Oh my.... LOL! I agree with you, the basic deadlift is just fine! There's no need to get all creative!

As far as other embarrassing workout moves, I questioned my new habit of faithfully rolling out my muscles on the foam roller in the gym's stretching area.

It's all good, BUT I think rolling out my quads may be a bit too much for the Y I go to (I'm a Y girl, like you.) What's the big deal? Well, when I roll out my quads, I'm rolling back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, with my body face-down, a look of concentration on my face, my prior workout's sweat still dripping off my brow... and with my cleavage showing (I happened to notice that while looking down one day). Maybe I just need to use my roller at home to roll out my quads... That or just let whatever thoughts enter the male minds, enter!

Had to update my comment... I period finally returned today. It took a 7-month hiatus after running those couple races (which only included a 5K and an odd 5+ mile race). I will not be racing in the near future. I'd rather have my health.

I've been there - running stairs at my parent's house and jumping rope in their back yard when it was 100+ degrees outside (holy, near heat stroke) when I was visiting them. I have also worked out with the flu, went months without a true rest day, etc.

It IS scary that being being so committed to exercise is looked at as ideal and envious. This view just makes the EA (like myself) justify their behavior.

I've gotten a lot better. Once I actually experienced more true rest days and felt more clear-headed and energetic (crazy that I had to NOT exercise to get energy...), I found it easier to allow them in. It helped that I got into yoga too and the yoga view of respecting and taking care of your body seeped into my exercise-obsessed brain.

Also, getting my period back (of course I had amenorrhea) helped me change. Unfortunately, I ran my first couple races this past year (I'm not a runner, but just ran here and there for cardio), and running those races caused my period to take a hiatus. So... I'm eating more, TRYING to rest more and hope it comes back.

Also - Kelly - I totally agree about popular some healthy-living bloggers being exercise addicts. There are a few out there who are unfortunately looked up to and congratulated for being so hardcore. It's sad. I hope that they can realize what they're doing before anything serious happens, and I hope those who look up to them won't copy their behaviors (if it isn't too late).

Long-time, frequent reader, sometimes commenter. I had to leave a comment to tell you that you did a great job! You looked so natural,down-to-earth and like someone I would love to know in real life and hang out with. :-) Oh, and I like how the anchorwoman said, "Oh, that's all," or something similar when you explained what Tabatas are. Ha! I think she would change her wording if she were to do them...