Welcome to the NOVEMBER FITNESS CHALLENGE!
As you know, we now do things a little differently. Every participant will keep track of their own "workout stats" and totals in our Yahoo Database, located here:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/month...ness_challenge/
You will need a Yahoo Email address in order to participate, and you will need to add your own name to the November Fitness Challenge as follows:
Look on the left hand side, in the pink area of the page, one of the links down that side is called "Database". Click on that, then you will reach our "database page" and you will see the name of the November Fitness challenge "November 2006 - Monthly Fitness Challenge" in the white section under "tables".
Click on that link (November 2006 - Monthly Fitness Challenge), and you will enter the place where to pledge and keep track of your stats.
To add your name, you click on "Add Record" (See picture below), then you write your name and put in the number of hours you want to pledge, and click on "Add record" and your name will be added.
When you want to go back and add in your workout hours, you go to the table itself (where you see all the names listed).
At the end (on the left side) of each person's "line" where you see everybody's name in the table, there is two actions your can take "edit" or "delete"
Click on Edit, at the end of your own line, then you can add in your time of your workouts, then click on "Save record" and your own line will be updated with your workout time(s).
I have already posted my pledge to show you all what we will put in each field.
When November starts, I will enter my data and if you are not sure how, you can follow my lead.
Here's a sample picture to help you find your way:

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The thread here on the JC board will only be for talking about the challenge, fitness, nutrition, workout videos, and posting our daily workouts (still mandatory), but I will not keep track of workout times, and all stats related to the challenge will be updated by each participant on the Yahoo Database.
Are you READY?
GET SET!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS FOLKS - THE US THANKSGIVING IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!! Oh yeah babe!!!

HI TRIX
JUST A THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO. HAVE A GREAT MONTH

A big hello to you Trix and to all my workout mates!!!!!!
I had a bad month in October-both my head and my body decided to crack up at the same time so I thought ok,that's it....time to pull myself together and get things right!!!!
My leg is ok at the moment although after resting it for 2 weeks I am abit nervous about going to the gym today!I will just take it easy and try not to do anything stupid
As for my head...I know that will heal in time.It is nearly 3 months since Mum passed away and I miss her so very much but I am trying to get back to some sort of normalcy so hopefully my fitness program will give me a kick start.
Off to power pump and try some cardio-gentle of coarse!!!!
I'm looking forward to chatting with you all once again in November.
Take care,Belinda

Hi one and all.
I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone another great month in our steps towards wellness. I know I'm looking forward to sweating away the pounds with all! Have a great month!

HI AUSSIE
I'VE BEEN READING YOUR POSTS ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR MOM . I LOST MINE 5 YRS AGO - VERY SUDDEN SPOKE TO HER IN THE MORNING AND NEVER AGAIN.SOMETIMES I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD EVER RECOVER. MY THERAPY WAS I TOOK ALL HER PICTURES AND MADE ALBUMS FOR ME, MY BROTHER AND ALL THE GRANDCHILDREN. MADE ME REALIZE WHAT A FULL LIFE SHE AND MY DAD - HE PASSED 15 YRS AGO - HAD AND NOW EVERYONE HAS A NICE MEMORY BOOK. I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT WAS VERY HARD AND TO THIS DAY I CRY WHEN I GO THROUGH IT. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HOLE IN YOUR HEART BUT WITH TIME THE GOOD MEMORIES START CREEPING INTO IT. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

Hi gang!
Aussiegirl - What you are going through is normal, and you are on the right track. Your mom would want you to take care of yourself and to FULLY enjoy the time you have left on this planet, while you are still here. She is with you, by your side, every day.
Take her along with you everywhere you go, she can continue to live and experience life through you. Take her working out with you. Show her what you do to take good care of yourself and have fun with her... and talk to her. She is there, don't doubt it.
I'm glad to see the gang signing-up again for the November challenge. I need you girls and I need this challenge more than ever!
Knowing that you are here helps me get through every day, and helps me squeeze in some "taking care of myself" time, but I'm not where I want to be in regards to exercise, so I'll work on this even harder for November.
(((((((( GROUP HUG )))))))))

Hi All,
I haven't posted here in some time! I too had a bad month in october. I broke my toe, and had other minor foot injuries, which prevented me from working out.
I also have taken a small break from JC right now...trying to do things on my own. Once I get settled a bit finincally, then I will rejoin.
I visited my doctor the this morning, and I should be able to start working out (at a slow pace) starting this week... so I will sign up for the nov challenge.
I wish all of you the best!!! Have a great november!
Brownsugar

Well November begins tomorrow, but I have been eating my JC meals since yesterday and working out.
October 30th (Day 1)
30 mins of TJ (high impact with hand weights)

i was happy that i met my october challenge so with the thoughts of thanksgiving lurking, i have actually upped my pledge for november to help motivate me. i have never been so close to goal before. i am thrilled to finally have pushed through my plateau. i want to thank all of you for your motivation. i may not always post, but i am always reading and everyone's success helps push me to do more. thanks again and i look forward to another exciting month. patti

happy november everyone. i got off to a good start this morning. i did 55 minutes on my bike. i am hopeful i will have time to do my dvd this evening when i get home from work so that will increase my activity on the day. it is harder than ever after last night. my kids cleaned up in the candy department and it is all over my house right now. i will have them sort through it and then put it out of sight. i am better off without even a taste, i tend to do worse with a little taste than just ignoring it completely. patti

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE
WELL I DIDN'T MEET MY GOAL FOR OCT. BUT I'LL BLAME IT ON FLYING DOWN TO FL. ON THE 30TH - I HAVE TO TAKE A PILL TO CALM ME AND IT SEEMS TO STAY IN MY SYSTEM MORE THAN 24 HRS. SO TODAY I FEEL PRETTY GOOD AND WILL START THE MONTH OFF RIGHT.

Hi everyone! This is my first month joining the challenge. I thought actually signing up would give me the incentive to start going to the gym again. I started walking a couple of weeks ago and feel great, so now I just need to keep it up!

Hi gang!
Welcome to all the new members joining us this month. If we keep doing this, it can only help for our weight loss goals.
If we keep exercising regularly, it helps our bodies function much better and it will help us reach our health goals
I am copying here a reply to Kathy (she talked about her headaches some more in the October thread yesterday) and since we're now talking on this November thread, I figured I should repost my reply here:
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quote:

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Originally posted by kathy.lee:
Trix,
Would love to see some of your jewellry...I have seen the beads at Michaels. Is that what you are working with?

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Hi Kathy, hi gang...
Kathy, I also find that if I don't drink enough water, I get headaches... have you perhaps slacked up a bit on your water lately?
If you have on-going headaches, DO get it checked by a doctor.
Do you wear glasses? If not, you may need an eye exam. Vision declining as we get older also causes headaches when we don't wear the proper strength of eyeware. I need to go get mine checked again. It's been 3 years and I do a lot of computer work, and the beading etc.
Keep us posted girl!
As for the jewelry, Michaels prices are high, even with my discount. I get the odd thing there, but it's cheaper for me to bring in the stuff from the States (by FedEx!) from a well-known supplier. Their prices are much cheaper and they have better quality beads and a much wider selection than Michaels. So even with shipping and duties, it's cheaper for me to import my supplies from the States, even with my 25% employee discount at Michaels.
Go figure!
Plus, Michaels doesn't carry a lot of gold filled and gold plated chains and findings, nor do they carry a lot of Sterling Silver stuff. They have a bit, but not Sterling Silver "wire" and no Gold filled "wire" for me to create some of my pieces... and they just carry a few little bits of chains. They have some nice beads, but they are EXTREMELY expensive (they put a huge markup on what they sell in their Canadian stores vs the same items being sold in their US stores - I see the US prices (they make us remove them before putting the stuff on the floor) and the pricing difference is incredible. I was quite surprised by that!
Here's a couple of pictures of 14k gold plated dangle bracelets that I made the other night (I have much more stuff, but I haven't had time to take pictures of them. I was waiting to receive the "backgrownds" to take proper pictures of my jewelry and then set the stuff up on my website.
This one is made with glass pearls and 14k gold plated chain, clasp, some gold beads too:

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I am committing right here, right now, to doing a short exercise session today. I have deadlines coming out of the wazoo right now, but I will do either 20 min. of Yoga or my Gaiam PM active stretch DVD to help me get rid of some tightness in my legs and neck and back from working at the computer so much and from beading (hunched over, I try to improve my posture but it's not easy, so it strains my upper back and neck).
I want to do a little bit of something every day that I am swamped, no matter what. And on days that I have less on my plate work-wise, I will do some LS walking videos (her workouts that are with and without weights) and some Kickboxing.
I need to put my health back in the picture on a DAILY basis for November. I've been neglecting myself and that isn't good.
So, let's do it gang!
Donate the Halloween candy, send it to school with the kids to share with friends and teachers

Oh, and PS:
I've updated my November pledge. I had pledged 10 hours and I've changed it to 12 hours now. I need to make this happen this month!
Later girls! xoxoxox

Hello Everyone, I trust everyone survived Halloween. I did eat too much candy, but my Husband packed it away today. I'm glad he did, now I'm not tempted. I went to the gym today and did 30 minutes on the elliptical and 40 minutes of weight training. Have a good month everyone. By the way, Trix, I really like the bottom bracelet.

Hi Girls,
Well I am off to a good start. I got in an hour of walking. Maybe I'll make it this month.
Karen

Hi all,
Trix, your jewelry is beautiful! You are so creative.
I haven't been around much in October (I think I only got in about 4 hours of exercise). I had to take it very easy as I was having my heart tested for arrythmia. Fortunately, the exhaustion and dizziness was caused by my persistent heart murmur, without an increase in the regurgitation. I'm slowly coming back to normal, but it is a terribly slow process. My murmur is not anything to be singularly concerned about, but as it turns out it is causing some secondary problems when I get stressed out and anxious (work has been terrible as a stressor lately). The "treatment" is to watch my caffeine and sugar. I'm down to about half the caffeine as usual (in about 3 days), and I still get tired in the evenings, but I am feeling so much better already. I've also replaced the coffee with about twice as much water. I'm still having problems with the sugar, however.
Trix, you gave FidDay a good recommendation. Is there an easy way that you know of to plan meals ahead of time to make sure the day is balanced nutritiously? I cannot afford the JC food for each meal per day, so I need to balance out the meals-on-my own. The problem is, I can choose the exchanges for a single meal, but they may not add up over time unless I take extra vitamins and minerals.
Thanks, everyone!
Best wishes,
Kim

Just posting for today 45 mins Basic Lo lead by a horrendous instructor in training. If I didn't need my cardio I'd have walked out on the class.

Hi everyone! October didn't go so well for me at all. Work and Vegas got the best of me, so it's time to get my butt in gear. I've pledged 15 hours for this month. I know work is going to get crazy again next week, but I've got to find a way to at least squeeze in a half hour a day if nothing else.
Let's have a great November everyone!!

Hi everyone,
Well the morning walking continues. One hour yesterday morning, then 30 minutes on the elliptical last night.
No walk this morning, our first snow storm(dusting). I'll have to exercise when I get home from work. Have a great day.
Debbie

Day 4 for me.
So far
10/30 - 30 min Turbo Jam (Fat Blaster)
10/31 - 30 min pull my baby on wagon to get candies
11/1 - 50 min Turbo Jam (Punch, Kick, Jam)
11/2 - 50 min Turbo Jam (Cardio Party Mix 3)
11/3 -

quote:

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Originally posted by coriolis:
Hi all,
Trix, your jewelry is beautiful! You are so creative.
I haven't been around much in October (I think I only got in about 4 hours of exercise). I had to take it very easy as I was having my heart tested for arrythmia. Fortunately, the exhaustion and dizziness was caused by my persistent heart murmur, without an increase in the regurgitation. I'm slowly coming back to normal, but it is a terribly slow process. My murmur is not anything to be singularly concerned about, but as it turns out it is causing some secondary problems when I get stressed out and anxious (work has been terrible as a stressor lately). The "treatment" is to watch my caffeine and sugar. I'm down to about half the caffeine as usual (in about 3 days), and I still get tired in the evenings, but I am feeling so much better already. I've also replaced the coffee with about twice as much water. I'm still having problems with the sugar, however.
Trix, you gave FidDay a good recommendation. Is there an easy way that you know of to plan meals ahead of time to make sure the day is balanced nutritiously? I cannot afford the JC food for each meal per day, so I need to balance out the meals-on-my own. The problem is, I can choose the exchanges for a single meal, but they may not add up over time unless I take extra vitamins and minerals.
Thanks, everyone!
Best wishes,
Kim

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Hi Kim, Hi gang!
Quick hi here, deadlines to meet today...
Thank you for girls the kind words on my jewellry, I really enjoy designing pieces
Kim, I'm glad your doctor has figured out what your problem was, and I'm glad to see you feeling better already. Try replacing the sugars with some splenda, if you can. You can bake with it like sugar, but it shouldn't affect you as much as sugar does - just keep the quantities small. Diabetics use it since it doesn't trigger the same body responses as sugar (insuline levels etc)... just a thought.
As for Fitday PC Version (the one that you pay for and download from the fitday website), yes, you can plan a day ahead, a week ahead, even a year ahead or more.
Just click the day that you want to plan for on the side calendar (if you are planning for any other day than the current day) and then you enter all your food for the day and you get your ratios automatically at the bottom of each column for each item you want to track (you can modify this, but you can track calories, fats, carbs, protein, fiber, etc).
The ratios also show up at the bottom of the page in a nice little pie chart, as well as written out with percentages on the side, etc. It's quite nice.
Hope this helps!
I'll be back later... have a SUPER DAY!

Another hour of cardio for me today.

Afternoon guys,
20 minutes elliptical and 30 minutes treadmill.
Have a great evening
Debbie

Hi all! Checking in for tonight. Did a 45 min Step 101 at the gym today with 406 calories burned, 35% from fat.

Hi everyone! Another hour of walking for me yesterday. Not sure if I'll get to it today as it will be a late night at work prepping for an offsite meeting next week, but I'll make up for it this weekend.

HI TRIX
YOUR JEWELRY IS BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE - WHERE ARE YOU SELLING IT? ARE YOU DOING THIS NOW INSTEAD OF TRANSLATING OR IS THIS JUST A HOBBY - NO WONDER YOU HAVE NO TIME FOR YOUR SELF.WELL GOTTA GO AND EXERCISE MAYBE THIS MONTH I'LL MAKE MY HRS.

Morning everyone,
One hour walk for me today.
Debbie

Hello everyone, I'm just checking in. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical today, and 40 minutes of weight training. I did feel something not right in my back today while I was doing leg presses. I think that I moved my body the wrong way trying to adjust myself. I'll need to take motrin and watch it. It feels fine right now. Let's hope it stays that way.

Hi everyone! You are all doing so well!!! Keep up the great work.
I was feeling much better today so I was able to take a moderate exercise break this evening. I started with a 30 minute moderate walk (probably close to 2.5 - 3.0 mph) to get a salad for lunch, and then 30 minutes of Turbo Jam (moderate pace for me) this evening.
I had no caffeine yesterday or today, well until I had some diet green tea which I am not sure if it is decaf or not. I immediately started to feel dizzy so I drank almost a liter of water and took a potassium supplement. Still, it's great to know that I can survive a day at work without the coffee I.V. and soda all day long. I actually feel much better today, clarity wise than I have been with the coffee. Live and learn, I guess.
Good luck everyone!
Best wishes,
Kim

Hi, everyone. I know I've been gone for a few months, but I'm back and in high gear. Haven't been using the computer as much as I did before we moved, so I'll partially blame that for my failure to return before now.
I bought a new elliptical and got it set up in my basement this week. I've used it every day since it has been put together (okay, that's all of 2 days, but it's a start, right?). I'm only able to do 10 minutes before I'm dying, but I will start going longer when I can. Thankfully, the new job has me walking 3-5 miles every day just to get where I need to go. I did end up gaining several pounds during the course of the move and the 6 weeks before I woke up and got myself back on track.
Anyhow, I'm signing up right now on the Yahoo group. Did I mention I'm happy to be back?

Hi everyone,
30 minute jog on the treadmill this morning.
Just got my new Cathe Freiderich cd's and I can't wait to try them. I've been waiting for months for them.
Have a great weekend.
Debbie

quote:

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Originally posted by NANA1:
HI TRIX
YOUR JEWELRY IS BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE - WHERE ARE YOU SELLING IT? ARE YOU DOING THIS NOW INSTEAD OF TRANSLATING OR IS THIS JUST A HOBBY - NO WONDER YOU HAVE NO TIME FOR YOUR SELF.WELL GOTTA GO AND EXERCISE MAYBE THIS MONTH I'LL MAKE MY HRS.

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Hi Nana!
Thank you for your kind words on my jewellry. I'm doing it as a way to supplement my translation income (the freelance translation work fluctuates too much - super busy or nothing for a few weeks, etc). So it keeps me busy and keeps the income more stable, since we have a house now, I need more stable income.
I'm setting up a website for selling my creations online. I'll let you all know when it's officially open
I know you can do your hours for this month. I need to work on that too. Let's do it together!

quote:

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Originally posted by coriolis:
... I had no caffeine yesterday or today, well until I had some diet green tea which I am not sure if it is decaf or not. I immediately started to feel dizzy so I drank almost a liter of water and took a potassium supplement. Still, it's great to know that I can survive a day at work without the coffee I.V. and soda all day long. I actually feel much better today, clarity wise than I have been with the coffee. Live and learn, I guess.
Good luck everyone!
Best wishes,
Kim

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Hi Kim,
To answer your question: Green Tea and Diet Green Tea has caffeine in it.
You can buy "Decaf" Green Tea and that's what you should be looking for since you have to cut back on caffeine.
All teas have cafeine in them - some even slightly more than Coffee itself (yup!), unless we buy the "Decaf" version.
I buy Decaf Earl Gray and it's lovely
I also have the odd Decaf coffee (once a month or so with some fat-free hazelnut creamer and some splenda)... delicous
Gotta work tonight at the store, so I better get on with my day!
Keep up the terrific work everybody!
I've only done 1 mile LS walk (moderate pace) so far. I'm going to do one of her walking tapes right now, then hit the shower.

Checking in for today. Battling through yet another class that on paper scared the bejeebus out of me, I did a 1h Step II Challenge class. Great class, not as scary as I thought it would be, burned 600 cals, 25% from fat.

Hi everyone,
Well I didn't really get to a great start for the month-only managed to get to the gym once last week and that didn't count because it was still October
Ohh well it's Sunday now and the start of a new week...The Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday(huge horse race)and we have a long weekend but I am planning to get to the gym at least 4 times so hopefully I will find my mojo again!!!!
Bye for now
Belinda

Hi everyone,
30 minute run on the treadmill this morning.
Debbie

hi all. yesterday i had a friends bat mitzvah to attend. so i woke up extra early and did my bike. i wound up doing over an hour!!!! i was going to do my dvd, but i did the denise austin instead, just 30 minutes. i wanted to make sure i did plenty of exercise in case of over eating. i actually ate pretty well, i did have 3 glasses of wine though. it was a lot of fun. i wound up dancing all night long. i can't believe how much of a workout that was. my legs are SO sore today. i actually thought i was in pretty good shape, boy was i wrong!!!

Hi everyone. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. I did actually get an hour of walking in on Friday...turns out someone in the NY office gets to put the binders together, so I got to leave on time!
.
Today I actually went to the gym for the first time since March. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the elliptical. I was very psyched that my knee didn't hurt while I was on the elliptical. (When I last tried it back in February my knee just ached and ached). Getting rid of 20 lbs definitely helped!

quote:

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Originally posted by Andrea N:
Hi everyone. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. I did actually get an hour of walking in on Friday...turns out someone in the NY office gets to put the binders together, so I got to leave on time!
.
Today I actually went to the gym for the first time since March. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the elliptical. I was very psyched that my knee didn't hurt while I was on the elliptical. (When I last tried it back in February my knee just ached and ached). Getting rid of 20 lbs definitely helped!

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Good afternoon gang!
Andrea - you are so right... Getting rid of 20 lbs DEFINITELY HELPS!!!! Our legs and feet have to support our weight, and of course, the more we weight, the harder it is on the joints in our legs and feet.
I'm so happy for you girl! Not having the pain will help you keep on moving - Great job!
Yesterday I got pretty busy and got a 40 min. cardio walk done, but I miss doing my videos. I feel like working out now but I just ate brunch, and so I'm too full. I'll aim to get something done before dinner when my stomach is more empty
Yesterday I did some hard-wire (Sterling Silver & Gold filled wire) bracelets before heading out to work at the store for the evening:

The gold one is made with round gold filled wire and twisted round wire (gold filled wire is better than gold plated wire or chain, the gold is all inside the wire... more expensive, but more durable too). The bead is a neat glass bead that I had and I wanted to do something special with it. I have added some faceted Celestial crystals in amber color as well as some gold-plated stardust beads.
I feel like Jammin' today - I'll get out my Turbo Jam and do some before dinner. The music always puts me in the mood for a workout
Enjoy the rest of the day!

Trix - another gorgeous set of art! You are so creative.
I got in a couple of walks this weekend (got to thank the beautiful Colorado weather for that). I also got in another short Turbo Jam workout and abs workout today. I'm feeling much better! Anyways, my monthly total is up to 3 hours now. I don't think I got 3 hours in the entire month of October!!!
Have a great Sunday evening, everyone!
Kim

Hi everyone! I finally found the time and motivation to get in some exercise today.
48 min - L.S. 2-mile Brisk Walk including the yoga session at the end.

Hello everyone, Today is my weigh in day. Wish me luck. I went to the gym on Saturday and did an hour of cardio. I took yesterday off. I actually did a little Christmas shopping at the mall yesterday. Today, it's back to the grind.
I'll check in later. Take care.

Good morning (afternoon!) gang
I need to hit the shower, so just popping in here to say that I just finished Turbo Jam Cardio Party 3 (45 min.)...
I didn't jam yesterday before dinner. I got sidetracked and then it was way past dinner time and the family was waiting for me to make dinner and eat, so I got mad at myself and told myself that if I passed on 20 min. jammin' yesterday, I had to bite the bullet and do 45 min. today to make up for it.
Since I hadn't worked out all that much since mid-September, I was a bit leery about being able to last through 45 min. of TJ, but I toned it down when I needed to, and there were times where I wanted to push STOP, but then I'd get a 2nd wind. I sooooo totally get out of shape fast on the cardio side, it's unreal. My allergies aren't helping (dust - been so busy, the dusting hasn't been done and my allergies are flaring up - took an allergy pill this morning so that I'd be able to breathe during TJ).
I got it done, now shower, then dusting and cleaning, then work at the store this evening.
But I'm glad I put myself on the list of things to do today instead of letting everything else come first. I haven't found my "mojo" back but it will come... thanks to all of you being here, I know it will come.
Have a SUPER day!

Hello all, It has been awhile...
The headaches have not abated...the doctor felt it was sinus infection, so I am on antibiotics. However, she wanted to see me back if the headache did not go away within the next couple of days. This is day 10 with a terrible headache, so I guess I should get back in to the clinic to see the doctor. The worst thing is, I cannot do any exercise, and I am missing it terribly (you know how addicting it can get) I tried over the weekend, thought I could handle some light stuff, just walking and yoga, big mistake. I feel like my head will explode if I move it the wrong way. I did next to nothing all weekend, still feel crappy today, but work carries on. We all know how that is. Thanks for all the suggestions, I know my eyesight is changing as I get older. I need bifocals, but am one of the few who cannot adjust to them (I have tried numerous times). Most people have to put on glasses to read, I have to take mine off so I can see the print! My water intake is stable, no changes on that front... If I stay very still, with no head movement, it is not bad...however....with six kids in my home for day care, that is next to impossible. Actually, they have been terrific....they seem to sense that I am not feeling the best, so are quite content to just play amongst themselves with not too much fighting.
Trix, your work is absolutely splendid! I especially like the silver bracelet. Please let us know when you are up and running with your website. Oh to be so talented. I am glad there are people like you, so that we can enjoy the things that you do! But where do you find the time? I love jewellry, and lots of variety for however I feel at the time. Keep posting your pictures of what you are making!
It is great to see you all keeping up with the exercise. Hopefully before too long I will be back at it. I find that is sure helping with the maintenance, since sometimes the eating is challanging.

Hi everyone,
First Kathy, I hope you feel better soon. It's awful when pain takes over your life. I've been there this year with my back. FINALLY feeling like myself. Good luck to you.
I walked 1 hour this morning.
I missed Kirstie on Oprah but the link was posted and I got to see it. Wow, she looks great.
Have a great evening, off to obedience class.
Debbie

Hey Trix!
Great job on the 45 min of TJ! I still can't get past 20 minutes, lol. I hear what you're saying about losing cardio fitness quickly. I haven't been working out steady in several weeks now (due to working rediculous amounts of hours) and I really notice the difference when I finally get around to it. I was getting worn out after 30 min of Leslie yesterday! It just goes to show how important it is to keep up that routine.

Hi girls
It's past midnight, so I better hit the sack, but I wanted to see how everybody's day went.
Kathy -- Have you had your blood pressure checked? I have low blood pressure as a "norm" but sometimes when it goes to the normal level (90-120) for people (which, for me, is high... I'm usually at around 70-90), I get terrible headaches, because my blood pressure has risen.
I used to get such nasty headaches, migraines more like... I would take my hands and apply pressure on my skull on both sides of my head to sort of push back my head in to relieve the pressure and that felt good temporarily (keeping the pressure on my head) but obviously, that wasn't going to get rid of the problem.
Have you perhaps, inceased your salt intake to a point where it's affecting your bloodpressure (since you are eating on your own)?
Just a thought - I know that for me, when I go to the doctors office and they say "your pressure is normal at 90-120", I go... uh-uh... it's high for me. They do have records that go back awhile, so the nurses see that indeed, my normal pressure is always "low" on the scale and then if it comes up to regular levels, that's high for me = headaches.
You should definitely go back to the clinic. I sometimes get really aweful headaches when the lining inside my sinuses is "raw" from cold dry air.
My sinuses are empty, not clogged up, and the air that goes in there burns and hurts inside like crazy. My doctor had x-rays done many years ago and found the problem of my constant migraine-headaches, the lining of the sinus cavities was raw and swelling up. Now, this is hard to see on x-rays, you need a really good technician to see it.
The cure? Saline Spray (over the counter stuff at all pharmacies and grocery stores that have a pharma-section). I'm not going to lie, it hurts the first few times that you spray that salty mist in there (get ready with a cold facecloth and sit down cuz it hurts and you're gonna cry... I know I do), but then after a few times, the membranes inside the sinus cavities come back to normal and you keep using the spray every day. It works like a charm and the headaches go away, your sinuses are "hydrated" and not so raw, and it really gets rid of headaches.
I combine that with some Tylenol Sinus (daytime), my husband too, and we're both much better for it. I take the Tylenols Sinus when a headache pops up as I don't spray regularly, but it definitely helps to keep the headaches away if you keep the saline spray regiment up on a daily basis.
I hope this can help you out. I tried this from a friend who had similar headaches, sinus problems and she swore by it. My pharmacist confirmed that a lot of people use this method (saline spray). It's cheap and it really works well.
Last Time -- Girl, I felt so tired this afternoon after the 45 min. Turbo Jam, I layed down for a rest before heading out to work this evening. It wasn't very busy (thankfully), but now I need to go to bed. I'm tired... I knew it would be a hard TJ session to get through. I'm glad I did it, but I really ran out of steam quick (never mind the breathe! I ran out in the warmup!!!)
Kathy - Thank you for the compliments on the bracelets. I don't want to keep posting pictures here, cuz it's not a venu made for this, but I wanted to share a bit of what I enjoy doing.
I'll definitely let you all know when my jewellery site is up and open to the public. But first, my girlfriend is going to take all my stuff to her workplace downtown to sell for people to do their christmas shopping, gifts, etc... and then to her daughters' dance studio (she passed around an email with some pictures of what I have done and people want to see the stuff in person and if they like it, they will buy it on the spot. A lot of people are interested, so I'm very happy about that.
I'll then put on my site what hasn't sold right off the bat, and then re-make some of the most popular items up again.
Each piece is one of a kind, but I can receate such things as the silver braclet that you like (Kathy) with a different or fairly similar stone in the center focal point. It's nice to wear a piece of jewellery that you know there's only one of in the entire world just like that... so I do not want to make the exact same piece twice.
But if you are interested in that particular one (the sterling silver bracelet with the Celestial Clear Facetted large round bead), I can keep it aside for you if you'd like.
Just send me a PM with your wrist size so that I can make sure it would fit you, and I can give you a price on it. I have to calculate my pricing on that piece and the gold bracelet. I had to go to work after I finished them, and then I didn't get my cost sheets out to figure out the pricing, so I need to do that.
I haven't figured out my cost on all my pieces, including those two. I've just been too busy. I do have to figure it out anyway, so that my girlfriend can take them in
Keep up the great work everybody!
Kathy, I hope we can find a solution to your headaches. Exercising with head problems isn't good nor nice. The pain would be awful, but I feel for you. It's not fun being on the sideline. Just remember that we are here for you and come here every day to post, even just to say "hi" if you cannot do anything else. Let us know what the doctors say, ok?
Big hugs to you and the rest of the crew!

Thanks Trix and all for the encouragement.
It is so nice to have you all "there" for me. I went back to the clinic last night after parent-teacher conferences at the high school. I saw a different dr. from last week. He seems to think that they might be tension headaches (I did not think that they could last that long). As a past migraine sufferer, I know the ins and outs of head pain. But I have been head ache free for the past 4 or 5 years (bonus point for menopause) So he (the doc) thought that a sinus infection likely exagerated the tension head ache. So he gave me a bunch of exercises to work on the neck and head- and said to get back to the exercise once I felt better. And he suggested head (I had been using ice packs) So I went to bed with a heat bag, and felt somewhat better this am. So I did a 1 mi LS walk, not strenuous, but I feel better for it! And I did the neck exercises in the shower like suggested.
I guess it will just take time. (the blood pressure is good, Trix- the first doctor was quite surprized- but that is what dropping 75 lbs does for you. She wanted to know my tricks- I told her JC and lots of support and fitness advice from all of you! And of course, getting on track with the exercise.
Have a good day everyone.
thanks again for the support. Just having you all here makes it easier to get thru this. I just hate not feeling good.
Kathy

Checking in for the first time this month, 6 hrs 20 mintues and heading to the gym tonight!
Good luck to everyone with their goals and entering the "Holiday" season of food! We can go this!!!