Becoming Lean, Mean, Endurace Event Machines in 2008

[lenshanem]

Sorry Debra your bars turned out bad. I'm impressed you even made them!

I'm feeling much better! Little coughing still, but not too bad. Thanks guys for putting up with me this past week, I know, I know - I was a big ole' BABY!

Today I went to a consult about my gross remnant mommy belly. The price kinda shocked me, but he told me after he repaired my stomach muscles he could get my tummy pretty close to as flat as the wall. Wow, it has been so long, I can't even imagine. He even thought I'd have no problems getting back in shape for the Donald in time.

Here's the kicker - he said I should lose five pounds for the best results. I've been trying to get these five pounds off for FOREVER now it seems.

 

[laxdef69]

Howdy all meaners....Today was a long one...0430 start, 45 minute swim, 35 minute brick, then meetings until 8:00 PM.

Home now, going to bed for another 0430 start and 1:45 on the elliptical.

I'm starting to hate the elliptical, I run and run, but never get anywhere...

Night all!

 

[princessrunner]

Morning Lean Meaners. Yes, I left off the good for a reason. Total MIA yesterday. This was my day...get up and take DD13 to school, come home lay down 15 minute nap...get up do some housework, lay down 15 minute nap...repeat as necessary. I managed to clean the house, not as well as I had liked but it is clean enough for those droppers-by. I did not eat much yesterday, lost 2 pounds. I am sure if I concentrate on water today those will come back. Here's hoping. Not the way I want to lose weight.

I will catch up more later today but here were a few things that I caught in my first breeze through:

Debra: I, too, have tried protein bars and failed. I have a peanut energy bar recipe that is pretty easy and the kids like it. I posted it in the recipe thread once but I don't see it there now. I can do it again.

Shan: Yay for the baby belly. DH and I were talking about finding a way to get rid of my stretch marks. It involves pretty much the same surgery. I sit on the fence as I am not as truly superficial as I come across and I feel this is about as bad as me wanting implants. I however do feel that the stretch marks are ugly and if we work this hard on our bodies, it is not fair that we cannot wear bikinis!! DH tells me that they do not bother him and that he is proud of what came from them but I told him if there was another woman built exactly like me in a bikini with these ugly stretch marks he would not be saying "wow that is one hot momma", he'd say "gee that's too bad about her stomach". I am pretty insecure about them as I am sure you are about your "mommy belly" (I like that BTW). I know it is pricey but, for me, it would be worth every penny, I just have to talk myself into it first. Maybe if you do it and tell me it is not that bad, I would give it more thought...

I hope everyone is well and NO ONE else catches this virus. It is nasty with a capital T!! I have done NOTHING since Sunday. I am feeling okay right now and may try some walking later. Even yoga hurt my head is so full!!! I will be back later, in the meantime, hang in there Lean Meaners!!

Here is the link for the bar recipe: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21199324#post21199324&highlight=peanut+energy+bar+recipe

 

[windwalker]

Shan: Yay for the baby belly. DH and I were talking about finding a way to get rid of my stretch marks. It involves pretty much the same surgery. I sit on the fence as I am not as truly superficial as I come across and I feel this is about as bad as me wanting implants. I however do feel that the stretch marks are ugly and if we work this hard on our bodies, it is not fair that we cannot wear bikinis!! DH tells me that they do not bother him and that he is proud of what came from them but I told him if there was another woman built exactly like me in a bikini with these ugly stretch marks he would not be saying "wow that is one hot momma", he'd say "gee that's too bad about her stomach". I am pretty insecure about them as I am sure you are about your "mommy belly" (I like that BTW). I know it is pricey but, for me, it would be worth every penny, I just have to talk myself into it first. Maybe if you do it and tell me it is not that bad, I would give it more thought...

Lisa, Shan, we all carry the scars of where we have been and the battles we have won and lost. Whatever you decide you will still be beautiful, warm, wonderful women, either way.

Happy Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Okay, I am back with further progress on catching up on posts:

Dave: You are such a sweetie. Inside, I do feel beautiful most of the time. I just would like to know I am that beautiful on the outside and strut my stuff on the beach and have people say "dang, she looks fine for 40"!

Beth/Debra: Add me to the list of cynical, pessimistic and sarcastic people on the board. My MIL wears the proverbial rose colored glasses. Don't get me wrong, I love her to death. When DH and I were first together and I finally got him to understand that everyone in the world is not nice and looking out for you (that took work) she told him he used to be such a nice kind-hearted person until..... He stopped her before she could finish. I am also judgemental and opinionated...oh and outspoken too. On that note, my DH once told me that if everyone is going to think you are a b**ch, you might as well get it off your chest so they can either be right or wrong. True, so true. So now, I just say it and let the chips fall.

I don't think I have met an unkind or unsupportive person on WISH yet. And, hey, if we all saw things the same way, how would we all grow??

Beth: Yay for pushing yourself out of the comfort zone. I have been doing that recently too and have found that I CAN run faster than I thought, I just got too comfortable in the pace I could achieve. The side stitch is probably a breathing issue. I have to change my breathing the faster I run. Yay again!!

Vic: Glad to hear the trip went well. Boo on the hotel though. I usually say a bed is a bed but sometimes not so much...

Phew, I think that was all I had to say this time. Have a great day and helllo to anyone I missed!!

 

[jeanneg]

Dave: you are the best.....and that's why all the women on this thread love you so such. You're always looking for the inner beauty and making people feel good about themselves. Alot of us are way past our prime but know if we ever need to feel like a pretty princess all we have to do is come here and find one of your posts. Thanks for always having something nice to say.

Lisa: hope you're feeling better....sounds like you caught a nasty bug.

 

[lenshanem]

Lisa, Shan, we all carry the scars of where we have been and the battles we have won and lost. Whatever you decide you will still be beautiful, warm, wonderful women, either way.

Happy Panda

Thanks, that was so sweet to say. It made me tear all up this morning!

This is something that has bothered me for awhile. It took alot of courage for me to go to that consult yesterday. I was actually so nervous I thought I was going to get sick in the waiting room.

If I got anything out of that visit it was him telling me that my tummy is not from being overweight. I feel like I'm always struggling trying to keep my weight down and get rid of that tummy and yet it is always there. The visit kinda made me feel like it is not my fault.

Now I have to decide if the price and the recovery is something I can deal with... My youngest doesn't want me to get rid of my tummy cause she likes to use it as a pillow she told me.


Today my Mom is having surgery, if everyone could keep her in your thoughts today I'd greatly appreciate it.

Love you guys!

 

[lenshanem]

Lisa, I hope you're feeling better today!

 

[postesf]

Hey guys!

Vic...too bad about the hotel!

Deb...Sorry about the bars. We are horrible for wasting food though. BTW...are you doing the Minnie or any of the events at Disney in Jan 2009? My brain is not working this morning and I don't remember.

Shan... Mommy tummy! I love that. I have one, but no kids...what's my excuse?

Lisa...I've always disliked my figure. I've been overweight as long as I can remember. I just hope when I get to 40 I have a hard body like yours!!! Losing weight really shouldn't be this tough!

It was kinda funny last night. We walked over to DH's granny's house and he told her had lost 16lbs since he came off one of his meds and so we got on the topic of weight. To make a long story short, I pointed out how DH's pooch belly is hard, mine is squishy. Matt's granny wanted to polk me and she though my squishy belly was "cute" I just had to laugh. I of couse don't think it's cute and am trying to get rid of it, but that will take a while...

So... onto the training front. Yesterday was my scheduled 4 mile run. I actually walked the majority...I just had no energy. My mom and I went to this 1/2 mile track around a soccer field. This woman is 63 and can walk circles around me (I'm 28)!!! I always feel so out of shape and slow around her. She is just a bundle of energy. She actually walks faster than I run. Go figure... Anyway... We did it together. Eventhough a lot of it was walking, we were really moving. At least with her I walk faster than when I do it alone. Many times during my runs I'll take walk breaks and they are pretty slow. Not yesterday! Our average pace was 14:43 and HR was a bit lower at 169 bpm. I'm am happy with that. I get done w/ the 4 miles... I'm tired, red-faced, stinky and my mom looks great! Not fair... Overall, I'm pleased though!

Hope everyone has a great day today!!!
Stacie

 

[windwalker]

Dave: you are the best.....and that's why all the women on this thread love you so such. You're always looking for the inner beauty and making people feel good about themselves. Alot of us are way past our prime but know if we ever need to feel like a pretty princess all we have to do is come here and find one of your posts. Thanks for always having something nice to say.

Lisa: hope you're feeling better....sounds like you caught a nasty bug.

Jeanne, I've said nothing that is not true. Little secret, now don't tell anyone, I love all the pretty princesses on here to.

Unfortunately most of us carry as many scars inside as out. Those are the scars from being hurt and regrets of things we have done and wish we could change. Those are the hurts and troubles we can help each other heal. We all have to learn that the past is over and that isn't the person we have to take into the future.

Lets all make an effort to leave the old baggage behind and go into our future at peace with our bodies and our hearts. We are good, strong people and we deserve all the happiness we can find.

That doesn't mean that we should stop our quest for a healthy lifestyle, far from it. What it means is we should say "Yea Baby" when we accomplish our goals, but be strong enouth to say "Screw it" if we don't make a goal, and press on.


For all the Pretty Princesses of the, I dedicate the song, "One Hot Mama" by Trace Adkins. If you haven't heard it, do a search and find it. While your at it find the song "Untamed" by him also.

Walking Panda

 

[postesf]

Panda...

 

[JustSmile]

Hi Lean Meaners!
This is the third time I've sat down to post today. I took notes, but forgive me if I sound discombobulated (is my sp? anywhere close?)

Jeanne...Good to hear from you.
Vic...Glad you're back. Sorry about the icky hotel.
Debra...IL's what can you say? I just try to be positive and still be my own person. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. As I said before, I can't imagine you as "downer Debbie", I appreciate your humor immensely, and you are a very caring person. I joke about the pixie cut, on me it would look like a Chia pet. However, I LOVE the whole Katie Holmes haircut and am sooooo tempted. Sorry about the protein bars, they sound ummm.....palatable.
Shan...Good luck with your tummy tuck decision. I imagine it can't be an easy one to make. Kids are so funny with what they say. My friend had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. She followed it with total reconstructive surgery. Her daughter responded with, "I like these new ones, the old ones were kind of saggy." God love her, she made a horrible situation so much better. Sending prayers for your mom.
Mike...Whew...you are a work-out machine.
Lisa...Hope that tomorrows a good day. My husband says the same thing about my stretch marks. I think he's avoiding a big Dr. bill.
Stacie...Funny story about DH's grandma. She sounds darling. Great time on your walk/run! I'm thinking you've got good genes coming from your mom. And thanks for the runningskirts info.
Dave...Thanks for the song dedication. I love that song and Trace Adkins. I saw him live a few years ago---he's a BIG guy. If I haven't said so before...You are the sweetest man.
Maria... Way to get back on track.
Beth, Cindy, Liz, Bill...Hey ya'
Have a great night one and all.

 

[laxdef69]

Stacie:

I think your gram and my 17 yr old might be separated by years but not spirit.

When she was 4 she put her head on my stomach and asked "Daddy, why are you squishy"

To all the others here struggling with outward and inward stuff...I haven't run into a single negative opinion toward me thus far on the boards, and I KNOW that I can be a jerk...I'm constantly fighting it.

I wish that you could all be as gentle with yourselves as you are with others...

Mike

 

[laxdef69]

Well...the chlorine in the pool was at such a high concentration, it took your breath away just standing over it.

While I am not a particularly good swimmer, when I saw two former division 1 swimmers getting out of the pool because of it, I decided that discretion is the better part of valor, and got out.

had a great omelet breakfast though!

I'll give it a few hours to dissipate and try again later today...I'll be in WDW this weekend until Wed for a conference, staying at the Swan; also sneaking honey down for a couple days escape from the kids.

Here's hoping we can get to Illuminations; the kids are afraid of fireworks, so we haven't been able to see a 4th of July or any kind of fireworks show for years...

Have a great couple training days all!

Mike

 

[JustSmile]

Mike...Have a fabulous weekend!
Everybody..Have a great day!

 

[princessrunner]

Wow, I came back and I think I killed the thread where'd everyone go??

Mike: Sorry about the over-chlorinated pool. Being someone with asthma, that really hurts my lungs. Besides with the over-qualified swimmers, I don't blame you for the omlet!! I hope things are better when you return.

Tracey: The reconstructive surgery made me chuckle. Kids are awesome sometimes. My DS6 comes out with things that just are an immediate crack-up in our house. One of his last involved DH bringing home muffins in the morning. DS grabbed one and asked dad why he brought them home and DH said they were selling them to raise money for the Relay for Life for people with cancer. DS dropped the muffin and looked directly at dad and said "but I don't have cancer"!! They do have a way of shedding light on certain things and making them better than they really are.

PandaDave: You are right, we should all be happy with ourselves inside and out. We all have so much to be proud of. There is a part of me that strives for perfection and the other part that knows I will never achieve true perfection. I tell myself that I need to make the most of life and get all I can out of it. I do look in the mirror and like what I see, I love the person I am and am happy with my life. I think that sometimes we just all wish for something a little more. Thank you for grounding all of us and showing us what is really important, health, family, happiness, they are the things that truly rock our world. Oh, and of course the awesomeness of WISH friends!

Everyone else: A big friendly from way up North where the snow still flies.

Yes, in my little corner of the world, the snow is falling AGAIN. It just refuses to be spring. Being sick this week and not getting in my workouts before the half marathon, I worry, get angry, feel guilty, etcetera. Now it snows and just makes it so I cannot get outside and get my workouts in. I may just bag this week entirely and start anew on Sunday. I tried to run yesterday but it turned into more of a walk than a run. My lungs hurt, I coughed a lot and my nose ran constantly, not a pleasant workout to say the least. Last year at about this same time, I was forcing myself to run through coughing until I could not do it any longer and found out I have full-blown pneumonia. I am being smarter this time and keeping fingers crossed.

I do hope that all Lean Meaners have a great day. I hope that eating stays on track, workouts stay on track and stress is at a minimum. You all deserve the best as you are such hard working supportive people. There are no downers here, only rays of sunshine. Now if I could just get some rays pointing north....

 

[JustSmile]

Where have all the Lean, Meaners gone?
Lisa...cute story about your little guy and the muffin....kids are so sweet and innocent.. And.....did you get your haircut? I missed if you said you liked it or not. Sorry about all the snow....we're getting loads of rain(way too much)....lots of places are flooding...it's devastating. Luckily, we're high up on the bluffs above the river. Take care of yourself.

 

[Creativebeth]

Good morning Meaners......sorry I was MIA yesterday. I was really busy, and the computer had issues! My dh was out of town, and I couldn't begin to fix whatever the problem was. So, I wasn't on the computer all day!

Today is another day.....I am not starting off good. I am starving, and not for anything healthy for me. I just ate a 100 cal pack of Lorna Doones, and eyeing up the rest of the box. I am dressed to go run, but ds #1 is home "sick" so I won't be able to go for long. I don't think it is a real 'sickness' all of the sudden. He shouldn't ever use the 'stomach-ache' line, since he can never go long without eating something. He is already driving me crazy saying he is hungry......some stomach ache, huh?

I haven't done much of anything this morning......

Lisa: Feel better soon......NO MORE SNOW! Do you hear me??? Spring will make us all feel better!

Debra: So, the recipe didn't work out? I don't try to waste much, but those I would.....too many calories for something that doesn't taste good! Don't feel bad, we all have been there.....and done that! I made low carb brownies once, that smelled great baking, but when eaten caused many horrible faces and gagging from all!

Mike: I hate strong clorine.....makes me sick! You keep up the great work with your training though.....you rock!

WWDave: You are such a uplifting soul......you can make anything an 'up' for me.

Everyone else......the weekend is almost here, hang on!

Beth

 

[deekaypee]

Shan: I think I'm responding to stuff on the weekly thread, as well, but... for your mom's surgery going well.

And I just want to say good luck on your event & I know you can do it. I think it will be tough, and maybe not the race you'd like to run. But you'll do it. And I know it's easy to forget--I have a hard time remembering it--but the race is just the evidence of all the running you've already done. Sometimes we put too much emphasis on the race & our chip time. Regardless of your pace, of your standings, or even if you finish the event, you are a runner. Toeing up to the starting line is just one little day in your lifetime of running--and nothing can take that away from you.

Mike: I just don't see how you can get up & be functional that early on a regular basis. You, a jerk? I haven't seen any evidence of that. You've been nothing but helpful. What deep, dark secrets are you hiding? Other than murderous intentions toward an elliptical, perhaps?

Have a great time at WDW! We're just going to miss each other.

Lisa: I love the bar recipe; I think I'm going to try that versus continuing to experiment with a workout bar, per se. I'm trying to come up with something homemade & with a relative degree of portability for our travels, and this seems to fit the bill. Plus, who doesn't love being able to microwave--it saves time!

Btw, I'm not a bikini wearer for similar reasons--no "mommy belly," but a rather significant scar (and pretty stretch marks in other places the swimsuit won't hide). I need to listen to the Panda & remind myself my scar is a marker of my survival--which it is, quite literally.

And hanks for adding yourself to the ranks of strong (and not negative, or merely negative) women. I feel much better, I really do. In the past few days I've been moody and b**tchy, or "mitchy." But now I'm able to laugh about it! Last, I'm so sorry about the snow & your illness. It puts a real damper on your WOs, let along feeling about the approaching spring everyone else talks about. Get some good rest this weekend for a terrific next week!

Dave: If I weren't pretty sure you and Erica were made for one another, and DOOD & I were as well, I just might try to steal you away. You're the best! You always keep me looking & moving forward.

Stacie: DOOD and I have signed up for the full this year (going Goofy again in 2010!) We're also thinking about ToT, but it doesn't sound like many WISHers will be there because of the blankety-blank fee?? And just this week DOOD floated the idea of the inaugural EE event. Apparently he has a Swiss Bank Account of which I am unaware.

I love how our bellies are "cute." It reminds me of those quotes in Pulp Fiction, where Fabienne says, "But on a woman, a pot belly is very sexy." And when Butch (Bruce Willis) asks her if she thought men would find such a pot belly attractive, she replies, "It's unfortunate what we find pleasing to the touch and pleasing to the eye is seldom the same."

Tracey: As you know, I'm a big fan of the Katie Holmes cut. I think you should go for it. Of course, I think Chia pets are kind of cute myself....

Beth: You're right of course. I need to eat good-tasting, as well as good-for-me, food if I'm not to resent what I put in my mouth. (You wouldn't think I could resent inanimate objects, would you? Oh, but I can!) I hope you were able to step away from the Lorna Doones, at least long enough for a quick run. That way, if you HAVE to have them, they'll have the sweet taste of a run to add to them. DOOD's the same way, btw, with stomach aches; they don't affect his appetite at all.

As for me: I've been reading, with great interest, Vegetarian Sports Nutrition by D. Enette Larson-Meyer. I need to do my calculations for vegetarian athletes trying to lose weight, but it looks like I haven't been eating nearly enough carbohydrates or protein for my weight & activity level. That would explain my energy level &, somtimes, fatigue. I'll post more information later, but I highly recommend people checking out the book. Although it's for vegetarians, she goes to great length to be inclusive in her recommendations & counts vegans, all sorts of vegetarians (I'm ovo-lacto), pescetarians, and what she calls semi-vegetarians (I call them lasped vegetarians) in her writing.

Also, if any of you are looking for a quick protein fix/substitute for a post-WO bar, I do have a "shortcut" recipe that I've used. I take the No-Pudge Raspberry Brownie Mix, add the nonfat vanilla yogurt it calls for, plus 5 scoops of protein powder & a tsp. of vanilla. The extra powder makes it VERY sticky, spreadable rather than pourable. I bake it for about 5-10 minutes longer than the recipe calls for. I chill the brownies in the fridge, then cut them into 9 pieces. It makes for a higher protein brownie (about 11 g, depending on your powder) with an appox. 4:1 carb: protein ratio. And it's about 200 calories. I find the raspberry flavor helps hide the soy protein power taste. The bars aren't as good as real food, but like I said--I'm experimenting.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Debra.

Hey, where ya staying at WDW? We'll be at BCV in a week. Seems so far away... I'm sure I'll be packing Friday night. This trip is the first one I haven't planned anything, we'll see how it goes!