Getting Our Licks In!

Hi everyone! Just caught up on the posts (well this page anyway)...missing you guys and feeling like life is just to out of control lately!

I am slowly getting back into the swing of things though, my knee is slowly getting better...I have been able to do a little lower body work, but still not doing cardio yet. I will try a little low impact stuff this weekend I think.

Monday the Rec Center was closed for Columbus day so I did Muscle Endurance which I found pretty tough, hate how hard it is to get back into working out! Sort of felt like, huh?? I used to love this WHY!????;):rolleyes::eek:

Tuesday my beginner Pilates class, and Wed a Total Tone class plus I did STS Chest & Back Meso 3 workout at the gym which did feel good!

Hope to be more consistent here again!
 
Today I am working at home. That means I got to sleep in a little and Ripken and I had a morning walkabout in daylight versus in the dark. We are having a nice, cool autumn day. Ripken loves this weather. I'd like it about 10 degrees warmer, but it's okay. I'll be begging the weather gods for a day like this in January and February. Yesterday I did STS disc 21, back and biceps, and today I am feeling it for sure. My lower back definitely got challenged by the workout yesterday. Did Step Moves for my cardio today--had loads of fun with it.

Laura: your progress with your knee sounds very encouraging. It's nice to hear from you again. You mentioned a little while back that you all were going to view your new pup. How did that go? When will you get her? And do you have a name picked out?

Shoegal: I know what you mean--sometimes you need a break from your spouse. It's interesting to me that you find Slow and Heavy too slow. I've always enjoyed those workouts--I like those breaks that Cathe gives you. It's kind of like STS mesos 2 and 3.

Janie: please try to stick to your good eating habits. I'd hate for you to start having those problems again.

Elle: it sounds like you managed to enjoy Thanksgiving and stay the course on your weight--alot folks aren't able to do that.

Sister: I got a very nice email from cathe.com today with a gift certificate for my birthday. Thanks so much. Now--what to get, what to get?

Hi to Shadowpup.
~michelle
 
Did ME and walked Rolly for 30 min. The 4 Dogs are out again, but managed to sneak in a walk without them detecting us. They've been out everyday this week. I guess making friends with them is the only alternative, just so we can go walking. I'm so frightened of big dogs, it will be a challenge. I'll bring dogie treats and hold on to Rolly until we get used to each other. Or drive somewhere for 20 min. Maybe the alternative will be a better idea.

Shoegal, DOM's are good. Means you are doing a great job, at least until your muscles are use to that. Not all Firms are created equal. Well done, proud of ya. Have a good time with the night out with the girls. Cleanmax for me as well. Especially the bathrooms, so much junk in there.

Laura, I've missed you! Life out of control? It gets that way sometimes. Hang in there, it will pass, I promise you. So glad your knee is much better, it sometimes takes awhile to heal. You are doing well as far as I can see. Nice and easy.;) Once you slowly get back in the swing of things of exercising, you'll love it again and things will be back to normal. Great job on the classes and STS Chest and Back. It does feel good doesn't it? Nothing like doing a body good. Don't be a stranger, we all are here for each other.

Janie

 
Hi everyone. We are at home instead of at the boat this weekend. Trying to get caught up on some things here. Ripken and I had a great walk this morning. Still on the cool side and the wind has really picked up again. Brrrr.
Made breakfast, then opened my birthday presents. DH got me a set of pace weights--just what I wanted--can't wait to use them on Monday. My back is feeling better today, just a little sore. A good nights sleep and 4DS double cardio premix this morning helped lots.

Janie: I have a big dog and sometimes meeting other big dogs (bigger than a golden retriever) on our walkabouts makes me nervous too. Ripken is pretty good with small, medium size, and large dogs (about his size)--as long as he is immediately accepted as the alpha dog. If not, then the meetings don't go too well. If the dogs are friendly, then it will be good for Rolly to make dog buddies. I think it's important for dogs to be socialized with other pups. I hope you are able to work this out to where you are comfortable.

Speaking of dog buddies: Ripken doesn't understand why his Bogie buddy is not outside to visit. When we walk by Bogie's house, Ripken has always visited with his buddy and he still wants to. It breaks my heart. He just sat on the Brandon's front porch the other night, patiently waiting for Bogie to come out, but of course, that didn't happen. It makes me so sad. Okay--enough, I'll get all boo-hooey about this--again.

Time to go have some lunch. Hope everyone has a great Saturday.
~Michelle
 
Today I called the neighbor and asked if he would keep the dogs inside until I was done with my walk in the wood. He said he can do that. It seems in order to walk in even my own back yard I have to call my neighbors to do this. (Yes the dogs come in our yard, pee and poo and then leave) This is not right, but this is what I've been having to go through most of the time here, (16+ years now) and the authorities will do nothing about it. Unless of course something horrible happens, but by then it will be to late. The authorities say I can shoot the animals if I'm threatened by them, but then again, it is not their fault. It's the stupid neighbors.

Anyhoo, now that you get the jest of the matter, I can change my way of thinking by saying that the dogs can protect us neighbors from harm. I hate asking to walk in the wood because I've lost the right to walk in my own yard and have to cowl down to someone who I don't respect and am annoyed by. The reality is, in order to use the wood for walking, I have to do it. My pride is very much hurt, and I'm in tears, but I love the wood and I'll do it so Rolly and I can walk in it.:( These neighbors use to live 5 acres away from us with trees in-between. His sister is now living about 50 feet away and we can see her house in-between the trees (maybe we can grow more trees). They moved her in about 2 years ago. Our privacy is somewhat limited now. Maybe we do want to move, then again it could be worse! We would want to purchase a place, move in slowly then sell this house. We couldn't afford it anyway. The whole situation is heart breaking. Thanks for letting me rant, it is taking it's toll this week.:( I'll get over it. I go through this at least once a year, rant and rave and then move on.

Michelle, Yep it's that time of year. I gets to almost freezing sometimes when I wake up in the mornings. Great job on the walk you and Ripken had and the 4DSDCP. BIRTHDAY? You didn't give us any notice. Here goes:

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Michelle,
Happy Birthday to you.
And Many More..........

Your husband knows you for sure if you got pace weights. Yeah.

I agree that dogs need to be socialized with other dogs, but there is a time and place for that. I'd prefer it to be a time while I'm at a dog path or at set time to meet other animals with leashes on so they can be controlled. I'm so weary of all this anymore.:(

Janie
 
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Hello everyone!

I started meso 3 yesterday, and am feeling sore in all the right places today! :D I have decided to do squat legs today, even though Pyramid Hiit is on the schedule for today. That is only 30 minutes and would rather do that tomorrow then a long 63 minute workout EARLY in the morning. I reviewed the exercises, when to use my weighted vest etc., and am raring to go! I'll try to post about it later.

Tomorrow is my fourth grade program! Hip, hip hooray.

Went to sparring class yesterday and continue to learn little by little. I think we get to practice board breaking in Thursday nights class this week. I am amazed at the gains I am seeing in karate. Proud to say I'm not the typical student. My strength and endurance far exceeds most women in my class, and at least half the men. One lady was "complaining" about push-ups, and she does them female style. I wanted to ask, but didn't, what female style was? But I knew full well, what she was talking about, and I didn't want to make her feel "small" though I must admit, she is far from that! (lol) There have been a lot of families and women with children joining lately. It's nice to see but I will soon be moving onto another time schedule as a green belt, and become one of the few women in class again.

Well, time to do squat rack. TTFN

~Renee
 
Hi all,

I am home for about 36 hours total this time - and not spending much of that at my computer. Those bulbs are high priority, and of course the four footed and two footed kids! We had a veterinary issue yesterday with our lab, who greeted me with a tennis-ball size lump in his throat. Not good. We don't know if this is a puncture wound; the vet has all kinds of scenarios, and my own instinct is that he ate a yellow jacket nest with a few live ones in it, and was stung. He's that kind of dog - too smart to eat an obviously live stinging bug, but driven enough by his belly to possibly eat one where the live ones had slowed down from the cold ... Fortunately antibiotics and a fluid drain by the vet is bringing the swelling down, and he seems much happier now. Much of that is being allowed inside for 'treat dinner' with antibiotic powder in it. I think he'd swallow worse than a yellow jacket nest if it meant extra food!

Workouts are slowed down a bit now - took a pretty long tumble down a steep embankment when I foolishly rushed/lost footing during planting last weekend. Consequently my lower back is spasming if I hit the wrong angle! No jumping or insanity or cardio coach for awhile, that is for sure. However, this doesn't affect upper body with the bands or walking, and fortunately I have enough upper body strength that it isn't keeping me from lifting my suitcases, so I've cut back to those things and declared back/lower body as being in 'active rest week' :D Bulb planting is do-able with a little care. Ah well. I'll start STS after the travel is done and back is better, and have the fun of making rapid strength gains again :)

Next trip is a very long one. Four locations, twelve days, starting in a few hours. Am hoping to get one bulb planting session in this morning before I go. I am down to about ten hours of planting altogether to finish, not bad! If the weather will be kind to me, I can finish in a few days after this trip.

Take care everyone; I miss you and am hoping that there will be public access to internet at some point in the middle of the trip so I can catch up.
 
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Squat legs...one word...INTENSE! But I did it and feel great. I also did the first segment of Total Body Stretching. That is the best "short" segment for stretching out your lower extremeties IMHO. Just perfect for after Squat legs. I squated 90 pounds which is my heaviest ever to date! In 2 more weeks, I should be doing 100! Not as impressive as ShadowPups, but its what I can do at the moment, and I am very proud of myself. Also did 60 pound static lunges. UGH! But then again, its twice what I could do two years ago, and I am just tickeled to death. Well, enough bragging...(sorry).

Have a wonderful day everybody!

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. Doug Firebaugh

Renee
 
Hello -

Nice- absolutely stunning weekend - finally got to my Mom's to visit - have been missing my whole family - seems to have been like 3 weeks since I've seen them. Dinner was fun and soooo good on Friday - Japanese place with the Habachi (is that how you spell it) tables where they cut up the food in front on you - everyone sits around the table watching. My dinner was super hot - just like I like it - and sooo enjoyable. Good company too - ended up sleeping in town at my sister's house and rode back early Saturday morning. Spent a lot of Saturday messing around in the house - giving the laundry room the cleaning of its life. Did some really good work in there - looks bright and clean.

I am finally decorated for fall - I got the cornstalks I have been wanting and put those in place. It looks very very festive. We went canoeing on Saturday for a bit - a wonderful fall day - and chilly!!! Had fun though - came back home - and we were going to go out but ended up staying home and spent a nice quiet evening together.

Michelle - I need a better system for the birthdays - I do have yours written down but not on my calendar - so - you know - I missed it. But HAPPY BIRTHDAY - all the same. Pace weights are an excellent gift - I think you are going to love them - hope you enjoyed your day!!!

Janie - so sorry about the wood/ dog/ privacy issues you are having. It would be heartbreaking for me not to be able to freely walk out in the woods. I know my DH would be crushed if we lost some of our privacy - we love having the place all to ourselves. I suppose it is just a matter of getting used to it. Big ((((HUG)))) from me - though -hope things improve for you and Rolly.

Opps - gotta go - will finish personals later!!!
 
Happy Monday everyone. Took a break from exercise yesterday. Had some great walks with Ripken and raked up the leaves in the yard. Ours seem to drop early. In another month (probably less), they will all be down and then the neighbors' will start falling. That's when I start getting grumpy about raking leaves that aren't from my trees. OH well. DH and I also cleaned out the hottub--now we can fill it up again for cool weather use. Ths morning was STS disc 22, chest and triceps.

This week is the last week of meso 2 for me. My back is feeling pretty good but I clearly need to be careful this week and on meso 3. A hurting back is no fun. I'm with you on that Shadowpup. I'm very proud of sister regarding all the progress she has made. She has come so far in almost 3 years and this time, I think she is going to stay active and healthy for the long haul. No more wild swings up and down on the weight.

Janie: I live in suburbia and I forget you live "out there" in the country. In my neighborhood, we have rules set by the community about dogwalking and picking up after your pup. Everyone pretty much follows the rules and if you don't and someone complains to the homeowners' board, then you have to deal with answering to the board. So everyone pretty much plays by the rules. It sounds like your "neighborhood" is going through some changes and the privacy you once had is lost. It sounds like you've tried to work this out with your neighbor but not to the best possible solution--darnit.

Shoegal: yup--I'm loving my pace weights already. Used them this morning for my STS workout.

Shadowpup: sorry to hear about your little tumble. Take care of yourself. I know it's harder to do when you are on travel. Flying is not going to be all that comfortable, is it?:( Glad to hear that the pup is going to be okay. What a silly boy--eating a yellow jacket nest. UGH!

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. It was a very nice day.

~michelle
 
Well, YIPPY SKIPPY! One of two performances is now done! The 4th graders did a spectacular job. Very pleased at how well they did. Of course the adrenelin was running, one song was at break neck speed and we finished in about 22 minutes. I was hoping for 25 minutes, but I'll take what I can get. One more time this evening for the PTA!

Very sore today from back and chest, and Squat Legs. This morning I did Double Wave Pyramid HiiT workout. Just blasted right through it without pause. Tomorrow I am debating on getting back on track with the schedule (MMA:Fusion) or do Shoulder, Tri's and Bi's. I'm leaning towards another cardio day but we will see.

Hope everyone has a great week.

~Renee
 
Hi all! A quick check in.... I am about to teach my Pilates & Ski Conditioning classes this evening.

We went to visit our new puppy yesterday & she is the most adorable fluff ball imaginable! She was very interactive and followed the girls around the pen. We get to bring her home next Saturday.

Well I have got to run! Be back later to catch up on the post
 
Never got back to post - oh well - busy day.

Last night I did Christi Taylor's Totally Cool Step - and it was great as usual. Just plain old fun and I got every combo without a problem. I actually would have liked it to be a little more difficult there in choreography and given me more trouble. Christi though is such an excellent instructor - you can't help but get it all down. I wish she was still putting out videos because I just love her. Did it without shoes - but I find it extremely liberating (how silly this sounds) not to strap on those shoes. Tonight I get a pedicure. I know the season for open toed shoes is definitely over here but I got a pedicure on the ship and I really liked how my feet looked that I'm being a little indulgent.

DH and I are reading a new book, (his choice) "No Picnic on Mt Kenya." Story about 3 prisoners of war escaping from a POW camp to climb Mt Kenya. After they climbed it - they just sort of went on back to the camp. I find it actually sort of dry. I hope it picks up soon.

Laura - Oh boy - new puppy!!! Let us know when you get her home - how wonderful that will be!!!

Shadowpup - sorry about your tumble - and hope you get your bulbs all planted - but that is such a mammoth task - gee I don't know how you do it. I just finished planting a couple of mums for fall - that the extent of my gardening right now.

Renee - it must be fun putting those programs together for the kids - to see how they play out. Karate seems to be going well - that board breaking sounds super fun.

Ok - well - need to run - have lots to do.
 
Yesterday i did my yoga at the office gym. There was one guy there on the treadmill but we didn't bother each other since we were in different sections.

On Sunday i got some additional exercise helping my boyfriend's sister cut down a tree in their yard. I didn't cut the tree, but i bundled up all the yard waste. It was a beautiful fall day. Perfect for that type of work.

The tree was one of those cedar type of skyrockets. It was right beside the house and was hitting the eavestrough. Even though i love trees, their yard is very cluttered so taking down this tree is an improvement in my opinion. There is just too much going on and it makes the yard look unkept even though there are some very nice trees and plants. They had an apple tree that was overgrown as well so we were able to cut some branches which i'm going to put in my birds cage.

Janie: Sorry to hear about your privacy issues. It sucks when you feel you can't do what you want in your own yard.

Michelle: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! Enjoy your Cathe gift!

Shoegal: I love Japanese food and it's always so much fun sitting at the cooking tables.

Hello to Shadopup, Laura, and Renee. Have a great day.
 
Quick check-in. Ripken was a little lazy on me this morning--we only walked about a mile. Maybe I'll try to lengthen his night time walk to even things out. Did HIIT 30/30 and ab circuits weights and plates. I'm starting to really like the shock cardio HIIT dvd--it's intense but goes by so fast. The weights and plates workout was hard, mainly because my light leg weights (3 pounders) are on the boat and my heavier leg weights (5 pounders) are at home. So, I couldn't opt for the lighter leg weights had to go with those 5 pound puppies. That really increased the intensity of the ab workout. By the time I got to the plate section, I was whipped. I can't do as many reps as Cathe on the plate exercises and I find I really have to watch my form. Practice makes perfect--someday!

I'll try to get back later for personals.
Michelle
 
Update:
I read my notes to the board members and asked them to help me resolve this situation with one of their own members. Most of them agreed, that it needs to be resolved and that Bert should at least close the gates so that his dogs don't come in our yard any longer. YEAH! The gates are now closed. Not sure how long this will last, but the gates are closed. Isn't that something that a simple act like that can mean a difference to a whole family? Wow.

After the excruciating confrontation, the board members asked if any of us would like to become a board member. I made some sounds and I was voted in as a board member. Nothing like keeping your enemies at bay, RIGHT?;) I told them It would be on a trial basis. They agreed.

Thank you for all of your support, it was very much appreciated.

My sister arrived in time for the meeting and supported me in every way that was possible. Bless her heart. She kept me very busy all the time she was visiting here ( the last few days). There was literally no time to go on the computer.

Today I will be walking Rolly for at least an hour to make up for lost days. Oh, how nice is that? I love the woods, the birds, blue sky today, and squirrels... As you can see, I'm so happy!

Deborah, Your poor dogie. It must have been a shock to see that on your dogs throat. Hope all is well now with him. Taking a tumble like that does slow you down for sure. Hope things are better with your back and that you can also do lower exercises soon. So, So sorry you have to go through that.:( 12 days is a very long time away from home. Be safe and take care of yourself, you will be missed.

Laura, Awe, a new puppy. Congratulations! She sounds so cute. Pictures please.

Shoegal, Great job on Christi "Totally Cool Step" I wished she didn't stop with her videos too. They are awesome. Enjoy your pedicure. How nice.

Elle, Great job on your yoga practices. Sometimes it's so nice to be outside during the Fall and do yard work. Good for you.

Michelle, Great job on the mile walk with Ripken, and Hitt 30/30 also abs.

Renee, I would have loved to see the performances. I bet they all were very good. Great job on on the DWP HIIT.

Janie
 
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My classes went ok last night, and although I didn't do the plyo part of the ski conditioning I was able to do most of the weight work. Although I just came back from the new doc. in town and he says I have inter-patella bursa bursitis and short of sticking a needle into my knee cap and draining the fluid and then shooting it up with cortisone there is nothing I can do except leave it alone and take massive amounts of anti inflammatory drugs for two weeks and see if the swelling goes down, if not then we go for the shots...so I guess I need to keep off of it for a little longer.

I am finally able to bend it fully and I was able to do my first child pose in 6 weeks this morning during my Beginner Pilates class and then I rode the incumbent bike for 30 minutes ( of course the dr didn't approve and suggested swimming and MAYBE the elliptical)

Shoegal: OH SO JEALOUS OF YOUR STEPPING!! I CAN'T WAIT TO GET SERIOUS AGAIN! Yep the puppy is adorable and I can't wait to have her home!

Elle: that is the problem with gyms is having to workout in front of others...I remember when I first started working out in gyms I was self conscious, but no longer as an instructor all eyes are on you and I guess I just got used to it...

Janey: well sounds like I missed something BIG going on in your yard.! Glad you resolved it peacefully and through the proper channels and now you have a whole new responsibility!! I guess that shows you that people respected you with how you handled the situation.

Michelle: hope Ripken is back to his chipper self soon! I would love to hate a HITT workout! So hard to be teaching people to do these great workouts in my ski conditioning class (of which I borrow heavily from our dear Cathe with credit of course) and NO be able to do them myself. Very frustrating!
 
Hey Shadowpup! What happened?? I guess I have to go back and find out! Hope you are ok, no fun at all to be laid out!!


I was going to purchase a few cardio coaches to use on the elliptical and was wondering which ones were your favorites?/
 
Walked Rolly already and will be doing Super Sets in a couple of hours since I just ate. Rolly pooed in the house. Will have to put the leash back on for awhile. He's starting to get it more and more.:rolleyes: His body showed remorse when he realized what he had done. Shoot, I wanted to trust him without the leash and went to mail box (takes 5 min.) and he peed.

Went to do an errand yesterday and thought I saw Bert Nicholas unlocking his gate. I stopped the car to thank him for locking the gate and hoped it was resolved (that his dogs are restrained from coming in our yard) stuck my head out to talk but he kept driving forward. As he passed my vehicle (starring right in front and not acknowledge me) he stopped in front of me, I saw two of his dogs (a fat brown one and a big grey one) in front of us. He told the animals to get into the car. When they did he kept going down the street. I needed to get the mail, so I continued down the road to do that. As he finished getting his mail, I had to walk past him to get mine, and again he stared into space with no acknowledgment of me even being there. He continued to go back to the direction of his home.

I finished up with my errands about an hour and a half and the gate was closed.

I am keeping a detailed log on all the activity that occurs and have my camera ready at all time. I hope with all my heart that his animals won't come on our property.

Laura, Good and bad news then. Good because there is nothing broken, and bad news because you need to stay off it for two weeks.:( DO THAT! Then after two weeks (it will seem like an eternity) then you will heal much faster and back to norm again. (((((hugs to you))))). So sorry you have to go through this. I know you are frustrated, but hang in there.

Take care everyone, and have a nice day.

Janie
 
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This morning we had a light rain so Ripken and I did I short walk. Should be back to the long walk tomorrow morning. After our walkabout, I did STS disc 23, legs. One more workout on Friday and meso 2 is history. Don't know if I'll take a week off next week or head right into meso 3. Have to see how I feel. Will be doing cardio core circuit tomorrow morning.

Janie: ahhh, so you do have a homeowner's association. I'm glad you've come to some resolution but it's such a shame that your neighbor was not responsive to your initial requests. And now it sounds like he is being a bit of a poop. That just stinks. But he is the one with the problem, not you. Poor Rolly is regressing a bit. I know he will get with the program but it sounds like he will need more direction/attention from you.

Laura: the knee diagnosis sounds like something my DH had once some years back. Getting your knee drained does not sound like an enjoyable experience but if you have to go that route I know from my DH's experience that your knee will feel better (for a while). He had to get his drained a few times before it straightened out. Took a few month. I know that is not what you want to hear, but also keep in mind that everyone is different.

Hello to Shoegal, Elle, Shadowpup, and Sister.
~michelle
 
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