One Week Left - Finish Strong!

We have exactly one week left in the test group - lets finish strong!

Body
I may be paranoid but I think I gained some mass in my stomach this last week. I ask myself is it because I ate pudding and jello? Coule it have made that big of a difference? Maia did say that belly fat is lost with nutrition. OR maybe I'm just being paranoid! I need to bust out the tape measurer to be sure. Other than that my body feels fabu! My legs are the most muscular they've every been, even when I was at my fittest during lacrosse season in college. I am in awe that I have a legitimate bicep and I have ab muscles! I feel them on sides of my stomach when I poke in there! Now I just have to loose more of the fat on top so I can see them!!

Learning
I'm starting to learn that as much as I encourage other people to make healthier decisions. THEY are the only person that can change their lives. I remember in my first meeting with Maia I mentioned that sometimes a person has to hit a rock bottom before they start to be serious about becoming healthier. I wish everyone could have the success I've had and hope that I can help them on that journey - but I can't take the journey for them!

Observations

A lot of people, me included, have mentioned worries about how they will do with their fitness and nutrition after the test group is over. Are we all moving away? No! I think we should all try to remember that we'll continue to be part of each other's support systems. I'm sure that everyone will take different paths after next week but we are still connected. The test group FB page will still be there! We are still connected through myfitnesspal.com to continue encouraging each other! At this point I'm sure that I want to help people with their health/fitness journeys but I'm not sure how to go about it. I don't like to half ass anything and with lacrosse season coming up I throw myself into coaching my high school girls. On top of that I will start studying in November for my PHR certification exam (an HR thing). The passing rate is only 57% and we're told we have to study for 3 months minimum to give ourselves a fighting chance. Whoa buddy! At this point I have to sit back and think about what I want to take on and how I can balance it.

Goals

I WANT TO FINISH STRONG! I wonder what my numbers will be like tonight and will tailor my goals to what I achieve. I do know that I want to run at least 3 times this week outside of class. I also need to start thinking hard about my goals and game plan for AFTER test group is over.

Two weeks left (for real this time)

October 16, 2011

Body - my oh my how this has come along! I caught myself flexing in the mirror the other day... because I have legit muscles now! Also, my friend told me after the game this weekend that my legs look great - she sees the muscle tone. woot woot! The three areas I want to work are my back fat, the belly and the bum! I've already seen some great results but want to concentrate on being the best I can be!

(pic after lacrosse game)

Learning - I feel like nutrition is the biggest change I've made in this journey. I've learned a lot from the coaches and my test group family. Thanks guys! I decided I Love greek yogurt, salads are starting to get on my good side more and more and brown rice isn't that bad!

Observations - I haven't got it together enough to plan my meals ahead of time. I see great examples of planning ahead from the test group fam - it's actually pretty amazing. I think making some stuff in bulk will really help - especially when it comes to dinner which is when I have the most trouble making the best choices.

Goals - I want to concentrate more on my bum and working on my endurance for running. I will do my BBL videos at least 2x a week and go for a run at least 2x a week. I think the added cardio will also help with shedding some weight/inches. I was very bummed about my last weigh in (gained 1/2 pound) and I am excited to take extra steps to ensure that I do well in the next weigh in!

Two weeks left...

October 9, 2011

Two weeks left! I feel like a brand new person compared to who I was when I started Bootcamp in July! My body has gone through a great transformation and I hope it will only continue to change. This week I had to go buy new pants for the weather change and I felt great. I decided that I would be sure to get pants as affordable as possible because I don't plan on staying at this size. I have always been a bargain shopper but I wouldn't even settle for buying pants over $20. That's how much I believe I won't be at this size next season. Thank you Marshalls/TJMaxx! I don't think that I've ever believed in myself this much and it's exciting to be in this place.

I didn't do 100% with last weeks goal's of having shakeology everyday. It's frustrating b/c its pretty simple, right? Well, I didn't get it done. This week I'm prepared with my bananas for the rest of the week both at home and at the office. I'm getting PB2 to get the calorie count down on my shakes. It's gonna be great!

3 weeks left...really?"

I cannot believe that we only have three weeks left!

This last week I made strides to eat fresher foods. I didn't pop a lean cuisine in the microwave once. Although, I came to find that I simply cannot eat a salad at work everyday. After lunch on Friday I felt like a rabbit and scrambled for a mini milky way to cope. In that state a mind a fruit cup wouldn't do, I had to find something really junky. I figure now that I really have to switch it up! Or else I'll go crazy again and look for some thing to rebel with.

For the first week ever I'm looking forward to arms day! I feel like I've pretty far with my push ups! No more modified for me! I can't go down very far yet but this week I wanna really pay attention to the distance I go down so I can try to push myself and track my improvement. I do feel like my arms look better than they ever have! It make me a little impatient with my belly! Although, I should zip my lip b/c I am on track with my goal of loosing four inches around my belly button by the end of the 2 months. two inches down - two to go!!!


(The pic is me after my cold weather lacrosse game! It took me about 2 minutes to get comfortable in the 45 degree weather so I know my body was burning those calories!!)

This week I am focusing on my nutrition! I'm going to mix up my meals a bit so I don't OD. I'm looking to keep it as fresh as possible so I can help my belly shrink! And my goal is to take my Shakeology EVERY day. I've fallen off the wagon with that one.

Also, I reached one of my goals of being a size 8. YESSSSS!!! And now I want to be a size six!! It's interesting that this is my goal now b/c I've always considered that to be "skinny girl" size. I've always considered myself to be a big boned/thicker lady. But I'm getting out of that now. I feel very fit and getting down to a size 6 is fully possible b/c I have a ways to go with my belly and bit of back fat so I can get that to be better.

I've not said this so far in my blog so far but twice now my mom or dad have commented on my weight loss and insinuated that they have fear of me getting to skinny or even anorexic. Is this a cultural thing? Obviously the way I look now is a lot different then when I was a size FOURTEEN three years ago but I feel like I still look healthy. I definitely have more muscle than ever. Maybe since they may not see me eating like I used too they're worried. I realize that they are only looking out for me but I got VERY defensive to the comments. I know the concern comes from a place of love but I'm not sure how to react in those situations. Any advice?