Quote of the Day
"People usually fail when they are on the verge of success. So give as much care to the end as to the beginning."
– Lao-Tzu


Quote of the Day
"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."
– Anne Lamott

Quote of the Day
"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
– Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Ok, cats, let's show 'em how to get the job done this week. I can tell you from my own experiencse, the you NEVER GIVE UP!!
Let's do it!
This is our new serious forum:
Please post your goals/plans for the week as well as your accomplishments. This is also the place to give and get support. If you have serious weight issues to discuss, do that here so that it doesn't get lost among the fun chat of the cheer forum.

You'll also find the week's challenges posted here. Remember, choose one group each day and pick four exercises from that group. Once you've gone through all 3 groups, start again and do the other 4 exercises from each group. Be sure to post your accomplishments so we can all brag on you. When you post, just indicate which exercises you do by posting the first letter of the group (Core, Upper, Lower) and the number that you did. (ie. C1, C2, C3, etc)

This week’s challenges at a glance:

Core:

#1 Crunches – 3 sets of 25
#2 Reverse Crunches – 3 sets of 25
#3 Hip Flexor – 3 sets of 20
#4 Standing Oblique Crunches – 3 sets of 15
#5 Back Extensions – 3 sets of 15
#6 Airplane Pose – 3 sets of 15
#7 Bridge Ups – 3 sets of 20
#8 Standing Side Bends 2/ towel – 3 sets of 25


Upper Body:

#1 Close Arm Wall Push-ups – 3 sets of 15
#2 Alternating Bicep Curls – 3 sets of 15
#3 Dumbbell Triceps Kickbacks – 3 sets of 15
#4 Dumbbell Chest Press – 3 sets of 15
#5 Dumbbell Chest Fly – 3 sets of 15
#6 Dumbbell Lateral Raises 3 sets of 15
#7 Reverse Plank – 3 sets (hold as long as possible)
#8 Dumbbell Wrist Curls – 3 sets of 15


Lower Body:

#1 Squats – 3 sets of 15
#2 Lying Adduction – 3 sets of 15
#3 Standing Abduction – 3 sets of 15
#4 Bridges – 3 sets of 15
#5 Reverse Leg Lifts – see instructions
#6 Dumbbell Calf Rocking – 3 sets of 20
#7 Lateral Lunges – 3 sets of 15
#8 Double Leg Raises – 3 sets of 15

Core Challenges

#1 Crunches - 3 sets of 25

Starting Position
Lie on the floor or a mat on your back, with knees bent and hands behind head. Feet should be flat on the ground. Keep a space between your chin and chest (looking diagonal towards the ceiling).

Action
EXHALE: Raise your chest until your shoulder blades lift off the floor.

INHALE: Slowly lower back to floor.

Special Instructions
Don't use your hands and arms to help lift you up - use abdominals and hips.

Muscles Worked: Abs


#2 Reverse Crunches - 3 sets of 25

Starting Position
Lie on the floor or a mat on your back, with knees bent and hands behind head. Lift legs and bend knees to 90 degrees. Keep a space between your chin and chest (looking diagonal towards the ceiling).

Action
EXHALE: Pull knees in toward chest and hold for 2 seconds.

INHALE: Slowly lower legs back to starting position.

Special Instructions
Don't use your momentum to swing your legs up. Try to keep the motion controlled by your abs.

Muscles Worked: Lower abs



#3 Hip Flexor - 3 sets of 20

Starting Position
Stand with feet slightly apart, toes forward, hands on hips or one hand on a wall/chair for support. Shift weight to right leg, keeping knee slightly bent and spine straight.

Action
EXHALE: Gradually lift the left leg, keeping it bent at 90 degrees. Lift knee as high as possible, trying to get thigh parallel to floor or higher. Hold here for 2 counts.

INHALE: Slowly lower leg to ground without letting foot rest on the floor. Complete all reps and switch sides.

Special Instructions
Make sure you aren't leaning back when lifting leg. Also, try to make the entire movement very slow and controlled.

Muscles Worked: Hips, Upper Thigh, Glute

#4 Standing Oblique Crunches -- 3 sets of 15 ea side
Sorry, no pic of this one. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent. Place your right hand on your right hip for stability. Raise your left arm over your head. Bring your left knee up to a 90 degree angle and your left arm down to a 90 degree angle at the same time crunching the oblique. Try to touch your elbow to your knee or close to touching. Repeat for 15 reps and switch sides. Special Note: Try to keep your "active" knee pointing out as you perform the crunch.


#5 Back Extensions -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie facedown, legs together and extended straight, arms bent with hands behind neck, head and neck in a neutral position.

Action
EXHALE: Lift the upper body (chest, shoulders) off of the ground, "crunching" towards the hips. Hold for 1-2 counts at highest position.

INHALE: Slowly lower with control to start to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
This is a very small movement-- don't move further than you can naturally and easily. Keep legs squeezed together, hips on floor. There should be no movement from your hips to your toes.

Muscles Worked: Lower back

#6 Airplane Pose -- 3 sets of 15 (each leg)

Starting Position
Stand with feet together, arms at sides, and gaze at a spot on the ground about 5 feet ahead for balance.

Action
Lift left foot back, bending forward until left leg and chest are parallel to ground. Extend arms out as shown. Hold for 3 counts. Repeat for all repetitions and switch sides.

Special Instructions
Be sure to keep a flat back (parallel to floor) and concentrate on keeping abs tight.

Muscles Worked: Back, Glutes, Hamstrings


#7 Bridge Ups -- 3 sets of 20

Starting Position
Begin seated on floor, knees bent, feet flat, arms bent with hands on floor below shoulders.

Action
EXHALE: Straighten arms (don't lock elbows), allowing butt/hips to rise off of ground until your body from your head to your knees is in a straight line parallel to the floor. Hold for 2 counts.

INHALE: Return to starting position for one rep.

Special Instructions
Keep glutes squeezed and tailbone tucked in. Tighten abs to help straighten body. At highest position, knees should be bent at 90 degrees.

Muscles Worked: Abs, Lower back, Shoulders


#8 Standing Side Bends w/ towel -- 3 sets of 25

Starting Position
Stand with legs hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Holding ends of a rolled-up towel, extend arms overhead in a V formation.

Action
Lift up and out of your rib cage and reach about 10 degrees to the left without moving your lower body. Return to start. Bend to opposite side to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
Concentrate on bending from the waist, and letting your upper body/arms follow.

Muscles Worked: Obliques

Upper Body Challenges

#1 Close Arm Wall Pushups -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Start facing wall, arms-length away, feet slightly apart, legs straight with weight on toes. Place hands on wall with pointer fingers and thumbs forming a triangle. Keep arms in line with shoulders/chest (not above or below this region).

Action
INHALE: Bend elbows about 90 degrees and lower body toward the wall without touching it.

EXHALE: Straighten arms and return to starting position to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
The further your feet are away from the wall, the more difficult this exercise will be. Also be sure not to lock knees or elbows.

Muscles Worked: Chest, Triceps, Shoulders


#2 Alternating Biceps Curls -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Stand with feet slightly apart, knees slightly bent, abs tight. Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with an underhand grip. Lock elbows into the side of your torso and rest weights in your hand, on the front of the thigh.

Action
INHALE: Curl one dumbbell to your shoulder.
EXHALE: Lower dumbbell to starting position, then curl the dumbbell in your opposite hand.
One curl on each side equals one rep.

Special Instructions
Keeping abs tight will help protect your lower back. If your body leans backward as your curl up the weight, then the weight is too heavy. Keep elbows pressed into your sides for support and to isolate the biceps. This exercise can also be done in a seated position.

Muscles Worked: Biceps



#3 Triceps Kickbacks -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Hold a dumbbell in one hand. Kneel on bench with the opposite knee, then lean forward from your waist and support your body weight on your free hand. Keep upper arm of weighted hand fixed to your side, and allow to bend to 90 degrees.

Action
Push weighted hand back until elbow is straight. Slowly lower to starting position and repeat. Complete desired repetitions and alternate.

Special Instructions
Make sure to relax upper body.

Muscles Worked: Triceps



#4 Dumbbell Chest Press -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie flat on bench with feet on flat on floor , arms extended upward, holding dumbbells with an overhand grip.

Action
INHALE: Lower dumbbells to chest level, bending elbows and rotating forearms to bring your hands into pronation (palms facing legs).

EXHALE:Press dumbbells back up until arms are straight (but elbows do not lock). Do an isometric contraction to isolate the upper pecs.

Lower and repeat for one rep.

Special Instructions
Keep spine in a neutral position. Don't lift head off the bench during exercise. If your lower back comes up from the bench at all during the movement, then raise your legs (bent) into the air to keep the back flat throughout the entire movement.

Muscles Worked: Chest, Triceps



#4 Dumbbell Chest Fly -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie flat on a bench. Hold dumbbells with arms extended and elbows slightly bent.

Action
INHALE: Lower dumbbells until elbows are at shoulder height.

EXHALE: Raise the dumbbells up until they meet.

Special Instructions
A narrow bench will allow free movement of the shoulders. This is not an exercise for heavy weights. Keeping arms slightly bent will less the stress on the elbow.

Muscles Worked: Chest



#6 Dumbbell Lateral Raises -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Stand with feet slightly apart, back straight, arms hanging at your sides. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inward.

Action
EXHALE: Raise the dumbbells at your sides to shoulder level, keeping elbows slightly bent.

INHALE: Lower slowly with control to the starting position to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
Do not let the momentum of your swinging arms do all the work-- keep the movement controlled. Be sure you are not leaning back when lifting the weights.

Muscles Worked: Shoulders



#7 Reverse Plank -- 3 sets (hold as long as you're able)

Starting Position
Sit with palms on ground, below shoulders. Squeezing butt and thighs.

Action
Push up into a reverse plank (on either elbows or straight arms). Hold for 30 seconds and work up to 1-3 minutes.

Special Instructions
Keep body in straight line- don't let hips raise or lower. Be sure not to hold breath.

Muscles Worked: Back, Triceps, Shoulders, Core, Quads



#8 Dumbbell Wrist Curls -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Sit with forearms resting on your thighs or a bench. Take an underhand grip on one dumbbell, passively extending your wrists downward. Place the other hand on top of your wrist (not pictured) to hold the arm in place.

Action
EXHALE: Curl your wrist up, keeping the rest of the arm still by using your free hand.

INHALE: Slowly lower to the starting position to complete one rep. Finish all reps on this side and switch hands.

Special Instructions
Can also be done with both wrists simultaneously.

Muscles Worked: Forearms

Lower Body Challenges

#1 Squats -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Begin this exercise by standing with your feet wider than shoulder width apart and your toes pointed forward.

Action
INHALE: Slowly lower your body and remember to bend slightly at your hips. Keep your weight back on your heels and your back as upright as possible. Make sure your knees don’t cross the plane of your toes.

EXHALE: Straighten legs and come up to the starting position to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
Do not go past 90 degrees at the bend in your knees because this causes additional stress on your joints. If you feel pain in your knees, just go down to where you don't feel pain and come back up. If you have difficulty performing this exercise you can also use a chair or wall to help with balance and the movement until you build sufficient strength.

Muscles Worked: Quads, Glutes


#2 Lying Adduction -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie on right side, with right leg straight on ground, left leg bent with foot flat on the ground either in front or behind right leg. Rest your head on right hand or extended arm. Place left hand flat on the ground in front of torso for balance.

Action
EXHALE: Keeping toes pointed forward and foot flexed, lift right leg off the floor toward the ceiling as high as you can (only a few inches). Hold here for a count of 2.

INHALE: Slowly lower toward ground without letting it touch.

Repeat all reps and switch sides.

Special Instructions
None.

Muscles Worked: Inner thigh



#3 Standing Abduction -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Stand with feet slightly apart, knees slightly bent, hands on hips or one hand on a chair or wall for balance. Shift weight to right let keeping it slightly bent.

Action
EXHALE: Keeping toes pointed forward, foot flexed, and leg straight, lift the left foot off the ground and out to the side as high as you can. Hold here for 2 counts.

INHALE: Lower slowly with control without letting left foot or leg rest to complete one rep. Complete all reps and switch sides.

Special Instructions
Do not let momentum swing your leg-- keep it slow and controlled. Try to keep upper body straight-- don't lean forward or back. Also try to keep both legs in line with body, not forward or behind.

Muscles Worked: Outer thigh, Hips, Quads



#4 Bridges -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie with arms at sides, feet on floor, knees bent. Press into heels.

Action
EXHALE: Slowly lift hips off of floor toward ceiling, squeezing the glutes.

INHALE: Return to starting position.

Special Instructions
Squeeze glutes through entire rep. Try not to let butt touch ground when lowering between reps.

Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, Glutes, Quads


#5 Reverse Leg Lifts -- see instructions
No pic for this one. Begin by getting on your hands and knees on the floor. Lower your upper body to rest on your elbows so that you are angled toward the floor. Keeping your left knee on the floor, extend your right leg behind you with your toe touching the floor. Raise your right leg to just above hip level and lower back to the floor. Do not let your toes touch the floor. Repeat for 15 raises and then bend your right leg at the knee and press your foot towards and lower for 15 slow raises. Then, so another 15 small quick pulses. Sit back on your heels to stretch the muscle. Then, repeat for the other side.

#6 Calf Rocking w/ Dumbbells -- 3 sets of 20

Starting Position
Stand with knees slightly bent, feet hip-width apart. Hold dumbbells at side with palms facing in.

Action
EXHALE: Slowly lift heels, rolling onto toes (but not tiptoes). Lower.

INHALE: Shift weight into heels and lift toes off floor to complete one rep.

Special Instructions
None.

Muscles Worked: Calves


#7 Lateral Lunges -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Begin by standing with your feet shoulder width apart, hands on hips.

Action
INHALE: Step out to the right and shift your body weight over your right leg, squatting to a 90 degree angle at the right knee. Try to sit down with your butt, keeping your back as upright as possible.

EXHALE: Push off and bring your right leg back to center to complete one rep. Finish all reps on this side, and repeat on left side to complete one set.

Special Instructions
Keep your weight on your heels and make sure your knees don't go over the plane of your toes. Hold your arms out in front of you to help with balance.

Muscles Worked: Quads, Glutes, Inner thigh



#8 Lying Double Leg Raises -- 3 sets of 15

Starting Position
Lie on left side, legs straight, knees together, resting head on left hand or extended arm. Place right hand flat on the ground in front of you for balance.

Action
EXHALE: Keeping legs squeezed together, lift both legs simultaneously up into the air. Hold for 1-2 counts here. Be sure that feet are flexed and toes point forward.

INHALE: Lower to start without letting bottom leg touch ground to rest to complete one rep.

Switch sides and repeat to complete one set.

Special Instructions
This is a very small movement- you should only be lifting legs a few inches off the ground.

Make it harder: Try holding in highest position for 30+ seconds instead of (or in addition to) doing repetitions.

Muscles Worked: Inner thigh, Outer thigh, Hips, Obliques

There ya go, cats!
Well, my plan is not much different. Need to get thru 6 weeks, maintenance now.
1. post accountablity each day I am online and keep my journal each day
2. take my vitamins
3. drink at least 80 oz of water
4. between 1300-1400 calories a day
5. Level 3 Jillian Michaels workout, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Billy Blanks half hour boot camp, on Friday, and 1 hour workout on Saturday.
6. 8 team challenges, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Log on every day except Friday and Saturday to cheer, support and razz my team and buddies!
Have a rockin' week!

Since I couldn't post this Friday:



Friday August 01
Welcome to Losing It with Jillian Michaels, the newsletter designed to help you shed pounds, increase energy, and finally get fit for life!



Get the Dish on Fish
Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about consuming fish and whether the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids outweigh the dangers of the mercury levels that are being detected in various species from waters around the world. Well, the word is, fish is still a good catch!

The FDA and EPA maintain that their 2004 consumer advisory, "What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish," remains current, and they recommend that that women and young children continue to include fish and shellfish in their regular diets. According to the report, fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet and can contribute to heart health as well as to children's proper growth and development.

It is suggested that adults eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Good options include:

* Shrimp
* Canned light tuna
* Salmon
* Pollock
* Catfish

Additionally, albacore tuna, also known as white tuna, contains more mercury than "light" tuna, so it is suggested that you eat only as much as 6 ounces of albacore tuna each week, as opposed to 12 ounces of the fish that are lower in mercury. Children should be served smaller portions of fish in general.

Are there any fish you should steer clear of? Yes, actually. The FDA currently recommends that you do not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because they contain dangerously high traces of mercury. You should also be aware of advisories about the safety of fish caught in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. For more information, visit U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page.

Finally, don't lose sight of the fact that fish is an excellent source of protein and healthful omega-3 fatty acids. When preparing fish, stick to grilling and baking. Avoid frying fish or adding creamy or buttery sauces. If you enjoy going out for Japanese food, sashimi is the healthiest option — you can also order your favorite rolls without rice to avoid unnecessary carbs.

Congratulations, Kama, on meeting your goal!
We are so proud of you!!!

JILLIAN'S TIP OF THE DAY
Sources of Omega-3s
In addition to being found in fish, omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. Like monounsaturated fat, omega-3 fat improves heart health by helping keep cholesterol levels low, but it can also aid in stabilizing an irregular heartbeat and reducing blood pressure. It also acts as a natural blood thinner to reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes. And finally, your brain, which is 60 percent fat, needs omega-3 to function properly. So eat it up, people!