Becoming Lean, Mean, Endurace Event Machines in 2008

[amykab]

Good afternoon everyone! I've got a lot to catch up on!

I had an appointment this morning to get my hair done, it was way over do for a cut and highlights (Must Cover Up Those Grey's!). It feels great and it was nice to have a slow morning and get into work later!

I just ordered a Garmin 205 and some pilates DVD's from amazon! I am excited and should have the Garmin before we go on vacation.

W1D1 of C25K went really well last night, I really really like doing the intervals. My average pace for the 20 minutes of intervals was 13 min/mile, which is great for me. I am such a dork and made up a spreadsheet in excel so that I can put in my numbers in everytime I do it, so I can easily track my progress!

Thanks for all the comments on DD's picture. I absolutely can not wrap my mind around the fact that she will be a year old next wednesday! I think that time has passed twice as fast as it did pre-DD!

Debra Thanks for your Marathon thoughts! I love to hear stories, it makes me feel prepared! I will definitely be asking TONS of questions in the coming months!! Did I read correctly, was the goofy your first big racing event? That is impressive! I am contemplating it for 2010..

Stacie In addition to everything that everyone else mentioned, I second the shampoo thing. In general I find that I lose less hair when I use a better, salon grade shampoo.

Lisa I can ride roller coasters all day long but as soon as I spin around twice with my feet on the planted on the ground, my equilibrium is thrown completely off! I can't do the teacups or anything like it. Buschgardens is great for older kids. They don't have much for toddlers, but we go to walk, look at the animals, and for DH and I, two free each!

Wendy BG Williamsburg is where I got over my rollercoaster fear! DH, then DBF pretty much dragged me on everything they had. We used to live in Raleigh and we took a trip up there.

I know I've missed people, but and have a good afternoon! Almost time to think of july goals!

 

[JustSmile]

Good Morning!
Our family is DH got that new job and we couldn't be happier! We spent yesterday going over the terms, emailing back and forth, and then celebrating with dinner out. Life is good!
Stacie...We loved MB. We went to the outlet mall (although, I didn't buy much). We did go to Broadway at the Beach--what a fun place. Two of my kiddos found things at the African store and we bought DH a "worry stone" for Father's Day. We ate at a local place called Stephen's Oyster Bar--it was pretty good and we had dinner at Senor Frogs. My kids thought that Senor' was the best!!! The waves were awesome and the Biltmore was beyond words. Now, I'm worried about you and your hair (I'm a mom and a worrier by nature). I'm with Lisa and thinking it could be a thyroid thing--your Dr. should be able to refer you to an endocrinologist. Start with the vitamins and deep breathing. I know it sounds impossible, but try to get in time for yourself everyday and do something you love.

AmyKab...Yay, for running to your car in the parking lot. I have similar experiences when I do something and then realize that I couldn't have done that a year ago. What a great feeling! That little one of yours is absolutely precious.

Dave...As always, thanks for the reminders.

Maria...Awesome job on the lost pound and booking your flights. We still haven't booked (we usually fly SW and the schedules not out yet). I'm envious that your plans are in motion. I was a little nervous that this would be a "by-myself" trip for me, but DH new work said his vacation starts immediately--Yay! This will be a trip for just the 2 of us.

Jeanne...

Debra...Thanks for the marathon info. I really need to go back and catch up on everybody's posts. I was planning on just making it through the 1/2 in Jan and not stopping for pics, now I'm thinking I might regret it. I have convinced a group of 10 other girls (women), who are Disney freaks like me, to go in 2010! I figured that we would be stopping for lots of pics on that trip. Sorry about the parents and the flooding and the disagreement. Yay, for not eating your aggravation away! Scotch and water sounds like a good choice.

Lisa... Rain, rain, rain, did it stop yet? I love the explanation of running to let my wild side show. I get caught up here in thinking that everyone runs/walks, but in the real world it's just not so. Running helps build my self esteem---I am so proud of myself everytime I finish. My DS8 and I walked on the beach in MB, and we walked from the pier to our condo (about 5 miles) We had offers from family for a ride, but we decided to walk and it took us about 70 min. His little legs were getting tired at the end, but we kept talking about things we were thankful for---strong legs to walk on, being on the beach, good healthy lungs, no crabs biting our tootsies, a cold soda when we got back, etc. We make it back and he was so happy when everyone said, "Wow, that was a long way!" He was so proud of himself. So I'm happy when I'm setting an example for my kids and you are doing the same thing.

Beth...I'm an interval girl too. It breaks up the constant repetition.

AmyBeth...

Everybody else.... and have a great day.

 

[deekaypee]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind thoughts and encouragement with the family. I'm over it--I probably shouldn't have posted so soon after I talked to them as I need time to process. Part of the problem, though, is that I'm an "in my head, out my mouth" kind of person. I can't tell you the amount of trouble that's gotten me in. (But the stories are in my head, now. Must. not. open. mouth. )

And I KNOW I shouldn't DIS while drinking. But hey, I'm an old married woman so I don't drunk dial for booty calls. I gotta have some inappropriate fun, right? (And man, do I love my Scotch!)

Dave: ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) right back at you! I'm so glad you're keeping us updated with Erica and her recovery. I can't believe she's at 6 miles already. Wow! And your training is stellar, of course. I have to admit, I have you in my head whenever I want to cut my WO cool-down/stretching period short. You saved today's WO for me because I know you're right and that stretching is essential.

Lisa: So sorry to hear about your ongoing IT issues. I can imagine how frustrating that must be, as it really throws a monkey wrench into your day. I have to admit, I was a little alarmed to hear you've been struggling with a general lack of motivation, what with the the no-go on the 5k and all. Especially since it was accompanied by no exercise and and not feeling bad about it. That's just not the Lisa I know. It is, however, totally consistent with ME and my sluggish ways. I think you're right--that I need to shake things up somehow. Oh, and I have to say this, after yesterday's discussion on body, body image, and aging. You ARE the total package, woman!

P.S. I didn't know you were doing Applefest. That makes you, Amy, Scott, and who else?

Beth: Yay for the wagon stop and getting on top of things! And a double yay for the double-up TM and Pilates WO. I've been trying to get intervals in--not like your intervals, but intervals nonetheless. I'm of a mindset that shocking the body is bound to shake me out of my complacency. I'm very glad to hear it does wonders with the calories, too!

Stacie: about your hair falling out. I agree with others that the main causes are probably nutrition, thyroid problems, and/or stress. I don't know enough about celiac or gluten sensitivity, but it sounds like a place to start your investigation. Now, get yourself out of bed and continue your C25K program. (Said for me as much as for you....)

Amy: All day spinning?? Wow, wow, wow! Yay for adding an early a.m. spinning class to your teaching roster...I think. I wouldn't want to be at the front of the class so early, but seeing your smiling face might actually get me there. Do you teach at one gym or multiple ones? Btw, congrats to your girls on their victories and all the hard work that got them there.

Amykab: Yeah, Goofy was my first. Crazy, man, crazy. Awww, I love Excel, so I don't think you're a dork. Well, okay, I do think you're a dork. And me, too. I like the label, personally. I wonder what will win out for your attention and affection in the long run, your new Garmin (congrats) or the spreadsheet. Not that you can't love both, mind you. So, how do you like your new 'do? I color my hair so much that I can't tell you what it's true color is anymore--and don't know how gray my hair is. (And that's why I do it!)

Tracey: for DH's new job! I love that DH will be able to go with you in January--that's a good new job. More details on the good news, please!!! I also loved your anecdote about walking on the beach with your DS8 and being thankful for everything that you can do and being rightfully proud of your/his accomplishments. You're a great mom! Btw, a woman's weekend in 2010 sounds like heaven to me! (Unless, of course, it involved pics being taken of me--I don't do that.)

As for me: I need to remember that this blah feeling of mine is not uncommon. I wonder if I'm just having a sort of delayed post-1/2 reaction. I kind of went from doing Cleveland right into the flurry of moving--and all the stress that went with that. Now that things are settling in, and I don't have a race to look forward to in the near future, I wonder if I'm just feeling funky. (I know I smell funky post-WO, but I'm okay with THAT.)

So, I've been trying the "fake it until you feel it" approach. The good new is, that's been keeping me running and working out pretty close to on schedule. The bad news is, I'm still not feeling it. I'll give it another week or so, see if it is just a funk, and then switch things up if necessary. In the meantime, I'm adding bribery to my list of strategies. Yep, because I'm not parenting myself I feel free to bribe myself to do things.

1st up on the list: New tunes for the iPod after Friday's run. Any other suggestions for bribes that will help me find the love? But, please, no food (not even ice cream) bribes. (Not that I don't enjoy those things, but I'm so Pavlovian that I don't need to add any more associations between food and running/exercising than I already have.)

Two postscripts:
P.S. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by all the great moms (and dads) of WISH.

P. P. S. Can you believe we're at over 100 pages???

 

[princessrunner]

Hey all, did ya miss me?

Debra: Loss of love still? Hmm bribes. I always go for new clothes so that would have to be my suggestion. I went on a Michael Kors spree after the half in January. So, Applefest, yes, AmyBeth, Scott, GroovyGirls (Joanne) and myself. Can we count you in too???? Should I bring up the hills?

And thank you for the total package comment, . Positive reinforcement is something we all need!! I am not so sure I deserve it but, my ego thanks you!!

AmyKab: Yippee for the Garmin. Love my Garmin.. Can't run, bike, walk, well heck, function without it!!!!

AmyBeth: Yay for the Applefest. Now I am REALLY excited. Let me know where you decide to stay (if you are staying) and I will try to get us at the same place. I know Joanne will want us all to do something post-race at her place. She mentioned BBQ earlier!!! Yay, oops did I say that already??? Oooh, and all day spin? I sure could not handle that!!!! You are the woman.

Stacie: Debra had a good point about the gluten sensitivity and whether that could play a part in your hair issue. I will be curious to hear what you find out!!

Tracey: Excellent mommy example points for you. There should be bonus points for that somewhere shouldn't there? I rode bikes with DS6 to the ice cream shop and back today. The little trooper rode 6 miles and never complained once. He had to walk back up the driveway hill but other than that he peddled his little heart out!!! Yay for our healthy kids!!

Everyone else out there in DISland... I hope your day was stellar.

From the Great North Woods...yes I am still mourning my 5K. I ran 3.1 today on the TM at the gym in 30:51 and I know under race circumstances, I could do it under 30 minutes. This was even a chip timed race and I was virtually assured of a total PR but, yes, I am learning to let go of this goal also. DD has a bottle drive at 3 p.m. on Sunday after being up all night with the Relay for Life so it is pretty much a moot point now. I did get in touch with the RD and he is saving me out a shirt at the LOCO store. Now I need a reason to go to NH and pick it up.

Anyway, I did run this morning on the TM at the gym, I lifted, I grocery shopped and then I came home and did laundry, and biked with DS. Then off to DD13 softball practice, dinner and here we are... I just could not end my day without giving some to the Lean Meaners. Tomorrow I will do another easy run, 3-4 miles and ditto for Friday. We are due for rain every afternoon until Monday so I may be TM bound. Keep fingers crossed that the IT issues are resolved tomorrow morning when I log onto the work computer!!

Have a great evening everyone and get some sleep!!!!

 

[deekaypee]

I know, I know. I'm actually posting TWICE in one day!

Lisa: Great job with the 5K on the TM, especially seeing as I know how much you love the TM! (If you love it so much, why don't you marry it? Man, am I glad I don't have kids--I'm enough kid for me.) I'm glad the RD is saving you a shirt, and hope it's some consolation for you. I have no idea about Applefest; time and travel are always an issue for me, as is the budget right now. (*sigh*)

I'll keep my fingers crossed for all IT issues to be resolved for you tomorrow and in the long term. I think you need a new work computer and internet access, on their dime of course!

As for me: Nothing new from earlier. But I will say that I'm going to bed shortly, with a good book (I hope it's good--it's The Dante Club by Michael Pearl) for the first time since I moved! And doing so will guarantee that I'm getting my sleep in. So far, for the month of June I've gotten at least 6 hours of sleep every night. Now I'll be working on getting that sleep on a stable schedule, instead of an erratic one. Sometimes my bedtime is a moving target, which just isn't good for me, kwim?

Oh, and I finally updated the links for the Lean Meaners. Cool biz.

 

[princessrunner]

Debra: I am glad to hear you are getting at least 6 hours sleep. Not nearly enough for me as I am an 8 hour girl but if you can at least get on a regular schedule, that will be better I am sure.

I think Applefest would be great fun for all of us with our own little WISH meet. I am really looking forward to it. DOOD would love the challenging hills I am sure. You not so much probably, me either but I am willing to work around them!! Or was that walk around them???? I am definitely not looking for a PR but would like to at least equal out Great Bay and shoot for possibly a 2:15. That would make me happy.

Not much else to report from here, I just wanted to get my morning post in so no one worried (you were worried yesterday right??) and so we could all start our day right. I am still having IT issues but they are bringing a new piece today to attempt a fix. I don't believe it is the problem but we have to follow procedure and all!!

Have a great day Lean Meaners and, could someone shut off the rain faucet????????

 

[padisneyfan]

Just dropping in here to give a shout out to Beth and ask how she feels this morning. I recommended an Interval class last night that we could do together at the gym. Beth, her sister and step daughter all came along for the fun. I'm sure they are really thanking me this morning for that great workout.

Sneaking out.

Nancy

 

[amykab]

Morning everyone!

W1D2 went really well last night! 2.25 miles, 30 minutes. Still loving the intervals. My legs were definitely in running mode! Interval average pace was 12 min/mile! I think I am getting a better idea of what I am going to have to do to get a PR on the 5K in a couple weeks. And with my new Garmin buddy, it should be easy to stay on track!

I just applied for a couple jobs in CO. We'll see what happens. DH leaves Saturday for his interview. We do like living in FL, but the job market here for our fields is not great. In CO there are lots of opportunities for both of us. As well as dozens of microbreweries! There is a good chance I will be out of a job by the end of the year since my company's government contracts will be running out. We do have a plan for this, and I would get a severance package, but it would be nice to have something lined up.

Hydration is going well, I don't have to think about it as much anymore, I just do it almost without thinking, which is great!

Debra Last night I added a graph to my excel spreadsheet! At work I am pretty much known as the spreadsheet/graph making queen!
I am an R and D scientist so there are tons of opportunities to use excel for data reports and such! I am liking my new 'do, it's versatile in that I can take the time to blow dry it out nice or just put a bit of product in it and go. My am blessed with hair that has a lot of natural body and wave. I am totally addicted to highlights now!

Lisa I hope I my Garmin as much as you love yours! My Dh just bought a Garmin nuvi for the car, so we'll be surrounded by Garmin technology by the end of this week! I had to go and look up the Applefest race, that looks like a good race. There is a chance I may be in NH that weekend, but there is no way I'd talk my friend into doing that.

Happy training/running/biking/whatever you are doing everyone!

Have a good thursday!

I'm off to go do my job and be a science dork!

 

[windwalker]

Just a quick drive by to say hi and to let you guys know what a joy you are to have around. Everyone of you are such fun and interesting personalities. I feel so blessed knowing all of you. I can't wait till Oct to meet some of you I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet.

Walking Panda

 

[JustSmile]

You ARE the total package, woman!

Debra...I second the opinion and pass it along to everyone else around here. There are days when I read what everyone is doing and I'm amazed that we can pack so much into a day. My DS8 and I took that walk right after he caught, and held, a shark at the pier. I've got a great pic of it if I can figure out how to post it. DH is an awesome negotiator and he will be purchasing building products for a large commercial builder instead of a local residential builder. He is excited for the new challenge. We are all excited and highly anticipating the change.

(If you love it so much, why don't you marry it?

You seriously crack me up.

Lisa....Yay, for your little guy and that long bike ride. Those hills are a killer. It sounds like your motivation is coming back.

Nancy...Sneaking in and sneaking right back out. Hopefully, Beth is not moving too slowly this morning.

AmyKab...Good luck on the job search for both you and DH. Oohhh, you got a Garmin, I'm envious. My DS loves his.

Dave...

Everyone else....have a great day.

 

[princessrunner]

Tracey: Wrestling a shark!!!!! Holy crap!! I can't wait to see the pic.

Amykab: Scream teaming is perfectly acceptable to us runners!!! It would be great if you could join our little pile of fun. Could you stand in the middle of the hill at mile 9 to motivate me??

Dave: to the Panda..

Nancy: You can stay awhile, we don't bite...much... Okay, well maybe I do here and there but not very often!!! Here's hoping that Beth is not too sore. Good for you rousting everyone out to class.

Where is everyone???

 

[windwalker]

Hi guys.

I was wondering about something. One of our goals as a WISH team is that everyone be in better shape each year then you were the year before. I know several of our group have had to have some down time for recovery from injury or corrective surgerys. But how does everyone feel about where you are?

What is different for you this year from last year?

For Erica, of course she had the surgery to correct her bunions and to have her flat feet fixed. That should take care of a host of little aches and pains once she is fully healed.

She and I both have made a committment to eat better. For her that meant a meatless diet. I follow the same but with the addition of fish and seafood.

My workouts have been a combination of all the correct parts. I'm not going to cheat on the stretching and the strength training. Every workout has a warm up and a cool down, period no exceptions.

How about the rest of you, are you feeling better about this year?

Lisa, yep have to agree about you being a total package, you amaze me with all you do.

However I do enjoy being able to print my thoughts here since once we all meet I'll never get a word in.

Walk/run/love/rest what ever you do today, do it with all your heart.

Leaner Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Dave, you can discuss the "total package" thing with DH in October. I think he would beg to differ!!! Thanks anyway everyone. My ego and I are riding high today!!

As far as last year compared to this year. I can say I am more aerobically fit. I do not view distance as a challenge anymore. Hills are another story... I laugh sometimes as I come around the corner to my driveway after my 5.6 mile loop as last year it was my goal by the end of the summer to run that loop and now it is a weekly or biweekly run for me. I am loving 13.1 miles as my distance of choice for a race but I am working on bettering my short run times.

This is my year to work on speed. It was going to be my marathon year but hey ToT, marathon, ToT, marathon, friends, agony, friends, agony really not much of a seesaw is it???? My marathon goal has moved to 2009.

I have added back in weight training and biking to my routine. Some stretching is on hold due to the USATF study but I do stretch more than I did last year. I have learned more about listening to my body on eating and hydration and I am working to perfect both. I don't think that is a goal I can attain but I am willing to work on it until I get closer.

All of my WISH friend amaze me and continue to do so every day!!!

 

[Big Vic]

Good morning Lean Meaners!

Hoping everyone's Thursday is going well.

I apologize for being so on again, off again. Doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. That, and I'm sometimes just to lazy to post.

Not a whole lot of training to report. BW exercises on Monday and a measly 3 miles last night. Got to get with the program.

Looks as though everyone is doing fine. Keep up the great training!!

 

[JustSmile]

It was around this time last year that I started making a concentrated effort to walk. Instead of doing 2 miles a couple of times a week I started walking 3 miles, 5x a week. This progressed into my looking beyond the restaurant, resort, and budget boards on the DIS. I found the WISH boards and started lurking. I found the thread on C25K and got started walk/running. Until that point, I had never ran except for the mile in middle school. It all began with a challenge from my DS14 to run a 5K. So in the last year, I've gone from no running to being able to run for 7 miles (well run/walk), I've lost 30 lbs. and I just feel better in my own skin. I've learned that running gives me an outlet for the stresses that I feel and I'm happy to share my message with others. So all in all, I feel like a better person all the way around and I owe it all to you guys and the WISH boards. A year can make a a world of difference!

 

[Steffwalks]

HI Everyone!

I will probably NEVER catch up here, so I will just jump in, since I have no opinons at the moment. You will all have love this moment in time, because I rarely have NO opinions about anything!!! My gift to all of you.

After the my DD's surgery and having the grand munchkins and doing a race and having IT issues, and...... Well, I am ready for a rest. I keep thinking I should be up doing something, but I am just exhausted mentally. I need a short break. But I will be back and nosey and opinionated next week. In the meantime, have a healthy day!

 

[postesf]

Hi guys!

To answer Dave's question... A year ago I had not yet even thought of doing a 5K. I was a total couch potato and complained about how I needed to lose weight. I weighed the most last summer than ever before. Finally at the end of August last year I decided to do something about it. Since then I have run/walked 4, 5Ks and a 15K! Yay me!!! I do think part of my problem is health realted to the gluten/celiac which makes getting off that couch so much harder for me. The last few weeks have been particularly tough w/ excessive fatigue and a general lack of motivation. Your brain says you should get up and go workout, but your body is just so tired. Mentally I was able to overcome that and make myself get out there, lose 20lbs and train for my events, but the fatigue is returning. It seems the scale is gradully creeping up...not a good sign at all.

As a side note, I joined the DIS and WISH about the same time too (Aug 07) started my journal and that really helped to keep me motived. Such nice folks! After I decided to venture over to the Events side I found even more great folks that help to keep me motivated and on track. It's a great place to come and confess your sins (LOL!) and to give and recieve motivation. It's nice to be able to chat w/ folks that have the same goals as you. I don't think I would have signed up for the Minnie or the Half without some encouragement from some of my WISH peeps!

I do want to report I have an appt w/ a gastrointerologist next week and hope they will do blood work to check for Celiac as well as check all my vitamin levels and thyroid. They want you to eat "normal" until after the test so I won't go gluten free for another week or 2. I am struggling in general with that. I know I need to go gluten-free. I know I will feel better, but then I think about the foods I can't eat and I feel like I need to eat them all just one more time. One more trip to Olive Garden, one more slide of cake, cookies, one more appetizer of cheese fries, one more biscuit from Bojangles. All these cravings and food desires in combination w/ the fatique and lack of excerise and not making the scale happy and it's totally depressing me.

I know if a few weeks, I will feel different and have more knowledge of what's going on, but today, I'm disappointed in myself. Disappointed for not getting up early enough to workout (and the temps were perfect!), disappointed for eating stuff I shouldn't...

In my journal, my sister said I was not Lazy, that I was TIRED. Tired from the Gluten effects and the malnourishment that comes along with it. She swears that is why my hair is falling out--the malnourishment. She said when she found out she had Celiac and had the test done to check for her Vitamins, minerals...she a list the length of her arm and wondered how she had even been able to survive. She had to go and get injections of the various vitamins and minerals on a weekly basis for long time just to build her system back up. She was much more worse off than me. A year ago, she was struggling a lot and last month, she did her first 5K at the Minnie Weekend. I was so proud of her. A year ago, she had NEVER EVER thought about something like that, but here we are. She is much healthier now that she knows what her problem is and eventhough she still has many struggles, can now say she has done a 5K. Here I am, doing what I can and pushing myself as much as I can to become healthier.

So...I guess this post has turned into something more than I intended it. It's a bit longer and I think the emotions bounced around a bit.

I want say that I am so thankful for the support of my family and the support of you guys. I know that we are much harder ourselves than anyone else. Each day I want to come and report something happy, something positive. I want to be able to say I stayed on plan and ate healthy and exercised as planned and lately, I just can't say those things. I feel like I am letting you guys down.

Big to all! You guys rock and set a really great example!
Stacie

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Here it is...Maria's long awaited chatty post!

It has been an on-again/off-again kind of week for posting, but not for working out! I've done 4 or 2 miles of wogging every day since Saturday, and I've lost 2.2 lbs total since I started the 4 miles every other day! Who knew?! I was just slogging along not losing anything, and shaking up my routine has made a real difference.

I've also been eating better because, heck, if I'm doing all these workouts I need something to show for it!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Stacie -- I know you are having a really hard time in general lately, and I applaud you for just keeping at it. Sometimes that's the hardest. It would be easier to just stop when you don't see progress, but instead you are talking about it, you are thinking about it, and you will feel like doing it eventually. You have alot going on. I just want you to remember to be kind to yourself. What would your BFF do for you on a down day? Do that for yourself! (p.s. -- no one feels like working at their health every single day, so don't beat yourself up about that!)

Connie -- You have a healthy day and a great rest! You have been a rock for your family, and you deserve a break today, so get up and get away (oops, don't go there!) I mean go somewhere fun, even if it's your backyard or couch with a great book, just take some time for you!

Tracey -- Congratulations on dh's new job! I can see why you are over the moon! Congratulations on the 30 lbs loss! That is awesome!

Vic -- I hear you on the not enough hours. It's harder for me to post when I'm not at work, silly as that sounds. I don't make myself take "breaks" from my home life!

Lisa -- Mid 70s and sunny, I am loving today! I hope everything computer-like is working in your home. I know you are so proud of DD and DS! I function best on 7.5 hours of sleep. For me, 10:30 - 6:00 is the best schedule. I'm trying to get it back to 5:30, but I'm not sure I can make myself go to sleep at 10. I think I might be on 7 hours for awhile if I can do it...

Dave -- (think William Shatner -- Must. Resist. Urge. To Write. Book.) I could go on and on about my differences since last year. I can't say I lost a ton of weight, or sizes. I can say I now know I can do a half marathon, and a year ago I was very worried I would embarrass myself in January. I have more confidence, and that is helping me deal with setting myself up to lose weight properly, and my resolve -- actually, you guys are a tremendous help. I don't want to let anyone down (thanks for the Teams, they are also a great motivator!), most of all myself. So I do a little better all the time. I still have plenty of room for improvement, but I know I can get there if I keep moving forward.

Amykab -- I am so glad someone likes science, 'cause we need you! I had 4 years of science in high school (I only passed nuclear physics 'cause it was a mercy grade to get females in the class), and I couldn't be less suited to scientific pursuits. Thank you for working every day, making discoveries, inventions, finding new ideas and developments -- what is dorky about that?! You have an awesome job!

Nancy -- I can tell you are loving the Xtraining! That class sounds like it was a ton of fun, just with your group!

Debra -- Donna Reed's family (or Carol Brady's) only exist on tv. The rest of us live like Roseanne (ok, not quite that messy...). Sometimes all you can do is vent, and be grateful that at least one person in your family is sane (funny how it's always us that are the reasonable ones, but I digress). I applaud the effort it took for you to decide to go and deal with a difficult situation, I know that was hard. And I understand how frustrated you were when there wasn't appropriate gratitude, etc. It sounds like you have made the best decisions you could, and that's all you can hope for. For some reason I thought you were from N. Dakota -- are you actually originally a Midwestern gal? You mentioned a brother, so I hope that means there are other siblings you might be close to. I do know what it's like to not fit in with your family -- I am adopted and it is readily apparent my parents could not have given birth to me. I have a cousin who used to call me names and told me I wasn't his cousin...which hurt a ton. I was just a child, and I still had to be around this person. Now I just avoid him. Moving 1,500 miles away helps that tremendously...Of course, he's in Iraq working for Black Water right now. I'm sure his mentally-impaired wife (injury while giving birth) is coping just fine with those 18 month old developmentally disabled twins...see, we all have the issues if we dig even a little bit...you just keep coming here where we love you, and remember your Team Ohana family also loves you!

Beth -- I wish I could say a fool and her sugar are soon parted...I have been doing better, but nothing to write home about yet. Jello now has sugar free dark chocolate pudding, so there may be hope for me yet!

Bill, Mike, AmyBeth, Jeanne and other Lean Mean folk -- C'mon I know you have dysfunctional (or funny) family tales to tell! We've all got that crazy uncle who hasn't been right since he came back from Vietnam (oh wait, maybe that's just me...). Anyone else been offered squirrel stew or barbequed raccoon? How about beaver casserole? Hey, at least he's self-sufficient, he can hunt it down and then cook it. The only hunting I do is in the back aisle at Stop & Shop (I just read this again -- this is tongue in cheek, please no one take this the wrong way. My father is a veteran, I have many, many relatives who have served our country, and I have nothing but respect and gratitude for our military -- but my uncle is not quite right -- for all I know, he was that way before he went to Vietnam...). And I have nothing against those that hunt, either -- I just find what my uncle chooses to serve to be a bit...odd. I would not have thought it weird if it were deer or something I think of people commonly eating. Squirrel, beaver and raccoon just don't seem like they would be "good eatin"...

Saturday is the first day of summer -- Everybody get out and have an awesome day!

Maria

 

[Creativebeth]

Nancy: Yeah, thanks for sneaking in here to see how I am this am!!! You are too funny! I have to say that I am sore! Mostly, my hamstrings and quads. But, I am still glad that I did it! I will be back later to catch up!

Beth

 

[jeanneg]

Maria: glad to see you back! Talk about dysfunctional families......our family motto is "We put the fun in dysfunctional!" I could tell you tons of stories.....but most of them can't be printed! Poo to your nasty cousin for being such a meanie.

Stacie: sorry you're going through a rough time. I'm glad you already have a medical appt. scheduled.....hopefully the docs will be able to find out what's wrong and get you well again!

Tracey: great job on the weight loss and over fitness improvements. 30 pounds is fantastic!

Debra: I do believe you read more than any other person I know. I love to read but can rarely find the time. I belong to 2 monthly book clubs so I am always having to pull an all-nighter the evening before our meeting! At least when we have our discussions all the details are still fresh in my mind.

Beth/Nancy: way to go with the workout! A little soreness just means you're using new muscles. Has Nancy turned you on to spin class yet?

Lisa: happy to hear you're making great progress with the workouts and remaining disciplined.

Connie, Vic, Dave, Amy: HI!

As for me, I actually think I might be in worse shape than I was last year. Right now i'm in a little funk because i can't get the scale to budge and my workouts have been very sporadic. Everytime I think I'm back on track, I get sidelined again. Today I played 9 holes of golf walking and towards the end, I was dying. My score for 9 was more than most golfers shoot for 18! I was so tired I couldn't even raise the club to swing it. It wasn't even that hot, but the heat sure seemed to get to me. My face was beet red and my ankles and feet got so swollen I could barely get my shoes off. Not sure what is going on, but I don't like it.