Summer Bootcamp

This summer I decided to take a different approach to my challenges and just have a sort of "bootcamp" event.  It was a $25 buy in, but there's not an actual cash prize at the end.  Basically, the $25 covers the cost of my time and the cost of any prizes I give out throughout the challenge.  I'm thinking this first week, I'll give out a $25 gift certificate to Charm City Run or perhaps just reimburse the winner their $25 buy in cash. 

I only took on 30 challengers for the summer; the 125 challengers from the spring was really taxing and I just needed a smaller group for this season.  I'm taking a no excuses approach and really pushing hard to encourage people to get their head in the game and give it their all for the next 8 weeks. 

Challenge Rules:

1. 100% Participation. Only miss 1 weigh in and you must participate in the weekly check in posts. Don't make me call you out! :o)

2. Absolutely NO fast food this challenge.  
3. Unless you puke, pass out or die...you better get your exercise in for the week.

4. Set reasonable goals. Reach out to the group, a friend or me and HAVE FUN! Learn new recipes, try new workouts, grab a buddy and share what has worked and/or what's working for you with this group! We're here to support and encourage each other.

 

I figure if I only allowed a handful of people, they really need to show that they wanted in this challenge and that they are going to work for results!  Hate to be so hardcore, but a lot of energy goes into coming up with workouts, nutritional support and motivation/inspiration.  They get what they put into it and I'm not here to waste time or have my time wasted. 

 

So here we go!  I have my own goals I'm setting out to achieve this summer (moving to Sherwood has not been kind to my waistline!)  I've given up alcohol for the remainder of the summer and I'm going to really hit the workouts HARD.  Stay tuned...

Humor

With all this rain, I had to get new running gear!  Here I am with flippers and goggles... I hope I'm prepared!

BLTs

BLTs?  Like the sandwich?  Not exactly.  BLTs are "Bites, Licks and Tastes" and they have a sneaky way of sabotaging your daily nutritional and diet plan!  When logging my daily food on www.myfitnesspal.com I'm pretty diligent about tracking everything I eat at my meals.  I'm NOT however, very good at tracking all the BLTs and I have found that they can add up pretty quickly.  The other day I started to track them just to see how many extra calories I was really consuming and I was SHOCKED and quite honestly disappointed in how naive (or rather how deep I was in denial) to how these little samples and "meaningless" nibbles were truly affecting my health and fitness goals!

These little indulgences, when logged, paint an entirely different picture as to how your diet really is!  Don't leave them out.  Every bite counts and before you know it, you probably consumed more empty calories in all the BLTs than if you had just added another meal to your diet plan.  

I have to be honest, I don't want to obsess about every single thing I put in my mouth, so I can't say that I'm necessarily going to start logging every thing I taste, but having done so for just that short period of time gave me a very clear understanding as to what is REALLY happening.  It will definitely make me think twice before I say, "oh just a small taste" or "really, it's just a bite of a cookie".  Being at least AWARE is half the battle.  So if you're in maintenance mode like I am, have your BLTs, but keep in mind that they are part of the BIG picture too and if you find yourself having samples and tiny nibbles throughout the day...don't be surprised if your pants and your scale give you a not so gentle reminder to perhaps pass on the sneak taste test!

Samantha's Story

"On December 19, 2012, my primary care provider told me that I was morbidly obese (not her first or even second time telling me that) and that at the rate I was going I would be on dialysis at 60. She told me you are 33, you can change this for good. At that point, I was facing a 8.1 a1c, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I got in my car and I called my mom (RN) and read her my test results and said I need to be held accountable. My mom said, "it's a choice." I changed how I eat that day. It was a turning point for me. 12 days later I prepared to go to New Year's Eve service and as I dressed I told the girl in the mirror that I loved her but that clearly she was suicidal (because self-neglect is slowly killing yourself) I was leaving her in 2012 and that when the year struck again I wouldn't be in that century of weight ever again. I made a goal that day that I would lose 55.1 lbs by the time the year struck 2014. Also that night, I got engaged, so some people think this was wedding weight loss, but this is me saving my life. A few weeks later I began my first weight loss challenge (after being referred by the best nurse practitioner on the planet) where I thought I’d get some accountability maybe win some money. I did win but not any money. The challenge was where I learned how to eat better, have confidence in my athletic ability and where I gained the support of some amazing men and women. Prior to that challenge I lost 14 lbs on my own. After that 1st challenge, my total was up to 38 lbs. Since then I have worked hard and my goal got closer faster. I began a second challenge where the weight loss was slower and I struggled to maintain my high because of less gratification but I pressed on and I had off scale victories like shopping in new stores, hiking and kinda jogging outside. As of today, I am 55.3 lbs lighter than I was just under 7 months ago. I was so proud that today at the final day of my second challenge I met what used to be my goal weight. See what I thought was insurmountable is now attainable so in a week I will start my third challenge lighter, wiser, healthier, and with a new goal. Also I will start it with an A1C of 5.9, steady blood pressure, and desirable cholesterol levels. Thank you to people I’ve watched and gained inspiration from the tenacity and weight loss even when they didn’t know I was looking.  Thank you to those who pushed me and even some who pissed me off and were so tough on me that I cried, but you knew I could do it when I didn’t.  You have helped save my life. Thank you to my amazing fiancé who cooks almost every meal for me on Sunday evenings so I have no reason to eat the wrong thing and who loves me so well that I couldn’t help but be better."

Challenge Party Part 2

MORE PICTURES from the Party!!!  Here's Tracy!  She really rocked it!  She not only hit her weight loss goals, but also found that she really loves running!  She's doing great, did her first 5K and has plans to do more!  Work it, mama!

  Christina and I take the best SELFIES!  ha ha ha!  She is such a fun girl!  I'm absolutely thrilled that we've gotten to know each other and I must say that this lovely works her ass off, literally! 

 

Here Leah, Michelle and Wendy ham and cheese it up!  I just love the connections people have made!  Such a fabulous group of ladies!

Here's Karen...such A DOLL!!!!  Karen brought her whole family into this challenge and I think what inspires me most about her is just how family oriented she is!  She does the challenge mostly with her daughter, Brittany, who is not here at the party, but she has brought her sisters, friends, family, father, patients, etc.  She is such a motivator and good person to have in your corner!  xoxo

 

What can I say about this woman?!?!?!  She's incredible!  Here's Michelle.  She's lost over 115lbs in the year she's been with me in my challenges!  She's working hard and is a true testament that anything can be achieved if you work hard and push yourself to the limits!  Way to go, chicky!  I'm so proud and honored to be part of your journey and thank you thank you thank you for being part of mine!  xoxo

Challenge Party

 

Such an amazing group of ladies!  We had a lovely time celebrating the friendships built over the last 12 weeks (some more, as we've been together through several challenges!)

This is Samantha, her story is amazing!  I'll share more about her later!

Here is Jennifer!  She's a peach!  I've loved getting to know her over the course of the last few challenges.  She works really hard and does the best to set an example for her family!

 

This is Stephanie!  This challenge was IT for her!  She really took it by the reigns and got to work!  Way to go!!!!

Here is Wendy!  She's really hanging in there and taking the opportunity to learn and better herself through the challenges!  I'm so proud of her!

 

Here is our HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST, Leah!  Leah came in 3rd place in over a 100 challengers!  She's lost over 30lbs and is kicking ass!  SOOOOO proud of her!  She put together this lovely party and I could not be more thankful!  She really did a great job!

 

Look at her hotness!!!!  Way to go Leah!

Here's Renee!  She's become a friend for life because of these challenges!  I'm so thankful for her and count my blessings that our paths have crossed!

 

Here is Sarah!  She came in 2nd place in the challenge, having lost 60lbs and still going!  WOW!  She's saving her life and I'm so honored to be part of that!  xoxo

Another friend for life!  I've known Ann for almost a decade, but through these challenges we've gotten so close and really seen our friendship blossom!  She's amazing, in all ways!  Thank you Ann for being such a special person to me!

 

These three lovely ladies are simply awesome!  There's no other way to put it!  Jennifer, Karen and Stephanie demonstrate true friendship and support!  Love their energy and enthusiasm!  Way to work it girls!

Another Challenge Complete!

Last week my Spring 2013 challenge ended.  I always get so emotional on final weigh in day! I just cannot say enough how proud I am of so many of them! For MANY this challenge was the ONE! I've seen people struggle through, yet continue to sign up for future challenges, and just keep plugging along. My heart leaps with joy when I see that magical moment in a challenge when it just... CLICKS and that person puts their guts into the challenge and really sees results!

 

I have some newbies too and they came in strong and really devoted themselves to their health and fitness! Also, seeing those that have focused on maintenance...it is MUCH harder than you think! When I see someone reach a goal, I feel like I hit it too!

 

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey!!!! If you're interested in joining my Fall 2013 challenge, let me know. I'll start the sign up soon! xoxo

Love Yourself First

I had a long conversation with one of my challengers the other day. She was feeling frustrated that even though she's done AMAZING in this past challenge, negative feelings still creep in. She feels she has so much farther to go. I'll share with you, what I shared with her. BE CONTENT WITH WHERE YOU ARE in your journey. Take pride in how far you've come and have faith in how far you can go. Love yourself, no matter what that damn scale says. It's just a number. Focus on your health, your happiness, your friendships, and your family and remember how much you love yourself and deserve to be the very BEST YOU!

I still get negative feelings. One day I feel fit and trim and the next I can feel like a busted can of biscuits. Its very normal to feel that way; we are our own worst critics. What I try and keep in my focus, just like I posted last week, is that I love my body for what it can do and I love my life because it is filled with health, strength, love and perseverance.

Some of you may feel really down today, because you didn't reach your goal, you didn't do as well as you hoped, you should've, would've, could've. Well, guess what? I do not judge you. I love you because you tried. You tried to make changes, you tried to put your heart into it and you tried to be in this challenge... KEEP TRYING. It will happen for you when you have that "ah ha" moment and I will be here to cheer you on!

Love yourself FIRST, don't wait for the weight to come off to give that to yourself. Love yourself FIRST and the rest will take care of itself! xoxo