*Bringing "Sexy Back" Motivation Group* ( *Group Closed* )

I want to start a group of motivating girls that have the intention of bringing nothing but their sexy back... I would love to motivate, work towards, congratulate, get tough love and throw pity parties whenever deemed necassary... Anyone want to join me?? I do belong to other groups with other wonderful women but those challenges seem to be ending and people are dwindling... anyone want to stick through it with me, until we get our sexy back??  

Special note: There are no weigh in days, no challenges, no scales, you are own challenge, whether you want to use measurements, scales or even a pair of jeans to measure your success, welcome, if you want to gain weight welcome, if you want to lose welcome, if you want to build up some curves welcome... we are all here to give one another positive reinforcements... 

Mandi - you keep mentioning bootcamp, I need to find something like this, I do well in a class setting and need some new workout stuff, Hope your eyes are feeling better, that sounded miserable!

Claire - what sort of winter running clothes did you get? I have been adding layers to my regular stuff as it gets more chilly but if there is something good for winter I could ask for it for christmas from Jeeves. I spoke with my friend and she does have that test thing at her shoe store, Score! thanks for the tip.

Kelli % Soraya - glad to see your scale went down, it's a good feeling.

Insiyah - I was actually born in TX, I love it there! We visit a few times year with family in the area. I have set the half marathon goal for myself for next year, provided that I don't end up being preggers, in which case I'll walk it rather than jogging it. I want to be a runner, I am so jealous of you ladies who can run. I am building up to it, but its slow going. I have exercise induced asthma and never did much aerobic stuff before six months ago, now I'm determined to beat it and get running because the short time I can run gives me such a high, it's like nothing I've ever felt before.

Nix - I retain water most of the time; the past two weeks have been better though, I'm on a water push, at least 100 onces a day, and it's working. My mom actually got very sick once and was so full of extra water she was leaking, seriously it was coming out through her skin! Kinda freaky.

Jees this is a long post, I'm feeling crappy today, I caught a cold from the kiddos. My brain is leaking out through my nose making it impossible to concentrate on anything. Work is going to blow today. However, before going home I am hitting the gym. The last time I was sick a short, mild workout really did give me some extra energy and I felt a little better for the rest of the day. I'll probably just do some weight stuff on the ball and a turn on the elliptical at light speed.

Okay, well I guess that heavy lasagna made a difference cause I'm 145 and I didn't go to the gym, the kiddo's needed my attention and Moe was at school all night. Solution- I'm going to figure out  a way to get in a hard workout here at work today, I just have to do it where no ones around, darn I wish I would have brought my yoga mat :/ Hopefully later in the evening Moe & I can go to the gym together & I'll have subway on the go rather than cooking dinner.......

I have to take my daughter to get her pics made with her BF after work. That's here b-day(Dec.29) present. I bought them outfits that are so adorable. They have a 30's style feel. There outfits are different but resemble each other. They both have red sequence tops but ones a crinkle black dress and the other has a red and black skirt with stripes going a couple different direction and a layer of soft black tulle over it, I found shoes that were perfectly styled (not matching), red & black hats like Angelina wears in changeling, & a red a black umbrella with wood tip and hoop handle, ohh yeah and the most awesome long black beaded necklaces- can't wait, they're gonna be so cute!

Oh I should add things aren't moving like they need to be, I'm tempted to take a laxative, this too could be the spike back up, i can totally feel I need to go.

Nellie, I used to have the  exercise induced asthma, I couldn't get on a treadmill more than 2-3 minutes and run. I was in really good shape too. I think during that time in AR. I really had trouble through a few years with all the mold and pollen & dust mites, I didn't develop asthma til 17 & I didn't get diagnosed til like 20, when I was pretty sure I was gonna end up stopping breathing. I thought I was chronically sick & I didn't have insurance so I just ignored it (2 kids, poor, college, off & on crappy marriage), finally I knew I had to go, I had ALOT of mucus. I found out I had asthma, got Advair for 2x daily use & albuterol as needed and after a couple months had it under control. I think it took a couple years for my lungs to heal from the 3 years of ignoring my symptoms. Before my ankle  started rejecting my hardware last winter, I was running on the treadmill for 15 minutes at a speed of 5-7 and even 8 (maybe those #'s mean mph- not sure tho). Point of the story- address the issue, if you also have other triggers I would suggest Advair for a month, it actually heals, you take 2 puffs twice daily for a month, I had to do 2 months. you can huff your inhaler (it's not actually albuterol anymore but what ever the equivalent is) a few times before you workout and go at it, it takes time. Okay well I hope I didn't just ramble on about a bunch of stuff you already know or doesn't really pertain.

Have a good one

Nix

Nix- No, you weren't rambling. I was diagnosed at age three, and used an inhaler all through school. I haven't had an inhaler for about three years. I stopped using it because it made me sick. I also didn't need it unless I was running, which I just decided not to do. I decided when I started working out that if I felt ill or faint I would make an appointment for the doctor, but it hasn't happened yet. MY GP said some people can grow out of it and maybe I have. I still have pretty bad allergies, but they are controlled with an over the counter med. I can do the elliptical for 30 minutes without needing to stop, at a pretty good pace. I think I just need to build up slowly, add in a few mintues of jogging to my walks and increase the elliptical intensity every so often.

Nellie: I bought some items from sierratradingpost.com.  They have a lot of outdoorsy stuff at good prices.  I got some long stretchy pants (polyester? nylon?) from Saucony, a little like yoga pants but a little warmer.  A poly mock turtleneck that's wicking and snug, a "gaiter" to go around my neck, a headband for the ears, some wool blend socks, and glove liners.  I hate when my hands and ears get cold. I think having your extremeties covers makes a huge difference and running outdoors bearable even in really cold temps.

I read something interesting that came at the right time: regular exercisers have fewer colds and those they have are less severe.  Collective pat on the back, ladies - excercise is good for more than just bringing sexy back!

Nikki: yoga mat at work is a great idea!  I actually know a guy who does exercises in his office when he needs a break. 

Soraya: we can behave until Thanksgiving and then indulge a little until satiated and savor the pies.  :)  It's wierd, since giving up sugar this time and getting back on the program with exericse, I have no desire to gorge myself, I'm not even really looking forward to turkey day.  Maybe a slice of pumpkin pie (ok yes, homemade with a gingersnap crust, that will be delicious) and a regular portioned meal.  And I agree about the 5lb red flag.  That's when you need to get serious!  What prompted me to dump the sugar again, I was about 5 pounds over my normal range for over a month.

...Claire

Hi ladies!  It's almost Friday!!!!  I can't wait.  This week has dragged on forever.

Soraya - Funny that you should mention Subway in your response to my choice of turkey.  I went to Subway today for lunch and I may have chosen the tuna had I not read your post.  Glad the scale went down for you as well.  Regular exercise definitely makes a difference in maintenance.  Keep up the hard work!

Insiyah - I am running a half marathon in May and it will be my first.  I think it is awesome that you found running groups.  I should look into that.  I think I'll wait until March when the snow melts though.  I am not a big fan of running outdoors either - especially since I live in the frozen tundra they call Minnesota. 

Nikki - Amazing that you dropped so much weight in just a couple weeks.  Glad the scale is being good to you.  Nice job on being consistent with the workouts.  I take it your ankle is feeling better?  I was able to eat something relatively healthy at the Cracker Barrell.  It wasn't an easy choice, but one I felt good about after.

Claire - Way to go on running before work.  It is pitch black when I wake up in the morning and freezing cold so I don't think running outdoors is an option for me.  I have gone to the gym or worked out at home in the morning before work (5 am) and I do feel great that day at least until about 3 PM.  I seem to crash in the mid afternoon and require a nap if I have any evening commitments. 

Nellie - Where have you been all week?  Hope everything is going well.

Mandi - Congrats on taking first place in the bootcamp run!  Boot camps are awesome workouts!  There is a good one on Monday nights at my gym, but I have volleyball Monday nights so I rarely get to go.  : ( 

Jen - Thinking of you and hope you are enjoying spending time with your mom. 

So, the scale has been down yesterday and today.  I am hoping it stays down for tomorrow's weigh in.  As long as I don't royally screw things up in the next 8 hours I should be fine.  Hope you ladies are having a great day!

~Kelli

Kelli! YUP, read this! 530 Calories, in a 6' inch Tuna Sub!!!! add cheese and drink, chips it's so not worth it! I'd rather make my own... I do LOVE the Whole Foods Cranberry Tuna, I crave it time to time...

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutri tion-calories/food/subway/tuna-sub-6-inch-cla ssic-sandwich/

Claire, that 5lb flag has helped me maintain and lose, when it hits 3lbs I'm like yea but if I focus it will go away, but 5lbs, I've upped my weight plateua! I gotta give up sugar all around...

Since I was M.i.a what was the challenge you ladies did for the sugar???? curious, may want to do it for a few days, had a small cupcake this am and having a mcdonalds iced coffee which I know is sugar laden... tsk tsk... I need it tho' could NOT get to sleep last night till 6am! My landlord and plumber were here last night and I live in older style apartment the pipes have gone bad! and so he is here today and has been since 11am to replace all of them below the house! so I had anxiety about that, no running water and it just freaks my brain out... needless to say, I'm tired tired tired, and I really want to go to Turbokick class tonight @ 5:30 but don't think he will be done by then ;( ... plus my daughter and all her friends are going to Harry Potter Midnight premier tonight and she wont be home until 4am! So I know I'm gonna have another night of restless sleep, maybe a nice catnap will do me fine or just take it in early tonight.... I may have to work tom. but not even sure yet, as they have not confirmed anything w/me yet, oooo the anxiety.... BUT keep fingers crossed my dream job may call me on friday and have to start on Monday! ooo how a steady paying job would be a gift from the heavens right now... Pray to the job gods for me ladies, I need all the positive energy I can get :)

xo...S

its almost Friday! yay!!! i am so ready for this week to be over! But i don't think i'm quite ready to step on the scale tomorrow i always get nervous before i weigh in...oh and yes my eyes are much better! i have been putting cortizone on them, they are so itchy still but have not swelled since that first day...i have thrown away all my lovely eye makeup and tools : ( and have not been wearing any eye makeup this whole week...hopefully when i start wearing eyeshadow again it won't flare up

Claire--yay! i love running first thing in the morning, it really gives me high spirits the rest of the day, even though i hate waking up early, its so worth it! and i will definitely be looking into cold weather gear, because my ears hurt so bad from jogging in the cold morning hours...thanks for the info!!

Nellie--i have been so blessed to have this bootcamp fall into my life! i cannot afford the luxury of a gym membership and am usually left to my own devices, so being able to just show up 3 days a week and know that there is a workout already planned is so brilliant! I suggest looking in your community for workout groups...or you could even start one if you know enough like minded people near by, just to have a community of people where you can go on walks together or host workouts in each person's backyard, community park, etc...

Nikki--those pictures sound so cute! i'm glad you are having such a positive week with the workouts!! sounds like you'r'e getting your mojo back! : )

Kelli--awesome week you are having CONGRATS to  you! and i'm sure you are going to have a great number tomorrow on the scale!!

well girls, this day is dragging!! i should get back to work, but i just can't seem to have the will to go on! lol

peace, love, and water bottles! <3 --mandi

happy friday!!!

where is everyone?? Well i weighed in today.

Last week: 180.4

this week:  180.5

i guess i can't really complain since i know i slacked off on my eating...i think the working out really helped me to kind of stay ontop of things, plus i think aunt flo is right around the corner and that just jacks everything up

i hope the rest of you have a great weekend!!

peace, love, and water bottles! <3

Hey! 

I weighed in today and am very happy:

11/19/10: 148 lbs

The last time I weighed in on CC was about 2 weeks ago and I was 148.  I did see a 152 at one point in the last 2 weeks and on Monday I was 150 so I am glad to be back down.  Now I just need to keep it moving down.  My goal weight for the New Year's challenge I'm doing is 144.  I figure if I lose 4 more pounds over the holidays I'll be happy as a clam.  : )

Have a great weekend!

~Kelli

I totally wanted to run this morning again before work and even went to bed early, but I forgot to set my alarm!  Luckily I woke in time to make it work but a little too late to run.  Worse I got stuck at work all day and couldn't get out for lunch so I had to eat the non-meat portion of a fast food lunch that was delivered for the deliberating jury (fries, cole slaw and a roll).  Of course I feel gross now.  I am going to go home after work and run and eat a big salad!!

I am looking forward to the weekend.  I plan to drive to the beach to run with the dog tomorrow.  People look at me strange, but I love the beach all year.  Even if it's not swim suit weather. 

Mandi: I love my head/earband thingy for running.  Keeps the ears warm without making my entire head overheat when I get warmed up!  Your bootcamp sounds awesome.  My new goal is to do a similar workout at home once a week - my indoor circuit improvisation.  I need it to shake things up and challenge muscles other than the ones I use running.

Soraya: Hope you get better sleep soon!  I am blessed that I can usually sleep very soundly.  When I am not terribly sleepy I find keeping my bedroom pitch black and turning down the lights in the evening, not watching tv or working on the computer before bed helps me unwind and get ready for sleep. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!  Hope everyone stays sexy this weekend before the most calorific/sacred American day of the year.   lol

oh, I found this blog/website which has some healthy looking recipes I may try.  I cook for one and hate complex recipes and these all look pretty easy and tasty.  It's all vegan recipes, but may be interesting any to anyone (including me, I still eat dairy) http://www.theppk.com/recipes/

Good goals ladies! and it seems like everyone it doing great :)

Nellie- yes, if you have any asthma or are still not sure, starting slow and building up will be good. if you feel wheezy or tight, go to your dr- they can give u a preventative medication, and all asthmatics should have a rescue inhaler. some ppl, have exercise induced asthma, but it seems with even biking like u were in the summer- you should have felt some symptoms. most ppl i know say they do better in the cooler weather but not true for everyone.. also, speaking of bootcamp. i have one in my own backyard and didn't know it. i googled it for my area and come to find out, i have one 20 mins from my house!i throughly intend to check it out once i get a day job.

Soraya- so yes, i have continued the sugar challenge with Claire until Tx giving. Meaning, no intentional sugar for me, but everyone has their own way, for me :no sugar in coffee, no sugary desserts, no soda, ect.. i still use splenda in the coffee though, and for dessert i have been eating pomegranates like crazy cuz it's the season, yum!

Nikki- sounds like the ankles is getting better, good! is about time :).

I have been crazy busy at work, 3rd shift  :'( but this week i can say i went to the gym once, and did 2, 20 min WO sessions at home. i used my kettle bell and wts one time, and used you tube WO videos for another. even though my home sessions were short. i felt so sore after both like i had been in the gym all day!

For Tx giving- i am not planning on visiting the family, haha. i am spending the holidays working in the ER, this is what's so great about my job (hummf). maybe the following Sat. i might cook a small meal of cornish hens, and twice baked sweet potatoes, and a salad for just my husband and inlaws. oh, and pecan pie is something i have wanted to make for a long time now ;)

k, ladies tc :)

Good morning, ladies!  It's quiet around here.  I had a decent weekend.  Ran Friday after work and Saturday on the beach.  Yesterday I did about 30 mins of circuits at home followed by a very short jog.  Just finished some am yoga to hopefully keep the soreness from yesterday's workout from being too bad!  :)  I didn't eat very well.  Pizza found it's way to me.  I broke the sugar fast and drank a small gingerale when I had a stomachache - but it least it did not trigger cravings or a binge!  I did not eat enough veggies.  Going to pack a big salad for lunch today!

Insiyah: I'm not having much of a thanksgiving either.  Turns out it will just be me and my parents since my brother and his wife decided to have dinner with her family.  There's a lot of simmering drama behind that story . . .  So I think we'll just enjoy some outdoor activities, maybe kayaking!  Good for you getting to the gym last week, in spite of your crazy schedule!

Hope everyone has a good week and if you are doing a big Thanksgiving, don't let the food and booze ruin any of that sexyiness we've all been working hard to bring back!!  :-)   ...Claire

Happy Monday...well maybe mediocre Monday.

I planned to over eat all weekend. I had built up a big deficit last week and shouldn't gain but I still don't feel so hot today.

I blame the vodka.

I was out with hubs last night and drank, a lot. I remember being sick on the side of the road and then I woke up this morning. He must have gotten me in the house and put me to bed because I seriously don't remember any of it...

poor planning on my part, I now remember why I don't do that kind of drinking anymore. I woke up today sans headache or nausea but very wobbly, I'm pretty sure I'm a little dehydrated. I've had a protein bar and about 40 ounces of water so far, I think I may stick with that for the rest of the day and resume normal food consumption tomorrow. If I clear 800 calories today I'll be suprised.

Nellie: I hope you are feeling better!  I had a particularly nasty hangover on my vacation back in Oct so I looked up what to eat and I read after a hangover the best things (if you can eat) are gatorade, bananas, kiwis and eggs.  Now I keep some gatorade powder in my house - in case of emergencies, lol. 

My sugar fast is over.  I baked banana nut bread yesterday.  It came out really delicious.  To prevent myself from eating the whole thing I baked 4 mini loaves and gave 3 away.  Pre-emptive strike against myself! 

2 more days of work this week.  I have so much to do, but so little motivation.  My yoga after my circuit workout worked, I'm hardly sore.   Need to run today. 

Hope you ladies are having a good week!

Hi sexy ladies,

I hadn't even realized I had went so long without posting! Well I'm still  here, I guess I've been somewhat busy, but everythngs been smooth so I haven't felt overwhelmed.

Jen, Just want to say we're all thinking of you and wish you and your family the best through your hardships this holiday season.

So I need to drink water today, I can tell I'm retaining and I have no reason to be other that not enough H2O, I'm 145. I went to Pliate's last night and Yoga Sunday morning. I have to say, a couple days of that & me feeling strong, definetly gives me my mojo back, I feel sexy & funny thing is, is that I call Moe, Mojo (pronounced Moho, tho). I definetly feel like I've gotten back into the swing of things just not as strong as before yet. I'm not to sure how I will fare during the holiday. Perhaps if I just have yogurt, banana, & coffee for breakfast I'll be better off. Come think of it, maybe I should skip breakfast cause of all the snacking that's done all day anyway, I'd get plenty of food that way, that will just depend if we are at the fams the nite before or travel the same day. I have to hold off on the drinking because we are coming home that night so I can go Black Friday shopping, I will just have either a couple brandy's with eggnog or Champaine before dinner. Last year was my first time Black Friday shopping and I saved so much money I'm hooked, I plan on being at Kohl's for their 3am opening, I already now what I'm buying and haev it all planned out, then a couple more stops.

Okay, talk to you girls later.

~Mwah! Nix~

Hey ladies!

I have great news - I got my blood work back and my cholesterol is now 194!!!!  I can't even remember the last time my cholesterol was under 200.  This is fantastic!  I am so excited!!!!

Nikki - Glad you are back on track and feeling sexy!  I also went shopping last year on Black Friday for the first time and I am hooked too!  I don't have as many things I need to buy for me this year so maybe I'll actually get some early Christmas shopping done.  Have fun shopping!

Claire - Yay for being done with the sugar fast and congratulations on making it through.  I honestly don't think I could do it - if I didn't break I am sure my friends and co-workers would be begging me to just eat some chocolate. 

Nellie - Hope you've recovered from your weekend now!  I used to get terrible hangovers, but I haven't had one in years.  I do remember them and feel your pain.  I know drinking plenty of water seemed to help me. 

Insiyah - Your Thanksgiving dinner with the cornish hens sounds delicious - especially the pecan pie - that is my favorite!  Sorry you have to work on the actual holiday.  Nice job on getting the work outs in.

Mandi and Soraya - Where have you ladies been this week?

Jen - My thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family especially during the upcoming holiday season. 

Hope you ladies are having a wonderful week so far.  It is my Friday tomorrow!!!!! 

~Kel

hi all,

Kelli--congrats on the cholesterol!! that is so awesome and a great feeling knowing that all the hard work has totally paid off! nice job  girl!!!

Nellie--sorry to hear about the hangover it sounds just awful! i hope  you are back to 100% by now : )

Claire--congratulations to you for doing so well on the sugar fast!!! i totally understand too, i have NO motivation what-so-ever!! lol

Nikki--so glad you have been able to workout without any problems!

well girls, this is day 2 for me counting calories again...things are going pretty well and i think i'm going to be able to have some good deficits...my workouts have been lackluster so far and will probably remain low key...there is no bootcamp this week and my knees aren't doing to well so today i did about 40 minutes of pilates, which isn't much but it was nice to lean out instead of being so compounded running somewhere to doing weights...i literally felt lighter doing pilates stretching out my muscles and using them in a more graceful manner than i have been lately which is probably why my knees are hurting...i'll get back into it next week, but its nice to have a week of easier workouts. i think i need to incorporate more of those so i don't burn out so quickly like i'm prone to do

well i better jet its almost quittin' time!

peace, love, and water bottles! <3

Well ladies, just want to say Happy Thanksgiving. I am going to make an attempt to do well. Like I said I'll probably just graze throughout the day 2moro or fruit & yogurt. Come feasting time I'll keep my portions to a tbls of a tbls of that, I'll stick to mimosa's and focus on the conversation rather than the food as todays article suggests.

Have a good holiday everyone, see ya next week, & maybe check in a lil later to see what ya'lls (<, yes that's better!

 Luv, Nix

Happy Thanksgiving, all! 

xoxo  Claire