Getting Our Licks In!

Three more days to go! I woke up at 3:30 this morning, started fretting about work, then started thinking about everything I have to do today in order to be ready for the roadtrip. We are heading over to Solomons tomorrow, so I pretyy much have to have all my roadtrip stuff packed and in the car tomorrow morning. Sister will drive over on Thursday, and we will leave from the marina on Friday morning. I've got to tell you--if you look at the "what to pack" list, it is a bunch of stuff. I'm like--really? I was hoping to get away with one small suitcase, but with multiple workout shoes, sweat towels, gym bag, etc, etc., my normal small travel bag, just isn't going to cut it. So, I'm thinking I might just pull out one of our big honking suitcases and be done with it. Goodness gracious. If the weekend is half as much fun as the building anticipation, it will be super great.

Another great walkabout day this morning. It was 68 degrees and low humidity. So sweet! Ripken and I haven't walked with a temperature under 70 degrees in quite a few weeks. After our walk, I did Lower Intensity Step for 4DS and the first stretch from stretch max.

Laura: if I know you, you will not just be laying around and eating the next couple of weeks. You seem to stay very active even when you are on vacation.

Elle: glad you are on the road to recovery and exercising again. Step blast is a challenge on a good day, let alone when you are just recovering from being sick.

Sister and I will definitely be taking pictures.
~michelle
 
Did C&W weight only premix today. I'm starting to lose the pounds I gained in Vegas. Yea!

Took Rolly for a 45 min walk. He is such a doll baby. When we first start off (I have him leashed) he just about chokes himself, until he calms down during the walk. He gags for a bit. Such a drama King. LOL And, if I forget to brush his teeth at night, he let's me know all about it, by staring at the brush until we brush his teeth. If I lput a harness on him, he'll cry until I take it off. I mean full blown yelps! It's not even hurting him, I've checked it all out. He just doesn't like it. LOL :D

Will CleanMax again today. Our house needs it so badly. I got the bedrooms in fairly good order, also the kitchen and the bathrooms. Today I'll vacuum, dust everything in high places and try to polish all counter tops. That should do it for today. Will CleanMax again tomorrow, until everything is to my satisfaction. Just two or three more days of heavy cleaning is all.

Expecting my Dad, Melody and Joy (my sisters) and my niece (Melody's daughter) over this Friday and Saturday. It will be a blast. They are coming from East of the Mountains. They usually do this once a year, and we always have so much fun! They will be in a clean house when they arrive. LOL:)

Shoegal, We sure did miss you.
I know what you mean about coming home. It's so nice! Aw, a new puppy. Can't wait to hear stories about this one too. Thinking on keep him already? He must be a very unique little fellow. What you are doing is so wonderful. These poor animals needs a place to stay until their forever home. You all are amazing! I love that!

Don't fret about your vacation, if you had a great time, good for you.;)

Renee, Good job on STS. I'm thinking about doing that one again. Will start after my company leaves. Tuesday would be good for me. Now I'm getting excited about it.

Bet you are excited about the RT coming up so quickly!:)

Michelle, I can't believe that your RT is just around the corner. Have a blast! I can't wait to see pictures.

Great job on the Steps and abs. You go girl.

Laura, Insomnia is not fun, hope you have a better night tonight.

Great job on your classes and workouts. Thursday is just around the corner from you.:) Aw, vacation time! Bet you are excited.

Elle, I'm so glad you are feeling better. I was worried about you. Now down to business, Yea! Step Blast? No wonder you went to bed so early. Ease into it Elle, it's not going anywhere.;) Looking forward to a long weekend too.

Michelle, Packing is such a chore, don't forget anything! LOL;) Love to walk in 60 degrees weather. It is sweet. Great job on LIS and the stretch.

Janie
 
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I did Tracy Anderson's Perfect Design Sequence I last night - I just got those tapes - kind of like a little B-day gift for myself :eek::eek::eek::eek: - okay - I just wanted them. I like the workout -it is fun - but it is hard to really take her seriously - I think these workouts will be effective none the less. I'm now contemplating a new Christi Taylor purchase - oh geeze someone stop me for heaven's sake. I think I will do Christi step tonight - but I'm also eyeing up LIS since Michelle mentioned it.

Michelle and Renee - Have wonderful time on the Road Trip - oh gee - I'm jealous - but take pictures and keep us posted and above all - enjoy yourselves.

Laura - Enjoy the beach and the super hot weather - and well - I know you will - you deserve a nice time. NEW PUPPY!!!! Congratulations!!!!! I'm excited for you!!! Do you have any new names picked out yet?

Janie - yes - I am glad to be back and I need to clean too!!!! Haven't gotten to it yet - and I'm dying to garden as well. Everything in my planters seemed to have exploded - everything is so big and overflowing. It's great. I know you will have a great time with your Dad, sisters and neice. That sounds great. I just spent a week with my family - it is always fun.

Elle - 4 day weekend - I would take that!!! Have fun!!! Glad that you are well enough now to really enjoy it too. Good job on STep Blast - that's hard!!!

Hello to Shadowpup!!!

Opps - wanted to tell everyone that Gunner went to the Vet last night - Vet says he has a heart murmur :( -and that could be the reason he is coughing and wheezing. We haven't ruled out Kennel Cough though - hope that is it. He is on meds now for it. Could be a low grade murmur that won't cause him any really problems. Well, he was a very good boy though.
 
Well another bad night of sleep, or lack of sleep I should say, turns out I had company everyone I mention not sleeping to tells me they were up as well...:(:confused::rolleyes:

Not feeling so hot today though, I did get my class taught and managed to do STS Chest & back. I have a HIIT workout on the docket as well, but I am thinking of not doing it as I am so tired...I picked up some sleeping pills today so I am set for tonight I hope!

ElleP: glad you are feeling better! Step Blast is tough!

Michelle: so do you have the itinerary already? Do you know what you will be doing?

Janie: oh man wish you could come over and clean my house! It needs it bad, but it will have to wait until I get back from vaca...
 
The only problem I have with sleep, is waking up and thinking about the road trip. But, surprisingly, I've been sleeping pretty good. Its rare that I sleep poorly, but it does happen, and when it does its pretty much stinks. Laura, I hope you are able to find that sleep pattern groove soon.

Today is the day I pack to go to sisters tomorrow, and then onto NJ Friday. I've started my little piles, here and there, and will probably end up packing too much, but thats okay. Gonna do laundry, exercise, teach a piano lesson, tutor my Mom on how to take care of the cats, pick up stamps, double and triple check that I've got everything I will need. I will love on my kitties a lot, because, despite the thrill of this "vacation" I will miss my babies terribly. Hopefully I will be so consumed with being in the moment that the time will fly, and I won't have time to think about the little furballs.

Thinking about the doing Low Impact Step this morning. Something easy and light. Maybe lift a little for chest, tri's and shoulders.

ttfn

~Renee~
 
Did Still Steppin just for Fun last night - with Christi. Lots of fun. I was going to end it early - she gives that option -but I was just loving the last three combos - there were so dancey and fun I couldn't stop. Tonight - I will do Sequence II of Tracy Anderson's Perfect Design Series - we'll see how that all goes.

I gardened a wee bit yesterday. Sprayed everything with bug spray - things were being eaten. DH and I are lamenting that we haven't used the deck too much this year - :(:(- and we love the deck!! He is threatening me with inviting people over and then puts pressure on me like it should be some unique, fun, wine tasting event. Huh?? I said - can't we just invite a couple people - leave it at that?

Gunner is a joy. He learned how to use the steps down from the deck. He was so fun - I would call him and he wanted to come so badly he was tapping his paws back and forth wanting to try - he was so pleased with himself and lapping up the praise he danced around in a circle on his hind legs. He slept in the bed with us last night - talk about not getting a good night's sleep!!! Three dogs in that bed - along with Rex - there isn't too much room.

Laura - I have to tell you that the full moon has an effect upon me too. It is shining so bright and right into our bedroom window that it keeps me up as well. I woke up at 3 with it blaring into the room and tossed and turned the rest of the night.

Hope you all enjoy the day!!!
 
Well, I slept like a baby last night--7 hours straight and I might still be sleeping but for the alarm clock. The heat and humidity are back for a few days. Ripken and I toughed it out this morning. The temps were down but it was humid. Oh well. Tis the season. But it's only supposed to last for a couple of days. Did Step Moves this morning. One of my favorites. I'm hoping Cathe does a step class like RS or step moves during the road trip. Guess we will find out very soon.

The itinerary is posted on the Glassboro Roadtrip forum. As far as workouts go, this is the schedule:
Friday:
5:15-6:15 pm, first class, 30 minutes of step and 30 minutes of kickbox
9:00-9:45 pm, PJ stretch class
Saturday:
8:45-9:45 am, 50 minutes of step and 10 minutes abs
10:15-11:15: Group A does bootcamp with Cathe and Group B does Yoga w/ Niki or info session with Chris, Cathe's partner
11:30-12:30: Group B does bootcamp with Cathe and Group A does Yoga or meets with Chris

2:30-3:30: 30 minutes cardio core and 30 minutes upper body
6:30-10: Fitness feast including Zumba dance

Sunday:
7:00-8:00: Lower body blast with plyometric bursts

There of course are meals, picture time, and shopping time in between all these workouts. Literally every minute is planned starting at 3:45 pm on Friday when we get on the buses to go from the hotels to Cathe's gym. I have carefully studied the road maps and on-line maps and figured out how to get there. I've worked the route so that we can have lunch at 5 Points Diner (which is where Sunday brunch is as well) and then go to the hotel to check-in. My bags are packed except for the last minute sundries/toiletries. Ripken knows something is up but he is not sure what because he also knows he is headed for the boat today. He won't be happy while his mommy is gone.

Shoegal: Gunner really sounds like a puppy--learning to go up and down steps. It's amazing how people don't really think about what it means to have a dog. Geesch. You haven't mentioned any issues with your girls. Sounds like he really is fitting in very well. But I'm not surprised. You and Rex seem to have the perfect dispositions for putting a rescue dog at ease fairly quickly.

Janie: so much energy, so much cleaning. Great timing with your family coming to visit. Ripken used to tug on his leash as a pup. Now, he is much more laid back about the whole walkabout thing although he still sets out with great purpose.

Laura: well you are bound to get some sleep sooner or later, either from exhaustion or because the moon isn't full anymore. Hope it's soon. You and sister with your 2 workouts a day. All I can say is wow. I'm just hoping I can make it through this weekend. I hope the ol' adrenaline kicks in.

Okay gals. Just 2 more days.
~michelle
 
Hey--where did everybody go?

Just a quick check-in this morning. I am on vacation and we are one the boat. Going to give it a wash today. But first I plan on doing a good stretch this morning. Ripken and I will be going on another walk as well. And sister will be here later this afternoon.

Hope everyone has a great day.
One more day and then it's roadtrip time!
Michelle
 
Got my stretch done. Did stretches 1 and 3 from Stretch Max. Love those stretches. They feel so good.

DH and I are debating whether we are going to get any rain/thunderstorms today. Typically, we get thunderstorms in the late afternoon to evening hours. It's too early to tell at this point. But he is adament that we are going to get nothing. Okay. Guess we'll see later in the day.

I think lunch and washing part of the boat is up next. Then a quick shower and heading to the pool. Love being off from work.

Laura: did you get that 12 inches of hail at your house? Wow! Talk about amazing weather.

Hope everyone is having a great day.
~michelle
 
I'm here.

I did Tracy Anderson Perfect Design II workout last night. Actually got it all in amazingly - I was short on time. I think the workout was basically a good mat workout except for the arm work - there was hardly anything. I do have problems with how sloppy it appears to be. She makes mistakes - I have made a couple comments about it on VF - but I think I'm in the minority - everyone just seems to love it. Part of the reason I bought it - oh well. I plan on doing more step tonight - but perhaps I should change that up - but it is my favorite cardio. I'll think about it.

Michelle - yeah, being off work is really nice - I really enjoyed my week off - I could have not gone back ever again!!!;) Hope you have a nice vacation and a fabulous Road Trip. We had a rip roarin storm here at our house this morning - it upset Gunner quite a bit. He came into the bathroom - put his front legs up on the counter and could see himself in the mirror. I think it is the first time he has see a reflection of himself - and thought it was another dog. It was quite funny.

Oh well - the week is almost over - I'm glad.
 
Took Rolly out for a walk and that's about it for today.

Still MaxCleaning away. My family will be here tomorrow night. Will have porcupine meatballs made out of ground chicken for dinner. My Mom use to make these for us when we were kids.

Have a good one,

Janie
 
Getting ready for my family arriving today. Will do last minute things before they get here.

Plan on doing STS after a trip this coming week.

Hope all is well and enjoying the weekend, see you soon.

Janie
 
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Quick post--WE ARE HERE!!!!

It took about 4 hours and the slowest part of the trip was once we got off the Jersey Turnpike. What should have taken about 15 minutes took about 45 because of road construction on 2 lane roads. But we are here, checked in to the hotel, and have our gym bags packed for the first evening of activities.

The bus will be here in an hour. Renee and I will be thinking of you guys. Wish you all were here.
~michelle
 
Early Saturday morning. Just had a bite to eat. We leave at 7:15 for Cathe's gym.

Yesterday was great. Cathe is so incredibly small but mighty. We had 30 minutes of step and 30 minutes of kickbox. I swear Cathe has springs in her feet. When she does icebreakers, she comes about a foot off the floor. Amazing. I just hope I can live through today. This morning we have step and abs, short break, spinning, short break, and bootcamp. Then comes break time including lunch. Then we have another step class mid-afternoon.

Chris and Cathe made a big announcement last night: she and the crew are getting ready to tape four new workouts. And Shadowpup, you will like this: they are getting ready to roll the Workout Blender software. Cathe wouldn't say what the new workouts are, but she will tell us today.

Wish you all were here. Maybe someday we can all do this together.
~michelle
 
!

Michelle HOW EXCITING!!! I am so jealous! I have had the same thought about Cathe having springs in her feet from just watching her DVD

I am in Atlanta now. And it is HOT! I was unable to squeeze in workouts on Wed. (all day in Boulder) or Thrs (full day of travel with little ones) Yesterday I did get a hike in at my favorite city trail with an old boyfriend from middle school which was fun and a gentle yoga from Am yoga with Rodney Yee. Today I did an intermediate Pilates DVD, a 20 minute yoga, and MMA KB.

I hope to take the next two weeks and just focus on cardio, yoga and pilates until I can get back to the last two weeks of STS<
 
MDolfiniReed said:
Early Saturday morning. Just had a bite to eat. We leave at 7:15 for Cathe's gym.

Yesterday was great. Cathe is so incredibly small but mighty. We had 30 minutes of step and 30 minutes of kickbox. I swear Cathe has springs in her feet. When she does icebreakers, she comes about a foot off the floor. Amazing. I just hope I can live through today. This morning we have step and abs, short break, spinning, short break, and bootcamp. Then comes break time including lunch. Then we have another step class mid-afternoon.

Chris and Cathe made a big announcement last night: she and the crew are getting ready to tape four new workouts. And Shadowpup, you will like this: they are getting ready to roll the Workout Blender software. Cathe wouldn't say what the new workouts are, but she will tell us today.

Wish you all were here. Maybe someday we can all do this together.
~michelle
Click to expand...

Wow! I am so glad you and Renee are there - and it would be terrific if we all did this together eventually! It sounds wonderfully energizing and exhausting.

Cannot WAIT to hear about the Workout Blender software!!! Really want that!!! New dvds - definitely going to pre-order.

All, got back Friday from a long week. It was our major yearly review. It went very well, best one yet. And my goodness, did my advisory committee ever have some excellent suggestions for making the coming year phenomenal. It is going to be a lot of work, and if we pull off half of what we're planning, the result will be well worth it.

On the home front. Workouts are going well. This past week, I was off at the work site for six days, and did kettlebells and an Ellen Barrett on alternate mornings. The kettlebells were for full body and to feel powerful; and the Ellen Barrett was to relax :) Probably ate too much at the advisory board meeting over the three days it lasted, but I actually (not on purpose) lost two pounds - that's from the energy that it takes to keep everything on track. It was not all healthy food; I indulged in a brownie and a cheesecake and a torte of some kind, and I am not a bit regretful! Mostly I stuck to lean meats and veggies, though.

Clara, the seventeen year old, is settling into our home. We began the college selection and application discussions yesterday. She had not realized there was more to it than filling out a form asking to be admitted - which is typical of more high school students than not, unfortunately. She is starting from scratch, including her studies for the SAT, financial aid, deciding on her selection criteria, understanding admissions - it's a big job. Having such a difficult but worthwhile and achievable project will likely help her more than anything else could. Making progress towards a better future is the best way to come to terms with a difficult present that I've personally ever seen! And, I've connected with her mom, which is an important step.

This was a hump week in more than one way, and I'm also adjusting to the "new normal". That includes more regular check ins!!! Missed you all, and I thank all of you for your positive support and good vibes over the last several weeks :D
 
Arrived at Isle of Palms today and staying at the most amazing house I have ever seen! Especially for a vacation home. It is my MIL's niece's house and she is close to my age! Really who in there 30's has a mega multi million dollar vacation home??? Glad we get to use it though and not have to pay for it!

Yesterday I did Kick Max, every time I do it I ALWAYS forget about the 10 blasts!! I always remember the leg drills but not the blasts for some reason. I guess those leg drills out do the blasts and make me forget them!:p

Michelle and Renne I would love to hear more about your experience when you get a chance!

Shadowpup: I am curious about KB, but don't want to buy more equipment. I have heard you can use DB but holding them like a KB. What is your opinion on that? Sounds like a motivational year a head of you at work. That is always good to be motivated!

Shoegal: I am looking forward to some step when I get back, the KB is pretty high impact on the feet and ankles....who is your favorite instructor?

Janey: hope your company is enjoying your very clean house!

ElleP: how is it going?
 
Hello All!

Yesterday - finished doing my last brand new Tracy Anderson PD Seq III last night. It got the blood flowing - and I enjoyed most of it - some parts were too difficult for me to do :eek:!! But that is something for me to work up to and I enjoy the challenge. Actually thinking of doing a rotation (and I use that term very very loosely - I don't think I'm cut out for rotations) with Tracy Anderson just to see how it pans out. We'll see.

My social calendar is filling up this week - and I just have to say - WOW -usually DH and I keep to ourselves - and our little family unit alot. On Saturday Rex was dying to have people over so we invited 3 couples - none of which answered their phone. I was relieved and all prepared for a quiet evening in. One couple called a short time later and asked if we wanted to go for dinner- while at dinner another couple called and we had 1st and 2nd couple over the house after we finished. Unfortunatley, I'm just not cut out for those type of evenings - I drank water all night but was dying for eveyone to leave so I could go to bed!!! :eek::p:rolleyes: Third couple called yesterday to say they weren't doing anything on Saturday and would have loved to come over but somehow or other didn't get the call!! But this week - I have a birthday dinner for my sister in law on Thursday - my good friend & her husband asked us to come over for a steak dinner - Friday is a birthday get together for a friend and co worker and Saturday is my husband's psuedo High School reunion. I'm saying pseudo because Fox Chapel HS invites a whole mess of graduating classes together every year - sells tickets and a bunch of people that just happened to go to school within the same 15 year period show up for a "field party." I'm at a loss to understand how this sounds like fun - it does, however, to Rex so we are going.

Michelle and Renee - awfully quiet about the Road Trip - come on, spill your beans - we are all dying to hear about your adventure. I tuned in to watch the live feed - managed to watch a class but it was really too difficult to make anyone out. It looked like so much fun and I was aching to be apart of it while I watched. Hope you both had the time of your life.

I'm excited about the new workouts although I'm not sure if I am going to preorder. I would like to get more information before I decide on each of the workouts - but I have to say that I LOVE total body workouts as opposed to splits - and would like more in that area. They all sounded like something I would like - but I usually like pretty much everything Cathe does with the exception of kick boxing.

Janie - how is the visiting coming? What fun!!! Is this the first time that your family (father and sisters) have met Rolly?

Shadowpup - glad to hear all is well - I have never done anyting with Ellen Barrett - think I'll look at her stuff and see what she's like. I'm also glad to hear that things are going relatively well for Clara too. We all hope to hear more from you too - we like your voice around here!

Laura - My favorite instructor for step - I'm going to say Christi Taylor - but I've been on a Christi Taylor kick more or less for awhile. I used to be absolutely in love with Kari Anderson's step but I find that she breaks it all down much slower than Christi and I really enjoy something that moves along rapidly. Enjoy your vacation - sounds absolutely heavenly - even the name "Isle of Palms"sounds peaceful. What highlights will your week include?

Elle - hope your cold has completely subsided and your getting your workouts in!!

Hope you all have a fabulous day!!!:D
 
Back to work after an extended long weekend.:( It was a great weekend. I studied a little, taught my yoga classes, went to the movies and saw Inception which is really good. I saw Salt the week before and that was really good too.

Yesterday i did Low Impact Circuit: the total body premix (48 minutes). My energy level is back and i'm happy to be back in the swing of things.

I just got back from my WW meeting and i am down another 1.2lbs. I am trying to get more fruits & veggies in daily but it's not been that easy for some reason so i'm going to really make an effort to do that.

Renee & Michelle: I hope you fill us in on the Road Trip and share any pics you took with Cathe and the gang. The schedule seemed pretty intense but i'm sure you both were able to keep up.

Laura: I hope you finally managed to get some uninterrupted sleep~

Shadowpup: Nice to hear Clara is on the right track preparing for college. I think you are amazing for opening your home to someone in need.

Janie: Sounds like your home should be sparkling after all that CleanMax! Have a nice visit with your family.

Shoegal: I sometimes feel guilty that i would prefer to stay home and chillax rather than get together with friends. I feel guilty because i don't get to see some friends as often as i would like but at the same time it's nice to just stay home and read or watch TV after a long week. Gotta find that balance somehow i guess.

Have a good one!
 
Had a fantastic time with my family. They decided to stay through Tuesday afternoon. They just left, and no one to talk to it seems. Miss them already.

We ate fairly well, except the evening we had pizza and ice cream.:eek:

We did all kinds of sister stuff, talking, hugging, stories, catch up, memories, and wonders. Lots of movies, shopping...

Tomorrow we will do a workout, and next week we will go to the ocean some time.

Seems you all are doing pretty good with your exercises. Very proud of you.

And it seems you all are staying out of trouble.;)

Take care and have a great evening.

One of my sisters has two small dogs and brought them with her. Rolly was in seventh heaven. He especially loved the the younger doggy and obeyed the older one. They played hide and seek, pull a parts, wrestling, barking and getting into trouble. All was great.

Janie
 
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