<<<<***STS 6 Month Alumni***>>> --- September

Well, so far we've survived the end of the world today! LOL! :D Course it could happen tonight at sunset (or so I've read!).

No, I don't mind you calling them my fitness projects at all! I guess I kind of attract them! Since she is new to working out, I'm actually being very careful with her...also she has a tendency to get dizzy so am being conscious of that. What we've been doing is: 10 minutes on treadmill, 10 minutes on the bike, and then 10 minutes on the glider. Then we go in and use leg machines; then the next session we do same cardo but then upper body with machines. Yesterday, we upped the cardio to 20 minutes each. She is already building a lot of endurance but we're not going 'hard at it' on the machines. I'm not pushing her too hard but she is committed to getting healthy so she's already increasing her speed and intensity. After the 1st I'm going to start her on free weights.

I'm interested to hear more about the essential oils. I have a couple of friends in addition to you that have tendonitis issues so I know they would welcome anything that works! Can you remind me about your cleanse and how long you did it for? That might be something I'd like to do too!

Have a great day! I'm getting ready to go to the gym.
 
I'll definitely keep you posted about the essential oils, I think I'm getting them next week. I have already started using peppermint oil for headaches and a respiratory blend to manage asthma, both of which have worked decently well.

The cleanse I did was from arise and shine, it is rather pricey, but I really wanted to do it. There are 7 day, 14 day and 28 day options. You need to add 2 weeks to the option because you have to have a prep and recovery week. So my cleanse actually took six weeks. Take my advice and do it in the heat of summer.... I was very cold due to the lower calorie intake. You are allowed to eat all fruits and veggies, preferably raw, starch wise you need to limit potatoes and corn. Limited amounts of almonds and sunflower seeds are allowed, you can use vinegars and healthy oils for dressings, only quinoa and millet are allowed for grains. The reason for this is because all other foods create acidity of some form or another in your body and you want to be 100% alkaline. First week you get to eat three meals in addition to bentonite clay/psyllium husk shakes and herbal supplements approx every hour and a half, second week you do an extra shake in place of breakfast, third week you skip lunch too and add another shake, last week you are supposed to only drink fresh pressed juices and water along with the shakes and herbs. Because you already eat so clean, I don't think you would have any cleansing reactions, I didn't have any, I was just very cold. I am really glad I did it. They say not to work out during the cleanse except yoga, walking and stretching, but I kept up my cathe rotation no problem until week four, then I took a week off. My blood pressure was very low, because you are also not allowed any salt... I have already low blood pressure so I definitely had to get up slowly, etc.
I did my cleanse during school time, it took a lot of fore thought and planning to make sure I had all shakes and supplements on the go, as I was taking the kids to classes and field trips etc. but it was doable, you just have to be committed. But if I had to do it again, which I might a few years down the road, I would plan for it in the summer and pick a time where I know I won't be as busy.
How does that sound to you? Knowing you, I think you would do very well on it. It might even be fun to plan doing one together and check in with each other...;)

One of the noticeable changes I've noticed since the cleanse is that I don't need as much sleep. I regularly wake up at 4 or 4:30 without feeling like I need to go back to sleep. I love that.

You should read all about the cleanse on the website, there are a few details you should know about before starting, you could also read some of the testimonials.
 
Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas!!! You'll be proud to know I'm up and going to the gym! I saw in Cathe update that XTrain is shipping on Thursday! YAY!!! :D I should probably start that series as soon as I get it.

Thanks for the info about the cleanse. Waiting til summer is good advice! I'm cold enough as it is! LOL! I went and checked out the website. I do notice that when I really clean up my eating (like I need to do now!) I am cold. And, I already eat tons of raw vegetables and like you, have low BP. I have to laugh...if anything makes me want to get up at 4 - it DEFINITELY has to be working! LOL!

Not much going on here today. SS is at work, DH is going to work for an hour or so and as I said, I'm off to the gym. So I better get to it!

Enjoy your day!
 
Merry Christmas, Jo! Good job for working out! We are in Bellevue right now, guess what, the hotel has a new and bigger gym and its right next door to our room! So I was a good girl too and worked out for a good while before breakfast. Figured I could earn some calorie budget for the cheesecake dh's chef brother is making for dessert.... Still is going to have to be a teeny little slice, though, lol!

We're taking the kids to the space needle for lunch. They have been talking about it for days... Lol! Committed to making good meal choice. We went to a place called Chaco for lunch yesterday. Totally healthy place with all vegan, some raw, gluten free options and a juice bar. I enjoyed it, could go back there any time!

Have a good workout!
Can't wait for the xtrain, so close now!
 
Cendrine, that's awesome you have a good gym at the hotel. Last month when I was in St. Louis, my room was across the hall from the gym!

So I did over an hour of cardio yesterday: 30 minutes on the glider (love that), 30 minutes on the bike and then 15 on TM to cool down. Then I went and did a leg workout. You're having a little cheesecake; I had a little piece of marionberry pie! :eek: Today I'm going to go attempt a spin workout on my bike. Still got a ways to go before I can be at my full 'spin' level I was at before.

I'm glad you mentioned Chaco! I've been wanting to try that restaurant and forgot about it until you mentioned it. Did you go to the one downtown Seattle or the U district? That's my kind of eating!

How was the space needle? Did the clouds open up for you at all? Did the kids love it? It's awesome to be up there when it's blue sky; you can see all the mountains (Mt. Rainier) and the Olympics.

Okay, I'm going to go spin! Merry Christmas!
 
Just thought I throw in that I decided not to spin but to do CrossFire! It was my first time doing it. I am hugely happy to say that my few weeks of gym work have helped me make huge progress on my endurance. I got through the entire workout and had to modify the usual stuff for me..like tuck jumps! :D I am VERY HAPPY! No doubt I'll do it better next time, but WHOOHOO!!! I knew my cardio would come back fairly quickly. Of course I haven't tackled a step workout yet! And, I know I'm not back to my cardio level but I'm getting there slowly but surely! Now weights is another thing! I've got a long way to go there but I'm feeling so motivated right now!

Besides working out, I had to run to the airport to pick up a GF coming home from seeing her parents in SoCal (Orange). She's hoping to move back there in February. Other than that, it's been a laid back day. DH fixed a ham but I told him I'm not eating any as I'm back on clean eating! We're going to take some of it to mom's as we're going there on Thursday (her BD is Friday!)

Hope you all had a wonderful day!
 
I didn't realize that you guys were back posting! Good to see the checkin back again. I'm always happy to checkin, definitely keeps me on track. I've been such a regular Cathe exerciser for 20 years that I'm always on the website, not going anywhere. Love to hear how you all are doing.

Jo Good luck with the job hunt, hope you find something that is a good fit for you! What happened with school? What fun working out with a friend, I bet doing some coaching would be good motivation to working out yourself! I love Crossfire! Just did that workout myself.

Cendrine So did DH do all of STS? Or just meso 3? How is the tendonitis?? Did the kids have fun on Christmas? Did you order XTrain?

I've been really good with clean eating/Cathe rotations during the fall. Did November rotation, Dec rotation (first 2 weeks), then a week of CTX, then a week of horizontal conditioning. But I've been off 3 days now, amazing how quickly the diet can go and sugar addictions kick back in. 3 days off of exercise as well and I really feel it. Back into workouts tomorrow!!

I have most of 2 weeks off but super busy as hosting 3 parties, ds is in a curling tournament, driving lessons, and both kids start their lifeguarding lessons. But sure feels great not to go to work and deal with patients for a few days. Super crazy cold here!
 
Hi Kim!!! So glad to hear from you! So the quick story is...I got WAY too busy working and traveling again and didn't have time for school. I was working about 60 hours a week and the two combined was stressing me way out. So I temporarily stopped school and the job got even worse and I just decided all this stress wasn't working for me. I didn't have time for anything but work and it was giving me anxiety. I shouldn't have gone back there in the first place. When I quit before I never planned to go back - they recruited me back - I should have thought about it more before saying yes. Anyway, I'm exploring companies and want to get involved with something that really excites me. Just for the short time I've been gone, I am completely relaxed and back to working out and feeling good about everything again!

OMG, DS is driving??? WOW - another milestone in parenting! LOL! :D Sounds like you've been doing great with your workouts! We leave tomorrow a.m. for mom's and back Monday. I've been working out almost everyday the last couple of weeks but will have this brief interruption.

Feels great to be posting again! I've missed you guys!
 
Hey Kim, good to hear from you! We have a two week break as well. We just got back yesterday from Seattle, so we have some sorting to do, but its nice not to have to jump right back to everything right away.
Hosting 3 parties sounds like a lot! I hope you get a lot of help!
I managed to work out every day we were gone and feel really accomplished about it! I used the stationary bike one day doing intervals and my butt still hurts from not being used to work out so hard sitting down.... Lol!
Today I have Gauntlet on the workout calendar.

Jo, let me know if you have time to get together while you are down this way! I'm so glad you already feel better again and really hope you can find a job that is exciting and non stressful both at the same time!
 
Sitting at ds's curling match, couldn't get a good seat so can't even see much. Thankfully I brought a book ( the 5th one in the outlander series). Dd is sitting with me and reading a book about one direction, her current obsession. I know way too much about those teenage boys.

Yes ds got his beginner's license! We never knew of he was going to be able to drive as he was born with visual problems. It had to go through all kinds of red tape at the driver's licensing office which is great as I didn't want him driving if it wasn't safe. So there was lots of rejoicing in our household when he got approved. He's been going twice s week afternoon to the classroom lectures. Over the holidays he had 4 on road lessons with the driving teacher.i've let him drive a few times and it's pretty scary!

Jo o remember from other years your mom and my mom have the same birthday! We are having a get together tomorrow at my sister's so more food and family! How long will you be gone?

Cendrine, so what did the kids get for Christmas? My 3 parties are Christmas dinner for 13 (turkey and all the trimmings), this Saturday the grade7 girls sleepover, ( as long as I have a bottle of wine I should be fine,LOL) and NYE we are having 20ish friends over for a potluck, DH is in charged ad I'm working and it's his buddies from childhood.
 
Hey Girls! Just got to mom's a little bit ago. Yes Kim, that's right! Our mom's share the same day! So my sister, oldest brother, me and a few neices and nephews are taking mom to dinner and then coming back here for carrot cake tomorrow night.

Cendrine, I won't be able to hook up this time as we're heading over to Bend on Saturday and then home on Monday...BUT, I'm coming back down in a couple of weeks by myself so I can stay with mom for 5 days or so. I will be able (and was hoping) we could hook up then. I'll let you know when for sure.

Kim, I forgot about DS visual problems, but glad that has all worked out! I'll bet he is too! Maybe you should have a little of that wine before riding with him! LOL! I'll be you'll be ready for things to calm down after the 1st!

Cendrine, hope you had a good time with the inlaws! Hope the drive going home was good for you yesterday - we managed to get here today without any rain! Dry the whole way! LOL!

So I didn't get to work out today, but will walk the next couple of days. I guess I can't get hard at it again until next week. I will do some callisthenics while here; I meant to bring a band but forgot it. I still remember all those wonderful floor exercises for legs (think fire hydrants and donkey kicks!) as well as ab work. So I'm going to keep at it!

Okay, time to watch wheel of fortune with mom! LOL! Talk you guys tomorrow!:p

Hi Rachel if you're out there!!!
 
I didn't get the calendar, I only got it once and ended up not really using it, but I would still love seeing the pics... Lol!

I didn't realize you we're making two trips down, I bet your mom is loving that!

I just got the essential oils in the mail, I'm rubbing on the stuff for the tendon, I also got a blend for my back and one for my morning asthma. I know I'm worse because of the cat, but I don't think my family would be up for getting rid of her... But I'll have to make sure we don't get another one when this one dies. But anyway, I woke up already feeling tight in my airways today, so I put a drop of the breathing blend on my tongue, held it to the roof of my mouth and inhaled like it said to do, and I'm breathing well, airways open! I'm quite shocked how well that worked just now!

The family is fighting something and I'm happy to say I have no symptoms! I have an essential oil blend for when you get sick and I'm convinced the kids didn't get worse yesterday because I kept giving them that throughout the day... We'll see how they feel this morning.

Workout today is pyramid lower body.

I'm excited for you and your ds that he gets to learn how to drive! What a mile stone! I have to admit, being used to the 18 year drive law from Switzerland, I get scared a little when I hear how young they get to start here... Is dh taking him driving to give you a little break and share in the grey hair accumulation? ;)
 
I did order the calendar but everything is so slow to arrive up here in Canada so have not received it yet.

I am fighting a head cold. It seems like I so rarely get sick but when I do it's always on holidays. Summer vacation I had poison ivy:rolleyes: and now a cold. The main thing is that I'm not feeling very energetic! So haven't worked out much this week, planning to try a horizontal conditioning dvd later today.


Walking is great exercise Jo! Did you order the downloads or dvds? I guess you will probably have them when you get home? Are you jumping into a rotation??

I have to agree on the age for driving Cendrine. It really seems to young to me. I think 18 would be a better age. DH said he wasn't going to take him driving at all but after he had a few lessons with the instructor and me, he decided that he would so has taken him a couple of times.

DH's work is super busy right now with inventory, year end, new computer system, etc so he is working crazy hours. Didn't even see him yesterday. The kids and I have nothing on the agenda today until dd's friends come over this evening for their sleepover. Nice not to feel pressured to do anything as I'm not feeling so well.
 
I'm sorry you are not feeling well, Kim. My kids and dh are fighting something too, luckily I have managed to keep it off me so far and am planning on keeping it that way if I have anything to say about it...

I did body max 2 cardio blast premix this morning. I'm always happy when I manage to work out on a Saturday.

We are going to a huge Costco today, a little bit farther away from us. I love browsing, the plan is to go up and down every aisle and just enjoy the stuff we discover... Then we are coming back to check out a vegetarian, organic restaurant in the area, should be fun.
Then, in the afternoon we are planning on taking the Christmas decorations down.
 
Sounds like you had a busy day yesterday Cendrine!

I never worked out yesterday still not feeling so good. Sore throat, runny nose and sinus issues. DH is at work again today. DS is at driving lessons. I have 4 sleeping Grade 7 girls in my living room:rolleyes: They were actually quite well behaved last night, didn't hear much from them. It's almost 10:30, I guess I should wake them but it's so nice and peaceful, feels like I have the house to myself.
 
We forgot to get the mail yesterday, guess what was waiting in the mailbox today... Xtrain! Yay!
I already looked at some of the DVDs to get a feel for it and am really looking forward to them! I eventually want to do the 90 day xtrain/ low impact rotation, but for now I have to modify since I can't do upper body, hopefully that will be resolved soon. Can't wait!
How are you guys going to use it? And when do you think you'll get started?
 
OMG Cendrine!!!! I'm jealous!!! Can't wait to get my DVD's! Had a great time at mom's. We did a lunch for her yesterday that included my sister, oldest brother, neice & husband, DH and me, and of course, mom! My sister came over and spent the night with us at mom's on Friday and then her and I cleaned mom's house before we left. We ended up coming home last night as DH's back was really bothering him so he didn't feel like driving over the pass to Bend (weather was nasty anyway!). I'm still going to go back in a couple of weeks so will let you know so we can coordinate.

Today, we met friends over in Seattle and we all went on a walk that was about 3 miles. DH and the guy, then departed and went to have Chinese, and GF and I walked to an organic cafe. I was in heaven! It was cold though, only about 36 degrees so we were all bundled up. Our walk was around a lake in Seattle.

Kim, hope you're feeling better tonight! It sucks always getting sick on holidays! Grade 7 girls??? And when you're not feeling well? You're a great mom! :D Oh, and I ordered both DVD and downloads.

Cendrine, good for you for working out on Saturday! Are you able to do the impact or are you modifying? Don't you just love Costco?

We're watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding...love that movie! Oh Kim, I meant to tell you, I've read the entire Outlander series twice! Love that series! I believe she is going to write two more so there will be 9 in the series.

Okay, back to the movie!
 
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Final post for this year! I got XTrain today and spent about 2 hours also downloading the downloads! LOL! :D So my plan for tomorrow is to start XTrain and I plan to do day 1 and 2 since day 1 is only 30 minutes. I always prefer to start my rotations on Sunday...but at least this will get me lined up with the booklet. I'm going to go for the 90 day undulating.

Also, thought I would post that I think we should say "buh bye" to this thread and start a new one for 2013! :D So I'll start one before I go to bed tonight!

Happy New Year everyone! Here's to our passion and continuous fitness and health journey which brings us all together!
 
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