It's been a long time since I've written about my journey. Suffice it to say it's not over. I still struggle with my weight - let's face it, so many of us do. I still work out with a vengeance - never less than 6 hours a week, but usually 12 hours a week.
My body has been playing tricks on me :( I've dropped a ton of weight, but I have put some back on.
Hold On!
NOT because I've gone back to my old ways.
Because I recently found out I have more food allergies. Ugh! Apparently, my digestive tract is very inflamed, hence the muffin top. But these allergies have been working against me. My doc assures me that once I heal my digestive tract the weight will come off again. I can only hope and pray he's right!
So in addition to no wheat, barley, rye, malt, hops (the usual gluten offenders), I'm also off the following list of foods: casein, coconut, cow's milk, crab, eggs, garlic, lime, mustard, pinto beans, red dye #2, red dye #3, saccharin, shrimp, snapper, soybean, wax beans.
Some list, huh?
Basically I cannot have any form of bread, cracker, pizza, etc. because the gluten free brands all include either dairy, eggs, or soy. What's a girl to do?
Additionally, I must rotate a list of 100+ foods. In other words, I had chicken yesterday (Thursday) so I cannot have it again until Monday. Needless to say, I'm forced to keep a food journal lol. "They" say it's the best way to release pounds - write down what you eat. I'm checking that task off my list 😄
I'm still addicted to Zumba® Fitness and have a nice following of students in my classes. I'll be adding more fitness classes to my repertoire very soon. If you're in my area I hope you'll come join me in my quest to help others get fit.
As my journey continues I'd like to share all the invaluable information I've learned along the way in hopes that it will help you on your own journey. Stay tuned!
D Changes Fitness
Real Fitness for Real Women
Friday, September 7, 2012
Sunday, May 22, 2011
What Goes Around Comes Around
I vowed to my clients at Curves Glenelg that when I dropped the 100 lbs I would donate 100 lbs of non-perishable food to their food drive for the Maryland Food Bank.
Honey and I went to Costco to get the loot. Here's what 100 lbs of food looks like:
So happy to turn a positive experience for me into a positive experience for others as well!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Murder by Numbers
I did it!
I murdered the numbers!
I hit the 100 lbs dropped milestone marker - woot woot!
I hit the 100 lbs dropped milestone marker - woot woot!
Actually it happened 2 weeks ago and I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. I didn't:
Announce it from the hilltops
Sky-write it
Take out an add in the NY Times
Tell everyone I passed on the street.
Announce it from the hilltops
Sky-write it
Take out an add in the NY Times
Tell everyone I passed on the street.
I just...smiled (and did a little fist pump while standing on the scale in my closet).
I think the reason is I was just so busy and I had psychologically come to grips that I would get there. So instead of working with blinders on towards that goal I just continued on with my day-to-day life...
and it happened.
Makes me think I've wasted a lot of time in my life obsessing over something rather than just taking the baby steps needed to get to where I wanted to go.
What's funny is that for so long I always wished I was in a movie. You know those movies where they show someone working towards a goal. The actor is shown doing all the steps everyday to reach that goal. Then they show the victory when the actor gets there. This all takes place in the span of 2 minutes in the movie. I always wanted it to be me.
The coolest part about this milestone is it happened just in time to attend the National Stationery Show in NYC. Now, my BFF Terri was disappointed last year that I missed the show...I was in LA so she definitely understood, but she really wanted me in NYC with her. And she made a comment that turned out to be rather psychic.
She said to me: "Wouldn't it be so cool if you go to next year's show 100 lbs thinner? No one would recognize you!"
I immediately thought (to myself, of course) "Yeah, right. Like that's ever gonna happen." At that point I had only dropped 15 lbs and 100 still seemed so far away and unachievable.
Stinkin' thinkin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fast forward to April 29, 2011 - I'm in the Queen City (Charlotte, NC) with Terri attending the Royal Wedding Party she hosted (complete with tiaras, breakfast buffet and a wedding cake that looked just like a Tiffany gift box). While we were cleaning up we were talking about our upcoming trip to NYC for the NSS and that conversation we had the year before popped into my head.
She recalled having that conversation and we both squealed with glee that her statement actually came true. The hug we shared at that moment goes down as one of the very best moments I've ever had with a BFF :-)
She always believed I could do it. I didn't. And that was the only difference. Once I began fixing what was inside my head everything fell into place and my life has become that movie.
I think the title should be The Climb.
Left: Today running errands; Right: November 2009
Monday, April 4, 2011
Constant Cravings
For the past 3 months now I have led a very boring life.
Mondays: teach 2 hours of Zumba fitness
Tuesdays: work out with trainer
Wednesdays: teach 1/2 hour of Zumba fitness
Thursdays: work out with trainer, teach 1 hour of Zumba fitness (every other week)
Fridays: usually do something like attend a special Zumba event or treadmill sprint intervals
Saturdays: teach 1 hour of Zumba fitness
Sundays: day off
I find on Sundays I have a constant craving to do something physical…like exercise. Some Sundays I'll do it - now that the weather is finally breaking a good, heart-pumping bike ride would fit the bill - but on most Sundays I force myself to abstain and give my body a rest.
In between all the exercise time I do all my normal stuff: laundry, housekeeping, bill paying, errands, food shopping, cooking, emails, organizing, plus add my job - thank goodness I work out of my home!
For many years I never thought I could fit the exercise component into my hectic schedule. I've seen many other people fit it in (some easily, some not but they'd still find a way). I am happy and proud to say I have figured out a way to fit it in that keeps me excited to exercise. I have always loved to dance (consider myself to be one of the original Disco Queens) and am thrilled that I have discovered Zumba fitness. It is the most addicting cardio I have ever done.
And I love seeing my trainer because I love how he pushes me.
Back in LA when a trainer wanted me to do something I had never tried before my brain would immediately think, "Yeah, right, I can't do that!" What stinkin' thinkin'! Towards the end trainer Bronson said something to me that really hit me hard. He told me I kept stopping faster progression because for so long I didn't have the confidence to do physical things. He was totally right! I had never thought about it that way but being as big as I was, as sedentary as I was with poor balance and achy joints DID make me believe I couldn't do most physical things. Bronson made me open my mind to new possibilities.
Now, when my East Coast trainer has me do something new I immediately think, "OK he thinks I'm ready to do this so I'm giving it my all." And I'm able to perform every task he's asked of me so far. Some are shaky in the beginning, but I build it up to where I can perform the task flawlessly. You cannot imagine what it feels like to complete the task! It's a combination of pride, satisfaction, bewilderment, and confidence. For you that feeling may be something different. I challenge you all to figure out what that feeling is for you and report back. I promise you'll love yourself for it!
This week should be the BIG milestone - the week where I hit the 100-pound mark. I'll keep you posted...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Independence Day
Today marks the one year anniversary when I left home to change my life for good. I moved to the West Coast for 2 months and lived at a fitness camp - the same fitness camp recently featured on The Rachael Ray Show - Live In Fitness Enterprises - LIFE. When I arrived I met a 24-yr-old who was also beginning her journey that day - Desi.
Desi and I were paired up from the beginning and eventually became roomies. Poor Desi was never getting rid of this old lady lol!
I met a few BFFs along the way as well: Maria the latin bombshell from Miami, Judy the southern belle from Dallas, and Ginger the high-powered corporate woman from DC. Together we groaned, grunted, sweated, cursed, laughed, cried, lifted, ran, biked, hiked, squatted, swam, danced, and ate our way to smaller sizes. Thank God we had each other for support through any crisis that arose.
Fast forward 1 year: we have all continued our good eating habits (taught by our effervescent nutritionist Karen Sherwood from Nutritious America); we all have continued to exercise nearly every day; we have all dropped even more weight. Maria is down 130 lbs., Judy is down 103 lbs., Ginger is down 36 lbs., Desi is down 67 lbs., and I am down 92 lbs. Ginger is done as she was the smallest of our group, but the rest of us still have just a bit we want to shed - for me it's about another 30.
The day I arrived at LIFE began with me face-planting in the Baltimore airport - injured before I even left home yikes! The next day began with me talking to some guy with big sunglasses named Cedric and I said a couple of ditzy things - I blame it all on the blood sugar…it was that food they were making me eat lol. After he took off the sunglasses I realized he was Cedric the Entertainer (OMG he thinks I'm a dork!). I cried twice that week - I hit a wall and just thought my body couldn't do anything more.
What a difference today! In October I broke my toe during a workout with my Baltimore trainer and I continued the workout until the end. That would have NEVER happened pre-LIFE. For the remainder of the month I continued to workout with my trainer, teach Zumba fitness classes, and run the Marine Corps Marathon 10K race all with a broken toe.
I celebrated my one year anniversary today at the gym with my trainer Marc. We took pics of me "doing my thing" which I will continue to do until my body doesn't let me anymore.
Here's my picture the day I arrived at LIFE.
Here's me today with my trainer Marc…still a big belly and some saggy boobs and batwing arms, but hey…I'll be 50 this year…nothing a little nip and tuck won't take care of when I'm completely done with the weight.
Jonathan would be delighted that Marc made me do burpees today!!!
Rob would be thrilled with my advanced plank moves these days.
Arleigh would love my dead lift savvy.
Bronson would love my squat/pull back.
Amber would love my curls.
Schuyler would love my chest press.
And Nicola and Eric would love it all!
Ahhh…love the water break…I drink between 3-4 of these liter bottles of Smart Water a day!
My honey says I clean up pretty good.
After all that working out I taught a Zumba fitness class tonight. Not only am I a different person than I was a year ago, making lots of different choices, but also I'm a much happier person. I seem to have a permanent smile on my face these days and I plan to keep it!
Carpe diem every day for the rest of your life!
Carpe diem every day for the rest of your life!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My Anniversary
Today is my 1 year anniversary since I decided to change my life. It's been one heck of a roller coaster so far.
Last February I began the journey weighing 294 lbs. I started walking on my treadmill and participating in The Game On! Diet.
On March 29th I left for a 2-month journey living in Los Angeles working out Biggest Loser style.
When I returned home Memorial Day Weekend I was a runner (slow, but steady) and healthy eater...45 lbs lighter from when I started on February 15th.
June was spent getting reacclimated to living amongst my family and real life temptations...and taking lots of Zumba classes.
In July I nursed my ruptured cervical disc then proceeded to become a licensed Zumba instructor.
In August I worked out faithfully and did my best to stay on track with my food. Some days I'd win the battle and some days I'd lose. I felt like I was a little lost.
In September I started working out with a trainer boot camp style and increased to a whole new level of fitness. I had worked out with the trainer in the past, but never like this.
In October I became a running demon and had a reunion with my girlfriends forms LA. We ran the 10K in the Marine Corps Marathon (Ginger ran the actual marathon) and had a blast doing it.
In November I stepped up my workouts with my trainer adding boxing to the mix. I also began teaching Zumba fitness classes.
December was a great month for me. I returned to my fitness camp in LA for a week. I was thrilled that I was able to perform every exercise the trainers requested. I not only surpassed my expectations, but also theirs! They were all so impressed that I had really taken their lessons and trainings to heart and continued them at home. In several cases I was the only person who could perform a certain exercise in some of the circuit trainings. I left LA the second time weighing 222.
In January I began teaching Zumba in the Circuit classes at Curves and entered another round of The Game On! Diet while also continuing to train with Mr. Clean. He has such faith in me and continually gives me new exercises. At this point I don't doubt I can do anything...I just look at him and say, "Okay you obviously think I can do this so I will!" And I do it! Such a change from when I first went to LA and didn't have that kind of confidence in myself.
And today, 1 year since I've begun this journey I'm down 85 lbs. I still have another 40-ish to go, but I've realized that "slow but steady wins the race!"
What living in LA did for me was change my mindset...I now exercise 6 days a week...anywhere from 1-3 hours. I AM doing it, but this nasty winter weather has been wreaking emotional havoc on my body. I'm craving heavy fattening comfort food and I'm fighting the food demon! Sometimes I lose the battle but only for a day or so, then I channel my LA self and get back on track.
I have weighed over 200 lbs since my daughter was born...that was 20 years ago, but next month I will Finally be in the 100's. This past week I had to go through my closet again and sent 1/2 of it to goodwill. All of this is very rewarding, because, trust me, I never thought I was the kind of person who could lose 100+ lbs., but that is the ultimate goal.
Last week my hubby & I were out to dinner and some friends walked in (3 couples). I went to their table to say hello. 1 of the husbands was still parking his car and when he walked in he went around the table and said hello and kissed all the women...except me...he didn't recognize me! Poor guy was so embarrassed, but I took it as a complement.
The scale going down, downsizing the closet, getting positive reaction from friends, and inspiring others have definitely made this journey worthwhile. Some days I just want to be at my goal and am impatient, but I just keep on Doing It knowing that the goal is in my future. And I love that the women taking my Zumba classes are inspired and working on their health goals!
Listen, if I can do it, I Promise you can do it too!!!! Set your sights on your goal and just begin the journey. In a year you'll be celebrating your anniversary and be thrilled with your accomplishments.
As my buddy Rob Thompson of Get Fit By Rob always says, "Let's get it!"
Last February I began the journey weighing 294 lbs. I started walking on my treadmill and participating in The Game On! Diet.
On vacation January 2010
On March 29th I left for a 2-month journey living in Los Angeles working out Biggest Loser style.
When I returned home Memorial Day Weekend I was a runner (slow, but steady) and healthy eater...45 lbs lighter from when I started on February 15th.
June was spent getting reacclimated to living amongst my family and real life temptations...and taking lots of Zumba classes.
In July I nursed my ruptured cervical disc then proceeded to become a licensed Zumba instructor.
In August I worked out faithfully and did my best to stay on track with my food. Some days I'd win the battle and some days I'd lose. I felt like I was a little lost.
In September I started working out with a trainer boot camp style and increased to a whole new level of fitness. I had worked out with the trainer in the past, but never like this.
In October I became a running demon and had a reunion with my girlfriends forms LA. We ran the 10K in the Marine Corps Marathon (Ginger ran the actual marathon) and had a blast doing it.
Maria, Me & Judy - October 2010
In November I stepped up my workouts with my trainer adding boxing to the mix. I also began teaching Zumba fitness classes.
December was a great month for me. I returned to my fitness camp in LA for a week. I was thrilled that I was able to perform every exercise the trainers requested. I not only surpassed my expectations, but also theirs! They were all so impressed that I had really taken their lessons and trainings to heart and continued them at home. In several cases I was the only person who could perform a certain exercise in some of the circuit trainings. I left LA the second time weighing 222.
Christmas Day 2010
In January I began teaching Zumba in the Circuit classes at Curves and entered another round of The Game On! Diet while also continuing to train with Mr. Clean. He has such faith in me and continually gives me new exercises. At this point I don't doubt I can do anything...I just look at him and say, "Okay you obviously think I can do this so I will!" And I do it! Such a change from when I first went to LA and didn't have that kind of confidence in myself.
And today, 1 year since I've begun this journey I'm down 85 lbs. I still have another 40-ish to go, but I've realized that "slow but steady wins the race!"
What living in LA did for me was change my mindset...I now exercise 6 days a week...anywhere from 1-3 hours. I AM doing it, but this nasty winter weather has been wreaking emotional havoc on my body. I'm craving heavy fattening comfort food and I'm fighting the food demon! Sometimes I lose the battle but only for a day or so, then I channel my LA self and get back on track.
I have weighed over 200 lbs since my daughter was born...that was 20 years ago, but next month I will Finally be in the 100's. This past week I had to go through my closet again and sent 1/2 of it to goodwill. All of this is very rewarding, because, trust me, I never thought I was the kind of person who could lose 100+ lbs., but that is the ultimate goal.
Last week my hubby & I were out to dinner and some friends walked in (3 couples). I went to their table to say hello. 1 of the husbands was still parking his car and when he walked in he went around the table and said hello and kissed all the women...except me...he didn't recognize me! Poor guy was so embarrassed, but I took it as a complement.
The scale going down, downsizing the closet, getting positive reaction from friends, and inspiring others have definitely made this journey worthwhile. Some days I just want to be at my goal and am impatient, but I just keep on Doing It knowing that the goal is in my future. And I love that the women taking my Zumba classes are inspired and working on their health goals!
Listen, if I can do it, I Promise you can do it too!!!! Set your sights on your goal and just begin the journey. In a year you'll be celebrating your anniversary and be thrilled with your accomplishments.
As my buddy Rob Thompson of Get Fit By Rob always says, "Let's get it!"
Friday, October 1, 2010
Move, Shake, Drop
My body is my temple.
It doesn't agree.
It's too busy being sore - in different places everyday.
Getting in shape is hard work. Aside from working out with Marc (aka Mr. Clean), I've been doing more running to train for the Marine Corps Marathon 10K. You didn't really think I'd be running the marathon, did you? Nope. I'm leaving that up to my girl Ginger.
I'm so excited because my LA girls are reuniting for that weekend! Judy's flying in from Dallas and Maria's flying in from Miami. Our girl Kandee is flying in from LA to meet up with a friend. We're the smart ones - running the 10K. Once we cross that finish line we'll hang out and cheer Ginger on as she crosses her finish line a few hours later.
You see Ginger got herself in a pickle and I've never been a fan of pickled ginger. (That's one item always left behind on my sushi plate - ha!) Ginger has convinced a slew of people from work to run this marathon with her including her CEO and her Board of Directors. Now she's under stress to really perform!
But, Ginger, your LA peeps KNOW you can do it!
We're all moving, shaking and dropping (pounds, that is)!
So back to my body. This week's extra running is starting to affect my shins. They are sore and sometimes throb. I've been icing them and will continue to do so until they get used to keeping up with my determination. I've come to grips with the fact that new areas of my body will flare up on a regular basis.
As Mr. Clean said, "That's par for the course for an athlete."
Puts a whole new perspective on things, doesn't it?
It doesn't agree.
It's too busy being sore - in different places everyday.
Getting in shape is hard work. Aside from working out with Marc (aka Mr. Clean), I've been doing more running to train for the Marine Corps Marathon 10K. You didn't really think I'd be running the marathon, did you? Nope. I'm leaving that up to my girl Ginger.
I'm so excited because my LA girls are reuniting for that weekend! Judy's flying in from Dallas and Maria's flying in from Miami. Our girl Kandee is flying in from LA to meet up with a friend. We're the smart ones - running the 10K. Once we cross that finish line we'll hang out and cheer Ginger on as she crosses her finish line a few hours later.
You see Ginger got herself in a pickle and I've never been a fan of pickled ginger. (That's one item always left behind on my sushi plate - ha!) Ginger has convinced a slew of people from work to run this marathon with her including her CEO and her Board of Directors. Now she's under stress to really perform!
But, Ginger, your LA peeps KNOW you can do it!
We're all moving, shaking and dropping (pounds, that is)!
So back to my body. This week's extra running is starting to affect my shins. They are sore and sometimes throb. I've been icing them and will continue to do so until they get used to keeping up with my determination. I've come to grips with the fact that new areas of my body will flare up on a regular basis.
As Mr. Clean said, "That's par for the course for an athlete."
Puts a whole new perspective on things, doesn't it?
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sugar, Oh Honey, Honey
Yesterday began on a great note but by 2:30 I was very cranky and I don't know why. I hate that out of control feeling I get when my mood goes south. I guess it's hormones - I don't really know but I do know that's not the real me.
The 1st thing I thought of after a minor encounter with my Honey was: "I want something sweet." I actually caught myself thinking that!
Why do my thoughts go automatically there - to sugarland?
More specifically, it's not really plain sugar...it's actually chocolate and fat that I crave when I'm stressed or hormonal. The only explanation I have is the serotonin, endorphins and other compounds inherently found in chocolate that lift your mood. I think I crave not only knowing how delicious and decadent the chocolate would be, but also that consuming the chocolate will enhance my mood.
But, alas, I'm playing Game On! and chocolate was not on my menu yesterday. So...I didn't have any. Instead I grabbed another bottle of water and took a quick break from reality by escaping into a book. It did make me feel better and i finished my day with a perfect score!
I'm saving the chocolate for my day off.
The 1st thing I thought of after a minor encounter with my Honey was: "I want something sweet." I actually caught myself thinking that!
Why do my thoughts go automatically there - to sugarland?
More specifically, it's not really plain sugar...it's actually chocolate and fat that I crave when I'm stressed or hormonal. The only explanation I have is the serotonin, endorphins and other compounds inherently found in chocolate that lift your mood. I think I crave not only knowing how delicious and decadent the chocolate would be, but also that consuming the chocolate will enhance my mood.
But, alas, I'm playing Game On! and chocolate was not on my menu yesterday. So...I didn't have any. Instead I grabbed another bottle of water and took a quick break from reality by escaping into a book. It did make me feel better and i finished my day with a perfect score!
I'm saving the chocolate for my day off.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pain Will Do You Good
Did my second boot camp with Marc today. I can do Anything he tells me to...I can't begin to tell you how empowering that feeling is. He noticed that my balance is still not as strong as it can be and my hip flexors are very tight so we worked on those areas extra long today in addition to major core work.
I can already tell I'll wake up sore tomorrow, but the best way I've found to overcome that pain is to jump on the treadmill for 15-30 minutes and get all my muscles warmed up real well so they loosen, then roll out on the foam roller.
I'm excited that my body will be in peak form in a few short weeks so I can continue to make the headway I started in LA. I'm even more excited that after just 3 short days of participating in this new Game On! session my stomach is no longer bloated and clothes are beginning to feel loser.
What will you do to get yourself on the right track?
I can already tell I'll wake up sore tomorrow, but the best way I've found to overcome that pain is to jump on the treadmill for 15-30 minutes and get all my muscles warmed up real well so they loosen, then roll out on the foam roller.
I'm excited that my body will be in peak form in a few short weeks so I can continue to make the headway I started in LA. I'm even more excited that after just 3 short days of participating in this new Game On! session my stomach is no longer bloated and clothes are beginning to feel loser.
What will you do to get yourself on the right track?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My Summer Pantry
This summer these are the foods that have been in abundance in my house:
A large variety of fruits – it’s always a quick, healthy snack
Roasted chicken breast for quick meals – I roast 5-6 breasts at a time, peel off the skin, remove the meat from the bones and cut into approx 2 oz. pieces.
Par cooked veggies – broccoli, carrots, cauliflower & green beans are great to eat with a slight crunch as a quick addition to lunch or the final cooking step can be completed while cooking the rest of dinner (like a stir fry).
Grilled red onion slices – I usually drizzle with evoo or balsamic vinegar before grilling. I love having a big plateful of these ready for when I want to add a little umph to a simple meal.
Bell peppers in every color Рgreat to eat raw, on kebobs, in salads and, my fave, with saut̩ed onions.
We have a large pot out on the deck growing a myriad of fresh herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, savory, sage, etc. A simple chicken or fish can truly taste delicious if properly spiced even without fats. Be sure to master the cooking technique.
And we always have bananas on hand for Nutritionist Karen’s famous Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake – my son and honey have both become addicted!
Karen’s Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake
1 serving
1 scoop Jay Robb chocolate powder (or 1 packet)
1.5 tbl natural peanut butter
½ large banana (or 1 small banana)
½ cup unsweetened almond breeze
½ cup ice
Put the ice in the blender first, add remaining ingredients, blend and enjoy.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Let's Get It Started
Today was quite the awesome day. Over the weekend I received an email from my gym's owner asking me to be the captain of a team filled with new players for our 4th session of Game On! I had played two previous games and was the grand winner of the 2nd game dropping 20 lbs. In 8 weeks.
I am excited to help out the new women. We'll email daily and support and inspire each other...just what I need after my disastrous August.
What I love about the game is that I get to add a new good habit and change a bad habit in my daily routine. This time around I'm sticking with the "eating in front of the TV" rule. I'm only allowed to eat a protein bar and drink either water or decaf green tea. My new good habit is to declutter and organize for 30 minutes a day. My home will be looking real good when the game is over...woo hoo!
Today I also started my private boot camp sessions with my old trainer Marc. The man had a shit-eatin' grin on his face the entire time!
Why, you ask?
Because he had me doing exercises he's always wanted me to do but in my mind I couldn't do them. That was 4 years and 60 lbs ago...now I believe in my abilities and did every exercise with a powerful attitude. Hey 90 minutes of boot camp preceded by 30 minutes of running was a breeze after my long, hard days in Marina Del Rey.
It's amazing how just one day of eating 5 small meals and drinking 3+ liters of water has on my body. My stomach is already feeling lighter and smaller. I AM feeling the workout though...mostly in my back and shoulders. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.
I'll leave you with a couple of pictures. My trainer Marc and me after today's workout (note, I wasn't going for beautiful - I was going for empowerment and strength); and a picture of Marc's "gun".
Get motivated to make changes this week!
I am excited to help out the new women. We'll email daily and support and inspire each other...just what I need after my disastrous August.
What I love about the game is that I get to add a new good habit and change a bad habit in my daily routine. This time around I'm sticking with the "eating in front of the TV" rule. I'm only allowed to eat a protein bar and drink either water or decaf green tea. My new good habit is to declutter and organize for 30 minutes a day. My home will be looking real good when the game is over...woo hoo!
Today I also started my private boot camp sessions with my old trainer Marc. The man had a shit-eatin' grin on his face the entire time!
Why, you ask?
Because he had me doing exercises he's always wanted me to do but in my mind I couldn't do them. That was 4 years and 60 lbs ago...now I believe in my abilities and did every exercise with a powerful attitude. Hey 90 minutes of boot camp preceded by 30 minutes of running was a breeze after my long, hard days in Marina Del Rey.
It's amazing how just one day of eating 5 small meals and drinking 3+ liters of water has on my body. My stomach is already feeling lighter and smaller. I AM feeling the workout though...mostly in my back and shoulders. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.
I'll leave you with a couple of pictures. My trainer Marc and me after today's workout (note, I wasn't going for beautiful - I was going for empowerment and strength); and a picture of Marc's "gun".
Get motivated to make changes this week!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Here I Go Again
Welcome Back! This summer has been hectic - filled with lots of travel, family, friends & fun, including becoming a Certified Zumba Instructor. It's also been filled with a few demons.
The demons arrived in August and just finally went away…I think. Those demons are my "old" thoughts: losing weight is so hard, preparing the right foods is time-consuming, I don't have the time to get a workout in today.
Yup, I thought them all throughout most of August. Now don't get me wrong - I still did some bike riding, some running, and some Zumba, but not like I had been doing and certainly not with great focus. In the summer at our house we tend to eat healthier than we do the rest of the year, but the wine bug got ahold of me and the sugar and salt bugs joined right in. As a result I stopped looking at my portion sizes so closely and just enjoyed life…in more ways than I should have!
But that's what makes us human, right? We are always going to have "life" which can get in the way of our real goals.
So, of course, I began mentally beating myself up about not keeping up with my LIFE program. Old habits die hard. It's been making me think about Daris from The Biggest Loser again…remember when he went home for 30 days and trained for the marathon but fought the food demons at night?
But "brain" help came in form of the doctor I saw in Santa Monica back in May. We had a conference call last week and he told me my body chemistry is still so far off that unless I maintain my "California" lifestyle forever my body will slowly continue to gain it back. Is he kidding? Nope.
So he's sending me a regimen of meds, herbs, etc. to work on my body chemistry to get it balanced again. Because once I regain balance - in my body and my brain and my life - things will begin working in my favor. Hello! That's all I need to make me smile. The package should arrive today and I look forward to reading & digesting his full report plus beginning the "Fix My Body For Good" protocol.
On another good note, today I'm back with half of the Wonder Women (Sharon aka Sharona & Clare) and we're battling each other in Game On! No matter what, I find the Game On! way of eating is the easiest, healthiest way for me to emulate my food at LIFE. So I weighed in this morning and reported it to my Competitors…heh heh. Because I weigh so much more than them I'll lose more every week, but I've got to make sure my scorecard is as perfect as can be. We still haven't figured out a prize, but I'm thinking they have to detail my car, or buy me a Gucci bag, or make my meals for a week…ha!
I've already been to the gym today and did 45 minutes of interval sprinting on the treadmill. My old trainer Marc saw me and my beet red face dripping with sweat and told me he was so happy to see me working hard that he wanted to kiss me! I'll have to post a picture…you'll want him to kiss you too…ha ha!
I start a bootcamp with Marc next week - 3 days, 1.5 hours each day. Plus I'll do another 45+ minutes of cardio on my own which is so easy to get in with my Zumba. On the days I don't train with Marc I'll do a minimum of 1 hour cardio, but in many cases it will be 2 hours because I'm choreographing my own Zumba routines and I need to get them as close to perfect as possible so I can begin teaching classes.
So Fall is almost here and I'm back on track. It feels great!
The demons arrived in August and just finally went away…I think. Those demons are my "old" thoughts: losing weight is so hard, preparing the right foods is time-consuming, I don't have the time to get a workout in today.
Yup, I thought them all throughout most of August. Now don't get me wrong - I still did some bike riding, some running, and some Zumba, but not like I had been doing and certainly not with great focus. In the summer at our house we tend to eat healthier than we do the rest of the year, but the wine bug got ahold of me and the sugar and salt bugs joined right in. As a result I stopped looking at my portion sizes so closely and just enjoyed life…in more ways than I should have!
But that's what makes us human, right? We are always going to have "life" which can get in the way of our real goals.
So, of course, I began mentally beating myself up about not keeping up with my LIFE program. Old habits die hard. It's been making me think about Daris from The Biggest Loser again…remember when he went home for 30 days and trained for the marathon but fought the food demons at night?
But "brain" help came in form of the doctor I saw in Santa Monica back in May. We had a conference call last week and he told me my body chemistry is still so far off that unless I maintain my "California" lifestyle forever my body will slowly continue to gain it back. Is he kidding? Nope.
So he's sending me a regimen of meds, herbs, etc. to work on my body chemistry to get it balanced again. Because once I regain balance - in my body and my brain and my life - things will begin working in my favor. Hello! That's all I need to make me smile. The package should arrive today and I look forward to reading & digesting his full report plus beginning the "Fix My Body For Good" protocol.
On another good note, today I'm back with half of the Wonder Women (Sharon aka Sharona & Clare) and we're battling each other in Game On! No matter what, I find the Game On! way of eating is the easiest, healthiest way for me to emulate my food at LIFE. So I weighed in this morning and reported it to my Competitors…heh heh. Because I weigh so much more than them I'll lose more every week, but I've got to make sure my scorecard is as perfect as can be. We still haven't figured out a prize, but I'm thinking they have to detail my car, or buy me a Gucci bag, or make my meals for a week…ha!
I've already been to the gym today and did 45 minutes of interval sprinting on the treadmill. My old trainer Marc saw me and my beet red face dripping with sweat and told me he was so happy to see me working hard that he wanted to kiss me! I'll have to post a picture…you'll want him to kiss you too…ha ha!
I start a bootcamp with Marc next week - 3 days, 1.5 hours each day. Plus I'll do another 45+ minutes of cardio on my own which is so easy to get in with my Zumba. On the days I don't train with Marc I'll do a minimum of 1 hour cardio, but in many cases it will be 2 hours because I'm choreographing my own Zumba routines and I need to get them as close to perfect as possible so I can begin teaching classes.
So Fall is almost here and I'm back on track. It feels great!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
We Are the Champions
Yesterday we had a celebration at my gym. If you recall, back in March we started a “diet” competition called Game On! You can read about it here and here.
My team was the Wonder Women. We placed 2nd out of 3 teams. I participated the first 3 weeks here at home, then finished out the last 5 weeks in California.
The competition culminated with an 80’s dress up night and karaoke. The losers had to serenade the winners. I missed it, but everyone there had a great time!
The gym gave the participants 2 weeks off then started another 8-week round of Game On! mid-May. I was still in California, but opted to participate again because I figured it would be yet another point of accountability for me. My first 2 weeks I participated while in California but finished out the last 6 weeks at home and my daughter, fresh back from college, joined me. I released 20 lbs in the 8 weeks and my daughter released 11. By the time this contest ended right after July 4th the Wonder Women were the Champions and I was the Winner or Biggest Loser.
Yesterday the 5 teams converged on the gym armed with “legal” food and gifts for the winning team. No singing or dancing this time, but some of the stories were very inspiring and some were downright hysterical!
The new Game On! begins tomorrow for 7 teams – as more people find out about the success of the program at the gym, they decide to give it a whirl. There are a few men participating this time around as well – Let’s Hear It For The Boys!
Alas, I have opted to sit out this round. I did 21 consecutive weeks between Game On! and LIFE and I need a bit of a break. But don’t worry, I’ll still be on track releasing pounds and keeping up with my workouts.
Maria’s back home in Miami and we’re using the buddy system to keep each other going. Together we’ll be Champions!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Roll With the Changes
Keep on rolling... Keep on rolling...
oooh... oooh... oooh...
I have been down for the count the past few weeks. My cervical discs are still acting up. I had the cortisone shot which has prevented me from having pain higher than a 5…hooray! But that niggling, annoying radiating pain into my shoulder & bicep still persists. Some days my neck feels the pain, but it’s never higher than a 4 or 5.
I have been down for the count the past few weeks. My cervical discs are still acting up. I had the cortisone shot which has prevented me from having pain higher than a 5…hooray! But that niggling, annoying radiating pain into my shoulder & bicep still persists. Some days my neck feels the pain, but it’s never higher than a 4 or 5.
The problem is it’s still preventing me from getting any good workouts in. And I haven’t done any upper body lifting since leaving LA – a situation which needs to be seriously rectified.
Last week I was feeling pretty good, so I went to they gym on Wednesday for an hour of treadmill sprint intervals. I basically did Trainer Jonathan’s cardio boot camp: a combination of sprinting and walking at different speeds and for different times. After that came lower body weights followed by 10 minutes of abs. I felt great the rest of the day and my neck/shoulder/arm didn’t bother me at all.
Thursday I went back to the gym. If you recall, I began really running towards the end of my time in LA and I had an IT Band issue. I didn’t want to have a relapse so I did incline intervals on the treadmill: a combination of walking at 0% incline up to 12% incline for different time periods. That was followed by lots of stretching.
I still felt great so I decided to go for broke. Went to Zumba that night. Ouch! It’s the dancing. When I dance I use my whole body including my head. Actually, just listening to music gets my head bopping. I bopped a little too much because my neck was sore the next day.
Maybe I need a neck brace for Zumba!
This week I have been a slug again due to many different circumstances. I do my neck exercises and some light walking, but I’m really itching get back to the weights. I’m driving my docs nuts because all I talk about is how I NEED to get back to working out.
I know they think I’m a little obsessed.
Maybe you do too; however, I know me. I’m worried that if I get too complacent I may lose the fire in me to keep going until I reach my goal. After all my hard work I cannot let that happen!
So, I’m rolling with it…doing what I can when I can. It’s really my only option right now. I can’t complain too much as I’m down 12 lbs since leaving LA. I just gotta keep workin’ it!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
My Newest Injury
My newest injury started out as a small nuisance much like a continuous buzzing gnat. I awoke my last Friday at LIFE with a niggling intermittent throb in my left bicep. It didn’t really bother me, but it was weird. That Tuesday I was finished with the program but went to Santa Monica to get my hair done. Then I joined my friends at the gym for a famous Chef Seong lunch and saw the chiropractor Dr. Hans for the last time. Dr. Hans’s diagnosis – my 1st left rib had moved out of place.
I didn’t know I had a rib that high, but apparently I do and it moved which was causing the annoyance in my left bicep. He adjusted it and the problem was gone…for the day.
The niggling has continued for the past month. 2 weeks ago I awoke with a screaming left shoulder and bicep and my chiropractor here (Dr. Scott) took care of it. And it went back to being a niggling pain for another week.
Now it’s much worse.
It landed me in the ER last weekend and I’ve been miserable ever since.
I have been on major meds to deal with the pain and it finally took an MRI to make a correct diagnosis – 1 herniated disc and 1 bulging disc in my neck. The mass from the herniated disc is pressing on my spinal nerves on the left side, which is causing the pain to radiate through my shoulder, behind my shoulder blade, and into my bicep.
It’s not pretty.
It’s quite frustrating.
It’s affecting my sleep (read: I’m not getting much!).
I’ve been a slug for a week now: no workouts, lounging around on the coach reading and watching TV, applying moist heat, icing, stretching, even putting my head in a ‘home traction’. I’m doing all the physical therapy my doctor has prescribed. I get relief where my pain goes from a 9-10 on the pain scale down to a 4-5. It hasn’t gone below a 4 at all this week. Right now as I sit here writing the pain is a 9.
I’ve decided I can’t live with the pain anymore. I’m doing everything I can to work with this injury, but some days (like tonight) I get no relief. So here I sit at 1 am chanting, “Come On Tuesday!”
Tuesday is the day I get the cortisone shot.
In my spine…yikes!
I figure “what the hell?” I already had 2 epidurals when I delivered my kids. It can’t be any worse than that, right? But this is a big deal as I’ll have to lie down on an x-ray table while my doctor uses x-ray guidance to show him exactly where to shoot the cortisone.
I hope it works. If not, I’ll need surgery, which entails a neurosurgeon going into the area and snipping off the portion of the disc that’s pressing against the nerves. Let’s hope that neurosurgeon’s skills are on par with McDreamy!
Again…yikes!
Right now in the middle of the night when I’m awake with pain and feeling all alone – it’s looking grim. The way I’m feeling right now I suspect poor Dr. Scott won’t have a full weekend off. Do you think I can call his office now and get him to come in?
Dr Scott, if I can’t sleep…no one can!
Come On Tuesday!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow
"All I wanna do is stay right here on the floor
Get lost in the night and dance like there's no tomorrow
Don't care about the sunrise; Somebody please just hit the lights
All I wanna do is dance like there's no tomorrow."
I’m attached to my ipod. Really. Physically attached.
I got so used to wearing my ipod at LIFE that I’m now wearing it at home. Let me just say that doing mundane housework and laundry is much more fun when I’m dancing simultaneously. I do believe it’s time to install an ipod connector into my car.
I have been home for 11 days now. My first weekend back was one big party – with my family, with my friends, with my honey. I allowed myself to eat out on both Friday and Saturday and I did imbibe in wine. I was still pretty good eating…not perfect, but I was taking a short break.
I allowed myself some entertainment food. You know what…some of it I don’t need anymore. I don’t crave it and I could care less whether or not I ever taste it again. The first victim is potato chips. I love salt & crunch so I had 1 serving of potato chips on Saturday. I actually read the label and counted out the correct number of chips for the serving size. An hour later I had a stomachache. I decided the taste was not worth the pain. So…buh bye, chips! I’m also addicted to Crystal Light Lemonade & Iced Tea. So I had some iced tea…YUCK! It tasted like a bunch of chemicals. It will no longer pass my lips.
The wine still tasted as delish as I remembered…ahhhh. I don't think I'll ever lose the taste for wine!
I got right back into my Zumba routine. I’ve been to Zumba 7 times in the last 11 days. There are new dance routines for me to learn, but I still love it as much as I always have.
So I went to see my buddy Alan at Princeton Sports and he hooked me up with a sweet ride – a Cannondale Quick Hybrid. I didn’t realize how much gear bike enthusiasts need. Wow! I got a bike with an upgraded seat (I need as little butt pain as possible), padded bike shorts, a biking shirt, water bottle, helmet, tire pump, a cute little bag to hold my cell phone & car keys, and a bike rack for my car. There’s still more I need but I’m just starting out and Alan didn’t want to overwhelm me. Thanks, Alan.
My Cannondale Quick
On Tuesday night I went with a local cycling group through the HILLY county roads. I lasted 6 miles. Not because I physically couldn’t continue, but because I kept messing up my gears. So I had the Princeton Sports Chase/Support Vehicle pick up my bike and me. Wayne (the driver) and I followed the cyclists for the remainder of the ride. I picked his brain about the dos and don’ts of cycling and using my gears and I think I have it down pretty well now. I’ll be trying out a myriad of bike paths we have here in Maryland. I have a few friends who are interested in riding with me – Sharona, Becky & my neighbor Anthony. It’s going to be so much fun!
I got through the remainder of the week doing Zumba and Trainer Jonathan’s ab workouts.
Friday night was a graduation party. I cooked and ate dinner before I went. While there I didn’t even look at the food. I drank club soda with a lime and everyone thought I was having a gin & tonic. I brought an apple with me and ate it at 8:30 when I got hungry again. My friends were so excited to see the new me.
Everyone I have seen has been very positive except 2 people. I’m taking a break from those 2. I’m in a good place and I cannot afford negative people in my life right now. I’m staying on the right path to health and fitness!
Saturday morning, my daughter and I arrived at Nordstrom at The Columbia Mall by 8 am for a 2-hour Zumba party. While people shopped we provided cat-calling, booty-busting entertainment with about 25 other women from our gym. I burned a lot of calories.
That night we met Alan (the bike guy) and Jackie for dinner at Flemings. Honey and I were standing at the bar; I had my back to the door when I heard this very recognizable female voice (Jackie) whisper in my ear, "Your ass is so small and cute I want to just grab it!" There's never a dull moment with Jackie...lol! I had a petite filet mignon and steamed asparagus (both with no butter or oil). I ate half of each and saved the rest for Sunday lunch. I also had a glass of wine and two glasses of water. I was fine.
This morning was the annual Zooma 10K & half marathon in Annapolis. Ginger and I had planned to participate back in April. I had registered for the 10K via the internet while in California, but something went awry and my registration didn’t go through. Then I couldn’t get to Annapolis yesterday to pick up my packet. So…I didn’t go. Instead Sharona and I decided to go to a local park that has a 3-mile loop and do our own 10K there. It turns out our local hospital was sponsoring a Family Health Day at the park featuring a 5K. We joined the crowd and did the 5K…twice. I burned over 1000 calories in the 87-degree humidity.
I miss the gorgeous, non-humid SoCal weather. I miss my positive LIFE bubble. Mostly, I miss my dear friends from LIFE. I’m posting a picture of me and my new BFFs taken on the day before I flew back home. They are all strong, empowered, awesome women who will accomplish each and every goal they set their minds to!
Me, Ginger, Judy & Maria
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Forgive Me…I’m a Social Butterfly
Dear Readers, so sorry I haven’t written for a bit. My last couple of weeks at LIFE were filled with socializing with my new friends from around the world while I still had time left with them.
The past 14 days have been filled with excitement, satisfaction, accomplishments, travel, reunions, and just a little negativity.
My Last Week at LIFE
Monday I began with a BANG – literally! During Jonathan’s Cardio Boot Camp I was on fire – sprinting like I never have before. During my very last sprint (6.5 speed) I felt a snap in my left I-T Band – where it meets my hip. 
I had to take it easy and focus on weights, circuits and biking for the rest of the day.
Later in the week I went with Bronson on the 20-mile Manhattan Beach bike ride – my fave. Wow! My fitness had really improved - I passed the 20-somethings in our group twice on the way to Manhattan Beach and twice on the way back. Who knew I had it in me? The 20-somethings were impressed that I was a 48-year-old obese woman and kicked their butts…lol!
Friday morning was a Cute Butt Boy circuit. Surely by now you must know how we all dread his workouts as he pushes us beyond whatever we thought we could do. Cute Butt Boy added a couple of new exercises I hadn’t done before. One I was confident about; the second…I didn’t think I could do at all. To my delight, when I got to that exercise (a full push-up plank hold while lifting each leg up and down for two minutes) it was a piece of cake. I was simply shocked. When I first arrived at LIFE I couldn’t hold my body up with my arms – they were too weak. As the weeks progressed I could do some exercises that required me to hold my body weight up with my arms but they were easier, shorter exercises. It felt great to know my strength had improved exponentially.
My Last Day
Monday, May 26th began with a weigh-in, body measurements, VO2 test & hydrostatic bodyfat testing in the dunk tank.
Before – my 1st day at LIFE – 3.29.10
After – my last day at LIFE – 5.24.10
I dropped another 6 pounds for a total of 30 while at LIFE. Remember, I dropped some before I left for LA so on my last day I was down 45 pounds, 32 inches and 2% body fat since I began this blog on February 15th. Plus, my lung capacity improved and I went up 2 categories.
The New Me
I really changed – physically, nutritionally & emotionally. I have become the woman I was back in my 20’s when I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Of course, I was always able to do that, but I no longer believed I could. Claire, the LIFE therapist, helped the former me come back to the forefront…and I’m letting the real me stay in front!
Before I left my LA life behind I had one more change to make – my hair. I wanted to go to a fab hair expert who could improve the look of the new me. So off I went to Linda at Art Luna Salon in Santa Monica. I’m 90% gray in the front and my hair grows quickly – I have my roots touched up every 4 weeks, but honestly, I could do it every 2 weeks (and that can be very costly!). Linda considered my dilemma and came up with a solution: she lightened my color by 2 shades and added tons of natural highlights to make my overall look lighter and brighter. It works!
Since my new lifestyle includes working out everyday I’m wearing my hair curly (it’s natural!) which allows me to spend only 5 minutes on it in the morning. Growing it out will let me get my thick mass of curls off my neck by sporting a ponytail.
A sprinkling of bronzer, a few swipes of mascara and a smear of lip gloss has me “face ready” for workouts and errands. That’s how I’ve decided to live my new life right now.
My Trip Back Home
I had to plan for my trip back to the east coast. The first thing I did was have Chef Seong make food for me to bring on the plane. It was the best idea I had. Remember, I’m gluten free so my options with airport food are quite limited and I wanted to continue eating the healthy whole foods I enjoyed at LIFE. I had yogurt for breakfast, finished packing, & headed out to the airport. Once the plane was in the air I opened my next meal: a roasted veggie & cheese wrap. I ate half, 2.5 hours later ate the second half and 2 hours later had a protein bar which I brought with me.
My daughter had just arrived home from college so she accompanied hubby to pick me up. She came inside to the baggage claim to find me and walked right past me. My trimmer self and lighter hair was a great disguise! Needless to say, she was quite shocked, but ecstatic with my transformation since she last saw me in February.
When I arrived home around 9pm the dogs went beserk and my son took one look at me and said, “Mom, is that really you?” I ate my 2nd wrap – Southwestern chicken with black beans & veggies – and unpacked.
The jetlag was much worse traveling west to east, but I was glad to be home with my honey living my new life with my new stronger, trimmer body and lighter, brighter hair.
Can you hear the smile?
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