**CLOSED** Skinny Chics & A Rooster **CLOSED**

So today I go into our lounge for lunch and one of my lovely co-workers had cleaned out their pantry and brought all of the miscellaneous bags of chips and crackers to work. They were spread out all over the lunch table. OMG There were cheetos and potato chips and pita chips and crackers. Really if you could imagine it, it was probably there. It was torture. I picked up each bag and moved it over to the counter so atleast it wasn't sitting right there in front of me while I was trying to eat my light chicken caesar salad. As I moved each bag I said in my head "I am not eating you today because I care more about my body than I do about how you taste" Really, I said that in my head. Twenty three times, once for each bag I moved. Seriously who has that many opened bags of snack in their house at one time? Anyway, my story isn't really about the chips because i did stay out of them. It is about smoked salmon. One of my other co-workers (no not the chip b**ch--that's how I thought of her today) brought in a smoked salmon that her hubby caught and smoked over the weekend. It smelled so good. I forgot how much I like smoked salmon until I tried a taste. And it is high in protein. Yum. So my NSV for this afternoon is that I didn't eat the chips and I found another high protein food that I "forgot" that I liked.

Now, fresh smoked salmon sounds yummy!!!!! I love salmon but never had freshly caught. That must have been incredible!!!!!

Pam aka Cherubcrnp

*******************************OCTOBER CHALLENGE***********************************
Mt. Everest – Asia

Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at 29,029 ft (8,848 metres ) above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas on the Nepal side of Nepal-Tibet border. In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon a recommendation by Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India. Waugh named the mountain after his predecessor in the post, Sir George Everest. The mountain has been called Qomolangma by the Tibetans and Sagarmāthā by the Nepali for centuries, but Waugh was unaware of this as both countries were closed to foreigners. The summit of Everest is the point at which the Earth's surface reaches the greatest distance above sea level. Several other mountains are sometimes claimed as alternative "tallest mountains on Earth". By the measure of base to summit, Denali in Alaska, is taller than Everest. By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals. By the end of 2009 Everest had claimed 216 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone—altitudes higher than 26,000 ft (8,000 metres)—that most corpses have been left where they fell, some of them visible from standard climbing routes.

In 1953, the ninth British expedition to attempt the summit, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. Hunt selected two climbing pairs. The first pair (Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans) came within 300 feet (100m) of the summit on 26 May 1953, but turned back after running into oxygen problems. As planned, their work in route finding and breaking trail and their caches of extra oxygen were of great aid to the following pair. Two days later, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its second climbing pair, the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali sherpa climber. They reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. local time on 29 May 1953 via the South Col Route. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit to take photographs and buried a few sweets and a small cross in the snow before descending.

Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes. Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently used route. Most attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 17,700 ft (5,380 m) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Above the icefall is Camp I at 19,900 ft (6,065 metres). From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 21,300 ft (6,500 m). From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 24,500 ft (7,470 m). From there, it is another 750 ft (500 m) to Camp IV on the South Col at 26,000 ft (7,920 m). On the South Col, climbers enter the death zone. Climbers typically only have a maximum of two or three days they can endure at this altitude for making summit bids. From Camp IV, climbers will begin their summit push around midnight with hopes of reaching the summit (still another 1500ft above) within 10 to 12 hours. Climbers will first reach "The Balcony" at 27,600 ft (8,400 m), a small platform where they can rest and gaze at peaks to the south and east in the early light of dawn. Continuing up the ridge, climbers are then faced with a series of imposing rock steps which usually forces them to the east into waist-deep snow, a serious avalanche hazard. At 28,700 ft (8,750 m), a small table-sized dome of ice and snow marks the South Summit. From the South Summit, climbers follow the knife-edge southeast ridge along what is known as the "Cornice traverse", where snow clings to intermittent rock. This is the most exposed section of the climb and a misstep to the left would send one 8,000 ft (2,400 m) down the southwest face, while to the immediate right is the 10,000 ft (3,050 m) Kangshung face. At the end of this traverse is an imposing 40 ft (12 m) rock wall called the "Hillary Step" at 28,740 ft (8,760 m). Once above the step, it is a comparatively easy climb to the top on moderately angled snow slopes–though the exposure on the ridge is extreme, especially while traversing large cornices of snow. Climbers will typically spend less than a half-hour at the summit, to allow time to descend to Camp IV before darkness sets in, afternoon weather becomes a serious problem, or supplemental oxygen tanks run out.

Our activity that will take us to the top of Mt. Everest, the highest place on planet earth, will be…STRENGTH TRAINING! You may use the machines at the gym, free weights, or kettlebells, but also milk jugs, cans of soup or toddlers you have lying around the house. These must be done with an additional weight, not just your own body weight. For each set of 10 reps you do with a weight that is less than 10 pounds we will move up the mountain 1 ft. For each 5 reps with a 10-19 pound weight we will move 1 ft up the mountain. For each 1 rep with 20-49 pound weights we will move 1 ft up the mountain. And for each 1 rep with a weight over 50+ we will move up the mountain 1.5 feet. Since this is a our Power Summit, it is my hope that we will all learn how very strong we are and work on creating more muscle to burn those calories!

*****************OCTOBER CHALLENGE*******************

Mt. Kilimanjaro-Africa

Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level. Kilimanjaro is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo 5,895 m (19,341 ft); Mawenzi 5,149 m (16,893 ft); and Shira 3,962 m (13,000 ft). Uhuru Peak is the highest summit on Kibo's crater rim at 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and fourth highest of the Seven Summits.

It is unknown where the name Kilimanjaro originates, but a number of theories exist. European explorers had adopted the name by 1860 and reported that it was its Swahili name,with Kilimanjaro breaking into Kilima (Swahili for "hill, little mountain") and Njaro, whose supposed origin varies according to the theories—according to some it is an ancient Swahili word for white or for shining, or for the non-Swahili origin, a word from the Kichagga language, the word jaro meaning "caravan". The problem with all these is that they cannot explain why the diminutive kilima is used instead of the proper word for mountain, mlima. The name might be a local joke, referring to the "little hill of the Njaro" being the biggest mountain on the African continent, since this is a nearby town, and guides recount that it is the Hill of the Njaro people. A different approach is to assume that it comes from the Kichagga kilmanare or kileajao meaning "which defeats the bird/leopard/caravan". However this theory cannot explain the fact that Kilimanjaro was never used in Kichagga before in Europe in the mid-19th century.

There are six official trekking routes by which to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, namely: Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain, which can be done in six or seven days. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also relatively easy, but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy, and ascent and descent routes are the same.

The Kilimanjaro National Park shows that only 30% of trekkers actually reach the Uhuru summit with the majority turning around at Gilman’s Point, 300 metres (980 feet) short of Uhuru, or Stella Point, 200 (660 feet) meters short of Uhuru. Kilimanjaro is often underestimated because it can be walked and is not a technical climb. However, many mountaineers consider Kilimanjaro very physically demanding. Kilimanjaro is unique in that during the ascent you will climb through all climatalogical zones. Starting in tropical rain forest through moss and desert to the snow on the summit.

Our activity that will take us to the summit of Kilimanjaro will be….COMPLIMENTS! This is a different idea from what we usually do, so bear with me while I explain. For this activity, you will move us up the mountain 10 feet for every genuine, honest compliment you post about another participant. This cannot be “Becky is great!” but should be something like “Becky is amazing because she keeps doing an entire Sprint Triathalon at the gym every Saturday!” If Becky then acknowledges that your compliment is true and she agrees with it “Yep! It is pretty awesome I have worked hard enough to be able to do that every Saturday!” then we move up the mountain an additional 15 feet. If you post a a spontaneous and unsolicted compliment you received in real life and acknowledge that it is true and you agree with it we will move up the mountain 20 feet. You cannot ask your husband if you look cute in your new dress and then post his response, not matter how sweet it was. It has to be something someone says without being asked or prompted. And if you post a compliment about yourself we will move up the mountain 30 feet! Again, it has to be something specific. "My butt looks damn cute in these new jeans that are two sizes smaller than the ones I started out in! This makes all those lunges and squats at the gym totally worth it!" In order to not make this an “easy A” you are limited to 1 compliment to each participant per week. Acknowledging compliments is unlimited. Posting compliments you have received or give to yourself is limited to 2 each per week. It is my hope that this will all help us to really SEE ourselves in a new light. I know I personally am guilty of still seeing fat, lazy JJ when I look in the mirror, and I would like to start seeing what others see when they look at me. If we change the inside…the outside will follow. In that light I would encourage you to try to post at least one compliment in the course of the challenge about every participant. Everyone here is amazing and we can all find at least one thing to admire in each of us. This is not the place for jokes or sarcasm only genuine and respectful commentsl. Much thanks to the lovely and talented Becky for this idea! I love it!

All right I went and introduced myself on the peaks thread. And I have today that today ended up to be a pretty good day after all. I didn't really exercise much but I did do my commercial calisthenics during Biggest Loser. One of my co-workers who transferred out of the department about a year ago stopped by to say hi and was totally floor at my transformation. It was a real confidence boost for me. I got all my macros in today and was only 30 calories over my goal. Oh wait no I wasnt because of the calisthenics. Today was an awesome day then!

TOM has not been nice and hit with a bang!! Major migraines and cramps today caused me to not want to exercise at all and most of my day was spent in bed sleeping. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Hope everyone is doing well.....I am off to read and then go to sleep. Goodnight my sister chicks and rooster friend

Bobbie – How did your room come out? It must be nice to have everything fresh and new?!! Nice reward for all your hard work!

I still have to wipe down and arrange the furniture, but I really like the colors (although I will admit to having been worried), especially with the curtains and bedspread I bought. I will try to take and post a picture when I get it all done. Other than my profile pic, I haven't tried to mess with posting pics here in the forum, so we will see how that turns out.

Moose and Bison ....hmmm interesting. Must say despite growing up in Northern Ontario I've never tried either.
Bobbie - I think the room sounds great!
Lexie - I'm proud you are getting back into it, we are in this together. This having to go to school thing really screws up the schedule!
Tami - hope you are feeling better!

Was very pleasantly surprised on the scale tonight - a 1.4lbs release. I wasn't expecting. I wonder if the hunger last week was my bodies legitimate way of saying it did actually need more calories. The big downside to tonight was that my body basically seized up. It started about 4 reps into my chest press (new weight 18kg each hand). Chest muscle just seized and cramped. Worst pain I have ever had gym related!!! Then did some running - I'll tell ya, the girls bouncing all over the place did not help the chest muscle but I did run for a whole minute on 12km/hr. Unfortunately it was downhill from there as my leg muscles proceeded to seize up and cramp. My then very stern faced trainer said we were the done and that I was to take tomorrow off and perhaps another day. This is my bodies way of saying it needs a break. She is trying to remind me that every session in the gym doesn't need to be super intense. Its a concept I have a very hard time with.
Today has been good eating wise so I'm hoping to make tomorrow the same. I'm off for a soak in a hot bath. Check in with you losers before bed!!

Lexie- Moose burgers sounds intriguing. Hmm, I dont think I have ever tried moose although I did spend 5 weeks in Alaska one summer back in 86 so I might have and just don't remember. I do remember the elk jerkey though and whenever my dad happens to get one he always makes some. My whole family just loves it. And bison burgers, yummm. A restaurant near where I work started selling them just this summer. It makes a nice walk to go down and get one for lunch. No fries and no shake though just a diet coke.

Moose burgers are good, but what I miss is moose stew. On the positive side moose meat is very low fat, which is why you always have to cook it in wet heat like a roast, so its very healthy. Yum, yum, yum! When I was a little girl, we only ever ate meat that came from the freezer, so salmon, halibut, moose, elk, etc. never store bought meat. We went to visit my Grandmother when I was about 4 and she made a big Sunday dinner. She was carrying the roast into the dining room and I said "Oh goodie! Moose meat!" And she said "No dear, its beef, it comes from a cow." I looked at her pityingly and said "Oh Grandma, milk comes from a cow, meat comes from a moose." No one has ever let me forget about it, but I think that was the first time I really had beef. McDonalds and Burger King and the like didn't come to Alaska until I was a little older, so no happy meals.

Hello all! I am trying to get caught up after spending Monday and Tuesday out of town, then home in time to sleep. Tonight was our Employee Banquet, it has a nice salad bar so I did well.... until I went to the "normal" foods. I got some broiled chicken (which was good.) But, I also got some mashed potatoes with a little gravy (I am from the south where this is a staple at most every dinner table lol.) I shouldn't have gave in but I did... and it was good. But, as usual I paid for it all dearly... my stomach only like "good for you" foods now. Lesson learned... oh well...

I am looking forward our challenge!! I am going to try to get caught up in the morning if I can. It's amazing how my days off seem so much busier than my work days.

Btw, I am SO excited for my little man's first t-ball game tomorrow night!! I am fully expecting for him to not pay any attention, look like the Tazmanian Devil in the dirst and to probably drop his pants and pee in front of everyone (he's 3, he has NO shame lol) Anyways, off topic... just wanted to share

Evenin' folks. Today just as I was getting ready to leave work an emergency open hip fracture came in came in(which means the bone is coming through the skin. ouch. Sorry if TMI). So, like the nice Staci that I am most of the time, I said I would stay a little overtime to call the call crew in since my late crew was already busy with and appendix. Okay got the crew in, got the case scheduled, got the patient up from the ER and I am really ready to head out and then boom stat c-section. So, baby comes first as well you know you can't really tell a baby not to come yet. So what should have been a half hour overtime turned into 2 hours. I did still go to curves on my way home and workout. Hubby had grown tired of waiting and went to the outback and had dinner. He brought me home a loaded potato because he figured it was a potato and healthy. So, I did eat it as it did fit in my calories and what not. I love him and appreciate the thought but I think I am going to have to teach him a little about what constitutes healthy. LOL

JJ and Cynthia- I too thought of little shop of horrors when I read JJ's comment to steph. I love that musical!!