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!!