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Hi Mary, your walking program is cool , one kid/day lol what lovely kids, I'd have to drag mine if it was my idea!! but my 16 yr old enjoys running off and on so that's good.Canadauae here was in Al Ain but her last post is from May so I don't know how she's doing.You could'v paired with her.Amazing girl!! Her weight loss was so inspiring for me,sigh I want to get somewhere this year, fingers crossed, you take care, and thx for keeping in touch

The nutrition tracker really helps me, too. I like the fact that I can just put in the food and amount and it calculates everything for me. Sure beats the days with a calorie book, pencil and paper:) This morning was the first day back to school for my hubby after the break, so my daughter and I walked after he left. I figured, since I have four kids, I would wake one up early everyday to walk with me. That covers me for four days a week. I like the fitness tracker because there is a place where you can map your route, put in your weight and how many minutes walked and it will figure out how many calories you burned. You can save your route, too. I am so excited about that. I only walk around the block at this time, but I did it a minute quicker this morning that last week. Wish you were in Al Ain, we could walk together.

Edited by: PRETTYPANDA23 at: 1/7/2012 (23:49)

hey thx for the trophy Mary how are you keeping up with the program?? It's day 2 since I'v started to use the nutrition tracker(again!) and was amazed at the fact that I ate a lot but still was a 100 short on the calories range at the end of the day.So either i'm eating too less (hurting my metabolism) or too much junk/processed food (binge days) to be yo-yoing with my weight.The nutrition tracker has really helped me!

Good job Maribou!!
Mary

Guess what!!!! I did my day 1 week 1 of C25K program!! wow I felt like Iv won a gold medal or something.DH offered to drop me off to the Raha garden area and off to the market,in the car i had my doubts if I'd be able to pull it off and was scared of myself that I'd feel breathless and defeated and no good in the end, but still...it was almost like stage fright LOL
well I did fine and when I heard 'Congratulations you did it " on the podcast wow I felt so proud! so rest day tomo and guess I'll do day 2 on tue yas marina circuit to get a pro feeling hehe
take care team

Hi Prettypanda! Welcome!

I'm in Abu Dhabi (Marabou and I are almost neighbors!); I think Canadauae is in Al Ain. I don't know of anybody else off the top of my head, but I bet there's someone out there. Good luck!

Hi Mary, welcome to SP family! I recently moved from Al Ain to Abu Dhabi. We're in Khalifa City A which is not so crowded as the main city so somewhat like Al Ain.This is such a nice time of the year (weather wise) to get some good outdoor excercise so I'm playing tennis with a few new friends.
Hope you feel better soon,

Hello, my name is Mary and I live in Al Ain. I just joined Sparkpeople yesterday and I am still bumping around the website pretty much. Are there other people living in Al Ain? I started off the New year with bronchitis, so I am on the mends from that. Hopefully next week I will be able to begin exercising. I am a little intimidated about walking outside here, but maybe I can drag my hubby with me. We really enjoy living here, but lately have been very homesick. It has been a year and a half since we have been home. We are not sure if we will be here next year or not. Well, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mary

Hey All
after about 10 mnths of yo- yoing and do overs I'm back on here (refusing to give up yet).It struck me how much time I have wasted.There are a few revelations that have come to me these past few months! I'm def addicted to sugar and I absolutely can't survive fad diets (as I did in my 20s) so I'v only the healthy way to go (if I were to go anywhere).Most importantly I have discovered that I have been indulging in self pity, feeling weak and incapable whereas all I need to do is rely and trust myself.Why didn't I think of that before?Where was I when I needed myself the most??hehe sounds crazy right?
In the end I'd like to put in a vote for Kasey to be the team leader for this group , your story is truly inspirational!
cheers

Hi Kasey!!! Welcome back to the UAE!!! You're right - it IS pretty dead in here!! Everyone seems to like posting a blog or sending SparkMail to each other to keep in touch rather than into these threads!! Check them out - everyone is quite active in that respect!! Anyway, I hope you are enjoying Al Ain. I have actually just moved back to Canada myself! You and I have switched continents!! I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you before moving back here!! We are looking for a new leader for this group - preferably someone who actually still lives in UAE. Are you interested??

wow its dead in here... well I have reached the UAE and I am now living in Al Ain :)

Ok I have GOT TO get more active on here!! I am so bad at these things but I am on Spark EVERRRYYY DAY :) So I am coming to UAE (Al Ain) moving there permanently in a MONTH or lessssssss! I will be in Al Ain for a while and later hopefully relocating to Abu Dhabi...what is everyone up to??

Hi All!! Still finishing the "little things" to complete our new home, got a garden planted and re-cleaned everything myself!! Gee I can be picky sometimes!!

Anyway, I'm back to Sparking again. Sporadically but I'll get back in full swing before long.

Hey all,

sorry I've been so out of the loop but with them taking the internet at the office and me having some problems with connection at home it's been a bit difficult! But I'm here now and everyone looks like they're doing great!
We're in March already, hurrah!

Hi All,
Nothing fantabulous to report on my side, working on my program (off n on), kids down with a terrible viral allergic cough and term end exams so too much on my plate (metaphorically speaking hehe) but hanging in there,
TC

Hi everyone - I've been MIA, sorry (busy crazy work AND internet woes). Hope everyone is well. Peggie, I didn't even know you were moving! Are you all settled in now?

I have not been doing well with my food. My exercise hasn't been great, primarily because my schedule hasn't been conducive to getting to the gym. I did run while DS was in dance class last week, and then got to the gym and out for a long walk over the weekend. Hoping this week will be better.

Take care!

Hi All,

Arabic Day was celebrated today at our school and it rained CHOCOLATES !! well ahem!! yes I dived in (confession!) on the brighter side have been playing tennis, doing gym three days in a row which is a new record for me and feeling stronger
xo

Hi There All you UAE'ers!!! I am finished with the move!! Finally!!! It's been a very long month starting with giving our notice at the furnished high rise apartment at JBR, finding a new villa (in Jumeirah 2, Dubai), buying all the furnishings, arranging deliveries, and packing and unpacking our "stuff" that we have accumulated in the one year we've been here! Wow, I can't believe how much stuff we have!!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be checking in on each of you, but right now I'm just enjoying puttering around the new place. Have a great day everyone!!

Hey Peggie,
you're absolutely right, I haven't logged in this past week at all.On the exercise front have been cheating big time BUT have my bingeing is under control and on more than one occasion found myself under control so something to be proud of.Where are you moving too? I'l be moving to Abu Dhabi in July, looking forward to it!

You guys are all being pretty quiet this week - Hope you're all having a good week!!

I'm well into the moving process and everything is going according to plan and we should be ready to move our final things in this weekend. We are SO looking forward to it!! I'll have to invite you all over for a healthy lunch some day soon!!

Have a great day everyone!!

Good morning all you UAE Sparkers!!! Welcome all new members!!!

We have several new members this week!! If you need any help setting up your Spark Pages, please fire me a SparkMail or drop a note here or on my page!! It would be great to get to know you all!!!

It sounds like we've all been pretty busy lately - new jobs, new villas, new battle teams and other stuff!! Let us all know how things are going!!! Several members are really good at posting blogs regularly - NEVERMIND2010, PILLOWFOOL, CANADAUAE, GRACEANAQAH, DUBAIGIRL and DAVIDPRESCOTT. Thanks for keeping us all posted.

I haven't posted a blog in a long time - pretty busy with getting things going with my squad in the 8 week battle team, starting the search for a job, and setting up our new villa and getting furnishings before move-in on the 15th. We've been living in a furnished apartment so we had virtually nothing of our own !!! It's been great fun picking out all the furnishings, some used and some brand new, all at a fraction of the cost of back in Canada!! After we've settled in, I will have more time to blog.

Have a great Saturday everyone!!

Yes, I'm afraid once it starts it goes private and nobody else can join. There will be another one after a couple of months though, and by then you'll know your way around Spark really well and be battle ready!!! It would be great if you want to join in the battle then!! I'll keep you all posted when the new one comes along!!

Hey PeggieT, I'd be most interested to join the 8 week battle program but guess I'v missed the start date.Mayb the next one then!

You can do it David!! Go for it!!!

Haven't checked in for a few days so a hat tip back to you Dubaigirl ;)

SO its 12:30 Jan 30th and I am 801 grams from my goal of being under 120 by tomorrow. Must admit it was a nice surprise to see 120.?? come up this morning! Haven't seen that 120 for quite some time.

Quite nervous about getting to 119.XX but I have decided that my weigh in on Feb 1st has to count as my final weigh in for my January goal - I think that's fair. Isn't it?:)

Anyways have a great day all!

Kasey, Hang in there!! Plateaus are part of the journey, and if you can ride it out, stick to your program, your body will let it go when it is ready to.

Regarding the cravings, examine what you have been eating lately and see if anything is creeping back into your diet that could be triggering the cravings. For me it is usually a hidden sugar or too much high sugar fruits.

Hang in there - you can do it!! You've come so far and are so close to your goal!! Or is it possible that your goal should be where you are now???

Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/28/2011 (23:53)

Ohhh I am facing a challenge...the closer I get to my goal I am in a PLATEAU! I don't know how to get out but I got a little "too comfy" and got slack so I feel unmotivated. I sure need to get past this plateau because it frustrates me. I want to lose 10-15 more pounds and it is not happening fast enough. I am also craving all kinds of bad things and snacking all day with no really healthy things! Hellllp :)

Well done passing up those goodies!! You're a stronger woman than I!!!

So, I finally started sending out my resume yesterday and I now have two interesting jobs in the line up, one interview tomorrow and no power suit to wear!! I gotta go shopping!! Wish me luck - I'm stress eating big time, but no sugar or white flour at least!!

Morning ladies and gents * tips hat to David*

Yesterday I had full on massive cravings for biscuits. Mainly because my colleague has just bought back these amazing ones from Jordan and they are my fav! They're called ma'moul and are a little bit like stuffed shortbread. The walnut one is to die for. Normally I would be fine not eating these but that time of the month is creeping up on me and I am ravenous for anything and everything! It took tremendous willpower not to eat one.

There is however one sitting in my draw (they're individualy wrapped)for when I want a treat. Thankfully the tin is gone now as everyone has eaten them. phew! no more temptation for me.

Hope everyone else is doing great this week? Anyone faced any challenges?

Morning All!
PeggieT I'm going to check online to see if the shred is available for download - will let you know if I find it.

This week went great for me, I lost over 2lbs, stayed off my 'crack' (sugar) and finally got back to dance class on Saturday. Now I just have to brave the weather and get back in the pool!

I've noticed lately that my huddle is almost always "Make It Happen!" I think I'm trying to tell MYSELF to make it happen!! I'm on it!!

Hi everyone! I am so glad that we are getting involved in the team and getting to know each other !! I love reading all your blog postings, and seeing the progress everyone is making. Keep it going!!

I'm getting myself ready for the new 8 week battle starting January 31. I'm ready!!

Have a great day everyone!

Is anyone interested in really giving it your all for 8 weeks?? If so, the new "8 Week Battle #11" is now open. The official start date is Monday January 31 at which time it goes private. If you are interested, check it out. You will see it on my SparkPage under my teams! Click on it and read the general information postings, and if it sounds like something you would like to commit to for 8 weeks, then feel free to join in. I hope to see some of you there!!

So I looked up the 30 Day Shred. There is a team here by that name and it is devoted to a DVD workout by Jillian Michaels called the 30 Day Shred and another one called Shred It. From what I've heard, they are supposed to be very good workout routines. I haven't noticed if they sell them here in UAE.

I keep hearing about the 30 day shred too, but I don't know what's involved either. Anyone? I'll see what I can find out.

Well I've been stuck at my desk here all day reworking my resume. It's time to launch my job search this week! I've heard things are not quite the same here as in Canada for getting a job, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

I'm off to get some walking in at least. Hope you're all having a great day!!

Morning everyone, I am def going to miss this when they block the internet at work!

This week is going great so far. My exercise has dramatically dropped from 3-5 times a week in Dec to...well...nothing in January. Mainly because I do aqua circuit 2-3 times a week and it's just too cold! And I do dancing but that's been cancelled and then I was sick and I go skiing, and I've been sick and social so haven't been. Plus I'm broke and my ski pass ran out. So..first step this week? Make it to class on Saturday instead of sleeping in. Must get back into it!

Has anyone tried the 30 day shred I keep hearing about?

Hi everyone! I'm just keeping it going, making some progress and enjoying one day at a time here. Have a great day everyone!

Your daily schedule sounds like mine is when I'm working (and will be again soon) and that is what got me started on using DVD's at home. It's faster than going to a gym, cheaper than a treadmill and safer than walking in the dark! It also works on dreary semi-rainy days like today!! Maybe give that a shot after you finish rearranging your livingroom! That IS enough of a workout for now!

Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/18/2011 (02:57)

Morning everyone and yes while it has rained the pavements are already dry and thus - doesn't count as rain. Is it too much to ask for a day of it? I think no.

Wish that I could go and walk but I start work at 8am (takes me 45-50 mins to get here) work until 5-ish, tend to get home anywhere between 5:30-10pm depending on the day and by the time I get home it's dark and I don't like walking in the dark. Think I need to find some money for a treadmil. At the moment I'm moving my living room around and trust me, when doing it by yourself, it's definitely a workout!

Grace I hope you're feeling better soon. This dreary weather does it to all of us.

But hey - Dubaigirl, Nevermind and Pillowfool - you got your wish - it's raining!! Get out and walk in it, and let me know the next line to this song 'cause it's driving me crazy this morning -

Just walkin' in the rain, gettin' soakin' wet, ....
hmm hm hm hm hmmm,....

OK so you're all too young to know that one - I think it's from my mom's era!!

Have a great day everyone!!


Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/17/2011 (23:59)

Hi everybody :) I am still here...just feeling a bit under the weather...so i am resting. Hope everyone is well. I'll be back soon :)

good morning everyone! Hope everyone is having a great day despite the lack luster weather. I don't know about you guys but I'm hoping for some proper rain! and maybe some thunder and lightning too!

Good morning UAE Sparkers! So how is everyone? It's pretty quiet in here - I hope that means you are all out walking or in the gym!!

I'm off looking at villas today! Will check in later. Have a great day everyone!

Good morning all! It sure was good to meet some of my fellow UAE Sparklers! We will have to do that again soon - maybe with some of the rest of you!!

I'm not sure how much Sparking I will be doing for the next week - hubby and I are starting house hunting and guess who gets to do all the leg work? I think that will be my workout for the rest of this week!

Keep on Sparkling!! I'm here if you need me!

Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/16/2011 (05:42)

Good morning All! Feeling good here!! I hope you are all up and at 'em, enjoying the beautiful morning here in the UAE!!

Grace - There are a lot of good DVD's available at stores like Carrafour and Geant - I got mine at Geant. I have the series of Shape DVD's and my favourite one is "Bikini Body Workout". It combines aerobic and strength training and shows two ladies besides the instructor - one doing advanced and one doing beginners. I've been doing the beginners level for the past four months and just added small weights. It hits everything in 30 minutes!! It also has a ten minute cardio blaster and a ten minute ab blaster for those days when you don't want to hit everything. I don't seem to be getting tired of it yet!

David that is great that you are getting back into exercising too!! I have never tried boxing, but I've heard it can be a great workout!! Keep it going!!

Kristen (Pillowfool) that was a great walk yesterday! My legs are feeling it this morning!! That's amazing that we have both been here about a year and walking "The Walk" at JBR all this time on our own. It's great to have someone to walk with now!

Julie (Nevermind2010) I am sure looking forward to meeting you tomorrow! We gotta get you some pants!!

How about the rest of you? Where do you like to walk? Would you like to walk together sometime? Let us know - have car, will travel!!!



Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/14/2011 (00:08)

Morning all.

Exercise - done - first time i have been up and got it out of the way early for weeks!
MEAL PLAN
200 ml Low fat milk, a weetabix, low fat berry yoghurt, frozen mixed berries and blend. Its quick, tasty and really fills you because of all the fibre.
Lunch - steak and steamed vegies
Dinner - its a mystery right now
Snacks - its a mystery as well as the cupboard is bare so off to Waitrose

GRIPE
Lodge yet another complaint with DU over ridiculously bad internet speed. Done

If you are having similar issues with Du would love to hear:)

I swear Du will be the death of me:)

Have a good one all!

D

Well this little team has got me motivated and I am back into regular exercise tomorrow. Have been starting to get into the Wii Fit Plus thing - was completely surprised by the boxing routine - who knew that boxing could be so strenuous - not me that's for sure!

See you on the Spark:)

Hi! What kind of DVD do you have for your workout? :)

Good morning all! Well I finally got it going!! Yesterday was a good mild ST workout with my new little weights and my DVD workout! I slept really well last night - 9 hours!! That's typical for me after a strength training day. And as is also typical, I awoke to feel every muscle that I worked - I love that feeling!! No pain, just slight aching to say yes I'm alive and working! So on to another day - lots of water today and just walking and abs since my ST workout yesterday hit everything!! Have a great day everyone!


Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/12/2011 (00:36)

Grace yes thanks, I had a great walk and strength workout as well. How are you doing this afternoon?

Dubaigirl, keep doing what you are doing and I'm sure things will all even out for you by WI.

Have you all noticed the new layout for the team pages? I found the constant scrolling blog titles really annoying, and I just realized that underneath where it says "Never scroll the Team Stream". I just clicked the box to check it and voila - no more scrolling.

PEGGIET: I hope that you had a wonderful walk.

DUBAIGIRL: That's the spirit! You will see some pounds gone by next WI

I surely hope that it rains today.

Morning all, following on from yesterday I figured I'd step on the scales and would you know it I'd put on another pound! I have no idea how this is still happening but it's driving me bat crazy! Still it provides incentive to stick to being good 100%. I will lose it by next weigh day!

Hope everyone else is having more luck weight wise this week!

Good morning everyone! It's a cloudy windy morning in Dubai, but hey - there's no snow!! I'm off for a short walk first and then ST (strength training). I'm adding small weights today - wish me luck!!

Have a great day everyone!

Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/11/2011 (00:18)

Drinking 8 glasses is also a good challenge! I will add that as a team goal, and make it ongoing as you suggest!! Good one!

It is past 11am and I haven't weighed in yet

I haven't eaten breakfast yet either. I was busy in the kitchen making lunch.

I like the suggestion you made for this month's challenge.

Another doable challenge is getting in our 8 glasses of water each day. That could be an ongoing monthly challenge. :)

My weigh-in is not until tomorrow but I had to peak - down 1 even after yesterday being not so good! It is encouraging me to be really good today and make sure my weigh in is good for tomorrow. I think this last week has been all about finding out what I can eat and stay the same weight, so now I am ready to cut it back just a bit to get the scale moving again!! It's going to be a great day InshaAllah!!

Hi everyone! I hope we all had a great Saturday!!

I would like to start a small challenge thread to keep us all on our toes. It will also help us get to know each other, but I will keep it simple. Watch for it in the next few days!! If you have any suggestions for the team, please let us know - any areas you want to work on, any problems you are having with your program. We are all here to help each other get healthier!!

Have a good night everyone!!

Good morning all UAE Sparkers!! And Welcome to all our new members !! Oh - I guess that's all of us !!

If you are like me, I thought I was the only Sparker in all of UAE! Kinda lonely wasn't it!! Well folks, we are NOT alone here!! In fact we are in great company!! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you, as we learn what it takes to get healthier and have fun along the journey!!

So, today hubby and I are off exploring, so I will check in with you all this evening!!

Have a great day everyone!!

PEGGIET, those sound like lovely walks!

GRACEANAQAH, I'm glad you're doing so well in the areas that you can; you know it's the right thing to rest and let your ankle recover!

Hi everyone! I did my BodyBalance class today, plus 20 minutes on the treadmill (just walking, since I ran yesterday). I will do my push-up/crunch routine later, along with 28 Day Bootcamp videos - plural since I missed a few. I did NOT do the strength training I was planning - I just wasn't feeling it when I got to the gym.

Hi! You had a wonderful walking day! I haven't exercised for 2 days now. My ankle is hurting. I think I overdid it the other day when I walked 2 miles. but that is okay because I am doing good in other things

Hello everyone! Well, it looks like we have a team already!! This will make it easier for us all to keep in touch, and keep each other accountable! I hope that we will also see more people from around UAE when they realize there is a team here.

As for today, I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather and getting in some walking outdoors! I have just returned from a good walk with hubby at Ibn Batuta Mall followed by more walking on The Walk at Jumeirah Beach and lunch on The Walk. What have you done for exercise today??


Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/7/2011 (06:36)

Hi! That is great news for the both of you

Fantastic, PEGGIET! I'm feeling like I'm back in the routine of exercise - now to get my food back under control.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Tell us all how your day is going here! We can keep this thread going and keep in touch easily here!!

Edited by: CD7456936 at: 1/11/2011 (00:20)