dmd- I can’t wait to hear how you like the triathlon. It sounds like you are ready!
Gorgeous morning here- 60 and clear. 3.1 miles done.
FallGirl, you might be interested in a dedicated interval timer - they are relatively inexpensive. Some people really like them. http://www.gymboss.com/gymboss-classic
@Conmama, unfortunately I don’t think it’s possible to simply burn fat from one area - I would continue with what you’re doing and be confident you’ll see results. These past few months I have been doing a lot more strength training than usual and my upper legs have actually gotten bigger - not quite the look I was going for, but they are certainly stronger. Keep up with your diet, reduce those hidden sugars, get some cardio in (key for fat burning) and continue with your strength training. I’m sure Michael will have more suggestions - he’s definitely the expert.
Thanks Sabaray. I think I would rather use that anyway. Too many apps on my phone already.
I had a good 3 mile run this morning with Back on My Feet. I’m running a 5K tomorrow but it’s a pretty low-key race.
sabaray - you have really pushed to get to your 30 session goal for the month! Great job and it looks as if you’ll be an overachiever!
Pizzagirl - I hope you’re feeling better today. Good thing you stayed in and kept your germs to yourself!
MOWC - I really like that article, thanks for sharing.
Yes, sabaray- super congrats on the 30 session goal achievement. That is real discipline and we…what is it interesteddad always said?..“WE ARE NOT WORTHY!” 
I sprung for the $$$ Yetti insulated tumbler for my work iced tea. It came from Amazon yesterday and I’m using it. It’s awesome! One of the really popular things in our new (well, we’ve been here 1 /12 years now) building is Sonic-style ice machines. That and the full length bathroom stall doors. We’re into the small things here!
Conmama, as others said, there is no way to do spot-reduction of fat; the best way to do it is to shed a few pounds of overall body fat. That said, there are exercises that can firm up and tone specific muscle groups that will make them look slimmer.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/469790-the-best-exercises-for-slimming-hips-saddlebags/
But the caveat is that these need to be done religiously. Have you considered joining a group exercise class?
You guys are all worthy. My running has really suffered with all the training, though. I was talking with a classmate this morning and told her I was relieved I was almost done so I could start marathon training - which would be easier!
I think I’m going to be content with Pilates and running. I’d rather be adequate at those two things than exhausted trying to do everything. We have a new instructor for our circuit class and it’s now very, very tough for me - there’s too much jumping that impacts my ankle. Those bursts are very stressful in a way running isn’t.
Congrats, sabaray, and smart plan going forward.
Unless you looked at Snapchat (I did not), our super-secret Seawheeze shorts shall be revealed on May 6, I think.
I am not a Snapchat person, but some very kind people posted photos from Snapchat on FB, which I know you don’t use! I like them. If you want to see the fabric, I can post it as my avatar when I get home - or you can be surprised! I don’t want to ruin it for you.
Thanks, sabaray! Ha-ha, so much for the disappearing Snapchats! Lol, even if they block the screenshot function, one can always take a photo of the screen. 
Feel free to post!
It’s hard to get a good capture, but it reminds me of the book Rainbow Fish - all his sparkly fins! My daughter loved that book.
Deleted. Duplicate post.
Wow, thanks! The pattern looks awesome.
@conmama, sabaray and BunsenBurner really covered all the bases with their responses. You really can’t “spot reduce” fat loss. As has been recommended, you need a 3 prong attack of good nutrition (both calories and nutrient density, no empty carbs, sugars etc), cardio (throw in some high intensity intervals to increase the overall caloric and fat burn in a given unit of time) and resistance training for your legs (and upper body) to build or maintain lean muscle tissue and “firm” your legs up. The article BB linked to is pretty informative. If you want additional suggestions for leg specific exercises to hit your adductors, just let me know.
I am so aggravated today. I am trying to be nice to my hips/lower back which is where all my pain is. So that means doing the least amount of walking as possible. Today was the second time this week that I had to park much further away on campus because people had illegally parked in the handicapped spots out front.
So now I’m in so much pain that I can’t walk more than a few steps at a time. I went and soaked in the hot tub but was only able to do less than 10 minutes worth of exercises in there before the pain just became too much. 
I read this on Jeff Galloway’s blog today: “For every hour you run, you statistically extend your life by 2-3 hours.” I hope it’s true!
And this:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2013/04/25/ask-well-exercises-to-prevent-dementia/
I am trying to picture those rats dragging miniature dumbbells tied to their tails up their little rat hills. Kinda like me with my giant tote full of crap running up the hill to get to my class on time. 
I hope that’s true too, Gertrude!
I put on the shoes this morning and went for a long slow run. It was partly cloudy, about 70 degrees with a nice breeze. I ran 9 miles at a 12 min/mi pace, keeping the heart rate lower. I felt fatigued this afternoon, but not sore. I’m almost afraid to say it, but it seems although the half marathon distance is still a lofty goal, it’s at least a possibility to work up to. If only I can last through the impending summer heat 
Today the fitbit appeared to be working great while tethered to the phone. It didn’t crash after 3.5 miles. It kept and announced the mileage and pace, even showed the map of the run. New problem and a first: the data won’t sync with the computer. Why, fitbit, why?
Romani, maybe your body would prefer an every other day routine instead of daily. At least at first.
So, yesterday I didn’t really earn my “gold star” in exercise. Between a lot of desk work I had to complete and my drive down mid-state, rain and dinner out with my D1 - and then running out of hours! - I only ended up with a little over 9000 steps - my minimum is set at 11,000. Two thousand steps was just too much to Cinderella around the house!
Today though…woke up and squeezed in 1.5 miles in D’s neighborhood. Then long story but for work I had to go and pick up LOTS of heavy boxes to haul home - literally, I moved 40ish boxes weighing 35-40 pounds each onto a flatbed in a warehouse , some without the flatbed through the warehouse, then loaded them into a couple vehicles and then moved half of them back into storage here at home. I think I had 11,000 steps in by 10:30am! When I got back home - feeling pretty scruffy from all that “hard labor”, I threw on the running shoes for another 2 miles - with a few intervals. So, I’m at 20,000 even with my 4ish hours sitting on my behind driving in the car.
May I have my gold star please!!!???
Gold star awarded!
Plantmom- you could do a half marathon right now. 9-10 miles in training is enough to complete 13.1 in a race. Congrats on the long run!