Saturday, February 26, 2011

Fat, New Goals and Progression

Hi all,

Wow, what a week...Andy got back home, we had friends leave the island and I slipped a bit on my diet....gasp!  Yes, I did I slipped I had the most wonderful super yummy loaded mashed potatoes from Chili's when we went to say goodbye to our friends - I started out really good, ordered the guiltless Tilapia with steamed veggies it was good; but one of our pals ordered the ribs and the potatoes looked so good...and his wife pretty much ate them all off his plate - and she doesn't normally eat much of anything so I knew they had to be good...so I caved!  And OMG!  I had not tasted such yummy potatoes!  I kid you not, they melted in my mouth, they tasted like garlic mashed potatoes but they were topped with cheese, and bacon bits things I have not had for MONTHS!  Did I feel guilty?  Yes!  Did I get back onto my diet right away?  YES!  Did I lose any weight this week?  No, but my pictures look amazing so I have my motivation back...that and the fact that I will be training with Shelly three days a week for the month of March...that is going to be three days of intense muscle building, yelling, no holds barred madness that is going to get me through the middle part of my training - and I am READY!!  WOO HOO!  (to give you a visual, imagine Biggest Loser and Jilian Michaels yelling at the contestants on her team - that will be me and Shelly...and I may just be crying like those contestants too ;) )So my new goals - since the pics are in...Day of show I will be 125 and 13% Body Fat!!!

And Speaking of FAT - that nasty three letter word - we all know that it is everywhere on our body but we really don't think of it too much until we realize that our clothes are fitting a bit differently...but these days, it's not just my clothes that are fitting crazy but everything!  My SHOES?!  Yes, my feet are slipping around in my shoes these days...When I first got out here, and bought shoes in town (which are sized much differently than in the US) I was in a LL - which by the way they don't sell allot of and I would find these really cute shoes but they would not have my size and I would be disappointed because I had this big American foot...but I went the other day to look at shoes and again found a super cute pair...but they were a size L..UUGGHH!  they will never fit me - but Andy encouraged me to try them on anyway; so I did and guess what?!  They fit me!  really, my foot is smaller!  YAY!  But like I said all of me is smaller, I pulled out my shorts from last summer because it's finally getting warmer...none of my shorts from last summer fit me, That's great news but I am afraid to buy anything new as I still have a number of pounds to lose...so instead, I have pulled out belts that I wore in High School...it's such a strange feeling to know that I can fit back into them....I thought those days were so far behind me and a thing of the past that would never be a part of my life again (but yet I kept them; I know crazy!)  And there is more....Arm Pits....have you ever wondered why they are called pits?  I finally figured it out...because they are supposed to be pits, and if you are a woman, you know that we shave those arm pits just about everyday - and normally it's a pretty easy feat, you raise your arms, you have this nice flat piece of skin and you shave easily those pesky hairs...it's a little more difficult for me these days, as it really is a PIT!  the razor doesn't fit in there very well and I have to stand there and angle it so many different ways that it seems I still miss some of the hairs!  I think I am going to have to start waxing...that possibly may be easier.  Shelly had told me that it would happen and I figured that it was true I mean this lady really knows her stuff (I mean really knows her stuff and the pictures will prove it!)  But, really can you imagine not having that skin when you raise your arm be taut for you to shave it?  It concave in...it really concave in!  So I'm not fitting in my clothes, I'm wearing belts that I had in high school, and I have these crazy arm pits, my body fat has gone down 5% in the past two months, my weight 11pounds and inches...well just look!
    
 
August 2010
  
August 2010


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February 2011
 
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I hope that you all have taken your progression photos too.....I can't believe the progress I've made!!  And you won't believe yours either till you see it in print!  Part of holding yourself accountable is to have these photos done....Really I know that it is horrible to do - I didn't even want to take these Friday either...but looking at them and where I was 6 months ago is just unbelievable! But it's reality...make yours your reality too!

Today's Quote of the Post:

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can." - Unknown

There is always going to be a reason why you can't....but finding and making the decision that you C is difficult I know but once you start you will feel so much better - and that is a promise I can guarantee...get out there today and say yes to being healthy!!

Hugs!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Are you getting your UMPH on?!

Quote of the Post:

‎"The difference between try and triumph is just a little UMPH.".......Oxygen Magazine

I know I don't normally start the posting with a quote, I save it for the end....but this one was one I had to start off with!  Are you getting your UMPH on?  Don't just try...TRIUMPH!!!  Tell me what you did today to keep your dream alive - be it weight loss, gaining muscle mass, eating healthier or what ever it is that you have set as a goal now. 

Today I got up at 4:30 - Yes, that is AM and I had to leave the warm arms of my hubby who just got home a couple days ago.  I then grabbed my gym bag and headed to 5:15 spin.  I haven't gone on a Tuesday before and it was only because there were no classes yesterday (President's day) so I had to get my Am cardio session in....it wasn't till I walked out of spin to hit my weight training that I realized today's muscle groups - Legs and Bi's!  YIKES!  I just gave my legs a hard workout in spin (this instructor was actually really good today - I may have to re-evaluate my morning cardio sessions and trade Wednesday for Tuesday..it was that much better!) 

Oh well, Crystal suck it up and get it going...So this is what I did today and boy did I put my UMPH on!

45 Min spin class
Leg extensions 3 sets 20 with 50lbs weight on machine super set with
15 plie squats holding a 30lb bar under my chin
Hack squats - with 20 lbs added to machine 3 set od 15 super set with
20 squat jumps
Forward Alternating lunges 3 sets of 20 super set with
12 straight bar cable bicep curls - 27.5 lbs plus the extra weight plate so I think it totals 30?
Finished it off with seated dumbbell concentrated bicep curls...3 sets of 12 for each arm - 15's

So 2 hours of leg torture - did you add up the squats I did 3 different types totaled 150!  Yes, my legs are feeling the burn!  But you know what...I am planning on being back at spin tomorrow am 5:15 again!

Hope you are keeping up with the challenge you gave yourself.....I know you can do it!  Set your mind to it, write it down, tell someone about it (hold yourself accountable) and you will succeed....yes, you will have a bad day but again make it just that one day and get back into it...or better yet, make it just one bad half a day or hour....You are your own fitness guru - but there is plenty of help out there, ask for it!

Hugs!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Greek Yogurt & Cottage Cheese

Two of my dreaded items on the diet....when I started any way!

Now, I love them!  I find myself using one or the other all the time (more the yogurt than the cottage cheese but hey I'm getting there!)  Right now I am sitting here eating the Vanilla Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt....and I AM LOVING IT!  To think there was a day that I thought I would not be able to eat this yogurt without adding splenda, SF/FF pudding or some other flavoring to make it tolerable LOL

Crazy how your taste buds adjust - just another great thing about eating right, your body really does know what's good for it and adjusts to eating it on a regular basis and allowing you to enjoy it! 

BTW, I was excited on Friday; got pinched and after a little blunder it in the numbering thinking my body fat was initially 17% (which would have just been CRAZY!!)  I pinched at a wonderful 21%!!! my thigh fat has gone from a 31 to a 24!! (I am carrying the majority of my fat on my lower body still)  I felt even better though when I got this from Shelly the next day "You looked FANtabUlous last night. Really leaning out! Very impressed by your results, so excited for you!!!!!!"

I do hope that you all are doing great as well.  Let me know if there is anything I can help you with!  And my best advice to you...I know how expensive a trainer can be but when you find a great one - one who knows what they are really doing - they will really be your best friend in acomplishing and attaining your goals.  It's more than just exercising, weight training, cardio etc....it's the nutrition side of things as well and when you can get both to work for you you will see amazing results...but, if you don't have the right person guiding you you are still selling yourself short.  If you aren't happy with the trainer you have now, tell them why and let them go - then go out and try another one.  I promise you will find the one who will work for you....remember you are paying them, not the other way around - and if they are just standing next to you while you are on the treadmill, elliptical or other cardio equipment each time you are in the gym - are they really earning the money you are paying them?  Stay in control of what you want, get the help the proper way and you will see the results just as I am!  It is your dedication but it's also the program - they work together to get the results.  And if you think this isn't true....have you watched the Biggest Loser or any other weight loss show?  They always ALWAYS combine nutrition into what they are teaching.  YOU CAN DO IT - Don't stop now, you are a rock star as well!

Today's Quote of the Post:

"We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are." -Adelle Davis


Hugs!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

FOOD

I'm pretty sure I have mentioned it before - but I'm going to tell you again....I am eating more food now each day then I ever have before; and I'm losing weight!!!  CRAZY! I know it's the strangest thing but I am dead serious here folks!  Remember those old PBS commercials - 'You are what you eat from your head down to your feet, things like....."  Well, I must becoming a bird because the majority of my food intake:

Chicken Breast
Turkey Breast
Fish (tuna - ahi steak YUMM!, cod - not a big fan, halibut - super expensive here on the island or tilapia - if I can find it wild caught)
Egg Whites (a lot of them!!)


My typical day of eating right now is like this:

Breakfast - Oatmeal & egg whites
Snack - Greek Yogurt, Whey protein shake
Lunch - 5oz meat and 1 cup veggies
Snack - 4 oz meat and 4 egg whites
Snack - Whey protein shake blended with egg whites and 3/4 cup fruit
Dinner - 4 oz meat and 1 1/2 cup salad
Bed time snack - Whey protein shake

Of course I can have some variance of the above with the exchange program..i.e. 4 oz meat can be traded for 1/2 cup cottage cheese on the second snack etc.  I have a sheet that has good exchanges for proteins and carbs alike (which are minimal as you can see)

If you are like me though you get bored with the same meals over and over and over again...so I've gotten a bit creative with my meals and cooking - my latest fix; egg white pancakes!!

OMG are these ever yum and I just keep trying them with different things.  This is how I make them:

3/4 cup All whites egg whites (approx 4 large egg whites)
Cinnamon
Nutmeg or Allspice

Combine all ingredients and mix well (I normally put them all into a bowl with lid and shake but you can whisk or blend in blender as well) place mixture into a warmed skillet (medium heat) let cook through and when you can pull the edges of the 'pancake' away from the edges carefully flip and cook for just a few seconds longer (these will do most of the cooking on the initial side, if you flip too early they will fall apart)

I then have done the following:

1 scoop protein powder mixed with just enough water to make a paste - spread on pancake

SF maple syrup which I have added raspberry flavoring to (Torani's SF syrups from the coffee aisle) do this when you don't need the extra protein

Today though I tried this and I am so excited to make them for Bunco tomorrow night!

1/2 cup cottage cheese
1T SF/FF Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding mix
2T water
1 packet stevia

mix/blend together (I used my handy mixer to do this, not sure what it's called but it stands tall and has a small blade on it - hand blender maybe?)

Once it's all mixed together and smooth spread onto one half of the pancake/crepe and then fold into 1/4's
ENJOY! 

When I'm off season I think I will add whip cream and maybe some chocolate syrup - MMMMM I just finished eating this and it was so so SO GOOD!  And I got all my protein that I needed plus a full belly!! 

Tonight is posing and we once again get pinched so I am anxious to see where my BF is now - and to see what her scale has in comparison to mine...I know it will be higher though as I weighed first thing int he morning and so it was on an empty stomach before consuming any food or a gallon+ of water. 

Today's Quote of the Post:
 Stolen from a FB post
 “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Hope you have had a great attitude today!

Hugs!

Update - I took a pic of the 'crepes' I made to take to bunco tonight....chocolate and pistachio...YUMMY!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Kudos

I don't think I give my trainer Shelly enough praise so here I am doing it again....MY TRAINER ROCKS!!!  This is what I posted to her FB page this morning:

SO EXCITED THIS MORNING!!!! Got on the scale for the first time this week .....dun, dun, dun, dun, da......134.6!! Now just so see what your scale says Friday :) No doubt you are the bomb!!! ♥ ya!

She responded:

Crystal, it's YOUR dedication to the diet.... ur busting a**! Great job ;)

It may be my dedication to the diet and workout....but it is HER PROGRAM that is getting me to these stellar numbers!  I can't wait to see what my body fat percentage is tomorrow. 

 Love your trainer.....love yourself!

I hope that you all are keeping up with your workouts...if not hit me up and tell me why!  I am willing to hold each of you as accountable as you are holding me! 

Today's Quote of the Post:
"Exercise truly does keep you looking young.  It's one of the best antiagers out there - and it's free!" Jennifer Kivett in Bright Ideas - February Fitness Magazine

Hugs!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Doubt? How about Motivation??

Mr. Webster defines Doubt as this:
–verb (used with object)
 to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
–noun
 a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.
 
While I don't doubt the ability of my trainer, I know that she knows here stuff and has gotten me into great shape...I instead doubt myself, Why am I doing this?  What am I going to prove?  I'm crazy...that cellulite is never going to go away from my behind and these hips will be here forever - I've given birth to 7 kids people!!!  my stomach sags from being stretched so much and that is not going to go away - Clothes are so deceiving and while I look in the mirror and know I look good with them on - I start to hyperventilate about what I have to wear on stage and the poses that I have to be in and how those judges are going to be looking at all the imperfections and I really start to FREAK OUT!!  What am I thinking taking on this challenge?!?!!
 
But then I take a step back and think of my friends who have started their exercising because of me, changed their diets to be healthier for the themselves and their kids and their future grand kids and I feel good...it starts to motivate me again and I realize that I have this great desire to change and challenge myself, plus I don't want to let you all down either! BUT boy has this been a challenge thus far!  So, I continue to say no to the Valentine's candy, walk the other way from the newly placed Peeps aisle at the exchange and down more protein.  I start to chant the different motivational quotes that I have heard and researched and start to change my attitude...as it begins and ends with me, I am the only one who can make the decision to follow the diet, put the right food in my mouth and get in the gym to do the rigorous workouts...I am not a quitter and I going to continue this and cross the bridge of horrid cellulite showing when I place that suit on my body come 5 June.  (I'm really hoping that the tan will cover it and that I will have more muscle definition down there by then too)
 
So Today's Quote of the post: many of them because I need them and I am sure that you may too!
 
"Hard work is a two-way street. You get back exactly what you put in. -Unknown_
 
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." -Lance Armstrong- ("And Regret Stinks" -Shelly Howard)
 
"Sweat is your fat cells crying" -unknown
 
"There's no easy way out.  If there were, I would have bought it.  And believe me, it would be one of my favorite things!" -Oprah Winfrey
 
"Fitness- if it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body." -Cher



 
I hope you made your reservations this Valentines Day for the gym and kept it!
 
Hugs! 

 
 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Wow, has it really been a week since I posted?!  I can't believe that it went so fast - boy was it a busy one too! Not to mention exhausting ;)

As you all know Shelly gave me more food for the month of February...it has been nice!...but it also has been torture ;)  I was happy though seeing the scale go back down at weigh ins on Friday though!  only one pound but if I went off of how my clothes are fitting, it's surely got to be more!  But back to that busy last week -

Monday - Spin 5:15 am, come home make sure kids are up and moving, make breakfast (4 different ones - Andy and I have oatmeal and egg whites, Autumn a toaster strudel and milk, Jonathan Fruity Pebbles, and Dallas waffles).  Andy's out the door at 6:20, Autumn at 6:40 and the boys and I leave at 7:10 to get them to school...I then am back at the gym at 7:30 for my lifting session and some more cardio.  I then come home to clean, get laundry done and EAT!  (now mind you I took my yogurt and protein shake to the gym and ate them on my way home after lifting)  I was able to get in a small nap Monday before I went to get the boys from school at 1:30.  Back home to eat, get homework done and make dinner. 

Tuesday - Thank goodness I got to sleep in a bit but back at the gym after dropping the kids at school again so another early day - oh and it was a horrible week of weather too....I was very bummed as I was hoping to get out and have a good run around the neighborhood.  Pretty much the same thing for the rest of Tuesday as I did on Monday which leads us to Wednesday and such a beautiful day!

Wednesday - the weather was a bit better, I didn't make it to spin this morning, the alarm was failed to be set - purely by accident, I think anyway ;)  Today Autumn made her confirmation..so again a very busy day.  Weight training as soon as I dropped the boys off, come home get ready go get them at 1:30 race home to get dressed and changed, Autumn comes in the door at 2:20 and she has just enough time to change before we head out the door....her Confirmation was at Kadena Chapel 1 which is about 20 minutes from us and she had to be there for a meeting with the Bishop at 3:15.  I get her dropped off and come back home to get the rest of the Family (Andy had gotten off early today to help out and be there YAY!) we all get loaded back up and head back to Kadena and the ceremony.  It was BEAUTIFUL and we are so very proud of our beautiful girl, and how she is growing up! 

Thursday as I've mentioned to you is my day off, although really what it is is just a day away from the gym as I catch up from everything else and help in the boys classrooms.  It really is nice to be able to see the kids at school and help them when I can. 

Friday was again a very early morning with spin at 5:15 - I really try not to go to spin on Friday's as it is such a long day for me being as we bowl in a league that night.  We were supposed to have a field trip for the kindergartners but it didn't happen, the rain was horrible all night and it caused a danger risk to go Mikan (Japanese Tangerine) picking with the little ones in the mud and up hills.  So that instead opened me up to go get my lab work done, work out early again and go to posing which was early today.  So spin, blood draw, weight training, and posing - I was a little sore (actually that is an understatement but you get it)  made it to get the boys from school and then got to come home to a clean house - Thank goodness it was Mammisan week!  I get the kids settled, get dinner ready and we again head out the door to bowl...I don't get in bed till about 10:30 this night and I have an early morning again for weight training Saturday!

Here is what I am working on when I am in those posing classes - these were taken a couple weeks ago....

 

 

Saturday - I hit the gym at 6 - Lester is open 24 hours so it was really nice to get over there and not have anyone there...only one person and it happened to be a gal pal of mine so I was able to chat with her for a bit while I warmed up then slam through my leg workout....finished that up with an additional 20 minutes on the step mill (told you guys about that devil of a machine ;) )  got home in time to have the boys friends picked up at 8 and then helped Andy get the fence put up in the back yard finally :)  Needless to say by the time that was all done I was beat, but I couldn't relax yet, I still needed to help Jonathan back a cake for the Cub Scout Pack meeting we had on Sunday, buy two birthday gifts for parties and get Andy to pack!  No rest for the weary as they say!

Sunday - are you tired yet???  Another rest day (from the gym)  We've got Sunday school, two birthday parties, a pack meeting and Andy is leaving to a conference this morning.  No problem I can handle this!  Well, for the most part.  Got Sunday school done, finished helping Jonathan ice his cake (4 layer Chocolate Cake with chocolate icing - which by the way won him the prize for 'biggest' cake!)  things were looking good, Andy left at the same time to drive himself down to the airport (sorry honey) we get Sunday school done and then back home to load up the gifts, make a dish to take to the pack meeting and we'll be home free....ya, not so much.  The boys head start spinning, they have gone crazy I am convinced.  So being as they could not behave for anything, I told them we would not be going to any birthday parties till they could 'figure it out' didn't happen and I instead apologized to the Mom's for our absence and will see them at some point to hand off the gifts.  They did finally calm enough to go to the Pack meeting which I was ready to cancel as well but being as I'm a leader it would have been a little tougher. 

So all in all,  the week was super busy and I was ready for it to be over....hoping for a better week this week!

It's Valentine's Monday and I made it to spin with my Valentine - my trainer (she had some of that 4 layer chocolate cake yesterday and so had to get herself some cardio in! - she said it was yummy...I wouldn't know as it took ALL my strength and obedience not to even lick the spoon!) I did ask her though if it would have constituted cheating if I had...she replied to me with a smile - so I guess that means it would have been a cheat.  I was very proud of myself though not eating it OR any of the potluck dishes that were at the Pack meeting....I was very good with my Egg White Pancake smothered with a Protein paste (Caramel Toffee Fudge) and 3/4 cup strawberries...yes, I got strange looks but that's alright - I will so look better on the beach this summer than they will! hehehe!!!

So now I ask you - will you be caving into the weakness this Valentine's Day, or will you be strong and proud?!  I hope that you are strong and proud!  If not, remind yourself that it is OK to have a bad day - get back on it as soon as you can and make sure that it is only one day...or better yet, just one meal/cheat that you do! 

Stay strong my friends and you too will be happier because of it!

Today's Quote of the post:
"Reason #69 to lose weight and get in shape..... makes Valentines Day, even after 15 yrs, the BEST EVER ♥" Shelly Howard

Enjoy your day - Hug and Kiss on all your loved ones (family, friends, significant other) - you never know how much time you really have with them!  Happy Valentine's Day my friends

Hugs!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

A good problem to have :)

What could possibly be a good problem to have?  If you are a woman I think that you will agree with me on this one....

I was browsing the clearance racks a few weeks ago and found some really cute tops and this nice long denim skirt - it was a size 4...well, maybe I'll be able to fit into it as I get closer to the competition date I think to myself, so I get it.  Fast forward to this morning, I am getting ready to go teach Sunday School and need to figure out something to wear that I will be comfortable in as we are going to be gone just about the whole day...I put on the skirt thinking that it may be a little snug but it's denim so it'll stretch and I'll be OK - not the case (and here is where it is a good problem to have) the skirt is big and I have to put on a belt!!  WOO! HOO!

So, Autumn is making her Confirmation this coming Wednesday and I now need to find something to wear as all my church clothes are too big and really don't look good...we have about an hour between things today and to spend the time we go to the BX (the second largest in the pacific) and resign myself to actually trying the items on before buying this time - something that I really do not enjoy doing, squeezing into those little dressing rooms then having to walk out of them into the store where everyone can see you to gt the opinion of whom ever it is shopping with you - today my husband and three kids (although we sent them to the toys to distract for a little bit of time)  I pick out two outfits...a dress and a skirt and top.  The dress is from the misses department size 4 and the skirt is from the juniors department a size 5.  I keep thinking to myself 'are these really going to fit me?'....'surely there is no way'...'but they are going to have to everything else I have at home is big'  I try them on and they both fit beautifully!  HOLY SMOKES!  Now to decide which one I want, they both look good and while Hubby says to take them both, I decide on just the skirt and top - I mean I can break them up and mix and match with other things so it's more than one outfit in the one purchase right?! 

I've been noticing that my clothes are feeling different even though I haven't had a change in the scale weight (boo for that - but my pinch on Friday did have my body fat percentage down one more percent!) and it's been really nice to run into friends/acquaintances that I haven't seen in a while and have them tell me that I am looking great....over all I really am down quite a bit and am getting excited for our next photo shoot at the end of February (OMG Did I really just say I am excited about it?! - who would have thought that I would be excited about donning a bikini.)  but I am.  I actually put it on the other day and thought to myself wow, I might actually wear a bikini this summer to the beach - gasp! Then I tried on my trainers old competition suit and thought to myself 'I am such a whale!'  I do have a way to go before the suit I just put my deposit on will actually look good on me.  But as Yoda says 'Do or Do not...There is no try' so I'm going Nike and saying 'Just do it!' 

Back to Friday night and the weigh in...yes, my weight was the same as last week (boo) but when I take into consideration the three strikes I had against me it really was a good weigh in and the fact that my % was down was a bonus...but my three strikes you ask?
1. 6:30 pm weigh in (yes all day eating and drinking)
2. water retention (uughh!)
3. More food - yes, I had more food given to me for the month
So yes, I do have to say that it was a good weigh in...now if I could only say the same for my posing....That is another thing that I need work on - remembering to keep my elbows pointing to my friends on the sides of me and to keep my arms level - that is my task...oh and remembering to keep all my muscles tightened while relaxing my head that has to be with the chin out but in a natural way all the while holding a smile and remembering to breath walking or standing in the 5 inch heels and trying not to fall and to look sexy but not slutty in the walk and to remember to face the judges and relax my arms on the quarter turns and to get back into position quickly after the turn and to have a strong arm when you say 'thank you' at the end in a curtsy.  WHEW....I'm exhausted just even thinking about it again...thank goodness I have 16 weeks to perfect it. 

Today was a rest day (although with all the running around I can't say that I actually rested) tomorrow back to the grind stone - starting with spin at 5:15 (yes a.m.) 

Hope that your weekend is a great one....Today's quote of the post in honor of a great President Happy Birthday Ronald Reagan:

'There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination, and wonder'

Get your workout schedule together today - and get out there and do it!  I know you can!

And one extra that I say in the paper today for my dear friend Shana -

"Healing begins with the strong arms of support" - we are all here for you, don't for get to lean on us!  We love you and the kids. RIP Michael "Pipes" Passaro

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

February Program

Yes, we are four days into my February program and so far it is going well.  I have more food each day - but yes, it means more exercising as well.  Those of you who have been following me know that I adore my trainer Shelly she knows her stuff, she has me on the right track and I can feel that I am making progress (most of the time).  When she first told me that I would be working out 5 days a week with two rest days I was pretty stoked, weekends off - till she said they could not be back to back days.  OK, well I then thought very little about what days I would be taking off, it was easy - Thursday and Sunday...why might you ask those two days?  Well, there was a time (just a few weeks ago) that I really detested Thursday, I don't know what it was about it - I mean it's Friday eve it should be a great day right?  But it never failed, it was always the worst morning for everyone - no one wanted to get up and we were all just a little slower to get moving and it lasted through the day.  And Sunday, well again that was simple we have Sunday school and church and being a Cub Scout den leader for Jonathan Sunday is when we have our big Pack meeting so rather than try and squeeze the gym in there it was just logical to have Sunday off.  With that being said, Thursday has now become my most favorite day!  I work out hard Mon/Tues/Wed twice a day cardio and weight training - so hard that by the time Thursday comes I relish in the thought that it is my day and I don't have to go to the gym (I do have to admit the first couple of weeks in January I felt guilty taking this day off during the week).  I get up with the kids, get them off to school and then volunteer in both boys' classes.  I then have a few hours to myself that I can do what I want - take a nap, get my toes done, have a massage - most of the time it is take a nap which I have recently found myself doing...A LOT!  But rest is what I need, it is when my body can actually catch up with what I am putting it through.  It can heal those muscles that are achy (and boy do they ache)...the days of feeling guilty for taking a day off is behind me and I feel better about it.  I am seeing results and am excited - people are noticing and it makes me feel great!  Andy is pretty happy about it too, and while the kids still are unsure about just why I am doing this all it brings a nice smile to my face and I can't help but know that because I met and built a friendship with this amazing woman (Shelly) I am a better person.  My wish for you is that you have someone in your life that inspires you to be better - it can be someone you know personally (a neighbor, friend or family member) or someone not so close to you (a movie star, co-worker from another department etc.) it's an amazing feeling and making the right choices is what we all strive for anyway right?

So, 5 weeks just about done in training and our posing classes now begin in the evening this week.  I am excited as I have finally decided on a suit color (below) and my shoes came in for me to start practice walking in - and yes, I will need to practice as they are 5 inches high - but I LOVE THEM and they are actually super comfortable!  But while it's scary to think that I am going to need to stand in these shoes (also below) for hours at a time and walk around a stage in front of who knows how many people praying that I don't trip and fall on my face...not because that wouldn't be embarrassing all on it's own but rather, I am terrified knowing that I will have that tiny little suit on barely covering my rear (which should be rock solid by then - God if it's not I'm not getting up there) even with the bikini byte, if I were to fall, I am pretty sure I would fall out of that suit and that is worse! 


Emerald Green :)



Posing Shoes

All in all though I am still very excited about this adventure that I have embarked on...changing my workout schedule (I really should say just getting one), eating healthier (today's lunch of champions on the go - cold chicken breast, 1/2 cup cold brown rice and 1 cup cold green beans...mmm, mmm good!), pushing myself further than I ever have before and overall feeling better about myself - how are your exercise goals going?  Are you happy with what you have done for the first month of the year?  Are you strong enough to continue?  Don't let anyone tell you you can't, I am here to tell you YES YOU CAN!  Keep it up and if you find yourself starting to backslide - find someone who has the same goals as you do and be each other's rock - call that person, talk to that person and go work out with that person!  I posted before wise words from Shelly - SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO DO WHAT YOU DO/WANT WHAT YOU WANT. Just one key to your success!

I've rambled enough, I've got to help the kids with homework so I leave you today with this

Quote of the Post:

What you eat is 80% responsible for what you look like. IF you have the proper foods to eat, you will eat them. Make your nutrition plan fool-proof by making sure you have what you need either ready now, or within 5-10 minutes from plate to face. 
 - Shelly

So if you are what you eat....does that mean I am now a bird?  All I eat is Chicken, Turkey and Egg Whites :)  LOL - And yeas, I do have it prepped and with me on the go everyday!  You can do it too!

Hugs!