Fitness is my sport

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!

Beautiful ...

My trainer is moving on Friday. (I have mentioned this before.)  This morning before work was my final training session with him.  He has become so much more than a trainer for me.  He is a motivator, a life changer and most of all, he and his family have become a part of my family.  I have changed so much since I had my very first session on Sept. 7, 2011.  I am so sad so see him leave, but I am also so happy for him and so grateful to have had the chance to know him.

Before I started training like this, I thought slow jogging, some zumba on DVD in the privacy of my home, and some weight training with 5-10 pound hand weights was the max of my capabilities.  More than the workout side, I thought that beautiful meant, being in heels, dressed up, full face of make-up, hair done perfectly.  I also thought that being beautiful meant I had to be rail thin like I used to be.  I totally see it so differently now.  

I ran the jailbreak this weekend with some old friends.  I have known these friends since before my kids were born -- at least 12 years.  These friends knew me when I was thin, and have seen me go up, go down, jog some half marathons, have some babies, work at losing weight -- all of it.  It was so much fun to do this race and be able to climb, slide, jog, lift, crawl, and hurdle our way together through the course.  These women are so beautiful and so inspiring.  I have also been through 18 weeks of bootcamp with amazing women.  And while ALL these women look beautiful all "decked out", they are also so beautiful every day.  Beauty to me is so much more now.  We're are all gorgeous when we're all sweaty and we've just ran a couple of miles. We're beautiful after bench pressing 115 pounds 27 times, or doing 65-80 situps in 2 minutes, leg pressing 340 pounds (We had a bootcamp fitness test last night and I had a 1on1 fitness test today for training.).  When i'm at the gym, or outside after a workout -- my hair is a mess, i'm all sweaty, my face is super red, I have dirt on my clothes from crawling or lifting and pushing stuff around -- I feel so strong and i feel beautiful.  This to me is now beautiful:

Next Level - Jenn, (Kevin), Me, and Sandy

Sarah & Me

   Me, Amy, and Drayyah - after the jailbreak.

BTW, here are the results of my fitness test today:

1.  1.5 miles: 14.48 minutes  (1.3 miles in 20 minutes on Day 1 - 9/7/2011)

2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 40  (19 on day 1)

3.  1 minute timed test (pushups): 45 (20 -modified knee push-ups Day 1)

4.  max i can leg press once: 340lbs (240 lbs day 1)

5.  Max I can bench press once: 150lbs (105 lbs day 1)

6. Chest measurement: 40 

7. waist measurement: 38

8. Hips measurement: 43.5

9. Arm measurement: 12.5

10. Thigh measurement: 24

Here are last nights:

100 yd sprint: 17.98 (20.1 6 weeks ago)

2 minute situps 68 (52 last time)

broad jump 65.75 inches (64.25)

bench press 115 max times: 27 (22 last time)

flex arm hang 3 seconds lol (2 last time)

i can't remember what else we did, but increased in every category ... :)

Test day

It has been a super long time since I have posted!  The holidays came and went and i have to say, I'm pleased that through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines day, I did not gain weight...

Since my last official test with my trainer on Dec. 16th -- I have done 2 six week boot camp classes, and am 2.5 weeks into a 3rd session.  This means I train 2 days a week with my trainer in the morning before work, and then bootcamp another two days a week.  So while I haven't really lost weight, I've gained strength and lost a few inches here and there.  Overall I'm good with the progress because I'm doing so much more than I ever thought I would. :)


Today's Test:
weight: 185 (-1)
1.  1.5 miles: 15.1 minutes (-1.31 minutes off my last time)
2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 47 (5 fewer)
3.  1 minute timed test (pushups): 46 (14 more) 
4.  max i can leg press once: 320lbs (20 pounds)
5.  Max I can bench press once: 135lbs (same)
6. Chest measurement: 40 (+.75 inches)
7. waist measurement: 38 (same)
8. Hips measurement: 43.5 (-1 inches)
9. Arm measurement: 12.5
10. Thigh measurement: 24

=====================

December 16 Fitness test:

weight: 186 (-27 since Sept)

1.  1.5 miles: 16.32 minutes

2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 52

3.  1 minute timed test (pushups): 31 (He only counted the really good ones this time) :)

4.  max i can leg press once: 300lbs

5.  Max I can bench press once: 135lbs

6.  % body fat: 35%

7. Chest measurement: 39.25 (-.75 inches)

8. waist measurement: 38 (-1 inches)

9. Hips measurement: 44.25 (-.75 inches)

10. Arm measurement: 13

11. Thigh measurement: 24

A little scary

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)


I am a social person.  When I get an idea, I pray about it -- A LOT.  Then, sometimes I talk to people about it.  First I talk to Richard and I get his take on things and maybe some advice.  If it's something the kids should have a say in, I talk to them.  Then I talk to my mom and my sister, my dad, and/or my brothers about it as the idea starts to form into action.  Then, if I can, I sometimes run it by friends.  By the time I'm ready to implement my idea, I'm pretty sure it's safe and the right way.  I feel like I'm a realist.  This is definitely not the same as pessimistic.  I don't go in expecting the worst.  I do however, like to think about the worst thing that could happen, and then try to at least have a plan.  I go in hoping for the best, being positive, and then prepare for the worst "just in case".


This typically means I take a long time to make decisions if time allows for it.  I wish I hadn't taken so long to hire a trainer.  My trainer is moving in a month and I'm having lots of anxiety about it.  I didn't plan for this so I feel a little off.  I thought he'd be there for me to meet my goals.  And while he's not abandoning me -- I still feel like I'm running out of time and it's making me a little crazy.  I started thinking about hiring one in spring of 2011 -- maybe march. Started saving some $ and tried to figure out how to go about it.  If i'd done it then, I'd have spent a year achieving my goals and maybe be done.  But i didn't.  and now he's leaving -- and I've been with him for 6 months.  I'm not sure I can do it without him.  (ok, thats not true -- I know I can.  He's taught me so much, but not sure I have the self discipline to do it.)  I have a month to prepare to do this on my own... wish me luck!

I'm amazed

Last night I started a new class called NextLevel.  Basically, it's a class that is supposed to take you to whatever the next fitness level is for you.  If you are a beginner (which I still feel like) then the next level is a step above that.  If you are way advanced, then your nextlevel is advanced+.

So last night we took a fitness test to determine our starting point.  Maybe it's because i'm going to start my period or maybe it's just that i'm tired, but last night I felt like I did the first day I started training 9 weeks ago.  The run was really difficult and I felt like after doing personal training this long, I should be better.  

So this morning I went into my session feeling really down about it.  Today was the next 30 day testing.  we did the physical fitness part of the test, but I have to wait until next week to take measurements so I'll post those next time.

In the mean time check this out:

This is me July 2011

This is Sept 26th - after 3 weeks of Personal training:

This is October after 5 weeks: (crappy pic, i know)

And this is me today after 9 weeks:

It doesn't seem like much but to me this is so huge! I shaved almost 2 minutes off my mile and a half run time today (after the last 30 day test).

The first time I did push-ups, I did 20 push-ups on my knees.  today I did 35 regular push-up in a minute.

I did 19 sit-ups the first day, today I did 44 in a minute.

I have to remind myself that even though I may not be where I want, I have come so far.    

Techie Tuesday - BodyMedia Fit

This is my new favorite gadget: http://www.bodymedia.com/

It is a really cool way to keep track of calories in vs. calories out.  You wear your armband, and it monitors various things like your heart rate, how many calories you burn, how much sleep you actually get (if you wear it while sleeping).

then, at the end of your day, you plug it into your computer via USB (or they have the new Bluetooth model that you can sync wirelessly with your phone or PC) and it stores it in an activity tracker (they have a scaled down version of it in app form for you phone that talks to the web version too so you can always know where you are at in your calory intake or you can add your calories via your phone while you are out to eat.

Here is what the web aplication looks like:

Overview of your day:

Then you can expand sections to see more details like your calories consumed (this is from Saturday):

or your activity for the day:  (this was on Saturday when I took a Zumba class from 9-10AM)

I love this thing.

WL Wednesday - The next 30 days

Today we did legs.  It was really really hard and my legs are jelly.  

we also set new goals.  I set mine and then he gave me his goal to be able to achieve mine.

New goals for the next 30 days:

1. Mine: Fit in and prioritize all my fitness activity (thats an hour circuit 4X a week, with 30 mins of cardio 3X/week)

His: Create a schedule and stick to game plan.  Be consistent. No excuses 

2. Mine: Lose at least 2lbs/week ove the next four weeks

His: keep food log and stay within 1200-1400 cals each day.  Drink 96 oz. water each day

3. Mine: jog the 1.5 miles in 17 minutes or less without stopping (30 day fitness test was 19.17 minutes & I stopped twice)

His: 15 minutes before session or class do sprint1/walk1/sprint1  (6.0 or greater on sprints, 2.0 walk) as warm-up (4 times a week)

4. Mine: lose another 1-1.5 inches in waist and hips, and .25 in arms and thighs

His: 100 push-ups and 100 sit-ups daily -- (5 sets of 20) -- when 20 becomes too easy, bump up in increments of 5

I'll let you know how it goes 30 days from now.

30 days

i know it's Friday -- but i'm too excited to wait for "workout Wednesday"!!!

========Fitness Test 30 days ago========

1.  20 minutes on the treadmill to see how far i could go: 1.3 miles ( I mostly jogged small intervals between 4.5 and 4.0, stopping to walk 6 or 7 times) -- Not even on the chart -- below very poor

2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 19 - "fair" on the chart

3.  1 minute timed test (modified pushups): 20 - poor

4.  max i can leg press once: 240lbs - poor

5.  Max I can bench press once: 105lbs - poor

6.  % body fat: 39.9% - very poor

3 goals I set for the month:

• lose inches all around but especially in neck and waist
• feel more energy and healthier
• jog 1.5 miles only stopping at the very least twice. 

==========30 days later========

Fitness Test Today

weight: -14 pounds

1.  1.5 miles: 19.17 minutes (between a 5.5 and 5.0 jog, slowing down to a slow 4.0 jog twice for 30 seconds)

2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 37 - "Excellent" on the chart - 18 more than last time

3a.  1 minute timed test (modified pushups): 45 - "Superior"  - 25 more than last time
3b. 1 minute timed test (regular "guy" push-ups): 25 - "excellent" --25 more than last time

4.  max i can leg press once: 260lbs - "good" (20 pounds more)

5.  Max I can bench press once: 115lbs - "fair" (10 pounds more)

6.  % body fat: 33% - "poor" (-6%)

7. Chest measurement: (-2 inches)

8. waist measurement: (-1.25 inches)

9. Hips measurement:  (-1.25 inches)

10. Arm measurement: (-.25 inches)

11. Thigh measurement: (-1.5 inches)

we set our new goals on Wednesday.  I'm ridiculously excited and proud of myself!  

Workout Wednesdays (week 3)

Today was agility training.  I'm not very coordinated.  it was a lot of jumping over stuff, stepping up onto stuff, throwing stuff while jumping and squatting.  It was really hard but each time, I get better and better.  After our mini-vacation this past weekend (which I only went over my calories by 25 points on one day and 60 on the other -- so I managed to stay under 1460 on my worst day of vacation -- small victory) I've been back on track this week.

I have found that tapping on the acupressure points while walking and taking deep breaths re-sets me.  so for example, in one circuit, I had to step up for 30 second (round 1 was 24 steps), do 10 burpies, and then do 15 full sit-ups while tossing a 9 pound medicine ball to him at the top of the sit-up.  Then I walked once around the gym to get my heart rate back down to do the next set.  While doing that, I tapped (eft) on this -- even though this is hard and I feel like i'm going to die ..." and i just did the top of my head, next to my eye, under my nose, my chin, and then on the karate chop points over and over while I walked for like 1 minute.  When I came back, I improved my time significantly on all of it (round two of the steps was 35 in 30 seconds).   it seems weird, I know -- but it works for me.  The last thing i did was sprints on the treadmill.  those need work but they're better than the first day.  I look back and already I'm doing stuff I never thought I would (or could).  It inspires me to keep going!

Workout Wednesdays -- Meltdown (week 2)

I had a meltdown today at the gym.  I really don't know why.  I think it was a pitty party for myself.  Today was the 5th session I've had.  This is really hard work and in my head I kept thinking -- why is everything so hard?  It was a struggle to finish school, but ultimately I got there.  It was a struggle in my marriage and ultimately it ended, the divorce was a huge struggle but ultimately I got the lions share of things in my children, life with the ex is STILL a struggle- but overall we don't have to deal with him often.  Most times I see the glass half full, but today while sweating my ass off and feeling weak, I just kept thinking "Why is it all so hard?"  And then the tears started -- which I HATE because it made me feel weaker, especially when it's in front of people who don't really know me.

For 8 years I hunkered down and tolerated WAY more that i should have.  Even if I fought back, I lost, so I didn't fight back.  Instead I "handled" it. Instead of getting out, I shoved it all inside and made myself stick it out and continue to try.  I tell myself it was for the sake of my kids, and it partially was, but really it was because I didn't want to fail at it.  I DON'T FAIL -- so how could I fail at one of the biggest things in my life?  Instead of letting stress out productively, I gained weight.  Over the course of my almost 10 year marriage I gained 100 pounds.  That was my weight my senior year of high school.  I gained an entire high school senior!  And the thing is -- I feel like I worked so hard at keeping the peace, and keeping my kids safe and sane through all of that.

After all that, I had to work at healing and so did the kids.  And we are happy -- we really are.  We have a great life and I can't complain.  But today -- I just kept thinking -- it's not fair -- here I am -- having to work so hard again just to feel normal (physically) and get back to myself.  I have to find time out of my crazy days -- instead of a lunch break (which should be time away from work) I'm at the gym, working, so that I can go back to work afterwards and work some more -- until work is finished and then I have to do mom work...

Normally this is OK with me.  I actually enjoy it all usually.  Today though (and I'm not even PMSing) it just seemed overwhelming.  So it's time for me to be still and listen for the lesson in all of this.  To reset and come back stronger ...  I know this is the rain before the rainbow...

on a good note, I'm down 11 pounds at the two week mark

workout wednesday - -4 lbs (week1)

We we worked arms and abs today.  Exactly a week ago I started the personal training.  It's hardcore.  seriously.  I probably won't be able to lift my arms up tomorrow.  i'm down 4 pounds

Workout Wednesday -- My first session with a personal trainer

Today on my lunch break I had my first session with a personal trainer.  What I realized is that when I was struggling with my divorce, I got help from a therapist.  Someone who knew more and had an outside perspective. It helped so much to have someone at the start of things, put things in a different light for me from the beginning.  It made a difference in how I saw the journey and the healing after....

So while I'm struggling with my weight, I want the same support.  Clearly what I'm doing on my own isn't working out for me.  I need someone to set a path first, help me to develop skills and then after i get the hang of it, I can swing things on my own.  or at least this is my rational.

Today was a level set session.  Today was to et our bearings to see where we need to go from here.
So -- her is what we did today:

Fitness Test
1.  20 minutes on the treadmill to see how far i could go: 1.3 miles
2 . 1 minute timed test (sit-ups): 19
3.  1 minute timed test (pushups): 20
4.  max i can leg press once: 240lbs
5.  Max I can bench press once: 105lbs

3 goals I set for the next month:

• lose inches all around but especially in neck and waist
• feel more energy and healthier
• jog 1.5 miles only stopping at the very least twice.
  

3 goals he set:

• Workout 1 hour with a set workout 4X per week (this counts his sessions)
  
• Add 30 minutes of cardio on top of those workouts 3X week
• keep a food journal and bring it to each session (notating EVERY little thing I eat)
  

% body fat: 39.9%

Telling myself "no".

First let me start by saying I HAVE to lose at least 30 pounds for my health.  This is a mandate from my doc due to recent health issues.  And even if that was not mandated -- seriously -- it's pretty obvious.

My kids hear the word No from me several times a day. "Mom, can I have this candy?  Mom, can I work on the computer 5 minutes longer?  Mom, can I just skip shower tonight and shower in the morning? Mom, can we have a friend come over [even though our room isn't clean]?"

The answer to all these questions is almost ALWAYS no.  It's not that those things are bad things... they could easily get a "yes", but the fact of the matter is, I have set rules and they need to learn dicipline.  I'm reminded of the scripture 1 Corinthians 10:23 - "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.  The girls are learning that they cannothave everything they want, even if it's possible.  I grew up with strict parents and I'm pretty strict myself...

So today I started to think about how many times I actually tell myself "No."  Financially, I'm totally able to do this.  No Ronnie, you don't need a manicure and pedicure or your brows waxed -- you need to get school clothes for the girls this month."  That makes sense to me and I don't have issues with that.  That is concrete -- there is only so much money in a pay cycle so even if I wanted to say "yes" to those things, it's permissable, but definitley not beneficial sometimes.

But when I examine my self-discipline when it comes to my health & nutrition I cannot  seem to tell myself "no".  I am having serious acid reflux issues.  So bad they actually had me do a sonogram to see if it was my galbladder.  It's pretty severe.  I'm also on the verge of becoming diabetic.  Diabetes runs DEEP on both sides of my family.  Yet I have a hard time sacrificing acidic food (most of my favorite food is acidic) and sugar.  Pasta and bread -- I am SO weak!  And spicy -- I cannot get my food spicy enough -- I love salsa so much I could eat it with a spoon just by itself.  And these are things I should seriously limit.  They are things that could cause my body severe damage.  Why is it so easy to let the word "no" roll off my tongue to teach dicipline to the kids -- yet I cannot say this word to myself???  My health should be something I take seriously!

I went in search of techniques I could use to help me with this.  I grew up in a holistic household -- chiropractor dad, hypnotherapist mom -- There has to be a way I can hypnotise myself into loving to have vegetables all the time and have wonderful portion control.  There has to be a way to gain self-control right?  So, I'm enlisting my mom's help of course, and I'm going to do some "tapping" to help... but ultimately, it's time I ask God for help.  I ask God for his help in so many aspects of my life.  I just disn't think I should bother him with this... but i have come to realize that this is important stuff -- In  Galatians 5:22-23 it says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."    Self control is a fruit, or gift, from the holy spirit... So -- I'm going to start telling myself no and re-learning to discipline myself. 

Wish me luck!