<p>BalletMom, my dog likes to help me exercise too. If I’m on the floor, he’s eagerly cleaning my face. That’s why we walk together.</p>
<p>This thread provides good inspiration. I did a class this morning (basically core and legs; I think they call it HABIT but can’t tell you what that stands for). OMG, I can’t believe how weak my abs have become. Just when I was getting a little cocky about my running, those classes bring me right back down to earth. I will be sore tomorrow. I probably wasn’t quite ready, but it was an off day for my run so I was going to do weights and ab work on my own and got there just as the class was starting, so decided to take the plunge. The classes definitely push me a lot farther than I push myself in terms of reps and the instructors at our Y are real drill sergeants. I just have to be assertive and do what I can without crossing over to injury. My legs were so weak and wobbly, I could barely walk on the treadmill after the class but figured I needed to stretch them out and our sidewalks are still too covered with snow to walk outside.</p>
<p>Gained half a pound in January. This over 50 metabolism is such a downer. In the past, once I stopped eating the holiday cookies and candy, any December weight I gained came off immediately. Now whatever weight I gain stays right where it is, thank you very much.</p>
<p>Also, my gym is full of people who are really keeping their new years resolutions so far. I haven’t been able to grab a stairmaster in weeks. It’s a huge gym, but most of the machines are full from 5:30 - 9 pm.</p>
<p>mp…I can relate. I am up TWO pounds in January and have really watched my intake of food and upped my exercise routine since the holidays. 
Guess I need to do even more.
I eat good clean food…no junk…but I guess I eat too much of it (although it seems to be half the amount of DH). I am upping my water intake since that seemed to make a difference last fall.</p>
<p>^^ Missypie. It’s now February so you will lose some of the “Januarys” at the gym.</p>
<p>The dreadmill is getting old… We have very icy roads still so this was the 4th day in a row I had to be inside. I am so paranoid of falling that I won’t go outside until I’m sure there are no icy patches. I’ve ordered up some Yaktrax in case this happens again.</p>
<p>I had a very good January - by far my highest mileage month since my pledge a year ago to start moving my body. I’ve kicked up the intensity a bit the past couple of months and I can feel the difference. I’m even down a couple of pounds, I’m sure just from burning a lot of calories. But I’m starting to notice a definite increase in my appetite level, so that could prove to be tricky - recognizing that I can handle a bit more input without exceeding output!</p>
<p>This thread has really helped to keep me focused this past month - thanks to all who are sharing your stories, frustrations, suggestions and best of all - support for any and all effort.</p>
<p>And as we start February, let’s do our best to keep each other supported so that we don’t become the “January is Over” casulties! </p>
<p>Let’s try to be there for everyone - those finding success by losing and those who are trying but not having results yet. :)</p>
<p>It isn’t just us humans. In our local paper this morning there is an article about the elephants at the zoo. They have reduced the amount of starchy vegetables and fruits adding in more vegetables including kale. The two elephants have lost 2500 lbs over the last year. The elephants have increased their mobility, strength and flexibility. They also made it so they had to work harder for their food by having the food up higher versus on the ground. They also made it so they had to step over a berm and logs to reach their sleeping area.</p>
<p>Another great thread in the cafe with some enticing recipes and meal ideas: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/857803-losing-weight-foods.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/857803-losing-weight-foods.html</a></p>
<p>Monotony has set in for me in the eating department, so I was glad to see some good suggestions in the above thread. Winter weather makes it hard to exercise, doesn’t it!</p>
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<p>Mine just came in the mail a couple of days ago, and I used it last night for the first time while on my elliptical at home (I have a Sunday tradition now… I skip the gym and do the elliptical at home while watching Desperate Housewives - looking at all those housewives gives me motivation to keep going!). I was right - the monitor on my elliptical was waaaaaaay off (by about 20 bpm). But I learned I did need to work harder to get it up in my zone, but I did 45 minutes.</p>
<p>Now will try it today at the gym and see how accurate the machines are there.</p>
<p>[Gym-goers</a> trip, flip and fall in pursuit of fitness - Fitness- msnbc.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35127528/ns/health-fitness/]Gym-goers”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35127528/ns/health-fitness/)</p>
<p>Ahh- the dangers of treadmills…</p>
<p>MoWC - When I was rehabbing my leg a couple of years ago, one of the things I was to do was walk backwards on the treadmill. It was set at a very slow pace, but I can’t tell you how unnerving it was. </p>
<p>Here’s to a good February!</p>
<p>MOWC, I was keeping my eye on a local case where a lady sued her gym after she fell on a treadmill. I thought the same thing as those quoted in the article - what kind of klutz not only falls on the treadmill, but then sues for it? Turns out the jury gave her several hundred thousand dollars.</p>
<p>A couple of weeks ago during one of my treadmill runs, my towel came loose from where I had it looked over the side rail and went under my feet and off the back of the treadmill. It scared me to death, since if I had stepped on it I would have gone down. Now I put it on much more securely! I’ve gotten a lot better at the dreaded thing lately and am no longer in fear of stepping on the front of the thing or being thrown off the back. It helps to have a long, wide deck.
Maybe I could fall, sue and retire???</p>
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<p>missypie - our gym (as do others that I’ve been a guest at) have signs up that ask people to restrict their time on the cardio machines to 30 minutes during peak hours. Does your gym have anything like this? Or are people just ignoring it?</p>
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<p>Especially if you represent yourself and get to keep all the $$$!</p>
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<p>Yes, we have the same signs. But there’s no way in heck that this already minimally motivated exerciser is going to stand behind a sweaty person for half an hour waiting for them to be done with a machine.</p>
<p>mom60, are you comparing us to elephants? (Post # 1088)</p>
<p>Gee, thanks a lot!!</p>
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<p>I agree, but if there are plenty of machines, there should be a turnover every 5-10 minutes or so if people are limiting their time.</p>
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<p>And if they are not limiting their time, a tactful talk with the management might address the problem.</p>