Being sick isn't all bad . . by Jj

So even though I haven't worked out nearly as much as I'd like in the past two weeks, I haven't been able to eat much either. So, whoohoo to that. I've managed to lose 2lbs and an inch around my hips. AAANNNDDD . . to make things even better, both yesterday and today, I've been able to wear jeans from my skinnier days to work! I was so throwing a party. Of course the real test is my other skinny jeans that don't have any stretch in them. Need to lose another inch or two around the thighs before that happens but I'm working on it.

So my new goal for the next (forever) few weeks is to get more strength training into my workouts. I've been doing well with my cardio but have been slacking on the strength because I don't like hanging around all of the smelly muscle men at the gym. They can be very intimidating. I guess I'm just going to have to get over it.

hhmmm . . just realizing that the skinny jeans I'm wearing today aren't nearly as comfortable as the ones I wore yesterday. I think I may need to lose another pound or two before I go back to these ones again. Sad.

Anyway, I'll be depositing $9 for workouts and diet and $4 for milestones so a grand total of $13.00 Almost makes up for last weeks disaster.

Rippling Muscles

Not mine. I don't have any. Well ..... I don't have many. At least not yet.
Some day I'll have some. Some day I'll be covered in them. Just like my beautiful inspiration.


I began watching myself in the mirror while working out to ensure that I had good form; was doing the exercises properly. I continue to use the mirrors for that purpose as well. But now I also use the mirrors to watch some of my muscles bulge and ripple. Yep, some of them are starting to ripple!
I have never liked my calves. I have always thought they were too big. But they weren't fat so I didn't know WHAT to do about them. I still think they're too big, but I'm starting to like them - A LOT! They're getting a lot of definition and I love to watch them in the mirrors while I'm on the bicycle, treadmill, or elliptical - to watch my rippling muscles.

Ok, Janis, I finally did it!

Janis has been encouraging me to measure myself again for the past several weeks. As I've mentioned before I have been working out pretty intensely for about four months now. I've lost about 10 lbs and went down one pant size. But for some reason getting out the measuring tape was a very daunting task. I was just so concerned about being disappointed. Well, last night, I bit the bullet. I needed to remeasure myself for the beginning of this new challenge anyway. There wasn't significant changes in most of areas - just like half an inch in my thighs, hips, etc. But in my waist - 3 inches. Wahoo!

How the Yaya's are going to get to Paradise

This is us before (and chubby). By this time next year we will all look as good if not better - since we're younger and all - than every single one of the women in the movie poster behind us thanks to our ingenious diet and exercise plan outlined below. Wish us luck (and don't bring us any cookies).

Everyone should begin by weighing themselves and taking their measurements the morning of Thursday September 18th and then log into: http://nutrition.about.com/library/bl_nutrition_guide.htm to determine the amount of calories needed in their daily diet to reach their set weight loss goal. This will determine the daily caloric and carbohydrate intake and workouts needed to reach their goal. You are allowed one free food day each week.

Everyone is required to report in on the blog between Tuesday morning and Wednesday at noon. At that time progress should be reported along with listing the amount of their deposit and what each dollar represents and any other encouragement needed including recipes, workout ideas, etc. The theory is that if we’re keeping tabs on each other we’ll be more likely to accomplish our fitness goals and then of course there’s the vacation . . . that’s always a bonus.

Everyone is to deposit the money earned from the previous weeks activities between Tuesday morning and Wednesday at noon in a designated online savings account. Cash can be earned in the following ways:
Up to 4 – 45 minute cardio workouts $1.00 each
Up to 4 – 25 minute toning workouts 1.00 each
Milestone reached 2.00 each
Meeting fruit and or vegetable servings each day 0.50 each day

Cash can be deducted from deposit in the following ways:
Consuming 50 or more calories/day than allotted $1.00 each day
Gaining more than two pounds since last weigh-in 1.00
Less than four total workouts in one week 1.00

Milestones are to be determined by each individual at the beginning of the challenge and posted on the blog but should be something similar to the following:
Losing 5 lbs
Going down a dress or pant size
Losing 5 inches
Running a 5k
Entering a cycling race
However, milestones other than those originally listed can be added at a later date if you feel you’ve accomplished something that deserves recognition.

If everyone deposits the $5 weekly minimum, we will have accrued approx. $1,000 by August 31, 2009 (however if everyone deposits the maximum of $10 a week – not including milestones – we will have $2,000, before interest). At that time the final amount will be divided between the four of us to be put toward a Yaya vacation. In order to ensure that everyone is an equal participant the following guidelines will be applied:
If at any time someone deposits less than the $5 minimum for more than one week in a row, $3 will be deducted from their final total.
Example: If we had $1,000 in our account it would first be divided into $250 each and then deductions would be made. If Janis deposits only $4 two weeks in a row five different times through the year, she will lose $15 from her final total, meaning that she would have only $235 and Rachel, Marion and Maria would each have $255. If the final amount doesn’t cover the trip everyone will be required to come up with the rest out of pocket.

If at any time someone needs to drop out of the challenge the cash will be divided in four and their quarter will be set aside to go toward their trip. Everyone is welcome to come even if the challenge is not completed but they will have to pay the remainder of their way on their own.

Our trip will be determined by the amount of money in our account at the end of August 2009. The following options have been presented:

$1000 Spa getaway in Park City or another location
$1500 Shopping trip to New York City
$2000 Cruise to Mexico or some other sunny place