Little Brother Boot Camp

This week I was determined to kick it into high gear and get even more serious about getting into shape. I am really determined to climb a rock wall. I have also set my mind to doing the mud-run at Camp Pendleton next June. I knew that my regular work-outs weren't going to cut it so I joined my brother twice this week as he coached his high school football team. I thought I would go out there and run with the teenage boys, lift with the linemen and do their drills with ease. Boy did I have another thing coming. On Tuesday I tried to run drills with them as they ran to the 20 yard line and back 10 times then 40 yard line and back 10 times and so on until the 100 yard line. I could barely do 5 of the 20 yard line before I threw in the towel. Then I went with my brother to the weight room. I told him I needed to work on my upper body strength. This guy is crazy...he had me do triceps, biceps and modified chin-ups. Then we did a couple squats before he bombarded my abs. We did all sorts of ab exercises. All of this was in the blistering sun. The next day I felt like a UPS truck ran over me, backed-up and ran over me again right before it dumped all the packages on me.

Feeling both motivated and discouraged I went back for more today. Today was even more intense. I ran/walked a mile, did squats, lunges (forward and side), leg elevations for my calves, and up/down drills with the players. I really pushed myself to the max today and I know I will feel it tomorrow. As difficult as this work-out is, I am so excited to enjoy the benefits in the coming months. I hope that next week I can see true advancement as I work on all my problem areas with the most extreme personal trainer I have ever met...my brother!

Camp Oakes Rocks!

This last week was awesome. I could not believe how easy everything was. I hiked all over camp several times a day and was never out of breath. I even took a mile hike nearly straight up hill at 4:45 am and didn't even raise my heart-rate. I was able to ride the horses for the first time in a really long time. I was anxious about getting on/off the horses. The thing is that the last time I rode the horses it took 3 stable people to help me up. This time, I was able to get on/off on my own the very first time I tried. I also enjoyed an exciting game of paintball fighting. This is the first year it has been offered and I was stoked to give it a try. I played 2 rounds and the first round I was stuck in my 'fat' mode. I told my team that I would guard the base because I couldn't run fast. The second round I realized that being in the wings sucked and I was no longer handicapped as it were. I told them that although I couldn't run fast, I had high endurance. As it turned out, I was good at this activity and I even managed to shoot someone without getting shot. I told John that we have to set this activity up with our friends and go play on a local course. I don't have any pictures of this activity because I was so into the game I didn't think to have anyone take pictures. I do, however, have a picture of me shooting the rifles which is my favorite activity.

I was also really excited about doing the high ropes course and the climbing wall. I went to the ropes course and tried to climb a cargo net but I couldn't make it to the top because my hands were going numb. I them hiked over to the climbing wall, strapped in and started to climb. I quickly realized that my upper body strength is weak. I called John nearly in tears and told him about my failure. He pointed out that I have not targeted my upper body in my workouts and that I should be proud that I even tried. It took my a while to accept this. I really wanted to be successful. I have decided to target my upper body at the gym and give the climbing wall another shot as soon as I am strong enough. Here are some pictures of my best efforts...

I have gotten over my original disappointment but I am more motivated then ever to reach my goals.

Week 22

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 217

Today's weight: 215

Weight loss this week: 2

Total weight loss: 80











I just spent a whole week at a resident camp with a bunch of crazy kids. I hiked all over the place from the time I got up at 6:30am until the time I went to bed at 1:00am. I am not sure why my weight loss is so low. My guess is that I didn't eat enough food because camp food tastes like butt and I am not into eating butt. Also, I am in such good shape that I didn't get out of breath very often which means my heart rate didn't go up enough to burn enough calories for weight loss. In any case, my weight loss is low and I hope to boost it this coming week at the gym and also by eating people food again.

Week 21

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 219

Today's weight: 217

Weight loss this week: 2

Total weight loss: 78

I was really hoping for a big weight loss this week since last week was 0 but I guess any loss is better than nothing.

Formal Failure

Every year I volunteer at a resident camp for kids ages 8-17. It is a highlight of my summer and I can't wait to go this year. In fact, we leave in just 4 days. There is so much to do and many themes which allow me to be silly in the coolest way. One of my favorite activities is the formal dinner and dance. I always wear a ball gown. It's so fun to dress up. For the past 5 years I have worn the same gown but it doesn't fit anymore. I thought I would wear the ball gown that I wore on our honeymoon cruise but it was WAY too big when I tried it on. It just so happens that I have one of my bridesmaid's dresses here. I originally wanted to wear it on our honeymoon cruise but it was too small. I just tried it on in hopes that it could act as my formal dress for the dance. The cool thing is that it, too, is too big. This is a big deal since when I tried it on after the wedding I couldn't even get it half way over my hips. The downer part is that I don't have a gown for the dance. This a good problem to have. I think I'll just wear a summer dress or something less formal. I am so excited about camp this year even more so then past years. I am in such better shape this year and I am looking forward to participating in activities that I have never been able to. For several years now I have not met the weight limit for riding horses...this year I do and I can't wait to ride. Also, I have never been able to make it to the top of the rock climbing wall...I am excited to see if I am strong enough to ring that bell at the top. There is a high ropes course that I have never even seen since I knew I couldn't do it. This year I am not only going to check out the course, I am going to complete it. I am also looking forward to hiking all over camp with ease as it take a lot to get me out of breath now. I will update you on my camp experience when I get back.

Here are some pictures of the honeymoon gown that I can no longer wear

Week 20...5 Months!

Original weight: 295
Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 219
Today's weight: 219

Weight loss this week: 0
Total weight loss: 76

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 1/2"
Arms: 1/4"
Waist: 0"
Hips: 2 1/4"
Thighs: 1/2"
Calves: gain 1/4 "

This week was a bummer because I didn't lose any weight. Although I knew it would be a low week it still sucks. As for my measurements, I am not as excited as I was last month so I will be kicking it up at the gym by adding some new activities to my workout. I have only been taking the classes but I am now going to start doing the machines too. I hope to have better news next week and more inches off next month.

By the way...this is the same shirt I wore on the day of surgery. I did this so I could compare the 2 pictures and remind myself that although I didn't lose any weight this week, I have lost a bunch in the past 5 months!

Out with the old

I have been noticing more and more that I can finally fit into clothes that I have been holding onto for years. I also have been noticing that most of my pre-surgery clothes don't fit anymore. Today as I was putting away laundry, I started taking clothes out of the closet that no longer fit to make hanging up laundry easier. This turned into a full closest clean-out. When I was done, I had 3 trash bags full of clothes that are way too big. I kept some sentimental things like my day of surgery pants, the shirts I wore to my engagement party and bachelorette party but tossed everything else. Now my closet is nearly empty but it feels good to get rid of my excess baggage so to speak. I still have enough clothes to last me a while longer so I won't be buying new clothes just yet. I am off to the Goodwill to recycle my fat clothes. I can't wait until all of my clothes are "fat" clothes and I am finally at my goal weight.

Week 19

Original weight: 295
Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 225
Today's weight: 219

Weight loss this week: 6
Total weight loss: 76

OH MY GODZILLA!!!! I can't believe I lost 6 pounds this week. That is incredible and I am so excited beyond belief. I am not sure what I did to get this number but I hope to repeat it next week. The only thing I did differently this week was take a hula dancing class one day but other than that, I just took kickboxing (which is my routine) and ate regularly. Whatever the reason, I am elated!!!!