Boot Camp #1 is in the books!

Today was our last workout for boot camp that mom and I just completed. It was a good workout too! We did lots of cardio work and did mat workouts. We basically worked all areas. Arms (all aspects), back, legs, and core. The cardio was a bit different than what we have done before and for once I think I can actually say that I like the running instead. The tabata hits that we have done feel like they do more for me.

Mom and I have both signed up for another session of camp. We have a week off and then hit it all over again for 30 days! I am really pumped about this go around because I know what to expect and can't wait to see what the results are.

In this first camp I lost 5 lbs., 12 1/2 inches, and 7% total body fat!!! Mom lost 3 lbs., 12 1/2 inches, and 5% total body fat!! We both gained a bit of muscle and that's great because on average when someone loses 2 lbs of fat they lose 1 lb of muscle.

I think we are both ready for round 2. I will keep you posted again as usually because I am sure there will be ups and downs just like this one.

Till next time!! I'm off to see my precious nephew (and of course JD and Kerri) and pull for the Tigers tomorrow!! GO TIGERS!

It's the final countdown!!!.....

So, it's week 4 of bootcamp. The last week before a nice little break. Getting back into the swing of things for me this week has been hard after recovering from the battle I had with strep last week. Let me tell you I am sore this week! Crazy to think it's almost as sore as I was the first week, but I guess missing a few days took it out of me.

The coaches have gone all out on our exercies this week. Monday we stations again. We had 6 different stations to get to that had 3 different excercises to do. They were all timed. After that we did some core work. Tuesday (coach says was a recovery day, but it was tough!) we worked the entire hour on the TRX. Let me tell you....it was rough! Yesterday, we did time testing again to see how we have progressed since week one. On our push up test I went up from 17 to 29 :)!! Mom went from 4 to 17 :) how awesome it that! We did a timed run again and I only cut :08 seconds off my time, but mom saved about 35-40 seconds off her's! She did awesome! Today we did this cardio routine of HITS (high intensity training). This is where you run for 20-30 seconds and then walk for 10-15 seconds. We did 8 bouts of this four different times. I pushed through and got it done and it helped with our walk count for sure! In between sets 2 and 3 and then after 4 we did LOTS of core training. I think my abs will be in shock tomorrow. Tomorrow is our last day of this camp and I can't believe that it has come to a close. It will be interesting to see what they put us through.

We did our weigh in last night for camp and I am please to say I lost a total of 12 1/2 inches and 5 lbs and mom lost 5 lbs and 13 1/2 inches!! I had a total body fat loss of 7%!! I didn't (and I don't think mom did either) know what do expect, but I am pleased (especially since I was out a week with strep). I am looking forward to the next camp since I know what to expect now and I think I have a better handle on the nutrition. I am hoping my results then blow this one of out of the water!

I'll let you know how the final day goes! Thanks for the love and support!

Till next time! :)

Short leave of absense.....

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile, but I have good reasons. I was able to make it to the boot camp session on Monday, but after that I fell out. I wasn't feeling good and stayed out of work and then finally on Wednesday I knew something was wrong so I went to the doctor and they told me I had strep....yes STREP! I can't remember the last time I had that, but boy oh boy I had forgotten how painful is it. My throat has been completely swollen, sore, and painful! You can't eat hardly anything, you can't drink much, and sleeping isn't fun either. So needless to say I have had to miss boot camp since Tuesday.

I am hoping to get back at it tomorrow as it is the end of week 3 tomorrow and there will only be one more week remaining. That's so hard to believe. The only thing I can say is that the strep has probably helped with my weight now if I can keep that off and put muscle back I will happy.

But, I promise to start blogging again and keep everyone updated!

Till next time.....

Queen for the day!!!

Today was a good morning work out. Our coaches tried to turn a work out into story time this morning. While they were reading the story we would come upon parts that required us to do different exercises. They ranged from arms, shoulders, abs, back, legs, and running. It was a break from the normal routine so it was well welcomed.

The story was about a queen and the trials she went through. At the beginning of the story our coaches told us that by the end of the story we would find out which one among us was the queen. When the story was finished I was selected as the queen! Of course I didn't do anything above or beyond the others to deserve this title. I was just the lucky one who's name was pulled out of the hat. I received roses and a nice crown! You can take the girl away from the crown, but you just can't take the crown out of the girl! :)

I actually thought I would share a picture that mom took this morning after our workout. Remember! This is what I look like after working out outside for an hour.... not my best :)


It's amazing how things happen. I know that I didn't do anything to deserve this nice gesture, but I if you have read my blog from the previous day I was starting to have urges for sweets that I had not had to this point. My temptations were running like crazy in my head and I had thoughts to give in, but kept trying to push through. After this this morning I could hear God talking to me saying, 'see even when you are weak I will encourage you and find ways to hold you up and keep you strong.'

'It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.' -Psalm 18:32

So, needless to say my day started out pretty good :) I think the rest of it will be a breeze today!

Till next time......

Day 2 of Week 2 ......

Today was tough! We ran and did TRX on upper body today. Mom missed this wonderful workout as today was not one of her days to attend.... I wish she could have been there to feel my pain. I still feel it in my arms and abs. TRX is no joke!

I am really hoping to see some positive changes soon to keep me motivated. Yesterday was hard in the afternoon mentally. I worked out in the am and fueled my body as normal, but my mind was going crazy on me and I had some urges for sugars and sweets that I had not had up to this point. I am really trying to stay up and strong and push through. This challenge is probably one of the hardest I have had to face. I have been able to overcome any challenge put before me, but this one area (nutrition) has always been my weakness. I want to prove to myself that I can do this and nothing is impossible.

'For with God nothing shall be impossible' - Luke 1:37

Well with that I am off to eat my yummy lunch I made and get some time out of the office. If you know of any good recipes please let me know. I am pretty much up to trying anything these days.

Till next time.....

Week 2 - Boot Camp... Here we go!!

The weekend was nice and relaxing and a good break from boot camp, but it's back to the grind this morning. My alarm clock went off at 4:45am again and it didn't seem as bad as next week, but I'll let you know if I still say that maybe by Wednesday or Thursday.

Camp today focused on our intensity levels. We split up into groups and did different stations. Several of them included a station on cardio (jumping jacks, jump rope, wacky jacks), arms (front and lateral raises and bicep curls), legs (crab walks, side shuffles, and prisoner squats), abs (planks and side planks), core (donkey kicks, back kicks, and supine lifts, and finally squats, pushups, and dips. We did this circuit 2 times and trust me it was tough! After we went through all that we did a super set of abs as a group and were finally able to call it quits quits for the day.

Mom and I have been sticking to the plan so I hope that we both start to see some results starting soon. Well I am going to get off here. I am working from home a little bit this morning while I wait on Orkin to come to the house. Gotta get busy!

Till next time :)

Stayin on track :)

Today was my first Saturday trying to stay on track while on this boot camp program. My mom and I took a new car down to Columbia to meet my brother JD, sis-in-law Kerri, and baby nephew Jack! I haven't posted any pictures of him since his birthday so here is one of my favorite pictures of him to date.

Jack is just so precious and I love getting to see him and JD and Kerri. So, mom and I met him in Columbia at Carrabba's. It was tough not going all out for lunch there because this is my FAVORITE restaurant. But, no bread for me and mom and I split a dish. Pollo rosa maria (the all time best)!! I stayed to my water and unsweet tea and had some healthy snacks prepared so I wouldn't be tempted.

After our visit with them mom and I hit up some shops like TJ Maxx, Shoe Carnival, and Old Navy. I found some great deals! For those that know me know I am very picky about shoes and pocket books and I found both today, so I say that it was a very successful day!

I got home tonight around 7:30 and hopped on the treadmill because even though it's the weekend I have to get my 12,000 steps in. I was dedicated and did that for awhile and then enjoy some nice grilled chicken and a V8. I have been preparing my meals for the next few days and trying to figure out what I am going to have. I have definatly learned that prepartion is the key to success!

Well, I'm off to bed now. Gonna get up and go to church in the morning and get some groceries for the coming week.

Day 5!! First week completed!!

So, today was my 5th day and first full week. I can't believe it's already here!

Today we worked out on the TRX and did some sprint interval training. For those that don't know what the TRX is here is a link: http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/trx-resources/trx-exercise-video.php. I have done workouts with the TRX before and it's great! It's basically suspension training that uses your own body for weights. I love it (even though it was tough), but mom didn't like as much I think. She has always said her upper body is not strong so her and the TRX do not get along. I told her by the end of the program she will love it!

The sprint interval training was good. For those of you that know me know that I don't really enjoy running, but this wasn't so bad. We basically only ran for about 20 minutes, but did heats. We would run for 20 seconds then slow our pace to walk for 10 seconds. We would do this about 6 to 8 times then after the heat was done we would get a 1 minute recovery so we could walk. I love intervals because long distance and continous running is not my thing!

As I have mentioned before were are supposed to get in at least 12,000 steps a day. After I left camp today I had about 4800 so I was very happy about that! Only 7200 to go!!

So, the weekend is here and the next two days are going to be the ones I worry about the most. The weekends have never been my strongest points, but I am determined to stick with it and get all my goals met.

Until next time! I'll let you know how tomorrow goes...

Thoughts & comments on Boot Camp.....

So, in just the first week I have learned a lot of things. Some I already knew which are being stressed more and those that are new. As I mentioned before this program focuses a lot of nutrition. We learned what our actual metabolism and how that affects our bodies. We have all heard and seen on tv and through other medias that low carb no carb or low fat are the ways to go, but our bodies need fats, carbs, proteins, and fiber to function properly.

I could go on and on about different things, but one thing I will say is that I have made the grocery store my friend and I have eaten a meal out in almost a week. That is an accomplishment in itself as being single I didn't used to like cooking at home. The biggest thing I have learned is that preparation is key! If you prepare ahead and are ready nothing can stop you. I make my lunches every night and also include snacks for the day. Another cool thing is the crock pot is becoming my friend!

If you know me you know that I like to try new things so this is just one of those. I hope through this that I can learn a lot and get back in shape. I know that this takes dedication, determination, and motivation. I have been good at being motivated through everything else that I have done in my life that I now see there is no reason why I can't be determined in this.

One thing for sure I know is that I don't have to do this alone.... 'I can do everything through him who gives me strength.' -Philippians 4:13

Till next time! I have to go to bed.... 4:45am is calling me :)

Day 4! (With recap of days 1-3)

Ok, so this morning I completed day 4 of the bootcamp. For an introduction I am attempting to complete the Upstate Adventure Boot Camp. www.upstateadventurebootcamp.com I was able to get my mother to take this adventure on with me and she is in the 3 day program while I am trying the 5 day program.

This program focuses not only on the workout portion of our lifestyles, but espeically the nutrition portion. I am very happy about this as being a former athlete I was able to eat lean and healthy, but also eat those nice not-so-good for you things without worrying about the additional weight. Now that I am almost 30 (ugh...can't believe I just said that) I am realizing that my idea of what is or isn't good for me is skewed and needs to be refocused. This is going to be the hardest thing for me so support is encouraged!

Our boot camp runs from 5:30am-6:30am...yes, I am AM! In order to get up, get some nutrition into my system, and get to the location I have been getting up at approximately 4:45am. This has taken dedication as in the past I could sleep till 6:45am and be at work by 8am. It has been hard, but I am pushing through.

So, far this week hasn't been too difficult, but I can tell you one thing. I don't think I have sweated as much since I was in college playing sports. It a tremendous workout!

The first day was mostly getting the group introduced to the different types of exercises that we would be doing. Not bad.... I think they were just trying to not scare us off :) Mom was almost late this day, but lucky made it on time. I think she enjoyed the workout this day as well. Just so the world knows if we are late.....we do PUSH UPS!! We try to avoid those at all costs!

Day 2 was mostly arms and interval training with sprints and jumping rope. For those that know me they know I DO NOT like jumping rope, but I stuck with it.

Day 3 was fitness testing day at the beginning. We ran the mile. I think my time was 9:40?? Somewhere around there. Not great, but I'm working on it. We did a 1 minute time push up test. I was able to do 20. I paced myself so I wouldn't burn out in the end. Mom did great on her mile and her push up test was tough, but she stuck through it and got it done. She has more determination than most anyone I know so I know she will rock it out come during our 4th week. After we finished the fitness test we had to intervals of lunges, step up, and squats....it was tough!

Day 4 (today) was again intervals. We mostly focused on arms and doing high knees during the high intensity part. Today was probably one of my 'internally' toughest days. I was tired and felt more tired than any other week so far, but I tried my best and pushed through.

I know this has been VERY long, but I really feel compelled to journal my time through this process. I am hoping to come out lean and fit and having lost some weight.

I will blog again later tonight on some other thoughts I have!! Miss yall!

Long time.....

It's been a VERY long time since I have updated my blog, but I have started a new fitness routine that I want to blog about my experience with. Look for my day-to-day publishes and help cheer on me and my mother as we go through this boot camp!

Hope you enjoy the reading!