Before and After!

As I was preparing for my P90X 90 day challenge, I took my after pictures with the same clothing I was wearing the first day of the 60 Day Challenge. 

And even though I knew my body was changing, I had NO idea it was so much.  I didn't see my before pictures until the end of the challenge and boy what a rude awakening! I can't wait to see my pictures after 30, 60 and 90 days!  



After my 60 day challenge!



This Boot Camp thing really works! I could have been so much better with my eating and I will continue to improve. I only drank Shakeology about 5 times throughout the 60 days. Now, I'm drinking Shakeology everyday and continue to work on my fitness! I'm feeling pretty good. So excited about continuing on my journey! : ). 



Before- Wow! so glad I took this picture! don't want to be back here again!



Finishing 60 Days with a Bang! and many more......................la..la..la...

Friends! Last week at Bootcamp was awesome like always, AND my body keeps getting stronger and some things are actually getting easier to do! Imagine that. It was only 59 days ago that I really didn't know whether  I could really do this day after day after day. That's what it felt like only halfway through the warm up. I know some of you can relate : ).  Every night I get home and still the question I get from my son Nick and my boyfriend John, "How was Boot Camp?" Now I say, "So Good and HARD as HECK!"  : ) That's what I love about it though. I'm going to miss the 4 days, but I will not be staying away. Oh, NO!

So, I didn't lose 10-15 pounds like I wanted to, but I'm o.k. with that now, just for now.  It makes sense to me now. I have gained so much more insight about myself and experienced the support and kindness of others who have the same basic goals.  I've learned so much more about the fact that I AM STRONGER THAN I THINK I AM!  Maia is right on! I will continue on my journey to get stronger and continue to be as healthy as I can with the extra perk of ending up with a beach body : ). Why not?

A few exciting new experiences and milestones for me this week in my world of fitness:
I have the opportunity to be a Boot Camp coach! I am very excited and honored to be given this opportunity. I've always had an interest to teach some type of fitness class, but have been just too shy to do it. Here's my chance to help other and to continue to work on my own goals.

I ran my first ever 10K today!  The Marine Corps Marathon 10K. I am grateful that Erinne asked whether I would run with her and as much as I wanted to say YES!, it took me a couple of days to decide because I had not trained at all! She kept saying, you can do it,  you'll surprise yourself. Mariela ran and was my running buddy/coach : ). She passed on her knowledge of form and breathing techniques. She'd run a little faster and I'd catch up or I'd pass a few people and she'd catch up, but she kept lookin for me if I slowed down.  I'm very proud of the 3 of us. First time for all of us :). Really finishing up Boot Camp with a BANG!

Body

I can actually do a lot of the ab work now without terrible lower back pain! I can actually do them. That is huge for me. My core is stronger, my abs are slowly getting tighter : ).

Learned

The power of the group and of new friendships is amazing.  We can all learn and encourage each other one way or another. I've learned To be patient.

Observations
I ran 6.2 miles today, October 30th with the only training being Boot Camp! That's it! My endurance is so much better. It was easier to run the first 4.5-5 miles of this race than it was to run the 5k I did 2 Summers ago. After our 2 mile mark today (I know it sounds like nothing), I was just so happy that Mariela and I were able to run. I was thinking happy thoughts, not, aw man when is this going to be over? LOL.

Goals

• Continue to learn about nutrition and what works for me- Plan my meals
• Work on losing more inches overall (I don't have an actual number) I think I will know when I get there.
• Keep the commitment to myself to set a weekly workout schedule/routine AND stick with it. Be flexible- Life happens but stick with my 5-6 day per week workout goal
• Be a mentor to others! If  I can improve my endurance significantly in 60 days at the age of 41, then anyone can do it! 
• Two days per week of Boot Camp every week.

Wow! How Time flies..........only one week left.

I really can't believe there is only one week of the 60 day challenge left! I think that most of us in the group might feel the same way. It has been an amazing journey for me in more ways than one. For one, reading all of my camp mates blogs and writing my own has forced me into this habit of reflecting of where I am at in MY journey every week.

We have weigh in tomorrow right? So stressful for me! I'm hoping I lost at least 1/4 of an inch somewhere but who knows.  My scale at home shows that my weight is staying steady, I'm at a decent weight and I haven't put the few pounds that I've lost back on, which is a huge accomplishment for me. I wore pants today that I wore during the Summer and I couldn't button the top button! I probably shouldn't have worn them. LOL, but I just refused to go out and buy bigger clothes. I did not and do not want to feel comfortable in bigger clothes. So for about 2 weeks I have been at about 1 lb. over an under my BMI to be within "normal" range (That is HUGE for me!). All this time and for the past few years I have been "overweight" according to my BMI! I just have not been able to lose the weight!  I'm still on the borderline so it's so easy to just gain it all back and I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT!  I just get very frustrated with myself.

I've tried to keep my desire to get more toned and lose weight and now inches to a small group who I know understands. A lot of people will say that I'm so small and look great and I know that I don't have huge numbers to lose, but it's frustrating to know that I still have extra weight on and not be able to figure out HOW to keep it off for so long. Yes, I have been overweight according to my BMI for a few years. This is the first time in a very long time that I see 125 on the scale and that it hasn't jumped right back up to over 130! I just need to figure out how to be successful with my eating and not sabotage my efforts.

Body- I feel better in a lot of my clothes. They are not as tight.  My legs are stronger and my lungs are stronger. I ran yesterday when I was unable to make it to THAT TEAM's workout because my car broke down.  I was able to run up a few hills with ease when not too long ago I could not make it up the hill without having to walk. I'd used my inhaler at 12 and didn't use it again before I went out at 5. I was able to run without it!

Learning- I continue to remind myself to be patient with me. That this is a process. A life long journey that I am back on. I will continue to learn the right things to feed my body so that I can be successful. I am really happy with where I am at today though. Even though I did not meet my original weight loss goal. I realize it was unrealistic and that's o.k. for now.  I know I will look good next Summer OR sooner!

I am still trying to figure out why I do what I call the "mindless" eating. I notice I eat when there is too much going on in my life (which is often) that I don't feel like I have immediate control over. aargh! not good, but I am really focusing on being more aware of why and when I'm doing this and I call myself on it! YES! I tell myself out loud to STOP and think! Boy I know that sounds crazy right?!

Observations-  I've learned that the fact that I have stuck with this challenge is catching on at home too. My two guys know that I am tired and would sometimes rather stay at home, but I get home make dinner and get ready to go. Sometimes I do take a 30 minute nap! Today, my Honey and I went on a hike that was about 2 hours! We had a great time as always but we've agreed that we will go on a hike at  least once a week! My son has gone out for a run early in the morning a couple of times. I'm still getting lots of support at home. I also continue to observe how hard everyone works in class and I continue to push myself to work as hard as I can. As soon as I see Erinne, Thelisha, Carlos and Brittany (we're on the same side) doing those jump squats full force,  I just know I need to step it up and keep going. The POWER of the group!

Goals- Step away from the CHIPS! I need to find a crunchy healthy substitute! They are my nemesis right now.  I've tried the kale chips and will make them throughout the week. I also love nuts, but I know they have too many calories.  I just can't have so many.

Have carbs earlier in the day. If I feel like having an oatmeal cookie, have it in the morning. Not after I get home.

Continue to workout HARD and come work on a workout routine that I will stick with for the next 30 days. I need a plan. Talk to Ashley, Maia and other coaches about an eating plan and workout routine.

Find another method to log my food! I just can't seem to consistently get on myfitnesspal! At least log in this last week to have something to work off of.

I'm excited about the running group and everything else that lies ahead for me!

Only 2 weeks of the challenge to go! Learning to celebrate the small accomplishments and.........

.......LEARNING to be patient with myself! This is really a life long adventure. This thing of being healthy and fit and strong and disciplined! I am not new to the world of exercising and weight training and healthy eating, but what I continue to learn each and every day is that there is always more to learn and so much I didn't know about how to take care of ourselves, what to feed our bodies and strength and perserverance.

I love the picture that Maia posted a few weeks ago about success. It's NOT a straight line of perfection, but a squiggly, maze like curved line of ups and downs. So simple but so true! It helps me to read those inspirational messages. So I'm trying to learn to not kick myself in the butt or throw my hands up because I ate a piece of flan outside of my cheat meal :(. Boy am I good at making myself feel guilty. Better yet, I need to remind myself of all the great choices I made throughout the day and throughout the week. Remind myself of how hard I worked during BTC and every other workout. Do extra pushups and run for an extras 15 minutes to burn it off.

Weigh in this week was stressful like always for me. I am inching away at the pounds and inches and that is OK. I keep losing 1/2 and inch to an inch off my waist so I am thrilled about that! I am starting to think about what my workout routine will be after I'm done with the challenge. That will be critical to my continued success. Hey, according to Dr. Oz, at the age of 40+, 1 lb per  week is good. I don't want to speed up the wrinkling. LOL. I am not so young anymore, but I feel AMAZING!

I continue to be inspired by how hard everyone is working and with the power of the group! It's very encouraging for me and helps me push harder! We're not competing against each other but competing together for everyone's success!

BODY- I keep losing 1/2 inch here and there, but most is in my waist and I am thrilled. I'm getting stronger. My knees try to keep reminding me to slow down, but ice, pre-wrap and stretching are becoming my best friends! Patience, Patience!

Learning- I'm learning to pay attention to why I do mindless eating sometimes. It's awful! I'm learning that it helps so much when I plan my meals and when I eat green veggies at every meal. I'm not hungry afterwards and don't go looking for something to munch on.

Observations- Sometimes I just need to rest, but there is always time for at least a 30 minute walk or some sun salutations!

GOALS-Plan my meals this week, include a green veggie in most or all meals, get at least 6 hours of sleep ( i eat more when i don't!), continue to push myself and get my hr up to 160+ after warm up!

Half way there! So amazing!

Four Weeks Left, Really?

It's hard to believe that we are halfway to the finish line of the 60 day challenge. The energy in the room is amazing and I'm not even dancing! Something about Boot Camp just keeps me coming back. Maybe it's the fact that it is sooooo.... tough, but somehow with all of the encouragement from coaches and friends, I get through it each and every time.  I've invited friends and I usually tell them it's soooo....tough, but awesome and that if I can do it then they can definitely do it! Someone said I should probably change my marketing approach. LOL!

It's so challenging. I am amazed that I've gotten so much stronger. I kept thinking I needed to do weights to strengthen my quads and calves to protect my knees, but my quads are stronger from all of those squats and lunges!

So, this past week I got to get on what I saw as the "dreaded" stage! Don't get me wrong. Everyone is so energetic. Maia and all the coaches (that's part of what gets me through the class!) But I had to step out of my comfort zone and do the ENTIRE class on stage. Boy was I breathing heavy, even more than ever, but it was great. I think I was definitely more focused on my form.

Last week we also had our second weigh in. I gained 1/2 a pound and even though it's not a lot, I should have lost at least 1 pound! But what I learned as a result is what's important: Yes, I am grateful for the over all experience. I can go on and on AND I will: I am physically stronger than I have ever been. I can do those shoulder tap planks in good form! I am holding my abs in more! I really think I'm learning what the right foods are to eat, WHEN and HOW MUCH! I've made friends that I look forward to seeing! I've found a great support system on my journey to being strong and healthy! No one can take that away from me.

Last week on Wednesday, I ran into a friend at work that I haven't seen in a while and she said Hi skinny. Over the Summer I was 10lbs heavier than I am now, and for those of you shorties, you know that 10lbs is a lot! This past Friday I finally got to a BMI that's normal for my height and not overweight : ). That was one of my goals! After the weigh in, I was determined that I had to figure out what to change. I got some really helpful tips from different people. Slowly but surely, I'm starting to figure things out.

I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Excited for 4 more weeks of PAIN : ) and changes! But nervous about what my routine will be when this is over because my biggest challenge is maintaining myself at a good weight and not gaining it back. I would love to say that I can go to BootCamp 4 times per week, but I will not be able to. I will make the commitment to attend at least one evening per week though. I have a senior in high school and even though I have a wonderful boyfriend, I'm the one who helps him with this process. There are so many after hour meetings between 6:30-8 usually that I cannot continue to miss. I'm pretty exhausted because we have a crazy schedule, but for NOW Boot Camp it is! I will be absorbing all of the information I can get, asking lots of questions so that I have the tools I need to continue after the challenge is over. I WILL DO THIS! Yes, I'm nervous because I feel like I've been here before, BUT really I haven't. This is DIFFERENT!

Goals: continue to work on my eating, it's a struggle for me to not eat french bread or a couple of cookies or chips if they're around. I eat healthy most of the time, but I think these extra things just kill me! Eat green veggies at every main meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Log my food on myfitnesspal. Hold my abs in.

Change is a Tough cookie!

Could I stick with Boot Camp for 60 Days? YES! YES! with a little help from my friends! : )

Now, it's that commitment that I made to myself, for myself, to my family, to Maia and the coaches and my friends at bootcamp that keeps me coming back day after day! Really! I've had a tough week with work and at home. Does anyone know how tough it is to have a child or to have ADHD?! Aw man! It can be exhausting! I've been working on 4 hours of sleep per night and if I'm lucky 4 hours straight.

I was looking forward to every day at Boot Camp last week. Somehow conveniently I  forgot that arms day meant lots and lots of pushups! But, this week i was able to do 20 straight "regular" pushups before having to switch to girl pushups! I haven't been able to do that in a very long time!

Thursday was probably the toughest day I've  had since I started this challenge. It was the first day that I thought of staying home. I was pretty physically exhausted and took a nap when I got home. When my boyfriend woke me up and asked if I was ready for class, I said not really. My body was achey, I'd felt sick to my stomach all day and I was just exhausted. had not eaten anything since I'd gotten home (I  have to eat to make it thru class!) and I had to leave the house in 15 minutes to make it on time. BUT I got dressed and headed to boot camp! It seemed like I wasn't the only one that was having a tough time and I know everyone had their own reasons. LIFE HAPPENS! I also think it was the toughest class for me so far because I just did not have the energy. It really helped me when Ashley came by and did pushups and a few other moves next to me! In the end though, I felt so good to have finished the class and having done my best. We really are tougher than we think we are!


Monday's after class meeting was powerful! Maia's questions always get me thinking about things differently. And that has been the case since the first test group meeting we had. Even though in the end, one of the bonuses of all of this work and sweat will be feeling comfortable on the beach, the truth is that it is much more meaningful than that for me.

A little over 1 year ago, my son had a terrible accident where he fractured his C5 bone his neck, suffered a terrible concussion, got 9 staples on his head and had to wear a neck brace for almost 2 months. I am blessed that he is alive. You would never know he had such a terrible accident if you saw him now.  For almost a year, I worked and took care of him at home and ran back and forth from doctors appts, hospitalizations, e/r visits. Well my focus as a mom was to take care of him and just didn't have the time to take care of me. That's what moms do right?! I wouldn't change it.

It has been tough for me to get back to a routine of working out. I started working out again sporadically and have just really struggled with my eating and a good workout routine.


My reasons why:

1. I needed the structure to get back to taking care of myself so that I could continue to be strong for my family.  
2. I am a single mom and I want to do everything in my power to be strong and healthy so that I can be around to help my son with life! I'm 41 and I still talk to my mom almost every day! 
3. My family has diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmune disease like lupus and polymyositis. If there is anything I can do to improve my chances at a healthy life, I WILL. 
4. My mom was disabled at the age of 47 and lived about 4 years with symptoms before the doctors could figure out what she had.  

GOALS: Do my best every day in my working out and eating! Log my food (it's a struggle for me!) Be a good example! Remember that change is tough, but never stop trying to do better.

Week #5 Wohoo!

Time really does fly! We're getting ready to start week NO. 5 of the Boot Camp Test Group challenge. I feel pretty amazing that I'm hanging in there and feeling better and stronger everyday.  I feel stronger physically, especially my legs, but I don't feel a great deal of change in the size of my body compared to the week before. Meausurements tomorrow! I'm stressing out even though Maia said to focus on all of the other things I've gained (which I thought was wonderfully motivating!) like friendships and knowledge.

 I'm making it to boot camp and really working on getting my heart rate back up to the 160's which is where I was at during the first week. It's been tough to get back up to 160+ even though I'm out of breath and feel like I'm working really hard, I am not according to my hr monitor: (.  I've been staying at about 152-159. I did get to 160 on Wednesday! Finally!  I sometimes modify some of the exercises that require constant jumping and certain other things where I've noticed hurt my knees after I do them. I think that's causing the lower hr and along with that burning less calories. That WILL be my focus this week!

FUN! FUN! FUN!

working really hard can be lots of fun! I really liked the partner workout last week, Friday night's Megaxe was awesome! I'm really glad I made it out. I got my sweat on! I worked hard enough to burn the 145 cals (about) from my whiskey and coke. Did I really need to have that?! The cook out on Sunday was a great idea. I learned that I already eat pretty healthy BUT got some great new recipes. I made the Kale Chips last night! yum! I'd been dying to try them for awhile. 7.99 at whole foods was just a little too steep. : )

B - ody - So yes! I'm feeling stronger. My quads are stronger. I can do a wall sit for about 2 minutes and I'm not shaking during the first minute! Pushups are still very tough but I can stay in plank longer!  Not Marketa long though. lol.

L - learning -  I've learned that i really need to manage my eating better. I've known this to a certain degree, but.....I really love to eat. I love food and I love tasting and chewing food more than shakes. The chocolate shakeology is amazing. It is soooo....good. I'm only having it occasionally though. Got to prioritize my spending : ).
I'm finding that the weekends are tougher and less organized (they've always been) which makes it easier to want to munch on chips or other sweets like a few cookies here and there.  During the cookout today, I learned that I do eat pretty healthy, but I need to work on portions and when I eat what foods! I'm going to figure this eating thing out!!!!!!

O - I am grateful because every one around me is so supportive, interested in what I'm doing and sometimes even joining me in my by doing their own "challenge".  I think that's pretty awesome!  The only negative is that I"m feeling scattered at home! The 4 days straight, even though it's awesome for my body, makes it hard for me to keep up with making dinner for my family, laundry and keeping the rest of my LIFE organized. It's driving me a little nutty. My son is a senior and we have all kinds of things going on. Some more things that are scheduled at night (I just hate missing class!), so I need to figoure out how to make all of that work!
My honey is still doing the dishes though :) which is NICE!

G - goals - Reflect on your goals and action plan. 

I think I'm doing ok as far as my goals are.  I am not thrilled with how I'm doing! I know the mind is very powerful and really don't have to give in to temptations just figure out healthier ways to satisfy them (like shakeology balls and kale chips, YUM!). The eating the extra little things here and there is where I struggle. I ate a cookie! Aaargh! I broke down and felt bad about breaking  the promise to myself. Then I just had to remember how many I have NOT had since I made the promise.
I don't want to beat myself up for every little thing.

My main overarching goal is to be healthy and physically strong and lean. I don't know, maybe have the body of a fitness model even though I"m like at least 5 inches too short. LOL!  To learn how to eat in a healthy way to keep myself at a healthy weight (that means getting rid of the belly - even though I'm 41 and it will be harder).  If I can manage to eat healthy 85%-90% of the time, and have already reached my healthy weight, then I don't want to feel guilty about having a whiskey sour every once in a while and a yummy piece of flan. : ) Have a workout routine that I can maintain on a regular basis, like forever! 5 days a week would be my ideal.

NEXT WEEK's GOALS:

• I will log all of my food (share with Ashley)- I'm excited about this. I really need to be held accountable and need constructive criticism so I can master this part of my fitness routine.  This is my biggest hurdle and I know it!
• Keep my fruit to the beginning of the day- I've actually been doing pretty good with this!
• Get my heart rate above 160 during warm up.
• Lose 1 more pound
• Continue to get physically stronger - figure out those darn burpies and pushups!
• Have a green veggie with every meal
• Have Fun!