With or Without you

To use a trainer or not to use a trainer?... that is the question! Well lucky for you, I have the answer.
Back when I started all this training and was offered the AMAZING opportunity to partake in the 12 week challenge, a lot of people said that I couldn't fail when I had a trainer by my side through the entire process... I'm not gonna lie a little part of me took offence to that statement. I felt like they were discrediting the work I'd be putting in. I mean yeah, I have a trainer, but I'm doing the work so how could anyone think this was "in the bag", right?  Well now I see that statement from an entirely different point of view...
Could I go to the gym everyday and work out, eat healthy and loose weight and maintain a healthy weight? Sure, I probably could! So why use a trainer? I'll tell you why, because if I hadn't I would NEVER get the body I want! I definately would not have put a bikini on this past summer and truth be told I would have quit 3 months in... lets face it we want fast results... one word "TRAINER"!!!
My experience with a trainer (and I've used 2) has been all positive, I'm pretty sure I got the best of the best in that department. There is  a lot to be said for pushing and encouraging and being held accountable. That part of a trainers job is invaluable. Those are the things that get you through each and every session. I promise you if Sam and Lisa didn't push, encourage and call bullshit on me each and every time I worked with them I would have stopped at the first sign of fatigue, who wouldn't??? And now that I'm on my own (physically) in the gym there are times when I can still hear Lisa in my ear saying "C'mon Jenna, you got this" or Sam yelling "PUSH! DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF" and THAT will drive me through that last set, sometimes with tears in my eyes! But I fight because I know I can, they taught me that.
Here's the important thing though... they TAUGHT me. Yeah sure they showed me how to use weights, and machines and cardio. Anyone could have done that I suppose, but they TAUGHT me how to use ALL that equipment properly and understand WHY I'm doing what I'm doing. When I train I am 100% focused on the muscle group I'm training. I won't say hi to you at the gym (unless I'm between sets) I won't answer a text message (well unless I'm doing cardio, or talking to my trainer... lol) and I won't get discouraged because I've been taught that way.
So now when people say "well of course you lost that weight and got in shape, you had a trainer" I'll say you're damn right and you should get one too!
I train online now so I am physically at the gym alone, but Sam is with me 24/7, she will never give up on me and will kick my ass whenever I need it.  How could I possibly fail when my trainer believes in me to that extent??? With or Without you? Always with, Always!

AB DAY!!!

Everyone has that part of the body they wanna focus on... and while it's true you can't really "spot train" you can still have a favourite work out. In my case it's ABS!! I love love love working abdominal muscles! It's also the work out that causes me the most pain about a day and a half later, but I don't care... I still freakin' LOVE training my abs!
You may not know this but having conditioned abdominal muscles isn't just "pretty", I mean yeah we all want that flat tummy, but it's also hugely beneficial to your health to have a lean middle! Seriously! Did you know that getting rid of that spare tire also lessens your risk for cancer? Yep! True story!!  That's not it either... how many of you suffer from poor balance, sore back or less than desirable stamina? Tighten that TUMMY! For real this is no joke, once you strengthen your core the world is your oyster!
There are a ton of ways to work your abs too, it's sooo easy to get a good ab workout, but I'll share mine with you because it's wicked awesome, and like Sam of BeautyFit alwasy says... "pay it forward"... Check it out, and give it a try>>>

I've included some pics for you as demo, which I took at home because I am not yet ready to ask random strangers at the gym to take my picture while in strange positions... hee hee!

First let me tell you that I do abs twice a week, on Monday (with my Back workout) and on Wednesday on it's own, AND I always do it with my cardio burn 500!

I have 4 different exercises that I do in sets of 20 (bicycles and hip dips I do 20 on each side totalling 40) 3 times. I do not break between each exercise, I do all for consecutively and rest between the 3 sets.

Leg raises: lay flat on your back place your hands under your bum or lower back and raise your feet up perpendicular to the floor then lower but don't let your heels touch the floor, they should be about 2 inches off the floor.









Bicycles: lay flat pull up into the crunch position bringing the knees up in a 90 degree angle. Put hands behind your head and alternate touching elbows to opposing knees.

Hip Dips: lay in a side  plank position and lower hip to floor, than raise up, keeping the core tight and controlled, back straight!

Captain'sChair with a medicine ball: - side note, when Sam sent me this training program and I read this, I laughed, sent a text message to my cousin telling her what I was going to do, she laughed... really hard, then I asked Sam if she was trying to kill me and she replied... "no breaks between sets" and I'm sure she was laughing too... you really should have seen Jim when he took this photo... he laughed too... Jerks! - okay so you're going to get into the captain's Chair and raise your knees up so you're in a seated position, with a medicine ball between your knees... you decide the weight, my advice don't be a hero!

So there you have it folks... that is my Ab work out and it's my fave... but remember, The great Jimmy Mentis once posted on facebook (quoted from somebody smart) "Great Abs are made in the kitchen", so keep your meals clean too!

RUN Beauties... or Walk with purpose

BeautyFit Beauties READY SET AND GO!

Today was a really big day for us BeautyFit Beauties! Over the last few months we've been raising money in support of the CIBC Run for the Cure. We, as a team raised over Five thousand dollars... YEP WE DID!!

Me, Amanda Weiss, Jacqueline Figueiredo and Crystal Cox

Some of us ran, like Jacqueline Figueiredo who ran her very first 5 KM, Kira Walker who came into KW from Toronto and Sam's mom who was here in KW all the way from Newfoundland!! Many more Beauties ran, and finished in great time!!

Sandra (Sam) Compton and her beautiful Mother all the way from Newfoundland

Kira Walker in the pink vest

Some of us walked, like me, Crystal Cox and Pam Roth, we walked with our children. We weren't alone either, we had some other Beauties walking by our sides! It was an amazing day, full of so many emotions and so much LOVE!

Me, Pam and Sarah Roth

Sidney Cox, Crystal Cox, Me (in the carrier are Kerrigan Inglis and Sarah Roth), Pam Roth and Ben Roth in the stroller

Crystal and Sidney Cox, me and Kerrigan

My family at BeautyFit gets involved in lots of important fitness events, but we also do our part for out community! I'm so proud to be a part of the team... Way to go gurrrlz! We did it!

"Date Night" revisited...

I have to apologise to my husband, because I do not thank him enough for how supportive he is! So here it is Jimbolina (he hates when I call him that) THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!
Back in March when I decided to make all these changes, he fully supported it, then again when I decided to do the 12 week challenge, stood behind me 97%! I say 97% because Jim and my kids ate what I ate, arranged their schedules around my training and BeautyFit bootcamps, went out and purchased a home gym for me... BUT!! He has NOT joined a gym or expressed any interest in working out with me... until now!

I was lucky enough to be able to obtain my gym membership through Jim's corporate plan at work, so he got one too! How freaking awesome is that??? I don't know for sure what has inspired the sudden interest... could be that Sandra (Sam) Compton nicknamed him "cupcake" (which I know he secretly likes cuz he smiles and blushes every time she calls him that) or if I've actually inspired him to want more out of life... or the fact that I can bike way faster and farther now... but what ever it is... YAHOOOOOO!!!
Having two kids at home is trying on any marriage, and there isn't a lot of time for just the two of us... so now our date night happens at the gym! We still get hot and sweaty, laugh and enjoy ourselves... it's just healthy now too! I love it!

ON MY OWN!

Hello my friends... long time no write... well there are a couple of reasons for that, the first being I have been crazy busy!! I've also been so focused on life I wasn't sure how to tell you all about it!
I'm well into my 3rd week of on-line training with Sandra (Sam) Compton of BeautyFit (www.beautyfit.com). No one said this was going to be easy and it certainly hasn't been... but for different reasons than I expected.
You may or may not know that I have a 3 year old daughter, and because I work for myself out of my home doing hair I am home full time with her. This has worked well for us, but she's become a bit spoiled because of it... ooops! One of the biggest challenges I've had to face is getting Kerrigan (Keeker) on board with my new training schedule. She is also attending day care for the first time! This was a HUGE deal for her!!! Well in the spirit of honesty, it was me that was the problem (I just didn't know it!) Keeker flat out told me she would not be going to day care! Period! So now what?? Well we went for a "visit" and she was a bit scared, I had to let go a little and let her see for her self that it was gonna be FUN!! Goodlife has a great set up for the day care, and the teachers are fantastic... they even give the kids their own memberships so they feel like they're really important!

I Got my OWN membership!

Now that we're in week 3 and nicely settled into our routine things are going much smoother... I'm still "dealing" with some other small challenges... like finding the proper equipment... I'll admit to bbm-ing Sam late one night because I couldn't find the dang Assisted Pull Up machine... sheesh!
I'm also having a bit of an issue with what time of day works best for what I'm doing... for example, I've learned that doing my training between 5 and 10 pm is HORRIBLE!!! It's great because I can go with my husband and we get to hang out doing what I enjoy, but the gym is ridiculously busy and it's next to impossible to get my stuff done. So I either do it directly after my am cardio or later at night... either way works for me so this was pretty easy to deal with!
Its always funny to me that the things I worry about leading up to a "change" are never the things that are "issues"...  and things I never expected to happen, like Keeker LOVING day care and my husband working out me (which is a whole blog post in itself... it's coming) are the biggest surprises! Life is good, even with challenges!

Back to School!

I love this time of year! It's always a fresh start, and new beginnings, full of so many new adventures! I may not be going back to school, but I am being schooled anew!
As of September 1st I have joined a new gym and committed to a new training program... exciting!!! I just got back from my last week (well okay, 11 days) of summer vacation and so tomorrow it's "back to school" for me!... EXCITING!!!
BUT... I'm a little bit nervous too! Deciding to change gyms was seriously a hard decision! I mean I REALLY REALLY love World GYM Kitchener, and the staff is so amazing! I can't even begin to tell you what a fantastic bunch of people work there! My 12 week trainer Lisa has become a friend, and my running buddy Sheryl who works the front desk is some one I will always have a special place in my heart for! Everyone there is so supportive and caring! So why not stay? It all came down to location... I joined Goodlife because it's located at the end of my street (almost) I can walk there with my daughter every morning and put her in the daycare and get my work out in! We're a one car family so this is really important to me... and there you have it!
So the other new and exciting... and really kinda scary thing is that I'll be doing online training with Sam from BeautyFit. I've had Sam as a coach for a while now in the group capacity... and she's been there 200% coaching me personally as well... but I've not been in this scenario with her. I know she expects every ounce of my focus but she won't be standing there pushing me... I'll be doing that on my own... for the first time! I have to be accountable to me!! I've been given all the tools and shown how to use them... and here's my chance to prove to ME that I have "it"! That I can do "it"!
I'm hitting the hay now... tomorrow is a BIG day! xo

Goals

Here's the thing about goals... you set them, you reach them... then what? Live happily ever after? I thought so! I was wrong... but not in a bad way... I mean I've set my share of goals in the past... and met them and life's been good. Let's take smoking! I started smoking when I was 13 (terrible!!!) and I smoked A LOT!! At least a pack a day... then I decided I wanted to be around for my kids, I set a goal to quit and I did! It's been 18 months and I am smoke free, no slip ups and it feels pretty great, the gold at the end of the rainbow... "happily ever after?"... sort of... see that started a chain of events. It gave me the courage to set and achieve other goals. Once I knew I had it in me to succeed it got a little easier to set a goal and achieve it, get more gold. Make it through 6 weeks of Boot Camp, CHECK! Give up my 2 large iced cappuccinos a day, CHECK! Lose weight, CHECK! Run, CHECK, Run a 5KM race, CHECK!
My goals are not all huge, balls to the wall goals, they aren't even all fitness related... My biggest goal has been to be a better person... and that is something that I will be working on forever... which brings me to my point... what about after? Once I meet my goals, get my gold... then what??
Here's another thing about goals... you set them, you reach them, get your gold, you live happily ever after... and then what? Well that's up to you... you could stop there and that's perfectly acceptable and you'd have every right to feel proud! Let's face it, achieving a goal is pretty damn awesome! And sticking to it, is work, so there's that...
For me things are a little different, and that's partially because of who I am, and partially because of who I've become!
I could be comfortable with what I've done to this point and it'd be pretty easy for me to maintain... because I've been given all the tools and knowledge to keep up what I'm doing. There's no shame in that either... but I'm not that person any more. My eyes are open MUCH wider now and I've seen too much... of ME! I've spent the last 5 months pushing and pulling, fighting and working, sweating and crying, straining and bruising! I have absolutely LOVED every single second of it! I'm not lying either, it's been such a rush seeing what this body can endure. I can't stop now... I have a bit more weight to lose, sure! I have some toning I want to do on my wobbly-bits, sure! But I want MORE!! I'm worth more!! I can DO MORE!
Here's one more thing about "Goals" they are forever changing and redefining. They have no limits, no bounds and no rules... because YOU set them! So here's my advise... DON'T! Don't stop setting goals, DON'T stop achieving them, DON'T limit yourself, CHASE every single rainbow and get YOUR gold!
I don't know where this journey is leading me... but I know it's a better place then where I was and I also know there is WAY more gold to be had!!

Maintain, maintain, maintain...

I have been so focused on the weight loss part of my lifestyle change since the end of March and then my vacation happened... I've been so incredibly busy making sure that my husband and kids enjoy what's left of the summer that I haven't even gotten on a scale since my last weigh in of the 12 week challenge. Now don't get me wrong I have been sticking to my clean eating plan, earning a small cheat here and there, but I haven't been hitting the gym 5 or 6 days a week... going to the gym is a lot different then taking a run, or swim, or bike ride.

The last few days I have felt pretty puffy... I had the flu and didn't take my BeautySlender... this is never a good feeling for me, I NEED it!! LOL and I haven't been eating much either... that too isn't a good idea. So when mother nature dropped off her little gift I thought my abdomen would explode! I don't know if I just get more bloated now, or if I didn't realise how bloated I actually got when I was fat that it just seems worse now... but holy crap it sucks! So when I got to boot camp tonight and Sam asked me to do a weight check, I flat out refused... I mean seriously, today is not a good day to weigh in... seriously!

But then I had to pee... so while I was in there I figured WTH, jump on the scale and lets see where I'm at... I haven't lost any more weight... ouch! But I haven't gained any either... that's a plus. Check out Sam's article on Summer Maintenance in Sandra's Corner under BeautyTalk. It's real easy to gain, especially while on vacation... but I haven't. I've learned to make the right decisions and keep myself in check, without compromising the fun (cuz I didn't even notice I was doing it) and just going about my life... how awesome is that??

Living the BeautyFit lifestyle is working for me... I still have some pounds to shed, I still have some issues that I have to mentally work through. I have days that are PURE CRAP and days that are bang on... but overall, I've got this! Everyday, vacation or not, I GOT THIS!   

Back At It! Lil bitty update...

WHOA! So I went on vacation for 9 days... yeah it was fantastic, but I'm back now! again WHOA!!
While on vacation I ate really well, not that I didn't have the occasional naughty tidbit here and there but I was really really careful about what I put into my mouth and I made sure that at least once a day I worked out... swam laps in the lake, rode my bike, ran a few KM's... whatever I could do to keep myself active. Man did I miss boot camp... and my fellow Beauties!!! To go from 5 days a week hard core exercise to swimming laps or going for a run... HUGE CHANGE!! WHOA! Did I ever feel it tonight! Twice I got so dizzy I actually saw spots, felt like I was gonna pass out while running... it was terrible!
Don't get me wrong, I love vacation! LOVE IT!! But I just can't let the intensity of my work outs falter for 9 days, that doesn't work for me, not anymore! I guess I'm officially a gym junkie! I'm still learning things, that's not gonna change... tonight I learned that a life style change DOESN'T take vacation...

Celebrating with FOOD

Isn’t it weird that whenever you come together with friends or family to celebrate there is always food! You would never have a party and not have snacks at the very least… and there is ALWAYS an abundance of food! NEVER one bowl of chips… 3 or 4 minimum. Dinner is never one course, there are appetizers, and desserts. The trick is knowing how to partake in these events without feeling like you’ve cheated yourself or just plain not enjoyed yourself!

I was just faced with this conundrum… and thankfully I was with the 3 people who would “get” this better than ANYONE else! I got really lucky!

Just as Crystal and I finished our 12 week BeautyFit Challenge another occasion crept up… The one year anniversary of my life changing journey… and Crystal’s, and Amanda’s… yep that’s right, One year ago this July each of us met Sandra (Sam) Compton… each of us have our own stories of how that happened,  but the result was the same for each of us… our lives CHANGED! Think that’s strange… we didn’t even realize we’d all met Sam at the same time… we also just happened to become very close friends and bond so tightly that nothing will ever pull us apart… all this while Sam sat back and watched… strange eh?

So Sam invited us all to dinner to celebrate and I’ll admit I was terrified… was this a test? How was I going to handle ordering at a restaurant? Could I resist? Would I be able to stop eating when I “should” stop eating? And to top it all off, I’d need to dress up… In fact, Sam’s exact words were “I want you to feel Sexy”… WTF?? Sexy? I’m lucky if I’d be able to pull off “cute”… as the days went on I started to feel kind of excited about wearing a dress that I loved, and getting all dolled up… but the prospect of ordering was REALLY weighing on me… no pun intended!

It’s actually quite funny because I’m pretty strong… I don’t scare easy and am not often intimidated… but I was completely unable to order… until Crystal finally asked out right “is this a test?”… You should have seen Sam’s face… and she laughed!! It was not a test, we’re adults, in charge of our own actions and should be able to eat at a freaking restaurant… right? Bhahahahah ummm sure…  Well finally we ordered, I had a Wildcraft Salad, Steak (8oz) and sweet potato wedges… and it was delish!  OH YEAH, and I had 2 small pieces of bread… YUP! I HAD ME SOME FREAKING BREAD!!!  Sam even took a picture of it… it was a monumental occasion! You have no idea how badly I was missing bread, and it was good… but I was able to stop too. I’m no longer that child who feels the need to finish EVERY BITE from my plate, anymore! Just because they put it there doesn’t mean I have to eat it… weird concept!

The same thing happened at dessert… Sam took us to Symposium, have you been there? If you have then you KNOW what a huge panic attack this caused me… and I had to keep my cool because no one else seemed to be freaking out… If you haven’t then let me just tell you that if there is any doubt at all that you will not be able to control your urges… RUN AWAY!!!

I ordered a piece of cake that was at least 8 inches high… had 3 layers… one chocolate brownie, one chocolate cheese cake and one chocolate mousse … OMG!! SOOOOOO  yummy! and back in March if I’d ordered it, I would have eaten every single bite of it (it was about a pound of cake, no joke!) and I would have loved it too! But now that I’m no longer delusional and I realize that this is a stupid thing for me to do… I brought half of it home for my kids and husband to share… Jim only got a tiny bite of each layer, but the kids loved it! So see everyone wins!

I mentioned a few times throughout dinner that I was gonna feel guilty on Saturday, because I was cheating… but the fact is I’m going to have to learn how to deal with food. I’m getting it, I can control the food, it doesn’t have to own ME! I stop eating when I am satisfied, not FULL or STUFFED. I can order dessert, I just need to make sure my weight is in check before and then work a little harder after to burn those calories! This is my way of life now. It’s not hard, it’s not a cross I must bear. It’s healthy living and I’m loving it!

Week 12 Weigh in and Measurement

Imma get right to the good stuff... cuz I know that's what you want... what are my final numbers at the end of this 12 week challenge:
                 Current                       Since last                Total
Weight:    143.2 lbs                      -4.6                          -20
Body fat   32.4%                          -2%                          -5.5%
Chest        34"                              -1.25"                       -4.25"
Waist        29"                              -1"                              -4.25"
Hips         34.75"                         -1.75"                         -5.25" (HOLY CRAP)
Thigh       22"                              -1.75"                         -2"
Calf         15.5                             -.25"                           -1"
Bicep       11.75                           -.25"                           -1.25"
Total "'s   147"                            -6.25"                          -18"

I don't need to tell you I'm pretty dang happy! And not just a little bit proud too! It's been really hard work... everyday! I've had amazing support! Incredible coaches! I have learned SO MUCH in 12 weeks and have completely changed my life! This is not the end for me, this is only the BEGINNING!
It's so funny cuz I totally thought that once I finished the challenge I'd celebrate with a Blizzard from DQ... and I may have one this summer, but my priorities have changed! So I have no desire to run out and eat something terrible because I know I'm gonna have to work EXTRA hard to burn those calories after... it's just not worth it! I still love food, and that's never gonna change but I know HOW to eat now, and how to keep my body fit and toned... that makes all the difference in the world! See:

I still have work to do, I'm not where I want to be yet... but I'll get there... and this time I'll STAY there! I have a bunch of new goal set and I'll meet them... I told Lisa (in a card, so she may not even know yet...) that I WILL run the Mississauga half marathon (WHAT!?!?!) with her in the spring! So like I said I'm not done... I'm just getting started!

I also want to say thank you to Sam and Lisa... I will never ever be able to put into words how much I appreciate what they have given me! There isn't a word big enough! It has been so much more than just "training", there was a lot of healing involved because a big part of me was broken and it isn't any more! This wasn't a "job" they were doing, they genuinely care about me and I feel everyday.
Being a Mom, I know what it is like to protect and guide and challenge and teach a child to help them accomplish goals... take that first step... When I started this challenge I was a child... Completely afraid and lacking knowledge, stubborn and not a little bit whinny... just ask them how much I whine!!!! I would never have been able to do this with out those AMAZING women! These ladies would make the best mothers... cuz its way harder to deal with an adult child then a real one!
I've said it before that Sam saved my life... and then the two of them CHANGED it... for the better, and I love them like sisters.

If you've been thinking about changing your life, getting into shape or even if you've made those first steps already but aren't sure what to do next... my advice to you: sign yourself up for BeautyFit Boot Camp. It will change you in ways you never thought possible... just ask ANYONE who's done a camp with the amazing and beautiful Sandra Compton!  Then RUN, do not walk, RUN to World Gym Kitchener and get an appointment with the gorgeous and crazy tough Lisa Nosal, set up some personal training sessions. She will have you doing things you only dreamed about... I'm not kidding, she's da bomb!! and listen to EVERY SINGLE WORD they tell you! They are brilliant and they know what they're doing, so pay attention and apply the info.! YOU WILL NOT FAIL, they won't let you... If I can do this... SO CAN YOU!
Why are you still here??? GO, RUN... Be Beautiful, Be You!

Woohoo Week 12!

Holy Crap! Do you know what week it is??? Can ya guess??? IT'S WEEK 12!!! I am in the very last week of my BeautyFit 12 Week Challenge at World Gym... This has been the longest and shortest 12 weeks of my life!
It's been the longest because I have been working SO HARD every single day and have been completely exposed... ON THE INTERNET for the entire challenge and it's been the shortest because I have completely changed my life! I've grown so much and done so much that I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone!
This week will be my final resistance training sessions with Lisa... although I'm fairly sure  we'll be seeing each other again in the fall! I will also have my last 2 Boot Camps of the challenge, but I'm only in week 2 of the 8 week camp, so that isn't ending either. I will do my final weigh in, measurements and pictures with Sam and Lisa (and I'm hoping Rebecca will pop back in to see the results), but I'm gonna be toning and training this new bod of mine daily so my weight and measurements will always be a reality (one I can at least deal with now).
So now that my challenge is coming to an end what will change? NOTHING!! Absolutely nothing is changing... the changes were made 12 weeks ago and there was never any intention of an "END" so, Yes! My BeautyFit challenge with World Gym is in its 12th week, but I am FAR from done!
I'll be back Wednesday to update you all with my results thus far, but they won't be the end!

The Dilemma of the "Little Black Dress"

This is the part I should be excited about, this is supposed to be the fun part... shopping!! Yay!! Right?... um no! I have no idea what size I am, I have no idea what will look good on me... I feel like a fashionably challenged child... which is almost worse than shopping in the fat section!
So Sam gave Crystal (Have you been following her blog on the BeautyFit website???) and I the "mission" of finding ourselves a little black dress... oooohhhh no! Where am I even supposed to go?? I have been looking forward to shopping for sooooo long and now that the time has come.... yeeeesh!

My loving and supportive friend Amanda (who's blog you should also check out on the beautyFit Website) offered to come along with me, she's a great friend and shopping partner because she gets what I'm dealing with... she's been there... her words to me: “Don't worry I've cried in many dressing rooms, I'll have tissue ready! I got your back or your boogers... what ever you need!” sheesh I love her! But the fact is< I know my first few trips out will be wondering around stores like a lost zombie... and no one needs to be put through that torture!

I actually got a bone thrown to me on the “little black dress” though... while doing my PM Cardio with the lovely Sandra (Sam) Compton on Friday night I remembered this little GREEN dress I have... I love green!! LOVE LOVE LOVE and I loved this dress... a few years back... so I described it to Sam and thought maybe I'd try it on... even though I make it a point to NEVER EVER enter that side of my closet... the thin side... the forbidden side!

I'm so much braver at home, in the safety of my own bedroom, with no sales clerks and no florescent lighting... IT FIT!! I couldn't believe it... it fit and it fit better than it did the last time I wore it... over 4 years ago... I was thinking it looked pretty good, but I'm still a little insecure and I needed an honest opinion... so I had my husband take a picture and I sent it to Sam... her response “HOLY F@#K”... to which I had a mini melt down... “WHAT?????” was my response...

apparently she was impressed, she like it, and said I needn't shop unless I wanted to... WHEW!!! Saved!!! And my esteem just flew straight up... I'm feeling like a million bucks...

Until Saturday morning when I woke up and realized I'm a huge wuss! I mean really I'm a CHICK! I have the need to shop coursing through my BLOOD! I won't be scared off by some little florescent light bulb or some bubbly sales clerk or whatever!!!

SO... out I go, ready to shop... nope... I still have NO IDEA what I'm doing out there... my confidence is better but I still have a lot to learn! There is always going to a hurdle and I'm not always gonna know “how” to handle it, but I WILL be able to! That is what is important! That is what matters, I CAN do it!

Protect the HOUSE!

Ever hear the term "The body is your temple.  Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in."  ~B.K.S. Iyengar, or "The human body is the only machine for which there are no spare parts."  ~Hermann M. Biggs  or "Be good to your body, it's the only place you have to live."  ~Jim Rohn, or how about "To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."  ~Buddha????? I could go on all day, but the point is,  We've all said stuff like this or at least thought it... but have we ever really heeded this advice? I mean seriously, how often do we take the time or money and invest in ourselves? If your kitchen needed reno's you'd do them, if your lawn needed mowing you'd do that too, if the basement flooded you'd call a professional to fix the leak... so why not do reno's on your body, maintain your body, ask a professional to help fix your body? Oh sure, it'll cost money... so does all that work around the house! And yeah it's gonna take time... but so does all that house work!  But ask yourself this question, who cares if you have the most beautiful house on the street, or the fastest ride on the road if you're dead? I know, I know "Wow, Jenna, harsh much?!?!" But seriously, think about it! We spend so much time and money on the "things" in our lives rather than on our bodies and that is just plain crazy!
Did you know that simply by being over weight you are putting yourself at risk for:  

• Heart disease and stroke.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Cancer.
• Gallbladder disease and gallstones.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Gout.
• Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for a short time during sleep) and asthma.

And every single ones of these risks can and will lead to death... so I guess I'm not so harsh after all huh? What's even more  crazy is that I'm willing to bet that every single person who is reading this right now, has a close family member who has suffered from at least one of the above! Still think I was being dramatic? Let me put it a different way... when you buy a house, you get an inspection... after you look at and scrutinise it like crazy. When you buy a car, you test drive it and have a mechanic check it out. Hell if you get a dog, you research the breeder and get a vet to check the pup out... now in every single one of those cases if you were told that there were major problems, would you still purchase???? Now do you think death is a major problem?  NEED I SAY MORE???
I started this whole process because I wanted to be healthier... but I didn't really get how serious my problems were... so when people ask me what motivates me to keep at it, or how do I do it... It's pretty simple... I GOTTA PROTECT MY HOUSE!!

Thinkin' you can't?

All through this challenge I've listened to so many people tell me why they just can't do what I'm doing... I say "pfft! YES YOU CAN!!"  I've heard every single excuse there is... and to be honest a few months ago I would have used a lot of them myself... truth is, you're right if you think you "can't" do it! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you WILL fail! Why? Because you started your statement with "I Can't"! That stupid little word, "can't" has been destroying lives for ever. In fact my very first email to Sam way back in February was very much so a "Can't" statement. Luckily for me she just ignored me... and she never takes me seriously when she's beating the hell outta me in boot camp and I cry out "I can't"... Lisa's the same way when I tell her "I can't" she says "C'mon Jenna you got this, YES YOU CAN" and I'm so grateful I have trainers/coaches that have no problem calling bullsh*t when they hear it. The bottom line is I can do it, I will do it and they know it as well as I do... I just need to be reminded... Cuz I don't even believe me when I say "I can't" I mean, look at all the things I CAN do... 

I can whip a huge heavy rope around like crazy,  and you have no idea how long a minute will last while doing this...

I can do susides until I almost die for real... even tethered to Amanda (and she's a freakin' Machine)

I can lift weights and believe me Lisa NEVER lets me off the hook, I finish EVERY set and the weights ALWAYS get heavier... never nice and light!

and do crunches... until laughing becomes a very dangerous activity... because my abs are burning!

I can even flip tractor tires and do walking lunges with car tires around my neck... Which I got a lot of flack for, I might add! Yeah I'm hard core!

ANNNNND I can do push ups... On my toes... YIPPY!

I like to whine and complain about what Sam does to us in Boot Camp and what Lisa does to me in training... I say I'm being beaten, and hammered and killed... in reality they are pushing each and every one of us to our own personal goals! When you really want the change, the life style, the benefits... your goals change daily, that bar gets raised each time you reach it, and a good trainer or coach is right there on the same page "coaching" and "training" you to do better each time. They'll tell you, just like I'm telling you.. YOU CAN DO IT!

Anyone can do this... I'm not special or extra strong. I'm not impervious to pain (sheesh I hurt all the time) and I don't have some sick compulsion to be covered in sweat, tears and RubA535... I'm just me, a former fat chick who decided to say "I CAN"... and I am. Who are you?

Time is tight... but so are my muscles!

Summer is a busy time for me and my family, so it ain't easy fitting extra work outs and extra gym time in. I've become a custom to a certain level of fitness and a "day  off" isn't an option... because I don't want to take a day off! But what do I do if I can't get into the gym or get out for a run or bike ride? I use what I have at home! I have a heavy bag, exercise ball, some dumb bells and a home gym... this does the trick when I'm stuck at the house... and the kids LOVE to watch and cheer me on!

 Thanks to my training with Lisa Nosal I know how to use this crazy contraption effectively!  Here I'm working my quads and lifting 80lbs, 3 sets of 15 reps.  Below I'm pulling 60lbs, 3 sets of 15 reps... it's a lot harder to do this without Lisa standing there pushing me... but that's what this is all about... pushing myself!

I'm not gonna lie... I LOVE to punch Sh*t! I've had this heavy bag for years... but it's only in the last few weeks that its been getting used and abused the way it should be! Sam has taught me how to properly beat the hell outta this bad boy and I do... almost every day... and I LOVE IT! It's not just a work out it's a tension releaser! My 3 year old daughter likes to sit on the couch back and yell "GO MOMMY GO MOMMY" the entire time I'm hitting... and I really love that too!



It's no secret that the reason I got fat, was laziness... and the insane amount of excuses I had about why I couldn't get fit... I lied to myself... and to everyone else... Getting fit isn't hard, not really. It's all about being open to change and accepting of it too! I went from sitting on the couch, watching tv and eating ice cream to turning a corner of my basement into my own personal gym where I'd much rather spend that time, and it didn't hurt at all! My idea of a relaxing break is no longer hitting the nearest Tim Horton's for an Iced Cap and a few cigarettes, it's hitting World gym for a boot camp, resistance training  or just to work on one of the cardio machines... Now when I look in the mirror, my thoughts are "look how great I'm doing!" not "how the heck did this happen to my body?" and when I eat I make damn sure the food I put into this body/machine is gonna make it run efficiently and effectively, so ice cream is off the list, and saved for a special treat!

This 12 week challenge has changed me in sooooo many ways, but I cannot seem to find one negative... not one!

Long Weekends aren't so hard now!

I've just encountered my second long weekend within my 12 Week BeautyFit Challenge... it's getting WAAAAAY easier for me! I've found a way to incorporate my life style into our family vacations without disrupting the fun for everyone else... I mean lets face it, they didn't get themselves into this mess, I did! So they shouldn't have to "suffer"... but what they don't know is that I have changed everything for all of us! As a family we eat healthier, and we are far more active... and they're loving it because NO ONE has used the words diet or exercise... it's a life style change!!

This weekend we took off an extra day and went up to the trailer, but just because I'm not near the gym doesn't mean I can't get my work outs in! And just because we're "camping" doesn't mean I can't eat clean and healthy! Being at the trailer used to mean I'd snack ALL DAY AND NIGHT on cookies, ice cream, chips... and my "meals" were drenched in BBQ sauce, and tons of butter and cheese on my potatoes, bacon and crusty white bread... mmmmm the list goes on and on... This year things are a little different, but not at all bad or hard (the kids didn't even mention the lack of "crap") even though there were still a few small goodies for the kids, I didn't even care!

Preping meals is easy, it just means a little pre-planning... Lots of fresh fruit and veggies, lean cuts of meat and wise sources of essential fats.

Cook up meat in advance - lean Chicken breasts on the 'Q

Chicken and salad

Breaky! Bran Buds, chopped apple and banana in milk

preparing for snacks... get it all ready ahead of time!

Getting my exercise is easy too, I can't get into a gym, but that won't ever stop me! I'll swim and bike and run... and the kids can come along too! It's great to get that quality time that we all need and have it pay off too! It's a win-win... for everyone!

Biking in the country is challenging and beautiful!

Biking with my son, sets a great example of healthy living and it's fun for both of us!

Heading to the pool is getting a lot easier now that I have the energy and I'm not so embarrassed to be in a bathing suit... the kids are pretty happy about that too!

 This Challenge has given me a new life and I'm living it to the very fullest! I biked over 36km this weekend, swam and ran and I felt great! That's a first! This summer is going to be our best ever! I may be almost finished my 12 weeks (I'm in week 9) but this journey will never end!

My 12 Week BeautyFit Challenge, Using the products I LOVE!!

Eight weeks in... and it hasn't been easy, that's for sure! I have pushed and pulled and fought every step of the way. Yes, I have the best trainers coaching me through this every step of the way, but I'm doing the work! I'm loving my new life and feeling amazing... but you wanna see the results don't ya? If you've been paying attention you know that I've just had a weigh in... how'd it go? Well lets take a look, shall we:
                     WEEK 4     WEEK 8

Weight (lbs)   157.8         147.8
Body Fat %    36.9          34.4
Measurements
Chest            35.5"           35.25"
Waist            32.25"         30"
Hips             38.75"          36.5"
Mid Thigh    23.75"          23.75"
Mid Calf       16.5"            15.75"
Bicep            12.25"          12"

So... in the last 4 weeks I have lost 10lbs, 5.75 inches and 2.5% body fat!

That's a total of 15.4lbs, 11.75 inches (total body), 3.5% body fat... WOW!
A lot of people have asked me how I'm able to do this... my schedule is tough and my eating habits are strict. I've even had people tell me I'm lucky that I have people walking me through this... which kinda hurts, because I'm doing the work, I'm making my meals and eating them, I'm abstaining from ALL those tasty summer treats, but do you know what REALLY helps me... my BeautyFit supplements! I would not be able to get through each day with out them! I do not leave home with out them... even on vacation!

Even @ the Trailer!!

Mind and Muscle Connection

Over the last few weeks my body had gone though a copious amount of changes, but so has my head... I've changed so much, and who the heck woulda thunk it!
It hurts a little to admit it, but I was totally weak before this challenge. I didn't push myself at all, I did ONLY what I had to do... in almost everything... ewww! But now I come from a place of YES (just like  Bethenny Frankle who I LOVE) and it feels amazing!
Last night we finished Week 8 of BeautyFit Boot Camp (that's 14 weeks straight for me) and it was so much fun, and wow, what an accomplishment! But afterwards we chatted a little bit with Jimmy Mentis (he's the kinda guy who has this ability to ask you questions that seem cut and dry until 4 a.m. when you actually start to analyse what he really meant) he asked us a few questions... "Is boot camp easier now?" and the answer is NO it isn't, but I'm soooo much stronger! Then he asked "Do you find you are 'pushing' or 'pulling' yourself" - I immediately said "oh I push" and I was pretty confident in that answer. I admit sometimes I gotta pull my butt outta bed to meet Lisa @ 7 a.m., but I push to do better every dang day!... Well as expected that question burned in my head ALL DAMN night... what did he mean? What am I not getting? What's the difference?

It's 7 a.m. I'm with Lisa ready to find out what she has planned for me and I'm like... "OH SH*T"!! I have 13 weight lifting exercises to do in reps of 10 and 15... this will be timed and done 5 times! again OH SH*T!  My first time through was 5 mins and 34 seconds... not bad and I feel freaking awesome... I get to the 4th set and Lisa tells me I've shortened my time each set... WHAT???? I'm pumped I wanna beat MYSELF! My body is screaming and I honestly feel like puking, I can't breathe ... I may even pass out... BUT, and this is the big thing, my MIND says "ROCK THIS!!" and I did... 4 Mins 39 Seconds... I "PULLED" myself through and shaved almost an entire minute off my time! And it's not over... I don't even get it yet... I have no idea I figured out what Jimmy meant... until Lisa puts me on the stair mill for 10 mins doing 2 minute intervals... I am dripping sweat, there is puke in my throat and my legs have been filled with sand.... seriously! Is she crazy, I can't even find the place of Yes here... WTF! EVERY SINGLE STEP I took in the last 4 minutes was completely controlled by my brain... lift right leg, set down, lift left leg, set down for 4 straight minutes...
I "PUSH" myself every single day and those pushes are easier every day because I have made a decision to "come from a place of Yes" but some times I gotta "PULL" and that is the hardest thing to do... make that connection between your mind and your muscles and that is training at it's best! My trainers push me, they pull me, they read me and they call bullsh*t when it's necessary but most importantly... they teach me how to do it myself! Push vs. Pull... I get it, do you? xo

Race Day

WOW! What an amazing day it's been already! If you've been reading along as I take this journey to a stronger, healthier me... you'll know that running has been a goal of mine. When I took those first steps to the new me back in March I set a goal to run a 3km race next summer... sometimes things don't go as planned... sometimes they're better!! I ran my very first race today, June 19th, 2011... that's more than a year early!!!
I can't even begin to tell you how freakin' scary it was to agree to do this (2 weeks prior to the race), but I believed in myself because I had so many amazing people standing behind me believing in me already!
So I ran today... not a 3km, but a 5km... yep a 5KM!!! and it felt amazing! As I was coming back into University Stadium to run my final 355 metres I was greeted by the cheers and smiles of the most supportive and loving women... I am so lucky to have these beautiful ladies in my life... Sheryl Gatzke the runner who inspired me and pushed me to run this race NOW, Crystal Cox, my soul sister and partner in this challenge and Sandra (Sam) Compton, my trainer and life saver. I immediately broke into tears, I was so happy and over come with emotion, that these ladies care so much about me that they would come out and make this that much more special for me was incredible... but I had to keep running... I still had to cross that finish line. While bawling and trying to keep breathing, I pass by the 2 paramedics and all I can think is "please dear God do not ask if I'm okay"... I'm pretty sure I looked ready to die... Just as I get it together from that I see my husband and 2 beautiful children cheering and waving... well I'm done, Imma sobbing mess, but who the heck cares I can see the finish line and I'm almost there... so I book it and just go for it... the time on the clock 37.22, my chip time 36.17... a personal best! I ran 5km today and beat my personal best... I rock like crazy!!!
Sheryl ran 5km in this race also and finished at 27 mins... WOW!! and Lisa Nosal, my super strong and beautiful trainer ran the 10km in 58 mins... HOLY CRAP! These ladies are great roll models for this new runner!! ... HA! I'm a RUNNER!!

Sherly, Sam and I... BeautyFuel'd!

Sheryl, Lisa and I... RUNNERS!!