Cross your fingers for me. Income tax check is in and I'm hoping for this nice elliptical machine :D I need to excercise off the weight and the stress.

I've crossed my fingers for you Lilith. I think the elliptical is the devil though. I can't stand that machine and commend anyone that uses it.

What don't you like about it???? I've only tried it in the store. Am I making a mistake??? I chose it because it seems to be joint friendly. Am I wrong?

It's an incredible workout! I think my problem on it is I can't find a good pace, I end up going too fast and being tired after two minutes. It reminds me of a much friendlier to the body stair stepper and I never liked that either.

OK I loved the Stair Master so maybe I'll be ok. Mr Lil said he's happy with me spending the $$$ on something that will help me continue to feel better.

Lil...if I could cost-effectively do it, I'd ship you mine. I bought it at Sears (it's a Nordic Track) and it's great.

I got one tonight. Let's just say stamina is an issue :p

Lil .. I'm still a long way away from being able to do that kind of a workout ... even a short one, but it's what I'm thinking I'll get once I get to that point .. (primarily because of the joint friendly issue) ... I'll look forward to hearing reports about that issue.

Right now, for me, I'm just trying to incorporate some extra steps into each day ... I do 45 minutes worth of totally non-impact and not really aerobic stuff 4-5 days a week, it tones and at least I'm doing something, but the just started this week with working to start toward building my capacity with some walking (and I do mean a few extra steps at this point)!! :D

Yes I think this is a great idea, I have alo seen on other site's and it has worked wonders for the site.

fzzy~ I lost 70 pounds once a long time ago after baby #1 and I did stretching and floor excercises like leg lifts and pelvic thrusts for the first 30 pounds.

Well...ended yesterday just over 2000 calories, which I guess isn't too terrible. We went to PF Changs and got take out...was yummy.

I plan on working out today and also doing some much-needed errands. I'm going to try and target 1800 calories. Let's see how it goes. :)

'Grats on the elliptical machine, Lil. I hope you like it!

I'm so envious, Lil, of your new purchase! Like maddy, that thing kills me--but I'm determined to build up my stamina on it over time.

I also made a purchase this week--a heart rate monitor. I opted not to get the one with the chest strap--I wasn't sure I'd like that. So mine is a watch type, and, unlike most doctors and nurses, it finds my pulse pretty darn easily. Today was my first intense workout with it, and I loved it. Mine has the option of a 'calorie countdown,' which basically means, since it knows my weight and resting heart rate, it counts how many calories I burn during my workout for me.

I did almost 4.5 miles on the treadmill and seven minutes (LMAO!) on the elliptical after that. I burned closed to 500 calories.

However, my main concern was my after-breakfast glucose reading. I'd had a bigger breakfast than I had planned. While my fasting was in the range I wanted it to be, I basically shoved the kids out the door as soon as I finished eating in order to go to the gym and hopefully counteract what I feared was going to be a bad, bad reading. It worked--much to my relief.

Today's the last day of my three-day, diabetes medication-free trial. I've already listed out my sugar readings since Friday morning and will give them to the doctor in the morning. I guess at that point it's up to them. They're not as low as I'd like, but still pretty darn good for someone who IS diabetic. I have my fingers crossed.

Lilith, I'm proud of you for getting a piece of equipment in your home. I hope it pays off for you.

IAKG - I'm excited to hear you like the heart rate monitor, now I'm more inclined to get it myself. I was waiting for your review. Is the petite really small around? I'm concerned it would be too small for me, I don't have that dainty of a wrist. And, I hope you get good news about the diabetic meds tomorrow...

fzzy - I'm glad you are starting to move more. Listen to your body it is more than willing to tell you when you are doing too much.

osuche - I'm still amazed that you have found a way to be med free and I think that's a huge accomplishment.

I've been lazy today. I'm eating good but now that I'm feeling better today I really need to get on the treadmill. And I need to run the stairs a few times to get the laundry done.

Although I realize it's probably just water, I am down 5 lbs. It's still an incentive to keep going, even if it's only water.

I had a nice time at Olive Garden last night. I had Seafood Alfredo, but I didn't eat it all. I brought some home and had it for lunch today. Tonight it's stuffed peppers for dinner. I haven't made them in quite some time. And instead of leaving the peppers whole and stuffing them, I cut them in half first. It will still look like a full serving on the plate, but will only be half. I made a lot more than we'll eat, but I intend to freeze the leftovers in individual zip-lock baggies. Should make for quick lunches here and there.

Do you use ground turkey breast?