I want Sarah with me in any dark alley...

Kickboxing! I did do that for awhile a few summers ago, and it is a MAJOR workout -- i liked it a lot, but my gym doesn't offer it so I haven't done it lately. Sarah can be our group's designated protector if we find ourselves in any dark alleys with ominous strangers leering and looming...

I'm back in Evanston after my week of tending to the gimpy -- my mom had a rough few days post-surgery but seems to be stable and progressing well now. I did actually keep in the exercise groove while I was there, because the weather was good and going outside for long walks was the nicest way to escape the confines of the hospital -- and I even went to the gym when I got home yesterday! My goal for this week is to have five days of good exercise -- gym maybe, but if it's nice, outside -- and to keep on working the WW thing. I seem to have broken through my stall and am making SLOW but nonetheless steady downward progress.

Hope everyone has a good week!

new week!

Kickboxing! yes I've done that a few times and it was really fun and a lot of work. Afterward I felt dizzy. Wish I could do the class with you to add some variety to my life. We have a lot of snow today and it's really cold. I feel a little seasonally depressed, but fighting through it! I guess I will be doing elliptical today and possible this week. I want to start my floor routine again as well. I took the week off and need to get back to my sit-ups. Have a great week sisters in exercise!

Saturday Morning...FROM AMY

I'm pretty sure I'm still not very good at this since I can't seem to post without doing it a few times!!!!!!! Anyway...good to hear from your girls. I'm glad we're still on track. Bonnie, how's your mom? Tell her "hello" and "quick recovery". Are you getting in any walks while you're there or are you on duty? My cold is better so I'm getting back to business today. I'm heading down to the elliptical right now and then hoping to do some yard work if it's warm enough. I've also decided that I'm going to "embrace" going up and down the stairs at my house instead of pretending that I mostly just live on one floor of my house. I'm thinking that I may become a better housekeeper this way and also count it as a workout. I'll keep you posted on how many times I go up and down. Well good luck to us all in our efforts to keep on exercising!!!!!!

Saturday Morning

hello all

I'm glad everyone is still alive.  I had kind of a slacking week last week...I just felt tired and let that slow me down.  I am back to committed this week.  I hope your Mom has a speedy recovery Bonnie.  My neighbor just  had that done a couple months ago and  now seems to move around better than she was before her surgery.  Kelly and I did have a new exercise discovery this week.  I had heard about a kickboxing class a few blocks from my house so we tried it out on Tuesday and Thursday.  I don't know if any of you have tried kickboxing but it was such a good workout.  We almost perished.  After my Thursday class I could feel my low back injury flare up but it was a quick recovery.  By this morning I felt fine

Well good luck to everyone in exerciseland.  

keep on keepen on.

yes, I did have a few days where exercise was not happening due to a little travel. I didn't sneek in a midnight elliptical, but I did think about it if that counts. But today I'm back on my feet and just got off my elliptical. Feels good. Bonnie, I hope your mom recovers quickly. I wish her well. look forward to reading more from all of you.

object lessons

Hey sistah-friends! Hope everyone's doing well, or well enough, this week, with colds and changes of venue etc. I'm in Des Moines at the moment -- my mom had knee replacement surgery yesterday, so I'm here for support, moral and otherwise. Surgery went well and she seems to be rehabbing as expected so far, but the whole thing is a useful object lesson: namely, it's better to keep your original joints if you can! And exercise will help us do that. So, for the moment I'm just walking hospital corridors etc., but the whole experience is just more support for Beth's point that a strong, healthy body is the wisest goal we could have. Keep the faith, bloggercizers!

exercising blues is Amy not Beth

FROM AMY
Wow I guess my wrist kept hitting publish! I'm only checking in to report that I have only exercised once this week!!!! I have a little cold that I feel like shouldn't be stopping me but I guess it is. I was going to do better this week too! How are you girls doing??? Do we need to renew our blogging committment? How is WW going Bonnie? I hope Sarah blogs because I know she has an exciting new exercise routine. Beth has probably experienced some exercise difficulties too since she was at my house for a couple of days this week unless.... she snuck it in at midnight on my elliptical and treadmill and I didn't know about it????
Kelley are you still there?

exercising blues!

Exercising blues!

Well I'm still alive

FROM AMY
W ell I really have to repent for my lack of blogging!!! I have missed you guys! I have to blame it on Christopher taking the laptop to school with him so when I want comp. time I have to walk all the way upstairs and sit in a "not so comfy" chair. Pretty pathetic excuse but I think it's true. It sounds like you are all really plugging along! I have been mixing up my exercising also with outside time and elliptical and floor work. It is now back to winter weather so back inside I go. I also am using Neutrogena tanner and I like it. My legs are definately darker but not DARK. Bonne, I think you'll be impressed with how tan we will be by the time you get here! So...any ideas for our bloggercizing reunion???? I really can't wait!!!
I am trying to eat better this week also. I'm trying to increase my water because I've noticed I really feel better when I'm drinking enough. Any pedometer users left? Well carry on girls!! I'm really trying to focus on Beth's theory of just appreciating a healthy body!

how is our momentum?

Hi friends in blogland. Bonnie i'm so proud of you for sticking with the w.w. even if it's slow progress. It not about the lbs its about forming good new habits that will reward us throughout life. I'm also very excited about your Utah trip. I hope you can make it down to Manti. That would be so fun. I don't think I've seen you since you went to BYu for a summer and lived in raintree apts.
Well last week was a wonderful week of 70 degrees and walking outside. It was wonderful. I walked up temple hill each day pushing a double stroller and usually carrying a baby in arms. I got breathless each time and it felt great. This week it's back to 40 degrees. I did the elliptical for 25 min. and will do that 4 more times this week. I hope you all are thinking positive thoughts about yourselves. We all have legs and bodies that allow us to move around and get the job done. OUr jobs are outside the spotlight so we don't need to have bodies that look like were in the spotlight, just bodies that are healthy and work to do the job that we are doing. I'm really trying to refocus on having a healthy temple, not a thin temple. I think one is achievable and one isn't. happy exercisng!

Leg Lift Roundtable

O, Sarah, you are all over it -- I look forward to in-person demonstrations of leg-lift techniques, belly-dance moves, free-weight strategies, and who knows what else -- BloggercizerFest 2009 is on!



Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's clear to me that you must have more spring than we do, because this whole self-tanner discussion is purely theoretical at the moment. It's about 25-30 degrees here and not nice weather for baring freakishly white legs or much else, really. Despite this, WW and exercise proceed pretty well. I'd hit a three-week stall at WW and was just about losing patience with it, but then finally this week i had a good loss which provides some good motivation. Exercise has been pretty smooth -- mostly gym trips, with a couple of walks earlier this week when we had a little taste of warmth.



So -- happy weekend all around, and let the exercising continue!

A funny

An older woman was leading the class in weight loss. When the instructor asked her what her secrect was she said, "simple, I just take my teeth out at 6:00."

A little readers digest joke. Thought it was cute. Good Night!

hello bloggercizers

That is excited news Bonnie.  I think we should all get together and take a walk or better yet (if we want it more entertaining) do a Jane Fonda video.... or better yet  I will bring over my belly dancing DVD.  After that we can go to Joe Bandido's for some lunch.  And order the half plates of course.  

I have started out my exercise week rather smoothly believe it or not.  I have made it to Curves the last couple of days.  I can tell from my calendar that they might be my last times there this week, but at least I made it.  I did do my elliptical 10 minutes yesterday and hope to get down there and do about the same today.  I am feeling a loss that the belly dancing class ended last week.  I am trying to shimmy around the house whenever possible though to keep those core muscles alive.

I must report more on my self tanner because I may have led you all astray.  Everything was true, as far as how the lotion applied, that I reported earlier between the Aveeno and Olay.  I noticed,  after a week or so of faithfully trying the Olay,  my legs were only microscopically darker.  Only the trained eye could tell the difference.  I could tell by Kelly's reaction when I asked her if my legs looked darker that it really was only me that could tell a slight tint to the regular 'glow in the dark' look.    At least with the Olay Bonnie, you would never have to worry about it looking streaked.  It is very very mild.  I have now switched to the Neutrogena and I will let you all know how it goes.  I do want them to look a little tan if I am going through the trouble of applying it.

I hope everyone is having a good week.  It sounds like everyone is over their sicknesses from last week.   I really think it has been long enough now that we can call ourselves regular exercisers.

Bonnie will be exercising in Utah

Yes, bloggercizers, a summer visit has now been scheduled: June 24-29 will find me visiting Amy, and perhaps we'll all take a nice long bloggercizer walk together! Or maybe we'll just apply self-tanner and sit around commenting on how nice our legs look. We'll see.

It is spring break here, and beautiful weather, so my plan is like Beth's: walking outside for at least 30 minutes, probably 3-4 days, and then the gym 2 days. Good plan with the three meals and two snacks, Beth, and also the no-nighttime-eating.....I always seem to have more success when I can cut myself off at night. Hope it goes well!

Beth is having chunky feelings!

It is amazing how gross I feel after not exercising for one week. I'm sure I look the same. I think exercising really boosts self confidence. So the weather is sunny and cool this week, and I"m excited to get some fresh air. I have a goal of taking 5, 30 minute walks this week. Then continue with my regular floor exercises. So, I continue to be grateful for your support. I love checking in on all of you. Keep up the hard work, one day.....results will follow. Lisa and I are also supporting eachother with a 3 meal a day 2 snack routine, and no eating after 7:00pm. It feels good to not eat after 7:00. I'm always starving in the morning.

I forgot to sign in below as AMY

The last post is FROM AMY

Wow I don't feel like exercising today!

I have to admit I've felt so sluggish the last couple of days in the exercise dept. I'm determined to still get it in today but it's getting a little later in the day where I lose even more ooomph. (is that a word?) So Bonnie, I think you should give the tanner another try because it has improved. You might be surprised how much sexier your legs will feel! I'm using aveeno so I guess I should use it up and go buy some olay!

i have the legs of an albino

Seriously: I burn to a crisp without high-SPF sunscreen, but I can leave my legs alone and they remain pasty white no matter what. So once when i had to show some leg at a wedding, i used some self-tanner -- and, for the next several weeks, proceeded to leave orange smears in my wake wherever I went. I have horrible memories of self-tanning! But maybe the technology has improved.

Pretty good exercise regularity to report here, with the promise of better to come: next week is spring break, and tomorrow it starts to warm up, and both of those things will make it easier to do all the exercise I'd like to. WW is SLOW -- like, nothing has happened the last couple of weeks -- but I'm trying to keep the faith regardless. Sounds like you all have been doing the same -- so, good for us! Beth, I hope you're feeling better.

I'm so glad you all have come back

Ever since my post last Thursday, I kept checking back and nobody else was blogging.  I'm pleased everyone is still alive and exercising.  I am moving right along in the exercise department as well.  I think the only thing I will do today is my belly dancing but that is pretty good exercise so I'm feeling pretty fine about the whole thing.   I have been doing the self tanner on my legs as well since Amy mentioned it last week and I agree it does help.  I would like to give my first consumer report and say that between Olay and Aveeno...Olay is tons better.  The Aveeno one feels like it lays on top of my skin and doesn't sink in and makes me feel all sweaty.  The Olay sinks right in and feels good on my skin.  I do wish it would get a little darker though.  I'm not sure if this particular one get's dark enough for my liking.     Well, I'm glad everyone is still around.  It was pretty quiet there for awhile in blogland.  Carry on.

I am a blogger again!

FROM AMY
I'm so glad to be back...I have been with you in spirit just not in word!!! For some reason my "invitation" expired and Beth had to re-invite me. I hope it doesn't happen to all of you too --I felt a big void!!! I have been faithful to my goals until today. I never exercised today and now it's 10:45 and I'm too tired. I will be at it again bright and early tomorrow though. I have felt pretty sluggish this week while I'm exercising and don't know if it's mental or physical. It doesn't feel like it does a person as much good when your whole heart and soul isn't into it! I don't feel like I'm getting skinny from all this exercise either but here's my special idea of the last two weeks...I put self tanner on my legs and I feel quite a bit better about them!! If any of you would like to try it...we could have a fun discussion about it. :)

sick

i to have been sick for a few days. I'm going to take 1 more day without exercise, then have a goal of 2x's this week. I'm feeling a little discouraged since the lack of exercise for a few days. But after talking to Amy today I think I'm happy just exercising even If I don't get visual results. I do want to be healthy and strong. So for that reason I will carry on. How is everyone else feeling?

can sisters exercise?

Just checking in, since it's been quiet in blog-ville lately -- how's everyone doing? Slow and steady is the mode here: I've been fighting some kind of virus so have been taking it easier the last few days, but I'm off to the gym in mere moments -- which is what made me think to check in! Hope everyone is doing ok.....

preparing for a little belly dancing

Hello all.  My week is moving right along as well.    I made it to Curve's this morning and am anxiously awaiting my belly dancing class tonight.  We only have a couple classes left.  I'm hoping they might offer something in the summer.  I want to keep strengthening my core.  It seems really good for my car accident injury.  I have felt a little discouragement this week of slow (or maybe no) progress from all this exercise -at least as far as it making me smaller.  It seems like I should start seeing some benefits by now but I guess I will just have to focus on the improvement in health and well-being.   Chunky and healthy......I guess it could be worse.

rocky road...

Amy, I can tell that someone fixed your exercise tv -- the skype reference gives you away as an Oprah-cizer -- she's a skype addict! But I must admit the idea is intriguing, and good for you and your vigorous elliptical workout, stretches, etc. I did get over yesterday's malaise and had a good gym session last night -- but today at WW I realized that these gym sessions are catching up with me! I haven't lost much at all the last couple of weeks, despite my diligence, but the leader pointed out today that I'm probably turning fat into muscle, especially because i have a lot of muscle to rebuild after last year's post-surgical atrophy. In the long run, of course, that's nothing but good -- but it's a short-term downside to exercise! I'll have to rely on things like inches, how clothes fit, etc., for motivation --and, of course, on my fellow bloggercizers! Hope everyone's staying committed this week -- tomorrow we finally leave the deep freeze, and i think the option of exercising outside will boost my interest in exercising!

Are you there?

FROM AMY
It's probably bad form to post twice in a row but hey...I'm on the blog so it might as well be me. My t.v. is back on and running thanks to my oldest child that knows how to fix remote problems. I did a pretty vigorous elliptical workout and then my stretches etc. etc. I hope everyone else is chugging right along too. Too bad we can't all skype and exercise together sometimes. That would be pretty funny don't you all think? Then we could demonstrate leg lifts and belly dancing! I hope you guys had a good Wednesday...be STRONG!!!!

I feel like a NUMB rock

FROM AMY
I haven't exercised yet today (it's 1:12 pm). I got back from the dentist a couple of hours ago and my face is still numb and for some reason it makes me even LESS motivated to go exercise. It's beautiful outside so I think I'm going to try to go for a walk. The only trick I have for motivation is thinking how proud I am of myself after I'm done and how lousy I feel when I skip a day or two. Having said that, I still hope I can get myself going today. My tv is on the fritz downstairs. This is really cramping my style with my elliptical. I'm trying to decide whether I should go buy a more quality pedometer. I don't really enjoy the feeling of it on my waist but maybe it's worth it???? Bonnie, is the weather nice enough to go walking outside or are you back into winter? Well I wish everyone well on their goals for the week!!!

i feel like a rock...

...and not in that rock-hard abs way.....more in that very inert, having-a-hard-time-motivating-myself way.....which brings me to my question: what tricks do you ladies use to get yourself to exercise on days you don't feel like it?

Once I overcome my lethargy, I'm going to (a) recommit to the pedometer this week -- i've gotten out of the habit and would like to get back in, because i think i walk more when i know i have the tiny thrill of seeing the total number of steps; (b) make three gym trips and exercise on two other days as well; and (c) get in touch with my inner Jane Fonda and throw some leg lifts into the mix, a la all of you.

So - good luck to all of us, and we will rock on!

We're going to rock?

OK that sounds good to me.  I would like to have a good week.  Last week went pretty well although I was short a couple of elliptical times.  I did go to Curves this morning and did my elliptical for 15 minutes.  I haven't worn my pedometer for awhile.  I will try to remember to put it on tomorrow morning.  I will stick to my previous weekly goals.  I feel good when I do them all.  Good luck everyone.

NEW WEEK

FROM AMY
This must be a quick check in because the kids are getting ready to come in the door from school. I am quite excited about my new week of exercise. I worked out in the yard today and then went on a 25 min. walk. My back and arms feel pretty tired. Bonnie, are you doing Jane Fonda leg lifts? I put the pedometer on today - for the first time in a long time. It fell off twice and reset itself before I had even checked my steps so I took it off. Are you girls still using yours??? I'm going to try to alternate my elliptical with working/walking outside this week. Any good food goals for the week?? Let's stay strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay Girls. Are you ready to Rock!

I'm ready to have a better week of exercise. Last week was a little rough for me because I was so busy and tired. But I'm ready to have a perfect week.
25 min on elliptical 5x
floor routine 5x
look forward to reading about how your d oing.