[Blesha]

Since I last posted here on February 26th I've done some cardio every day. In addition to that I did Pilates on Sunday 28th of February, Wednesday 3rd of March and yesterday (5th of March). The cardio has varied from 10 minutes one day to 41 minutes another day, and a couple of days with 20-30 minutes. Did no cardio on Sunday because I needed some rest, and today I've walked at a slower pace when we went grocery shopping and when we went out to eat.

I am now eating three times a day, and am working on adding a snack in between lunch and supper. Am drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

[tiza126]

Been a while since I've shown my face around here. January and February are hellish months for me at work, so my weight (and laziness after work) increased. But March is a new month and I'm starting over.

Well...my DVD player has completely gone kaput. It either doesn't turn on, doesn't open, or doesn't read a DVD....or any combination of the three. It tried eating my 10-Minute Trainer DVD and I had to force the machine open to get the disc back out. So no exercise videos until I can get to the store and buy a new DVD player.

In the meantime, I began a fitness "program" on my Wii Biggest Loser game. I selected an easy level 4-week program, and the game assigned me a 5-pound weight loss goal in that timeframe. 5 pounds in 4 weeks? I'll take it! Especially since I still need to lose (and maintain) a 16-pound weight loss by December 31st. The first night's exercise routine was about 20 minutes of squats and lunges. 2 days later and my butt and legs are still in pain!! Last night the game told me it was a recovery day, so it had no exercise routines scheduled for me, but I went ahead and did an upper body workout (punches and push-ups). So far I enjoy the game, especially having the Biggest Loser trainers talking to me and motivating me. I'm working out with Bob now - not ready for Jillian I think this might keep my interest for the full 4-week program.

Weather is also starting to warm up, so I can get some walking done outside again! Hooray!

Think I'll go eat a light lunch and then do just that - a nice walk in the park in the 50-degree sunshine


Glad to see everyone else is staying on track and having results and keeping up the great work!!!

[Blesha]

Tiza: The Wii is absolutely a good alternative. How about combining them? Just make sure you don't fall of the balance board if you have one. I really want to get the Wii Fit with the balance board, but we'll have to save up for that. This means that I will not get it until next summer. Right now we're saving up so I can go to the 10th Anniversary for an organisation that I'm in. That Anniversary is in the US, and the flights cost quite a lot from here.

[StephRN]

Wow, you ladies are rockin' your workouts. I skipped the last 3 days. My allergies are in full-swing and I am having trouble motivating myself after a day at work. I'm on my full regimen of meds but they don't help with the feeling of constant tiredness. And I've been eating way too many carbs. Ugh.

Anyway, I'm done playing my little violin now.

Jenna, I'm finding it hard to stay motivated with the X. I just like CE so much better. I'm determined to finish one cycle and then switch up to the CE Lean month.

I did Back & Legs. I'm gearing up to do Ab Burner. Tomorrow will be Kenpo X. Now that I'm using a HRM, I might switch back to one of Chalene's cardio workouts if I'm not getting into my higher zone tomorrow.

Jan, I'm contemplating Insanity so I can get more of an interval training on Cardio days. I remember seeing you do it at convention and thinking I would never be able to workout that hard. I suspect I would have to go at a slower tempo. What are your thoughts on it?

[CreativeSparkle]

wtg JoEllen! My kids are getting used to giving me some space, but there are still moments.

Sorry you're sick Jenna. I agree that exercising when you're sick is a bad idea.

Sounds like a good routine Blesha!

Tiaz, that sounds like fun. We don't have a wii, but it makes me much more interested in them.

I took my kids sledding yesterday and it was quite the workout. Today I did 35 minutes on the elliptical, some weight lifting with my 2 lb weights and some stretching. I probably won't exercise tomorrow so I hope you all have a good weekend!

[Vaughnde]

I was walking everyday at the mall with dad. Now I'm homebound with a mother of a sprain on my left ankle until at least 6 weeks or more. I do appreciate that Stephanie sent me some Leslie Sansome videos and I've looked at one of them. I'll do some of those exercises sitting down in a week or two. No exercising for me right now...I get enough of that just using the walker! The meaty part of my hands are really bruised from using the walker and I bruised my left arm grabbing the wall last night so I wouldn't fall backwards. I have very very bad balance..always have and its not easy to hop on one leg so I'm resting or sitting most of the time as much as I can and try to consolidate trips to the restroom/kitchen at the same time. Since the bathroom is right behind the kitchen next to the laundry room that works.

[dawnsmemories]

alright, this is CRAZY!!!! I forgot to start my HRM when I first started my workout today so 20 minutes into it, I started it (that was 9:30 this am), well I just realized, I didn't turn it off or take the strap around my chest off and I just check it and I have burned just shy of 3000 calories? It is now 6:30pm. I just double checked my settings and it is female, age 37 and 137 pounds so it is all correct... if this is the case then how am I not loosing weight? I have been at a stand still on the scale and eating 1500 calories of food which is what the BB website tells me I should be eating...

Any thoughts?
Dawn who by the way walked (slowly with friends who don't work out) the park to raise money for the school for 30 minutes, walked briskly 1 mile and did push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks and mountain climbers with the neighborhood kids today. This was less than I have been doing regularly.

[StephRN]

Wendee, that is one heck of a workout day. Just the outing with your kids would have exhausted me. WTG.

V, I hope you're feeling better soon.

Dawn, I've had the same experience with my HRM and am wondering if it's calculating incorrectly.

I did Kenpo X today. After the first couple minutes, I realized that I needed to ramp up my effort to get into interval zone on my HRM. Wow, that did the trick.

Tomorrow is Core Synergistics.

[jeschaff]

I finished the Burn Phase of CE on Friday. I've lost 3.75 inches and gained 5 pounds. I'm not worried about the weight gain because I've lost inches and also because my bathroom scale needs to be replaced. Anyway, I'm on to the Push Phase starting tomorrow.

Vaughnde, hope you're feeling better today. What a nasty thing to have happen!

Wendee and Dawn, glad you're able to get some exercise in with your kids.

Steph, you keep amazing me. Hope you're feeling better today.

Have a great rest of the weekend, everyone!

[tiza126]

The weather has warmed up nicely around here, so I went for a long 45-minute walk in the park yesterday. I even walked the hill twice!
I've worked out with my Biggest Loser Wii 3 nights in a row so far - lower body, upper body, and yoga. So now every muscle in my body is sore and aching. I knew I had fallen out of shape, but this is ridiculous! I think tonight is a full body workout...that will be likely be painful LOL

Keep up the great work!

[dawnsmemories]

I have learned that HRMs interact with cell phones, IPODS (especially since I have the Nike thing that goes on your shoe to calculate how far I have gone, etc), computers, etc... well when I workout at home, our elliptical is in our office and i use my computer as a dvd player. When I workout outside I use my IPOD and the Nike thingy so I can get my distance calculated. UGH! I LOVE seeing my heart rate and how many calories I burned. I will have to keep working on it to figure this dilemma out.

Anyway... hubby and I went to see Mamma Mia! the play today, FUN! We loved it. Then tonight I did a strength training dvd. I will do intervals on the elliptical after I take Lexi to her sleepover.

Tomorrow, I am going to the park and running 5K worth of intervals to see what kind of time I can do with it.

Keep it moving girls! This is the beginning of a fresh new week!
Dawn

[Vaughnde]

Feeling better. Only needed pain meds this morning. More than likely will need more tonight before bed. Eating Glycemic Free Battered Cod and Garlic Red Potatoes for supper with homemade tartar sauce.

[CreativeSparkle]

Vaughnde, that is really a bummer. I sure hope you heal from that sprain quickly.

Dawn, what is your daily fat gram intake? Maybe that is the problem.

Steph, I actually did the sledding on Friday and the other on Saturday. It was just a two day post. I'm not sure I could have done both of them in one day. We were sledding for 1.5 hours and although I wasn't doing it the entire time I really felt it afterward. I had forgotten what good exercise playing with my kids is.

Kenpo X sounds like fun, once I'm a bit more in shape. I used to take Kenpo Karate when I was in high school and I really enjoyed it!

wtg Tiza! Walking up hill is hard and to do it twice sounds like some determination.

Today I did 35 minutes on the elliptical up to a level 3. I did 4 different back strengthening exercises with 2 lb weights, 10 reps of each. I also did 25 crunches, 10 oblique crunches on each side, 10 outer thigh lifts each leg and 10 inner thigh lifts each leg. Then I did some nice stretching. I think regular exercise is helping me to feel better overall. I don't know if I've lost any weight yet because I need to get some new batteries for my scale. However, I know I'm gaining some muscle so since muscle weighs more than fat I'm not sure I'm really super worried about the weight loss. I'll be really excited when I can fit comfortably into my pants two sizes down, and then I'll keep watching it from there. I may take some measurements soon, but I haven't been real motivated to do that yet.

[StephRN]

JoEllen, congrats on finishing the Burn Phase & on the inches lost. Push is my favorite. I'm looking forward to hearing your review.

Tiza, WTG. I've noticed that a whole body program when I'm sore seems to help with the soreness. I hope you had that experience too.

Dawn, I hope your 5K intervals went well. You'll be rockin' the marathon soon.

V, I hope you continue to feel better.

Wendee, your routine sounds very well rounded. Awesome.

I began week 7 with Core Synergistics. Can't wait to start week 9 when things switch up more frequently.

I watched the Insanity infomercial and think I want to try that one next.

[Jenna]

You'll have to let me know how you like Insanity. I have thought about it myself but won't be in the market for another workout for some time (Bry glares at my collection & back at me at the mere mention of a new one LOL). I have been treadmilling fairly regularly & today jumped back in with Core Syn - oh how I dislike that one. I don't like Yoga either. I can deal with Cardio X, I like Kenpo & the upper & lower body workouts (I have always loved weight training & only tolerated cardio). But I did it, & I have worn my pedometer most of the day - I have done almost 10K steps - another 10 min or so on the treadmill should take care of it for sure.

Sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. V - hope your healing goes fast, sorry to hear that your hands are suffering!

off to walk on the treadmill & watch Criminal Minds, or House - whichever strikes my fancy tonight!

[ScrappingForever]

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days. I'm overwhelmed here by a variety of things. Hitting my workouts hard, tho. I started Week 9 of P90X this week. Just finished up a 7 mile run a little while ago, so feeling good.

Steph, if you feel you are ready for Insanity, then I'd say go for it! Just be prepared to be flat on the ground at the end of each workout, and don't expect to make it through, well, I still can't make it through without breaks! Just do your best. You will be amazed, though, at how quickly you improve with it! Oh, and please, get the Recovery formula is you don't have it already. It is ESSENTIAL when doing this program. Your body is going to CRAVE that at the end of each workout, because your glycogen levels are going to be so depleted. I have a customer who is doing these workouts with a group of his friends from his church. I think they were mostly sedentary to begin with, and jumped right into Insanity. It literally knocked them flat for the first week or so, but they are still going strong and are seeing some amazing results! So, I'd say, if you feel you're ready for it, go for it!

Dawn, I do question the accuracy of your HRM. Does it give you your average heart rate and the length of time you've been burning calories? If so, you could go to this site: http://www.triathlon...age-heart-rate/ and see what number it gives you for your calorie burn. I'm still not sure how accurate it is, but I believe it's fairly so.

Just to give you an idea, as you know, I've been using the BodyBugg for a couple of months now, and I do believe this is the most accurate monitor I've used so far. So, I'm supposed to be burning 2100 calories a day and eating 1600 calories. The days I run 6 miles, or about an hour, are pretty much the only days I'm every able to get 2100 or more. Most days I'm anywhere from 1700-1900 on my calorie burn. This is on the days that I still do my P90X strength workout, which are all an hour long. Even on the days where I might do other cardio routines, other than running, I have a heck of a time getting up to 2100. Now, I am sedentary most of the rest of the day, since I'm at my computer working. Except for getting up to do household chores. On these days when I don't run, unless I get a good amount of walking in, I just don't reach 2100. So far today, after my 7 mile run, I'm up to 1492 calories burned. I put the BodyBugg on at 7 this morning and I've pretty much been on my feet since then.

So, all this just to say thta I wouldn't trust that number. As for the plateau, it's all tied into that calorie deficit. I thought I was burning tons of calories because of how much I was working out, but because I was sitting on my butt pretty much the rest of the day, I wasn't getting the calorie burn I needed to make a 500 calorie deficit every day.

Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all, but hopefully it gives you something to think about.

Now, off to the shower!

[CreativeSparkle]

So are most of you doing the Beachbody program? I haven't checked into that. Do you all like it? Do you have to have special equipment or weights and buy supplements or anything else?

Today I did just over 30 minutes on the elliptical. I did 10 reps each of 3 sets of back strengthening exercises with 2 lb weights. I also did 10 reps of 3 sets of arm strengthening exercises with the 2 lb weights. Then I did 10 crunches, 5 oblique crunches and 10 reverse crunches.

Jan, your bodybug sounds really neat!

[Jenna]

I think there are a number of us using beachbody & I love their programs. For the ones I have you need weights & adequate space to jog in place, do floor work, etc. Not a ton of equipment, it does depend on the specific workout you are considering though.

[dawnsmemories]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your input Jan, I knew it couldn't be right... maybe I can ask dh for the body bugg for Mother's Day!

I had a HUGE workout day! I did my 5K intervals... it was a bust the other day as I had kids melting down so I did the elliptical that day and saved the 5K for when it was just me.

I did the 5K with Interval #2 ( which is 3 minutes elevated HR and 1 minute lower HR)... I walked a lot but my heart rate was still up. I ended up with 5.03 kilometers in 45:56 minutes. my pace was 14 minutes, 40 seconds per mile. I am VERY proud of myself as this is the first time I tried for a distance. I always said I was not a runner but I think I am an intervaler! LOL

Running outside is totally different than being on the elliptical!

Well, I came home and did several types of push ups,several types of crunches, squats, etc (it is a goal of mine to do so many of those a day, especially when I don't get to CE).

Next thing I know, I ended up doing an extra workout! I have a friend that is starting to loose weight, she is very over-weight and she was available to walk the track so I supported her and walked with her! Another friend went with us and we managed to do 2.56 miles in 43:18... now the last lap was jogging with our other friend only and the girl we were there to support had to go pick up her son from music lessons.

anyway, I LOVE that I am helping others and going the extra myself.

Now with all that being said, it was pizza fundraising night and we had wheat dough, no sauce, extra tomatoes and cheese pizza. It was the healthiest we could find. I added baby spinach and basil to it once we were home for Alex and I.

Dawn

[jeschaff]

I did Push Circuit 1 yesterday. I'm definitely feeling it today, but made myself do Burn Intervals anyway. I still have Ab Burner on today's schedule and will do it sometime before I go to bed. It's just been a weird day schedule-wise. I must say that I'm enjoying this more now that I have my Selectechs.

Wendee, congratulations on hanging in there. Yes, most of us do Beachbody programs, but there are certainly other things you can do. Jan and Theresa are the Beachbody gurus, and their before and after photos are awe-inspiring which is why I'm using them. I'm doing Chalean Extreme which comes with a resistance band. The CE program starts you right where you are, and Chalene encourages you to do only as much as you can so you're not trying to keep up with the jocks if you're not a jock (like me). I'm sure Jan or T would be happy to help you if you're interested. Or you can just keep doing what you're doing. We're glad to be your personal cheerleaders!

Everyone else, great work! Have a great tomorrow!

[ScrappingForever]

Wow, Dawn, you little over-achiever, you! Great job on the workouts and can I just say that you have the makings of a perfect Beachbody coach - helping others reach their fitness goals!

Wendee, Beachbody has something for everyone. If you prefer more dancey workout routines, they have those. If you prefer yoga-focused programs, they have those, if you need one focused on certain body areas, they have those, if you'd rather do a combo of weight-training and cardio, they have those. They have programs for people who are short on time or want to see results quickly. They have programs for beginners, for kids, and for those of us who are ready to take it up a level.

If you'd like, you can go to my Beachbody page here: www.beachbodycoach.com/coachjan. Click on shop. You'll be asked to sign up for Team Beachbody, which will appoint me as your coach. You don't have to purchase anything to do this. It's just a way to get you registered in the system should you ever decide to buy something. Once you get to the store, you can click on Fitness Program and just look through the different ones to see if any appeal to you.

A lot of the ladies here have done/are doing ChaLEAN Extreme, which JoEllen mentioned is an awesome program to get you started and see awesome results. The trainer, Chalene Johnson, always seems to know exactly what to say, what you need to hear during the workouts. We have also have a few people doing Slim in 6, a program to get you going and get results in 6 weeks.

The great thing about Beachbody programs, that you don't get with most other DVD workouts, is that they incorporate the nutrition aspect as well. Beachbody knows that if you don't eat right as well, you can exercise till the cows come home and you won't lose weight. It's a HUGE piece of the puzzle. All Beachbody programs also come with a schedule, so you know exactly what program to do each day. Takes away all of the guesswork, or the, "oh, I don't know what I feel like doing today" attitude which often leads to not doing anything!

Anyway, that's my advertisement for the day. Gotta get some work done and then it's Shoulders and Arms from P90X for me today...plus hopefully some walking or running later today to get that calorie burn up!

[dawnsmemories]

woohoo! It is not raining (yet) so we are heading to the track, have a healthy happy day everyone! I will check in once I am back.
Dawn

[Blesha]

With the cardio I started out at 10 minutes three days a week. Then I upped it to 10 minutes four days a week. A couple of days ago I upped the goal to 15 minutes four days a week, and today it was upped yet again to 20 minutes four days a week. Last week and so far this week I've been doing more than my goal and also have done cardio on the days that I hadn't scheduled it. You know, I have to walk the kid to school and then walk back home, and then repeat the same uphill then downhill thing when I get him in the afternoon.

On Monday this week I was at a Pilates studio. Did a free test lesson, and I've managed to make a deal with them that I can phone in advance to check if there is a space for me in a group, and then I can pay per session instead of getting a membership. There's no way I could follow up on a membership and go once a week or every two weeks as it is now, so being able to go once every three our four weeks will be just right. I'm so glad they are willing to work with me on this. The studio is small, and they know all their customers well and know about their injuries and health issues. This is a must really, and I wouldn't trust a place that didn't have a good overview of it.

Today's Pilates session will be postponed until tomorrow. I was real sore yesterday, but today I'm even more sore. I've had to be quite active both yesterday and today, so this is my body's way of telling me to put on the breaks, if only for a couple of days.

[PBarnes]

Blesha, it sounds like you are making great progress. I'm glad to hear that you were able to make an arrangement with the Pilates studio.

I've walked outside the last three days - 30 minutes Monday and 40 minutes Tuesday and Wednesday. I've lost a lot of cardio fitness with my slacking off time but I'm getting in the groove again. I'm up three pounds from the first of the year so I've got to lose that before I'm really making progress again.

[dawnsmemories]

Ouch! My legs hurt... I did briskly walk for 52 minutes we did ~3 miles.

I did a lot of stretches before and after and plan on stretching again tonight.

Great job everyone!
Dawn

[StephRN]

Wow, everyone is getting dialed in. So awesome.

Congrats everyone on sticking with your chosen program.

I did Chest Shoulders Triceps today. Will make time for an ab routine tonight.

Jan, I ordered the Insanity. I'm not sure how much my ankle can handle but I'll give it a shot. I didn't order the recovery drink. I've been considering it though. I'm tired this time of year so it might be a great addition.

Edit: I ordered the recovery formula too. I'm planning to be flat on the floor. I'm hoping that the cardio will jump start some movement of my fat layer.

[CreativeSparkle]

Jenna, what weights do you need?

Dawn, your post yesterday sounded like you had quite the day worth of exercising! Although today sounds like you did a lot too! wtg!

Jan, it sounds interesting. I'm going to go check it out. Thanks!

Blesha, that sounds like a neat system you have worked out with the pilates studio.

Pat, walking outside sounds fun. I'll be excited when it warms up a bit more here so I am tempted to head out doors to exercise. Right now I get chilled too easily.

wtg Steph, 2 in 1 day! I'm thinking these planned workouts are sounding nicer and nicer.

Today I did another 35 minutes on the elliptical going up to a level 3 incline. I was really sore yesterday and this morning so I didn't add any weights or crunches today. I did about 10 minutes of stretching after exercising though and it seemed to help. I've just been running a bit low on energy so I'm not sure I'm getting enough calories. I'm just having trouble getting higher calories without adding more fat to my diet. Oh the joys of dieting.

[jeschaff]

I just finished Push Circuit 2 and a 40-minute walk-jog. I'm still walking more than I'd like with race day only a week and a half away, but I've made up my mind that my only competition is really myself so whether I run or walk, I'm sure to win!!!

Looks like everyone is having great success! Hope you're all having a great day!

[dawnsmemories]

Crazy day today but I walked the track for ~3 miles and then intervals on the elliptical this evening. My legs were sore so I stretched a TON and soaked in the Sea soak tonight... I feel like a new woman!

I have to just tell you all... I am so proud of all of us! Back when I first met all of you, none of us were the least bit interested in working out let alone making that effort and look at us now!!!! Hugs to you all!
Dawn

[tiza126]

I've been taking walks outside now that the temperatures are warming up, and have faithfully worked out with my Biggest Loser Wii game for 7 days in a row Tonight was the 1st weigh-in and elimination, and I was safe from being eliminated. I lost 1 pound over this last week. Not much, but I'm happy with it because I have been eating wayyyyyyy more calories than I should. And it's better than gaining a pound.

Still no working DVD player, so I can't do my videos. But I like my Wii game workouts. Starting tomorrow the intensity of the workouts are increasing from easy to medium - I guess I did too good on the exercises this week LOL

Now to just get my eating habits back under control, and we'll be set.

I have a vacation coming up in May, so I need to get in swimsuit shape by then That's my goal!