I was a bit depressed thinking about the boys going back to school today, but now that they're gone it's wonderful! The house is quiet and semi-clean and I'm getting some great writing work done. Just don't tell them I'm enjoying myself. They think I sit home waiting until three o'clock.
So, it's the last week of the contest. Those of you who aren't doing the contest will probably be relieved not to hear about it anymore. Those who are doing the contest will be relieved to eat Christmas treats and not have to record a dang point!
My friend, Sarita Leone, e-mailed me this morning and said that she's lost over four pounds this month. Isn't that amazing? My friend, Nicolle Clay, has also lost inches and pounds. I hope some of the rest of you have seen some benefit besides the hope of winning a free book! It really is a bummer that you have to eat right and exercise to lose the weight. I love the exercise part, but I am not a pleasant person without my daily chocolate inhalation. Maybe someday I'll grow some willpower!

Here's tomorrow's workout -
Warm-up - 5-15 minutes
Seated Row - 3 sets of 12
Lat Pulldown - 3 sets of 12 (if you work out at home, you can do both of these with a band)
Pullups - as many as you can do (just don't use the shower bar like Harrison Ford in The Guardian. I don't want to be responsible for anything ripping out of the wall and you crashing to the bathroom floor)
Hammer Curl - 12-15 reps
Bicep Curl - 12-15 reps
Curl with palms facing in - 12-15 reps
Outward Curl - 12-15 reps
Incline Curl (on an incline bench or leaning shoulders against wall and hips away) 12-15 reps
Cardio - 15-45 minutes
Cool-down and stretch

If you need exercise descriptions go to my website - http://www.camichecketts.com - click on the links button and then Cami's Strength Training Guide. If anything doesn't make sense please e-mail me - camichecketts@yahoo.com

Have a great Monday - Cami

Do you ever have those days when you're trying to snap out of a bitter mood, but it just isn't happening? We've been working on Christmas decorations for two days now. We got everything but the tree and garlands done yesterday. This morning I wanted to lay in bed for a minute, which was fine with my five-year old, he just disassembled the tree lights while he was waiting. I'm not sure how he thought pulling the bulbs out of the strands would help, but it's now one p.m. and my husband has been working since this morning to try and fix the lights.
I don't really have any other excuses for being ornery, but I sure need to change it before I head to Preston for my book signing. That's right, be a brat with my family and a sweetheart to complete strangers.
I had a bad week with my treat consumption - lots of hot cocoa and cookies. Just one more week of our contest and we'll see how wins free books and who (if anyone) did worse than me!
Here's Monday's workout -
Warm-up and cardio - 5-45 minutes
Strength training - do everything, then start again from the top.
Squat thrust - squat down, jump or step feet back, hold plank for two seconds, do a pushup, jump or step in, stand up or jump to ceiling - 8 - 12 reps
Upright row - 12-15 reps
Triceps dip - 12-15 reps
Chest Press - 12-15 reps
Lateral raise with elbows bent - 12-15 reps
Overhead triceps extension (you can lay on a bench or ball if you like and hang your arms up over your head) - 12-15 reps
Cool-down and stretch

www.camichecketts.com

I hope you were all out shopping this morning instead of checking my blog for a workout. Sorry I flaked yesterday! It was nuts with family and eating. i was proud of how little I ate at Thanksgiving dinner, granted Stockton fell out of his high chair and I was a bit upset too eat, but at least I didn't eat much. Then my sister-in-law, Ruth brought out the chocolates. Holy crow. I made up for any lost calories and quick. Her chocolates are too die for. Yes, Ruth, I'm cussing your name this morning!
My husband woke up at 3:40 a.m. and went to Kohl's, ShopKo, Home Depot, Smith's Marketplace and Kmart. Is he the best or what? I slept until he called me at 7:30, then I threw on some clothes and ran to Michael's, Ross and Borders. It was wonderful. I got to sleep and shop and Stan got all the great deals for me. I love that man.
Now the boys and I are decorating the house. It's a bit insane. They just heard the clacking of keys. Denver yelled, "What is this?" and ran into my office with his mad face. Oops. I'd better get back to decorating. We only have three hours until Stockton wakes up. He's already shattered one ornament (of course the hand-painted one Memphis did with his favorite aunt, Ruth). Memphis was a champ about it, he said, "Aunt Ruth will help me make another one." Yes, this is the same aunt who makes hand-dipped chocolates. She's amazing.
So, here's a quick workout for today or tomorrow if you like. I went on a run today, so tomorrow morning I'll hit the gym and do this workout.

Warm-up - 5-15 minutes
Kickboxing - Jab forward - 20, jab side to side with twist - 20, Upper cut- 20 regular, then 20 quick, Kick forward, side, then rear - 20 each
Reverse fly with band or cable machine - 2 sets of 15
Seated or bent-over row - 2 sets of 15
Walking Lunge with bicep curl - 30-34 reps
Outward curl - 14-18 reps
Plie with overhead triceps extension - 30-34 reps
Triceps Dip - 12-18 reps
Squat with overhead press - 2 sets of 12-15 reps
Pushups - 2 sets of 12
repeat kickboxing routine
Cardio - 15-45 minutes
Cool-down and stretch
If you need exercise descriptions go to my website, it's under the links page.

Have a great weekend - Cami
www.camichecketts.com

My cute boys are home, so I've got limited time today. They're playing a heated chess game, I should have ten minutes before they notice I'm gone or a brawl breaks out.

I hope you all have an awesome Thanksgiving tomorrow. Remember we're having a free day with treats and exercise, but if you find time to workout, you can give yourself a point for it.
Tomorrow's supposed to be cardio, so that should work out well.
I'll get online sometime tomorrow and post Friday's workout for any who aren't hitting the shopping insanity and are feeling gushy after Thursday's binge.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cami
www.camichecketts.com

There's going to be an article about my new book, "The Broken Path" in The Preston Citizen tomorrow and then Saturday from 3-5, I have a book signing at The Preston Citzen. It's Preston's annual Festival of Lights this weekend, so it should be a great time to be up there. They have a lighted parade, then turn on all the lights. The rerally cool thing is my neighbor, Andy Rasmussen, is doing his light show that's synchronized with Christmas songs, in Preston this year. I think the light show is in the park behind the library. I don't know if any of you saw Andy's house last year at Christmas, but it was amazing. So, he's doing the same thing for Preston and I guess even bigger.

Last day of school for my boys for the week. Oh, we're excited. I'm rotten, but I like them home. Granted, I don't get any writing done, but we play, read and do projects and they're just cute little farts to have around.

I think everyone agrees that we should have Thanksgiving Day be a free day and not have to record treat servings (two slices of banana cream pie, please). If you have objections, voice them soon!
Here's tomorrow's workout.
Warm-up - 5-15 minutes
Side Lunge - 20-24 on each side
Walking Lunges - 2-3 minutes
Plie with a calf raise - 24-30 reps
Squat with a front kick - 18-20 on each leg
Step-ups - 20 reps
Glute presses - very slow, raise leg behind you squeezing the glute - 12-16 reps on each leg
Calf raises - 20 on each leg
Cardio - 15-45 minutes
Cool-down and stretch

www.camichecketts.com