No Pain, No Gain

Day 2 of boot camp is over, and my body is really feeling the workout now!  I learned a very important lesson tonight!  *  Do NOT eat within an hour of rigorous exercise, because it will most likely come back up during your exercise routine!!!  Yes, for the first time in my life, I threw up during boot camp.  I think it was a combination of getting too hot and having eaten dinner only 45 minutes before going to class.  Believe me, I will not be doing that again :)

Tonight we did a combination of weight-bearing exercises for abs, chest, legs, and back using the tabata method.  For those of you who have never heard of tabata training, it's essentially a high intensity interval training.  You do high-intensity workout for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest, and repeating for a total of 8 sets.  After the 8 sets, you get a 1 minute rest - then start the cycle again - for a total of 5 cycles.  Whew!  As I am looking at some of the information online about tabata, I am finding out that it is really the most effective way to train.  It will kick your butt!  A website that explains the workout in more detail is:  http://www.intervaltraining.net/tabata.html

I am enjoying meeting new people in class!  I am finding out that many of us have so much in common when it comes to our fitness / lifestyle goals.  It always helps to have someone you can relate to that will keep you motivated!  I can't say enough about the encouragement that Master Garza gives all of us!  He is truly inspirational.  The workouts are so hard, but I know that he would not ask us to do anything he doesn't think we couldn't do! 

Finally, I would like to give a shout-out to a fellow blogger that I just started following.  Mr. Huff came to speak to our boot camp class last night about his weightloss journey.  His story is so inspiring - much like my own story.  You can check out his blog at http://rufftuffhuff.blogspot.com/.  I would highly encourage you to follow his journey as well!


Well, it's late, and I have to go to my internship tomorrow morning.  Going to take a hot shower, gulp down some water, and take 800mg of Motrin before bed.  Till next time - Keep reaching for the stars!!  M

Super Inspiring Story

Inspiring story of a 400 lb man who finished the LA Marathon.  He was determined to finish even if he had to crawl across the finish line. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Sumo-wrestler-becomes-heaviest-man-to-ever-finis?urn=oly-wp14

Transformation

Boot Camp Orientation was amazing last night!  The theme of the evening, as well as the theme of my own life, seemed to focus on transformation.......transformation of body, life, and spirit.  When I found out that Master Garza was holding this boot camp, a strong will inside me pushed me to sign up.  In fact, I was the first person on the list :) 

Before heading to orientation last night, I was so nervous!  I'm not really sure why - I have done boot camp twice already.  In past boot camps, I have let my poor self confidence over take my ability to finish.  I can remember thinking that almost all of the other participants were so much better / faster / skinnier / athletic than me.  I always felt like the last one to finish a run or the first one to give up when I felt tired.  I think this is why I never fully finished a boot camp.  After fully opening myself up to the message of last night's orientation, I realize that it is God who led me to this third "try".  I feel different this time!  I feel a definite desire to succeed, not for my pride, but for my desire to lead a healthier life and maybe, just maybe to inspire at least one person who is where I was three months ago. 

We heard two people talk last night about their own struggles / successes with life transformation.  I realized at that point, that God had truly led me to this place.  It was almost as if they were "talking" directly to me!  I am so excited to know that I am not alone in this journey!  I have the support of God, my family, my friends, and 30 wonderful people I have just met :)  Reflecting on what I've learned over the past 2.5 months and even last night at boot camp, I realize that transformation is a life-long journey (a daily process).  I know that there will be good days and bad days.  But, what's most important is "being still" and trusting that God will give me the strength to overcome the obstacles so that I can make my body a temple to him.  Transformation is about celebrating each victory, be it small or large and not focusing on the setbacks!  I am so excited about participating in this boot camp!  Thank you God for providing me with such great support!!!

 Spring 2011 Boot Camp participants at PMA League City - There are 30 of us!

 Receiving inspiration and a wonderful message from Master Garza

Our fearless leader - Master Garza

On to other things - updates on my progress (since I haven't posted many recently):

• Weighed this morning, and I'm at 182 lbs.  Weightloss has plateaued a bit lately; however, I am hoping this boot camp will kick start it again. 
• I have been constantly wearing size 14 pants - down from 16 (at the start).  I have even worn a size 12 skirt that I haven't been able to wear in 4 years :) :) :)
• Reached my all-time record for my mile run last night at 11:45 min/mile.  Woo Hoo!!!!!!  Shock & awe is all I can say to describe the experience. 
• Only 12 more days until the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in Charleston!!!!  Can't wait to run this and bond with family & friends in my native South Carolina :)
• I bought a bike this weekend so I can start cross training.  Here's a stock photo (not the same color, but you get the idea) - A Cannondale Quick 5 performance hybrid

I hope to keep posting routine blogs about boot camp and our progress as a group.  So, until next time - celebrate all milestones - big and small :)  M

Boot Camp

So, Boot Camp starts this afternoon at Premier Martial Arts in League City.  I am signed up for 6 weeks.  Don't know why I am nervous - have done boot camp there 2x before.  We will be doing PT's tonight for the 1 mile run, sit-ups, and push-ups as well as weight and measurements.  I think I'm just nervous about the run b/c my last few runs have left my legs in excrutiating pain.  We shall see!  It's only 1 mile, as opposed to 3 like I try to do on my own.  I'm also doing boot camp by myself this time.  I've always done it with my friend Kara, so I feel a little apprehensive about stepping out there and doing it without her.  I guess she is like my security blanket.  I hope to post tonight when we finish to update my stats.  Wish me luck :)  M

G26810

On April 2, 2011, I will officially be known as # G26810 for the 34th annual Cooper River Bridge 10K.  My run packet came in the mail today, and I'm so super psyched :)

Praise You in This Storm

So, I started off the day telling myself that failure is NOT an option" for me in this fitness / weightloss journey.  I have overcome so much in the past 2 months since starting to reclaim my health/life. 

Rewind for a minute - Many people probably don't know that almost 3 years ago, I lived in and out of the hospital with major kidney problems and even had my urine draining into a bag (my third appendage at the time) - which I carried around in a cute purse.  Most people didn't even realize what that clear tubing coming out from my shirt bottom was.  Most of that summer was a huge fog to me, but I do know that my friends and family were there by my side....Where would I be without them today - I don't know!

Back to present, I never could have imagined after 6 surgeries in the summer of 2008 and a decade of infertility issues / loss that I would be able to complete a 5K in 44 mins.  Things sure have changed!  In starting this life transformation, I feel like I have found myself again.  It's like God has given me a new lease on life.  It's amazing how God presents us with life-altering experiences that either break us or make us stronger.  I have decided to be stronger, to live life to the fullest, and to be a happy person. 

Today, I approached my friend Mel about doing a 5K on 3/27/11 on Galveston Beach.  This would be the perfect pre-10K traininng.  Well, Mel decided to kick it up a notch.  When she found out that we have the option to do a duathalon (run & bike), she decided that we should join as a relay team.  High on life - I accepted the challenge.  Am I crazy???  Apparently, I will run / walk 2 miles, then she will bike 8 miles, and I will finish the race with another 2 mile run/walk.  The running portion of the race will take place on the packed sand of Stewart Beach.  Brent and I have talked about giving it a try tomorrow morning before committing to the duo relay part!  Wish me luck.  I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!!!

In the theme of pressing forward when it almost seemed impossible, I have decided that my theme song for today is "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns.  I hope it touches at least one person the way it has touched me! 

More to post tomorrow after our trip down the shore!  Till then, stay positive & Praise be to God!

"Live Like You Were Dying"

I know, I know!  I have been so slack in posting this past month.  I guess I let the winter blahs get to me and I got soft on my focus.  Weight loss has slowed a bit.  Right now, I'm around 182-183 which is a total of 17 lb weight loss since January.  I was so psyched b/c I was able to wear a size 12 skirt to work last week that I haven't worn in 4 years. 

Brent, Zoe, & I completed our first 5K as a family on 3/5/11.  The Methodist Hospital's Stride for Stroke was held on the beautiful Rice University campus.  Severe thunderstorms had gone through the area before the race, so the roads were wet.  We did not register for the race as runners because I just wasn't sure how much I'd be able to run.  So, we started at the back of the pack with the walking group.  We ended up running and walking and finishing the race in 43:57 - averages out at 14:15 minutes / mile.  We even ended up finishing before some of the registered runners did.  I can't even explain how elated I was to finish at my strongest!  On another note, the run was for a great cause - Stroke Awareness.  As of this evening, Methodist raised $93,132 for stroke research.  As the granddaughter of a man who had multiple TIA's (mini strokes) and a woman with an undetected brain injury that led to her death, I am so happy to have participated!!  For more info about Methodist, the race, and stroke, you can check out the following website:
http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=347569

Of course, we took pics to commemorate our run.

Next stop - Charleston for the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run.  My dear friend, Melissa, will be joining us for the big event (10K).  I have to step up my training over the next several weeks to get ready!!

In order to help with the 10K preparation, I signed up to start Spring Boot Camp at Premier Martial Arts in League City (http://www.algarza.com/).  I've been to 2 boot camps there but never finished either one of them.  This time, my will to succeed and finish is so much stronger!  I can't quit / fail!!!  Master Garza is truly inspirational!  I can't wait to start on March 20.  Will plan on keeping the blog updated on the progress of the boot camp :)

Finally, Brent, Zoe & I went to the rodeo on Monday night to play and watch Tim McGraw.  Our friend Melissa & her daughter, Marizza came with us.  We had a fabulous time!!!!  (Pics to follow).  A song that Tim sang really made me think about my fitness & wellness goals - I realize that I can't rely on anyone to accomplish these goals for me!  I have to do this for myself, relying on myself to get off my butt and do the work (pain & all) and give each day my all (as if it were my last). 

Till next time, live each day to the fullest!!!!