Gym is Open (Thursday 12/13)

Posting early because my sister and I are driving up to Blackhawk to indulge in a bit of gambling.  My plan is to park in the middle lot and walk up and down the main drag to the casinos, thus getting in a bunch of walking while we're there.  I'm hoping it won't be too cold outside to walk. The gym is open!  What did you do to move your body today? Kix

I'm up and at 'em as usual today, but I can hardly wait for next Thursday because this ol' girl is gonna SLEEP IN!  LOL  After that I'm off wor****il the 2nd of Jan, so I don't know what I'm going to do about working out..... I may have to drive in just to workout and go home.... LOL 15 mins elliptical 30 mins upper body weight training

My sister is off now until Jan 2, and her plans are similar to yours!  I imagine she'll get restless after a few days. Kix

Morning Kix, Been a busy morning already for me.  John started a new job last week, and that has been CRAZY.  He is doing consulting work, and is going all over So. Cal.  Currently, he is driving about 2 hrs each way to the SF valley.   This morning, I'm off to the YMCA.  It is CHILLY (COLD, FREEZING) outside, so I'm a bit worried about how the pool will be.  We are having quite a cold spell, and it is about 40 out right now.  I am teaching this morning, so I really don't have the option of not going.  I WILL be wearing my rash guard and hoping that the pool is extra warm.  On Tuesday morning, only 2 people showed up for class, where we normally have 10-12 on cold mornings, and in the summer 30 show up.  Monday night, I only had 2 as well. So, count me in for 1 hour of water aerobics this brisk, cold, chilly, and FREEZING morning!  When I get home, I have lots of ironing to do -- does that count as exercise?? And, I get my hair colored and cut today -- YAY! Hope you have a great day, and do well at the casino! Oh, I also hit the "under 205" mark this morning!  Doing the happy dance!  I hope to be under 200 by the end of the month.  I will see my PCP next month to be referred for plastics.  I'm on my way to skin removal!  I also have Kaiser, but in my area, you must be stable in weight and be 1 year out.  Stable means less than 5lbs per month loss, which is me right now!

Boy, that is cold for L.A., BRR!  I'm pretty sure you'd have to give me a billionty dollars to get in a cold pool in those temperatures! Congrats on hitting the "under 205" mark, and please send some of that good fortune my way.  I can't even get to 215!   Kaiser CO doesn't require referral from our PCP to PS any more, we can self-refer.  I talked to the medical director at Weight Management (who is one of my personal heroes, he did a lot to help me get ready for surgery, including getting me the Optifast at no charge) and he said he isn't sure if the 30 BMI is a hard number, but the important thing is to not continue to lose weight after the TT.  He told me not to despair, I can do another Optifast-like plan again in January if we decide it's necessary. Kix

Have fun at Blackhawk! Have you ever gone to Cripple Creek? I went twice this year and each time I won over a hundred dollars on the penny slots - I guess their rate return is pretty high. You might want to think about checking it out. This morning was weight and interval training - did 10 minutes of warm up, 30 minutes of weights and 20 minutes of intervals with running/sprints. I love doing the sprints, they are a great break from my usual long runs and I really see a difference when I do them. I'm hoping to increase my longer distance speed by doing them. Hope you get some great arm exercise doing those slots

Wow, I think I need to try Cripple Creek!  The slots at Blackhawk were kind of tight today, so I didn't do as well as I'd hoped.  There weren't as many people up there as last time I went, but all the folks who were there today were chain smokers.  I smell like a pool hall now. Sprints?  You continue to amaze me, my fit friend! Kix

I hope you come home a big winner!!!!  Ching, ching, ching I went to the gym at lunch.  I met with the exercise specialist to finish going over her recommendations for my new workout plan.  Today she showed me the exercises for my core muscles.  At first I thought "I'll never be able do THAT" as she was showing me what to do, but low and behold, I could do them all.  Not always for very long, and my form needs improvement, but I could do them!  When I have time, I'll type up the program she has me doing in case anyone else is interested.   I did 30 minutes on intervals on the elliptical machine after the core stuff.  My legs are sore from doing a bunch of squats yesterday, so I felt like I was slogging through sand on the elliptical today!   Good luck to everyone finding the time, motivation, and energy to move today! Kellie

Way to go, Kellie!  I'm curious to see the program she designed for you, so when you have a free minute, please post it. Kix

Yay!  We FINALLY got me signed up at the gym today.  We took a tour and got class schedules and talked to a trainer.  We are both having short training sessions next Tues to lay out work outs and show us proper form.  The gym was nice - the only bummer was that the pool is being remodeled and won't be available for 2 months.  Also, it smelled like gasoline or solvent or something from the remodeling efforts.  It didn't smell as much upstairs though, so we'll be hanging out there.  I think we are going to go back later and actually exercise.  I'll probably do the old standby recumbent bike because I don't know how to work any other machines yet.  I do like that they have TVs at every machine, and quite a lot of space.  It wasn't busy when we went (about 1) and I meant to ask when they were the most dead.  The locker room was intimidating but nice I guess.   I probably won't use it except to stash stuff.  We live about 10 minutes away, I'll just shower at home.  I decided to take one class right now - Tai chi. Sunday afternoons.  My mom and aunt love it so much I figure I'll see what the fuss is all about.  I will also do yoga when I get smaller.  I am not comfortable doing it in public at this weight.  I am excited!  I'm not AS scared as I was of the whole thing.  I will definitely feel less intimidated once I have a training/orientation session I think.