Goals for Body Back Round Two!!

It started all over again on Monday and I am even more pumped than when I found out I actually won the session!!  There is a new group of ladies, so a different dynamic and a ton of positive energy.  I love it!!

My goals for this session are as follows;

1.  Lose 15lbs
Eat out of the food journal only
Get in 5-6 workouts a week

2.      Develop a strong core

Do an ab workout 3x a week
Practice the "real" sit ups for 1 minute every night, add 100 crunches and the plank
Really focus on pulling in my belly during workouts and throughout the day
Lose 2 more inches in my belly

3.  Have a positive attitude to keep my motivation at the highest level
Continue to blog weekly
Set up weekly goals
Find a couple of workout buddies

We had last week off and I was able to incorporate a few workouts with my family.  Below is our hike on a gorgeous day in Del Mar.  It could not have been more perfect, fun-filled family hike with a beautiful view, trails decorated with colorful wildflowers and an introduction to a baby rattle snake that sent us flying up the trails screaming and waving our arms wildly in the air.  I am giggling again at the memory of it.  I have to give a big shout out to my cousins Mark, Beth and their sweet daughter Mikayla.  They are on their own healthy living journey and are doing so great!  Thanks for the inspirations guys!!  Love you!!!

I hope you will continue to read and think good thoughts for me.  I still have to talk myself into every single workout I do and all the encouragement helps me go further than I could ever think of going!

xoxo

Beth, Mikayla and Me



Victoria, Jeff and Me



I Actually Won!!! Yep, I cannot believe it either...

OMG!!!  I really did it!!  I WON the Body Back session, which means I get the second round of Body Back for FREE!!  Yahoo! This also means I can probably swing a 3rd round of the insanity.  Yep, I got the fever!!  But I am getting ahead of myself.  I have lost weight before, BUT I have never gained more strength and muscle in my life.  My body is changing dramatically and being on this program is assisting me with lifestyle changes.  I am going to be more intense than ever!!

Let's put this into a bit of perspective though.  I obviously was the least fit out of all the ladies.  I totally get that. But I also gave birth a mere 5 months before Body Back and had been trying to have a baby for almost 5 years.  Finally, having a baby was so emotional and overwhelming I knew I needed assistance in a huge way.  Body Back is what I needed to get me straight. 

I began Weight Watchers and “signed-up” for this crazy Body Back program!  I got my mom, Jeff’s mom, my sister, daughter and hubby on board to encourage and assist me in my journey.  Lola and Mia have committed to being there in the am during Body Back so I can do what I need to do!!! My sweet hubby wakes up to feed to baby so I am not a complete wreck during my classes.  I obviously could not have done any of this with out them!!  THANK YOU FAMILY!!! 

My biggest competition was this amazing girl who had watched a handful of friends make monumental changes in their lives.  This girl is gorgeous, super tall and yep, so nice too!!  She is everyone’s biggest cheerleader and hyped the group up on Facebook and in class.  By all descriptions, this girl is a firecracker.  She would bust your arse if you were slaking, slap your head if you were dragging and yell for you to “get the f&% up if you were lagging.  Thank you Aubrey for your spirit and fire!!!

By all accounts, she should have won the session.  But I did, and I am so proud I won, even if was only a mere 20% margin.  Apparently this is the closest ever, so I was obviously put in my place!!  I get it… I barely won.  But I still WON!!!  I am proud and will bask in the glory until I get the crap knocked out of me next round.  That will happen for sure. 

Thank you Jeffy, Mia and Lola for supporting me in this!!  I love you!  And thank you baby girl for motivating me to become a better mommy for you.

Please keep reading… I need you all in my journey!!  xoxo

Week Eight- I did it!!!

This morning was assessment day to see how far we have come from the first week.  I was so nervous I could not sleep the night before.  We weighed, measured, and took photos.  Then came the hard part- we did sit-ups, push-ups, side plank, plank, squats, bicep curls, and a run!  I am proud to say I actually ran the entire route and shaved a minute of my time!  Yahoo!!!  I improved in all the other areas as well.  But the run was a huge accomplishment for me and it was fabulous!!!

It also turned out to be pretty emotional for a lot of us.  To actually see the vast improvement on paper really hit home.  During these 8 weeks I would literally have to talk myself into getting a workout in, every single time and I am so glad I did because I feel great!  Of course I have a ways to go, but now I have the tools accomplish my fitness goals and make room for new ones.  Not only do I want my body back, I also want my sexy back!  J

I lost another 2lbs this week for a total of 11.8lbs.  I did 14 sit-ups (the real kind) and 8 (men type) pushups.  I doubled my squats, plank and side plank time.  I came pretty close to doubling my bicep curls too.  We will get our results in Wednesday!  There is a firecracker in our group and she is probably going to win.  She deserves it and I am very proud of all the girls!!  Who freaking knew a bunch of moms could be sooo strong?  I love it!!

I have to say this accountability blog has really made a difference is my success.  Thank you so much for reading it and encouraging me.  I have a week off of Body Back and then I start round 2.  There is a light at the end of my weight loss tunnel!  Hallelujah!!

I will report back on Wednesday!!

xoxo

Walk in the Hills of Del Mar!!

I am still on a high from my gorgeous walk with one of my best friends, who just happen to be my business partner, and who also had a baby just 2 months and 6 days after me!!  We use to do pretty much everything together, but since our bundles of joy take up most of our days, nights and everything in between, we have little time to talk about anything fun. 

However, today instead of meeting at the office or at one of our homes in front of the computer, we headed out to Old Del Mar for a serious power walk.  We were able to discuss what we needed to about our business, catch up with one another and truly enjoy one another’s company.  During the walk we took inventory of what was new on the real estate market and noticed who was remodeling or replanting.  We didn’t even realize we had been gone for over an hour, all sweaty and out of breath.  It was fabulous!!

My Body Back instructor said to find a workout buddy or two or three to make getting those workouts in more enjoyable.  Well, Jenny and I are taking our meetings on our walks from now on.  Hopefully, we can try and get another one in during with the babies.  So fun!

Thank you Jenny for a great meeting and all your encouragement throughout my journey!!!  I've missed you my friend!

xoxo

Week Seven-It's now or never!!!

I walked into Monday's class a little nervous and anxious.  You never know what to expect with these brutal workouts and quite frankly I was still sore from the 100's class.  It turned out to be a buddy class, which is so much fun.  I pushed myself extra hard because my buddy was there cheering me on and my buddy WON last session!!  It is inspiring to hear people's stories and know they were once where I am.  I really need to find a workout buddy outside of Body Back.  I need a workout partner that won't flake and is as committed as I am to getting and staying in shape.  Let me know if you know anyone. J

I did lose another 1lb, which is great!  It is the consistency that makes this whole experience real and really part of my life. To reach my goal of losing 15lbs though, I will have to lose 5.2lbs next week.  I know that is not going to happen, because I forbid myself to be extreme and work out 5 times a day or not eat properly.  Honestly though, I feel great and those 9.8lbs feel like 20lbs, because I am stronger, I look better in my clothes and I have definitely gained some muscle in places I never had before. 

This part of my fitness journey is coming to and end, but it is just a mere chapter.  Body Back 2 will be Chapter 2 and after that, I have no idea.  I better make a plan.  Maybe I will train for a 5k, who knows???

Now, I am focusing for assessment day, which is Monday June 13th.  I have been practicing, but today I am going to time myself for the "run."  I am still weary about starting to run because I want to make sure my knees are not going to give out on me and inhibit my progress for next session.  I plan to power walk the route, look at my time and adjust accordingly.

I will check in later in the week.  Thanks again for reading and thinking good thoughts for me!

xoxo

Annie is in it to win it!!!

I don’t think I mentioned this important motivating factor in the beginning of this journey.  Whoever has the highest percentage of loss (weight, inches, and the most improvement on final assessment day) will win another session for free.  I stated from day one of Body Back that I was going to put 100% into this experience and I can honestly say that I have.  My sore knees slowed me down a bit, but I am still committing to 100%!!  Doing my best is winning already, right??

However, I do want to win the next session for free and show everyone, including myself that I am strong.  Do I have a chance?  I think I do.  There are other ladies that are fitter and stronger than me, but I will for sure be the most improved!!  We shall see, but in the meantime, I am going to be consistent with my workouts and practice for assessment day. 

And at the end of the day, I am really only competing against myself.  But as Randy Jackson on American Idol says, “Annie is in it to win it!”  Watch out! 

xoxo

100's Class!

Today was our make-up class because of the holiday on Monday.  I was fortunate enough to get a sort of heads of from some of the girls that a "100's class," was coming soon.  Brutal? Yes!!  Empowering? Very!!  So the 100's class is 100 of each exercise- 100 squats, push-ups, lunges, dips, biceps and crunches.  Our instructor broke up each exercise by running or for me power walking to each destination and then we got right into it.  When we were finished we encouraged others to help them make it to their personal 100.  It was crazy, but kinda cool too.  The pushups made me want to puke for sure!!  AND our challenge did not stop there.  Nope!  By 12am we are suppose to do 1000 crunches.  Now 100 seems like nothing, right?

How many have I done so far you ask? ZERO!  I better get cracking, I mean crunching!!!  Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for all the encouragement.

xoxo

Week Six- Count Down to Assessment Begins!!!

So I lost another 2.6 lbs this week.  Not bad coming in from the long weekend, huh?  The total I've lost so far is 8.8 lbs and to reach my goal I need to lose another 6.2 lbs.  If anyone has any suggestions or would like to go on an extra walk or hike with me, please, oh please call me!  I have this week and next week to make a real difference and walk out of this experience with my head held high!!!  NO EXCUSES!!!

This has been quite a journey so far and I actually think I’m starting to like exercise.  I feel great after a good sweat and I relish the times I can get a good workout in.  Making time for me, especially if it is to exercise, relieves stress and in turn, I’m indeed a much calmer, happier person!  It’s almost addicting!  My ultimate goal is to make exercise and eating "clean" a part of my everyday life.  I know I will always have to think about it and make a plan to do it, but hopefully it will get easier because I ENJOY it!  I enjoy feeling healthy for sure. Running, not so much!  

I have already signed up for another 8 weeks of “Mama Wants Her Body Back” boot camp.  It starts a week after this one finishes.  Yep, I am crazy, but hopefully in a good way!

This week my goals are to:

1.     Practice for assessment day- sit-ups, push-ups, squats, plank, biceps & side bridge

2.     Eat only out of the food journal

3.     Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, no alcohol or non-fat lattes

4.     Have tea after dinner instead of saving my second snack for dessert

5.     Get in an extra walk daily

Think good thoughts for me!  I will keep you posted!

xoxo