A Jubilant July 30 Day Fitness Journey Challenge

[lavendarJ]

Our Good Friend and poster child for raw, Morn, has passed the torch to me for this challenge and so let's make her proud:) Are you ready for this 30-day challenge?

Do you realize that July marks the halfway point of the year? We have truly arrived. Let's all take a moment and think about where we were at the beginning of the year in terms of fitness. Now let's think about where we want to be. Let's close our eyes and imagine ourselves at the end of this fitness challenge; it is July 31st. Can you see yourself? How do you look? Did you meet your goals? Do you have more energy? Are you more flexible than before?

We must first have a vision! If you can see it - whatever the "it" is then you can go on to speak it...

Next, we have to remember the power of our words, if you can speak it, then you've just breathed life into what once were mere words and now it is up to you to nurture that life into action

Finally, we simply ACT, step out on faith and do

I am looking forward to this fitness challenge this month. I'm always motivated by everyone who endures and continues along their journeys despite the many other roles they play
- mother
- father
- wife
- husband
- employee
When I see people continue to strive toward their goals despite the dramas that come with everyday living, that motivates me not to slack. This site is a blessing and I really want to push myself like I've never pushed before.

Let's mentally prepare for this July journey and what we are seeking from this. Just remember, this is a jubilant journey....have fun with fitness and define your goals. I'm going to list my goals on Sunday.

Remember, you define your own success, whether it's
- going from 10 to 25 sit-ups
-increasing walking from 30 minutes to an hour
- going from working out 2 days a week to 3
- increasing weights during strength training
- tryng something new every week (e.g. biking, rock wall, skating)


GO FOR IT!!!!
Food For Thought

What are your goals for July?
How will you monitor your success?
What are you willing to sacrifice to make it happen? (e.g. for me, if I end up having to work out in the evening then I can live without Horatio and the rest of the gang at C.S.I. :D )
What is your back-up plan? (in case your planned workout doesn't happen, what is the alternative)



See you in July!!!

[Eva]

All right, I'm in for this one too!

My plan is to exercise at least 3 times per week in the morning, BEFORE work. I would like to exercise vigorously enough to break a real sweat and have the "runner's high" or whatever afterwards that makes me feel happy and clear.

Back up plan is to do the afternoon workout classes at the local spa/gym.

I want to really feel good!

[Maddy]

Right I'm in for this one as well

Goal

to be swimming twice a week by the end of the month

to have done at least one 50 mile bike ride - rest of the time to be riding all the way to work once a week and at least the 10 mile round trip (inc train journey) 4 out of five days

Running - just to do some even if its once a week

get back into yoga

[Morningstar]

Ditto , count me in

Goal Intense 7 day a week work outs with new program ( 1 hr a day)

Walk 30 mins a day

I may add another workout 4 xs a week but I want to transition the focus will be the first ( like a cardio dvd, or one of the machines)


I will try & update as much as possible

[Morn]

Well written Lavender J - I am so glad you have started this thread! I am in but I think I will taking it somewhat easy since I will be fasting as well. I will probably do less intensive workouts during this time. I really want to be down to 145 by August 15th (an anniversary present to me and my husband). It is the weight I was when I got married. Plus I would love to get back on that wedding ring that hasn't fit me in years and is sitting in my drawer. So those are my goals. I would also like to continue to do at least 3-4 days a week but would like to do more if possible.

[lavendarJ]

Bumping this up in case anyone's wondering where the fitness party is at---

It's Here!

[the_lab_rat]

Ooh, I'm in for this one too! My goal is to get back to a regular running schedule, since I've been out of town so much. I'm going to try fto run at least every other day, and (this is a big one for me!) try to not just sit around on the days I don't run! :D

[lavendarJ]

The July Challenge has begun!!!

I'm sending out a great big welcome to all of the challengers:

EvaRB
Morn
Morningstar
the_lab_rat


My July Goals - Mon/Wed/Fri:
*30 min intervals of walk/jogging on Mon/Wed/Fri only
* Continue strength training regimen I switched to at the end of June; strength train on MON/WED/FRI; increase from completing 1 circuit to completing two during 1st 15 days; this is my regimen:
http://exercise.about.com/library/blbeginnerstrength3.htm

* Do these ab exercises on Mon/Wed/Fri:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6530.asp

My July Goals - Tues/Thur:
* aim for an hour of cardio on these days
- tae bo
- pilates

My July Goals- Sat
Free choice day, plan on using this day to do some type of fitness that is loaded with fun for my nieces and nephews

Typically, Sundays are my rest days and so I'll be taking it easy today, might do some stretches or just a leisure walk if time permits...

Oh yeah..I also plan to put a before/during/after photo on my blog in the same workout outfit in order to track any visual improvement I might notice (e.g. muscle development)


Come one, Come all and Be Blessed!

[aililiu]

i was tentative but ive decided to join :D
i really impressed myself with sticking to my gym plan 3x a week in june, but ive been going in the morning and working afternoons and now ill be working different hours and will have to either get up VERY early or go after work when im already pooped. so i think its in my best interest to join this challenge, to keep me going!

so!
gym workout 3x a week
pilates... work up to 3x a week, but for now, even once a week is okay!

i know it doesnt sound like much but ive always had trouble with energy levels and burn-out and i know this summer is going to be ultra busy so if i can exceed my goals, fantastic and ill let you guys know... but i want to make this much happen at least! i just dont want to go backwards :D lol

[lavendarJ]

hooray for aililiu!!!
happy sweating

[aililiu]

thanks lavendar :D ill be your cheerleader if you be mine, lol.

[Morningstar]

It wasn't pretty but I completed 45 min of the 60 extreme wo.

Stumbled and struggled but hey I'll improve

[Morn]

Welcome aililiu and the Labrat - glad to see you with us here!

Also glad to see you too morningstar!

I didn't get a chance to post my exercise yesterday but I threw around a baseball for about an hour. Doesn't seem like much but my arm is sore today and between the running back and forth and bending down to catch balls I think I worked up a sweat and got a work out and it was fun!:D

[lavendarJ]

Just checkin' in to say hello...I'm so sleepy..I need to go to bed so I can be ready to hit this workout hard tomorrow....

[britaniefaith]

I'm in!!!

my goal:

walk on treadmill (or outside) for atleast 30-45 mins 3x a week

pilates or yoga dvds 3x a week

:-)

[lavendarJ]

Good Morning Good Morning!

I just finished my strength training from that link that I posted...another goal I thought of will be to actually do 10 push ups correctly...I struggle with those (probably because I like them)..I'll be happy if I get more than 10 in by the end of the month but I am going for 10 at this point...this link also post one-arm push-ups which I just skip as they are currently beyond my skill level but I also hope to be able to do some by the end of the month..

Check in later after cardio..

[Eva]

Yay, went for some bike rides this weekend with my boys (Aged 34, 12 and 7). :) Great way to start out, feeling great but I got a bit too much sun. And I need to HYDRATE all day today so I can get some more exercise before work tomorrow without it draining me.

[blueberrygirl]

count me in..

I plan to do bodyweight exercise this month

three times a week or four times a week depending how fit i am.

will keep you posts.


have fun!:cool:

[treegirl]

Hey, I want In! So I'm fashinably late - all the better, right? :p
Ummm....
Fitness goals

1. 40 min. of Bicycle, speed walking, or other aerobic 5 - 7X WEEKLY
2. Pilates - 20 or 30 min. 2X WEEKLY

Not so hard right?

Good thing I've been building up for this since the beginning of June.

Perfect timing, I'd say.

Dang, I'm gonna look good by August...:cool:

[aililiu]

Dang, I'm gonna look good by August...

LOVE IT! yes you are. we all are ;) :)

[treegirl]

He he - YAY!!

[the_lab_rat]

Well, I went for a kind of pathetic 6 mile run today. I hadn't run in about 10 days, due to being out of town, so I wanted to run farther but just didn't have the energy. Oh well, maybe next time... I guess 6 miles is better than nothing, right? :D

So that prompted me to update my fitness goals: I want to run at least 3x per week, and also at least 25 miles per week. In August, I want to bump that up to 30-35 miles. 25 should NOT be hard, but I've been out of town so much in the last few months that my running has been slipping. So, at least 2 more runs and 19 miles to go this week!

And good luck to everyone on your goals! We're all gonna look and feel AWESOME by next month!

[lavendarJ]

lab_rat -
6 miles is hardly pathetic. I wish I could run that distance nonstop. I always start out doing jogging and walking intervals but after a while I stop, I don't like jogging outside but I really want to try. I wanted to do a half marathon earlier this year but just wasn't ready. I hope to get my body is shape so that I can be ready for one when the next opportunity presents itself.

treegirl-
Hello there! I'm hoping to get some pilates in again. I haven't been to a class or anything; I just have the Windsor Pilates. I really did feel a difference though and became very flexible.

So, I finished m y cardio today. I originally planned to try to do a walk/jog thing in intervals but instead ended up going to the high school track with my sister and nieces and nephew. The track was too crowded and I wasn't feeling the trails and so we decided to workout on the lot because it's huge. I actually had more fun. We made up a mini-workout; I combined brisk walking alternating intervals of skipping, walking lunges, jumping jacks, side sliders, suicide drills, and calf raises. It was a good intense 40 minutes. I had planned to just do the walking, but I think the kids and I actually got a better workout in this way and now they want to keep it going. We are working on a blog for them. So anyway, I'm going to do the abs I posted earlier before I lose my motivation.

Happy Sweating Everyone!

[Morningstar]

Hey pulled my bored brood from the TV & Vid games & we went hiking in National Forrest with the Labs in toe.

Great day, late day & I am worn.

Peace


Dawn

[lavendarJ]

Morningstar- ooohhhh hiking; wow, i bet that was good intense fun; i really want to do a major hike with lots of hills..my problem is as much as i love viewing the great outdoors, i hate bugs and insects:D ...pitiful but true

[lavendarJ]

Happy Tuesday!!!


aililiu
blueberrygirl
britaniefaith
EvaRB
Maddy
Melissa
Morn
Morningstar
the_lab_rat
treegirl

[MelissaW]

I want in if its not too late.

Although some of you have some 'hardcore' routines, mine will be a little more on the passive type of exercises. But I'm sure you'll inspire me to push farther.

[lavendarJ]

Howdy Melissa!

Hey, jump right in and sweat along!

[lavendarJ]

I just finished doing my cardio. I ended up settling for Tae Bo Fat Burn and Windsor Pilates (buns/thighs)..I want to do some kick boxing on Tues and Thurs...

Can anyone reccomend a really good kickboxing workout dvd?

[Raw Joy]

I'm in. My main goal is to get into the routine of routine exercise. lol.

My goals aren't too lofty, compared to a lot of you. But here goes:

Light weight lifting at least twice a week

Bike riding / elliptical at least three times a week

Continue to get out and walk around the block at work twice a day. Add to that walks with the dog and during my lunch as I feel like it.

DH and I going to San Francisco in mid-August. I want to be able to walk those hills without getting out of breath. :)

I'd also like to bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Just to say I did. Ha!

[lavendarJ]

Hi there Raw Joy! Definitely do the bridge!:)

[treegirl]

LavenderJ:I also don't have an official class of pilates, i do the videos - I like it better because I can do it whenever I like and whenever i like. It's fun!

MelissaW:Hi! Glad you are here with us! Do whatever you feel comfortable and work up to something more as you go - that's my motto.

Well hello everryone! i wasn't going to go on my bike ride today, but then i thought about coming onto our thread and talking about it, and I just had to! The support is great, ow it makes me do it. And it is never as bad as i think it's going to be - exercise that is.

Can't wait to get better!
Goodluck everyone!

[Morningstar]

Hey Rawkers!!!

Yesterday it Was Cranberry Glades (Monongahela National Forest)& today it was a canoe trip down the Elk River. Water is still low, lots of walking over areas we normally flow over. But as always nature prevails. Awesome. We did a 15mile run Awesome,

[Morn]

Exercise today 45+ minutes

30 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs of steel
5 minutes inner thighs

[Morn]

lab_rat -
6 miles is hardly pathetic. I wish I could run that distance nonstop. I always start out doing jogging and walking intervals but after a while I stop, I don't like jogging outside but I really want to try. I wanted to do a half marathon earlier this year but just wasn't ready. I hope to get my body is shape so that I can be ready for one when the next opportunity presents itself.!

Ditto! I wish I could run 1 mile!:)

[lavendarJ]

Hey Hey Hey Everyone!

Just checkin' in one more time..

Morn- glad to see you hear... hope fasting is going well

Morningstar- wow, canoeing..one of these days, i've got to do that; been wanting to but just don't have the guts; need to learn how to swim and then i'll feel confident-i think

The kids wanted to do the same exercise drill that we did yesterday and so I certainly am not about to turn down their exercise wishes... we did about 40 minutes of intervals of speed walking, skipping, walking lunges, jump rope drills, side lunges, knee raises, standing squats, suicide drills and jumping jacks. It was really energizing but my hamstrings and quads are really sore from yesterday...i might be walking like a robot tomorrow:D ...I haven't felt this feeling in a long time - you know that pain that comes from a really intense workout..I love it; it's a good pain.

[aililiu]

whew! sorry i havent posted much at all. im still in the challenge. mine seems so little BUT its something that i have to do! today was my first test, i started my new hours at work and let me tell you entertaining twenty 8-9-10 year olds for 8 hours straight while walking them allllll over the city is extremely exhausting. BUT! i still went to the gym afterwards. i didnt work out as long and i didnt do as much cardio as usual but i figured i didnt really need it after today :D i did my weights and thats the important thing to me. it hardly sounds like much but im giving myself a biiiiig pat on the back for actually going. lol.

[Morningstar]

Morningstar- wow, canoeing..one of these days, i've got to do that; been wanting to but just don't have the guts; need to learn how to swim and then i'll feel confident-i think


The truth 90% of the time on the River is spent w/ water up to my knees, sometimes we hit deep spots ( they are normally manmade & can be avoided by going to the otherside) We always have lifevests & no real swimming ( we usually pull up to a sandbar & let the boys do it.) I avoid the white water, but it comes up, I have a canoe guide (book) on all our rivers here in WV & We drive the routes prior to getting in.

My suggestion is to find an outdoors adventure group that does slow meandering tours, but I warn you it's addictive)

FYI on the Hikes- I am bothered more by bugs at the farm than on our outings, there are tons of organic repellents & face nets.

I am Banking that before the summers out you'll go on that big hike or maybe even a small canoe trip

Blessings
DAWN

& Now I return you to the regular BLOG that was still in progress

[rawfigure]

Hi Morn and all. I thought I would stop in and say hello. I have been off the board for months due to my schedule. It is great to see you all doing so well.

I am going to try to visit weekly and post. My goal is to average 1:00 a day in cardio and 4 days of weight training.

I have worked back up to 1 hour runs (mostly hills) , 1:30 adding some walking on those days. I am now working on cycles of 30 sec sprits/30 sec.walk. Yesterday I did 10 cycles then walked 30 min..

I plan to get start rebounding again today. I stopped it awhile ago.:( when I was moving.

[lavendarJ]

WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!!


rawfigure-
1 hour runs on hills- wow, you guys are really amazing and inspirational;

morningstar-
I hope to do a hike this year..somewhere with the kids....I should speak it into existence

aililiu-
Wow, what do you do at your job? You get a workout everyday and whatever you do afterwards is like icing on the cake.

I'm doing my scheduled strength training and ab workout today...it looks awful cloudy out; I hope my sister, the kids and I will be able to do our outside workout

[Maddy]

Checking in

Raw figure - that is an impressive schedule hope you get the results you want

Morningstar canoeing scares me capsizing in cold water Argghhhh!!

Lavender - I am amazed at how some of you guys keep the energy of the treads up I havn't seen it anywhere else - THANKYOU :D

Raw Joy - don't worry about hard core all that matters is your goals and I haven't seem anyone on here who won't be excited for you whatever you do and its already way ahead of the average American or Uk citizen

Everyone else well done - great starts


Managed over an hour in the pool on Monday I am cycling about 30 mins every day but haven't ventured further yet - the weather in the UK is atrocious - but I have good waterproofs for the weekend - all an improvement on June :)

[treegirl]

Happy Fourth everyone!
hey, everyone seems to be doing really good.

Aililiu: great job with doing your workout even after a really hard day - I know how hard that is and it's definately worthy of a pat on the back!!

Wow, i'm looking over everyone's posts and you all are doing some really fun stuff! canoeing, hiking, playing with kids, bike riding an the Golden Gate bridge - keeping it fun is definately the way to go to stay motivated. I hate boring workouts!

Anyway, today I really didn't want to get out of bed to take my regular bike ride. But, I did it by not thinking too much about it until i was actually on the bike. 40 min. too! yay.
Tomorrow i'll start with my pilates.
With all this hiking and water sports - I'm feeling tempted to do some myself.:)

[Morn]

Lavender J - Thanks for asking. Yeah my fasting is going well (on day 4) but I have to admit I am feeling kind of hungry!

Rawfigure - welcome back and so glad to see you in this thread. Kindof funny you haven't been rebounding because you were the one that inspired me to try it and now I have been including it in my workouts every week. You were the rebounding Queen!

Treegirl - good for you! Your right sometimes we just have to not think to much about it and Just Do it!

[the_lab_rat]

Happy 4th everyone, and glad to see you're all doing well with your fitness goals!

I wish I had time to reply to everyone's posts... you all sure post a lot!

Anyway, about to run off to the park with the dogs... but I finally managed a respectable run today. 10-ish miles, not too steep but at least 3 miles of uphill, maybe more, I'd have to do some calculatin' :D I ran very slowly though, took me 2 hours total, but then again it was probably 90 degrees out. I also darkened my knee-brace tan, which I should post photos of because it's getting ridiculously dark!

Well, happy exercising! :)

[rawfigure]

Lavender J -

Rawfigure - welcome back and so glad to see you in this thread. Kindof funny you haven't been rebounding because you were the one that inspired me to try it and now I have been including it in my workouts every week. You were the rebounding Queen!



Glad to be back. I missed the interaction.
I did not know I inspired you, its funny how that works sometimes. So now you inspire me to do it again. Thanks for that sweetie ! BTW you are looking Fabulous.

[lavendarJ]

Happy Thursday!!!!
We have arrived at Day 5 of our Fitness Journey Challenge!!!!
Give yourself a great big HUG!!!

Wow!!! We almost have 1 week down and look at all the activity we have RAWKIN:

Walking
Swimming
Running
Pilates
Lifting
Bouncing
Hiking
Canoeing
AND SO MUCH MORE...


We Really Do RAWK! For that reason, I think we need to celebrate and soooo.... EvaRB, Morningstar, Morn, lab rat, Maddy, BritanieFaith, blueberry girl, tree girl, aililiu, Melissa, Raw Joy, and rawfigure this song is for YOU:

[lavendarJ]

Sorry Everyone...technical difficulties with our celebration song.. Now try this:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmjih_kool-and-the-gang-celebration

[Morn]

Thank you Lavender J - You are doing such a great job as our coach!


Rawfigure - thanks!

[treegirl]

Ha Ha I LOVE it! that video is hilarious - i laughed outloud. certsinly perked up my day.

yep, i took a bike ride again this morning - it was good times - the sun shining through mist and the air was cool and crisp. I bike in the country, and there is a ton of bird song in the morning - so pretty.

Thanks again LavenderJ!:)

[MelissaW]

OMG.... I think I skated to that song in a roller rink when I was younger... Thank you for the pick-me-up song. Last night I dusted off my workout videos. Today after work I'll actually use one! Thanks for again for the motivation Lavender J, and everyone for that matter.

[Sunshine9]

Hiiiii, may I join? :o

I love exercise, i just have to get my mind in motion over it. I just started a vinyasa flow yoga class that meets twice a week, so that is getting me started. I want to have attainable goals though, so i succeed and do this long term! So my goals..

-vinyasa yoga 2x per week
-one cardio workout for at least 20 minutes at the gym
-aim to get 10,000 steps at least three days per week

ideally i plan to exercise every single day for 30 minutes to an hour... i'm healing though, and deal with fatigue and light headedness a lot... so i know i need to start where i feel good, so i can maintain it.

rock on ladies, you're already inspiring me!~

[moniqueyvette]

I know I'm late, but I would really like to join the challenge. I have been 100% since July 4 (my own lil' Independence Day). Even though I live in LA, I don't have any close friends who are raw, so a group like this is inspiring to me.

Here's my workout regimen: 6 days a weeks

-Slim in 6 DVD
-Bikram Yoga
-Cardio 60min

[lavendarJ]

moniqueyvette & sunshine...jump right in, the more the merrier


I said I wasn't going to workout late in the day; but it looks like it's turning out that way...I really hope I can beat what looks like rain clouds out there...my nieces and nephew really want to workout outside....We are going to do some more of those fun exercise drills outside and then I'll end my evening my doing a pilates tape tonight and some ab work...

[Eva]

All right! Lots of bike rides with the kiddos, along with more walks with Boli Bricoli (the dog of the house!).

I'm thinking about running tomorrow OR doing a 30-mile bike ride to the bank and back (You'd never believe the traffic here right now; that could be faster than driving!!!). I need to throw something a little more vigorous in there; the kids can't keep up with me if I go fast/far enough to break a real sweat! (The hubby can't either... always blames it on his "slow bike" haha).

treegirl: Lots of the trails I like to go on around here are just as you described. It's soooo wonderful, isn't it!?! :)

moniqueyvette & Sunshine9: Welcome!!! :D

[barose]

Run or hike (uphill) every other day.
AcroYoga 1-2 times per week (flying yoga)
Weights, core workout every other day - the days I'm not running.

[Morningstar]

4th of July

LASER TAG with teenagers OMG:eek:
Volleyball, flashlight tag


5th of July

I just went for a walk today,
Rained out of the plans, the guys were bummed so I took them to see transformers.

Think I'll rebound here before my shower

Blessings to ya'll & RAWK ON

LAVj Luv the SONG

[moniqueyvette]

Thanks lavendarj and evaRB!!!

So, a little about me, I am 28, 5'3" and 185lbs. I am originally from PG County, MD but I now live in Los Angeles. I am athletic, but I allow life's circumstances to derail my focus. I did come up with a mantra that I keep in my mind. It's T.W.A.B.S. and it's stands for THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMETHING! There will always be a holiday, birthday, wedding, reunion, special date, anniversary, F.U.B.A.R...something, that provides temptation. But the only way to win a race is to keep your head down and continue pedaling. Keep focused ladies and let's be great examples to those who are considering this lifestyle!!!

[sailaway]

I want to jump in. I started on the 1st but hit a bump on the 4/5th ready to get back on track. I will be on the road for the next 3 days so I will only be able to race walk in the mornings. Gyms at hotels are usually weak. But I will also swim in the hotel pool everyday.
Robin

[lavendarJ]

Happy Friday Everyone!

I don't know about everyone else but it seems like Friday took its time getting here for me....

barose - what is "flying" yoga? sounds really interesting

EvaRB - I love the dog's name, Boli Bricoli:) , I've got to get a bike (mine was stolen)...I could be enjoying long bike rides on the trails; I'll never forget that time I thought I had superhuman powers and went on an extended bike ride for several hours out in "no man's land"...just peddaling away like a nut without a care in the word and without pacing myself...on the way back my legs shut down and I had to get off and walk that bike back part of the way and only got back on the bike when I started hearing noises in the woods and realized I was going to be walking in the dark woods alone (nothing like that adrenaline and fear to get you going)...that was funny and I won't forget that I'm not a regular on the "tour de France" the next time around

moniqueyvette - Well said and so true...I think you just gave us a great mantra for the rest of this exercise journey

sailaway- hello there, jump right in...right now, my nieces and nephews and I have been doing race walking in between our exercise drills outside (jump roping, walking lunges, jumping jacks, etc) and that race walking is no joke once you really concentrate on what you are doing. It's probably sad to say but I think I actually race walk faster than I jog:D

I am so glad that I made myself get up and do my workout this morning; I just finished at 6 this morning; well, I haven't done my ab stuff but I did do my strength training and my windsor pilates (buns and thighs)...just to list the strength training that I am doing:
- squats with the bar
- dead lifts
- chest presses with the bar
- bent over rows with the bar
- walking lunges with free weights
- knee raised hammer curls
- bicep curls with the bar
- tricep kick backs
- tricep dips
I think that's all of them (trying to remember); right now my focus is to do 2 sets of these with 20 reps for each. Actually, I'm supposed to have push ups in here and I excluded them:o but I will put them back in here...I want to be able to do a measly 10 by the end of this month..I just don't like them but I'll give them a try when I do my abs later....

[Morn]

Yesterday's information:

Day 5 of fasting complete – down another 1 pounds to 155! 75 pounds down and ¾ to my goal. Had to work and then stopped at the gym on the way home.

Exercise: 1 hour and 10 minutes

40 minutes Eliptical
20 minutes stationary bike
5 minutes abdominals
5 minutes inner thighs

[Morningstar]

I am not sure what today will bring, I refuse to use the DVDs just yet, when DH goes back to work there will be plenty of time.

I think the key to this is to get back in touch with that 12-15 y/o a just have fun & LIVE.

Ya'll Rawk On

[the_lab_rat]

Happy Friday everyone!

Just got back from another 6 mile run in the sun, and thought I'd post a photo of my ever so stylish knee brace tan line :p

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/9240/kneebracetanqd4.jpg

Lovely, isn't it? :D

Well, great job on all your hard work so far, and keep it up!

Oh, and Morn, all I have to say is WOW! You're almost to your goal and your progress is amazing! You are such an inspiration! :)

[Sunshine9]

gosh darnit lab rat, that is just too sexy a photo for me to be lookin' at so late at night ;)

today i was very proud of myself - i walked my bum to the gym and did 20 minutes on the elliptical, 25 minutes on the treadmill, and then I walked the 15 minutes home to my apartment. I haven't done anything more than walking these past few weeks, so this felt amazing. I was worried i might be fatigued, but i actually felt quite balanced when i finished. it was amazing to get super sweaty. i got my 10,000 steps, and a super cardio workout!!

and i just FEEL so good. i am writing this as a reminder to myself that *when i exercise is feel 20x better (mentally, physically, emotionally) than on days that i don't.*

though i'll admit, i felt a bit self-conscious sense it seems to me that 90% of girls at the gym look super cute and non-sweaty when they exercise.. weird. whatev, i was movin' things on out of my body...

I am planning to take a rest day tomorrow as it is the first day of my cycle... but if i'm feeling good i will certainly exercise. i just feel that is the one day it's best to take it easy and let the body cleanse!

[moniqueyvette]

Sunshine9 - i too used to get self conscious because of the skinny-minnies at the gym, until a girl I had always seen there was on the treadmill next to me and she had a picture resting against her display. I asked the girl, who looked no more than 25yrs old and maybe 120lbs, who was in the pic and she said it was herself at 265lbs! I was floored...but it goes to show to show that you never know someone else's story.

So don't let them intimidate you, keep writing your OWN story and one day you will inspire the newbie at the gym and she'll be on this forum talking about your hot bod and 'ere goes the circle of life!!!

[the_lab_rat]

gosh darnit lab rat, that is just too sexy a photo for me to be lookin' at so late at night ;)

Oh I know. It drives all the boys wild :p Used to have matching ones on my hands from bike gloves!

Hey, don't worry about people at the gym. Just ignore them and do your own thing. I feel the same way--like everyone is skinnier than me, no one is sweating as much, they're all so much more fit, etc. Pssh. Just focus on yourself. You're eatin raw so you're better off than them anyway :D And YES, exercise makes us feel so much better! Always keep that in mind while you're sweatin away on the treadmill :)

[lavendarJ]

SUPER SATURDAY TO ALL!!!!

Saturday is my free choice day. I woke my nieces and nephew around 5-ish and we decided to do a morning walk (well, really I decided for us:D )...so we did a simple 45 minute walk in the neighborhood this morning. It was nice because it is still cool and calm outside; in a few more hours, we'll be in the 90's. So, whatever I decide to do later -if I do anything else- will be extra. I am going to do some ab work in just a bit before I get ready for the day - need to visit my hospice friends.


Glad to see that we are all moving along... and guess what, today is DAY SEVEN
We still have three glorious weeks left for fitness fun!

[Morningstar]

777


Happy Live Earth DAY

[lavendarJ]

Oh yeah Morningstar they were talking about the significance of this day and the fact that there are a record number of people marrying on today because it's 777 (saw on the news this morning)

[Morn]

The Lab Rat - thanks for your encouragement! Love the photo! You look hot!

Sunshine 9 - sounds like you had a good workout yesterday. Keep it up and remember slow and steady progress will get results!

LavenderJ - 5ish! All I can say is sometimes I go to bed at that time in the morning but never do I purpose to get up that early especially on a Saturday! I just read more of your blog. I think it is funny when people actually get thinner and lose weight (and get healthier) how there is opposition but when we are fat nobody said anything (like how unhealthy was that! and how many years we are we taking off of our lives by being overweight and unhealthy!) Well that is why you and I are here - many won't understand, but we at RFT will. People respond differently based on their own story - some out of jealousy, some out of envy because they wish they could get healthier and lose weight but aren't ready to do so, some out of just plain ignorance. When you talk to others you may want to consider their story and where they are coming from. Don't let it discourage you from being the best YOU you can be. We know god has blessed us with this way of living and that is what is important. I too am so excited about raw and want to share it with others, but it only generally comes up when people ask "how did you lose all that weight?" Then I tell them! People can agrue with Results and how I feel!

[Morn]

Day 7 of my fast – I am down another pound to 153. Yeah and I am within by BMI for the first time in 15 years of what is considered a heathly weight by the medical community. So I am geeked. Today we are going out on the boat so I need to juice some more lemons so I have my MC lemonade to go out on the water with. I tried on my wedding dress yesterday and it is still tight but can almost get it on (it is a size 8). A couple more inches and maybe I can get it zipped up. The sash is a different story though. I think my body weight is distributed differently now and I am more chesty now so it is pulling up where the waist used to lay and now the sash is fitting more around my rib cage. So I don’t know if I will be able to get back into it again. I really hope I can. If I lose another 9 pounds I will be at my wedding weight and we’ll see then. I would be so cool to take a picture in that dress with my husband again. Just the fact that I could get into it would be a miracle! Well it is good to have goals! It helps motivate me to keep focused.

[lavendarJ]

Morn you get a great big...

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_1_208.gifMORN I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU TO BE AT 153...YOU'VE BEEN WORKING HARD AND SO YOU MAKE SURE YOU ENJOY THIS MOMENT AND

CELEBRATE!!!!

[Eva]

All right ladies! (Folks!? Any fellas here I missed?! :D) Pumped up on Day #7. My DH and munchkins went to the beach by car, and I went the long way by bike. It was only 4 or 5 miles, but it did feel good. Plus I went for a decent walk to a closer beach earlier today with Boli Bricoli and the boys. :)

lavendarJ: Man! I'm so sorry to hear your bike was stolen! I LOVE to run, but I can talk myself out of getting out the door. Once I'm set on a lovely bike ride, I know it's going to be painless exercise and that it's so nice I can easily trick myself into doing more! I am only 25, and I have already had 2 nice bikes stolen. Thank goodness I'm in a "safe" place now, but I feel your pain!

Moniqueyvette: Two great things I got from you that I will absolutely use to remind myself... There will always be something! And your tidbit from the gym. I AM a skinny minnie but I STILL feel self conscious when I am not at my best figure. It's so good to recognize that everyone's at the gym because they want to have better health or a better body; who knows where they came from?! And no matter what, that's why we're there!

Morn: I know I've already said this now, but it can't hurt saying it again! You look fab! You are such an inspiration! :)

[Morningstar]

Hey rawkers in case you wanna see...I posted pics of some of the spots we went to this week on my blog. ( one a day)

[Morn]

Today was a near perfect day. We boated into Canada on the Ecart river and all I could think was wow this is the life. It is so beautiful! Then we went home by sunset. I was thanking God the whole time for such a beautiful day. The weather was sunny and just right temperature wise. Then we went to a movie and for a midnight swim in the pool under the stars.

Today's exercise: 100 laps in the pool

Lavender J - I would like to fast for the whole month of July but I don't know if I can do that. I am already having a difficult time mentally and that would mean another 3 weeks. What I told my husband was that I would at least like to fast until I am back down to my wedding weight minus 2 pounds at about 142-143 pounds. I will evaluate as I go I guess and see how I am feeling.

[barose]

I'm pretty active normally, but I need some accountability sometimes. :D

Friday night, I ran for about 40 minutes. I live around a lot of hills so the last 10 minutes going back to my house was pretty harsh, but I got through it.

Saturday, I went to an informal AcroYoga session/group in a park at the (Saturday) Berkeley farmers market. I am as stiff as a board so some of the "flying" poses are great for opening me up. It definitely gives my strength, breath control, trust, confidence a workout.

Morn - You are a great inspiration here at RFT. Congratulation's on what you've accomplished so far and keep up the good work!

[Morn]

Thanks Barose - you also have achieved a lot yourself to be proud of!;)

[treegirl]

Just checking in 'cause I haven't posted for awhile. Still going strong - today is my break day to do pilates and rest up a little.
Hoping to walk a little too.

[lavendarJ]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_33.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZKxdm011YYUS)Jubilant July Fitness Journey Challenge Week 2 http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_33.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZKxdm011YYUS)



Ready Set Go!!!


It's week 2 and we truly RAWK...


Let's stay focused on our goals..


Let Cheer for strength of


body


mind


spirit


Think about your goals


Push a little harder whether it's...


- an extra minute on the treadmill

-10 more push-ups this week or



- walking an extra mile more...


Push a little harder


We have the energy, the power, and the determination to speak into life all that we desire as long as we believe in and continue to love ourselves.


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_1_213.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZKxdm011YYUS)

[aililiu]

well... ive hardly been posting at all... BUT i havent missed a gym day yet! and im getting loads of walking in with my new summer hours at work. like i will be walking for hours. so theres that, too. :) im actually amazed that ive had enough energy to keep up with it so far :eek: it is very unlike me and i am sooo happy about it. i hope my energy keeps improving. i love raw food.

aililiu

[Morn]

It has been another beautiful sunny/hot day in Michigan. Spent part of the day by the pool hanging out with the family. It was a nice day overall.

Exercise: 30 laps in the pool - I know it is not much but with all the family in the pool I kept having to dodge around obstacles and my DH kept grabbing my legs and my kids kept hanging on me so I gave up. But at least tried and did a little! Some is better than none I guess.

[lavendarJ]

Marvelous Monday Morning to All


-check in later; gotta get my exercise groove going

[treegirl]

Hello everyone!

Did the usual bike ride today - but I think I'll push myself a bit today (thank you LavenderJ) and do an extra 20 min. of pilates - cause i like it.:p

Hope everyone is havin' a great day so far!

[Sunshine9]

I rested saturday.

Yesterday went to the gym and did 35 minutes on the elliptical. It felt awesome!

Today I think will not be an official cardio day. I have sooo many crazy things to do. Grr.

keep it up everyone :)

[lavendarJ]

Hey Hey Hey Everyone!

Today, was a pretty good day. At first, I thought the outside drills the kids, my sister and I have been doing were doomed due to the rain today. But the rain slacked up a bit and we all decided to workout in the rain. It's not like it was cold, it's always humid here. We usually do our little boot camp drill we made up which involves race walking in between in drill (jumping jacks, sprints, walking lunges, side lunges, calf raises, and skipping). Well, the black top on the parking lot of the high school was slippery - found that out after almost falling during the walking lunges. But hey, we ended up doing a mile race walk on the track so the day was not rained out after all. I also did my strength training and ab work in the house today. I ate a handful of pretzals which I bore you guys with -talked all about it in my blog. So now, I feel like I need to do something- maybe I do an extra set of my least favorite ab moves or maybe I'll just give myself a hug and go to bed in a bit. I'm think I'm opting for the hug:)

P.S. I just thought about something else. This new strength training regimen I've been working on is really starting to make a difference. I feel like I'm really starting to build some muscle now. Before I was doing the upper/lower body thing 6 days a week. Now, I'm doing the total body workout 3 days per week. I'm thinking that doing the exercises this way and in the order that they have listed them is helping. Let's hope this keeps up. At one point, my arms did look like they had no muscle, like sticks, now they look shapelier.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6530.asp
http://exercise.about.com/library/blbeginnerstrength3.htm

I'm still working hard with the regimen on the links I posted above. I put the push-up back in from the but got rid of those one-arm thingies. My body just isn't having it at this point. Well, I guess that's enough of me rambling on...

Good Night To All!

[lavendarJ]

Good Morning!

I just finished working out this morning. My sister, the kids and I did our little boot camp thing this morning due to the crazy schedule we all have today. I'm planning on getting some cardio in this evening.


Keep it Rawkin!!!

[Morningstar]

Yesterday I did a pity party thing so I did thai chi in the evening, then meditation

This am some of my machines, bike/climber/etc and I went for a early walk
I will get back in the wo room later

[treegirl]

Hello All!
Just finished my morning bike ride and I'm feeling really good.

The thing about exercising is that there is no instant gratification really. besides the initial 'feel good' factor you have to wait a little while for results. I finally saw some definition in my thighs today and my waist has lost an inch and a half. YAY!!
Anyway, I'm gonna try to do pilates again today, or walk my sister's dogs. Either way I'm gonna do something extra.

My thoughts are with all of you!

[Morn]

Didn't do that much today since I had to work. But I did squeeze in some abdominal work.

[Sunshine9]

Tuesday I did 75 minutes vinyasa flow yoga. I did NOT feel like going, but i'm glad I did.

Wednesday - just got back from an hour walk. it was rather slow though, because it's so hot. I might hit the gym later.

Edit: Did in fact hit the gym today, in addition to my walk earlier. I did ONE HOUR of cardio.I don't know when the last time i exercised that hard was.... I did 25 minutes on the elliptical, and then 35 minutes on the treadmill (mostly walking, but about 9 minutes of running, and a long slow cooldown). Then some light yoga & stretching. Woo! I'm a bit tired :) and proud.

[Morn]

Exercise: 40 minutes

30 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs of steel

[lavendarJ]

Hello Friends!

Just did strength training...will do abs and more later...

Keep it RAWKIN'

[Morningstar]

add to yesterday 10 miles on stat bike

today 10mile stat bike ^ intensity
yoga w/dvd 20 min The Corpse Pose in my FAV;)
thai chi 10 min

may do speed bag later, or just a celebratory dance

[Morningstar]

Okay Rawkers time for me to SLAP you upside the head & plant an EARWORM on ya. It's been awhile so here's an oldie But goodie w/ some eye candy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuoU7raiXPw

Try not to sing a long

[Morn]

Morningstar - I was playing your video and in pops my DH. Boy was he razzing me. I think he's jealous! But the Brad Pit thing was cool. He is hot!

[lavendarJ]

Good Morning!



Today is cardio day; I'll post more a little later. I hope everyone is moving and grooving.

Morningstar-saw the link:D

[lavendarJ]

How are you doing friends?:)

I'm off to do my cardio outside with the kids. I also need to do my pilates tonight. We'll see, energy is low because I didn't sleep at all Wednesday night.

Check in later....

[Morningstar]

Morningstar - I was playing your video and in pops my DH. Boy was he razzing me. I think he's jealous! But the Brad Pit thing was cool. He is hot!


Did it ever occur to your DH that Mr. Pitt could be checking out your picks telling AJ if you'd eat RAW you could be hot like that!!!!
Maybe just eat period.

Yes I feel in Love w/ Mr. Pitt's abs when I first saw them in Thelma & Louise . I mean Him. Don't get me started on Troy

For real my heart belongs to Dean Cain in a giddy scholl girls way:o

[Morningstar]

Okay Back to reality

15miles on the stat bike......feeling blah

nice walk earlier as well, more mental cleansing than exercise

cleaned out the spa so I can do exercises in it as well.

Later Gators

[Morn]

Had to work today but stopped at the gym on the way home. I took it easier than I normally do since I am still fasting.

Exercise – 1 hour

45 minutes of cardio kickboxing
Inner thighs 50 reps at 80 pounds
Outer thighs 50 reps at 70 pounds
Chest pulls 20 at 30 pounds
Abdominal floor exercises

[lavendarJ]

Hello Friends!

My energy levels are low today but I'm going to push to get this pilates in. My sister, the kids and I just finished our outside bootcamp. Talk about cranky...my sister is pushing the kids to stay 100% raw throughout the rest of July. Today was their second day. I'm proud of them...they are super grouchy but I understand; I'm grouchy today to due to lack of sleep. At any rate, I've got to get this pilates going.

[Sunshine9]

Skipped yoga today, I had something important to do at that time. BUT I made it to the gym afterwards, and did 30 minutes of cardio -- 20 minutes on treadmill (running & walking), and 10 on the elliptical. It felt moderate, i didn't push it since i worked out so hard yesterday. I still got incredibly sweaty, so I know my body is workin!

I want to start incorporating weights tomorrow. I feel a bit "skinny fat." Just want to tone it all up!! Woo i'm going to be so fit the next time my family sees me. Never in my life has exercise felt to fun and pleasant, as well as agreeable with my body.

[Morningstar]

Morn- Do you do the Cardio KB @ the Gym or do you use a DVD

Also Morn I have some friends that visit the site and follow the threads EVENTHOUGH They should sign UP, well one emailed me & said that my BP & AJ comment was rude to you. First it was meant as a compliment & I WOULD NEVER INTENTIONALLY INSULT ANYONE like that, I just saw a pic of "AJ" who is MAYBE 95lbs soaking wet & she is supposed to be what our Society pegs as ideal beauty & I was pointing out that YOU were what she should strive to be. I hope that made sence. Anyway I meant it w/ love . You keep me going, you are the example of what I can do if I stay true to the course

lavJ- how is it going with the Family group RAW? My prayers a re w/ you

treegirl - what type of Bike ride? Did you hit some hills, cruise the town?

Sunshine9-I am not familiar w/vinyasa flow yoga I'll have to look that up

Okay tale of the tape I did 20 miles on the stat bike two diff sessions @10 miles each, it's really hard to exercise when your house is full of teenaged boys/men. I will get back into my hardcore dvd exercises (maybe this weekend) Until then Peace blessings and all my love.

[lavendarJ]

Happy Friday Dawn!

Right now, the kids make oscar the grouch look perky:D ...it's hard because grandma and grandpa keep buying things for them but my sister and I keep trying our best to motivate them. They love the blog and were really excited when they discovered they had comments on their blog...I think that made them feel like they weren't being punished. They are already talking about what they are going to eat in August (candy and other junk) but I think if my older niece loses the 10 pounds that she need to that this might really make her more conscious of not totally pigging out if she does eat out with friends).

I'm so tired today...I'm going to stop lounging around though and push myself to get this strength training out of the way.

[Morn]

Morningstar - no offense taken at all! Thanks for the note! Oh and I do the cardio kickboxing at the gym. But at home I do Taebo which is similar. It seemed last night we did 100's of jumping jacks though which was kind of strange but I kept up and now that I am getting more down in my weight it is getting much easier!

[JAusten]

I know the month is half over, but if nobody minds could I jump into the Fitness Challenge with you guys?

I'm doing the 100% Raw Challenge... I thought I would add the exercise challenge next month but since I am having an abundance of energy I would like to get a-going.

I've read over what you guys are doing in the way of exercise and I'm afraid I'm going to feel a bit lame in comparison. A few years ago I exercised a great deal- went to the gym several times a week for weight workouts, ran up to 90 minutes per day, etc. Unfortunately, several injuries and an accident (hurt back and neck and knees) reduced my activity to... well, nothing. I'm going to try to build back up s-l-o-w-l-y. I've been walking 30 minutes to 1 hour each day. And I have been learning to do three stretch dvd's.

My goals would be to walk 1 hour 5 x's a week and to do a stretch dvd 3 x's a week.

What do you think? May I join you?

[lavendarJ]

Jump right in JAusten-

There is still more than 2 weeks left; that's more than enough time to make a difference in how you feel. I think your workout sounds great and that it's not lame. You know, walking is still one of the best forms of exercise because of it's ability to workout the entire body in a low-impact fashion. It's all about finding your happy place and pushing yourself from there. We're all doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that but we have one common goal- health and longevity and a fit body.


Go JAusten Go!

[lavendarJ]

This is Saturday and that means free choice day...I will probably do some walking and I might even do a pilates tape after walking this afternoon; My nieces have elected to go bike riding while my sister and I walk . I've got to get another bike.....

[treegirl]

hello everyone! My bicycle broke today and we can't get it repaired 'till monday. NOOOO!! I almost didn't do anything this morning, but then I thought "I'll feel so much better today if I work-out, this is a chance o try something new!" So I did 40min. of pilates (stott advanced) and I plan on walking my dogs with my sisters today - that will be fun.
I'm pretty happy with myself for deciding to exercise anyway, a break in my routine will be good for me!:D

[treegirl]

P.S. Welcome JAusten! Your workout isn't lame! Walking is awesome - and definitely effective - and it's easy to stick with and do continue throughout life. once again...WELCOME TO THE TEAM!!:cool:

[Morn]

JAusten - Yeah girl jump right in! We are always glad to have new people here! The good news is you set your own goals and work at your own pace, it isn't a competition with anyone else. Your plan sounds like a great way to start. The thing is just keep it moving! I am no exercise guru either so you will fit in with most of us! And I always say "why put off for tomorrow - what you can do today." So today is your day! Congrats for taking another step towards good health!:)

[Morn]

Todays exercise: 40 minutes

Exercise: 30 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes abs of steel tape

It is cool finally being in the 140's. I am feeling so much lighter and better! I am also looking better in my clothes. Oh and I tried on a couple of my "goal" dresses yesterday and they look great on me. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to wear them. Now I just need an excuse out to wear them! My husband said I actually looked like a 10 in one of them! THat is a huge compliment as he has never said that before and he is a tough critic! He is the type of person if you ask how you look in something he will give you a REAL answer! In the past that was a real detriment to me as I was WAY overweight.:eek:

[JAusten]

Yea!!! Thank you LavenderJ, treegirl, and Morn!!! I'm happy to be a part of your enthusiastic group... You guys are sooooo nice!

We will be going out of town until tomorrow evening but I will be reporting in Monday morning ready to go to work.

[lavendarJ]

Oh no...it's almost 6 p.m. and I haven't got around to doing my free choice exercises yet...I guess I better do something; whenever I wait too late, it becomes a chore and is no longer fun

Just checkin' in to say hello...Morn, wow..that's great and I bet that did feel good hearing that from the hubby:) Your trying to get to 142 before your anniversary right? That's where I need to get to make it to 100 pounds weight loss. I had started thinking about how I was going to deal with this and started freaking out a bit but now, I keep reminding myself to continue to trust this process and remember the "false body" stuff that Alissa wrote about in her book. I guess I'm ready to go the distance and trust that my body will know where to stop. I mean, I definitely still need to lose weight but I am worried about getting too thin..trying not to be because worrying is never healthy...trust the process janell-trust the process...I can wear some 8's but when I get down to the low end of the 140's they will probably look just right....do you guys ever think this way....it's kind of overwhelming at times because just last year (not years ago) I was wearing 16's, & 18/20's. Now, I'm wearing 10's and shirts that are mediums....this seems to bizzarre to me at times...I wore the xl and depending on the shirt, xxl's for the longest time. Do you guys ever just freak out when you think about it...I just think "wow" ...I probably should stop rambling on and on (sorry guys:o ) and just put this in my blog huh? I just think sometimes, who would have thought (after all the many many dollars and many many diets) that the answer was simply fruits and veggies .

[Morn]

Lavender J - Yeah I know what you mean! I was wearing the same size clothing too and Now I am in an 8 and medium shirts. I can't believe how much larger I used to be. I however, am not worried about getting too thin cause I know I like to eat too much so that will never be a problem. I need to lose 3 more pounds and I will be at my wedding weight!

[Sunshine9]

Hey fellow fitness friends!

Today I was feeling quite off - it seems i have food allergies and i am unraveling the sources. But anyway, i pulled my foggy, tired, headachey bum to the gym. I can't say it helped all that much. I did manage to do 30 minutes on the treadmill (mostly walking, with 1 min of running every 2-3 minutes), and about 30 minutes of weight machines, mostly lower body. I haven't used these machines before, so it took a while to orient myself, figure it all out etc.

it felt good though, my muscles really wanted to be used~! i feel very proud that i went and exercised despite not feeling 100%. :)

hopefully i'll feel top notch tomorrow.

[lavendarJ]

http://www.freeanimations.iwarp.com/wow.gif (http://www.freeanimations.iwarp.com/wow.zip)


16 days left in our Jubilant July Challenge!!!

Go Team Go!!!!

[Morn]

! i feel very proud that i went and exercised despite not feeling 100%. :)




We are very proud of you too! Good for you!

[Sunshine9]

We are very proud of you too! Good for you!

Thank you Morn!! that made my workout all the more rewarding :)

Today I was feeling pretty good, so i went to the gym. I had this whole mental conversation like, "Eh, you've gone so many times this week, you can certainly rest today. Why don't you just LAY around." But I stayed strong because I know that for me, once I miss a day my body doesn't crave it as much and it's harder to get the motivation. I want to keep the momentum strong!!

I did a 5 min warmup, then 20 minutes of weights : Triceps (3x), Biceps (3x), Abs (many sets), Chest press (3x), one of the chest/back machines, & the leg press (3x). I like using my muscles!

Then 22 min on the elliptical, and 15 minutes on the treadmill (walking/running).

Woo!

[lavendarJ]

Sunshine...you certainly were busy today....congrats to you. I didn't do much today (usually rest on Sundays)...The kids and I did do 200 jumping jacks in the hot sticky heat just for fun....

[lavendarJ]

Good Morning!

Week 3 Everyone!

It's time to reflect on your goals from July 1st...

Are you feeling better?

Moving faster?

Let's keep on Rawkin'

[lavendarJ]

Just finished my strength training and my cardio...

[JAusten]

OK it's Monday so here I am.

My schedule will be to walk 1 hour Monday thru Friday and to do a stretch DVD Monday. Wednesday, and Friday. That leaves the weekend free for catch-up if I miss a day.

Today I did my stretch DVD first thing in the morning. I can assure you that I would NOT have done it if I hadn't thought about this challenge. I would have put it off until "tomorrow" again like I have done every day this month. Thanks for the peer pressure.

Did the hour walk in the afternoon.

lavenderJ- I love how you took Sunday off by doing 200 jumping jacks in the heat!!
Sunshine9- I envy your gym routine... our gym disappeared after Katrina... sounds like you mixed it up real good and got a good workout.

[Sunshine9]

Today I went to the gym and did 25 min on the elliptical. A light day i suppose...

JAusten- I'm sorry to hear about your gym! I haven't used one in a while, but i'm a student and we have a beautiful gym for free. (well, free if you don't count the thousands of dollars in tuition hehe) so i'm trying to use it! keep up the discipline at home!

[JAusten]

Tuesday-
Did my hour walk. The bugs were biting so I had to wait until after dark. At least it was cooler.

[lavendarJ]

Hello friends...
For my workout today, my focus was cardio. I did end up settling for windsor pilates-the power sculpt and abs pilates series. This evening, the kids and my sister were really tired and so we basically modified our boot camp and agreed to do the usual routine on Saturday, our free choice day. We did 100 jumping jacks and ran around my mom and dad's garden and back yard and then passed around the medicine ball in teams of two's alternating with standing squats. It was a quick 15 or 20 minutes all together...but we decided it was better than nothing...

Be Blessed

[lavendarJ]

Wonderful Wednesday Beautiful People


How are all of you?


Listen up...Today is Wednesday...


We all still have 3 good days left of this week to get our exercise groove on


So come on and.....

let move, let's sweat, let's live

We are red carpet RAWKERS
http://www.33smiley.com/smiley2/entertainment/famous/2.gif

[lavendarJ]

By the way, I am doing my usual routine of strength training, boot camp with the kids and ab workouts

[Morn]

Ok I am done with my exercise and I feel great. I also took my measurements from last month and I am down 12 inches total. Today is my 10 month raw anniversary. Only 1 more pound and I will be at my wedding weight.:D

Today's Exercise:

30 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs of steel


Down 12” inches from last month
Down 72 ¼” inches from start 9/18/06
Down 15 pounds from last month
Down 85 pounds total
Current weight 145 pounds

[Sunshine9]

Morn -- amazing - inspiring - congratulations! You look so beautiful and healthy. Way to go!!!

Today I did 52 min on the elliptical machine at the gym. It felt good.

I totally thoughts this morning that we saying, "Wow Laura you look really good. Guess you don't have to exercise anymore." I really had to motivate myself to go to the gyM! i'm so glad that i did :)

[JAusten]

It's Thursday but I'm just now reporting in for Wednesday.

Did my DVD stretch... this feels great and is so helpful in reducing pain in my neck and shoulders.

The good news is that I did my hour walk. The bad news is that while I was doing it (and a couple of miles from home) a bug (deerfly??) bit me in or on the inside corner OF MY EYE!! Now it is all swollen and red and it hurts. Oh well. if anybody asks I guess I can say that it's a "sports injury"..Ha!

See you all later.

[lavendarJ]

Way to go Morn!!!!

JAusten...that would be a sports injury in my book.:D

Powerful storms all day and so I'm doing the pilates tapes and a little bit of tae bo tonight

[Morn]

Today's Exercise: 40 minutes

30 minutes of rebounding
10 minutes of abs of steel

[lavendarJ]

Fantastic Friday Friends!!!!!!
http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0011.gif

We have 1 more day (tomorrow) left in this week. Let's stop and think about the goals we made to ourselves on July 1st:


1. What are your goals?
2. Have you met your goals?
3. What areas do you continue to work on?
4. Will you apply your current goals to your fitness routine next month? If yes, please share.


I'll go first.....


1. My goals were to do 30 min. intervals of jogging and walking on Mon/Wed/Fri. Also, with strength training, my goals was to be doing at least two sets of the routine by the second half of this month with 20 reps for each drill. My Tue/Thur goals were to do at least an hour of cardio and try to start doing pilates again. I was also supposed to provide a weekly photo in the same workout outfit as a way to visually track my strength building progress. Oh yeah, another personal goal I had was to learn something new this month in terms of exercise.


2. Some of them. The strength training has been going along fine and is consistent. In fact, I didn't think it was really pushing me enough and so I decided to add another set so I am doing 3 cycles of them with 20 reps for each drill in the set (except for the push-ups)
3. I am working on my push-ups. It's not a grand number but I can now say that I can do 10 correctly (the knee position) which is a big deal because at the beginning of this month I could hardly do 5 correctly. I will continue to work on this strength training regimen throughout the middle of August:
http://exercise.about.com/library/blbeginnerstrength3.htm
I took out the one-arm push-up thingie and the one-leg extension on the ball. That one-arm thing is above me at the moment and the other one I just didn't like for some reason. Another thing that I can note here is that I have progressed with tricep dips on the chair. In the beginning these were hard and I would start struggling by the time I made it to 10..now I can do all 20 so I think that's pretty good progress. I didn't get to really incorporate my goal of doing a 30 min jog/walk on a consistent basis. That's okay; I keep trying to get there. Instead, I've been doing a boot camp routine with the kids (intervals of race walking, walking lunges, side lunges, jumping jacks, sprint drills, side jumps and calf raises.
4. Yes, I will continue to apply these goals. The strength training will change towards the middle of next month when I begin taking classes in the fall because I'll be in class in the evenings and will make good use of the gym. I will continue to try to be consistent with the pilates and the ab work (probably kick it up a notch with the ab routines) The one thing I want to do is to achieve my goal of learning something new this month. A friend recently asked me if I played raquetball and so there's my something new; I just have to try to make it happen this month....


I wish everyone a happy and active Friday today!!!!!


http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/jumping/jumping0045.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=jumping/jumping0045.gif)

[JAusten]

lavenderJ- Since I just started I can't really answer the questions. You, however, are really doing great... I am especially impressed with your push-up progress. I have read that a properly executed push-up works almost every muscle in your body.

I didn't walk last night or do my DVD this morning. If you could see my eye you would know why- OUCH!!!! (Excuse me... I mean if you could see my sports injury...). I will make those two things up over the week-end and will go for my hour walk this afternoon and will still be right on target.

Morn- Do you feel you are getting specific benefits from your rebounding? What are they? Are you gaining aerobically or building muscle or do you mostly do it for your lymph system? What kind of rebounder do you have? Are you happy with it?

[Morn]

JAusten - I am primarily doing it for cardio exercising - but I made it more of a priority because of all the health benefits of rebounding. I was reading the PH miracle and in the book it highly recommends rebounding. There is another thread in the exercise section all about rebounding with a link to all of its benefits including the lympth system. Also for me I like that I don't have all that pressure on my joints as you do when you are on the ground doing jumping and aerobic exercises. Jumping jacks are a breeze on the rebounder and running with high knees, etc. I bought my rebounder at Kmart - (my husband's birthday present to me). It is made by Weider (I think that is how it is spelled). THey make weight equipment as well. It is fine and it folds in half which I liked. I wanted a Needak but didn't like the pricetag involved. Especially since I didn't know how much I would like it. But I do!:D

[Morn]

Lavender J-
Great questions and great reply to start of off!

My goals were to exercise 4 times a week. So far this month it has been hit and miss. With me fasting I think my priorites shifted a little this month. Mostly because I am trying to take it a little easier than normal on my body since I don't have as much energy. I am still in the losing mode so I really have tried to stay away from a lot of strength training (weight lifting) stuff. My philosophy is I want to get more to my goal weight and then I will start doing more strength training so I can get rid of excess body fat and firm up those areas that need tightening. So my emphasis has been more on cardio, floor exercises, and light weights and just in general more movement - whether it be swimming, biking, etc.

But I am sure over the next few months I will shift my workouts to include more strength training. These are my thoughts.

[lavendarJ]

Morn- your progress is absolutely outstanding.... do you have any new pics for us yet?

JAusten- thanks for the compliment on the pushups. 10 done correctly is a big deal for me:D Hope that eye gets better soon.

[Sunshine9]

My goals were quite simple, and I have amazing myself with how quickly I blew through them.

1. Vinyasa yoga 2x per week -- for the most part i've been going, though sometimes thursdays I skip it because my main priority is on school, but i usually do another type of exercise
2. 1 cardio workout per week - HA! how about 4-5!? for more than 20 minutes! I never thought i'd have the discipline
3. 10000 steps 3x per week -- Kind of. I haven't felt like wearing my pedometer much, but I don't really care since i'm diong real cardio.

4. This wasn't even a goal, but i'm lifting weights at the gym too, probably twice a week. it feels great!

thanks for the inspiration guys! keep up all your amazing fitness routines :)

[tinystrawberry]

hello! i'm thinkin about joining you all! :cool:
my goals are 35mi per week on bicycle (only 5mi a day)
and work up to 56mi per week (8mi a day)

today i did about 7mi in 45 minutes, which i'm pleased with because i also stopped a few times to eat some wineberries:D

[Morn]

Today's exercise: a couple mile bike ride with my daughter - 1/2 hour

[Morn]

Welcome Tiny Strawberry!

Lavender J - no not yet but I should have some taken very soon. My husband was just talking to me about it. Oh and by the way I am at my wedding weight!!!! Yeah! I also actuallly put on my wedding dress and zipped it up.

[aililiu]

MORN! OHMIGOODNESS! CONGRATULATIONS!

that is fantastic. im so happy for you :)

take a pic of you in your wedding dress, okay?

;)


liliu

[lavendarJ]

Super Saturday to Everyone!!!!


Wow! by reading everyone's post, we really are some amazing people and look what can happen when we speak something into existence and then act on it.

Morn- I can't wait to see your pics and like aililiu said, we want a wedding dress shot too:D

TinyStrawberry- Jump on board. You've already passed your goal up doing those 7 miles.

Sunshine- wow, you surpassed your goals...now that's rawkin' it

Saturday is a free choice day and I was supposed to do a trail walk this morning with my sister - it's almost 10 a.m. here; she is such a sleepy head. I guess we'll be doing a noon day trail walk which is okay since the storm took some of the bite out of the humidity.....

[treegirl]

Hey everyone, just checking in, cause I haven't for awile - I'm still going strong, keepin' up with my goals - i'm really happy and surprised with myself for going this far! Anyway, I did my bike ride today for 40 min, but I put it into a more difficult gear because the usual was too easy. I also did about 15 min. of pilates. I've been doing pilates every morning for about a week now. So i'm good.
keep it up everyone, you're doing great!
Congratulations to Morn!!

[aililiu]

i just wanted to say that i havent been able to keep up with my goals as i had a rib pop out of place and had to take some time off work as well to limit my movement :( ive been dying to do yoga but am not supposed to do any rotations.

once im better ill get back into it!

liliu

[lavendarJ]

Aililiu-
Ouch...hang in there and I hope that rib pops back into place; I didn't know that could happen..sounds very painful...You're doing the right thing by waiting on your body to let you know when it's time

Treegirl...I hope to be riding my bicycle next month. I buying one some time in mid-August.

My sister, the kids and I just returned from a nice long trail walk. We timed it and it took us exactly 2 hours 1 min and 35 seconds according to the stopwatch on my cell phone. The kids are tired and they rode their bikes while we walked. Lots of uphill and downhill walking involved. We didn't have to ask anyone to put their bikes away when we returned to the house today. I don't think anyone will be asking to stay up late tonight:D

[lavendarJ]

Week 4 our our Jubilant July Fitness Journey!!!
http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0003.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=party/party0003.gif)

Let's keep it RAWKIN'

Cheers to us!!!!
http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0005.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/freesmiley.php?smiley=party/party0005.gif)
(by the way, those are strawberry-banana smoothies in the glasses)

[Morn]

We went to the air show by my house and I didn't purpose to exercise yesterday but we walk several miles. I know I got exercise in!:D

[Morn]

Aililiu- Wow does that sound painful! hang in there girl. I agree with Lavender!

treegirl - thanks.

Lavender J - yeah we will definately be getting a picture in that dress!

[JAusten]

Sunday evening- I'm about to head out on my makeup walk. (The eye is much better although there is a strange white streak on my cheek.)

After this walk I will have finished up my goals for this week: 5 x's walking 1 hour and 3 x's doing my stretch DVD's. I think my goals for next week will be the same.

lavenderJ- You are such a good cheerleader! Your trail walk sounds lovely... over 2 hours!! I could have crossed off two days at once.

Morn- Pictures please!!!

tinystrawberry- I just joined in this week too and am amazed at how much the accountability is helping me! Glad you are here too.

[Conscious Midwife]

MORN

I just wanted to say that i revisted your link and your progress has been phenomenal. I defiantely think you will be at your goal before your 1 year mark. What and awesome testimony to your faith and work.

[lavendarJ]

Just checking in...

About to do our workout outside in this hot and sticky humid mid-west heat. I still have to do strength training and it looks like I'll be doing it after cardio intstead of before as I usually do.

[Morn]

Thanks a life gift. I hope so. Not too sure about that though. When I end my fast it will be difficult since I know what happened the last time I ended a fast. It took my body a few months to get used the idea of eating again and losing. I really want to be there by my one year anniversary but if it takes longer so be it. It will happen!:D

[Morn]

Ok JAusten here are a few pictures:


https://home.comcast.net/~morn/images/10month0228cofulljeans300.jpg
https://home.comcast.net/~morn/images/10month0270blackdressfull4co300.jpg

[lavendarJ]

Happy Tuesday-
I just finished doing a little cardio and will do the bootcamp workout later with my sis and kids. So far...
30 minutes of dance of the womb yoga
abs pilates tape
buns and thighs pilates tape

[treegirl]

Hey, Morn: once again - you look fantastic!!!!

I've been working about 15 min. of pilates everyday in the morning this last week, and I feel really good about it
Still pedaling away on my bike, but it's set to an even more difficult gear.
I can't believe this month is almost over!:eek:

[JAusten]

Morn- Your pictures are beautiful. I can see that you are not just losing weight but that all the exercise you are doing is really paying off. Your arms look pretty- not like the arms of someone who has lost 85 pounds!!

[Morn]

Thanks guys! I am blushing! I am 88% to my goal so it will still take a while to get there. I also want to drop one more dress size to a 5-6.

[lavendarJ]

Just checkin' in...

About to go and do our daily boot camp session with the kids... I hope everyone is having fun and sweating at the same time:D

[Sunshine9]

Morn, girl you look fabulous! I don't care where you think you need to be, you are THIN. And quite beautiful :)

Yesterday I did 45 minutes of cardio at the gym. I did a cross-training type workout with 10 min treadmill, 10 elliptical, 5 on the "wave machine", then 20 on the treadmill. It was awesome!

Today I had yoga. !!

[lavendarJ]

Wonderful Wedesday to All!

I am eager to get out this morning and get a good workout in. I am headed to my sister's to see if she and the kids are up for a morning bootcamp challenge. I hope that all is well with everyone.


Push Push Push.....6 DAYS LEFT!!!!!

[lavendarJ]

Okay so I didn't do the bootcamp this morning because those people were sleep heads - still in the bed....So I decided to start on their enchiladas. Just checking in on everyone. I hope that all is well. I haven't seen much of you guys. Today is strength training day...I'm about to do that as soon as I get this hyper and crazy puppy in from outside.

[Morn]

Today's exercise 30 minutes of rebounding.
10 minutes of abs of steel
5 minutes of inner thighs

[lavendarJ]

Completed the bootcamp workout this evening with the kids...It was a real push but we did get through it...I guess what I should say is that I got through it.

Happy Sweating Everyone!

[JAusten]

Just a quick check in:

So far this week I've only done one walk so I am going to have to use both week-end days squeezing in the two I missed. We have had thunderstorms all week. I am going to have to find an indoor activity for rainy days.
I am doing fine on the stretch DVD's.

[lavendarJ]

Happy Thursday to All!!!!

I walked this crazy and hyper puppy twice today and that's about it. I'm off to do the bootcamp and then I'm going to do some pilates this evening....

Happy Sweating!!!!

[Morn]

Today’s exercise:

1 hour of cardio kickboxing
Abdominal floor exercises

Man it seems the more weight I lose it is like I barley break a sweat anymore. Does anyone else have this problem?

[lavendarJ]

Morn-
I can't seem to make myself really sweat much. When I worked out at the gym I would see people on the left and right of me with sweat beads flying off of them....I do sweat a little but still not much...I don't worry about it much anymore (used to because sweating is supposed to be a good thing)...

You know, maybe because your stamina and strength has increased and the weight is down, maybe your just in such good shape that it takes a lot more to get a good sweat now:)

Just finished my bootcamp thing with the kids and I don't know about the pilates. I'm tryng to push myself to do them but if I don't I have commited myself to tomorrow.

[Sunshine9]

Hey ladies! Just checking in. I haven't exercised much the past few days :( I had yoga Tuesday which was awesome, but Wednesday & today though I had my gym bag with me, I got busy and then tired. I am PMSy so I'm trying to be gentle with myself, but i'm feeling it. I need to workout tomorrow!!!

I commit that I WILL go to the gym and workout after class tomorrow. I'll like it too. Ooh so there.

I love this thread!

[lavendarJ]

Fantastic Friday to Everyone!

For some reason, I don't want to workout and so I am going to make myself do it anyway because I cannot find any good reason not to. Push Push Push.... Today is my strength training day and I am going to make myself do some pilates since I didn't do them last night- I told myself I'd do them today to make up for yesterday and so here I go. Glad to see ya sunshine. Everyone have a great day and give yourself a great big hug because you RAWK!!!!


http://d21c.com/walpurgis9/happies/faces2/089.gif

[lavendarJ]

Just checkin in...finished my strength training and we just did an hour power walk (lots of fun and challenging hills)...I am going to try to squeeze out a few ab moves and still do some pilates.


Keep it RAWKIN'....

[JAusten]

Just checkin in...finished my strength training and we just did an hour power walk (lots of fun and challenging hills)...I am going to try to squeeze out a few ab moves and still do some pilates.



WHOA!!!!!!!!!!- YOU ARE AN EXERCISE MACHINE!!!!!!!!!

[lavendarJ]

Hey JAusten-
As long as my body is up for the challenge. I'm going to keep it rawkin.

[Morn]

Early a.m. exercise:

40 minutes - 50 laps in the pool swimming

It felt good!:D

[lavendarJ]

It's been a pretty average day today. I walked the doggie for about 53 minutes early this morning. Also, my sister, the girls and I did a trail walk for an hour. I'm going to do some ab work on my exercise mat and that's about it...

[lavendarJ]

I enjoyed a nice leisure walk with the dog today...no exercise today-rest day!!!!

[JAusten]

Well I got everything in for the week- 3 DVD's and 5 hours of walking. To do it I had to take a 2 hour walk tonight. It was a beautiful evening, cool and breezy, so I enjoyed it very much.

[lavendarJ]

Reflecting on our Journey

Well it looks like we have one day left for our Jubilant July Fitness Journey. The journey has been amazing. We all have so much to celebrate. We have discovered new truths about ourselves and what we are capable of when we actually make the effort. Some exceeded their July goals. Yes, there is much to celebrate.

http://www.33smiley.com/smiley/sports/10.gif


As our July journey ends, we should remember the successes and allow them to guide us into the next month of goals and challenges. The beautiful thing about this journey is that we all can share in each others joys and triumphs while recognizing our own individual successes. All successes are to be celebrated...

- that extra mile ran
- that extra set of reps with the weights
- adding another day to your workout routine
- getting out of the bed and moving
- that nature walk despite the rain
- adding 5 more situps to your ab routine
- actually wanting to exercise instead of seeing it as a chore

Celebrate your success. Whatever it is. Own it. Acknowledge it. Relish it. It is your very own and unique success. Let your successes guide you toward your next goals and challenges. I hope that everyone discovered a new power about themselves. Think about where you started at and where you are now. Think about where you want to be. Plan and then act. Most of all, most importantly don't forget to believe. You must believe in you in order to move onward and upward. If you tell yourself I just can't do it...I'm not cut out for it then you will not do whatever the "it" is. Instead, profess that I will do "it" because I can. Our thoughts and words will literally either launch us forward toward our destinies or delay our growth. So again....

Celebrate
Believe
Plan
ACT

[lavendarJ]

http://www.33smiley.com/smiley/sports/32.gifPASSING THE TORCHhttp://www.33smiley.com/smiley/sports/32.gif
It's that time.....
Which of you out there will grasp the torch...
Who will lead us through the August journey...


Hey Hey Hey! It's me everyone. I really appreciate Morn for passing this torch to me. It was a great way to hold me accountable while being motivated by each other as teammates. Here's the thing...by mid-August I will be busier than a bee. Taking on some new writing projects, I'll be back at work as elementary school will be back in session, and I'll be starting up some youth programs. I'll have to try to balance all of this with returning to school for the MSW and my volunteer work obligations. I won't be able to post very often but do plan to check in at least once a day. Plus, I will be fasting during the beginning of August. Sorry guys, I know I am a chatter box- as if you wanted to know all of this:o All you have to do is start up a challenge thread for August and lead the way.

The Torch Awaits You....
http://www.33smiley.com/smiley/work/4.gif

[lavendarJ]

Hey Hey Hey!

I can't believe it.... tomorrow is the 31st ...our last day. Where is everyone? I hope your day was blessed and full of lots of fun energy.

I did my usual strength training regimen, ab work and a 45 minute race walk outdoors.

[lavendarJ]

July 31st.....
Questions
How are you going to celebrate the last day of our July Fitness Challenge?

What were your best fitness moments this month?
My Answers
I'm going on a nice long trail walk with my sister..hopefully we'll discover some trails with lots of challenging hills/curves

My best fitness moment was being able to do those 10 push-ups correctly & being able to do 3 sets w/20 reps each of tricep dips

Keep RAWKIN


P.S. I see that no one has grabbed that torch yet. I guess we are all busy bees. I'm going to start the August thread but if there's someone out there who feels led to lead this journey, then by all means RAWK on.

[Morn]

Lavender J - if no one else takes the torch I will take it back from you! We need to keep it going. So by tonight if nobody else starts one I will start it! Oh by the way you did an awesome job in july. Thanks for leading us!

[Morn]

Lavender J-

I will celebrate by working!:mad: I wish I was out enjoying the sunshine instead.

Best fitness moment - Hum! I think swimming at nighttime under the stars and watching the fireflys! Cool moment!

[lavendarJ]

Hey there Morn....

I just saw your post..I think we were posting at the same time I just posted an August thread but please feel free to lead the way.:D I think it's great that you are willing to run with the torch again. We definitely need to keep it going. I'm going to try my best to post every day, it may be very late at night because of my schedule but I'm going to try.

[Morn]

Today's exercise:

1/2 hour of rebounding
10 minutes abdominals

[lavendarJ]

Had a nice trail walk today... Looking forward to seeing everyone in August - God willing!

[Sunshine9]

Hey Ladies! I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all of the support and community with this July challenge. I successfully met all my goals 10x beyond where I set them, and now feel like I'm an exerciser. I may not do it everyday, and even if i only go once a week, it's just that week, i'm still an exerciser :)

You all did beautifully and are an inspiration! I look forward to my fitness improving on and on so I can do all the awesome things that you do!!!

I'm not going to be around this forum as much, but I wish you joy and exercise bliss in the august challenge! I might pop in to see how you're doin'.

Many thanks and much love,
Sunshine