Monday, October 28, 2013

I'm in the fast group....

Ok so fast may not be the right descriptor.

This morning we did a new workout that I don't think I've ever done. We lined up on one side of the soccer field in groups of 2,3 or 4....our trainer S said she wanted the people that didn't modify and could do more reps at one end and those that needed to modify at the other end. Basically she was lining us up so that no one felt like they were too slow and weren't intimadated.

But, by the same token she told us to group with people that we know would push us. I was in a group 2nd to the end on the NON-modifying end. Now a word about modifications, there is nothing wrong with them. In fact it is better to do a move modified and properly than non-modified and sloppy. I still modify some things because I know I get a better burn and do it much better.

So there we were in our groups. Each group had a notecard of an exercise. Basically we were doing a circuit. But, after 20 reps of a move, you had to sprint across the soccer field and back then do another 20. We were at each station for 3 minutes. There were I believe 10 stations or so maybe 12...

I remember a long time ago when I was the slowest. Today I felt like I was FLYING across that field. I even heard one person in my group say 'Wow, Courtney is a great pusher.' BEST FEELING EVER!!!!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

What does 35" look like...

Tonight, I measured. I do this from time to time to think about how far I have come when the scale number bothers me...

I wish I had taken leg and arm measurements when I started but I will stick to three areas...Waist/Hips/Bust and what the loss means. So here are the changes to date:

Body Area January 2013 Bootcamp Round 4 Week 1 Week 5 Loss to Date
Waist 53" 41" 40" -13"
Hips 55" 45" 43" -12"
Bust 51" 42" 41" -10"
That means I have lost 35" on just these three areas...I am sure if I had measured legs and arms from the beginning I would be well into 40"s by now.

Today I learned I can jump...

Let's start by understanding, I am currently in PAIN....like OW holy crap.

Ok moving on. This morning I got up and met up with the Trolley Run Running Group. It is brand new and we are training for the run, however I should mention I don't get to do the run because well, I help 'to run' the run...I'm on the committee.

Then after an early morning chilly run, I headed to Fusion for Circuit with J. J is AWESOME! She pushes us and it is never boring, but I will say she was a cheerleader and LOVES JUMPING...and there was a lot of jumping.

I had three crazy conquests today at three different stations today.

1. Jab/Jump: With weights in hands you throw a couple left jabs then jump up onto a step with 2 risers twice then repeat on the right. Conquest: I jumped up and down without thinking about it. I felt very bouncy.

2. Toe Tap/Jump: Again with weights in hands did 4 high knee toe taps on top to the top of a step on 4 risers. Yes 4... Conquest: I JUMPED UP on the high step without stressing and I saw a tiny girl come after me who freaked and couldn't do it.

3. Frog Jumps: In plank kick legs back like a frog, then jump up and do two frog jumps in the air. Conquest: This was my last station and I had a burst of energy and jumped crazy high (for me).

A few months ago I couldn't jump. And now I can do it without freaking out. When you are crazy overweight, you constantly fear falling down because your center of gravity is an unknown. You feel clumsy and unable to move with grace.

I'm starting to feel graceful!


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

When I look in the mirror...

I realised this morning when talking to my friend A during our run that I haven't had a negative thought about my physical appearance in months. While that may not seem like a big statement you have to ponder this. I used to wake up and before my feet hit the floor think something bad about myself. That is a hard way to start every day.

Think about starting every day in a negative fashion and how that would put your mind in a bad place every day.

Now, I wake up and look in the mirror and smile. That is the way that a girl should start her day. My body isn't where I want it to be but my mind is and that is so much more important!

Do you remember my dream...

A long time ago, well 10 months ago almost to the day...I shared how I used to dream that I was running...Don't remember? Here ya go you can read it here....

This morning I got up and met my good friend A from my first two rounds of bootcamp. First let me set the stage. It is 30 degrees out. It is COLD...it is DARK at 5:30 am....so I put on two pairs of pants, two shirts, two jackets, gloves, hat and scarf. I met A at a park and we knocked out almost an hour of running. Sure I had to walk a few blocks but this was my longest run I have EVER done IN MY LIFE....while the distance wasn't long the fact that my body was moving and running I felt like I was gliding just like my dreams.

Today is gonna be a good day!


And when the weight doesn't come off..

MEASURE!!!
So 4 weeks in and the lbs aren't going down. I am frustrated so I busted out my trusty tape measure....and there ya go...2 more inches off my waist and 1 more off my hips....
So I just have to remember this image...

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

A birthday...

Saturday was my 36th birthday. Unlike last year I didn't think of everything I didn't get done the previous year, I marveled instead at the woman I have become. I basked in the joy of my new body rather than lamenting the age now reflected on my drivers license. I woke up and did two killer workouts rather than eat my way through the day. My trusted pal, my Polar heart monitor watch even 'made' me a cake....all in all...a great day!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

It's one of those off weeks...

I feel so lazy and yet so busy. I feel lazy because I am really struggling to get my workouts in. I have to forgive myself but it is eating at me. At the same time I am exhausted from all of my commitments. I think this is a good week to remind me what life will be like after bootcamp is over. I won't always have the drive of a Monday morning weigh in, but I will always have 1,000 things I have to do. It is about doing the best I can and making the most of the time that I do get into the studio or the gym or out for a run.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Breaking through...

I've been plateaued for weeks. It has been so incredibly frustrating. I don't mean I haven't lost any weight, but the loss has been just a couple ounces here, maybe a pound there. For some people that might be ok. But when you are killing yourself doing this program, that can be SO FRUSTRATING!!!

Yesterday, was Monday morning weigh in. I got on and FINALLY I broke through. A 3 lb loss and a great big smile. I wasn't happy just for the weight, but because it restored my faith in this program. Don't get me wrong I know that it works. But when you reach a level of exhaustion and frustration you start to question.

So, I will keep on going with renewed faith that my body will in fact respond.

Sometimes you have to listen...

I got SUPER sick last Friday. I was up sick all night and finally stopped around 4:30 am. My first thought, oh look I think I can get dressed and make it to 5:30 bootcamp. Yah then I needed a reality check. DUDE sometimes you have to listen to your body. So I gave in and fell asleep.