Calling all FF'ers who want to be a part of an exercise and dry brushing challenge to start in the new year!!!

Let's get our work out clothes on, state our aerobic, strength training exercise desire and keep our b-hinds moving throughout January! So often we focus on the food part of this plan and the exercise portion is indeed, part of the plan!

Also, let's not forget that cellulite remedy...dry brushing!! I have yet to get into a routine with this and soooo desperately need to remove the "C" stuff . ALG do you want before and after pictures of this [:0][xx(]???

I see this as being an opporunity to establish our fittness and dry brushing goals and come here for accountability. Should we also ask Charli to lend us her "wet noodle???" Maybe Martha has a "wet theraband." [)]

You can post as often as you'd like but I would suggest that you at least post your goals and success on a weekly basis. So Jan. 1st is on a Saturday, then that would mean the weekly cycle would be to state goals and your results of working toward the prior weeks goals on Saturdays. Of course, you can post during the week for support if ya need to!

So...whose with me??? I know we have a bit of a time before Jan 1. but it will be here soon. What a great way to fuel your resolve to stay plan compliant for the new year!!

By the way if you haven't gotten the Fittnes book -- get it!!! It is fabulous! Especially that chapter on flushing out the lymphatic system - much more detailed then the FF book.

Looking forward to sweating and brushing with you all in the new year!!

Denise

I am with you, Toots! Getting regular exercise is the final frontier of the self-care program. I LOVE it once I'm doing it, but have a lot of trouble carving the time out of the day just for moi. It means saying NO to a million other things. (And other than walks, it leaves my 3 beloved canines alone for yet another hour of the day.) My BF -- who is a tax attorney & accountant and works almost 24/7 like a maniac through April 15th -- NEVER skips a workout, and it truly keeps him sane (and healthy) through the stress. I'd like to incorporate a more regular workout and run for lifelong fitness, not just weight loss.
Thanks, Denise.
[8D] Sarah

__________________
Sarah 206/155/136 (highest was over 220...)
Started October 2004. I've kept the weight off and I STILL feel great! Never thought I would triumph over sugar... but I did!
pix: http://www.picturetrail.com/lindentree

*****************************
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver

******************************

Sarah!!

So glad to have you along!!! Yes, I am the same, once you get me going I never know when to stop! BUT my challenge is that carving out the time. Your honey is a good example of those that know how essential it is not only for weight loss BUT for every aspect of our well being. Our bodies are the most awesome and efficient machines when operated properly. I always use to say, "If I can only bottle my endorphins...I'd make lots of $$$!" So what is your aerobic exercise of choice?? Are you doing any strength training??

One thing I wanted to add to the dry brushing portion (at least for me) is to do the full lymphatic system care to include a lymphatic massage that is outlined in the fittness book.

Well, hopefully we will have more joining us shortly. Let's be sure to check in again just before the 1st to establish our goals!

Looking soooo forward to it!

Denise

__________________
Denise
Transforming everyday!
My Picture Trail: http://www.picturetrail.com/ffdenise
*********************************************
Size: 22/10-12/8
Weight: Pre-Flush 241.5/Start FF 235.6/165/145
Been FF\'ing since 11/29/04!
*********************************************
We have been given all that we need to achieve excellence.
We just have to pay attention and then take action!

Yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!!! Seven days a week! All of me, up for it.

My ideal routine would be sort of this (I like variety):
Day 1: 60 min. hike or walk (beach is best), stretch (I'm picturing Day 1 is Sunday)
Day 2: Pilates or weights (cybex machines), 30 min. walk
Day 3: 30 min. treadmill run or elliptical, stretch/yoga
Day 4: 30 min. swim, ball workout
Day 5: 30 min. treadmill run or elliptical, stretch/yoga
Day 6: Pilates or weights (cybex machines), 30 min. walk
Day 7: 30 min. treadmill run or elliptical, stretch/yoga

Right now I'm doing all of that, except at about 75% participation. I do get 20-30 min. of SOMETHING daily now. I run 2.5 miles very comfortably in half an hour with no joint issues (yet!) and would like to make it faster... 3 to 3.5 miles. I tend to run at 6 or 7 MPH for a while and then take a 4 MPH walking break which I know is good for my heart... it now returns to resting heart rate nice and fast. I L-O-V-E lifting, verrrrry slowly, and I always thought that even though the muscles were covered by a layer of fat, they were IN there, getting lovely! And now I see them emerging! Arms and shoulders!!! Even thighs!

This was a baseline check-in. Of course let's remember that "LIFE is what happens while you're making other plans." Sometimes work takes me off course, I mean on the road. But if I make it a priority, I should always be able to get at least a walk and some yoga in.

Looking forward to it! I'll be doing what I can 'tween now and then, but I also know that a week or so of anticipation builds up my psyche and go-power. Before starting FFP I was in San Francisco visiting youngest son at college, and that WHOLE week, I was thinking how I couldn't wait to get back and start flushing! Pent-up demand for health!!!!!!!
[}]

__________________
Sarah 206/155/136 (highest was over 220...)
Started October 2004. I've kept the weight off and I STILL feel great! Never thought I would triumph over sugar... but I did!
pix: http://www.picturetrail.com/lindentree

*****************************
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver

******************************

p.s.
I DO dry-brush and I LOOOOOOVVVE it. It has really changed my skin. I always had a keratin thing... a roughness on my arms. GONE! At the age of 49!!!! My whole body is silky. The only trick is remembering to do it! [:I] I have to put the brush ON the edge of the tub so I don't just step into bath or shower without brushing. SO that's where it lives. I also do it before hot tubs with best friend (I gave HER a brush, 'cause we're both so itchy), and we find that we itch less afterwards.

__________________
Sarah 206/155/136 (highest was over 220...)
Started October 2004. I've kept the weight off and I STILL feel great! Never thought I would triumph over sugar... but I did!
pix: http://www.picturetrail.com/lindentree

*****************************
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver

******************************

You know I'm with you! Wouldn't dare part company with you guys ... Besides, I found out that my health insurance will reimburse me $150 towards my gym membership dues IF I go 120 times per year, thats 2.3 times a week ... how big of an incentive is that to get my rear in gear![?]![?]

They also will reimburse $200 on a weight loss program/supplements if it is through a hospital or WW site. I've got find someone to "prescribe" FF to me so I can get some money back for these supplements!! [}]

Getting excited about a new year of health and fitness with all of you!

Shasta!

So glad to have you along!! This will be fun and imformative as well, I am sure!

Hey, that's quite progressive for an insurance plan. You can indeed save taxes on these items through a Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account if they are medically necessary (e.g. to treat obesity) but I have yet to hear of this as being covered by insurance. Absolutely use that as another motivator.

Sarah, sounds like a lovely plan. I especially like that beach walking routine!

I am still planning my fittness strategy and will post it probably next week. I have a treadmill, fittness ball, pilate tapes, therabands, I will be ordering a rebounder the week of 1/01/05, a bowflex as well and then checking into a local Jazzercise class. And of course, I love focused and intentioned stretching! I find that both that with stretching and strength training, if I am focused and have my imagery of the muscles at work, it provide some excellent training for my focus at work or in other matters in life. Looking so forward to getting back into it with force!!

Hasn't this been nice to encourage each other in health and not talk about food?? Balance, ladies, it is all about balance!


Catch up with you soon!!!

Denise

__________________
Denise
Transforming everyday!
My Picture Trail: http://www.picturetrail.com/ffdenise
*********************************************
Size: 22/10-12/8
Weight: Pre-Flush 241.5/Start FF 235.6/165/145
Been FF\'ing since 11/29/04!
*********************************************
We have been given all that we need to achieve excellence.
We just have to pay attention and then take action!

Hi Denise,

I'm in, I need the accountability too - my target is 15 mins bouncing a day, possibly split into 3 lots of 5 minutes (as it plays havoc with my bladder[:I]), and a walk if I can get it (ho,ho,ho...). Actually, this will be easier once I'm back at work after the holiday because I can walk in my lunch hour.
I'd love to be able to run eventually (danger of black eyes notwithstanding ), but I think this is probably realistic for now.

I'm trying to drybrush every evening before my shower and also gently scrub IN the shower with my wet brush (I sound like a decorator....)

Oh, plus a weekly T'ai Chi and a Yogalates session (though not at the same time, the mind boggles![}])

Joss!

So glad to have you along! Look foward to sharing this part of the plan with you! When I was 35 (43 now) after several years of fast walking, decided to take up running. You can do it Joss, just need to work up to it and be regular. I got up to 5 miles a day but had to quite because of my degenerative disks (lower back). It is hard when I am walking, because my legs really want to giddy up! So to satify them and be good to my back, I do intervals, 2 minute sprints. I am hopping that when all the weight is off and my core muscles are stronger, that maybe, just maybe, I can at least run on the treadmill as oppose to the cement outside. We shall see. Can't wait to get my rebounder!!! I will take note about the "flushing" affects!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Denise

__________________
Denise
Transforming everyday!
My Picture Trail: http://www.picturetrail.com/ffdenise
*********************************************
Size: 22/10-12/8
Weight: Pre-Flush 241.5/Start FF 235.6/165/145
Been FF\'ing since 11/29/04!
*********************************************
We have been given all that we need to achieve excellence.
We just have to pay attention and then take action!

Dear Denise, Shasta & Sarah,

Hope you all a very Merry Christmas, and a fit 'n fabulous New Year!!
Keep it up girls and let's jingle those bells!