Erin - I only play for my own enjoyment, and sometimes with other folks. I've not been practicing as much since I got into the weight lifting and cardiovascular stuff, though. The rosewood v. maple is a never-ending discussion among guitar enthusiasts. 2 different types of wood for fretboards, rosewood is the darker.

Barb - mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, mmmm...... I'm planning on potatoes for sure. Actually, I've gone completely off Atkins now, and I'm doing a more body-building type fare, still keeping it healthy, but with a LOT more carbs. Keep up the exercise, you're going to see some great changes from the inside out!

BTW, I keep seeing "Bally's" That must be a gym. I always think of Bally's in Reno or Las Vegas, and it makes me think of rolling dice!!

John

July 03, 2003 - Atkins
Sept. 29, 2003 - Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle
202/170.5/170

DH and I are considering buying a Crossbow too so anyone with experience on this thing - please advise!!

We had a Bowflex but found it difficult to reach the handles when doing the reclining stuff - is the Crossbow any better?

I was swimming quite a bit, but now that the weather has turned - let's just say I'm not into putting goosebumps all over my body!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

How much do you think goosebumps weigh?

(296/220/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

LOL, John. Yes, Bally's is a HUGE gym chain here in the Chicago area. It's one of those big places with aerobics machines, weight machines, a pool, a running track and a snack bar. I only use the aerobics machines like the eliptical and the weight training machines. Occasionally I use the running track, but just do power walking. I'm gonna start slow with the weights again, using my dumbells here at home first and then work my way up to the machines at the gym. My membership is going to expire in Dec., so I plan on running over to our Curves here in town and check out their stuff. It's only 5 mins from my house and I would probably go everyday. Bally's is a good 1/2 hour away and requires awful rush hour traffic, ALL the time. So I think I would be more motivated if I only have to drive for 5 mins. (I really could even walk there, but the thought of walking home after a hard workout isn't appealing, LOL) I really like to just get it over with. Maybe I'll get off my keister and go over there now.



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

LOL, Shrinky



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

I know I have to exercise more. I've been taking my dog out to walk at night. He sits there and turns his head so I can put the leash on. The past couple of nights I have been doing something I have never done before. I jogged ????? only a couple of feet but boy did that surprise me I know the more I exercise the better I'll feel.

started 7/26/2003
one day at a time...one pound at a time
mini goal 300
337/309/200

Well......I went over to Curves. It's an interesting concept. There's maybe 10 hydralic weight machines with a jogging pad in between each machine. You do 30 secs on a machine and then do 30 secs on the jogging pad and then move to the next "station." You do this for 30 mins. It's a small place, and for women only. I like that idea. There's no locker room, just changing booths, a stretching room and a weigh-in room. The concept is to workout without tearing anything or working to exhaustion. I like that idea. This month mine is running a special with a half price sign-up fee ($75.00) and $29.00 per month if you do the automatic withdrawal from checking. My anniversary is on the 12th this month, so I told DH he could give me the membership for our anniv. present. He thinks that's a good deal, he doesn't have to shop!!! So we're both happy! I'm excited and plan to spend my hiatus from work going to Curves. Watch out ppl, 'cuz next summer I MIGHT even wear a bikini, WOOHOO!!!



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

Barb, you are fierce! Good luck at Curves, I've heard great things about it. Bikini, huh? You go, Girl!

Sus

450/387/200

Barb - perfect gift! Especially, speaking as a husband, for him!

You should drop in the challenge forum and let us know what you're doing.

Chargeittohim- you should also come on over and check in. Lots of folks working pretty hard on the exercise portion of their lifestyle there.

Oh yeah, Barb, we'll need pix of the bikini!!

:->

John

July 03, 2003 - Atkins
Sept. 29, 2003 - Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle
202/170.5/170

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Doctor Insomnia:
I'm getting practically zip exercise right now. My back is all messed up and it's driving me nuts! This has been going on for months now. Presumably it's a pinched nerve between L4 and L5.

The doctor prescribed me Soma, which I declined to take for a number of reasons (Hate the stuff, it does no good, it's a tricyclic and probably conflicts with my other meds, makes you woozy, doesn't do jack...)

I tried taking Glucosamine Chondroitin for the past few weeks. I finally gave that up last night. It was giving me something horrible acid reflux and making me choke at night with mucus. Ugh... And it wasn't helping my back.

So I'm at my wits' end about it right now.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Racking my brain but I can't recall WHERE I recently read an article about exercise and back pain. There had been a study showing that while exercise might give you more pain in the short run it would let you have less back pain in the long term.

Did anyone else read this and remember where it was published?

Linda

I would be interested in that article. I have arthritis (also a fused ankle) and currently exercising through some lower back pain (and ankle pain). I was thinking I should be looking for exercises to ease my back pain, if I find something I will post it later.

261/231/?
(recently re-joined)

I never read the article, but I can attest that it's true. Last Christmas, I had such pain in my hips and back (so bad it kept me awake at night) that the docs were starting to think I had osteoarthritis (at 35!). But, I have lost 45 pounds since then and I try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week, and I no longer have that kind of pain anymore.

Jen
175/130/120

Found it. Nov 2003 Shape Magazine pg 98

Check at your library if you don't want to buy it. I do think it's a worthwhile article.

[I just typed a good long part of the article and not being used to this post format I thought if I highlighted it and clicked quote the quotes would go AROUND it!... oops. so very sorry.... ]

Linda

I've had horrible back pain since my c-section 5 months ago...BUT! since I started working out at the YMCA (the last three weeks) the pain is gone! It's incredible! I couldn't be more pleased.

Nat
Dreams are wishes your heart makes when your fast alseep....

I don't really have that much back pain unless I move my tailbone, like when I stand up straight, or get in and out of the car. I can lift very heavy things without problem as long as I don't straighten up the last few inches.

Oh well. I look like an old wino shuffling around. What I need to do is learn more about pinched nerves. I'm not sure what the heck is going on with that. It's very different from back spasms.

I've been doing very slow, careful stretching exercises. I'm a little better than I was last August, but not enough to lead me to believe the stretching helped at all.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."