It's lifting day! Going to start Stage 3, and I am really excited! Was looking at the exercises and I think I'm really going to like this stage. I'll update later!!

QOTD: I am embarrassed to say that I haven't flown since my honeymoon almost 14 years ago. We flew to the Bahamas.

Hi Ladies!
Got in a run this morning. It was tough, but I did it. For some reason, I'm having trouble running these days. Legs are tired and heavy...

Sue - OMG. I cannot believe you mentioned IRC. I think you're the only person I know outside of my college friends that ever used it. It was totally pre-AOL-chatroom and I used to do it! **geek alert**

I met my hubby on match.com in 2006. We got married in 2008. Last place I flew was Frederick, MD for work about a year ago. I used to train as part of my job, so I got to travel once a month. But now I'm strictly writing procedures. I miss traveling and racking up frequent flyer points.

Rach - oh no. I hope your back is ok. Take it easy!

Jcjs - Congrats on starting Stage 3!

Sam - wow, what a cute story of how you met your husband. I was trying to imagine marrying the kid I had a crush on when I was 14.... I do sometimes wonder about him.

Cowgirl - you're a woman after my own heart - chocolates, Starbucks, and all!

Beeps - feel better!

Emgel - sorry to hear about your hip (ouch), but congrats on your 9 mile run. I was supposed to do 10 on Sunday, but just couldn't do it. I was not there mentally AND my right leg was hurting. I'm thinking maybe I need to start stretching a little beforehand and/or walk before I start running. I think I eeked out 6 miles. I don't know what is happening, but running seems to get harder each time I go out and it's making me not like it very much right now. I'm looking forward to this half marathon being over and getting back to just lifting heavy stuff (with a few bouts of HIIT thrown in for good measure).

QOTD: My last flight was to see family in Utah 9 years ago. That's just sad. Hubby took his first plane trip last year so maybe we'll start flying. (we Drive EVERYWHERE)

I hit the gym this morning for my first NROLL workout. IT wasn't very tough which means I need to make it tougher. I was doing level 4 exercises for most things except core and power. Those are new moves for me so I backed it off to level 1. IDK I think I want to get into power lifting type stuff. Is it wrong that I want o be able to pick up a grown man and throw him.

Sam, that's a pretty great goal in my opinion!

Beeps, I can't wait for my next hair cut. It is SO relaxing. Probably one of my favorite things.

Sue, that was pretty much what I had to do last night. Sitting on the couch didn't help... the only thing that did was sitting in a dark room that was silent. I'm surprised I even fell asleep because the pain was so bad. Thankfully today is better! Just drained.

Oh, I had lunch with a friend from HS today. She lives in Europe and I haven't seen her in 10 years though we talk online all the time. Anyway, she was amazed by my transformation, and we spent a good chunk of our time talking about training and fitness. SHe has stalled, and feels she is still too bulky in some areas though she is in fact quite fit. She said I blew her mind when I told her my total body transformation was through weight training alone, and she said I should consider becoming a trainer or instructor. I've toyed with the idea. I'd love to be in a position to inspire other women and help them on their journey to better health and a better self/body image.

samantha - I agree that you don't have to look like a power lifter to be a power lifter. Women can build incredible strength without getting to big. I think a lot of the female power lifters you see simply have a higher body fat over the muscles because their goal is lifting very heavy, not rocking a bikini. I have also thought about a fitness career after I retire from banking...I think it would be fun. In order to progress from skinny girl status to ripped girl status, I think you need to start doing bulking/cutting phases: eat to build muscle (and unfortunately fat) and then cut, hopefully keeping the muscle and shedding the fat.

LB2LL - sorry you are suffering...hopefully tomorrow is better!

jcjs - welcome to stage 3! How did you like it? Wow, I can't believe you have not been on a plane in 14 years!

rachie - how is your back?

Sue - looking forward to hearing more about your creatine use. I had not heard anything about helping you as you age...might be something for Samantha to look into...

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So, I was very good today. Did not log any excersise, but dragging my suitcase on and off 4 planes counts for something. mahi mahi and steamed veggies for lunch and an EXTRAORDINARY salad from Freshii for dinner. I am still a tad hungry, but I am in my hotel room and I WILL NOT go downstairs for a drink! Running along the lake in the am...

I fly regularly for my job...went to Des Moines today.

My core is sore. Didn't expect that. However, I will be changing my "hinge" and squat exercises. My legs don't feel like they did anything. I've been encouraged to keep on with NROL for now to build real strength. So I will. Someone on FB just posted a BWM challenge. ANybody down with that. Some of us haven't done it in a good 6 months or more. Not for nothing but I was glad to see it gone with the hopes of never doing it again. The newer metabolic exercises aren't nearly as tough.