Little Legs.. Lots of work

I call them little leg days because they seem to be the only ones that I don't vomit with. Training recovery time is getting faster with me. At first it was easily 3 days of intense pain and wimpering like a baby even as we moved on to the next body part 2 days later. I will not say my body is getting used to it because that would be a FAT LIE but I will say my tolerence for being uncomfortable has definately increased. So, today we motored through the session in record time and that's when he flipped the page and there was more! Sneaky guy added stuff when I wasn't looking.. LOL

I had Sheryl video for me today. These were both the last 2 on the list for me. WITH the new added "drop set" push to failure drop and go again craziness. I made it through alive today. I was much more on my game today and it felt much better. I didn't tell him not to talk to me when he asked if I was ok, so that right there in itself was a clear sign I was going to live to see him on Friday morning. I am seeing changes in my body and so are others. It feels like it is worth all the hard work and every drop of sweat. I have had body changes before but these ones are totally different. Hard to put it in to words actually

Here we go... Enjoy!  And as the saying goes... If you still look good at the end of your workout you didn't train hard enough. As you can see I was a sweaty mess and it was NOT pretty.

Hard work = Sweat and Pain

I have had a few weeks now of training. For me I start wrapping my head around what I am about to endure as I am tying up my laces in the change room. It is a slow and methodical process. Making sure I am fully prepared for the next hour. Nothing could have prepared me for last weeks Leg or Chest and Tricep session. Post leg session I spent 25 minutes in the washroom praying that the vomit and the spinning and the cold sweats would stop. Post Chest and tri session my arm clearly was NOT functioning as my mind was willing it to when I wanted the door open. It gave out at the very moment it needed to and I walked face first into the door.  But WAIT! I didn't end it there. I went to a BeautyFit drop camp Saturday Morning. It was great to change things up and focus on my conditioning. THEN Sunday came! We had a conversation just the day prior about how I was not having my migraines as I had been before and that my head was feeling great. So, here is how the conversation went between Sandra and I...

Me, (at 1:45pm) " Good Morning!... I've been in bed all day with an ice pack on my head (pretty sure we spoke too soon) I literally hurt from the tip of the last hair on my head to my nail polish! My ass, quads, sides of each of those parts and my calves are pulsating. I think my hamstrings fell off during round 5 of the frog jumps yesterday morning.

Sandra, " Oh.. That's all..." "That's a great status"

Me, " No there's more but my fingers are numb from the lack of circulation coming from the intense chest and tricep session I had on Friday so I had to cut it short"

Sandra, "You're lucky we didn't do tris then"

I laughed a ridiculous amount over this. She understands what I am going through and that was the support I needed at that moment. Almost like, It's ok Amanda.. I get it! You hurt! But it could always be worse... and now I am giggling at you.. LOL

I would like to say that my internal conversations are much different but sadly they are not. This is how I keep myself amused at the fact that I hurt like holy hannah. My body is changing and I can see it now. I am being tested as to what I can handle or what I THINK I can handle and then Luke adds more. He knows I have more push in me. I do my best and I put forth all I have each and every time. I didn't come to play around. There was a guy there today that said to me that it would be a lot easier if I didn't have weight on the bar during squats... I gave an amusing response but wanted to say something totally different. And again I didn't come there to look pretty. I am gross and sweaty and you can wring out my under clothes at the end.

I do not EVER walk out of there questioning myself saying, " Did I do my very best today?" No I don't, and today I got that little bit of outside validation, aside from my PT, that I AM doing this and that I AM doing GREAT! My fellow Beauty Sheryl was there today and she looked right in my eyes and said you did a great job today. My squats were heavier, he put me on an awful hack squat contraption ( Thank goodness I didn't crap my pants cuz it was very possible it could have happened ) and then 1 leg pendulum presses. Holy S*&@ Balls, my quads were like concrete today. The walk down the stairs was a bit frightening for me. This was option #1. I did however ask for a piggy back ride during lunges but since he did legs the day before he was a little sore. Option #2 was to just fall down the stairs and pray that someone would come to our rescue.. I chose Option #1. Mostly because I knew I would still need to show on Monday ready to give it all and bruises or not training was going to happen.

As I keep going through this I will still mudder under my breath and to myself as my own personal motivation.. You GOT THIS!! COME ON! This is NOTHING! DO IT! GO!

The conversations you have with yourself are your best motivation. You can achieve more success with daily affirmations then you can without. I see in my mirror YOU ARE INVINCIBLE (as well as some boy toothpaste spit at the bottom)....... What do you see in yours?

Ambition, Exhibition and Personal Training

Well I guess it's time for me to start journalizing this next step. I am a bag of mixed emotions but the one that I have full control over is fear. I am fully aware what I am afraid of... it is the unknown!.. LOL  Frankly there is nothing wrong with a little bit of fear. I am going to embrace each and every step of this process. It may be the one and only time I ever do this and I am good with that (for now). I am 2 weeks in with my personal trainer and he makes me sore because he works me like an Alaskan Husky running the Iditarod (and fully aware it is going to get much more intense!). He also makes me cuss a little.. ok a lot, but it is not directed at him. He doesn't yell but I am expecting it one day. Almost wanting him to, to get me to get angry. That's pretty sick eh?.. LOL

This is such a personal journey for me for a few different reasons..
1. I know I am mentally strong enough to do this. I have come so far AND overcome so many obstacles.. let's see how far I can be pushed now
2. I am physically capable of anything I put my mind to
3. I have never seen myself that fit before EVER. Maybe selfish but I want to be my husbands arm candy for ONCE in my life and feel inside like I am from the moment I slip my heels on.
4. I want my boys to be proud of me for starting something and finishing it. To show them that if they put their mind to something they can accomplish ANYTHING
5. Frankly I WANT to wear clear heels.. LOL (as my son calls them.. glass slippers)

These next 11 weeks are going to be insane! But not nearly as insane as doing cart wheels on the side of the I90 in New York on my way home from Florida 2 weeks ago. I swear I am not kidding!

I would also like to address one more thing here. I made a HUGE Financial obligation and personal commitment. I have also placed a WHOLE bunch of faith and trust in a total stranger. His name is Luke Curry. He is the man that makes me grunt, groan and sweat like a man in public. He is focused on me for 1 hour 3 times a week. He came highly recommended by my certain special someone (Sam). She understands that I have some trust issues and she felt confident enough in his abilities to place me in his hands for this transformation. I am comfortable with him. He took the time to get to know me and listen openly as to who I am. Also, He is just as excited as I am about this. The fact that we share the common goal of getting me on that stage in October in the best shape I can be is wonderful.

So here I sit a little bit sore with a belly full of healthy foods counting down to the next time I get to eat. So with peanut butter and egg white dreams I will be heading to the gym for my 2nd cardio of the day to earn each bite.

ps... I am down 5lbs already and I don't care if it is water weight or not... I am happy to see the numbers on the scale move in the right direction.

I was Road Trippin’ in the USA

Bags were getting packed, children were excited and the dogs were wondering what the heck is going on. Well let me tell you.. It’s VACATION TIME.  For anyone trying to stay on track with any kind of diet or eating right plan, like ME, long road trips or vacation of ANY kind can be a killer unless you are prepared before you leave. My game plan was the same as every year. Healthy snacks are first and foremost for all of us with one bag of pretzel mix as the only junk food allowed. So off to Dutchies Food Market I went for Fresh fruits and vegetables at a ridiculous cheap price.

This is how I snack when I travel. It truly is my life saver. Also when you travel sometimes your body gets bound up so all the vegetables keep you regular too. Let’s face it, it’s life and we all poop. Hot breakfast is always a stop for us. We need the fuel in our bodies to keep going and to start the day off right. We pulled in to the parking lot in Hackers Creek, West Virginia to see the drive thru line up of about 20 cars for the McDonalds and not a 1 by the subway. We LOVE subway breakfast!!! Why don't they?  

Foot long with Eggs whites, lots of vegetables ( yes I added baby spinach ) and a whole wheat bun is 2 meals right there for a whopping $5.00. I KNOW RIGHT?!?!?!?!  If the choice is there I am making this one every time.

Next problem for me used to be staying awake and requiring lots and LOTS of really big coffee. This year, not so much. Day 1 was 1 medium coffee and day 2 was the same but I never even finished it and Spark ended up drinking it. So for a gal that used to drink an extra large coffee and then go the sleep right after I was done I think that is a HUGE step in my progress

I own a time share week here and this is a great advantage for vacationing. I have access to a full kitchen and I am responsible for all the meals that I make. I know exactly what I am eating and how it is prepared. There is NO guessing game for me. I do my own shopping and I can choose my meals according to what my plans are for the week. I can also plan ahead to make sure that I am not eating the fast food crap. Although I did find that truck stops and convenience stores are making better choices in what they are offering. This is what they are offering at the Sheetz in Virginia. 

 This made me smile that I had a choice for something as simple as a yogurt or for an apple instead of chips and a chocolate bar.

Moral of the story is the age old Boy Scout oath.. Be Prepared!

Laughter say WHAT?!?!?!

I just want to keep my blog today short and sweet. Everyday I am given a reason to laugh. If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting my 17 yr old, you would understand.

There are couple of sayings that are recently popping up all over the place. They go a little like this..

Are your friends making you fat?
Is your spouse making you fat?
Is stress making you fat?
Is eating too much / too little making you fat?

Well how about this one for a change of pace...

Is where you work keeping you heart healthy, happy and fit?

Where I work YES! Laughter truly is the best medicine and I do a LOT of that at my job. Over nothing in particular just because we can. Sometimes also because we do something totally ridiculous to ourselves and not on purpose but it just happens. This is what I recently found..

Laughter is good for your health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body.... A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system.... Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart.... Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

This is January and frankly it is not the greatest weather outside. One day rain the next snow and on and on. If by chance you need other ways to help you get though the long winter months at a boring job or in a place where you can't break out in a random silly dance ( I can do that at my work.. LOL )and you are unable to get away on a warm tropical vacation ... Please take a moment and read Sandra's recent blog on beating the winter blues.

So with that said... instead of doing something that scares you everyday try doing something that will make you laugh till you pee your pants! ( Also you get a really good ab workout if it is done right )

Ready or not... Here I come!!!

I have mentioned a few times before that I have Big BIG plans ahead for me for 2012. Well now it's time to let you know what's going on. I want to compete. October 2012 in Kitchener. http://www.physiqueassociation.ca/opaschedules To walk the stage in clear heels, spray tan and a really awesome bikini with my favourite person, Sandra Compton, right beside me the whole way. I am fully prepared to be judged by society, family and friends and frankly I say "BRING IT" because there is NOTHING that is going to stop me from doing this. I decided I wanted to do this June last year when I saw the Oxygen model search at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I have enormous support already from the few people that know and I am ready mentally for this challenge. This is more than just a Bikini show off.. These competetitors are athletes beyond anything that you can imagine. The time and dedication and the mental focus that is required is beyond anything you can ever imagine. So please educate yourself before any judgemet is passed.... And to that I say WATCH ME FLY!!!!

Now, it is Jan 12, 2012 and as I sit here on my couch typing this out I have sooooo many things that I want to say. First and foremost BeautyFit Boot Camp has started a new session and my excitement is disgustingly overwhelming. I am back in my routine of normality and it feels sooooo good!! It was an extremely emotional night for us Beauties. Day 2 and tears are falling not out of pain but out of diving inside ourselves. Publicly displaying our weakness'. Openly letting each and everyone of us there know what we have already accomplished and what we yet want to. No judgement, just open hearts and overwhelming support. For me it was extremely emotional. This camp is my 1yr anniversary camp. 1 year ago I walked in a meek girl in a fat beat down body with zero self esteem and no direction in my life (So you can imagine what a blubbering fool I must have looked like tonight) I didn't even know how to skip rope.. LOL..let alone know how to spend the next 6 weeks, 1 hour at a time finding myself. 1 year later I am not that meek girl. I am a strong! Confident! Determined! Beautiful! Sexy! Down right freakin AWESOME WOMAN! I may still have some squishy on me but it is ALL me. I am proud of ME. I am proud of each and every woman that walks through that door 2 times a week each camp and says... I can do this. I have said it before in my blogs and I will reiterate it for the ones that are just now jumping in.... I leave it on the floor. Leave the bad day at home or work, the anger and frustration from words said to me or by me, the helpless feeling of things I can not change but are forced to deal with. I leave them on the floor in a puddle of sweat and tears. I am not alone in this. We ALL will go through it at one point or another in the next 6 weeks. And damn will it feel fantastic to release ( wait till kick boxing starts and that heavy bag is your Biotch.. LOL )

I'm going to end this by saying this... Don't let anyone stand in your way of what you want to accomplish. The biggest one being yourself. Fight for it. Dig deep down and yell at the top of your lungs I AM WORTH IT! Sandra said it tonight and she has every camp before.... We all have our own stories. We are the author of our mortal lives so write the best life you can live and surround yourself with people that HONESTLY support you and love you during your journey to a better you.

So ready or not World.... HERE I COME!! I have come a LONG LONG WAY and I am INVINCIBLE!!

NO EXCUSES

I want to tell you a little story about a woman that in my mind is incredible. She made me angry when I was listening to her. Not because of her personal story but because reflection of all the status updates I read about how someone can't because they are sore or they have a medical condition that supposedly restricts them from doing activity. How they spew garbage about how they are "going to make changes" to get reaction from their FB friends. It is a bunch of crap and it needs to stop.... here is why!

This woman had a stroke while driving her car. She did such severe damage to her body that she will never be able to live a "normal" life again. That normal life that we get to wake up to everyday. Where we can put our own shoes on and run out the door in an instant, go to work yet complain that we are tired and our feet hurt from standing for a few hours, Get a migraine and let EVERYONE know that once again you got a ticket for the sympathy train and you need a hug. Seriously the list goes ON and ON!! Her normal life consists of huge doses of pain medication taken before she can even get out of bed, Her husband helping her get dressed because meds haven't numbed the pain enough for her to do it on her own. And only being able to wear slip on shoes because when she bends over to tie them she loses her balance and will pass out.

Ask me where I met her. Go Ahead! Ask me... Forget it I will tell you. She was at the gym on the treadmill walking. Walking and smiling and singing to herself to the music in her ears. When I saw her in the change room conversation ensued. I wanted to know her story and she was so happy to share it with me. She told me that she wakes up everyday knowing that she is lucky to be alive. Happy to be alive and won't let one minute pass where she doesn't appreciate the new lease on life that she got. She said she has nothing to complain about because nothing could be worse that what she went through already.

.... yep I cried when I got to my car. I cried for her. I cried for me. I cried for every person out there that wants to get up and move and can't because they physically are unable. And then I got angry for the people that are able to move freely that are pissing their life away complaining and making empty promises to themselves and to everyone else.

I am so glad that I met her. She is amazing beyond my years.

Take it for what you want but this was my morning.... Get up and move!!! Stop complaining, suck it up and MOVE!!!