OK, not one post in the ladies room? No digits written in hot red lipstick on the wall? Where's the chicks???
Let's start a conversation, this is a great place for us to lend an ear, motivate and inspire or just bitch 'n knit.
My name is Diana, I'm 40 (how did that happen, I'm still alive!) and I am an over-hyper, jack russell lovin' graphic designer who has a passion for exercise, in particular lifting! I know all of us girls have such potential to achieve our goals for a stronger body and mind. I know that work, kids and life can really get in the way. I'm here to cheer you on, and I would be great if you can do the same for me and any other chickeda who wants to stop by.
Lookin' forward to meeting y'all, and if any guys wanna pass by, please do!
diana

Hi Diane! I'm another lady here. A decade behind you in age, not that it amkes much difference.

I'm here to help everyone out as well!

LOL when you can start measuring in decades it's baadddd.
But I have to say, it was a bit weird when that b-day rolled around a few months back. However, I'm finding I'm having more fun now than ever, my girl is a teenager now and it gives me so much more freedom to pursue what I want to pursue. I'm really hoping that this will turn into a forum for women of all ages and cultures to hang out and help out.
Glad to meet you! I will start posting my workout journal, just as soon as I go through all the notes, and the yellow stickies all over my note book. I'll look forward to your advice.
diana

Hey ladies,

I hope you dont mind a newbie coming aboard. I dont have much information to offer but I can be a great cheer-leader!

Have a great day!

Glad to see you made it!
We are a small group but growing...
Hope your muscle bo-bos are feeling better, tylenol helps
diana

Thanks Diana

Yes feeling a little better. I do arnica for soft tissue aches and pains. Still a little sore..but they quit spazzing! I should be good as new tomorrow!

Whats arnica?
I'm pretty new to organics and supplements.
d.

please forgive the copy and paste thing......i tend to get ahead of myself a lot and not make any sense.

The active components in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Other active principals are thymol (an essential oil), flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins.

Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped, disorganized fluids from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles.

Note: Arnica is widely available―especially in Europe―as both an herbal product and a homeopathic preparation. Homeopathy is a form of alternative medical treatment that is practiced more in other countries than in the United States. In homeopathy, individuals take a very small amount of a natural product that in higher doses would produce symptoms similar to the condition being treated. In small studies done in Europe, oral doses of homeopathic arnica lessened swelling for some individuals after knee surgery. It is important to note, however, that herbal arnica generally consists only of plant material while homeopathic arnica has been mixed with inactive ingredients. Herbal arnica is, therefore, usually much stronger than homeopathic arnica. Taking herbal arnica by mouth is strongly discouraged because it may result in potentially dangerous increases in blood pressure.

Most often, herbal arnica is used topically to relieve the pain and inflammation of soft-tissue injuries such as boils, bruises, hemorrhoids, and sprains. Inflammation is a response to irritation, injury, or infection. It usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage and it can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin. In a study of 204 Swiss patients with arthritis in their hands, an arnica gel was about equally as effective at controlling pain as a 5% ibuprofen gel. The type of base used to make the gel may alow more of arnica’s active chemicals and potentially harmful chemicals to enter the skin. More research is needed, therefore, before arnica can be recommended for topical use.

Due to possible antiseptic and slight antibacterial properties, topical arnica has also been used to treat acne, insect bites, and minor skin wounds. It may be effective, as well, in mouth rinses to control some bacteria commonly found in the mouth. Scientific studies show little effectiveness, however, for topical arnica in preventing or relieving bruising or in relieving muscle soreness among long-distance runners. A recent analysis of eight previously published studies found little evidence that topical arnica preparations were more effective than placebo (preparations with no active ingredients) for treating any soft-tissue conditions.

I take the homeopathic (oral) arnica and use topical. I have never had any problems with elevated BP. And I did keep an eye on it.
This is great stuff...My son compound fractured his ulna...the rod and cast were supposed to be there 8 months and it all came out within 4 weeks! with full ROM. He was off his pain meds after the first day home.

anyway...i am by no means a homeopathic doc. so with that...if you have any other questions...im here!

I know that is a very 2 sided post..but i think that is only fare......everyone has pros and cons regarding most everything....so please.....look it up if you are interested in it.......And ask your doc about it too!

I've heard of that before, and I'm well aware of some of the things in it.

For those interested.

Carotenoids

Lutein.
Sources Egg Yolk, Corn, Spinach, Kale etc etc.
Helps prevent or reduce macular degeneration. The Macular being part of the Eye.

Lycopene. Sources Tomatos, Tomato Sauce, Ketchup and Puree. Pink Guava, Pink Grapefuit, Apricots and Peaches, (I think).
Helps to destroys skin again Free redicals.

Zeaxanthin.
Sources, (from memory similar to most Lutein sources).
Function is similar to Lutein if I recall.

Beta-Carotin.
Main Source Carrots.
Has a positive effect in night time vision.
Downside. Too much Beta-carotin can discolour skin orange, but thats usually in quite high levels. You'd need to develop a liking for Carrots, in the way serious Caffeine addicts drink Coffee, to get that happening.

Hi, I'm new to exercising. I'm 30 years old have 3 boys and am looking to lose about 40 lbs. I'm going to be realistic and aim for a 20 lbs loss in the next year.

I've been trying to lose weight for over a year and have only lost 5 lbs. Very Frustrating! I've been to my doc for a complete checkup and there's really no reason I'm not losing weight unless genetics play a part in it. My mother's side is mostly overweight and I seem to be following that same pattern. ugh

I just finished reading swans05's article on another thread and am going to apply it starting today. Wish me luck!

Hey Sara, nice to meetcha!
Whats your exercise program look like, and food?
Really glad you stopped by, you'll find lots of help and support on this board.
Your goals are totaly realistic, and if you have the right mnotivation, you'll be sure to meet them.
We've got 2 journals going on this board, feel free to join in with your own. It helps so much when you write out whats going on, your progress and setbacks, because you are holding yourself accountable.
WELCOME!
diana

Thanks Diana. I'll post the exercise program that I'm starting out with in the journals section along with what I've had to eat so far today. I'm not much for journalling but if it's going to help to keep me accountable then it's something I'll just have to do.

Welcome Sara

Glad you found this board. As Diana said....you can totally reach your goals! The frustration is completly understandable. Just dont give up. Stick with us! We all need support and motivation...and this is a wonderful place to get and give it.
Best of luck to you..!
Michelle

Hi Michelle and Sara! Great to have you both here.