Getting Our Licks In!

Hi everyone. Just got back from the Orff Christmas show that the children at the John Adams Elementary School down the road do each year for us at CNA. John Adams is our adopted local school that my company provides support to: tutoring, school supplies, Thanksgiving baskets, and whatever else they may need during the year. Each year, as a thank-you, the music teacher brings his Orff ensemble to CNA to present their Christmas program. This year he had children in grades 1-5 in the program. They were fantastic. Always a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season here at work.

So--this morning was a tough workout following lower body blast yesterday. I did Step Moves and my legs felt like lead through the first half of the workout but they finally loosened up.

It is a quiet week here in DC. Many folks are on leave. The commute in is nice though--no traffic. A nice Christmas bonus. I will be on leave starting Wednesday afternoon. I told sister that I might try High Reps later this week and she said to let her know how that goes.

Hope everyone has a great week. Hopefully, we can get everyone back on the forum this week. That would be great.
~michelle
 
Joey and I did High Rep Sculpting from The Firm. Had a good time with that and used heavier weight. Looks like it's getting darker outside which means rain.

Laura, I still would like to give you a Christmas card even though it's most likely you won't get it in time for Christmas. It's my last one, homemade and beautiful. It has your name on it. Do send me your address, will you? I love it when you and the girls get pampered. Again, memories last forever. You have many for those for your beautiful girls of yours. Keep them coming, always. Seems you are so busy, but in a good way. Enjoy your friends, family, classes and shopping.

Deborah, Always nice to hear from you again, we missed you too. Glad to know you are on top of your exercising and making sure it's safe. Good for you. I think STS Total Body is one of my all time favorite workouts. It's amazing. Squating with 157 pouds is still no easy task. Wow! You'll get back to 170 pounds in no time at all. Your body has that memory and it truly will take less time to achieve it. I love your goal to end up i better shape than before. Aw, I do love taking care of my Joey.;)


Michelle, Sounds like the yearly Christmas show was great. That is so cool, they do that for a thank you. Most of the time (as we give to the poor in some way) we never get to hear the thank yous. Great job on Step Moves, especially from LBB the day before. Well done.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone.

Janie
 
Hello - I'm popping in to say hi - as I really don't have any exercise to report. I will be working out tonight though.

Saturday I was full on decorating and wrapping - I worked hard all day long and really believed that I would have absolutley everything finished by the end of the day. I did get all of my family presents wrapped & delivered!!! So - done there. I have a few odds and ends to place around - these are all the decorations that didn't fit somewhere else - I usually place whatever is left in my guest room. I have to say that probably the ONLY room undecorated is my laundry room. I know, I know - I'm a slacker!:rolleyes::D:p So once I finish putting those items in their spot I'll be done!! It could actually happen this evening. I only have Rex's gifts, his family's grab bag gifts and my sister's gifts left to wrap. That is still a big pile of stuff actually - but look at me with a whole week to do it!!!

Janie - I got your Christmas card - thank you!!! Sounds like Christmas is happening out your way - with all that bread being baked. Yum!!! Good job on the exercise with Joey.

Laura - Have fun skiing - I know how much you love it. I hope your knees don't give you too much trouble. Unfortunately, I just got a load of cookies from my sister - she bakes tons for the family - we have like 12 dozen cookies laying about - it is really hard watching my diet now!! I also just bought some egg nog in an effort to be festive - well, it is only once a year.

Shadowpup - so good to hear from you!!! Sounds like you have pretty much recovered - which is great news - and are working on new goals which is very inspiring I agree. Hope to hear more about what is going on with you when you get a chance.

Michelle - So fun to watch those programs especially with little kids - and at this time of the year!! Sounds like you are doing quite well with the exercise - you are so good! I'm surprised that DC is quieter around the holidays - I would think more people would be out traveling.

Hello to Renee & Elle!
 
Tuesday, and finally, belt graduation. I will be "blue" by the end of this day! Way cool!

Ran a few errands this morning, had to buy catfood and drop by Best Buy for my Dad. Alll in all it went pretty quick. No crazy traffic to speak of, but this was just before noon, so perhaps the frenzy will pick up later.

I did the all-step cardio from Cardio Fusion. Sister suggested it, so I gave it a try. Loads of fun that one is! So glad I gave it a try. It has step cardio from LIC and BodyMax 2. A couple of my favorite step routines, so that was great!!!!! I almost opted for Rhythmic Step, which is another favorite of mine, so it was a "new" fun alternative. I didn't realize CF had an all-step premix. So glad sister told me about it.

Wow, Deberoh, 157 pound squats are nothing to scoff at! Wish I could do that! I am up to 100 pounds, well, that was when I was doing STS. Any squats I've done since then have been 55 pounds, because of the enduarance type workouts I've choosen to do. I plan on doing STS again January 1. What do you bench press?

Shoegal, you are just to much! lol I mean, I'm glad to have my main living room/dining/kitchen (ie: great room) decorated. You've got the whole house decorated? WOW!

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”


~Renee~
 
Did Rhythmic Step and it was wonderful. I just love that one.

Shoegal, Such a busy time for you getting everything so beautiful for Christmas and everyone to enjoy. You are a doll baby.

Renee, You didn't give me your address to give you a Christmas card. I still can and would love to if I may. You will get it late, but truly want to give you one. PM me your address, OK?

Congratulations on the blue belt! YEAH! That is way cool!:eek:

Great job on All Step Cardio from Cardio Fusion.



Take care everyone and have a great day.

Janie
 
I've been enjoying my time off but keeping busy getting ready for Christmas. My shopping is done but i still have to wrap a couple of more gifts.

I bought a pair of Nike's as a Christmas gift and the store was having a buy one, get the 2nd pair at 50% off so i got myself a pair of Reebok easy tone shoes. I will find out if they live up to the hype. Not sure when i will get to try them out since they are not really designed for running. They seem like more of a walking shoe. I might have to design a walking workout on my treadmill so i can use my new shoes!;)

I've been doing the new weight watchers points plus system and lost 4lbs over the two weeks i've been on it. The meeting leader advised me to think about my lifetime weight goal but i'm still focused on losing right now so i'm really not sure what my goal should be for maintenance.
 
Joey and I did Total Body Sculpting today using heavier weight.

Elle, I also have to wrap a few gifts, then I'm all done, even with cooking. YEAH! My cooking is buying a Lemon Meringue and Pumpkin Pie. Yep, I did it the easy way.;)

Enjoy your Nike's, I love those to work out in. Keep us posted on your WW system. Sounds really good.

Have a wonderful rest of the evening.

See you all later,

Janie
 
Hi everyone--yesterday ended up being a "rest day" for me. It's been a while since I've done absolutely no exercise and it just felt like a good time to give my body a break. Worked yesterday morning and then ran errands in the afternoon. DH and I had a nice lunch at the local Chili's restaurant. We started off at Outback but it wasn't open for lunch (go figure) and we wanted hamburgers to we went to Chili's. We were not disappointed with the burgers. Yummy.

After we had lunch, I ran over to Staples to get a portable hard drive to back up my computer. They had a good sale running on 500GB portable HDs but of course, they were out. Not to worry, I ordered on on-line. I will use the portable hard drive to back up my home computers and then I'm switching my operating system from XP to Windows 7 on both my desktop and laptop--that's my next week project. After Staples, I went to the library to get some fun reading books for the holiday break. Since it is Christmas, our library had a display of "Christmas" fiction. At the moment I am reading Jingle Bell Bark, which of course has dogs featured in it (2 standard poodles and 2 golden retrievers). Cute book.

Anyway, DH and I weren't really hungry last night after our big lunch, so we just had a light dinner of leftovers. Once again we have managed to clean out the leftovers in the fridge right before the holiday meal. Right now, my refrigerator is very bare, but it won't last long. Think I'll clean some of the shelves while they are empty.;)

This morning it's not so cold, but the wind is HOWLING. I just had to run outside to retrieve our recylcing bin. I had placed it right next to the garage door after recycling came this morning and somehow the wind caught behind it and it was headed for the street. Now, it's back in the garage. I'm going to have to keep an eye on my mailbox Santa--he may need to come in before long as well before he is blown to the next county.

Okay--so today will be a cardio day. I'm thinking Cardio Fusion all step again, just because it was so much fun the other day. My arms are still trying to recover from High Reps upper body which I did on Tuesday. Wowzers!

Elle: it's great that you are managing to lose weight during the holiday season. What great resolve. I think I'm managing to stay right at my regular weight. I'm interested to hear how you feel about toning shoes. Do they really make a difference or are they just a sales pitch?

Janie: RS was my other potential workout for today. Might have to give that one a go tomorrow. It is definitely one of my favorites too.

Shoegal: Hope you get all that wrapping done. I know you will.

~michelle
 
Cardio Fusion all step premix is done. Now for some lunch and a shower. Then a quiet afternoon. A little work, a little reading, walk Ripken. This evening we go to my Aunt and Uncles for dinner. We haven't seen them in a while so it should be a nice visit.

~michelle
 
Hello everyone!!

Last night I did the All step from Cardio Fusion too!!! YEAH! Everybody is doing it so I thought I might give it go as well - and you're right Renee - I didn't know that premix existed on there either!! Thanks to Michelle for turning us on to it. Good to know. I enjoyed it too - really a lot of fun especially right there in the beginning - it moved quickly - I like that!

I told myself that I would only be able to work out that last night right after I managed to wrap 10 things - I have to tell everyone that I wasn't really focused on it and it took me FOREVER - but now all of Rex's presents are wrapped. OK - now for more wrapping tonight - and thank heaven I'll be off tomorrow to enjoy the season!!!! I'm ready for it. . . . somewhat. :confused::eek::p

I also wanted to wish everyone here a very MERRY CHRISTMAS - or Happy Holidays - whichever you prefer. I probably will be busy to post during the weekend so I did want to check in to wish everyone all the best - and how much I appreciate this check in. So everyone - Have a great time this season and a great Christmas!!:D
 
Did 30 min. on the treadmill. Intermittent jogs.

I just need to finish up with a couple more gifts to wrap, and cook the pumpkin pie tomorrow. Then that's it for me.

Have a great Christmas Eve tomorrow and a Merry Christmas the next day. What ever you do, have fun and enjoy all the people around you.

Cheers to all of my dear dear cyberspace friends.

Love ya,

Janie
 
Happy Christmas Eve-Day-Morning!

The horses are needing their food and water, so I'm going to head out and do that ... and then be back to post!

Despite equine needs, THIS morning I'd like to start my day by wishing you each and every one, the merriest possible Christmas!
 
Merry Christmas Eve to all my friends here.

Today has been quite a busy day. Ripken and I had a lovely walk this morning. Then back to house for a quick breakfast bite and I started getting the first floor of the house ready for company tomorrow. Joe's son and wife will be here in the morning. This year I decided we are going to use the dining room which meant EVERYTHING needed to be cleaned and dusted. I'm not big on dusting on a regular basis, so this was a major undertaking. It took about 4 hours to take everything out of the china closet, wash it, dry it, dust/polish the closet, and then put back in. But now it looks beautiful and ready for our Christmas brunch in the morning. I got about half way through my cleaning frenzy with the china closet and decided it was time to exercise. I was having such a blast that I opted to do STS Circuit Blast today. I was headed for LowMax and then saw the Circuit Blast dvd and thought, what the heck--haven't done this one is a while. So, I gave it a go. That is one of the fastest, sweatiest 45 minute workouts.

After getting cleaned up and a little lunch, I finished up cleaning everything and reassembled my crystal and china in the china closet. Next? A little laundry, walk the puppy, then a hot cup of tea and time to relax a little.

Christmas mass is at 8 pm this evening so I have a few hours to unwind. We're doing a light dinner of salad tonight. I'll make them up in a bit and then I can have mine before going to church and Joe can have his whenever he decides he is hungry.

Shoegal: glad you enjoyed the CF All Step workout. Definitely one to remember. Are you getting a white Christmas in the Pittsburgh area?

Shadowpup: enjoy the horses--hope Santa brings them something special this year.

Janie: Hope you have a dry Christmas day.

And Merry Christmas to everyone in our group.
~michelle
 
Merry Christmas!

What a lovely day its been. Took a "rest" from the exercise thing to just enjoy the holiday. I will definately be ready Sunday to sweat off some of the good eats I've indulged in. My other sister makes this "yule log" that is to die for! It's like a big, huge swiss cake, or yoodle. Chocolate spongy cake thing roled in white creamy stuff with a dark chocolate icing coat. Boy, is that thing good! She also makes this great mac and cheese, with lots of cheese...ohhhhh.

My Mom got me the American Freestyle Karate DVD of the intermediate rotation I am currently in. Can't wait to use it! I have the Manual but nothing like actually seeing the moves done, instead of reading descriptions and trying to figure out what some of it means, since I've never done these moves before. My sister gave me two-pound weighted jump rope. Each handle is a pound. Way cool! Can't wait to use those too!

The mid-Atlantic is getting another snow. A white christmas...woo-hoo. It may delay Michelles arrival here a day or two. But I'd rather she be safe then try and drive in this stuff.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon/evening at some friends. We played pool and Wii. It was a very good time.

Will start STS for a third time next Saturday...the 1st! Woo-hoo. Gotta continue to work on my goals of benching 100 pounds and squating my own body weight. Once I get to those goals, I'll have to set some new ones. Oh, I will start running in 2011. Not by personal choice but by karate choice. Part of the black belt physical fitness test is to be able to do an 8 minute mile. ICK! Who knows, maybe theres a runner inside of me...HA! That's a good one!!!

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and memorable day.

Christmas cheer and love, to all of you!

~Renee
 
Happy day after Christmas and welcome to the snow storm that fortunately went to the east and missed us. WHEW! So glad I won't be getting extra cardio today shoveling snow. Happy we only got a dusting. We are getting flurries every once in a while but thankfully, no accumulating snow. Mr. Wind is blowing big time however. And just to be on the safe side because it has snowed south of where I live, I'm not going over to my parents until tomorrow. That way the roadcrews will have time to clear roads.

Taking it easy today. Took a break from exercise yesterday but Ripken did get his long walk and a couple of shorter ones during the day. Today, we've done shorter walks and I did High Reps upper body again.

Hope everyone is enjoying this Christmas weekend and staying safe and warm.
~michelle
 
I did the cardio"Get In Shape For Your Wedding". It was great to get back in the swing of things. Sweat fest for me today. I got a mini trampoline and will do an urban rebounder workout tonight on it. I'm so excited about it. After that perhaps/maybe (depending how much energy I have) will do a stretch type yoga. I'm now enjoying a cup of steel cut oats, 2 egg whites and some pomegranate. YUMMMY!:p

Renee, Your other sisters Yule Log sounds fantastic! The Karate DVD sounds like a good workout. Good job for your Mom to pick that out. OOOh and the jump rope with weight. How cool :cool: is that? How was the third fix on STS today? I'm so proud of you! I'm also thinking about running so I can do a marathon in 2012 in the Fall. Would do in 1011, but Joey and I will have a big trip coming next Fall and will go to Michigan for a family and school reunion. Then just keep traveling and will be home for Thanksgiving. If I can find a Marathon for Cancer or Alzheimer before that date, then I'd like to do one this year. I'll look into that.

You'll be able to do an 8 min. mile, I'm sure. You are good!

Michelle, I'm glad you are smart and not taking any chances getting in trouble because of the snow. Be careful going over to your parents and have fun!

Great job on walking with Ripken and HR upper body. Well done.

Have a good one everyone,

Janie
 
Merry Christmas, all!

What a lovely holiday season this has been ... one of the nicest I can recall! We stayed home quietly, my DH and Clara and I, opened gifts, called family, ate FAR too much yummy food, and played with our 'toys'. DH was extraordinarily naughty in making his Christmas purchases this year and I ended up utterly bedecked in jewelry. Wow! He also picked up orchids and other things that left me feeling utterly spoiled ROTTEN. Hee hee!

Clara made us fancy picture frames, a mosaic of pretty rocks, glass, and pottery that has taken her hours. She also picked out some senior portrait shots to go with them. Very thoughtful and showed a lot of care. My family went with the fitness theme and among other things my mom sent me TRX/kettlebell to work off some of those Christmas calories, and my brother sent me one of those Quad rollers to help work out the soreness it will bring :)

Christmas eve, I tried a new dessert recipe. We've dubbed it 'Chocolate Opulence'. It involved 24 ounces of high end semi-sweet chocolate chips, a cup and half of heavy whipping cream, a cube of butter, peppermint extract, and hundred percent pure cacao. Oh, and a cup of flour mixed with some of that for the crust. I topped it with Hershey's red-green chocolate peppermint candy canes, both whole and ground up. It looks rather like a Christmasy pie when it is done… and packs quite a punch!!! We each went into our own versions of toxic sugar-shock after eating a small piece, but it was worth it.

Oh, and one of the really fun parts is that I was able to ride again! Twice! Only on my quarter horse, because I trust him to be careful with me and with the footing despite this being his first week of riding since September. The other boys are a bit too high spirited right now to take care of mom ... We had a great time, and he was very proud to be The Chosen One.

Today started well. Snow shovelling, hike in the woods, and I had a green smoothie for breakfast. Yum! and also it helped work off the Chocolate Opulence. There's still half left after two days. Unheard of!!!
 
Merry Christmas Everyone!

I just caught up on the posts and sounds like everyone has enjoyed their holiday! I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already...:eek: and the end of the year is fast approaching....

quick exercise check-in

Wed. off -ran errands in Boulder to finish up buying what I needed for Christmas

Thrs. Kick Max minus the leg drills ( my legs were still sore from Tues.) and then the kickboxing combos from MMA:KB

Friday:p90X Kenpo X

Sat: FINALLY DID BODY MAX 2!!!!!! OMG I felt like I was going to die! That was insane!

Sun:went to the mountain but after one delay and problem after the other we only got one run in!
 
Merry Christmas - again. What a great time of year!!!

My fitness gifts were 2 Rebecca Small dvds and a new Patrick Goudeau step workout!!! I can not wait to try all of them - I'm so excited. It sounds as if everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I had a great Christmas Eve cleaning my house top to bottom - then making the rounds to all the neighbors passing out homemade goodies. Then DH and I went to church. We came home and he made dinner, we opened our gits then attempted to watch a new movie I got. I fell asleep instantly though.

On Christmas morning we opened gifts from my family and he went to brunch at his sister's house and I went to help my Mom with Christmas dinner. Then later Rex came over for dinner and for a nice long visit. On Sunday, we took a walk out in the snow with our girls - finished last minute chores and went up to his sister's house for his family Christmas gathering. We had a nice long visit there exchanging gifts and eating more food!!! It was late when we got home.

Laura - Congrats on finally doing Body Max 2!!! How was your Christmas?? What did Santa get the girls???

Michelle - what did Ripken get? Does he open his gifts?? Dot went crazy opening gifts - she was such a hoot!! She stole her stocking at one point and was trying to rip it apart to get the the toy in there. We didn't get the storm either - it missed us and went way east. It snowed a little in Pittsburgh but not much - but there is still quite a bit of snow left on the ground so it was a white Christmas after all.

Renee - sounds like you got some terrific Karate presents!! I think you will really like running. I have run quite a bit in the past - I used to run the track alot!! Good job - you are really working hard on your goals - STS again - I'm so impressed.

Janie - A mini trampoline!!! What a great gift!! You'll have to tell us how you liked the urban rebounder workout you did! That sounds like Fun!! Good job on getting your workouts in!!

Shadowpup - Well, your Christmas sounded lovely. I'm so glad you were able to go riding - I bet those boys missed you!!! Hopefully you will be able to ride all of them soon - I know how much they love it.

Elle - hope you had a great Christmas - let us know how it was.

Well - gotta work today :(:p:confused::confused: - just doesn't seem right.
 
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