The Gym!!

[Paulie]

Okay - guess what happened today? Okay, I will tell you. They gym that I used to belong to called and left me a message saying that they have a special promotion and I can join again right now for free, no sign up fee - is that a sign from God? I think so!!! I am going to sign up tomorrow.

[Pony]

Alright Pauline, a gym buddy. Ok here we go. Anyone else want on the workout trail, lets hear from you too. I'll tell you one thing; I have felt really good since I started at the gym. Alo something that I just noticed about myself is that I eat less at each meal and even between when I am on a workout routine. And boy have I been downing the water. Of course I have to find a bathroom eveywhere I go. lol My family has even increased their water intake lately.

So let us know how it goes!!

Pony

[Paulie]

Well I did it. I got up this morning, put the hair in a pony, put on the sweats and went to the gym. Walked in and the front receptionist remembered me from last year (that felt great) and signed up again, and off I went and worked out. Only about 40 minutes today (thought my legs were going to fall off), but it felt good. And drank 1/3 of my daily water by 10:00 am!!!

Feels great and positive!!!

[Juls]

I'm hopping back on the work-out trail too. Unfortunately, we can't afford a gym membership right now, but I have a stair climber that I've been using, and also walking. I even woke up at 6 am yesterday and went to a 6:30 meeting.

My eating plan is going well, except that I just can't take that green stuff. One of my diet down-falls is that I really enjoy drinking milk, and I've only drank the 1%, but I found out that milk is very high in carbohydrates, which I'm trying to cut back on.

I found a dairlyless drink produced by Odwalla, called Odwalla milk, which I like. It's a combination of soy, oat, and rice milk. I purchased a protein/vitamin mix called Spirutein from our local health food store (Whole Foods, does anyone have this store in their area?). In the morning I blend the chocolate flavored spirutein with the Odwalla milk and some ice and it makes a very tasty breakfast drink, that is low in carbs, low-fat, high-protein and has a s*** load (LOL) of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is very satisfying, and keeps me going. I'm also eating brown rice, tofu, veggies and fresh fruit. We have an apricot tree in our backyard, so our family as well as as many neighbors I can give them too, are enjoying our sweet, delicious and organic apricots.

My water intake is so-so, but now that the weather is hot, and I'm exercising, it is definitely easier to drink the water. One of the reasons I don't drink more water is because I was born with three kidneys, and anything I drink comes out the other end pretty quick. LOL

Juls

[Paulie]

Juls -

Good for you. I am still curious what that green stuff is.

Anyway, a stair climber is great exercise.

I am right there with you on the milk thing.

I also bought a protein powder at yes, Whole Foods, and mix it with juice in the am, it is horrible with water, but good with juice. The protein first thing in the morning is good and helps me stay away from the carbs.

I know that drinking that water that I drink makes me make a lot of pit stops during the day, with your situation you would probalby spend half the day there lolo.

Take care and keep up the good work.

[Juls]

Pauline,

What I have is "Barley Green," which is one of several types of "green foods," that are available, usually at health food stores. Other types are wheat grass juice, and spirulina.

Green foods is a general term to describe these foods. They are nutrient and vitamin dense, and are more easily absorbable into the bloodstream and more efficiently used by the body, instead of a vitamin tablet.

I used to use a soy based protein powder, but I wanted something that had more nutrients available in it than just the protein which is why I decided to try the "Spirutein."

Juls

[Pony]

Wow, you go girls!!!!!!!!!

This is great. We are all moving forward. OOOOoooo :okay:

The last two days I haven't gone to work out at the gym, but I have been very active at home with some cleaning chores that have been neglected. Laundry for one, and let me tell you that can be a workout in it's self. We have a second floor apt. which means I am up and down the stairs many, many times. I know it's not the same as going to do a workout but it's something. I have been dong pretty good on the food end. I have not been snacking, and have been cutting my portions. Now if I could just eat earlier in the evening we'd be on the right track. I have been getting my eater in no problem, with all this heat here.

Juls, you don't have to go to a gym. workouts at home are great. I did that once before and was having great success, but my home life has changed and it is difficult for me to get in exercise at home. We have a "Total Gym" machine, but every time I go to use it, my daughter wants on also. And she doesn't go away. Makes it very hard to get a complete workout in like I should. So to eliminate any excuses, I joined. No kids, no boyfriend looking over my shoulder ( to see if I'm doing it), just me going of my own free choice.

Good job ladies, lets keep it up!

Pony

[Juls]

Kid,

I hear you on the kid and man thing. I exercise while my daughter is at her day camp, and my husband's at work. lol

Juls

[Paulie]

I have a great cardio machine (in my shed in the backyard) but never use it. We have no room in the house for it and I just don't get out there. When the gym called on Friday and said I could rejoin for free, I was there Saturday am (I quit in December, why??? who knows) Anyway, I have already been there this am and I am feeling great. I am not doing it with anyone this time. that has always given me excuses in the past, well she isn't going so I won't either or whatever. Now it is jsut me and my walkman!!!
Have a great Sunday!!