pjlla, will they let you
try a class at the Y? Is there any reason you can't just
try it to see if you like it and then decide if it something you are interested in? Being afraid of taking a class doesn't sound like the Pamela that I know . . . why do you think that you are afraid? (You don't actually have to answer this question in a post -- just maybe think about it).
I don't think there are any easy answers to this conundrum. I found this article about 4 signs your workout routine isn't working on sparkpeople. "Exercise shouldn't be a chore that you dread, but something that makes you feel good about yourself!" Maybe some of these ideas will help.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=874
I would be thinking more of activities that you do enjoy and trying to do those. Remember as you get close to goal you don't need to have the same activity level that you did when you were on the loss journey -- I think it was Helen from the Biggest Loser who said that was a hard one for her.
Some is probably hormonal and some may be the old loser/maintainer issue. I'm obviously not a maintainer but I hope to be someday (and I think about it quite a bit because I hope we are all a big group of maintainers in the not too distant future). I think it is hard to switch from being a loser -- something that you have obviously had great success with -- to a maintainer. It's hard to be a maintainer because that little voice of doubt that where you are now isn't permanent still chatters away in your brain. Although truthfully you have maintained at your present level for quite awhile now. You've had
success maintaining, you didn't fall back down that slippery slope, but you
have to believe it. That is the tough part! Maybe if you look at the great successes that you have enjoyed it will help you to look at exercise in a different way. Or make a plan, because we know that you have great success with your plans! !
Thanks for taking the time to chat about this. I'm not sure why I am having an issue with this..... but I'm shy and that definitely translates into things that requiring joining other people that I don't know. I guess I figure everyone there will be thinner/faster/fitter... you name it. And I know that is downright silly. And even if they are WHO CARES!?
I just have trouble with group activities when I don't know any one. It took me several weeks of watching Zumba through the doors (while waiting for DD) before I got up the nerve to try a class.... but I ended up feeling so fat and foolish, that I only did it about 3 times. The cycling classes always look SO INTENSE! I KNOW that I don't have to prove anything to anyone.... if I try it once and hate it, I have NO committment to return. It is a drop-in class, so no payment/no registration.
I will take the time later today to read the link from Sparkpeople about the exercise. I am definitely NOT feeling it lately.
Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to give me some food for thought.
Well, I survived my first last chance workout. It was intense but not as bad as I feared. I am unfortunately the heaviest person on my team just by eyeballing the other members. I'm okay with that but it did hurt a bit. I did fine on the workout. One of the guys had to lie on the floor for about 20 minutes -- I would have probably been right there next to him if I hadn't upped my activity this month. The good news is that I burned over 800 calories and am just a little short of my goal and still have 40 minutes of cardio and a strength class to do.
Onward and downward!
Oh my gosh.... that must be crazy!! Don't forget, even if you think you are the heaviest, that might translate into "most weight lost".... so it could be a good thing for the challenge!!
When I was taking that boot camp class this past spring, there were definitely moments when I wanted to lie on the floor.... but I wasn't going to embarrass myself in front of those other ladies, that's for sure!!
We actually had one person who had to excuse herself during a class to go vomit
. Hill climbers + belly full of water =
I was always SO proud of myself when I finished these classes and I knew I had pushed myself to my limit. I hope you get that feeling when you are done with your last chance workout!
Pamela (and anyone else considering a group cycle class) - TRY the cycle class now!!!
I was just at one this morning and this is a GREAT time of year to check it out. All the "hardcore" cyclists are out cycling on the roads while the weather holds, so it's not so crowded in the studio. A couple more tips for the aspiring group-cyclist (based on my experience of starting last winter)
Show up a few minutes early for your first class - the instructor can help you set up your bike for a perfect fit.
Ask if there are any gel seat covers - seat discomfort is a real issue with these bikes. If you decide you love it, consider investing in some padded shorts. Of course after a few sessions you get used to it somewhat, as well.
Don't worry that you'll fall behind, run out of breath or won't know what to do - the great thing about group classes is that nobody gets left behind because the bikes are stationary. Also, you set your own resistance. Take it easy on yourself the first time you go to class - everyone is at different levels and nobody will know. My instructor often says that people rarely finish their first cycle class - I think it might be because they put the resistance a bit too high that first day! If you need to take a break, that is OK too. I found that my legs tired first because they were not used to that motion - some find that they are out of breath before their legs get tired. After a few classes, it seems to even out.
Oh yeah, and this is important. You are going to sweat, so plan accordingly.
Bring with you:
A full water bottle
A small sweat towel
and/or headband/visor to keep sweat out of your eyes.
Happy cycling!!
THanks so much for all of the advise! There is definitely some stuff I need to know!!
I'm really going to think hard today and tomorrow about it and make a plan. I may not be able to take the class on Monday, as DS has a soccer game, but I think I could make it to Tuesday. I'll let you all know wht I decide.
Ok, taking a break from painting my toes orange, and doing laundry.
Did I tell you all that Mike wants us to do some 100 mile relay next October. I don't know exactly how it works but it's over a weekend and each person runs 18 miles total. I kept saying--but where do you sleep? We can't commit until we figure out when parents weekend is next year. I only get 4 parents weekends in my life, and I'm going to enjoy them!
Holy cow... 100 miles!!?? What is he thinking?
Actually... how would it work out to 18 miles?? That doesn't divide equally into 100. I think he is tricking you into running more...
Pam- My parents are going to hampton beach a little away from port smith. Just coincedentally talked to them. Any suggestions of some do not miss things? or anyone else from that area?
Portsmouth actually. Sadly, I know very little about NH tourism. I've lived in New England my ENTIRE life and in NH since 1992.... and I went to Hampton Beach for the first time ever this summer!! I'm guess I'm just not much of a beach person.
I will second CC's suggestion of Strawberry Banke. Lovely historic area/museum. (Of course, that is only good if they like history.) Similar to Old Sturbridge Village (if you are familiar with that), but not quite as nice, IMHO. But still interesting.
The suggestion of Kittery, ME is good, if they are into shopping. I'm not overly familiar with it, so I don't know exactly what else Kittery has to offer. Sorry I can't be more help!!
. Here's a shot of Mama and her boys and the cat post my kid and I lugged home a few weeks ago from the restaurant equipment dumpster lol. It was raining that day so they had their freedom. As you can see Mama Cleo has really filled out-- I hate to think of how skinny she was whan I got her.
I had a few shots of the 3 (the kittens) of them playing but my camera software messed up and deleted them.
I need to get Penney fixed and her shots--she's still very small though and with girls- I like to wait a little longer as the surgery is more complicated. I would just feel better if she were immunized before she goes outside.
OK good they're all in now-- taking pity on me I guess..
I love your kitty stories and pictures! (And honestly, your dumpster diving stories as well!!). Your kitty family looks good and healthy and happy.
We are dealing with a flea issue for the first time ever in all the years we have owned cats. I knew my kitty had a few fleas (thought she might have gotten them from that stray we took in, but he wasn't here long and he was isolated, so
), but she truly wasn't acting herself, so I took her into the Vet. She got a clean bill of health and some Frontline. Well... since I treated her with the Frontline she is her old friendly self again! It was like she put herself into quarantine while she had the fleas. She didn't want to be in our laps, she didn't sleep in our rooms. She spent most of her time outside, in the basement, or on a window sill (just as well, since it made flea clean up easier!!). I was really concerned about her, but now I see it was just the fleas really bothering her.
The Vet said it was a bad year for fleas, since it has been so hot and dry.
Just thought I'd pop in and say "hello". I've been checking in thru the day, but don't really have anything going on.
My big plan for today is for my mom to color my hair this evening. This is only the second time I've ever colored my hair. I like my natural color and I don't want to change it, but I HATE the grays that keep showing up. I've only had the nerve to try the Natural Instincts type that washes out over 4-6 weeks. I just want my hair to look like my hair, you know?
You are so brave! I've needed to color my gray for years now, but I refuse to color my hair. I like the natural color and I SO don't want to start dealing with roots. Fortunately I am blonde, so the grays are a bit less obvious.
I'm sure you could find a haircolor that was very close to your natural color, if you looked at enough brands/boxes. Good luck with it.
The last few nights have been crazy. Didn't sleep well at all on Monday night and when I woke up I had a red rash all over. I thought it was a reaction to my allergy shot and it went away during the day on Tuesday.
I didn't think anything of it and put on my PJs last night and hopped into bed. About an hour later my skin was stinging and itchy. I got up and checked it out and the rash was back. Changed pjs and it didn't help too much so I took a shower and put on another set of pjs that I washed a while ago. They seemed to be ok but I slept on the sofa in the family room to be sure it wasn't the sheets. I didn't sleep very well. My dilemma now is that I use a few different detergents. Anyone have any good ideas about how I can test to see if it's one of the detergents. My other clothes have been okay although I was carful today and picked out clothes that I've had in the closet for a while. I was also wondering if it's my washer that's not rinsing the clothes well enough? It's one of the those front loaders that we got over the summer. Or am I using too much detergent...but I don't even fill up the dispenser half way. I did take a nap today in bed to test out the sheets and they seem to be fine. I hope tonight is okay but I still have to figure out what's going on so I avoid it in the future.
It would seem like if it was the sheets bothering you, it would only bother you where your skin directly touched the sheets (cheeks, hands, feet). If you are having a rash under your pajama area, it seems like it might be the pajamas.
Try buying a type of the "free and clear" detergent. No perfumes, no dyes. That could solve the problem, if it is truly detergent related.
Just an FYI though.... odd rashes can show up so unexpectedly with no obvious explaination. A few years ago I got a horribly red, super itchy rash on the back of my hand. It was so bad that I HAD to see the doctor. She told me flat out it was scabies!!
I was so horrified and could not, for the life of me, figure out where I might have picked it up!! We hadn't been away and stayed in any hotels or anything like that. I was so concerned that DH and DS might get it from me. But everyone else was fine.
Well... after I was ADAMANT that it couldn't be scabies, she gave me a tube of ointment. She said that if the ointment cleared it up, it WASN'T scabies.... but if it didn't, it probably was and I would need to come back for a skin scraping and further treatment. She was SO SURE that I would be back in a few days.
I went home and IMMEDIATELY looked up scabies on WebMD..... and sure enough, my rash certainly looked like it. But you know what..... that ointment cleared it right up and it never returned?? So it WAS NOT scabies!
And there was never any explaination of what it was or how I got it.... it came and it went.
Shortly after I delivered DD and came home (within a few weeks) I developed these itchy welts on my legs (like bug bites). I was convinced that I had fleas in the house..... I spent days washing blankets, sheets, pillow, clothes and vacumming etc. DH didn't have any welts and DD never had any. I ended up going to the dermatologist and after one quick peek at my legs, he said it was an allergic reaction to my prenatal vitamins (which I was still taking because I was breast feeding). I was totally unconvinced and left the office thinking he was a total quack! How could I suddenly be allergic to something I have been taking daily for 10 months!!?? But I stopped taking the vitamins and the welt went away almost immediately.
This rash may disappear as suddenly as it appeared. In the meantime, OTC hydrocortisone cream will definitely help.
Hi everyone.....I am really out of the loop! We just got home from our disney vacation
and I haven't got back into any rountine!!! No exercise and lots of sugar.YUCK!!!! I actually felt nauseous! Anyway...weigh in will be interesting!
I will get back to my reading to see what I missed!
I hope your trip was fabulous! Will you be starting back with your routine on weigh-in day?
ITA! I had no idea how unhealthy I was. I dont know that Ive ever shared this, but between Nov. 2007 and Sept. 2008, I gained at least 50 pounds. I was adhering to the low-salt diet, but didnt think about fat or calories. I got lucky that my blood pressure stayed normal, my fasting blood sugar only increased a bit (still very low though), my cholesterol only went up a bit too (still well within normal), etc.
I'm so proud of you for making that realization and taking the steps to get healthy!! And imagine HOW healthy you are getting, if your BP, blood sugar, and cholesterol were already within a healthy range!! Aaaaa... youth!!
I used to live near there, in a city outside of Portsmouth, called Dover. Hampton Beach is very nice. I just did a Google search and as I predicted the Annual Dover Apple Harvest Festival is this Saturday. We loved going when we were kids. But, I remember it being more of an adult thing. Its a great area and there is a lot to do. There is a place outside of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (which is incidentally in Kittery, Maine) called Strawberry Banke which is like an old-fashioned general store and also has a museum. Driving along the coast is also a highlight. Open the car windows and soak in the ocean. That is my favorite part of visiting outside of seeing my godparents and my sisters godparents.
I didn't realize you lived in NH! DD swam at the Jenny Thompson pool in Dover this summer for GSSA summer finals! The Apple Harvest Festival sounds like fun (and food!). We aren't much into fairs in this house (although DH and DS attended the Hopkinton Fair for the first time last month), but I love a good "festival"!!
Today seems to have gone to hell in a handbasket. I did well this morning, but DS, 15 today had is learners permit test this afternoon, which he did not pass. He was quite upset as was I and that was right before we went out to dinner. I had chicken alfredo, which was delicious, but so not on plan. Too big a portion and now I feel yucky. I really think I could throw up. Ugh. To make things more difficult, DH is out of town on business so I'm having to deal with all this alone. I'm sure DS will pass next time and to be honest, I wouldn't have gotten those questions right either. Emissions, alcohol levels in minors
Thank God that tomorrow is another day. Dh will be home tomorrow and hopefully the disappointment will be in the past, but for now the mood in our house is pretty somber.
I can only imagine how DS is feeling. DD will be driving in February.... a time I am NOT looking forward to. Here in NH, you don't have to take a test to drive as a learner. I sort of wish they did, because I remember how much I learned before taking my written test for my permit in Massachusetts (back in the dark ages, of course
). Second time around will be a it!!
Sorry you let the stress affect your eating. Back on track today, right??
Had to do redo the toenail polish, so I'm waiting for it to dry then calling it a day. Went instead with purple--covers runners toes the best.
Did bad with eating tonight. I am letting the pre-flying stress get to me, that and I have a billion things to do at work tomorrow. The plan is to run a quick 30 in the morning and be at work by 9:00.
Have a good night everyone.
Purple sounds just right! Don't worry about tonight's eating.... you have so much more to think about. Do you not enjoy flying?? I'll say a prayer for your peace and comfort and a safe and easy flight. Hope your work day goes smoothly. Have a MARVELOUS trip and enjoy the "big run"!!
After re-reading my ramblings from this morning I have decided to just keep them all in at night for awhile. The cats that is. Just let them in and out if they are really going crazy during the day. I guess that's what normal people do. Ours have always had a cat door. I need sleep. Thanks for putting up with my cat stories-- you guys have a pretty high patience level. I watched a hoarders the other night and was appalled at an older couple who's kitties had gotten out of hand. I am really glad for the 40 pounds I lost with the help of this board-- it really does help with the energy level. I've seen so much crap lately with animal abuse and neglect first hand around here I am starting to build up immunity like I had before--and I'm afraid this Inn is closed. No matter how organized I get---there is still so much work and I don't want to get overwhelmed. One good thing lol--at least I don't have to worry about meat leftovers getting eaten.
Once I get the fleas under control again (each new fur person introduces new ones ugh) which should happen this next round of advantage, and I get Penney fixed (I made a date for late Oct.) we'll get down to a rhythm again. It'll start to be cold and rainy which will keep them in and they'll all have settled down by then too. Meanwhile I've got 3 feliway refills ordered sigh...
I remember having to buy that Feliway a few years ago .... it is CRAZY expensive!!
Question of the Day
If you had an unllimited amount of money to spend just one night in DW, where would you stay?
In the Magic Kingdom! I would pay for them to leave the park open all night, fully staffed...... lights and music rolling, characters circulating etc. I would invite a handful of close family and friends that are truly Disney lovers to come with me.... and we would prowl the MK all night!!!!! We could ride every ride, have a guilty snack in the Candy Store, a 3 am burger at Pecos Bill's, ride the carousel with Cinderella herself! And of course, Buzz would ride Space Ranger Spin with DH and DS!! We would take a million pictures and get a hundred autographs. What a dream!!!
I'm also hoping everyone stays safe on the east coast today. We're supposed to have 50-60 mile an hour winds this afternoon and overnight tonight! Guess I won't be sleeping tonight. For those new around here, I had a tree fall on our house about 2 years ago in the middle of the night so when it's windy, SLEEP DOESN'T HAPPEN!!!! Also supposed to have heavy rain later today. My parents are supposed to drive from their house to upstate New York today but that will depend on this crazy weather. It's really been crazy around here!!!!!
TTFN
I can so appreciate your story! Most people would tell you that I am NOT a high stress person.... few anxieties, few worries. But I must say, that when the wind gets howling, I start thinking about those stupid trees in the back yard. We have high wind warnings from 2pm today until 8 am tomorrow. Not sure how my sleep will be tonight either. I'll say a prayer for the both of us.
Morning everyone! I don't have much time left here.... I spent it all multi-quoting!!
Last night's chicken chow mein was delicious. I didn't get around to posting the recipe, but I'll try to make sure I do it soon. I wish I could remember which Jen posted it originally.... my printed copy is just signed "Jen".
Today is a bit crazy. I have to pick up DS at school at 12:30 for a 2pm doctors appointment at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon. Then I will drive straight home, get DS into his soccer gear, grab DD and her swim gear, drive him to the soccer field (they play in the rain, unless there is lightning), race her to swim practice. If DH is running late I will need to fly back to the soccer field to watch part of the game and get DS at the end, and then return to the Y to pick up DD. I'll probably log about 5+ hours of driving today, when all is said and done. While I love my house, I HATE living in the boondocks!!
I haven't made a plan for dinner because with all of this running, I just couldn't figure out when/what we would eat. I'll probably pack up a sandwich and fruit for each of the kids to eat in the car on the way to their activities.... maybe a sandwich for myself too. Not too bad for DS and myself, because we have a hot lunch today.... but DD is eating a sandwich at school today. Oh well... not much I can do about it.
As much as I'd love to skip it, I'm hitting the TM for a 30 minute run today. THERE...... I said it out loud, so I am COMMITTED to it! Guess that means I need to get moving in that direction now.
I'll try to hop on later tonight....................P
Sorry about the poor weather. I understand it will be visiting New England as well. Today was so nice; I am not looking forward to another 24-hours+ of downpours.
I honestly do not know how she has lived such a long life so far the way she cooks/eats and she is thin 
Apparently I dont have her genes.
Nice to see you!
