Watulan Fierce Deities of 2021! All are welcome!!

[cataddict]

Hello Watulan friends!

Since I last posted I've continued with 20 in 30. I've done Michelle Dozois' Cardio Strength Remix from the Peak 10 series and Jari Love's Ripped to the Core. I've always found Michelle's Cardio Strength workouts to be hard for me. They move crazy fast in the strength segments that I have to go pretty light to maintain decent form. To the Core has always been one of my favorite Jari workouts, but, man, that shoulder press segment is way too long and overkill IMHO. I switched arm position but still. Haven't decided what I will do today, possibly kickboxing. I'm not running out of instructors to do yet and I haven't even included Cathe! As others have mentioned, it's sometimes good to take a break from an instructor, even for a little bit.

horusosiris, we alternate between blistering hot and torrential rain and I can definitely see the effect on our bean garden. I pick enough for us to have decent servings every few days. Not quite the bountiful harvest I had hoped for but the bar for this year wasn't set very high since the tomatoes were an epic fail. We are still getting beans and flowers so I'm hoping for a long season anyway if the plants survive the vicious cycle.

bee, we watched 2 episodes of Mr. Corman. Hmmmm. It is definitely odd, not sure if maybe we (DH and I) are just not in the target demographic or something else, but, for example, watching someone deal with daily annoyances isn't very entertaining for us. We have dealt with plenty of idiot customer service calls recently (helloooo disability peeps), and watching more of the same on a TV show just reminds us of it. DH says he is done with the show and I might give it one more episode but I'm thinking nope. I'm thinking the point of the show is Mr Corman's feeling of disconnection with the world and his life, but it doesn't resonate with me. Afterwards we watched Schmigadoon which is also weird but one episode has a parody of "do-re-mi" from the Sound of Music which was absolutely hilarious. Have you watched that show?

FN1, I like the idea of NapMax. You deserve it after the tough workouts you have been doing.

FOLV, counting down to Hike Max!!

Chele, hope you continue to improve. I understand all too well about the unfortunate side effect of the pain meds on all things digestive during my ruptured appendix recovery. Ugh!

BabyW, oh I ASSUMED you bit it on the Cathe workouts. No clarification needed here.

Kate, manleym, Kim and Nathalie, thinking about you guys!

Waves to all!

[bee]

Happy Tuesday, Watulans, though I must admit it really feels like Monday to me since yesterday felt like Sunday all day long. Still in Blursday-ville here!!

cataddict, sounds like you are having fun with the instructor mix up! I agree that Michelle's stuff can be hard!! I remember when that first Peak 10 set came out -- it made me feel sooooo hungry!! And I also think that shoulders tend to be overworked in a lot of workouts. I know people like having shoulders, but sheesh, I worry about injuries sometimes.

Interesting about Mr. Corman -- I may not even try the second episode. I saw the trailer for Schmigadoon and wanted to watch it -- looks like a lot of fun -- but I haven't tried it yet. Loving Ted Lasso! And yes, I really like the addition of the new doctor character. The way she looks at him sometimes is hilarious!!

This morning I was headed to meet a friend for a walk at the tree farm, but had time for the 35 minute #60 Piyo on the Michelle youtube channel. I really liked it -- a bit fast, but not too bad. I really liked the music, which was regular music, not like the stuff Caroline and Heather use. In fact, I worry about drawing any attention to her youtube channel because I'm sure she'd have to pull down her videos with her music selection.

Yes, Linda..... how are you feeling about the upcoming hike? Feeling ready?

Have a great day all!

[kittybug]

Happy Tuesday, Watulans!

As I'm still suffering terribly with leg/hip soreness, I decided to try Yogi Wade's 'Amazon Hip Openers' 90-minute practice. Hmm, seemed more hamstring focused than hips to me but I do feel better, so I guess it did get in there?

Oye, Bee and FN2, STOP because now I wanna revisit Michelle D and I just don't think I should right now! I'm still trying to be careful and change things up from heavier weights, though I wonder how long I'll keep this up for, hah! Being injured just sucks and makes me feel extra wary after for a long time.

BabyW, I had to change out my avatar pic because I found the pic your wonder-twin boys made me think of where our youngin's fell asleep while wrestling.

Hugs and waves to all, drive-by post due to scheduling today, UG...stay fierce, Watulans!!

[Mickey12]

Kittybug I was just going to ask if your cats in the avatar picture were sleeping or sparring. That’s hysterical that they fell asleep while wrestling like that. I love to watch Finley and Rudy tackle each other and roll around. They’re very good brothers and I am so thankful that Rudy is such a patient and easygoing cat. He’s 10 and Finley is 1 so he has to put up with A Lot of shenanigans from Finley and he just takes it all in stride.

No workout yet today. I was getting ready to move when Rudy decided to come up on my lap. Oh, wait, he just heard a noise and left to investigate. Now I’m off to exercise.

Ok, I'm back. Cataddict gave me the idea for Amy Dixon's Super Fit Bod. I really like Amy in this one. She's so genuine and seems to be able to give more motivational pointers in this one as opposed to the Breathless Body workouts when she's working so hard she can just about get out the instructions for the next moves. I like the pace of the workout and appreciate that this one is more intermediate level.

[Vintage VFer]

Hail Watulans!

Re: Tonique. I think I saw a few clips of her workouts ages ago and then she immediately fell off my radar. They probably looked too hard for me. That goes for Barlates, too. I like Linda, but I can't keep up.

horusosirus - I have some Hamelin workouts (downloads) that I keep forgetting about. I should look at them again.

bee - The whole Covid thing is endless. The constant arguing is so disheartening. I've become a history buff in recent years, in particular learning about WWII. My Dad served in the Navy for most of the war until his ship was hit by a kamikaze pilot. He survived, though many of the officers and crew were killed. He told me some of the nightmarish things he saw during the war. But - he never whined about it. There was a time when folks worked together and sacrificed for the good of all. When did that mindset go away?

kittybug - Awww, look at those sweet babies! Thanks for showing us the photo. I hope your hip soreness is better today.

Workouts:
Sunday: Lee Holden Qi Gong for Anxiety
Monday: Leslie Sansone WATP 2 Miles
Tuesday: Body Project Resistance Intervals

Hugs to all!

[manleym]

Hi Watulans! Boy HOWDY has it been a CRAZY ride!! My goodness!!!

I don't even know where to start....

I vaguely remember Horusosiris saying her son worked with Gabby Thomas when she was at Harvard and think that is just so awesome! She got all of the "not fair" genes. She's gorgeous, super smart, obviously athletic...I know she works super hard, but she has everything. We finished watching the Olympics and loved every minute of it. Allyson Felix, the women's relay team...it was all just so good.

Then I remember Cataddict asking about BurpeeGirl and if her workouts have alot of burpess. The 2 workouts I did from her didn't have any burpees at all. They were low impact with light weights.

Everything since has pretty much been a blur so I'm hoping to catch back up with ya'll later.

So work has been INSANE. About a week before school started the district I work in decided to have virtual learning as an option again, which meant class lists had to be completely redone. The lists aren't easy to make (various reasons) and the teachers have had to redo them multiple times. The issue isn't virtual. It's the fact that the district waited until the last second to make the decision which causes everyone to scramble. They could have decided this during the summer and given us all time to prepare. Also I serve 2 schools and I had to pack and move rooms at both schools. Thankfully at one school I knew I was moving and had already done so. Just needed to set up that room. But at the other campus I didn't find out until Friday afternoon so I had to pack everything up, and hubby helped me move Saturday. I've been in meetings all week during the morning and have spent the afternoons setting up 2 rooms. But that isn't unusual. One year I moved 3 or 4 times. It goes with the territory since I'm a specialist and not a classroom teacher. Oh, and masks. Dallas and Ft Worth are madating students and staff wear masks. It is not mandated in the district I work for, but is optional. Not sure what the rest of the country is doing. Hubby said Covid numbers are expected to be really high in September - higher than when the pandemic first started even. I hate Covid and what it is doing to our country. Just wish it would GO AWAY!

On a positive, happy note, my niece had her baby boy July 31st! YAY! I've been teasing my brother because I called his birth on July 31st. Due date was August 1st. My brother called August 8th. My niece lives in GA and my brother and SIL have been out there helping. Of course everyone is over the moon and every time I facetime them, my brother is holding Leighton. I don't think my brother has moved! He is in his happy place and is going to be so sad when they have to leave. His name is Leighton Joseph, born July 31st (called by his great aunt ), weighed 7 lbs 1 oz, 21 inches long. I'm being the proud great aunt and showing everyone his picture.

I was able to workout last week but not so much this week. Other than Unpack Max at school.

I finished my 20 instructors in 20 days last week. I liked doing it and might again. Maybe not 20 days but definitely liked the variety. Before our Cathe rotation I would typically do 1-2 Cathe, KCM, Tracie Long, and whoever else I felt like during a week. I liked the variety of instructors, intensity, and moves. Just good to change things up sometimes.

Last Monday I did Cardio Camp Workout With Kimberly Spreen on Youtube. It was a good solid steady state workout. I liked the variety and the last 20 minutes of lower body bodyweight/barre. I didn't love this workout, so I'm not sure I will return to it. Maybe if I'm looking for something different.
Tuesday I did KCM Strong & Lean Kickbox & Dumbbell Interval 39 minutes. It was good but seemed liked it was light on the weights. I like the longer premixes better but was short on time.
Wednesday was Move Heavy Furniture Max at both of my schools. Think heavy desks, bookcases, etc. I was able to do Slow Flow with Kaylie Daniels Vinyasa Yoga when I got home it it felt good.
Thursday was my last day of 20 instructors in 20 days so I did Erin O’Brien Strong Body, Ageless Body. I did not plan to do this workout but I found it at Half Price Books (LOVE that place!) and I wanted to try it. I liked her modifications to make it harder. The 1st half -PHA/Metabolic alternating upper and lower body moves and the last half was floor work/toning/barre type moves, which I liked. The workout moved pretty quickly so I had to pause to get heavier weights for the lower body. Music & instructor were ok. Not super fun, but not annoying either. It was good after long day of work when I was already tired and on overload.
Fun Friday I worked late packing one of my rooms. When I got home I did
SarahBeth Yoga Yin Yoga for Tight Hips (30 minute) Flexibility & Low Back Pain Relief. Needed it!
Saturday was Move Max. Hubby helped me move everything - 3 bookcases, 2 file cabinets, table, teacher desk, and LOTS of boxes. He did most of the work but we were both pretty whipped/
Sunday I was able to do Five Parks Yoga Spine Strength, Flexibility & Alignment Yoga Class.

Monday we had yard guys at our house when I got home and they didn't leave until about 7 and needed to talk to me, so no workout Monday. Yesterday was Meet the Teacher so I worked late (no workout). We're going out of town Friday late afternoon so no workout. Yard guys are supposed to be back at our house today and I'm running errands after work tomorrow to get ready to go out of town. Our good friends have invited us to their lake house and it's her birthday so I want to get her a gift, etc. I'm seeing a pattern this week of no workouts for me, but I'm planning on getting back to it next week. I told hubby last night that I need it.

Sorry this is so short and hope to catch up more soon. Just been doing Super Busy, Stressed, Overload, Working Late, Exhausted Max....it will get better!

Hugs and waves all!

[kittybug]

Manleym, SO good to hear from you! I had a feeling things were crazy for you, but I was getting ready to do a wellness check, hah!! Hang in there, sister, hope things calm down soon.

Today I did Linda Wooldridge's Endurance 120, 1 + 2 = 3, which never gets any easier. Okay, so it's a little easier than maybe the first couple of times I did it when it made me feel like I was going to DIE, but not much. Definitely Tonique light! But I do like how it's a total body strength/cardio/stretch workout, all in one, with no equipment but a mat. And BabyW, I have trouble keeping up with her too. I have to take it slow and controlled with some breaks, just FYI! If there's one thing this group has really taught me most, it's to modify when needed and not to feel one iota bad about it, hmph!!

Kim, I love the fact that Rudy plays with Finley and is so accommodating to all that still-a-kitten energy! Our 11-year-old gets chased around a LOT by our little 2-year-old girl who is a third of his size, and he too enjoys it. That means he's come a long way from his initial alien-vs-predator hissing reaction when the kittens first came here.

Stay fierce, Watulans!!

[cataddict]

Hi all!

Yesterday I did Amy Bento's Kickbox Extreme (the 49 minute premix) and today I did Sydney Cummings' 40 minute total body no repeats. I really like Amy now that I've gotten more used to her "on the fly" cuing, and this was a good workout. I like Sydney and I really like the concept behind this workout. It was 40 seconds of work, 20 seconds "rest" that allows you to either rest, jog, or change weights as well as watch her demonstrate the next move if necessary. I do have a bone (or maybe two) to pick. I didn't need form pointers but if someone with less experience watched her to learn form it could be problematic. She also did WAY too many exercises that included shoulder presses. More than one is too much! Again, she could have given an alternative to Arnold presses and just not do them in multiple exercises. I substituted biceps on the last compound exercise as I can't recall that there were any exercises at all for the biceps! That said, it was a well paced workout and I would do it again with my changes. I'm up to 11 instructors in my rotation! My plan is to try to finish before I get the new Cathe workouts, but it will be close. The fallback would be to do a new Cathe as the 20th instructor.

manleym, great to hear from you, particularly in the craziness that you are in the midst of right now! I can't imagine how tough it must be for teachers across the country as every community seems to be struggling with a plan for the school year and things are still up in the air here.

Kim and FN1, it's great when the older cats can get along with the younger guys. I think Big Orange enjoyed the sparring with his young brother as well. Of course it helped that he had such a sweet and tolerant temperament. He put up with A LOT. Sometimes he would have had enough and just bop him on the head, which is what it looks like Cheeto is doing in FN1'spicture? Oh, glad you enjoyed SuperFit Bod! It's a good one---as you said, not killer like Breathless Body can be, and easy to modify.

FN1, I agree that Michelle is not a good idea for you right now. She allegedly has a "modifier" who doesn't really modify and I think that you would do too much as you are not a halfway Watulan!

BabyW, I so agree with you about the attitudes people have about doing anything even the slightest bit inconvenient! STOP WITH THE WHINING ALREADY, PEOPLE! I want to say QUIT ACTING LIKE SPOILED LITTLE BABIES (no insult intended, BabyW). My parents' generation faced shortages, rationing, etc. and made adjustments. They knew it was temporary. **sigh** Rant over.

horusosiris, I didn't know there were any Barlates workouts on You Tube so I will now have to take a look. I've never tried Linda and it would be great to try one before I commit to a purchase to see if I click with her.

bee, I am having fun doing the 20 in 20 (or 30). I want to try the instructor you mention, and it's good to know that she uses "regular" music. I can only tolerate so much of what I call "iHeart radio" music.

Waves to Nathalie, Chele and Kate and healing vibes to you and your families. Power vibes to FOLV in the approaching HikeMax.

[fanofladyvols]

Kim I'm glad to know Amy Dixon has a tru intermediate workout. I think I have that one so that sounds great! Sometimes I wish I had a kitten for my old girl to keep her on her toes.

manley congrats on finishing the 20 in 20! You have been super busy while doing it as well. Most excellent hope things slow down for you.

kittybug I tried Linda but as much as I wanted to like her stuff...I just couldn't. Like Alta said she moved too quickly for me.
That's great how you are able to make it work for you. I ADORE your avatar pic

Alta I see you are already close to your yearly workout goal..woohoo!!

Today I wanted something to try to work some of the soreness out of my legs from yesterday. So I put on my camouflage leggings and did CIA 2904 kickbox surge premix plus fusion segment. This is with Kimberly Spreen. Nice intermediate workout be and so much fun!! She would spread her hands out and say 'hold' in between segments and it was so jazz hand like that it made me grin. I'm not sure I had ever done the fusion segment and shame on me for not! So restorative!

I'm going to only do light or no workouts until the Saturday hike. Thank you for all the support everyone.. you're fabulous!!

[Mickey12]

Alta, I so agree with you regarding the mindset of those in WWII. I am so humbled by what they sacrificed and how they pulled together for the common good. I truly believe they were the greatest generation. It makes me very, very sad to think what the world has become. I enjoy history, Civil War fascinates me, but I have started to learn more about WWII. I’m very glad your father made it home.

Manley, good to hear from you! Such craziness, but like you said, it will calm down. I hope you have a great school year!

Sending healing good wishes to Nathalie and ChelePA and daughter and Kate’s son. Hope you are all doing well and making progress.

Today was a walk at lunch because I had stuff to do after work. I did Travis’s YouTube yin for back practice last night after the Amy Dixon workout. It was only 30 minutes. I did it right before bed and I slept like a log. It was great.

Hope everyone is having a good week.