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

Inspire

I was asked to do a write up for the Inspire piece of Girls on the Run about my weight loss and fitness journey.  I wasn't sure what they were really looking for me to say, but this is what I turned in...I'm sure they'll tweak it as they see necessary.  :)

Several years ago, I found myself out of shape, uncomfortable and unhappy. I was a heavy set wife, mother of 2 and business owner. After an unfortunate event with a salesclerk in a department store dressing room (she asked me when my baby was due...I was NOT pregnant) I decided to start a "friendly competition" with a few friends. We each put $25 in a cash pot and set a date 12 weeks out with the idea that whoever lost the most body weight % would get the cash pot. It was amazing how this little challenge pushed us. So we kept the 12 week challenges going.

As I progressed in the challenges, I saw myself getting stronger, leaner, happier and truly enjoying sharing the success with others. I took my journey to the next level and competed in a Women's Figure Competition. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, but I learned a lot about myself and how important it is to have a strong support system. I didn't win the competition, but I was definitely a winner because I learned what I could do for myself, I found support and encouragement from those that I love, and I proved to myself that I could do anything I put my mind to! The more people saw what I was doing for myself, the more they wanted to learn from me. My friendly challenges got bigger and bigger; friends inviting their friends and family and it just spread like wild fire through word of mouth. Now, several years later, I have over 125 people in the 12 week challenges. So how do the challenges work? Well, it's pretty simple... There is a small buy in fee that goes into the cash pot. The first week, you send in your starting weight on a digital scale and a "before picture". I tell people to take the picture in shorts and sports bra (women) or just shorts (men) This first step is SO emotionally difficult. What's the purpose of the pictures? Well, it's one thing to look at yourself and say, "ugh, I'm so tired of this" and it's another thing to take the picture and send to someone else and say, "ugh...here I am. I'm ready to change!" It's amazing to see and hear how apologetic people are for their pictures. That first week is so hard. So I tell people, " Do not apologize to me or beat yourself up. Just take a look at that person, say good-bye to those negative feelings and make a commitment to yourself to put your health and happiness first!" Easier said than done, I know. So after the pics and weights are sent, I give daily check ins, weekly weigh ins and challenges; both nutritional and physical. The group is essentially a competition, as the top three "losers" split the cash pot, but for most it is a support group that offers motivation, inspiration and keeps the focus on the ultimate goal of weight loss and fitness.

For some, they may only participate in one challenge, for others they have been in the challenges from the very beginning and tell me all the time that they will continue to do the challenges as long as I run them. I have seen weight maintenance, weight loss (anywhere from 5 to 150lbs!), fitness goals set and exceeded, and friendships formed and sealed! These challenges have kept me focused, connected me with others and have given me an outlet to reach out and inspire, motivate and support others. It seems each challenge gets bigger than the one before, and I reach more and more people. It really has come full circle. I'm happier in my life and I see the happiness and confidence in others as they set out to achieve their fitness goals. Throughout my journey, I have nourished myself not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I've become a better wife, better mother, better friend and just all around a better ME. I've gained strength in what it means to love yourself and to give to others; this is definitely a lesson I want to pass on to my children.

Today, feeling tired yet exhilarated, I looked around and thought, "I love my body! I'm not perfect, nor do I look like some super model; I have crepe paper skin in areas, cellulite, dimples (not on my face!) and my abs aren't so easily visible. BUT I am strong, healthy and happy. I can run- feeling the morning air in my lungs, I can lift weights- feeling the life in my muscles. I do more and go harder than I could yesterday; I won't always be able to do that, so for today, I love my body and I love what it can do!

July 2009

July 2010

2013 Zooma

So here we are Friday afternoon at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis picking up our race packets/bibs.  I loved that Michelle and I went together and that we saw so many of the lovely ladies we run with (we call ourselves the Running Biznitches)  Here I am with Michelle and Kelly!  The race shirts are actually pretty nice and as always, I love going to the Expo and seeing all the running vendors!

Find Your Groove

I've talked to many people lately about finding the time and energy to workout.  Like most, many people tack exercise as the "extra thing" that if it can fit, they will get to it...however, when you're really trying to reach a goal and live a healthy style, it MUST be a priority!  Someone once said to me, "exercise is like bathing...it doesn't work if you only do it once."  It must be part of your daily routine and lifestyle.  I'm constantly telling others, I don't FIND time to exercise, I MAKE time.  

Earlier this evening I had a long chat with one of my challengers, and a dear friend of mine, about finding her groove.  She's just a few months postpartum and really struggling to get her exercise in now that she has two children (5 years and newborn).  I know that she is a very spiritual person and is completely devoted to her prayer time.  I advised her to use her exercise time as an opportunity to nourish her spirit and soul as well.  Often times when I work out alone, I refer to that time as "moving meditation"; it's when I pray or reflect on life and send positive thoughts to those I love and know need encouragement.  Exercise isn't just about getting fit.  It's about taking time out for yourself, feeding your soul, nourishing your spirit and growing stronger both physically and emotionally.  

As you know, my career is working with young children.  My entire philosophy focuses on the growth and development of the "whole child", meaning we put emphasis not only on their cognitive learning, but also their social/emotional growth and physical development.  Well, growth and development doesn't just stop when you reach a certain age...it is on going...obviously until the day you leave this earth.  So I put that same emphasis on taking care of yourself as an individual.  You don't just need physical care, you also need to focus on your mental well-being (be it social/emotional/spiritual), cognitive growth- meaning you need to challenge yourself and take every experience as an opportunity to LEARN!  Think about it...what gets in the way of our physical abilities??  STRESS and mental fatigue.  So when those are out of balance, we can't take care of ourselves physically; we eat poorly, we don't exercise, etc.  When we aren't physically well, we get depressed, stressed, gain negative self image.  It's all connected and feeds the cycle.  

So find your groove.  Focus on yourself as a whole person and look at the BIGGER picture of health!  It's not always going to be in balance, but every once in a while you'll hit that good groove of working out, eating right, feeling good and learning more and more...and THAT right there is an amazing feeling!  

Slacker!

So I've definitely been slacking off on posting to the blog, but don't worry, I haven't been slacking off when it comes to my health and fitness!  So much new stuff going on, I don't know where to begin; perhaps that's why I should be more diligent about keeping up with the blog- then I wouldn't have to play catch up so much!

I have a new gym buddy, Jamie.  We've been working out together for a little over a month.  We get along so well and it has been a tremendous amount of fun...too much fun!  She's got a goal to lose about 15lbs and I have no doubt she will get there!  We are working so hard.  It takes a huge commitment to get up at 4am and get your ass to the gym, having a partner meet you there makes a world of a difference.  We really push each other and set goals and help each other achieve them.  LOVE working out with her and I hope we're able to keep this momentum going!

Jamie and I have also been working out with a personal trainer at the gym, Maurice.  He's given us some great workouts, helps us push through our comfort zones, and has really helped target some areas we both struggle with personally.  I set a goal to do a pull-up/chin-up and he gave me some great tips on how to achieve it!  Well, last week I DID IT!  I was so damn proud.  There we were, Jamie and I,  at 5 in the morning screaming and clapping, jumping up and down like fools, but man it felt so good to reach that goal!  We have one more month with him and currently we are trying to think of new goals.  I'd like to be able to do 5 chin-ups (full ones- meaning going all the way down and coming all the way back up).  I'm working on it!  I'll get there!

I tried to do a vegan diet for 10 days.  I'm on day 7, but on day 5 I had to start incorporating more animal protein.  I just couldn't make it without it.  I lost 4 lbs, but I don't anticipate it will stay off.  Basically, I was eating grains, nuts, beans and fruit.  I just cannot live off that!  I will share some of the recipes (some were awful and I wouldn't subject anyone to that!) but some were really really great!  In fact, I'm about to have some Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats with Apple and Coconut!  YUM!

My weight loss group is going strong.  We are in week 5, and with 120 participants it has really kept me busy.  I'll use that as my excuse for my lack of blogging ;o)  There are some challenges to having a group this size, but I feel that I'm really making a difference and helping people out, so I deal.  This week, I'll be dividing the group up into smaller groups based on their goals and hopefully that will allow me to customize a challenge that best suits them. 

My husband has really stepped up with his health and fitness too!  That's been a big change in our home because his nutrition has really tightened up and he's working out daily.  He's always been pretty fit and active, but he's taking it to a higher level and it has been great to see him push himself and set some goals and achieve them.  He's in a "competition" with his best friend who is coming to spend a week with us in 4 weeks.  So when we see each other again, they will judge who got into the best shape.  I think that this will be very subjective, but hey...whatever gets them going, right?  LOL! 

So that's a mini update on what's happening, I've got to get better about staying on track here.  Stay tuned for some new recipes and workout tips!