Hi Pam,

Before you think I'm Jane Fonda or something, that workout is my "full version" which I did religiously three times a week from about '96 to this past fall. The bombs interfered some with my schedule and the extra work...Now I'm lucky to do a full one twice a week. I supplement now with biking and yanking weeds .

THe yoga tape I base my routine on is Patti (or is it Mary??? sorry leant the tape to my pal.) Smith's beginners/intermediate. Now I've just memorized and do the stretches that suit me best.

I ALWAYS workout in front of a mirror (even when I was following the tape I'd set it to the side of the T.V.)...this helps with balance, ensuring your posture and form are correct (important for the free weights too). Plus, for me, I find rewarding it to watch my body work. Sure there are sections that are iffy (three major abhominal surgeries just might do that to a gal) but I concentrate on what is looking more defined, good, feeling stronger.

The key to all of this for me is playing the right music. That changes a lot over time: good hip-hop for the dance warm-up, anything you like to MOVE to!

I always feel so much better after working out. I think of it as something a little sacred. For me...body, spirit, mind.

Just the last glass of blush for me tonight... Still waiting on those promised thunder storms. We actually get a TON of sun here in the summer and a fair bit in the winter as the sun sets at 5 p.m on Dec 21ST . So our storms are more loved and hated....some people just don't like the BOOM! I do...almost reminds me of the base on my Cerwin Vega speakers....did I mention that the louder the music the better when working out?

(Can you tell it's very late and I should be in bed? Feel free to ignore this entire post if it rambles senselessly! Guess I should have put this at the top...too tired, nighty night!)


Shiny

P.S. just checking over my post and saw the first charge of lighting, followed by that wondrous rumble...a few minutes away still. I think I'll sit in the back room and watch some of the show.