No...*expecting to be smited with a divine thunder-bolt* Except for running around the house which hardly qualifies...*sigh*

How are you feeling these days? I KNOW you exercise...

Actually made it back to the gym today. Light work out on bikes and treadmill only. Will try and build up again slowly. Husband feeling good - did 10 minutes jogging for the first time. Arghhhh

Yeah!! Maggie!! I've been taking that cycling class on Tuesdays and Thursdays but it kicked my A** last Thursday. Walking everyday and then biking and rollerblading in the interim. Actually my exertion has slowed lots... still keeping the heart rate under 140 and the temperature low. Lots of napping...surprised I haven't put on ten pounds already!

You need the naps! Now this morning I'm ready to go to the gym - and he's still sleeping!!!! Oh well! Maybe I'll persuade him to go swimming instead. Had wheezing attack out yesterday, so bad had to use inhaler, so I need to take exertion carefully.

walk around the park again yesterday... and what a blustery day! Today is still windy, not as severe but colder too. Careful Maggie! Listen to your body!

Keep bundled up - you do not need bronchitis right now, Stacey! *Hugs* Fresh mountain air is great, though! Can't over do on that stuff!

yeah, keep well, Stacey. You definitely do not want what I've had. Only exercise today has been humping things around as we continue to sort out things.

I'm really getting in to some serious swimming now, yesterday was the real first day of swim season. The water temp's up to about 74 now. I'm doing a lot of underwater laps.

Is that in the sea or a bath? I'm impressed - I've never been able to swim much underwater, I get too panicky. What strokes are you using?

I'm a huge backstroker. I swim in my backyard pool, it's 35' long, so I can do laps. I do a lot of underwater laps as well. And I use fins, I hear they give you more of a workout. The water was up to 74 yesterday, I said that. No real sea to speak of around Austin, just the Hill country lakes.

You inspired me to go today. Missed out on the gym this morning, so went swimming instead.

Great Maggie, I'm going for a dip in a bit myself.

anyone know where to get a two piece maternity suit?? I've seen some (UGLY) one pieces but no two piece ones.

Mothercare are usually pretty good in the UK. Don't know if they mail order to US. Might be worth a search. My gym/swim card only gives us access 6.30am - 5pm monday to friday. So I always lose momentum over the weekend. The pool at my gym is very small for a public bath, probably about the same size as yours Terry. It is lovely and warm though which scores highly for me above the other public bath which is huge, but cold.

Stace, thinking about it, your tummy is gonna itch anyway from stretching to accommodate the scion of the Tinianov clan, and sunburn would not be a good thing to chance. I, who have no stretch marks, but has sisters who have know you don't want to risk burning that tender stretched skin. I have seen adaptations of bikinis (gross - they cover just about nothing) and prim dressmaker-style suits. I was pregnant during the winter. Did not have to deal with it!

I have seen nice two pieces (that cover the bump Marcia, not like a bikini at all) but here one piece seems all the rage. I even braved going into mothercare for you Stacey (my kids disowned me!) and sorry, only one-piece.

When your belly button becomes an outie and your figure looks like a reflection in a really bizarre mirror in the fun house, you might have problems fitting into anything Omar-the-tentmaker did not make! Are you still planning to be in Hawaii in October? I was asked if it was not uncomfortable, but with long legs and arms, it was not a problem and nothing hurt or itched. Guess I was lucky. But, I never had a swim suit...was pregnant from September through the middle of May - carefully planned that way.

Did a good workout on Monday and a jog/walk round the park too. but then got pulled off to go ten pin bowling and whacked myself out for the next couple of days. Still aching. Managed half hour workout today now muscles are a little easier. Just bicycling,treadmill, light weights and stretches. Feel tired, but OK. May go swimming later.

Same here, I'm going swimming later, when it heats up.

Didn't get there the shopping took too long *sigh* Have a nice swim!!!

Saturday had a good, though difficult 25 mile ride. Sunday rested. Monday & Tuesday rode 6 miles each day. Weds ran 2 miles (not smart). today rest... tomorrow i'll probably lift.

WoW!! Must be negative % fat on you...!

oh no... i'm carrying about 10 extra lbs of the 'jiggly' variety. By mid summer I should be down to 130 (or less) with a greatly reduced % body fat ;-). There was a time in my life when I was measured at 10.2 % but it was long ago and doubtful to be repeated.

Is such low body fat desirable as we (not you) get older? Nuthin to fall back on if we catch the flu or have a prolonged recouperation? The is little on me to pinch inch-wise, but in the places meant to be pinched there is just enough. I think I'll leave well enough alone!

I'm stillstruggling with body image let alone body fat!. never could keep above 98lbs until the last ten years and CFS. But you've heard it all before ... I'm still in the process of changing fat for muscle. It's been a struggle, but I am determined to be fit for Africa (eta mid-October). Even on my worst days now I am doing miles better than I did last November when I started training, so I take heart. Hope to go swimming later today. Moving furniture around should also burn off some calories! Back onto high protein, low(ish) carbohydrate diet. It does seem to make a difference to me.

I hope to go swimming later also, I'm trying to get my friends interested in a poolside barbecue.

MMm sounds nice - can I come? (virtually of course!) House male took too long reassembling a wardrobe (don't ask!) so I missed out again. Will go for a walk around the village instead - it takes about 20 mins and has two nasty hills. We're off to the seaside on Sunday for three days, maybe I'll go paddling! (seriously I'll take my swimming costume and try and find a pool)

Of course you can come. Maybe I'll beam the webcam out at the pool!

Trying to imagine what a swimming costume looks like...long sleeves, pantaloons and dust bonnet?! Oooooo! Terry! Do that and you will make a new site for Drool (sitting here with nose pressed against the monitor again...)

*giggle* Sorry, dear, swimming costume is what WE call it!!! Never thought it might sound odd. I suppose i could have sed swim suit or cozzie. Actually i have two at the moment, one is strapless and black with silver, with a matching flimsy wrap-round, and the other more traditional and blue swirly. What on earth do YOU call it!!!!? (yes, i knew you were joking) What time do you want us Terry? Do I bring a bottle?

bathing suit or swim suit

Might want to know what sort of beast will be on the BBQ unless this is gonna be a all-veggie one, in which case the whiter the better, I'll bet.

drool! I'm happy either way.

Feel good - did go for that walk round the village and i didn't puff once either!!! Should try and make it a daily event. I still have the ambition to jog it when my daughter comes home ... (she's the runner of the family)

No dogs to nip at your heels, or worse? That is what is so off-putting here!

Very few stray dogs around here. Haven't seen any for ages, thank goodness. I'm scared of dogs I don't know!

hey spring-ers! did 22.5 miles on the bike before work in a record breaking 1:43. Sunday rode 21 miles. the plan is to ride 20-25 again weds and fri then shoot for 40 on sat or sun. Gotta get the mileage up there. only 5 weeks until my first century ( 100+ miles in 1 day). my butt, she is sore...

Wow!!! I AM impressed! Get your butt a gel seat - or does that not help in these extremely long rides?

What does that work out to in avg mph? 13 mph? I think you need to get this up to about 20 mph don't you (this is an uneducated opinion, I don't know whta kind of course you're on).

gena... have a blast with the century... my first was out of Austin and ended up at a brewery! Talk about incentive!

i'm not worrying to much about speed. right now it's endurance and muscle memory i'm trying to get back. but yes, you're right... the avg speed right now is about 13 mph. the rides (both the June ride and the Sept AIDSRide) are not races. You get no prize for finishing first... you do, however, get a motorcysle escort if you are last ;-) i think as i get more in shape the speed will come up.

Back to pounding round the village today I think and into the gym on monday. The scales MUST be lying!

Need some keep going vibes please! The going was tough at the gym yesterday, only managed half an hour. Today's jaunt was aborted due to a flat tyre. Give me energy!!!

ENERGY Sorry Maggie I've been scarce... my routine is pretty messed up too. Perhaps I need to log in more frequently and some of your good energy too!

Stace! Been worried about you!

Wow, Stacey, glad you're checking in! I've been thinking about you too.

Hi Stace, been sending nice thoughts and prayers your way!!! Gotta get up and dressed now and try again at gym. I hate it when it gets busy (like it was bank holiday monday). At least the view over the river is nice.

Well, managed an hour's workout yesterday, felt really good on the treadmill and did 25 mins, plus elliptical trainer and full weights programme. Downside is I crashed badly in the evening, really zombied out and weepy. Took a very gentle half hour this morning just bike and treadmill, legs very heavy, still feel wiped out. That's the problem, I never know I've over done it until I have!!! I felt so good yesterday morning, but then wham!

Oh Maggie... I've been there (zombied out and weepy)... in fact, been there very recently. I walked yesterday.

Stace, look at my poem in poetry 2. Still very achy. But did a ramble up and down hill with daughter and boyfriend last night which was very pleasant but my legs felt like jelly afterwards. Didn't go to the gym today, deided to err on the cautious. HUG

End of another week. Exercize wise it's been a good one. Got to the gym three times and did full workouts twice. Third time pulled out because house male looked grey and tired on the weights and I got scared and pulled him off (he will NOT give in ... what do I do???). No swimming, too many school parties using the pool. Have gone for distance rather than variety this week. Managed 10K biking and felt good afterwards, and can cope with elliptical trainer again although I'm only doing 5 minutes before my knees go. Not feeling anywhere near as achey this week. This is sounding more and more like maggie's diary - come and join me someone please!!!

What's an elliptical trainer?

Well, that's what Stacey called it. My gym calls it a cross trainer. You stand at it and it has sort of flat things where your feet go which move in an elliptical manner (circular) smoothly either forward or backwards, and it has poles which you move forward and back at the same time. Sort of whole body work out. I find it really tough on my knees, the muscle just above the knee really aches. It may be because i am quite short.

Back in the gym today, taking it easy because I had a fall on Saturday. Just bike and treadmill and stretches.

a fall?? Are you okay? I rode my bike into work this morning. Feeling better! Brandon and I went garage sale-ing Saturday on bicycles!

Good news! Yeah, I'm OK just hurt where I sit on.

Breathing out for Stacey!! Yes!!! I guess if we tell Maggie to stand in the corner it would be a relief?! Ever try sitting on an ice bag??!

Ha Ha funny not!

*ouch* Maggie! Yep, feeling better. I wrote my final entry in the Pregnancy Today diary. Smiling more often and thinking about the future. May skate today but the Pine Junction wildfire is making the air heavy and ashy.

*smile* *HUG* Stacey Took the option for a lie in this morning - will do better tomorrow. Bruising is easing up a bit now.

Good news on the bun front.....

Now, if I can get the house male to stop snoring and move we'll go to the gym. He looks so peaceful I hesitate to wake him!!!

50 miles on Sunday... and uh-huh! my butt was so sore! gotta get a new saddle. hit the gym Monday morning for some lifting. rested on Tuesday. will do 20 tonight after work (it's raining this morning), lift Wednesday, ride Thursday (20 again, REST Friday then on Saturday I go 60. 50 was really hard. i got fatigued, then on a hill I twanged my groin muscle (that'll make you scream) so the last 10 miles of the 50 was excruciating. one of my riding partners actually grabbed the back of my jersey and towed me and my bike up the last hill after i couldn't get my leg to work right. am fine now... an icebag on the offending muscle (ye-ouch) and a few anti-inflammatories and all is well.

Yep, maybe you need one of those gel seats. Saturday's going to be a real test for you, what's the route like that you'll be riding for those 60 miles? Are you drinking a lot of liquids?

did ya wake him Maggie?? Sounds like a fun time you've got planned gena, enjoy the riding! Paul... did you get a bike?? I rode in to work again today. Great way to start the day. The wildfires around here are still going but the wind has shifted enough that there are no more ashes falling on our heads here in Littleton. Woke to a camping smell though... just like a campfire. Very sad.

That sounds really horrible, Stacey. I had not heard .. No, I let him sleep. he's been working hard moving things around and in the garden, and I've pulled him off the gym twice in recent week because he looked so grey (he has a long standing heart problem). As usual, it's try again tomorrow .... Go for it Gena! i can't imagine 50. I've managed up to 15K so far on staionary bike. It's too hilly here to do much outdoor riding. (Yeah, I know I'm a chicken!)

Wondered about you and that fire... This for Terry: The AquaBike Now you have an excuse to put in a swimming pool! The AquaBike is an exercise bike that you submerge in a swimming pool. It has non-skid feet so it will not damage your pool floor. The bike is thoughtfully constructed out of waterproof materials so it is guaranteed not to rust. Bikes like these are used at fancy spas all over the world. You will just have to use your watch for timing since it's hard to put electronics on something that is submerged in water. The bike works in two to five feet of water.

What's the url for this?

oops, sorry. Here it is: Truck delivery is required. The AquaBike retails as item number 4007 for $795 from Frontgate. They can be reached at (800) 626-6488 or on the web at http://www.frontgate.com.

Cool bike, too bad you can't actually ride it places underwater. I checked out the url. $8 bills is kind of pricey, you could rust out a few regular stationary bikes for the same price. But not a bad idea. There's a 14 foot pool/spa that uses "waves" to swim against if you're cramped for space.

I was thinking the same thing....an idea posting mostly, I thought you could use the idea somehow.

Bad morning at the gym again, managed 1000m rowing but not much else. Groin injury really aching as the bruising comes out. Decided enough was enough.

Ah feel yer pain, Maggie.

Somehow that does not feel reassuring in that particular accent...*smirk*

thankya verrrrrry much (elvis style???)

Somehow that does not feel reassuring in that particular accent...*smirk*

double post courtesy of Yapp......

interrrresting!

Must be a busy day on Spring. It usually does not happen unless there are lots of posts being processed. which makes me wonder why, if they are working on overload, they are increasing the load by duplicating some of them.

tried whitewater rafting yesterday! what a rush, definitely qualifies as a back/shoulder workout!

What River Stace? How far did you go? Any overturns?

Wow! always wanted to try that! Was it scarey???

I went white water rafting on a portion of the American River in the Sierras of California. Not only was it fun, it really bonded our group as friends, I remember David Katz, Karen Katz, Jay Baldwin and his friend Kathleen were my expert group of rafters (esp Jay and Kathl, they started on of the rafting organizations). It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Went down the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge! Check out the trip here All class III and IV with a couple IV+. VERY FUN! Wasn't scary once we were going... I was good and nervous beforehand though! No one swam! YEAH!

I am SO jealous!!!! Not a chance in Mali I think, the river Niger is too large, slow and lazy. I'm going to have a real challenge trying to keep my fitness up. I need to start planning that now I think. Anything equipment I take will need to be lightweight. I wondered about a really good skipping rope. any ideas?

Back in the gym early this morning, but only because SO was lecturing. So only a short workout, but at least we went. Anyone come up with ideas for a program to diffuse computer stress??? I need some things to do in a confined space that will get my circulation back going again!! Better posture might help, so might getting out of the house more (....don't mind me, I'm goofy after an early morning and not much sleep)

Maggie, if I were to give you any advice here, I'd have to be sure to take it too! Lots of computer stress for me so I've taken to riding my bike to work 3x a week. Helping a little but my posture has really been slouchy lately. Which of course, leads to a general state of "blahness" Jump rope... great idea! I'd get a synthetic one, maybe nylon for durability and lightweight. Calasthenics are a good way to go when you're stuck out of your element, or quick jogs in safe areas. When do you leave??

I ended up with lots of upper back pain because I slouch too much. After suffereing for 6 years, I figured out that if I hold my arms up over my head and stretch upwards for a minute or so a day, sometimes holding my hands together, it goes away completely. :)

Thanks Ann, I'll give it a try! I'm fed up of aching!

Has anyone tried Pilates? I've got a video, which I could take with me to use as the group house has a recorder (takes US/UK videos). Is Callisthenics similar to Pilates? The exercises on the video seem very similar to the ones we used when I was ballet dancing (many years ago now). Stacey, do you know if there is much correlation between price and useablity of ropes? I've seen them priced up to �18. It seems to me that the really light ones are very frustrating to use. The streets around the 'Center' are really physically too bad to jog in, if you can avoid the raw sewage streams and stuff. We did brisk walking last time and the Center is four stories so there's loads of stairs to run up and down too. At least this time I can manage the stairs - when we went last year I was still pulling myself up hand over hand using the hand rail. So I've actually come a long way since November when I started at the gym and I'm obviously a lot stronger now. I just dread losing it all and going backwards again. I'm back in the gym at least 3 times a week now. I seem to be over the yukky bugs that really pulled me down, but am still aching from CFS. I keep putting off my next re-programme which is long overdue now as I'm still not managing my full progamme regularly yet. I leave mid-October for 6 months this trip.

hi gang! well the Ptown ride went well. i did 60 of the 128 miles then woked the SAG stops with some NY friends. i felt pretty good. this week i'll drop back to 50 on saturday then pop 65-70 next weekend. got to try out a few seats too. got home and went to http://www.koobi.com and ordered the KOOBI SI. Lovely seat... and it doesn't press on 'grrlie parts'. it arrived with the UPS man last night.

Is it a "gel" type seat?

Managed a full workout again yesterday, including forwards and backwards on the elliptical cross trainer and a few minutes jogging. Ache very badly today though and still not totally over the fall I had, the coccyx region is still sore and exacerbated by sitting at the computer! I can manage 3K in 5 mins on the bike now, at level 4, so am improving all the time.

Went swimming yesterday and got my portable basketball backboard up by the pool, so I did a shootaround.

hi. sorry for the absence. lots of changes around my house. the KOOBI seat is not a 'gel' type, it's a 'split' type. am loving it! after my long rides my butt is the one place i'm not sore anymore ;-) i got a new job... resigned from Siemens and will start with Biogen tomorrow. they 'showed me the money'...

So went in to the interview and said "Show me da money!". And they did. So that sounds like a biotech company right? Oh yeah, congratulations!

hi gang! Maggie... how ya doing with the working out?? I've been in a funk... in and out I suppose. Went running yesterday for the first time in ages (since the 20K)... I may make a trip to the 24 hour gym late tonight for some weight work. Surprisingly enough, my weight hasn't fluctuated. If you all remember, I was supposed to be putting on some body fat as recommended by an OB... I FEEL fat but the extra doesn't show.

Great you're back! I've been doing a lot of construction work, and getting out in the heat a lot. No structured workouts though. The work is getting me more in the mood to workout.

Back from holiday. I'm up and dressed and we'll be off to the gym in a minute. I'm going to take it real easy there today as I haven't done much for a few weeks.