<p>Any sudden changes in movement may prove dangerous to those of us over a certain age. Please check with another woman your age before beginning these reps and ask if you think you should do these or just step away from the fries! </p>
<p>Just kidding, and really those are great exercises. I have been using free weights for over thirty years and they are very effective. I have done “complexes” as a way to change up my routine when I am getting stale. I do think it is very important to have correct form before you start doing these reps more quickly.</p>
<p>Ugh, getting discouraged. Gained a 1/2 lb this week. Total for 5 weeks, only 4 lbs. Know I’m retaining water though cause my rings are tight & I can’t take them off if I wanted to. Will stay the course though, & watch the salt intake. No chips this weekend :(</p>
<p>The guy in that picture has some serious looking abs. I got to the Y early this morning to beat the latest snow storm. I’m did my 30 minute run at a blistering 4.6 mph pace, so will see how long it takes me to move up to a 4.7 mph pace. Nice to have a goal. I took a Back to Basics class yesterday that is the right level of difficulty so have added that in for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Still not seeing much movement on the scale but I’m getting in better condition.</p>
<p>TheAnalyst - I am “supposed” to be going to our YMCA before the snow hits us here in Maryland. I think I wll put my ingredients in the crockpot for veggie/beef first. I really don’t feel like going to the Y today. Was just there last night, but trying to get in 4-5 times each week. And I’ve only gone 3 times. Decision, decisions…</p>
<p>Melsmom-I could have written your post word for word. Hang in there. I just keep telling myself “at least the weight has gone down 4 lbs and not up”. Drinking a lot of water, too. :)</p>
<p>Analyst, I don’t have the man with the abs picture. I never get him. Ever since I explored some Cole Haan shoes, that’s what I’ve been getting!</p>
<p>Hey, for those of us who are going to be trapped by this snow - let’s vow not to be undone by snacking!!</p>
<p>As I have said before, I have about 5 pounds to lose. Three would be good, 5 would be great. It does make a significant difference in my blood pressure. That and no caffeine. And walking vigorously. I was making a list of when I get off track. Dumb ways. I just want to be aware of them because overall my diet is really very good. One thing I realized, is that when I take my mom to a doctors appointment she loves going to lunch. For reasons that I won’t go into, we usually go to one place that really is a disaster- don’t suggest going somewhere else, the restaurant solves more problems than it creates, so I am sticking with it. </p>
<p>Today as we headed in, I lifted a silent prayer and explained to God that tuna salad calories when consumed taking your mom out to lunch should not do any damage. I am going to comb the choices one more time and find something that will hold work without drawing attention to how little I am eating.</p>
<p>Anyway, if my brother would man up and take mom and dad to a few appointments, I would weigh less. Really.</p>
<p>Eddie - no cheese or crackers here. I do have a nice bottle of wine - but I am going with Bunsen’s suggestion to have it with fruit. And maybe some popcorn (no butter or salt).</p>
<p>worknprogress, no matter what you order for lunch after your mother’s doctor’s appointment, you do not have to eat all of it. Find the best thing (ie, calorie and nutrition-wise) on the menu and just eat part of it.</p>
<p>I suggest those of you in the midst of snowpocalypse get outside with your shovel! I had an excellent workout removing snow from my driveway. We haven’t even experienced the worst of it - so another workout tomorrow. Dog walking is also challenging in the weather and the snow- great resistance. </p>
<p>By the time I made it to the store last evening there was nothing to buy that wasn’t healthy. I had no choice but to stock up on healthy choices. Someone else was buying all the cheese and chocolate.</p>
<p>Very Happy - Your right, I don’t have to eat all of it - but we are talking about eating with PARENTS. You know how that conversation would go</p>
<p>Mom: What’s the matter, honey, don’t you like the tuna?
Me: No, it was great, it’s just that I had plenty, I’ll save it for tomorrow.
Dad: You always liked the tuna before
Mom: You have to eat more than just half a sandwich, you didn’t even touch your chips!
Me: Really, it was great, DH and I will be eating in a few hours
Mom: I didn’t think the tuna was as good today either
Dad: They have lemon meringue pie, you always liked lemon meringue pie.
Mom: OH, that’s a good idea, have some pie.
Me: No, really, I’m good. I loved the tuna, it was the best darn tuna I ever had.
Dad: I’m getting you something else, they also have pumpkin pie
Mom: I think we should go somewhere else next time. How about the little coffee shop you like so much, the one with all the vegetarian items. You like vegetarian things. You only eat tuna with us. </p>
<p>And there’s the problem. Next thing I know we will be back at the coffee shop, which I do love, but where it takes at least an hour and a half with the two of them. </p>
<p>So, I am back to eating the darn sandwich or a salad (but trust me the above conversation would ensue) and hope somehow these calories don’t count.</p>
<p>worknprogress, too funny. Maybe you should just call the restaurant and ask them what is the lowest calorie thing they offer or how could they change something to make it low calorie when you come in. Then you don’t have to have that conversation with them in front of your parents but I bet they could do something to accommodate you, if you asked.</p>
<p>This snow has caused our Y to be closed again and H’s training team runs have been cancelled. He is absolutely beside himself. I have suggested Sabaray’s solution of letting off steam with the shovel. He was not amused. Maybe, I will give that a try.</p>
<p>Okay, the snow can stop now. We had a good mile walk to a main road (i.e., one that was plowed) this a.m. - those of you who are hoping for thinner thighs, I recommend this strategy. My legs are absolutely burning. Add the resistance of a 110 lb labrador on the other end of the leash and you have a full body workout. </p>
<p>On the plus side, I don’t even feel like eating. I don’t know what happened. I’ll have to make sure boredom doesn’t creep in so that I find myself binging on, I don’t know…carrots. H is outside with the snowblower yet again- he has the good fortune of being an “essential” in a 24 hour a day 365 days a year operation.</p>
<p>H did 11 miles outside this morning. The snow is coming down pretty hard now but wasn’t that bad earlier in our area–rain washed a lot away over night. He waited for it to get light but was out the door by 7:00 am and he didn’t see any traffic. I made him put our address and phone number in a pocket in case he was hit by a car but he refused to carry a cell phone in case he slipped and broke a leg. He said it wasn’t as bad as last week-end when he felt like he was running in sand but it is windy. </p>
<p>Today is a rest day for me, but we will get outside for a walk later. I lost two pounds this past week, which is a record I think, so feeling good about that.</p>
<p>Well…we have about 20 inches right now and it’s till coming on strong. H and I will both be shoveling today and we plan to take a walk with our lab this afternoon (we’ll be on the roads!). The club is closed. </p>
<p>We got a Wii for Christmas and have not used it yet so this is the time. Also will finish a book I started on vacation (Help). I don’t mind this so much right now, but I HATE what it does to our future plans for walks and biking. Boring exercise machines are in my future. I’m a nature freak so maybe I should consider snow shoes at this point!</p>
<p>Toneranger - about 20+ here as well. I think it finally slowing down! It is beautiful. Remind me of that after I shovel out! So far my diet has been really good!</p>
<p>VH - keep in mind this entire conversation is happening with two people who have some degree of hearing loss. Yup, lots of repetition and volume needed. And you are so right, I promise myself that I will not do this do DDs. My folks are really wonderful people - it’s just they are parents :)</p>