I missed Friday workout! Friday is one of my favorite days because I know that I wont have boot camp until Monday, and I actually don't like the long stretch till Monday! Who would have thought???? I'm missing working out and being tortured???? HA!
I did go to the gym on Saturday but its not the same with machines as it is at Boot Camps to go! It's more strenuous and I feel my body hurt less at the gym than when I work out at BCTG! So keep up the good work Laurel and Mike...cant wait to see you today!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Pep (?) Talk
First, congratulations, Katy, for winning 1st place in her age group in the 10K she ran this Saturday!
We're entering Month 2 of our 90-Day WellQuest Challenge, and I see it as kind of a Hump Day. We're smack dab in the middle; the "newness" of Month 1 has worn off, and we don't have the "FInish Line" of Month 3 looming in the horizon. Therefore, we need to work extra hard at encouraging each other to stick to our commitment.
As we've all witnessed changes in our bodies (looking & feeling better), it's easy to think we can slack off a bit. The little devil on our kettlebell-bruised shoulder might be whispering, "It's OK to skip one workout, look how much you've already accomplished." Or, "It's your Dad's birthday, you deserve that piece of cake."
Our families may be a bit tired of our disruptive training schedule or accommodating our new diets. I know that reading ingredients (yawn) and measuring food portions has become really tedious. And I'm not as excited about Fridays knowing the day isn't over until after Boot Camp.
But, do we really want to look Laurel and Mike in the eye when we're applauding the contest winners instead of standing on that stage?
Gee, for a pep talk, I'm certainly lacking in the exclamation points. (Sorry, I never made the cheerleading squad). So, here we go:
Go Team!!
We're entering Month 2 of our 90-Day WellQuest Challenge, and I see it as kind of a Hump Day. We're smack dab in the middle; the "newness" of Month 1 has worn off, and we don't have the "FInish Line" of Month 3 looming in the horizon. Therefore, we need to work extra hard at encouraging each other to stick to our commitment.
As we've all witnessed changes in our bodies (looking & feeling better), it's easy to think we can slack off a bit. The little devil on our kettlebell-bruised shoulder might be whispering, "It's OK to skip one workout, look how much you've already accomplished." Or, "It's your Dad's birthday, you deserve that piece of cake."
Our families may be a bit tired of our disruptive training schedule or accommodating our new diets. I know that reading ingredients (yawn) and measuring food portions has become really tedious. And I'm not as excited about Fridays knowing the day isn't over until after Boot Camp.
But, do we really want to look Laurel and Mike in the eye when we're applauding the contest winners instead of standing on that stage?
Gee, for a pep talk, I'm certainly lacking in the exclamation points. (Sorry, I never made the cheerleading squad). So, here we go:
- Give me a "G," give me a "T," give me an "O," give me a "K," give me an "O"! Go GTO KOs!!!!
- Sundresses, Bathing Suits, and tank tops, oh my!!
- and Ricky Bobby's motto: "If you're not first, you're last."
Go Team!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Oh! Nay Nay!
Some of my favorite quotes from comedian John Pinette on diet and exercise:
Check out John Pinnette at http://www.johnpinette.com.
- Since February, I've hired a trainer. I've had many since then. Some quit...some turn to drugs and alcohol.
- The trainer says to me, "You know, you're tired now. You're a little sore from working out. But, once you start you get addicted." I don't think so. I think I can quit this gym stuff any time I want. I got a lot of willpower. You're never going to find me in the exercise wing of Betty Ford...I can't stop.
- Then he says to me, "Give me a sit-up." I said, Oh, nay nay. I don't do ups. Ups defy gravity. Gravity is a law. I obey the law.
- When you go off the no-carb diet, you lose your mind. I went off a no-carb diet; a girl scout came to the door. She had cookies. I said, "Oooh, I think you're going to win the trip to Washington this year."
- The nutritionist asked, "Are you a vegetarian?" Well, not in the strictest sense. I don't eat veal, but he grows up.
- One nutritionist said to me, "The good news is, you can have all the salad you want." Whew, that is good news. I was nervous. I came in here thinking, please God, anything, but don't take away my salad. I can have all the mixed greens I want? Stop I'm getting excited. She wanted me to have salad as the food. No. Salad's not food...salad comes with the food. Salad is a promissory note that food will soon arrive. If my brain sees a salad it says, "Something good is going to happen soon, wait right here."
Check out John Pinnette at http://www.johnpinette.com.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Yesterday!
You know "Yesterday" by the Beatles! All my troubles seemed so far away...now it looks as though their here to stay! All I can say is yesterday was rough!
When I saw Laurel showing Elise and Katy how to drag the towel while holding their body up on their forearms...my first thought was "OK Laurel is not making this look too easy...I know my girls are going to be hurting!!!" Then she came over to me with a ball that was flat on one side. She flips the ball over and I held myself up with my forearms on the flat side while turning the ball in circular motions!!! MAN! I was sweating like a pig!!! Then she says turn it SLOWLY! OMG! I thought I would never finish 2 and had to do 5 per rep!
Then to add insult to injury during our time of torture she is actually clicking pictures and taking videos in order to post them right here on our BLOG!!! As if this whole process has not been humiliating enough! Now the whole world gets to see us at our worst! All I could hear was grunting from myself, Elise and Katy!
I think out of all the days yesterday was one of the most fierce and rough days! I believe it was the combination of exercises!
Speaking of the Beatles "Its been a hard days night and I've been working like a dog! Its been a hard days night...I should be sleeping like a log!!!" I found myself having muscle spasms in the middle of the night! I did what any normal person would do...got up...started walking and cursing Laurel under my breath!
We got our body fat percentage taken yesterday by Laurel! Who ever invented that pinching tool! I thought we were in the horror movie SAW V - CUT OFF THE FAT IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!!!! However I am anxious to see the results! Johanna has that to look forward to when she returns! Vegas is a scary place! They want your gambling money so FOOD is CHEAP! All you can eat buffets for $4.95!!! What happens in Vegas...I got faith in you though JO!
Lucky us because tonight we get Mike! Maybe if I click my heels three times I can be at home like the Beatles "Back in the U.S.S.R. "
Until next time my peeps!
When I saw Laurel showing Elise and Katy how to drag the towel while holding their body up on their forearms...my first thought was "OK Laurel is not making this look too easy...I know my girls are going to be hurting!!!" Then she came over to me with a ball that was flat on one side. She flips the ball over and I held myself up with my forearms on the flat side while turning the ball in circular motions!!! MAN! I was sweating like a pig!!! Then she says turn it SLOWLY! OMG! I thought I would never finish 2 and had to do 5 per rep!
Then to add insult to injury during our time of torture she is actually clicking pictures and taking videos in order to post them right here on our BLOG!!! As if this whole process has not been humiliating enough! Now the whole world gets to see us at our worst! All I could hear was grunting from myself, Elise and Katy!
I think out of all the days yesterday was one of the most fierce and rough days! I believe it was the combination of exercises!
Speaking of the Beatles "Its been a hard days night and I've been working like a dog! Its been a hard days night...I should be sleeping like a log!!!" I found myself having muscle spasms in the middle of the night! I did what any normal person would do...got up...started walking and cursing Laurel under my breath!
We got our body fat percentage taken yesterday by Laurel! Who ever invented that pinching tool! I thought we were in the horror movie SAW V - CUT OFF THE FAT IF YOU WANT TO LIVE!!!! However I am anxious to see the results! Johanna has that to look forward to when she returns! Vegas is a scary place! They want your gambling money so FOOD is CHEAP! All you can eat buffets for $4.95!!! What happens in Vegas...I got faith in you though JO!
Lucky us because tonight we get Mike! Maybe if I click my heels three times I can be at home like the Beatles "Back in the U.S.S.R. "
Until next time my peeps!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
White Men Can't Jump (and Neither Can Elise)
Nothing like a daily dose of humiliation to keep one's ego in check. BCTG is certainly building my strength, but it has proven to be showcase for my lack of balance, grace, and coordination...
and wardrobe malfunctions.
Yeah, yesterday, Hope forgot her sneakers. When I saw her walk in in her gym clothes and work shoes, I burst into laughter (or as I now call it, "abs warm-up"). Oh, but karma came back with the quickness. Just minutes later, I was forced to run around the parking lot strapped to some horrific metal contraption that's weighted down. They call it The Sled (as in a dog sled...but YOU are the dog). The sight of me awkwardly maneuvering the beast, red faced and panting, was disturbing enough. To add insult to injury, I happened to be wearing a pair of sweat pants whose drawstring is in a permanent knot and cannot be adjusted. So, each time I moved forward my pants slipped down, exposing the top of my thong for all to see. And no, I didn't have the foresight to wear cute undergarments. I would have traded places with Janet Jackson at the Superbowl in a heartbeat.
This may be Boot Camp, but while one might imagine themselves as a soldier on a mission, there is no way I can attempt to look brave or stoic while pulling myself across the floor by my forearms, dragging a towel with my feet. Nor would I pass as the Bride in Kill Bill (in the hospital scene where she can't use her legs). At best: an injured caterpillar groping her way to safety.
As for jumping...apparently I couldn't jump to my death and land on two feet. One of our circuit exercises tonight was 15 reps of jump-ups onto a set of mats about 16 inches high. Laurel kept telling me to land on both feet and Katy encouraged me to lift my knees, but all I could manage was some sort of "Extreme Square Dance" with the mats. The harder I tried (with little mini-jumps on the floor) the more comedic it became, as it threw Katy completely off our reps. (Picture a drunken, jumping, polka see-saw.) It took 5 rounds of the circuit before I could actually hit the mats with both feet (and at that point I'm sure Katy was ready to jump off my body instead of the mats).
However, I should add that BCTG allows you to make a complete ass of yourself without feeling like one. Unlike other gyms where you can mind yourself with mirrors and check out what everyone else is doing, the BCTG routine keeps you focused on yourself. Not only is everyone pushing themselves, you simply don't have a moment to gaze around and compare yourself to others. You're not there to "work out pretty," and you won't be intimidated by the clients...just the trainers.
Speaking of which...BCTG's owner (and our trainer) Laurel Blackburn was selected as Tallahassee's 25 Women You Need To Know 2010 and an article featuring her can be seen here:
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201003020200/BUSINESS/3020321
And to my KO's:
and wardrobe malfunctions.
Yeah, yesterday, Hope forgot her sneakers. When I saw her walk in in her gym clothes and work shoes, I burst into laughter (or as I now call it, "abs warm-up"). Oh, but karma came back with the quickness. Just minutes later, I was forced to run around the parking lot strapped to some horrific metal contraption that's weighted down. They call it The Sled (as in a dog sled...but YOU are the dog). The sight of me awkwardly maneuvering the beast, red faced and panting, was disturbing enough. To add insult to injury, I happened to be wearing a pair of sweat pants whose drawstring is in a permanent knot and cannot be adjusted. So, each time I moved forward my pants slipped down, exposing the top of my thong for all to see. And no, I didn't have the foresight to wear cute undergarments. I would have traded places with Janet Jackson at the Superbowl in a heartbeat.
This may be Boot Camp, but while one might imagine themselves as a soldier on a mission, there is no way I can attempt to look brave or stoic while pulling myself across the floor by my forearms, dragging a towel with my feet. Nor would I pass as the Bride in Kill Bill (in the hospital scene where she can't use her legs). At best: an injured caterpillar groping her way to safety.
As for jumping...apparently I couldn't jump to my death and land on two feet. One of our circuit exercises tonight was 15 reps of jump-ups onto a set of mats about 16 inches high. Laurel kept telling me to land on both feet and Katy encouraged me to lift my knees, but all I could manage was some sort of "Extreme Square Dance" with the mats. The harder I tried (with little mini-jumps on the floor) the more comedic it became, as it threw Katy completely off our reps. (Picture a drunken, jumping, polka see-saw.) It took 5 rounds of the circuit before I could actually hit the mats with both feet (and at that point I'm sure Katy was ready to jump off my body instead of the mats).
However, I should add that BCTG allows you to make a complete ass of yourself without feeling like one. Unlike other gyms where you can mind yourself with mirrors and check out what everyone else is doing, the BCTG routine keeps you focused on yourself. Not only is everyone pushing themselves, you simply don't have a moment to gaze around and compare yourself to others. You're not there to "work out pretty," and you won't be intimidated by the clients...just the trainers.
Speaking of which...BCTG's owner (and our trainer) Laurel Blackburn was selected as Tallahassee's 25 Women You Need To Know 2010 and an article featuring her can be seen here:
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201003020200/BUSINESS/3020321
And to my KO's:
- Katy, you are NOT the weakest link! I appreciate your energy and encouragement. It's hard to keep up with a 20-something, and I love how you push me.
- Hope: You inspire me by putting 100% into this challenge in spite of bad knee, illness, etc. You help me keep the negative wimpy thoughts away.
- Jo: We miss you and know how impossible it is to keep up with the fitness quest while on the road. Just do what you can...the GTO KO's and BCTG will be here for you when you return. If you can't exercise in Vegas, at least do some decent shopping! :)
Can I Blame My Lack of Posting on My Dedication to Exercise??
Ok, so it’s been ages since I’ve actually sat down to post. I will apologize to our thousands of loyal fan readers who I know wait with baited breath for each new post.
I wanted to do a theme for this blog, as that seems to be our trend. However, as I have just turned 24 and am now an old woman, my brain gets scattered and I know I will end up just rambling. So, here are some random thoughts from the past few weeks:
I have to admit I’ve been starting to feel discouraged and unmotivated- it’s hard when everyone is telling you that they don’t know why you’re even in this competition, you don’t need to lose any weight, etc.
However, I recently did a 6k “fun run” (oxymoron if there ever was one), and placed 3rd for the women! It was such a feeling of accomplishment, especially since it had been ages since I’d really run and pushed myself. My legs are just so much stronger than they’ve been, and I know it’s because of all our kettlebell training and boot camps! And it was just the energizing thing I needed. It felt good to see a measurable difference and to really say, THIS is at least part of why I am doing this competition!
My GTO KO ladies also came through for me, fitness-wise. For my birthday (did I mention I am now an old woman yet?) I got training gloves, magazines on women’s running and fitness, as well as a bunch of cooking supplies and cookbooks for HEALTHY eating! With Elise’s total aversion to running, I know how hard it must have been to be seen buying *gasp* running magazines! I guess I’ll just have to start making dinners (no carrots, I promise) for her to take home as a “thank you!” On top of that, I also got running clothes from another special someone. And it felt great, knowing that I do have the support to keep this competition going, to prove to everyone that there is a contribution I can make to this team.
I won’t let you down ladies! I know I am the “weak link” for our success, and I will work my rear end off (oh that would be so nice!) to make sure I am the strongest link I can possibly be!
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Play on Words
Have you ever noticed how words can make or break your day? CAUTION! The tongue is a powerful weapon!
The disambiguation of joker is to grab YOUR kettle bell and do overhead arm lifts! How man jokers (and hearts) did they have in that deck? And when did the Kettle Bell become OUR possession? Your is our without the Y!
Then there are words that cause that proverbial cringe! Now the next set I want you to HOLD IT....HOLD IT! Push ups and suicides! Did I forget to mention up a hill?
Whispered words! You can hear loudly those whispered words of temptation...like CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!!! I know you've heard your parents say Good Whispers and Evil Shouts! Is that why you cry out when exercising? Its just down right evil!
Concerned Words! Knee...shoulder...smile...breathe! The scale is not your friend! Are you ok? We want you to be able to walk afterwards! No pain No gain! Lets redefine pain and gain! Panic Attack Inside Nerves! Gee Am I Nuts????
Loving words! Massage...inspiration....Ice pack! I love your determination! Don't worry you will be able to get up and down faster!
Hunger words! Buffet...Fat! But I don't want to pick up a heavier Kettle Bell! I want freakin FOOD!
And you thought BCTG stood for Boot Camps To Go! More like Brutal Camps to go! Thanks Laurel and Mike! You two rock!!!!
The disambiguation of joker is to grab YOUR kettle bell and do overhead arm lifts! How man jokers (and hearts) did they have in that deck? And when did the Kettle Bell become OUR possession? Your is our without the Y!
Then there are words that cause that proverbial cringe! Now the next set I want you to HOLD IT....HOLD IT! Push ups and suicides! Did I forget to mention up a hill?
Whispered words! You can hear loudly those whispered words of temptation...like CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM!!! I know you've heard your parents say Good Whispers and Evil Shouts! Is that why you cry out when exercising? Its just down right evil!
Concerned Words! Knee...shoulder...smile...breathe! The scale is not your friend! Are you ok? We want you to be able to walk afterwards! No pain No gain! Lets redefine pain and gain! Panic Attack Inside Nerves! Gee Am I Nuts????
Loving words! Massage...inspiration....Ice pack! I love your determination! Don't worry you will be able to get up and down faster!
Hunger words! Buffet...Fat! But I don't want to pick up a heavier Kettle Bell! I want freakin FOOD!
And you thought BCTG stood for Boot Camps To Go! More like Brutal Camps to go! Thanks Laurel and Mike! You two rock!!!!
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