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hips and fins?
I've got an arthritic hip that has progressively taken a lot of power out of my kick. I still have good movement in the pool, and it feels good overall (mostly freestyle, but I sometimes throw in a couple of breast stroke or side stroke/scissor kick laps for flexibility) . I'm wondering if shortie swim fins could help me…
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TRUE / STORIES, or What am I lying to myself about?
I've really focused lately on the mental side of overeating, and in particular what Brooke Castillo (author of "IF I'M SO SMART, WHY CAN'T I LOSE WEIGHT) refers to as the Thinking/ Feeling/ Acting model--e.g., my THOUGHTS create my FEELINGS, which cause my ACTIONS. She also points out that the ONLY problem/ challenge/…
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feed a cold . . .
Waaah! I have a head cold. Big, snotty, boogery head cold. I'm making extra-spicy thin green chile stew as my comfort food of choice today, but just curious of other folks' favorite head cold foods.
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Facing the holiday music . . . and dancing into the new year
This was my first holiday season since reaching my goal weight last February. . .and when all was said and done, I gained 4 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Year. I can live with that! I enjoyed 7 holiday parties--eating and drinking more or less what I wanted at the festivities, and making reasonable choices on the days…
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The OTHER [hidden?] benefits of swimming
We're all well-versed in the full-body workout, the low impact, resistance training, and calorie burning benefits of swimming. But what are some of your OTHER favorite "hidden" benefits of swimming. Mine include: * the boogie-bubbly- breathy repetitious rhythm that can be as mind-clearing and centering as a good meditation…
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LOSE weight for LOOSE clothes
AAAAAAAARGH!!! The former copy editor in me can't take it any more! Please note that "LOSE" or "LOSING" is what one does to weigh less. "LOOSE" is what your clothes are after you LOSE; and "LOOSING" is what one does with gorgons and hounds.
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Into the "Two" Jeans!
My NSV today is that I'm into my "#2" jeans! In my adult life, I have worn six different sizes of jeans, with #1 being the smallest (and briefest) when I was at my lowest weight for about 2 years, and #6 being the size I wore at my biggest- 72 lbs heavier. Back in June I was literally squeezing into #5's (as in lying on…
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“YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT”: - 30 Day Photo Challenge
As an exercise in mindfulness and intentional eating, between September 22 and October 22, I gave myself the challenge of taking a picture of everything I ate for 30 days. I’d say my biggest takeaways from the experience was (a) I became acutely aware of how often I can be a big fat ingrate instead of being grateful at the…
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sprints and butterfly
So I know that it's good cardio training to do some sprints, but I just don't like it. I don't like my chest pounding and gasping for breath. I can crank out distance like a little Evinrude forever as long as I don't have to kick it into high gear. I butterfly very badly, and one length of the pool pretty much wears me…
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"Afterburn" time?
Whether I'm fat, skinny, or anything in between, after I swim for an hour, my "afterburn" of hot red face and even sweaty scalp can take upwards of 45 minutes-- sometimes longer. Four laps of very very easy cooldown in the pool at the end of my workout followwd by a very cool shower helps some, but I still can't even…
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A perfectly awful perfect swim
So here's a primer on how to have a perfectly awful perfect swim: 1. Be in a hurry. Have somewhere to be at precisely 30 minutes after you get out of the pool so that you are completely focused on getting in and out as efficiently as possible. 2. Be angry. Be so mad at some ONE or some THING that, as you rush rush rush to…
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Tracking laps with the Affirmation Alphabet
I found many years ago that if I tried to count laps with numbers, my mind wandered and I inevitably lost track, but that if I kept track with letters of the alphabet, I could focus on a word that begins with each letter, and was less likely to lose track. Once through the alphabet (26)+ 10 laps on the kickboard is a mile;…
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I'm THAT girl.
You know THAT woman who is talking to herself while kickboarding? That would be me. In my defense, I'm running lines for whatever play I'm rehearsing at the moment. But if you're in the lane next to me you don't know that--you just think I've slipped a groove.
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Lycra FAIL
So, I'm on lap 32 of 44, and the Lycra in my one-piece swimsuit says "that's it! I'm outta here!", and I go from conservative-cut neckline to borderline boob flasher in one one length of the pool. That's the end of THAT suit!
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Ode to Soup!
Today's creative endeavor: ODE TO SOUP I sing a tasty ode to soup! When veggie-based, it makes me poop. With lots of water, makes me full; With savory spices, makes me drool! I like it thin, I like it creamy; as long as it is hot and steamy. On gloomy days, or when I’m stress’t with hearty bowl, I'm truly bless’t. My…
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Homemade sauerkraut and kimchi recipes?
I just set up my very first homemade sauerkraut, and am also interested in trying my hands at kimchi. Any favorite recipes and techniques out there?
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Vegan Too Long?
Although I'm not vegan, even on a plant-based diet, I swear # 11 and #12 apply to me all the time! http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/signs-youve-been-vegan-too-long
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What "sinful" foods DON'T you crave?
I gotta say: Burgers and fries, pizza, bacon, and anything swimming in butter just don't lead me into temptation. But good beer and chocolate--now there I need some help to deliver me from evil. What "sinful" foods can you live without?
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Bowl or Plate (aka Soup-obsessed)?
Okay, I confess: I'm a soup and bowl nut. If my hubby is having a chicken breast, green beans and mashed potatoes for dinner, I'll put all of that in a bowl and add a bit of veggie stock and eat it as soup. If he's having black bean enchiladas, I'll take the sauce and black beans and put in a bowl with half a can of…
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MARCH Ironman Challenge (Open Group)
Welcome new and returning triathletes! The challenge is to complete Ironman Triathlon mileage in the 31 days of March --Running/ Walking 26.2 miles --Biking 112 miles --Swimming 2.4 Miles We'll use this forum all month to log and report our mileage. You can log daily or weekly-- whatever keeps you motivated! You may modify…
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February Ironman Challenge
New month, new Ironman challenge For those who have been playing along since October, welcome back! For new folks, wecome! The challenge is to complete Ironman Triathlon mileage in the 29 days as follows: --Running/ Walking 26.2 miles --Biking 112 miles --Swimming 2.4 Miles We'll use this forum all month to log and report…
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January 2012 Ironman Challenge
Let's start the new year with a new fitness challenge: For those who are starting the new year with new resolutions, welcome! For those who have been playing along since October, welcome back! The challenge is to complete Ironman Triathlon mileage in the 31 days of January as follows: --Running/ Walking 26.2 miles --Biking…
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A diva's NSV
So, I'm involved in a community theater production, and I offered to make costumes for two other cast-mates--both of whom I have always perceived as being smaller than me. The surprise: BOTH of them are actually larger sizes than me!
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December Ironman Challenge
Just like November, here's the challenge: The goal is to complete Ironman Triathlon mileage in the 30 days of December as follows: --Running/ Walking 26.2 miles --Biking 112 miles --Swimming 2.4 Miles We'll use this forum all month to log and report our mileage. You can log daily or weekly-- whatever keeps you motivated!…
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I'm that annoying one at the gym who. . . .
I'm that annoying woman on the stairmaster or stationary bike next to you who mouths the words to the music I'm listening to on my I-Pod-- and occasionally accidentally sings out loud without realizing it. What annoying person are YOU ?!
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NSV-- I GO SWIMMING!
Swam a personal best for distance: 2.4 miles (4250 yards, 85 laps) in 105 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5QLD2-WLPQ YEA, I did!
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HUMOR-- Water-"Chalk"-Boarding
So, I'm a college professor, and I have gotten in the habit of taking a huge bottle of water to class, which I sip throughout my 2-hour class lecture/discussion. When I get near the end of class, I tend to finish up whatever is left in the bottle. So, the other day, with a good 40 minutes left in the class, I tried to…
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November Iron Man Challenge (Open Group)
So here's the challenge: The goal is to complete Ironman Triathlon mileage in the 30 days of November as follows: Running/ Walking 26.2 miles Biking 114 miles Swimming 2.4 Miles We'll use this forum all month to log and report our mileage. You can log daily or weekly-- whatever keeps you motivated! As forum moderator, I…
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Personal Trainers-- how do I help you help me?
I get ONE free personal trainer consultation/ workout session as part of an employee wellness program, and would like suggestions on how to get the most out of my consultation. I don't know if I will pony up the $$ to continue past the initial consultation, but I'm willing to keep an open mind. Either way, I want to make…
