Persistance + Dedication = Results and Happiness

     Today was pretty crazy.. My son graduated Kindergarten this morning and I walked around in heels for over 4 hours.. OUCH.. my daughter had a zoo field trip and then a Girl Scouts Fly Up ceremony where she earned her one year pin. I also had repair men here for hours trying to fix my sprinkler system.. I'm just about zonked, but had to get this blog updated.

Mr Kindergarten Grad and me

Last week I hurt my knee while running laps around the fitness room. I was almost worthless in Tuesday and Thursday workouts, but I wrapped up my knee and hit the gym anyways because it was upper body days. My trainer helped me to modify some of the moves as to not irritate my knee. I still got in a great workout and poured some sweat. I was determined to still make it happen and I did ! I did ice and compress and elevate as much as possible over the weekend and then by Monday.. BAM! Ready to go!

Monday we showed up to class ready for a tabata workout. Trainer posts what she's planning sometimes on Facebook and it's sooo funny sometimes to see who shows up and who doesn't! haha So anyways, she really gave it to us on Monday. I don't remember everything we did, but there is one thing that REALLY stands out in my mind....

PULL UPS ON THE BAR !!!!!

My husband can hammer out some pull ups like it's the easiest thing on earth and I stand there in awe of him... he's buff and strong ;) I set my mind to it that I would one day be able to do a pull up. My first attempt was almost pathetic and I realized I had my work cut out for me. So I pushed on. I've been steadily moving up in weights in class and really pushing myself to get stronger. I see the progress I've made in pictures and when I flex and things are really happening for me. Ridding the fat and building lean muscle. Omg I have wanted this ! And here I am ! Doing it !!!!!! Persistance people :)

So when she announced on Monday that we'd be "getting up on the bar, pull up, then jump off bar, do a squat jump, then get back on the bar and pull up again" ..repeat as many times as possible during the 20 seconds on..  I was stoked! I was ready to give it a shot again. We did pull ups about 3 weeks ago and I got in a few good ones, but the arms we did previous to the pull ups that day really killed me and I just didn't have enough UMPH.

Timer beeped.. Here we go!

I got on the bar and pulled myself up. ALL.THE.WAY. Whole head over the top of the bar!!! Are you freaking kidding me! I did it again... and again. By the time we got done with the total Tabata session, I had completed 15 nice unassisted pull ups. Absolute excitement happening for me at that moment. This is something I'd worked towards and finally seeing the progress made me almost want to jump for joy! There is always room for improvement and I will continue to push on and work towards the next level :)

I also need to go shopping for some new clothes. My closet is just about bare. I have one pair of shorts that are too big and my 2 pairs of jeans are too big also...

These are my favorite Rock 47 jeans, size 5. Time to get a smaller size.





I am on Day 44 of the Vemma nutrition and am currently doing two bode burns a day. I feel great and happy to say that I've lost 5 lbs and over 5 inches since starting Vemma. I'm also not sleeping on the couch in the afternoons anymore either. Life is absolutely GRAND !

Picture Diary

wow. just wow. I honestly don't remember being that person on the left. I do know I was miserable and looking for a way out but it just hadn't hit me yet. I guess it was right after I saw that picture I finally realized that my body had taken over and I was lost somewhere inside. I had to get out. I have fought my way to be the person on the right and it's the best thing I ever did for myself. I'm stronger now that I ever was and it sure feels good to know that I am in control of my life now and living a healthy lifestyle feels like it's exactly what I was meant to do. It isn't always easy, but when you want something bad enough, you make it happen. That's me on the right.. Happy and strong! And I will never go back to being that weak and sad person on the left. Never.

Back fat. I despised those two handles hanging there under my sports bra. That pic on left was right after beginning my journey and they were actually worse.. Getting my back to be how I'd like it to be has taken some time, but slow and steady and it's happening!

My stomach. I def had the 'pouch of skin' in front from having kids.. It was something I thought would never go away, but I proved myself wrong. It has slowly (and I mean slowly) shrunk significantly!!!!!

                                                   ---This pic taken April 22, 2012---

I had a friend message me the other day about saggy skin... "What cream would you recommend for saggy skin?" When you lose weight, your skin that has been stretched sags after the fat is gone from underneath.. BUT skin is elastic and it will get back to where it needs to be for the most part. You don't need cream, you just need time. The point is: work hard and replace the fat with lean muscle and never give up!!!! "You didn't put it (the weight) on overnight and it isn't going to come off overnight"

I had just begun my journey in the picture on the left... I was happy I was on the path to success and was taking pics to document my journey. It sure is a wonderful comparison to the picture on the right.. Look at my face!! I actually have a shape to my face besides ROUND. The smile is a little more genuine on the right also.

I was getting ready for church this past Sunday and decided "Heck, I'll try on my khaki pants and see what they look like. {{{BLOWN AWAY}}} They were actually a little too big!!! What??? The last time I wore these pants was a few months ago and they fit pretty snug. They were tight on my waist and butt and really tight on my thighs.. I always had a slight muffin top in them. 

Well not anymore! I can't tell ya how excited I was to put these pants on and see the difference... !!! If only I had a before pic when they were tight.

No muffin tops here! Cha-ching!

I've been working on a new banner for my Facebook page and can't come up with anything spectacular.

Time to get ready for the gym!

Pumped! Always Moving Forward....

     Since my last post about the Spartan Race...... I SIGNED UP FOR NEXT YEARS RACE!!!!! Ohhhh yeah! My gym put together another team and this time I didn't hesitate! The Spartan Race is May 4th, 2013 and I'll be there ready to get down and dirty! My hubs is also signed up and I'm positive it's going to be one helluva awesome experience!!!!

     Things have gone well this week with workouts and eating. Monday we did full body strength, Tuesday was upper body pull, and I took yesterday off. That mid week break helps me out so much!

     I have noticed lately some really nice changes in my upper body lately and I'm loving it!! I had no idea in the beginning of my journey that I'd be where I am today... I'm proud of my achievements and so thankful for all the supportive people in my life. I was taking new comparison pics yesterday and was blown away at the newest pic... I sat there staring at the pic thinking: Omgosh, I'm doing this! I work hard in the gym and it's showing! Absolutely exciting!!!!

may 09, 2012

I'm about to dive into some heavier lifting with my trainer to take it to the next level. I can't wait to get started!!!

The journey proves to me over and over that with a positive attitude, anything is possible! I will continue to move forward and make it my own. Ahhh it's an amazing journey! :)

Wild Weekend! Spartan Race and Patio Time! :)

What a wild weekend, but so much fun! The Military Spartan race was held this last weekend in Fort Carson, CO. There were over 30 people from the gym I attend sign up.. I debated for months on doing it, but something inside of me held me back. I don't know if it was the "unknown", the running between obstacles, or just my fear of being left behind to croak or what, but I didn't sign up... I really regret it now. **BUT there's always next year!!!** It was really cool to go and show support to my awesome friends who DID take the challenge head on and see what the race was all about. They so rock! I've never done a Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, or Spartan.. They all look like a blast! I am really drawn to the obstacle part of it and don't mind getting dirty, the 5 mile length of the Spartan really scared me off.. So anyways, I got up early and packed snacks and water for the kiddos and myself and we drove up to Fort Carson.

We had to take a bus from the parking lot to the actual race and along the way, I saw some of the obstacles and the distance between them.. oh my goodness.. I did feel some slight relief that I wasn't doing it and my nerves were all over the place for the people who were doing it! Talk about flood of nerves! What the heck!?!

I found the group I was going to support and snapped a pic 1 min before they started their race! Look how clean they all are !!! haha

They are bibbed, tattoo'd, and ready to rumble!

There were lots of burpees going on .... Fail or skip an obstacle, automatic 30 burpees.

This one looked hard! 3 feet of muddy water, get on your rope, climb to the top, ring the bell ! ...
or 30 burpees!

.. not so clean anymore!!! What an awesome shot!!!

Jumping the fire!!!

last obstacle before you cross the finish line.. Fight off the Spartans!

The day was hot ... around 90 degrees, but the water was free and there was plenty to do while waiting for my friends to finish. I bought some BioFreeze and the kiddos jumped in the bouncy house and did the kid friendly spartan. Had a great time ! After everyone got all cleaned up and all that mud off, we all went out for dinner... Wonderful company!

Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous day as well and I took full advantage and hung out in the backyard most of the day.. Mowed the yard, ran the weed eater (i HATE that thing), watered the grass.. Then I decided I'd light the grill and cook some chicken for the week's meals. Sooo glad I did that. I've been following the Bod-e Trainer meal plans that call for carb cycling and I absolutely LOVE it! I really like the Chicken Caesar Salad meal. It's quick and easy. I had it today for lunch.

Caesar Yogurt Dressing
1 serving: 2 tbsp; 40 cal, 2g fat, 2g sugar
I used 1 tbsp.
Reg caesar dressing has 150 cal/serving
Read and compare labels before you buy!!!

I turned my Caesar salad into a wrap today..
organic romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, sprinkle of parmesan, caesar dressing, low carb wheat tortilla
Delish!

I also kicked back with a Michelob Ultra... or four. It was hot! They went down pretty easy. It was an awesome day though to just chill and hang out on the patio. No regrets! :)

Got my workout done this morning .. Full body strength. We used the TRX, fitwall, ropes, dumbbells.. It was a great workout! 45 min 621 cal burn. My legs are pretty heavy this evening and sure tomorrow they'll be super sore! Good thing tomorrow is upper body.. but if I know my trainer, she'll sneek legs in! ;)

Conquered the Manitou Incline!!! Amazing Reward!!!

I've known about the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, CO for a while now, but never really had the opportunity to conquer it. Errrrr... Maybe I could have gone, but never really went for it. It is intimidating!!! My gym class presented the opportunity and I'm was up for the challenge, especially since I wouldn't be doing it alone.

We set out early Wednesday morning and the butterflies in my stomach were fluttering!!!

We parked and started up the hill to the actual incline. Umm, this was no freaking joke! The path TO the incline was rough!!!

Then this is what I saw:

I was pretty sure I'd croak before I got to the top! And FYI, that's NOT the top that you see.. it goes up MORE.

But, we put one foot in front of the other and set out on our journey to the top!

My good friend Amy and me at the start.. We still look pretty cute :)

Looking back down ... What a view!

This was NO cake walk! Hands needed at times to crawl up !!

There came a point when I thought we'd have to take the bail out (half way mark that meets up with the trail that takes you back to the bottom), but we pushed on. My friend had a real bad head cold that was really messing with her. I felt so bad for her. We rested quite a bit and it was good photo opportunity as well. We munched on some beef jerky and keep hydrating with water. We pushed on passed the bail out!

Here we are !!! AT THE TOP !!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!! Check out that view!

Our time : 1 hour 20 min

On the trail back down to the beginning, we saw the Cog Railway going back down to the bottom also. The Cog Railway takes you to the top of Pikes Peak mountain. It's a really cool ride up to the top. :)

Once we got to the bottom, I had ONE thing on my mind. Food!!!!! I ate more beef jerky, peanut butter crackers, granola.. Then I remembered that I'd seen some cool shirts at one of the shops in Manitou once. I'd earned one of those shirts so we went and got one! :)

OHHHHHHHHH YES !!!!

CONQUERED THE INCLINE WITH AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE  !!! 

Our group  :)

Tomorrow... I Climb !!!

I am fired up about workout plans for tomorrow!

My gym crew and some friends are headed out first thing in the morning!

THIS IS MY WORKOUT FOR TOMORROW:

The Manitou Incline !!!!!

From the site: The trail is extremely easy to follow to the top as there are no turns, just follow the old tracks in a straight line until you reach the top. The rails have been pulled up, however most of the old ties remain creating a rugged stairway. The slope of this trail will reach 50 degrees at its steepest, which is why it makes such a great workout. It will test your strength and endurance.



<><><><>

3.7 Miles

2,000 Vertical feet

I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't nervous about it, but I'm also VERY excited about it !!! It's something that I heard about when I first moved to Colorado, but at the time I was not in any kind of shape to attempt it. Things have definitely changed and I am going to conquer that incline tomorrow! My camel pack is ready and packed with some nutrition: granola, jerky, soyjoy bars.. I also packed some sunscreen, bug spray, and wound cleaner.. You just never know!

Have you ever done anything like the incline??

Were you nervous? How'd it turn out?

I Do Like Good News -- This is my story :)

     I have worked hard and have been maintaining around 138 for the last year. I had decided that was where I was meant to be ... Lately I have a different opinion!!! I really don't know where I will land on the scale.. I do know that the scale is on the move though and that excites me. Just a little. ;)

The last two weeks have been absolutely exciting! I put down those high calorie protein shakes and started drinking Bod-e Burn once daily.

**The scale is telling me good news.

**My clothes are telling me good news.

**Measurements are telling me good news.

Beginning weight 138 on April 10th. Ending or current weight 134.2 on April 23.
Waist measurement 27" April 10. Current waist measurement 25.25" April 23.

The above picture is my personal stats on the Bod-e Trainer I use the Bod-e Trainer to track my progress and it's a SUPER GREAT tool to aid with nutrition. I think you should chew your food and get your exercise. The Bod-e Trainer will generate simple menu items with foods you like. No replacing food with a shake and no trying to change your food palate. It's super easy to follow. It's for everyone.. From the beginner all the way up to the bodybuilder!! There is a Bod-e plan for everyone. Healthy weight loss and healthy weight management.

The fact that the scale is moving and I'm losing inches again is absolutely huge to me!!! I haven't changed my workouts. The only difference is trading those high calorie post workout protein shakes for a Bod-e first thing in the morning. One scoop of my protein powder: 140 cals. One Bod-e ready to drink can: 110 cals w/20g protein. It is fueling me first thing in the morning with the protein and power packed nutrients. I still have breakfast. I am charged for the rest of the day. If I could bounce off this computer screen, I would! There is nothing better than FEELING GOOD! Before Bod-e, I was crashing in the afternoon. I would literally set the alarm clock so that in case I fell asleep, I wouldn't miss picking up my daughter from school. Pathetic. Well.. not anymore! Now, I'm up and doing things around the house and outside in the yard.

The difference for me is night and day. I've given some samples to some friends of mine and they are having the same kind of story. I could talk about this stuff all day. I've tried it, I've read about it, I like it, and it's giving me results. Simple and true. If you want more info, leave a comment please and I will get the info to you and can answer any questions :)

Workout today: Accumulator !!!!!
Ohhhh it was a quad doozy today. LOVED IT ! 50 min 597 cal burn per HRM.

Put together a new photo comparison shot : This is motivation!

It's always good to see the changes and see how far I've come. Never again will I be that girl on the left side.

There is nothing better than a picture to show progress. I look at the pic on the left and just feel so glad that I started this journey! I am no longer that person hiding behind the huge t-shirts or burying my feelings with food. I'm excited about life and have found other ways to deal with feelings. Exercise is great for that! ;)
Do you drink protein shakes? What was your workout today?

Burpee Fest

Post workout ! Feeling fantastic !

 Yea, you read the title right! We did so many burpees in class today it was insane!

Today was PUSH day at the gym and we totally pushed it hard today. We were introduced to competition burpees this week. Do a burpee and once you hit plank position, you lay down completely on the floor with your hands straight out in front of you and then push up and jump back to start position! Ohhhh yes ! That'll get your heart pumpin !!!! We did several rounds (1 round is 4 sets of 30 seconds on, 15 seconds off). If you wanted to do the math, which I like to do, I did over 100 of these things ! Felt like a freaking rockstar !

The rest of the workout was no cake walk either. We did spiderman pushups, tricep pushups, divebombers and a circuit of dumbbells, TRX, and kettlebells. Ohhh yes, I do believe the upper body will be fully attacked by some DOMS.

49 min .. 863 cal burn !

Yesterday a friend and I went for a walk around our neighborhood bike path. I love that path and we have got to get out there more and most likely will since the weather is finally starting to play nice. We walked the whole path and got back to my house but we were a few tenths short of hitting 5 miles so we pushed on and went around the block. Ended with 5.17 miles ! LOTS OF HILLS too! Great workout!

93 min .. 1686 cal burn ! *YES! I KNOW* I did wear my HRM and that's the readout I got!!

This week was TOM. Normally I am under snack attack and also full of bloat.. Not this week. My stomach is the flattest it's been in quite a while! Tomorrow's weigh in day is gonna be spectacular! and I can't believe it's happening the week of TOM. I am such a fan of the Bod-e supplement for sooo many reasons! It's doing my bod-e good !!

My new water bottle with straw! I fill this sucker up close to 15 times a day! :)

Weigh in blog tomorrow!

Measurements and Comparisons!

 I had a nightmare last night that I had triplets and there was baby stuff everywhere! I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I needed to get up and check on babies ... Thank God that alarm went off and I realized it was just a dream.. So it was a restless night of sleep, but I got up and went to the gym for a killer accumulator workout! My goodness! It's always a good workout and she always changes it up so you never know exactly what you're in for, but full body soreness is pretty much a guarantee! I kinda dig that! My quads have been sore since this afternoon... My core and arms are starting to sore over.. Tomorrow it will hit hard. DOMS! Total workout: 50 min and a 903 calorie burn! SERIOUSLY !!! Good stuff :)

Measurements have been taken. So here's the results: 

waist: 26 inches *down 1 inch*

hips: 30.50 inches *down 1 inch*

Also measured were 

quads: 19 inches *down 3/4 inch*

below bust: 28 1/2 inches *can't find previous measurement*

bust: 32 1/2 *UP 1/2 inch yahoo!*

arm: 11 inches *same*

neck: 12 1/2 inches *down 1/2 inch) 

I started taking the Bod-e supplement in the mornings instead of after workout cause I wanted to get the nutrients first thing in the morning, give me a boost. I have actually stopped making a pot of coffee in the mornings and just drinking my Bod-e in place of it! Anyone who knows me, knows I am a coffee fanatic! I like coffee and I like sugar and creamer! It's made a huge difference. The vitamins I'm getting now have made such an impact on how I feel. I am not a pill person so being able to drink them is pretty awesome to me. I'm still having something to eat with my Bod-e. This morning I had some granola also before my workout. After workout, I had some almonds and then a little later I had a tuna sandwich.

I'm not mixing the protein shakes anymore. I thought it would be really cool to see "on paper" the nutritional value of the protein shakes compared to the Bod-e. It speaks volumes!

Bod-e Burn

Pure Protein Whey Powder

I'm a label reader so it's only natural that I'm going to do this.

I'm a little blown away.. but SO GLAD I made the switch!

Whey powder shake content at the top *not always with yogurt*  ... Vemma Bode Burn at the bottom!
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN CALORIES! HELLO !!!!!

And then when you think about the vitamins that are also included in the Vemma brand products... *there is a full list on the website* check out the comparisons in the two label pics above. There is absolutely NO question as to which is better. And judging by the way I feel, I made the right choice!

My last post,  Gratitude, mentioned my trainers and how much I value their opinions and such, they have all switched to this supplement also and we are all loving it. It's pretty difficult to give my trainer MORE energy and happy endorphins, well, she's been feeling pretty good lately and gives credit to this supplement. There are a few people at the gym who have signed on for the 12 week Bod-e Transformation and that's super exciting! People are stoked about this and how the whole program gets you on the right track by teaching healthy habits both in food and exercise. I'm a HUGE fan of healthy habits.

Gratitude

 

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern

  We signed up for a gym in early 2009 in Salem, Ohio. My hubs has always been so good at getting his workouts done and staying fit, but me.. I wasn't so much at the time. I went a couple times a week and walked on the treadmill and walked around the machine weights trying to look busy. It just wasn't my thing and I wasn't doing much else to get on the healthy train. I still ate what I wanted. The gym was large, the child care room was weird, and people weren't too friendly or eager to help you out either. It was stale to me. 

The second gym we joined was the YMCA soon after moving to Colorado (early 2010) and I was finally trying to get on the healthy track. You always hear good things about the YMCA and when we went to take a look at it to gym, I was completely mesmerized by all the "fancy" stuff in the pool area and then the massive cardio/weight room. When we first joined, I wasn't interested in fitness classes. As I increased my stamina and started seeing some results, I finally did get interested in fitness classes. I tried and really liked Zumba. The instructor there was so much fun and I always left with a really great calorie burn. Then one day, she was gone. Heard she'd been chased out of the room by employees and was never seen since.. What the heck? I tried a couple classes after she left, but it just wasn't the same, so I quit going to Zumba. What a bummer, huh. I was also doing kickboxing and weight training/cardio classes with the instructor that I currently take classes from. I no longer needed the cardio room or machine weights, she was basically the whole package for me. The child care room was pretty great too so my kids were happy to go along and hang out in there while I worked out. Then it happened again. One day my gym partner texted me and said "Lori (kickboxing instructor) is gone. She's no longer working at the YMCA." Holy.freaking.crap.

I am a 'workout with a group' kind of person. I can go to the gym and workout alone, but I prefer to workout with other people. Classes with boring instructors are just that ... Boring.

I cancelled YMCA membership November 2011.

So I started working out at home with fitness posters I could find on Pinterest, doing my P90X dvds, and just keeping busy doing something. 

Then I found out about Commit and Conquer. That's where my favorite trainer, Lori, had gone to work. I had to find a way to get back in her classes and was finally able to do that in January 2012. It has been the best move ever! It's personable, which I never experienced at the other gyms. The trainers will go above and beyond to help you learn and stay motivated. You can read their bios here. I knew right away I had found my gym family. Lori blogs and also has a great informative forum that I got involved with. I had workout, nutrition, and supplement questions. The trainers at Commit and Conquer are always quick to answer any questions or just get you the right information. I really respected that. I highly value their opinion and have become pretty good friends with them. It's really cool to walk into a gym and be welcomed by your first name. You won't find that just anywhere.

You know that saying, "Surround yourself with people who will help you achieve your goals" .. they are the real deal. So I'd like to go back to the quote I started off with: 

   Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern

I am very grateful for the trainers at the gym and would just like it to be known. The classes are amazing and I always get a great workout. It's a fun place to be because it's run by some pretty amazing people ! I know that lots of people at CAC feel the same way ! Just wanted to say thanks for helping me continue to be successful ! :)    

I'm a proud member :)