ATP..WEEK OF 3/8

Julia, how'd the run go over weekend

Sal..are you now totally inspired and motivated

Larry..developing any good recliner workouts

Melodi..I miss your messages..were are you.

Karen..speak to us!

Buff..how's our warrior doing?

Me? Week 2 of C5 and I'm ready for it. Nice rest yesterday. Lot's of good but healthy food.

Go for it everyone! And have a great start to a great week!

Larry - nada, zip, - hope you are feeling well today.

Sal - I checked out the pic - you look great - not sickly like some of the competitors - you are glowing!! I am so proud of you.

Jules - Hey - I have been thinking of you a lot lately - trying to get it together with mom here and getting workouts in, cello practice.

I missed workouts for Sat. & Sunday - I did cardio Friday night and then went to moms.... but we learn from our mistakes - if I had been more diligent and planned better, I could have gotten everything in.

take care all - as Jules would say "CRUSH IT"

Bettie

Bettie-I know you are crushing it!! I have too much on my plate right now and it's hard to get it all done.

I'm going to go check out Sal's pictures.

At work it is getting crazy - we have been a tight knit group - and (there are 5 commissioned inside reps here, including me) one gave her notice last week, today another (we've been working together 22 years) gave her notice!! They both say the job is too much stress....

thanks for listening peeps!

Bettie

Also it would not be quitting, as long as you pick up something else in it's place.

Julia, I agree with Bettie, sounds like you are listening to your body. Walls have to be paid attention to. Of course it's important to sense when to challenge the wall, and when to back off. Get some rest. I am confident you will have at it shortly with a vengeance. Really sorry to hear about the work. Maybe another reason to go a routine that you can maintain so you can deal with the stress.

Jeff-I think you are good at body sensing and knowing what works the best for your body.

I think it is great that we all push ourselves and the fact that we workout at all and walk and run and bike etc--puts us way ahead of most people in our society and way ahead of those in our age group! I am not a huge fan of hundreds of reps---if that is what p90 is about---I like the concept of lift heavy--well not so heavy you injure yourself---but you know what I mean--and take at least one set to failure--be effiecient --get in and out and done --no thanks to hi-reps.

Jules --you more than deserve a break! What you have done in the last 2 years is nothing short of incredible--again smart to back down --don't quit--just find the balance.

Bettie--Sorry about work---I empathize-my work is so much more stressful also--must be universal--everyone wants more from us for less and I had hoped by this age to be cruising a little more.

Jeff---Thanks for starting us off this week! Goodluck with week 2

Hey--Larry, Buff, Karen, Mel, Donna--and the ever elusive Big Cat if he ever comes around again--and Kerry shemale--and Kerry he-male my ab role model!

Okay---less than 2 weeks to go--I have truly crossed a line-- I actually like my plain old food now and feel like I could keep doing this for a lot longer if I needed to! Scary--but our tastes adjust I guess.

I am down to 104 pounds now and wondering if I will finsih under 100--that is scary--I would like to stay b/t 104-108 after this is all over....and that will be my next challenge---there is great danger of ballooning up and bingeing after a comp--so I will need you all to keep me accountabel--V1--many of you know here from here---has given me lots of good advice--and suggested I have a meal plan prepared for the week after comp---and I think that will be key --will have some things I have been wanting---but try to keep to the regular BFL program--and will use the EFL cookbook--and sugary treats will need to be relegated to free day--1 a week--just like I used to do.

Off to work---meet with Joey tomorrow--for posing and final diet changes.

Love you all!!!!!!

Sudden Sal

Determined Jeff, you fitness powerhouse,glad to see you are doing what works for you. Keep standing warrior strong and enjoy the challenge.

Precious Bettie, prior planning does make all the difference. It is one of those necessary pain in the rear, but it does help get the job done, look at is a weapon in your fitness tool box.

Powerful Julia you have indeed been kicking it, there is no shame in taking a breather every now and then.

Sizzlin' Sal, keep working it you are making us all proud. Becoming the rebound queen is simply not allowed. Don't worry I have duct tape if you go over your caloric limits after the competition. Over consumption is banned.

Me, I just finished by first race on Sunday, it was wild, the best part was getting to share the love with a bunch of runners. I have an entire week with no training.This body needs some rest.

Okay everyone be good to yourself, feel the love and focus on your dreams. focus, focus, focus

And you are right, this is really quite a team. We start to forget the level that we function at. What is normal for us is exceptional for so many around us.

Buff, I'm amazed to hear you actually will take some time off. Please enjoy the rest and come back ready for more

Bettie, what plans are you coming up for your workouts? I guess it's probably real clear to you by now that you can't make a wrong decision as long as you decide on something.

Larry, how goes recovery today? Working those upper arms and tri's

There are so many people who pass through here, but we have a very strong, dedicated and determined core. What a help that is.

This is a post from Guest Book about my workout yesterday.

Yesterday’s workout was a push for me. A very long, hard physical day and LBWO still needed to be done. It was almost 6PM and I was thinking maybe I’ll just skip it.

Thought about the long term consequences of dropping workouts. I’m prepping for the next 20 years of my life, so big picture is what matters.

I knew I would be out of sync with myself if I passed on the workout. And I knew the pressures of the day, and weariness of my body would continue to bother me the rest of the evening.

Decided I was going to do the workout. Once the decision was made, I knew I would do the workout.

The workout went fine. But even more important, as I sat relaxing and unwinding later in the evening, I felt great physically and mentally. Great in a way tat would not have been possible if I hadn’t done the workout.

I gotta remember that feeling next time

OK..let's all get out there and have another great ATP day!!

Sal-You look great!! You truly are an example of discipline in the 10th degree. Way to go!!!! I loved the pic with Tosca!

Jeff-Loved your post from Guestbook!!

Bettie-How are you doing today?

Buff-ROAD DAWG!!!!!! So happy you did a race. How cool are you? Just the coolest!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, better get some work done. I will be doing a light swim tonight and weight training during BL. I will be back on the running trail tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit rested now. I really have to know it's OK to let myself rest when I hit the wall. I'm just glad the wall doesn't come around very often.

Later peeps! Julia

Have fun today, ATP. This group becomes more fitness motivating everyday!

KA-BAM!

Hey Sal - I totally agree with the week after plan. I can see someone (me) getting totally derailed after being on such a strict diet. I do not know V1 - but they have some excellent advice! We'll keep holding you accountable too. BTW, thanks for understanding about job. The 2 gals quitting - one who has worked with me for 22 years - the other 9 - and I really like both of them - almost like a little family here, its tough. They both say they cannot handle the stress of the job anymore. Uh - I"m ready to move to KEY WEST or JAMAICA!! LOL

Jeff - you sound so good and strong now. Glad you are on track! Week 2 - I"m sure your whole challenge will be a good one.

Hiya Buff! Good to hear from you. Yes, I know all about planning. And I totally agree with you - it is KEY. If I do not plan my meals a week in advance - writing them down - going to grocery store - I"m much more apt to fail. I confess I did not know what I was getting into with P90x - but was ready for a change!!

Well, have decided to stick with P90X but will take it one day at a time. I had a good workout with coworkers last night (lots of jumping - body is not use to jumping). Change is good. After this I will probably do another BFL challenge and this time push myself harder. I don't think I was pushing myself hard enough before (was getting slack after 2 years).

BRING It!

Bettie

thanks for everyones support!!

Larry, congrats on making a speeding recovery.

Julia, now you are rested, time to hit it again. Have at it!

Sal, the days grow closer, but you keep getting better and better. You are going to be ready for the competition!

I've noticed a bit of difficulty this week and realized it always seems that the second week is a bit of a wall. So I have committed to making sure I do every workout this week.

It's interesting because when I start to waver, my mind says "hey you can't make this a challenge because you want to keep this up for life, so it must be maintenance--which means you don't have to be as strict." I actually have to think about that one for a while, realizing that for at least the next 3 months my maintenance level IS a challenge.

"Younger Next Year" says we need an hour of hard exercise 6 days a week. So a challenge can be maintenance.

Bottomline is = maintenance or challenge- what is called for is strict discipline and commitment to "showing up". It's like "pressing play" in P90X.

That's why ATP is great for me...it's "in your face" commitment and discipline. Thank you all!

Kind of a small deal, but it really caught my attention. Week 2 of this challenge was giving me a pretty rough time (as week 2 usually does). Tuesday nite, realizing that, I promised myself I would make sure I did every workout this week.

Wednesday nite, after a pretty long day, I was getting it real clear in my mind that I was going to skip the workout. Would have been 7 PM before I could even get to it.

Then I remembered the promise. And instantly the option of skipping the workout vanished. I found myself really excited that I was keeping a promise that I had made to myself.

Like I said, kind of small stuff, but the power of that promise saved me from skipping a workout

Jeff--Yes, sometimes maintenace is a challenge! lately I have been finding the fasted cardios really tough--because I am getting pretty depleted--I don't want to do them--and I am doing 40 minutes now and when I first get up I think there is no way I can get thru 40 minutes--I am too hungry! LOL--but I tell myself-well at least just go do 20 and see if you can do that--then once I get going I usually make the whole 40. So try that approach--sometimes the first few steps are the hardest plus, even if you do just half a workout--still better than nothing.

Buff--enjoy your rest! I picture you curled up with a cup of tea. Wish I could join you for tea--maybe someday

Bettie--yep, seriously sometimes I think about becoming an expatriot and moving to South America---this country and our economy just keeps getting more stressful!

Larry--thought of you last night--we were watching the tv show scrubs--and one of the characters was diagnosed with skin cancer--they did a real nice message at the end of the show about how important it is to protect yourself from the sun-

BTW---speaking of sun protection--I had considered going to tanning booth for my pre-tan for comp--but decided against it and so today instead I got my base tan with a spray gun---so coat one is on

Saw Joey yesterday and he actually added a little more food in my diet--says I look great--so now I get some fat again--woohoo---a whole egg and some flax oil! and he wants me to eat flank steak now????Anyone know how to fix this--never had it in my life!

You are going to look so great!! You're doing it, you're really dong it!!

Larry, how goes the healing. Keep going..

Bettie, how's P90X going. Is it getting any easier yet. Are you starting to notice the benefits? It's great that you decided to stick with it. Guts!

Jeff-Two whole years of trying to like running. Wow!!!!!!!!!!

Larry-I shall miss my beloved beer cheese during the tournament.

Nothing's easy, ain't it ashame

Jeff - yes, P90x is actually getting easier - having a tuff time with my eating, reading about the promise helps!

Sal - go get 'em

Hey Lar'

Jules - Happy Anniversary! Thats great that HR can run with you (I meant to mention that before - it dawned on me while I was driving I forgot to mention it) Have fun!!

Love to all, you are all an inspiration! Bettie

Jeff--I have 1 week now to go--I will get sprayed---regular stuff one more time--next week--WEd--than the industrial strenth stuff--no shower after--next Friday afternoon.

I am really excited you guys--feel great--I am wearing a like size 0 pair of jeans for casual Friday.

Thanks for tips on the Flank steak--I can't really prepare it with oil or anything--other than maybe a little of that spray stuff--so sounds like slice it first than maybe just put in skillet with the spray oil stuff--think that would do it?

I hope you'll be able to let us Trackers know how it goes as soon as possible, Sal. Good luck. You've done great! Have fun!

Sounds a little bit like what you're doing. Months of prep for opening nite..the competition. Do you dare to get get excited yet?

Carbar-of course I will be letting all my tracker buddies know! Thanks!

Looks like a great place to heal!

Hope everyone is have a great weekend.

Sal, can't believe it, this time next week you'll be competing! (Or right about then)

Did the Flank steak in crockpot and it was delicious! put in onion and mushrooms--low sodium broth, red wine--jsut a little and balsamic vinegar--Mmm--now could be it would not taste that good to others---cause like I could eat cardboard these days if I am hungry enough