I am stoked for another challenge. Love the book by the way keep up the good work

Ah! You guys, I can't believe its May already. Things have been on supersonic speed since the book release. The release went really well and we ended up 20 on the bestseller's list on Amazon in the family health section! Wow! Just crazy. Sorry, I haven't been too active on Traineo lately, there is just no way I can get all the shows done, email and work on the other big projects coming up. I hope you guys are all doing well! You can always find me at amy@withamymac.com and/ or you can listen or watch my shows to get your fix! ;) Stay Fit and Be Well! ~amy

I'm thinking I might be able to do another challenge this Fall, what do you guys think?

How's it going?

Hey Amy, how's your book sales coming along -- well, I presume? ;)

It's a GREAT book! I'm am very grateful to have it. I'm struggling to get my PHR (Professional in Human Resources) finding it hard to get in study time workout time.... but I'm still in the game.

Hope all is going wonderfully for you. :)

Wow, very cool indeed!

Congrats on the new book! :)

CONGRATS on the launch of the book!!

May it LEAP to the top of the charts. :)

If you haven't already - make sure you send your address so I can get prizes out! Books are released tomorrow so I'll get them out once they are shipped to me!

After more than 400 Fitness Attack episodes, the first 100 are available in print! The Fitness Attack book will be available through the Amazon link on www.WithAmyMac.com on Leap Day, 2/29! It has been almost 2 years since the launch of Amy Mac and my health and fitness podcasts. Not only have we succeeded in providing great content (for free!) consistently for that duration but we have been featured in numerous publications and have episodes distributed to multiple TV and mobile platforms. I am asking everyone to buy the book on 2/29 in an attempt to ‘rush the charts’ and turn some heads in the bookselling world. Not only are you supporting me, but you are supporting those of us who have persevered in new media and proved that great content can be user-generated.

Remember, you have an extra day this year (leap day) - use it to make yourself healthy and fit.

Amazon Link

CONGRATS on the 400th episode!

I'm so glad that you keep them coming.

Just wanted to stop by and say hello and thanks for all the comments you give me. :)

Amy, where's the stats? We can't be helped if you don't give us the cheat codes to this weightloss game we're all in. ;P

Hi Amy, thanks for your message.
I am doing good. Doing weight training 5-6 days a week. looking to include some cardio exercise. Please suggest.

thanks!

Nice work on deciding to do the marathon. I know you will succeed! Can't wait to hear all about it. I was signed up by my sister for the Disney Half this year but it didn't work out for either of us. I'm hoping to just get better at jogging then who knows what I might sign up for.

Just stay away from this one... http://www.krispykremechallenge.com/ I thought it was a joke when I heard about it, but nope. Its real. Ug.

You can do it. Hardest part is sticking to it, but you have stuck to putting out the podcast regularly, so I know you had dedication. Good luck!

I've declared 2008 - the year of the marathon! I'm going to train and attempt to finish my first marathon! This is something that has been on my to do list forever and I finally feel like this is the time. I'm not a runner at all but I think for the next 8 months, I can train to make the race. I'll be doing Marathon Monday updates on the first Fitness Attack Monday of each month and also occasionally on Fit Life. I encourage all of you to join me in training for a walk/run, send me advice or encouragement and follow my progress. This is really going to be a struggle/challenge for me so anything is possible! ~amy

Amy, are you still floating around the -6lb range or have you lost more or gained some back?

I want to know if I can congratulate you or just plain encourage you to do better... yes, the student teaching the teacher -- yes, I know this is all wrong. :)

Doing pretty well this week. It seems like I ate out more than usual, but I'm not sure why. I had a friend go to the gym with me a couple times in the last week and so that is always a nice change of pace. I also decided to start using the rowing machine again. It gets my heart pumping and feels so good to work my whole body. I was on the rowing team in college but got a little burned out so it is nice to get back into it. ~amy

Richard - I actually had a goal to lose 3 pounds but ended up losing 6 and am now working on maintaining it. I have found that my time spent on here is better spent on you guys instead of marking my own progress. I'm pretty strict on my workouts and have good and bad days on diet (like everyone else). Thank you for asking though! ~amy

Hey Amy, are you not going to show weight and stats? Do you not have a personal goal that you would like to reach or maintain here at Traineo? Or are you just here for us?

If you're just here for us, that's cool!

Thanks for the motivation and support, Amy! I am trying to keep at it. I just can't dedicate too much time on here. I did the low carb diet for a while, but I found out that I got cranky and couldn't focus on things as well without my rice (I'm asian), so I stopped. I don't know what to focus on in my diet. I think, for now, exercise has attributed much of what I lost. I just wish my progress was faster. Thanks, again. ---G

Sounds like a lil mandatory break came your way. I hope that it enabled you to have a great vacation some you time. I'm so glad to hear you are back in action on the podcast.

I had a few set backs myself but am back on track. (sickness busted equipment is a bummer!)

Here's to us all doing great in 2008 looking fine by 2009!

I had a great Christmas, thank you everyone for asking. I feel like I disappeared for a long time! My mic and mixer didn't get put into my suitcase and so therefore, I didn't do any shows! We are back on track now and if the new camera ever gets here - we will be back to shooting Fit Life. (Yes, I sold the other one before the new one got here - poor timing.)

Stacy - I'm glad you liked the scale. I think it can really provide some valuable info for people looking to learn.

Richard - No, I don't think fad diets are the answer. Unfortunately, watching your diet and exercising is the only sure way that I know of to lose and maintain a healthy weight. Most fad diets eliminate something that helps you lose weight but then when you add it back in - you gain the weight back. I think that is more frustrating than just changing your ways and taking the time to make it stick.

The Fit Life Challenge is 'officially' over but I'm going to keep the group open and try to help motivate the best that I can. I will be posting results and prizes in the forum here soon.

Cheers to a Fabulous 2008 ahead!
~amy

Amy I purchased the food scale you recommended in your pod cast. I found out I was consuming 180- 190 cals a day Extra. 1300 plus a week in extra cals, Thansk for the product review.

Thank you for keeping me inspired!!
I finally hit my first goal of 25 lbs. I am so excited. It has been hard over the holidays but I did it. I started on October 20 so I've had to go through halloween thanksgiving and Christmas. I am very proud to start my new year down 25! I'm going to set another goal soon. It was really awesome to see it say goal met on here today. :) I celebrated by going for a walk with my mom and I think I'm going to go buy myself a little something tonight! :)
I hope you have a great night!
ttyl,
jennifer :)

Hey Amy! How are things going? Hope you had an excellent Christmas.

I was wondering, as a certified fitness instructor, what would you say is the best things to do to lose weight at a steady pace? Is there a "fad" diet out there that you recommend or have you used multiple activities to achieve weight loss and maintenance?

I'm currently at 204lbs and my goal is to get to 185lbs by July 1st. What can I do to achieve that goal and maintain that weight?

I just wanted to stop by and say I hope you had a good Christmas and I hope you have a wonderful new year! :)

Hi Amy, did you do ok during the holiday season? What's the best way to keep one's self motivated when there is so much temptation. I feel I did very well -- just not sure how long it will last until I get that "sugar crave" again.

What do you do?

Hi Amy,
Thanks for the comment. I just finished doing some aerobics. (whew!) lol I feel so much better now since I have lost 21.4lbs. It really boosts my confidence. I have much more to lose but I hope to meet my first goal by New Year's Eve. I only have 3.6 left to go until I reach that goal. Making smaller goals is easier for me. Then I make another goal after I reach that one. I am going to start introducing some hand weights in the beginning of the year. Anyway, I hope you have a good week!
-jennifer :)

Home for the holidays and looking at lots of food with friends and not any time in the gym. Plus - its cold. I brought a band with me and am hoping to use it when I get a spare moment. Yikes - I've already been here for a few days....no time, no time. Argh.

Getting back into the gym after an feeling pretty good. Weights are going better than cardio, I'm still a little dizzy when trying to jog. Other than that, we are getting ready for a long weekend so we can catch up. I don't have to worry about over-eating on Thursday because Thanksgiving food isn't really my favorite. AND the vicodin is making me not very hungry. So I'm going to spend my energy on willing all of you guys to choose wisely and watch your portions.

Good luck on Thursday. Its like D-day for dieters, "can we do this a HEALTHY way?" even when everyone else is pigging out. My plan is to taste everything but not have full servings of stuff. I can get a tad more of what I really like, but no sense in just eating it all. I want to take time really taste every bite I take. No shoveling! Then of course try to get in an extra work out afterwards. :)

Sorry to hear about the shingles. Amazing thing about the body though, the way it can bounce back. Keep your head up keep doing what you know to do. I bet you will be feeling looking like you want soon.

So a minor setback - shingles. I am just now getting back into moving mode. I'm looking forward to going to the gym tomorrow. I can feel that I've already gone soft in the middle, but what's done is done. My body had too much on its plate to worry about muscles and exercise. I'm bummed but its always a roller coaster, right? Looking forward to a good rest of the week.

I don't know what you are talking about Amy Mac, my routine is already in full force! Maybe you need to stop worrying about your shingles and get your booty shredded already! I have never seen you fully cut, but am looking forward to it.

The scale says I've lost the 3 pounds, but I'm not so sure. Up until this week, I've been kind of zoned out. I've been in a good mood for a couple of days and maybe I'm adjusting to my recent stress level so I can start getting stuff done instead of just being overwhelmed!! Fingers Crossed! ~amy

Thank you, Ali! Knowing people listen makes the hard work worth it!

Just wanted to check in see how you are doing with your goals? :)

more importantly say thanks for the motivation inspiration. I am loving the podcast. Even downloading some of the past ones to relisten to. Helps to get the information while I am stuck at my desk at work. Helps me to feel like I am still focused gets me ready to leave workout... or at least take the stairs a few more times rather than use the phone to call down to another office!

Keep up the great work.

I finally weighed myself, but it was on a different scale (which I always tell people not to do, but I was curious). I lost 3 pounds according to it, but I'm not counting on it. I will be at my usual gym tomorrow and will try again. I had a fantastic kickboxing class yesterday and burned a ton of calories in a short amount of time. Probably relieved some stress as well. This week has been great with workouts and healthy food. Hoping it becomes routine and not a fad!

Thanks for the encouragement. My goal for the week is to exercise 4 times and drink more water. "Step away from the diet coke!" I keep telling myself that....

The vacation, the moving, the new job...all leading to a poor diet and no gym time. Plenty of manual labor and no sleep - chaos is all around us, those who succeed are the ones that learn to manage it!!

Amy, I love your "Fitness Attack" podcasts, they help me bring my center of focus to my health every day, and they make for a good motivator mid-workout as well!

I was a lazy bum last week but I think it was the healthiest thing I could have done! I do, however, think I'm going to have a few more pounds to lose. How is it that flab appears so fast and yet disappears so slowly? I'm so energized and excited to get back into gear! Looking forward to Week 2 of the Challenge! ~amy