Fit Before 50: Barb's Journal to a Slimmer, Healthier Self

[traceycooper]

what great cat names
keep warm barb!

 

[cclovesdis]

I can't believe it's snowing in Florida. Unbelievable. It's cold here, but it is every Jan., so I can't imagine what it must be like for you. Stay warm!

 

[inkkognito]

I got a new Snuggie (can't help feeling "ugh" about the old one, even tho' it's washed) and sprayed it with a cat pheremone spray called Feliway. I cleaned the soiled footrest and sprayed it down too and so far, so good.

I didn't end up doing a rest day workout because I got involved in backing up my computer files and the photos on my various chips, which I consolidated onto an 8 gig flash drive. That sorely needed to be done! I take a lot of photos for my articles and they needed to be organized and stored away.

Today will be Sports Active, but I also bought a Firm kit (DVDs and weights) because I think I can use the weights with the Wii instead of that stupid band. They have handles so I'm going to give it a try today. I had Firm video tapes, which I loved, and I like these DVDs because they have both full and express workouts on each. Got a heart rate monitor too for when I switch over to the My Fitness Trainer disc on the Wii.

Had lunch at Sonny's BBQ but I was pretty good; got full on the salad bar, so I took literally my whole meal home (ribs, bread and mac and cheese). It will be dinner tonight or lunch tomorrow. Usually we see whole families making a Sunday meal off one salad plate at that Sonny's, sort of like Randy Quaid in Vegas Vacation, but it was pretty dead today.

 

[goldcupmom]

Hope you are staying warm. My DSis lives in Lakeland & her grandkids were excited to see flurries!

Aren't cats fun sometimes?

Glad you had a good weekend! Hope next week goes well.....

 

[Amy&Dan]

Ahh, the joys of pets and how they find ways to claim OUR belongings! I would have bought a new snuggie too. I am going to buy a couple of those, at least one of us is always freezing.

I can't believe you had freezing rain/snow! I hope it warms up for your sake and my brother's, he and his family are escaping Chicago to come to WDW next week and they want it warm. And I bet you do too!

Sometimes getting things done is so freeing for the mind, its a good thing to skip a workout if need be. Now you can have that off your plate (the photo thing) and concentrate anew. Great job getting the Firm on DVD. I had that on VHS years ago and liked it, maybe I'll see if I can get some on DVD as well.

Here's toa good week!

 

[toystoryduo]

I love the FIRM!!! I have lots of their tapes and a couple of their DVDS. Unfortunately, our VCR tanked so I only have two FIRM workouts to choose from. I'll be interested to hear how you like the workouts.

Hope you have a great day!

 

[solar]

Barb, you make me want to play with the Wii! My son has one in his room, but I may have to drag it out to the living room or get my own soon, LOL

Can you just go for walks around the decks? Like make loops? Hope you enjoy your upcoming cruise...

Crazy weather you're having down there -- I had some friends running in the races this weekend, brrrrr

I like the resistance bands with handles..I got one from a trainer awhile back- and use it to do firewalkers for my hips (sideways walking with it)

OH NO - bad kitty! Your poor snuggie

 

[inkkognito]

Amy&Dan, I'm sending good thoughts your brother's way. It's supposed to actually warm up this weekend...yay!

Yep, you can make walking loops on deck 4. It's the "jogging deck," but there are also shuffleboard grids and people just milling around so sometimes it's more like an obstacle course! One time I was chugging along at a good pace and some guy who had been looking over the rail just backed up and started walking backwards right towards me! It happened too fast for me to be able to dodge or stop (the deck was very crowded...we were in Panama and people were looking at the scenery) so I held out my water bottle sideways and he backed right into the cap. Bet he won't be running around backwards on the jogging deck anymore, and it saved me from being trampled.

I love using the Firm weights with my Wii. They work so much better than the band. I read reviews that say they are too light (three pounds) but they seem plenty heavy for me for all the arm curls, rows, etc. My husband is eyeing one of the Firm DVDs so hopefully he will try it. I'm probably going to try one tomorrow, since it's my Wii "rest day."

I had Firm videos and the fanny lifter and pole when we lived in Chicago. I really got great results from it (at the time, I combined it with Walk Away the Pounds). Can't wait to check out their new workouts tomorrow. I did my workout early today so it's nice to know it's out of the way. Oatmeal is on deck for lunch and hubby is making beef, steamed veggies and rice for dinner. They sell pre-made stuffed beef or salmon rolls at Publix that are great for easy dinners. I can never eat a whole one, but the cats are always willing to help.

 

[lovinaz]

I bet you will really start seeing some results with the weights! It's always good to change things up so your body doesn't get used to one thing and stop responding. I'm interested to hear how you like the Firm DVDs! I saw it at the store the other day but didn't bite...

 

[Amy&Dan]

See, to me three pounds is perfect for sculpting and toning which is what us women usually want!

I love Walk Away the Pounds. Its a great backup plan when I can't get to the rec center.

Thanks for the good thoughts for my brother! Its their first trip to WDW, his twin daughters will turn 9 on Monday.

That is so awesome your husband cooks. He needs to come teach my husband how to do the same.

 

[toystoryduo]

Please let us know how you like the FIRM DVDs and which ones you are using.

Has the weather improved any?

Hope you have a great day!

 

[inkkognito]

The Firm DVDs are Hi Def Sculpt, Cardio Overdrive, Hard Core Fusion and Cardio Party. They all came with the cardio weight kit. I will probably try one of the cardio ones tonight since it's an off night from Sports Active and SA seems to focus so much on the weights/toning (the main cardio iseems to be that stupid running, and that's usually supposed to be the cool down...ha!).

I ended up playing with my Wii Fit last night even though I already did my SA workout. I just felt like doing a little more exercise, so I messed with the boxing, kung fu and snowball fight, then cooled down with the tilt table game. We used the pet option to weigh two of the cats. SheiKra, who was starving and less than a pound when we got him is now 10 pounds. My husband swore Farquaad would be 20 lbs. but he was only 16 (he probably was 20 before we got SheiKra as now he gets lots of forced exercise via chasing and wrestling).

 

[lovinaz]

How funny that you can weigh your pets on Wii! They certainly have thought of everything, haven't they? Maybe I should use that option to weigh my ultra-skinny DS!

I am very interested in the cardio DVDs, keep us posted! It's always nice to have someone else's pros and cons before trying something new!

You are rocking those workouts!

 

[toystoryduo]

That's cool that you can weigh your cats on the Wii! Lots of fun games and workouts on there too.

Those sound look some good FIRM workouts! I hope you'll let us know how you like them.

 

[solar]

Yikes about the guy and the railing on the jogging deck!

You really mix it up with tapes and the different wii programs...what seems to be your favorite and why at this point? For the results, or because it's fun for you?

 

[inkkognito]

Right now Wii Sports Active is my favorite overall for three reasons: the structure (i.e. the 30 Day Challenge, which makes me feel "obligated" to work out), the "real" exercises (vs. games on Wii Fit...SA has games too but much of it is weight training, lunges, etc.), and the fact that it only takes 25 to 30 mins. I'm surprised that I'm actually seeing results from such a short workout! It keeps me from being able to say "I don't have time for this" as an excuse to skip it.

The DVDs mix things up for me on the off days. I like Walk Away the Pounds because they have long and short options depending on how motivated I feel. That's part of the reason I chose the Firm DVDs, because they have full length and express options too.

I need to figure out how to work water-walking into my routine. The health club is not far, but it seems soooo long to get there when I can use the Wii or pop in a DVD so easily at home.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It sounds like your one cat is really thriving, lots of love will do that! Good job getting additional activity in on your wii last night. Tomorrow is my night to try mine out at long last!

 

[FeelsLikeHome]

Hi! Great job on your progress! I had to laugh about the cats - mine loves to lay on the Wii Fit board as a lounging spot. And she weighs 11 pounds on there too!

 

[toystoryduo]

You're doing a great job on your workouts, Barb! Keep up the good work!

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[lovinaz]

I'm glad you are seeing results, it really does make the routine easier to stick to. I'm also glad you found something that you enjoy and that is diverse enough so you won't get bored. That's the key to sticking with it!