too.    It also seems to keep me in line. I would just like to report that I have had a few sick children problems this week that were really trying to dampen my spirits and ruin my exercise goals.    I am missing one day of my Curves goal but on those days I was faithful with 15 minutes on my elliptical and my crunches.   I have decided to not let those kind of days discourage me, when it is out of my control, and just move forward.  I know Amy and Beth have had the same deal this week.   I would like to report that our belly dancing class was successful.  It was the arms day so our arms were burning instead of our legs.  We can now do snake arms - which I have demonstrated to my whole family and I can tell that they don't think I am as good as I think I am.  But it was quite fun.  Kelly - we forgot to discuss afterwards the guy in the parachute (I mean genie)  pants and coin belt.  I wanted to hash that out a little bit.  There are actually 2 men in our class..it is WEIRD.  Anyways it sounds like everyone is moving along.  Bonnie I am a little jealous of an abdominal machine.  I don't like how it feels to do sit ups so I bet I would like that.   I'm sure an indention is soon to follow.   I really looked for mine in the mirror after Beth told us about hers and I couldn't see one.     I hope everyone pushes though any chunky feelings they might be having.  Amy - you are looking great.  Remember how I said you look fresh and glowing lately.  It's true.  Well, I would like to discuss my pedometer sometime but this is getting too long so I will save it for next time.

pressing on!

From Amy:
Can I just say again how much I'm loving this blog?!! Every time I get on I get at least a little chuckle if not a big one! Way to go Bonnie with the crunch machine! Way to go Kelly with the great week. Is this Belly dancing night???? Beth are you excercising? We must get mom back on here! I know Sarah has some illness that kept her from curves but maybe she managed crunches or belly dancing? My big achievement was I got a pedometer today. I think I might have to go back for a better one though because it reset itself when I ate dinner tonight. I'm feeling chubby tonight - is that a bad sign? Maybe I'll go downstairs for a 10 min. elliptical session. Do you think that does any good?

back at it!

Hello all -- just a quick update to report that, once I bade the last job candidate goodbye, I headed straight to the gym, where I did a good vigorous elliptical-and-weights workout. The great discovery of the day was the "abdominal crunch" machine: I'd been telling Amy that situps/crunches can make me a little sick to my stomach (pathetic, I know, but i get dizzy/motion sick very easily and they can do it to me) -- and this machine basically mimics the exercise but somehow it doesn't make me sick. So -- can my very own indentation be far behind?! Well, probably yes -- but still, it's a good small find. Hope you're feeling better, Beth, and I love the idea of the arm pedometer, Kelly -- and keep on keeping on!

hello

I have been doing great this week. I have started each day with Curves and my pedometer. When I came home from Curves on Monday I started into my deep spring cleaning. I started in the basement family room and game room. I move everything to vacuum and dust. So I should have the pedometer attached to my arm since I am doing a lot of vacuuming. I pick a different room each day and spend whatever amount of time is necessary to accomplish what I am doing. I feel really good and have been drinking my water as well.

hello!

Well, yes -- I for one am definitely looking forward to Sarah and Kelly's bellydancing class! My goal for the week has been more about eating than exercise: we have job candidates in all week, and they have to be wined and dined and entertained in the evenings, so I've been at work a lot and have had to go out to eat every night -- that's tough for the weight-watcher in me, and it also takes away my gym time. So: my goals have been portion control and more walking during the day at work (more stairs, more invented errands, etc). Those are little goals, but they're happening -- and I lost a bit more at today's WW meeting, so I'm happy with my progress there. Also happy to learn that new indentations are emerging among my nearly-six-pack-abs set of Utah friends -- perhaps we need a video portion of the blog so people can demonstrate their new physiques! ha. As for how long to commit to the blog: it helps me, and I plan to keep exercising indefinitely, plus I really get a kick out of it, so I don't have any particular endpoint in mind -- I'm in for as long as the rest of you are willing to post.

I'm Here

From Amy:
I exercised today but I do feel like I've fallen into a slight exercise depression. It's been a hard couple of days as far as getting myself downstairs to my elliptical. My strategy today was to put on my exercise clothes and keep my dirty hair until I made it down there which I did about 1:30 - yeah! I still haven't gotten my pedometer. That will be a good goal for tomorrow I hope! I think we've lost Mom. She isn't posting too regularly! I know Sarah and Kelly have belly dancing tomorrow night so that's something for us to all look forward to. Good luck everyone.
p.s. my pants really are looser around the waist but still the same tight thighs!

have no fear, Beth is still here.

Today was a success, but yesterday I had to take a sick day. We are all a little croopy around here. I plan to make up my day on Saturday. I know that Mom is having difficulty getting on the blog. She is having similar problems that Amy had. Hopefully she will return. I still haven't located my pedometer. I might need to buy another one. Sarah let us know how you like yours and how much it cost. I was thinking we should set a goal of how long we are going to commit to the blog? What do you all think? Any time line ideas? I feel like I'm constantly reminding myself that these small changes will make a difference. It is such a good habit to form. I do feel healthier and less guilt. look forward to hearing from you all!

where is everyone?

It has been a few days of slow posting.  I hope that is not because anyone has fallen off the edge into exercise depression.  I just opened my pedometer and am quite excited to see where I stand in my steps.    Is anyone else using theirs regularly?  I still need to do my elliptical today but I did do it yesterday so I am still on track.  Some days really are a lot harder than others.  How is everyone else doing?  Anyone????

Late start to the week!

Well girls for the first time in a long time I missed a day, yesterday. I'm starting the week today with the same goals as last week. I have been sucked in by life and still haven't gotten the pedometer so that's my goal for the week. Are you guys still counting steps? I'm also am excited about the abdominal excercises. Beth, that's so cool you have an indention! I haven't had one in years either! I'm happy because my foot seems to be back to "normal" so I'm going to try not to re-injure by getting too excited. Have a good and strong week girls! Thanks for being my inspiration!
From AMY

new week

Hi everyone.  I am actually going to very gently change my goals this week.  I will keep my Curves at 3x's.   Instead of 10 minutes on my elliptical 6x's a week I am going to do 10 minutes on the Curves's days and 15 on the other 3.  Also 50 crunches a day.  I know this is very minor but I thought it was worth noting.  Every little bit counts right?  I did do my duty today with curves and elliptical.  I will do my 50 crunches when I get off the computer.  It has been a LONG time since I have been regular with any kind of abdominal exercise and I am really liking how it feels.  I still don't like how it feels when I am doing them but my whole middle area just feels a little better.  I hope everyone got off to a good start to a new week.  

goals, goals, goals!

I'm actually looking forward to this weeks exercise goals. No huge changes for me.
20 min elliptical 5X a week (or 30 min walk)
150 crunches (or my new 10 min. palates dvd)
20 girl push-ups
I would like report a very small and shocking achievement. There is a visual change in my upper abs. A small indentation in the middle between the muscle. This is very shocking to me because I haven't seen this in years. I'm strengthening my inner girdle. I'm also very open to any suggestions for the title of the blog or any changes. Happy exercising girls.

I'm pro-weekend!

I'm bucking the trend with this, but for me it's much easier to exercise on the weekend -- I'm home more, it's easier to get to the gym, and there's just more time. So I celebrated that fact by exercising both days: pilates yesterday and the gym today. And because I went during the first quarter of the super bowl, I had the gym almost entirely to myself -- nice! Kudos to all of us, keeping pace with our weekly goals. And kudos to Beth for renaming the blog once again, to keep pace with our ever-evolving membership!