Babes, don't tell yourselves a lie - let's get real in JULY

[LadyBeloved]

I am not the least bit imaginative this month so here's my contribution for saving the cyber environment and recycling.

Originally Posted by LadyBeloved

Are you still singing that tired old still-trying-to-find-time-to-workout song?

You know who you are.

If Oprah showed up on your town square every evening at 6pm and patiently handed out $50 bills to anyone who showed up, you'd find a way to get your arse down there and you'd find a way to work around your family's schedule in order to snatch that bill outta her hand, too.

Yeah, I made it $50 instead of $500 'cos that really wouldn't be a fair comparison. If Oprah was giving out $500 every day, you'd let your puppy babysit so you could get down there, right?

So if you'd dash to your town square to wait in line for at least an hour every day for $350 a week, why can't you find that hour a day to invest for the longer run?? The payoff at the end of every month has got to be worth more emotionally to a "fit and trim" you than $1500 would be to a defeated and overweight you. Isn't it? Of course it is.

So Babes ... summer is now or never. You've got to be able to come out of the winter clothes, show some skin and feel good about what you're revealing. Toned arms, ab lines showing bit by bit, muscular legs - shopping in stores that specialize in single digit sizes, walking down the street tossing your hair and stylin' ... it doesn't have to be a sigh inducing unattainable dream.

But you gotta pay the piper. Everything costs. The price is really cheap. An hour a day at least 3 days per week.

If you can do 6 or 7 days, your results will be faster and the payoff bigger.

But every little bit helps.

An hour a week beats doing nothing but complaining any day.

Summer is here. It isn't waiting. Are you hiding or showing off your hard work this summer.

Choose now.



Random photo from a P90X Before/After ... "Jodi" ... she found the time and look at her payoff.

[LadyBeloved]

I'm hoping to distract myself by knitting instead of snacking.

Project photos to come.

[pixiegirl01]

Awww... my wish is granted. LadyB And all the Bar Babes!!

Gosh it's freaky hot here. I spent my morning running errands and had planned to plant some flowers when I got home... but that's going to have to wait until later this evening.

Having a tough time deciding whether I should do Jillian's 30-Day Shred, Slim in 6 or alternating my elliptical with Callan. I'm flubby all over and about 10 lbs from where I'd like to be... 15 from where I'd REALLY like to be. My eating is on again, off again, and I've had more wine than I need lately.

I'm really good about working out on weekends, but does that intro ever describe me on weekdays (still-trying-to-find-time-to-workout). But darn it, I'm tired of this flabby body. I WILL find time. I WILL stick to WOE. So give me a kick in the pants whenever warranted.

Happy 4th of July weekend all!

[Peppermint]

July thread!

Yay!

Hi Angie, Ms B.

So this is Lean month. Did Lean 2 this AM. Not liking the elastic band too much so I'm skipping it on a few exercises. I find I lose focus on the weights trying not to tumble over.

Off to run errands!

Lata,

Pep

[LadyBeloved]

I my Bar Babes. *fuzzy*

Where is Amanda and Dorth and iGirl and Miss Bree ...

[Peppermint]

Friendly bump since June's thread is ahead now.

[LadyBeloved]

So. I have not worked out in almost 2 weeks and I have no guilt. I may do something tomorrow. My shoulder and back are fine now. No reason not to start again.

[Chris K.]

Dear Ladies,

Thank you so much for inviting me, as a man, to this thread.

I very much do appreciate it.

I like having a few lady friends, as most of mine are men. LOL.

It gives me a little variety in life.

I am new here.

If you need help or encouragement, you can always come to me, and I'll help you as best as I can.

God bless you ladies.

Take care.

Warmly yours,
Chris

[pixiegirl01]

Hi Chris. I've been away from the "Barre" thread for awhile, but am back (and it seems it's morphed into some pretty serious workout babes!). Welcome.

Hi Pep! Dorth, I know you're around - come out, come out wherever you are!

LadyB, I did something to my shoulder a few months back too. To this day, have no idea what the actual cause way, but I was stretching and then after that would have horrible pain when I would move a certain way or sleep on that side, for months. I was doing Jillian then too and wonder if one/some of the exercises do something to compromise my shoulder? Anyway, mine seems to be better (for the most part) now. Glad your back and shoulder are feeling better too!

Okay ladies (and Chris), I did Day 1, Level 1 of Jillian's Shred yesterday, followed by 15 minutes on the elliptical, followed by planting 6 knockout rose bushes and two unknown purple perennials (I didn't catch their names, just that they loved full sun and looked pretty). I also gave our bathroom a good scrubbing, just for good measure.

Ate on plan (with some minimal wine), and am down 1.2 lbs this morning. Someone tell me that's a good number. I don't know why, but when I give it my all and work so hard, I always expect the scale to drop 2-3 lbs overnight. I know, I know. Unrealistic.

I haven't decided yet if today will be a rest day (I'm a little sore, not to mention the two blisters on my palm), or if I'll at least get a little something in. I do know that we'll be grilling out steaks this evening. Yum.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!

[LadyBeloved]

Angie, I think these muscle injuries do more psychological injury than physical, kwim? We finally get ourselves lined up to do this thing then we get sidelined and we're on our own for however long it takes to get on the mend.

I remember doing Jillian but the Dread Factor was so overwhelming. Once I actually go going it wasn't bad but I spent so many hours dreading it that I finally gave up.

I like her. She's no nonsense and pulls no punches. But I think some of the workouts (like the plank with the row and leg lift) can do some harm if not done properly and by the time we got to the plank, we were so exhausted and so beaten down I can't imagine we were in good form. That twisting on the upper back is probably what did it. Preserve some energy if you can on those plank days.

Dorth. Now you're gonna make me text you.

Miss Pep, how are you in LEAN? Have you made progress? Photos?

Pioneer Babe, what's on for today?

[LadyBeloved]

As threatened, I texted Miss Dorth.

She has a pass. They are at the lakehouse in NY returning late Monday. She sends

[amandanorr]

I had to get up at 6:30 to put out flags with the son, it is the scout fundraiser. Was tired all day, but we went to the park and watch the parade that last 15 min. and it only last that long cause they have to turn around and come back, but you get to see both sides of the float that way. Then the airplane dropped grocery bag parachutes of candy. We picked raspberries tonight. I will get to make jam this year. Now I am going to bed.

[pixiegirl01]

Amanda OMG, fresh raspberries sound amazing. *drool* (They are $4.99 for a small package at my grocery store right now)

Ok, Dorth can have a pass. This time.

I took the day off from exercising yesterday. Yes, LadyB, I know what you are saying - doing Jillian gets to the point of exhausting and then form becomes bad. Plus, she moves through the circuits so fast (I know that's the idea for optimum fat burning, but still) that I start feeling like I'm flinging weights and my body around instead of focusing on form. I don't dread her right now since it's a quick workout... but I could see that happening.

Weight was the same this morning. That's okay. I ended up having sushi instead of steak yesterday (real traditional 4th of July fare, right?) lol We'll do the steaks today instead.

And, a deer came into the back yard (which I enjoy seeing)... but it ate the tops off one of my new flowers. ... so I had to shoo it away.

Today will be Jillian and planting replacement plants in some of my planters. My thumbs are definitely not green.

[Peppermint]

Hey ladies!

I also took yesterday as a rest day. Shoulder is achey - not really liking Lean too much, but we'll see. I want to give it a chance, but Burn and Push were great immediately, so I'm afraid that if I don't like it off the bat, I'm gonna dread the whole month. But I shall persevere.

Did Zumba for cardio today (cause I'm a rebel ) and I am so not in the shape I was in 2 years ago (ya think ) when I was doing Zumba regularly.

Anyways, the 'rents are coming over for some afternoon BBQ.

Hope you all have a lovely, lazy Sunday afternoon.

[pixiegirl01]

Good morning ladies!

So Pep and LadyB, are the two of you doing Chalean Extreme or is this Power90X?

I did Jillian again yesterday... and my plan is to do it again today right after work.

The scale is up by a pound this morning, but I refuse to let that derail me today. It could be the sushi, that TOM is around the corner, that I've started resistance training, that I did have wine over the holiday weekend... who knows.

I saw a post by Emily in the ML a few days ago (where is she anyway?) that she stopped being so strict with herself (keeping carbs so low) and has dropped 14 lbs in the past 10 weeks or so. I SO get that. I'm so tired of thinking that eating tomatoes or some fresh fruit a couple of times a week is going to keep me from losing weight. I hope I'm on the right track here.

Everyone have a great Monday!

[LadyBeloved]

Morning Angie!

I was doing a hybrid of CLX and P90X.

I've decided to give P90X LEAN a go. I am missing one DVD, though. No clue how it happened but it looks like I'll have to go on eBay for the replacement.

I can't remember if I posted about it but I figured out through old journals that I was an Intuitive Eater long before I knew what weight issues were.

I think I got myself off track a few years ago when I had those mind-numbing migraines and my doctor prescribed a course of treatment that included medication that had you craving sweets! Of course, she downplayed it until I figured out what it was and "confronted" her. By then I'd put on about 18lbs!

Then a friend introduced me to Atkins and it's been one rollercoaster ride after another.

It's been an epiphany filled weekend. Nice to trace it all back to a source that makes SENSE.

Before that I was a total Intuitive Eater - eating only when hungry. Eating what I wanted and never really eating a lot. People have always told me I eat like a bird. But I graze and that's better for me.

But all of these sudden restrictions and eating only this or a percentage of that and measuring and counting was causing me so much stress and aggravation.

My sister told me I was THE finicky eater all during childhood and really for as long afterwards. I won't even give you OCD version of supermarket shopping.

So, for the last four days I've been back to doing what I did in 2002 and before and I already feel better about myself and the way I'm looking at food.

I know that if I want to eat that slice of banana bread, I can and I will. And when I decided to go back to this on Thursday, strangely enough, no cravings.

*hooray*

There is something about knowing I can have whatever I want, whenever I want that makes whatever it is less desirable than knowing I can't have it, no matter what.

[Peppermint]

Hey there ladies!

Totally overdid everything this weekend and am back on plan starting today. Will be doing Chalene Lean circuit 3 today - hopefully it won't be as annoying as Lean 1 and 2. I may just focus on the lifting and if I do the lower body stuff in tandem, I'm going to lose the elastic band as it destroys my form. And my thumb *still* hurts.

LadyB glad you've found (or are back to) a way of eating that feels right for you!

Angie, I avoid scales. They used to drive me crazy. I go by how my clothes fit (a little better these days, but no where near goal) and how my legs look/feel (still chunky but improving ).

Well, off to start my day (I'm off today also in case you were wondering why its starting so late. )

[pixiegirl01]

Pep, if I could only break up with my scale, how much happier I would probably be. How did you do it?

LadyB, I'm so glad you're finding your way back to what works for you. Grrrrr at your doctor for not being straight up with you.

I know when I was single and got down to my lowest after starting LC, one of the things I used to do was skip dinner, probably several nights a week. I wasn't trying to starve myself, but I just wasn't hungry, ya know? Now that I'm married and have an 11yo stepson, I feel responsible for making sure there's a decent dinner. Do any of you just not eat dinner, even though you may be making something for others?

I sooooooo must remember not to start my day with only fruit. It never works out for me and turns me into a starving lunatic by lunchtime.

[amandanorr]

The last month or so, I have been eating way to much. But I feel like I am getting more normal now. Took allergy meds and passed out til noon. Will do a small workout later. Love having the raspberries, we have had a few strawberries, but next year will be better. Pear tree is looking good. In a few more week tomatoes will be on.

[pixiegirl01]

I ended up buying a pack of blackberries. They're okay, but really not that much flavor, not nearly as much as fresh picked. Sorry about your allergies, Amanda. I certainly know how that goes.

So LadyB, for Shred, are you supposed to do the workouts every day, or skip days in between? I did two days in a row, but my left quad is telling me maybe I should have waited a day.

[LadyBeloved]

You blackberry, raspberry eating babes made me buy blueberries in the market - 4 pints for $5.00 and these berries are SA WEEEEEEEET!

Angie, yes, Shred every day if you're doing the 30 day challenge. It is intense so if your quad is squawking, rest for a day.

[pixiegirl01]

Thanks Miss B! I wasn't sure if I was supposed to have "rest" days or not with Shred. My left quad isn't really sore, it feels... well... not injured, but "overworked" might be the right word. My right quad does not feel this way - it just feels tight, so I wonder if I goofed up on form during the forward lunges.

Anyway, I did day 3 yesterday and then took some naproxen. It feels a little better this morning. I think I'll do two more days of Level 1 and then move up to Level 2.

I didn't weigh this morning - ate way too many salty things yesterday and I didn't want to get discouraged. Your blueberries sound way yummier than the blackberries I got.

[Peppermint]

Hey babes!

Feel a bit like a truck hit me today. Very achy from Lean this week - mostly in my back and shoulder areas. Did Lean 3 yesterday and liked it marginally better than Lean 1 and Lean 2. Cardio day today, prob cardio party remix and some ab work.

Glad tomorrow is a rest day as I have to travel to NYC tomorrow for my VP's bi-monthly staff meeting nonsense. Lemme throw in a few more of these -->

Have a great day babes!

[Peppermint]

Did you ever just feel like maybe liposuction is the answer.

Oy. My thighs.

Muscles, layered over with a frosting of flab.

[amandanorr]

To I made fresh raspberry lemonade, it is mmmmm. Picking more berries tonight. DH said my butt is looking smaller last night. yay.

[pixiegirl01]

Originally Posted by Peppermint

Did you ever just feel like maybe liposuction is the answer.

Oy. My thighs.

Muscles, layered over with a frosting of flab.

Pep, I feel your pain.

Did Shred again last night. Weight is the same.

Amanda, your raspberry lemonade sounds yummy for a hot summer night!

Having some kind of allergic reaction going on. My eyes are all puffy and itchy. I don't know if it's the acne Rx I got last week (which would be odd, since I don't use it around my eyes and the areas I did use it seem fine), or the new moisturizer I got. Going to eliminate both until it stops. Also wondering if maybe one of the kitties has been sleeping on the area rug I exercise on downstairs (I do fine with petting, etc, but not so good if the dander makes it to my eyes), but this doesn't seem the same as cat allergies I've experienced before... the skin is actually changed texture. And not in a good way.

Have a wonderful Wednesday babes!

[dorth]

*runs in*
*peeks around*
*runs out screaming*

I'll be back later!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[amandanorr]

Dorth, Come BACK!!!!! Took DD to gymnastics, picked up house and went to my cousin's wedding. Every where we go, DS always finds a girl. This one was the flower girl. Got a gallon bucket full of berries tonight.

[pixiegirl01]

*runs and tackles Dorth*

Originally Posted by Peppermint

Feel a bit like a truck hit me today.

Are you feeling any better today, Pep?


I took yesterday off from exercise. Eating was good... up until dinner. Then DH decides he's in the mood for sushi. I still did pretty well. Didn't eat the rice on the nigiri (just ate it as sashimi), got one roll made without rice and had a few pieces of a roll with rice. It was all yummy.

I think today will be the last day of Shred Level 1, then I'll move to Level 2 tomorrow.


Have a great day babes!!! Two more days til the weekend!!

[Peppermint]

Hey babes!

Yep I'm feeling better. Just felt achy and tired, so I rested yesterday. Lean 1 tonite.

Lata!