Lurker Invitations Aug, 2009

[ladubose]

Hi everyone, I finally got that All Upper Body Premix from 4DS done! Yea! You know what though that is not one of my favorite weight programs of Cathe. I don't know why but I find myself dreading it, while I love others! Maybe it is because I need to do it more often to get a better feel of the flow of the exercises.

Shadowpup: isn't that the very reason these check-ins work? They help to motivate me as well, I often workout purely because I know I need to post my workouts to you guys! I also love reading what others are doing, how they are doing it, and how often.

Michelle: Looks like you are finding ways to make this rotation fit your schedule very well....always a challenge for me to do...one of these days I will get RS!

Janey: thanks for caring!! I don't consider Pilates weight work at all though. I would put it in the core/stretching category. There is some weight bearing work but not that much and the classes I teach is more about me teaching than doing, although I do move with the class, I am not focused on my own body/form and I also get up to move around the room and do corrections. I do try and alternate cardio/weight days for my own workouts but I often have to adjust to my busy and chaotic schedule.

Shoegal: have a great time!!! Look forward to hearing about it when you get back and PLEASE no burns and trips to the emergency room!!!

 

[janiejoey]

Hi everyone, I finally got that All Upper Body Premix from 4DS done! Yea! You know what though that is not one of my favorite weight programs of Cathe. I don't know why but I find myself dreading it, while I love others! Maybe it is because I need to do it more often to get a better feel of the flow of the exercises.

Janey: thanks for caring!! I don't consider Pilates weight work at all though. I would put it in the core/stretching category. There is some weight bearing work but not that much and the classes I teach is more about me teaching than doing, although I do move with the class, I am not focused on my own body/form and I also get up to move around the room and do corrections. I do try and alternate cardio/weight days for my own workouts but I often have to adjust to my busy and chaotic schedule.

Laura, Just goes to show you how much I know about Pilates. I think you are doing a terrific job on your exercises. And I know you know what you are doing. So sorry about being a mother hen. I learn something new every day with you guys. Love this forum!

Janie

 

[Shadowpup]

Hi everyone, I finally got that All Upper Body Premix from 4DS done! Yea! You know what though that is not one of my favorite weight programs of Cathe. I don't know why but I find myself dreading it, while I love others! Maybe it is because I need to do it more often to get a better feel of the flow of the exercises.

Shadowpup: isn't that the very reason these check-ins work? They help to motivate me as well, I often workout purely because I know I need to post my workouts to you guys! I also love reading what others are doing, how they are doing it, and how often.

Laura, it really feels good when we get through a tough one, doesn't it! Congratulations on getting through that one. There's something about 4DS - I love the kickbox and do it regularly; I'm not so up on the other cardio part, but I sometimes do it. And I have never yet done the weight workouts. There always seems to be another one that beckons.

And, I agree with you entirely about the check-ins. It is very motivating, knowing that everyone will be commenting!

Speaking of check-ins, today went well, with one slip. I felt much more on top of things, and it is my ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY tomorrow (wedding) and also EIGHTH anniversary of cancer diagnosis from 2001, ironic coincidence, eh? And so far the marriage has been wonderful and the TX for the big C appears to have done the trick, so I consider both to be positive anniversaries when viewed from that perspective.

Back to workouts - I did my hike, and also did STS Meso 3 week 2. It was going great until halfway through, when we switched from a flat bench to an incline. I *could not* lift my weight up to start the press! I even stopped the dvd to experiment. It was possible to do the press with the left arm if I used my right arm as a spotter to get the weight into the starting position, but I couldn't heft it up there with my left arm from an incline, even though the flat bench position was okay. Cathe mentions that too much incline puts the weight on the shoulder not chest, and perhaps my shoulder needs to get stronger or I need to use less incline ... I decided it was probably more sensible to drop the weight a few pounds rather than try to do the arms one at a time. Disappointing. However, the rest of the workout went well, and I set a new personal record for deadlifts, so overall I'm calling it a success. Last week I could handle almost that much weight, but we started with inclines and that likely made the difference.

 

[Shadowpup]

Last night, I was going to go out to dinner - (didn't acutally go) so I did another Timesaver workout #1. Short too - well, obviously. I really loved the step portion (can't remember what workout it was from - but I am going to find out because it was a lot of fun and a wee bit dancey) - ended up doing some chest work at the end of the workout - and that was a mistake. I had done chest the day before and I had a really hard time making it through the push ups. Again - I'm weak.



I am going away this weekend - actually no very far - but up to this cabin called Riverwatch - which is - well, on a river. We will do a bit of paddling and we are taking my nephew Gage with us to hang out. I couldn't get my nephew Evan to commit. Who knew 17 yr olds are so super busy? We have been asking for weeks but apparantly his social calendar is amazingly full.

Well - hope you all have a great day.

Shoegal, sounds like fun! And you deserve it - I was reading about the earlier posting, and the scare over your nephew. How frightening! Don't you wonder how any of us made it past the explore-everything stage??? But we can't protect the little ones from everything, much as we'd like, and it sounds like he's going to do okay. And on Evan. All that texting, perhaps sports and dates ... how could he possibly take time to be in a boat, and stay in a beautiful spot Ah well. I hope you love that boat. Did you name her? I missed that post, have to hunt go it up.

 

[Shadowpup]

Yea! I've improved again: Here is my workout today.

There are four sets of 3 exercises in each set, I also used 1# gloves in each hand in everything I did:

Standing Barbell Front Press (warm up) 27#'s @ 15 reps
Standing Barbell Front Press (warm up) 32#'s @ 12 reps

Standing Barbell Front Press 37#'s @ 7 reps
Barbell Curl 42#'s @ 7 reps
Flat Bench dumbell Tricep Extentions in ea. hand 13#'s @ 7 reps

Three more times like this, but no more warm ups.

Seated Lateral Raise (dumbells) in ea. hand 13#'s @ 7 reps
Incline curls on Stability ball (dumbells) in ea. hand 16#'s @ 7 reps
Seated Overhead Extensions One Arm (dumbells) ea. side 13#'s @ 7 reps

Three more times like this.

Seated rear Delts (dumbells) in ea. hand 16#'s @ 7 reps
Seated Concentration Curls (dumbells) one arm ea. side 16#'s @ 7 reps
Cross Body Kickbacks (dumbells) ea. side 13#'s @ 7 reps

Three more times like this.

Joey and I also did abs today.

That was quite a workout for me. Just love working on these muscles.

Enjoy the rest of the day,

Janie

Wow, Janie, that would be quite a workout for anyone You are doing a great job! It's so much fun to see the weights go up, up, up ... well, it's fun when you're doing them, it still sometimes makes me nervous when I look over the workout card for STS. Too bad we're not closer; we could spot one another. I also see you've been doing all kinds of dance. Have you always done that? Is it something a person with two left feet could learn ... ?

oops, DH calls for dinner, which he is making, so I'd best run. Hi to IronLady and Michelle, more personals later ...

 

[janiejoey]

Wow, Janie, that would be quite a workout for anyone You are doing a great job! It's so much fun to see the weights go up, up, up ... well, it's fun when you're doing them, it still sometimes makes me nervous when I look over the workout card for STS. Too bad we're not closer; we could spot one another. I also see you've been doing all kinds of dance. Have you always done that? Is it something a person with two left feet could learn ... ?

Speaking of check-ins, today went well, with one slip. I felt much more on top of things, and it is my ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY tomorrow (wedding) and also EIGHTH anniversary of cancer diagnosis from 2001, ironic coincidence, eh? And so far the marriage has been wonderful and the TX for the big C appears to have done the trick, so I consider both to be positive anniversaries when viewed from that perspective.

Back to workouts - I did my hike, and also did STS Meso 3 week 2. It was going great until halfway through, when we switched from a flat bench to an incline. I *could not* lift my weight up to start the press! I even stopped the dvd to experiment. It was possible to do the press with the left arm if I used my right arm as a spotter to get the weight into the starting position, but I couldn't heft it up there with my left arm from an incline, even though the flat bench position was okay. Cathe mentions that too much incline puts the weight on the shoulder not chest, and perhaps my shoulder needs to get stronger or I need to use less incline ... I decided it was probably more sensible to drop the weight a few pounds rather than try to do the arms one at a time. Disappointing. However, the rest of the workout went well, and I set a new personal record for deadlifts, so overall I'm calling it a success. Last week I could handle almost that much weight, but we started with inclines and that likely made the difference.

Deborah, When I do the dancing, it is with a dance workout. I always review mine before starting, then that way I have no surprises in store for me. It works out great. If you like to try one out I could give you the names of the DVD's I enjoy. Just let me know. They are between high intermediate and advanced workouts. One of Cathe's is Rhythmic Step, and truely advanced.

Congratulations on your 11th Wedding Anniversary! Give each other a hug for me. Will you be celebrating? 8th Aniversary of being cancer free. I feel so warm inside my heart, that you made it through so many years of something that must have been devastating for you at one point in your life. Again, just want you to know that you've made an impact on my life (even just on this forum) and I am so glad you are here in this world. If you can make an impact with little things like this, then you must also be making an impact with anyone you encounter. Congratulations! You must know you have charisma.

Wise choice to drop the weight down with your incline presses. It could be any number of things happening. Not enough rest, not enough sleep, maybe a little bug, agreed with starting out with the incline bench...the most important thing though is to be safe and enjoy the process of getting stronger. It will happen with this series. Success indeed! Congratulations is in order for setting a record for deadlifts. You go girl!

Have a great day,

Janie

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Okay, second time is a charm, I hope. I lost my wifi connection, so I lost everything that I typed. So, let's see if I can do this again. Since I was up early yesterday, I didn't exercise, so today I did S&H Legs and Shoulders. I was able to borrow a pair of 10 and 15 pound dbs from a friend here at the marina, so I could keep my weight amounts up rather than going light.

I"m talking to siser on the phone, so I'll be back later for personals.
~michelle

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Sister a'ld I had a marathon conversation. She had to go shopping for new pants because she has lost so much weight none of her pants from last year fit. Yeah for sister! She is down to a size 8.

So, let me get on the "how great this check-in group is" bandwagon. I really look forward to checking in everyday and reading about what everyone else is doing. You guys are so inspirational. I'm always bragging about ya'll to my DH, sister, and friends. But you guys make it easy to brag about your great workouts and other accomplishments. Okay: GROUP HUG. I feel better now.

I've been sticking with Cathe's August rotation but next week is going to be a bit of a challenge. Haven't done STS yet, so I'm thinking I will substitute a couple of the workouts that I missed earlier in the month and then just fill is as I go along.

So, it is pouring rain here--just pouring. Not complaining, we need it. Hope this weather isn't impacting Shoegal's good time this weekend.

~michelle

 

[ladubose]

((((Big Group Hug))))

Ok I feel better now too! I am currently waiting to hear from my Australian Aunt who should be landing in DIA as we speak to find out what bus she gets on to take to the Boulder Depot so we can go get her and then we are going to a big shin dig at the girls barn, where their teacher is recommitting her wedding vows on her 25th Anniversary. Should be fun, the built a dance floor in the big arena and have ton of food. I think (hope) my Aunt will enjoy going to that even though she must be tired.

So today was cleanmax again! All the visitors are helping me keep my house in tip shape! I have the Double Cardio Premix from 4DS on schedule but I don't think I will have time for it. I am taking tomorrow off as well as my Aunt is only here until Monday and since she lives across the world I only get to see her every decade or so and it would seem very obsessive of me to spend my precious time during her visit working out.

Shadowpup: so do you think your shoulders are weaker than your chest? I would be careful because the shoulders are such a easily injured joint I would drop the weight for sure and maybe even the incline as well. I am assuming the weight you tried was from your 1RM's, is that correct?

Janie: you are a dancing delight! You make me want to do a Zumba or Nia class, they are so much fun! I have a Zumba tape but I don't like it that much really..

Michelle: You should have your sister join us! It is nice you are so close. It is a super hot day up here, the hottest day of the year so far and I wish I was on the water. What do you do when it rains on the boat?

Hi to everyone else.

 

[janiejoey]

Okay, second time is a charm, I hope. I lost my wifi connection, so I lost everything that I typed. So, let's see if I can do this again. Since I was up early yesterday, I didn't exercise, so today I did S&H Legs and Shoulders. I was able to borrow a pair of 10 and 15 pound dbs from a friend here at the marina, so I could keep my weight amounts up rather than going light.

I"m talking to siser on the phone, so I'll be back later for personals.
~michelle

Michelle, This kind of losing our stuff is annoying. Great job on S&H and borrowing weight. WoW! Other people do exercises on their boat? If there is a will there is a way. Good for you.

Sister a'ld I had a marathon conversation. She had to go shopping for new pants because she has lost so much weight none of her pants from last year fit. Yeah for sister! She is down to a size 8.

So, let me get on the "how great this check-in group is" bandwagon. I really look forward to checking in everyday and reading about what everyone else is doing. You guys are so inspirational. I'm always bragging about ya'll to my DH, sister, and friends. But you guys make it easy to brag about your great workouts and other accomplishments. Okay: GROUP HUG. I feel better now.

I've been sticking with Cathe's August rotation but next week is going to be a bit of a challenge. Haven't done STS yet, so I'm thinking I will substitute a couple of the workouts that I missed earlier in the month and then just fill is as I go along.

So, it is pouring rain here--just pouring. Not complaining, we need it. Hope this weather isn't impacting Shoegal's good time this weekend.

~michelle

Michelle, Your sister has lost a lot of weight I presume. High five to her OK. Yes, do ask her if she'd like to join us, you know she is so very welcome. I can only dream about size 8, but I'm working hard to get there. Congratulate her, please. Love the group hugs. Sounds like a good plan for next months exercises.

((((Big Group Hug))))

Ok I feel better now too! I am currently waiting to hear from my Australian Aunt who should be landing in DIA as we speak to find out what bus she gets on to take to the Boulder Depot so we can go get her and then we are going to a big shin dig at the girls barn, where their teacher is recommitting her wedding vows on her 25th Anniversary. Should be fun, the built a dance floor in the big arena and have ton of food. I think (hope) my Aunt will enjoy going to that even though she must be tired.

So today was cleanmax again! All the visitors are helping me keep my house in tip shape! I have the Double Cardio Premix from 4DS on schedule but I don't think I will have time for it. I am taking tomorrow off as well as my Aunt is only here until Monday and since she lives across the world I only get to see her every decade or so and it would seem very obsessive of me to spend my precious time during her visit working out.

Janie: you are a dancing delight! You make me want to do a Zumba or Nia class, they are so much fun! I have a Zumba tape but I don't like it that much really..

Hi to everyone else.

Laura, Enjoy your family, that is more important than anything else. Have fun and let us know how it went. I have literally hundreds of exercises DVD's and need to expan my horizon. Love to dance, so it works out for me. Last week, was hula hooping, next week, who knows. Got to keep moving, you know.


I need a cleanmax too. In the middle of the week I can. Joey and I are going to sit with our little 4 year old Chasie, starting tomorrow for a few days. Hot Tub here we come! This time he will be learning to paddle in one spot. LOL, can't wait.

I did Kathe Smith Latin workout. Fun.

Hi to all that follows and have a great weekend,

Janie

 

[Shadowpup]

Hi all! Just wanted to check in - having a great and eclectic Anniversary weekend We have guests coming to do a little canning (tomatoes) this afternoon. It will be an experiment.

Did I admit that I ordered Insanity before the last trip ... ? I was so - well, irritated - about having to disappear yet again, that I just felt like doing something positive so I did it. The box came yesterday. It was after a sixteen mile bike ride, so I did not feel it was a good day to start. But this morning, I opened it up and did the fit test. Here are my stats:

Switch Kicks 116
Power Jacks 46
Power Knees 70
Power Jumps 26
Globe Jumps 6
Suicide Jumps 17
Push Up Jacks 36
Low Plank Obliques 45

These are not marvelous numbers, and on a few my form needs work ... but it was a fun test and there is plenty of room to grow Took me about half an hour to do these, and burned about 200 calories in the process.

Also, I'm feeling a bit reassured about the plyo part. These are do-able exercises, given a slip-free surface and good shoes. I don't think I'll try this as a six day a week program; we'll see what makes sense.

More later, looks like all kinds of great personals here! But Clean Max is calling. Plus all those tomatoes to harvest

 

[janiejoey]

Hi all! Just wanted to check in - having a great and eclectic Anniversary weekend We have guests coming to do a little canning (tomatoes) this afternoon. It will be an experiment.

Did I admit that I ordered Insanity before the last trip ... ? I was so - well, irritated - about having to disappear yet again, that I just felt like doing something positive so I did it. The box came yesterday. It was after a sixteen mile bike ride, so I did not feel it was a good day to start. But this morning, I opened it up and did the fit test. Here are my stats:

Switch Kicks 116
Power Jacks 46
Power Knees 70
Power Jumps 26
Globe Jumps 6
Suicide Jumps 17
Push Up Jacks 36
Low Plank Obliques 45

These are not marvelous numbers, and on a few my form needs work ... but it was a fun test and there is plenty of room to grow Took me about half an hour to do these, and burned about 200 calories in the process.

Also, I'm feeling a bit reassured about the plyo part. These are do-able exercises, given a slip-free surface and good shoes. I don't think I'll try this as a six day a week program; we'll see what makes sense.

More later, looks like all kinds of great personals here! But Clean Max is calling. Plus all those tomatoes to harvest

Deborah, You are so lucky to get Insanity. I want it so badly. Just can't justify it yet. I don't think Joey would be happy with me if I purchased it. I already have so many DVD's. I'd rather purchase Cathe, I can get away with that. Please post everything about it, but mostly what you do. That test is a workout in itself, isn't it? Do have fun with it.

Canning tomatoes sounds like a great time to catch up and have quality time. Enjoy.

Janie

 

[Shadowpup]

Definitely count me in on that ((((Big Group Hug)))) !!!

So today was cleanmax again! All the visitors are helping me keep my house in tip shape! I have the Double Cardio Premix from 4DS on schedule but I don't think I will have time for it. I am taking tomorrow off as well as my Aunt is only here until Monday and since she lives across the world I only get to see her every decade or so and it would seem very obsessive of me to spend my precious time during her visit working out.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

Shadowpup: so do you think your shoulders are weaker than your chest? I would be careful because the shoulders are such a easily injured joint I would drop the weight for sure and maybe even the incline as well. I am assuming the weight you tried was from your 1RM's, is that correct?

How neat that your Aunt is visiting! And, I suspect your body may be wanting a bit of an active rest anyway - these things seem to work themselves out for the best We had visitors last week, so there was a little CleanMax here too, though not enough. Your house is likely sparkling from all the attention.

Laura, yes, definitely my shoulders are weaker proportionally, especially on the left side, the arm that buckled. To boot, my upper chest on the left is also weaker. That is where the breast cancer surgeries were, plus the radiation, and although I am really far stronger now all 'round, the muscles were definitely compromised in that whole region. Thinking about what you and Janie suggested, and my own best instincts - it makes very good sense to reduce the incline so that the shoulder is not getting as involved (it's not a shoulder workout anyway), and to keep the weights at the lower weight, which is challenging but achievable. It can go up on the days that side feels strong.

Another aside. It's funny, but up until *this year* women who had breast cancer surgeries were told not to lift weights at all, at least in the practice that treated me, even several years out like me. TERRIBLE ADVICE, even though well meant I looked, and I could not find a single scrap or shred of scientific evidence that it was true, and the notion defied utterly defied common sense. So I ignored it starting two and a half years ago - but carefully, watching for all the mythical bad things that supposedly would happen if I lifted a few pounds. This year studies have shown strength training done with care is a very good thing for many in my situation; I feel vindicated and my oncologist will be relieved - she also could not find any scientific evidence, but the 'gold standard' is the 'gold standard', after all. That gold standard keeps people safe, but it may also be why so many women are walking around with locked up left sides and limited mobility, scared to death that they'll trigger lymphedema, though of course I could simply be lucky ... Still, overdoing it is not a good thing for everyone, so I will try to be more considerate of my left side's capabilities. It didn't get much of a workout for years.

Our visitors this afternoon fell through - the woman has the flu, and so our group canning session is postponed. The plums will be ready if we do it next week, which is what I hope ends up happening. In the meantime, I have a basket filled with perfectly ripe yellow and red cherry tomatoes! Into a tomato pie they will go. We have oregano and other spices in the garden, and that plus some onions and cheese will make a nice dinner. Now, I do not cook - I have been known to nearly burn the house down, and I somehow cannot bring myself to follow any recipe as written ... or, most instructions, and sometimes that works out for the best as with strength training, but other times not so good ... but I do bake and a tomato pie counts as baking, not as cooking, right? I will cheat and use a store-bought crust.

 

[Shadowpup]

Deborah, You are so lucky to get Insanity. I want it so badly. Just can't justify it yet. I don't think Joey would be happy with me if I purchased it. I already have so many DVD's. I'd rather purchase Cathe, I can get away with that. Please post everything about it, but mostly what you do. That test is a workout in itself, isn't it? Do have fun with it.

Janie

Janie, I will be happy to. I probably ought to have waited - but, I got a very good price, likely from someone who started and gave up And I was really very unhappy about the extra trip. This was a good pick-me-up.

For the test. Yes, it was a good workout. I'll still try to do STS today, but this will do for my cardio. The test starts out basically explaining that we are going to Work Hard and have to DIG DEEP, and the payoff will be worth it. Sean T explains the basic concepts and moves. It sounds as though we will be working with very high intensity for about as long as we can stand, and reading between the lines, we'll periodically spike into anaerobic/90% max HR territory. Then, a short rest, and it all will repeat. This reminds me of the Cardio Coach workout I did last week, where we alternated two and three minute segments of vigorous and very vigorous cardio, and a short rest in the middle. At least as tough mentally as physically.

The fitness test did have my HR spiking! Based on my CardioCoach estimates, working out in the high 150s to low 160s is my anaerobic HR band, the highest I'm currently capable of doing with safety. I hit 162 during one of the exercises above. Apparently we are to retest every two weeks.

While I thought the two fit people with Sean were in very good shape, I was surprised that their results were within reach for me, for most of the tests anyway. They are, after all, much younger and looked to be in tip-top condition. Perhaps it is meant to reassure and inspire potential Insanity-ites Or, it could be that doing the exercises with perfect form is so much harder that they really were turning out awe-inspiring numbers

If I do STS Legs today, I should wait for my first real Insanity workout until Tuesday. But that would mean being sensible

 

[Shoegal]

I am very thankful for this forum too - I have someone to listen and comment about the workouts I've done. Before I would tell my DH or some co workers - although they listened - it seemed as if they weren't at all interested and I felt as if I were boring them. So let me in on that (((GROUP HUG)))- thanks guys.

Back from my trip - we had a great time and Riverwatch Cabin was super cute. It had 2 full beds though - DH and I squeezed into one with our 2 pups - it was all super cozy in there but there wasn't very much sleep going on when we got there Friday evening. My nephew complained that Dot got into bed with him later on in the night and took up all his space. So nobody slept. We got up and paddled the Allegheny River for four hours - relaxed on the deck afterwards and then headed off for a hike down the trail. We calculated that we did 7 miles total up and back so I figured that was a good workout for that day. We made a fast dinner and spent the rest of the evening watching a movie. We were all exhausted the 2nd night so everybody slept - my pups were dead to the world they were so tired.

We got up on Sunday and went for a hike on this trail that used to be railroad tracks (Rails to Trails program) so it had tunnels and bridges over an interesting and beautiful landscape. We then went home and up to the marina for a quick sail. It was looking quite ominous in the weather department - so it was very quick. A bat flew out of the main sail - I'm sorry but I am not a fan of the bats - or any other little rodent type creatures. I screamed as if my life depended on it. I can appreciate bats in that they keep the insect population down but I think I could be rather happy knowing they are out there without actually seeing ever seeing them.

Well - I must go now - but I'll be back a little later for personals.

 

[Shoegal]

check in again

Back for personals

Shadowpup : the boat was named "Quincella" - and we haven't gone about changing it - don't know what to think of "Quincella" - I really don't know what it means and DH didn't ask. Congratulations on Insanity - I must admit I've had my eye on it but like Janie I am holding off buying anything. I don't know what to make of the fit test - I'm not sure what all the exercises are but they look HARD!!! I was impressed with your numbers. You must tell us what you think of it. On by the way - happy happy anniversaries!! on both. That is worth celebrating.

Laura - how was the visit with your Aunt??? Is she still here today?? It is a big deal when a relative travels a great distance - and your house was the house!! I would have Cleanmaxed big time myself. I really hope you were able to enjoy yourself - sometimes it flies by and you don't get a moment to exhale. I also wanted to ask how your support group is going.

Michelle - Let your sister know we are all impressed with her weight loss. I know how difficult it is - we all do actually - I'm sure there is a daily struggle for all of us. It is so great that she is reaching her goals.

Janie - so going the dance route - I must admit I don't have any dance workouts in my collection. I did have some sort of hip hop segment in this tape I had with Rob Glick, Patrick Goudeau and one other guy - it was called G Force - had some hip hop stuff I didn't care for. Do you know it? Funny stuff now.

Hope everyone has a good day.

 

[janiejoey]

Hi Everyone,

Don't have time for personals right now, but will tonight while this little one is in bed.

Wanted to show you how much fun we are having in the hot tub.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

It took me a long time to figure out how to put pictures up again, but I got it now.

Janie

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Yesterday the day kind of got away from me and I never got around to posting. Sunday, I ended up being lazy and doing nothing but relaxing. Yesterday, we got back to the house late and I squeezed in the total body sculpt routine from the Low Impact Step dvd. Only 30 minutes, but that was all I had to spare and was saving cardio for today. This morning I did Cardio & Weights. It's been a while since I've done a circuit workout and I'm thinking that the circuit workouts make me sweat more than anything. Ripken was happy because there was much licking to be done during the ab work. Tomorrow I may give ME a try since I didn't get it done earlier in the month.

Shadowpup: you are a fountain of information. Very interesting information about weight lifting after breast cancer. Medical advice doesn't seem to jive with common sense. Go figure. Just got the insurance claim for my breast biopsy last month: $3,600 for an hour an a half of getting my boob squeezed and the few minutes of the actual biopsy. Crazy. I don't know if the test on the biopsy sample is in the claim or if there will be another. Have to check to see. How do people without insurance afford any kind of health care? Simple: they don't.

Tomoto pie sounds good.

Janie: your little guy sure is cute. Who is stirring the hot tub? And is that your Joey in the last picture? My Joe firmly believes that I have too many exercise dvds and they are almost all Cathes. I'm afraid if I ordered INSANE that Joe would label me so for eternity. Better to live vicariously through you guys on that one.

Shoegal: I'm with you onthe bats. Not a fan. When I was a teenage, my parents purchased an old farmhouse that they remodeled over time. Early on, we used to get bats in the house--usually at night, of course. It was not unusual to wake up in the middle of the night and feel a breeze go by your face as a bat flew by. I'd dive under the covers and yell: DAD--BAT!!!!!

~michelle

 

[Shoegal]

Checking in -

Last night I did a pre mix from Step Jump & Pump - yes that fun dancey step workout I had done from Timesaver was from that workout. It was a pre mix - a circuit weight & step. I really sweat up a storm - I agree Michelle - I think I sweat more from a circuit workout than anything else. I felt weak and listless to tell you the truth. I struggled all the way through but kept pushing myself - I think I need too.

Tonight - PS Legs and abs. I am afraid - Cathe's intro - she says its tough - right now I don't feel too tough. I think I need to work on the order of my workouts - I'm thinking of doing a rotation - if Cathe has a September rotation - I will do it to see how I do and to force me to use all of my Cathes.

Hey - I messed around with photos and posted a couple of very random pictures on my profile. I have two of my DH (Rex) and one of my nephews - Evan. The picture of Evan is a couple years old - he looks really young to me there - like I said - I was just seeing if I could do it - so be my guest if you want to take a look. It was my first attempt.

Janie - by the way - very cute photos - thanks for sharing - that must be Chasie - he looks to be having fun. And - what a cute hot tub - just how it should look.

Michelle - I really like Cardio & Weights - it is a good one. I also have a DH who isn't liking the many many workout videos that I have. In fact I just got another - a yoga workout for back pain. I thought I'd give that a try . I simply don't tell him most the time when I purchase - I figure these are little little tiny purchases and they can't compare to buying a boat, right? Well, anyway that is what I tell myself.

Ok - will be going - but hope everyone out there is doing well and having a great day.

 

[Shadowpup]

Checking in .. checking in tired Hey, really cute pictures! And Shoegal, I am definitely going to have to check yours out.

But before I do ... confession time ...

Having a workout with the name Insanity in the house is clearly a bad influence. I was good yesterday, I really was - a rest day was due, I took it, and didn't do much of anything except work at my desk. Slept well, ate okay, and all of that.

Today started out okay too. Worked most of the day, took a short break for half a walk, then back to the computer. Stopped at 7pm to do STS Meso 3 Week 2 Shoulders Biceps Triceps. Again, check, just as planned. It went well, actually, and I didn't have to baby the shoulder too much. The weights were just right, and I used my right arm as a spotter for the one set where things started to get away from me. Finished up just fine.

But then I got to thinking. I have to travel again tomorrow, back midnight Friday. And, I've hardly done any cardio since Saturday except one itty bitty little fitness test. Well, half an hour of fitness test, and the calorie burn was up there, but does that really count as a true workout? It was a test, right?

And then my husband said he needed to be out for the evening for a political thingie in town. Which is fine ... but it meant that I was alone here, looking at more bags to pack, and not wanting to go for a ride without anyone on the property, and that big box of Insanity was just sitting there. And I'm really not feeling like packing, or washing dishes, or doing more work, or anything. So ... I thought I'd just sneak a preview peek of the first one, Plyo Cardio. And then it turned out my computer wouldn't play it, so I had to take it downstairs to the workout room. But then, there I was, down there in my workout clothing, and there was the Insanity dvd all ready to go, and I even had water within reach.

What else could I possibly be expected to do but TRY OUT THE WORKOUT???? Honestly???? I have a problem with just watching dvds. Lack of self discipline, patience, or common sense, or some combination of those things.

So I did it.

Whew! That was really fun, and intense. Not sure it was all the way up to Insane, but it's definitely different and really rather enjoyable, now that it is over. Janie, I promised to tell you about it, so apologies to all if this gets a little long... Here's how it went. Sean T starts us out with something he calls a warmup. I beg to differ. There is no such thing in my book as a warmup that causes one's HR to spike all the way up to around 85 percent max, is there???? By CardioCoach terms, that's orange zone, and we don't go there until at least half an hour into the program. But we "warmed up" all right, starting with short cardio drills done at a moderate pace, then repeating them a bit faster, then repeating them a bit faster, and then AsFastAsWeCouldGo. And then we stopped to drink some water and stretch. This is ten-fifteen minutes in. I burned over a hundred calories "warming up".

After that, we stretched for about a year, or maybe it was just five minutes. They were the usual stretches. My HR came down to what CardioCoach calls Green Zone, which for me is around 100 bpm.

And then the real workout started.

We did another sequence of what Sean T calls "slow" and what I call "moderate" paced jumping exercises. Some were on the fitness test, others were not. Things like ski jumps, jumping jacks, and so on. He took us through a sequence of those. Then, he started us over, going faster. And after that, we went AsFastAsWeCouldGoWithoutDying. And then we had a little water for 30 seconds, walking around, and then we began again, with a new series of jumping/leaping/thingies. About half an hour into the program, I began to lose track of what exactly we were doing, but fortunately you don't really have to think - Sean T keeps reminding us that we're Digging Deeper and Working Hard! And it always went the same way - fast, very fast, and DigTilYouDie. My word for it. Some of the exercisers were taking a break, and a few collapsed in little wet puddles on the floor. I thought that was overkill, and really unsafe - I don't think Sean liked seeing his team lying around like that, and he kept urging them to work harder. Instead of being a puddle, I just slowed down a few times. Safer that way. Periodically, we did get a thirty second water break.

Towards the end, we began doing a ten-ish minute sequence that really did give me some trouble. It had one exercise that was like a burpee with pushups. Jump up, then down for four toe pushups, then leap your legs one by one in towards your hands four times, then jump up, then down again. Most of the exercisers were not jumping up by the end of it. My pushups got pretty sloppy by the end, but they were still toe pushups!!!

And, then we finished, and then we stretched, and I found a water bottle and my favorite carbs (hot cocoa), and then we were done. I spiked up to 90 percent HR, burned about as much in 45 minutes as I usually do with an intense CardioCoach over the course of an hour ... and that was with breaks. This is a workout to grow with.

And now I see my husband driving back, so had best go see what political thingie got decided.