Oh, the fun we're gonna have! Debbie, her daughter, and I are heading out on a road trip. Whoohoo! While I love traveling with my family or even alone, there's nothing quite like going somewhere with your best friend.
We are going across state to visit some of our other friends. Along the way we are going to take our time stopping in at any ol' shop that catches our eye. There should be plenty, as we're going through Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Carnation, Duvall, Monroe, Snohomish, Poulsbo, Port Townsend, and many little places in between.
Coffee? You bet, when ever we want it! Potty break? You just say so and we're so finding the next rest stop! Pictures? Well, we'll take them, but they will only be posted if they are fantastic! (see The Girlfriend Photo Code feature story.)
Getting out and having a little adventure is one way to keep our friendship strong. It's a great way to make memories and find new things we both like. We highly recommend finding someone that is a compatible traveling companion and get out there. This is an inexpensive, fun thing to do. And, it's a wonderful way to grow and nuture a friendship. Have a great trip!
The Mermaids summer experience: By now, most of our blog followers know that we have been participating in a fun experience this summer at the northwest's Exercise Institute. The organization offers one-on-one physical training in their facility using SuperSlow exercise protocol on Nautilus equipment.
What is it? The equipment used is similar to what you see in health clubs, but the theory of exercise is unique. Instead of building momentum when lifting weights, you leverage your muscles by making each repetition count. It's really a weight to rep ratio - at a slower rate of speed than most are used to.
What does it do? This method builds muscle and increases bone density. Participants feel stronger, and along with dieting (on their own) will begin to see fat decreasing while muscle increases.
Is muscle building good for women? Absolutely! Women can increase bone density and decrease the chance of breaking bones, or osteoporosis. Women will also begin to build lean muscle.
How long does it take? 15 minutes a day, twice a week
I had two great workouts last week. On Monday I was able to workout with Mike Teater, the owner of Exercise Institute. He had some engaging ideas that really challenged me and I felt very tired by the next night. My arms feel strong and I really can't wait to get my measurements from 8 weeks ago. I don't know if my weight has gone down, but my clothes fit much better now.
Mermaid Debbie My Monday workout this last week was really, really hard! I mean it really hurt. Well, there was a really good reason! My high school reunion got in the way! I had a weekend full of late nights and too much fun for someone my age! My body was exhausted and I am sure a bit dehydrated from it's fun time.
The Thursday workout was great! I felt strong and back to normal. I am still seeing differences in my muscles and my jeans are now too big! Wow!
Mermaid Shelley
This week I had a new trainer. Wendee has been
out and Griffin stepped in to cover for her until her return. Because the
Exercise Institute tracks every move on their data base, Griffin was able to
pick right up where Wendee left off. I like that! I didn't have to
"train" a new coach! Funny, I know, but it does take a coach a little
while to figure out where you are and what works for you. However, the data
base information helps the trainers know exactly where each client is. Just one
more reason why I am so loving my experience with this team.
The Mermaids love Portland-based Missionary Chocolates as much as we love our fans and recurring visitors! This week we were feeling particularly generous and have randomly chosen three winners to receive a box of Missionary Chocolates each.
If you are a winner, please click here to contact us to claim your chocolates. We will mail them to you right away! There are no strings attached - just tell your friends about the Mermaids of the Lake e-zine.
If you would like to win this beautiful Huckleberry Basket, please enter this giveaway as well. Hurry though because you only have a week until the entry closes!
Have you ever done something just a little reckless? Maybe you did it in the name of life being short, and doggone it - it's time for me to enjoy something that I will really love?
Here's a story about one woman's quest to have a swimming pool of her own in her backyard. It's a fun little essay that might just inspire you to fulfill one of your dreams.
The Mermaids are truckin' along with our Exercise Experience. We are all starting to see and feel different results. The name of the business, Exercise Institute, is a good one because there is an educational process occurring. Learning more about our bodies and how they will best function and how to build muscle are the main topics we are learning.
This week at Exercise Institute
Mermaid Debbie
This week was my first full week back to the Exercise Institute after having 2 1/2 weeks off for vacation. I started out my Monday workout feeling sick - allergies, I think. I was tired, sore throat, and kind of achy. I felt bad enough that I was afraid the workout would be really hard or even make me more sick. I wasn't about to cancel though! I was pleasantly surprised to realize it felt great and I got through it just fine. The endorphins even made me feel better and more energetic for the rest of the day.
I just returned from my Thurs. workout and it was really intensely difficult and that is what it is supposed to be! I love this! My arms and legs feel like noodles and tomorrow I will most likely have a sore muscle or two or three! I have earned the time I am about to spend floating on an air mattress in my lake!
I should maybe mention too, that I am a person who is Hypothyroid and although medicated for it, I still have many complications, including low immunity, low body temperature, food and environmental allergies, muscle cramping, inability to loose weight, and the list goes on and on. I also have a positive attitude most of the time. (sometimes it just gets to me that I don't feel well, am chubby, etc...) For the most part, I eat only whole foods, no sugar, no wheat, no soy, and no some-other foods I am allergic to! This program is working for me. I feel stronger and building strong muscles can only help me.
Mermaid Jennifer
During my workouts this week, people in neighboring offices probably thought someone was giving birth next door! Wendee, our trainer, worked me extremely hard! The weights were so heavy, that even though I was trying to breath through the pushing and pulling, I know that I made some silly and loud, noises.
As for the "diet," I did eat much better on week 2 of the diet. For breakfast, the delightful and productive FiberOne cereal with fresh fruits; for lunches, lighter fare like salads, celery sticks, and light soups. For dinner, I just made regular food, but tried to eat less. Seems like a good diet. This past weekend, however, I did eat a wee bit more because I was camping with my family. Oh, man we ate well! Shrimp cooked over the campfire, Papa Murphy's pizza over the campfire, and shredded beef sandwiches. Doesn't sound too bad, until you add the Reese's Smores to the mix!
I have been wearing a calorie counter device. I am awaiting the data on my weekly calorie burn. I think it's somewhere around 2,200-2,400 at day.
Mermaid Shelley
Note
to self: do not imbibe the night before an early morning workout session at the
Exercise Institute. Goodness, it is dramatically evident what a little
celebrating and lack of sleep can do to the body. While I was able to push
through my reps, my body cried out at every turn to give it a break. It did not
like working hard after playing hard. It is a good lesson to know, that even a
little abuse can impact how our body function. We do need to have fun every now
and then. However, too much too often is definitely counterproductive. But once
again, dear coach Wendee was there to push me through the program.
Have you ever seen the cross-section of a woman's thigh in an x-ray? Whoa - we did this week and it's amazing how much fat is intermingled with the muscle in an average thigh. Well, with Exercise Institute, we are working to get all that nasty fat out of our muscles so that we look less like a fatty rump roast and more like a piece of sirloin!
This week...
Shelley
I continue to work hard and am feeling different. This week I will only get one workout in. Fourth of July, don't you know. That's life, stuff happens. Actually, the staff at the Exercise Institute feel it's a good thing to get an extra long rest in once in awhile. For most of us, that's counter to our previous experience. Panic sets in if we get off our exercise plan. I like this approach.
I will still be active, as I plan to do a little hiking in the Blue Mountains, maybe even some swimming with my niece. However, I won't be putting in an intense training session. Let's see how I do next week. Will Wendee still be adding those five-ten pound weight increments? I bet she will!
Debbie
Wow! I just came back from 2 1/2 weeks of vacation. I missed 5 workouts and was really feeling pretty worried about it. I did walk a lot on my trip and did some floor-type exercises and lifted a few soup cans too, but no awesome strength training.
My trainer, Wendee was out so I met with Griffin. He worked me hard and just like Wendee, he was very encouraging. I will be honest here- it hurt! Well, quite frankly, it always does and that is such a good thing. I walked out of the Exercise Institute with legs and arms like noodles, a feeling of great satisfaction, and awe, once again that it only took 15 minutes! I am loving this program.
My pecks are bit sore today, but everything else feels great. I am looking forward to Monday.
Jennifer
While I am feeling much stronger I miss my cardio workouts a little bit. Last week while camping, I was able to easily bike ride up a couple of hills. The strength came from my legs and frankly I was a little astounded. So the strength training, and internal muscle building is starting to be apparent when doing things like bike riding. The part that I miss about the cardio is the fat burn off my stomach.
This week they started me on a diet which is like telling my body, "You will now need to eat pasta and chocolate with every meal." I work much better with reverse psychology! I have been eating really well for several months now, but really when I diligently think about eating less, I just feel really hungry! Anyhoo - I do plan to keep trying to watch my meals this week and will work hard on smaller portions - and maybe a little less chocolate.
This will sound strange, but I am noticing my body reshaping in my shoulders! They look stronger and a little sexy. This is good since I will probably be wearing a strapless dress to my sister's wedding this fall.
Hey now - don't hit the beach without a great book this summer! The Mermaids recommend a number of great books and you can buy them right through our website.
This week, Mermaids Shelley and Jennifer completed two workouts at the Exercise Institute. Mermaid Debbie is on vacation and is playing and recreating - which is fun exercise in itself!
The workouts are getting more challenging as more weight is being added to the machines. We alternate between two workout rooms and work different parts of our bodies each week. The trainer stays with us throughout each 15 minute workout, giving us 100% attention.
They have given us some food guides to review and assimilate. More on that later...
Mermaid Jennifer
When we started this experience, we were asked not to perform normal workouts, such as using an elliptical machine, doing yoga, running, etc... This has been challenging for me, as I am used to regular cardiovascular workouts. For years I have based my exercise philosophy on "more is better" and although I'm not a svelte size 6, I do try to keep in shape.
So the change from not doing regular cardio has been an adjustment. It has given me more time to play badminton, take walks, and play on the Wii with the kids. I have felt a little fatter in general, because I haven't been feeling like I'm working off regular calories.
However, that changed as of the last workout that I did this week. The weights were significantly heavier, and the reps were a challenge. My body felt "worked" and even tired. I feel like this is going to be a new trend. I can now feel my ab muscles (seeing them may come later). My thighs also feel more muscular. I do need to eat a little (ahem) healthier this week than last - can anyone say Coconut Cream pie? I'm hoping that some weight loss will start to occur as I really need to lose some pounds.
I look forward to my Monday workout!
Mermaid Shelley
I want to be real about this process. This week was difficult for me. I weighed in 1.5 pounds heavier. Frustrated. I followed a careful calorie count and adhered to the workout plan. Not one to take setbacks laying down, I questioned Wendee, our coach. What's going on? She wasn't surprised or worried. Glad someone wasn't!
She's great, I appreciate her so much. Her explanation was my body is basically rebelling. It's been holding on to fat for a while and doesn't want to give it up. Stick with it, she said, and I will see results. She promised. Ok...I believe her.
That was Wednesday evening. Come Saturday morning I was exhausted. I worked hard several days last week and was fatigued. Also, I hadn't hydrated as I should have. Boy! Did it make a difference in my strength. I actually could have been discouraged. But again, Wendee to the rescue. She pointed out how important factors such as rest and water are to our vitality. It was a good lesson.
Wendee showed me the log of my weight lifting sessions. That was encouraging. My strength has increased in just three weeks. I'm back on the inspiration track. I appreciate the Exercise Institute's personal coaching so much. Real, reasonable feedback and good, educational information. Wendee, you're wonderful!
Admittedly, getting a new washer and dryer can go a long way to improving one's attitude about laundry. However, I still had to take the laundry to task by doing a laundry remodel at the same time. Now, it's a little more organized and livable.
Advertising with the Mermaids... is a great way to get your business noticed. The Mermaids of the Lake website is an online magazine, reaching thousands of readers.
