I Get Knocked Down...

Wow, where do I even begin? I know it's been awhile since I blogged and I have several in the works. But just for today I'm going back to my original method... Writing how I feel, when I feel it.

I had the most exciting weekend I've had in a long time. A weekend filled with finding out opportunities regarding school, opportunities regarding work, and spending time with my awesome boyfriend. What more can I ask for? Everything seemed to be going right. To top it all off, I have lost 98lbs and THIS was going to be the week I hit 100. 

For awhile, it's felt like I've been a fish swimming upstream. Things were going right but it was never easy. For once, it felt like I was going with the flow, and everything was perfect. 

I went into today feeling positive, feeling blessed, and being so aware of God's love and presence in my life. I started my day off with a PT with Coach AJ. I showed up with guns blazing, ready to burn calories and kill some fat! We started off on the battle ropes, not my favorite, and certainly a good workout. He then pointed me in the direction of the stair master, but unfortunately someone was on it. I was left doing the thing I dread most.... DEAD MILLS. 

For those who don't know, dead mill is an activity you do on a turned off treadmill where you lean into the handles and sprint, using only your power to move the treadmill. It's hard to explain, but you get the picture. These get my heart rate high and if you work hard enough, you're certain to get to taste your breakfast a second time. (At least in my case). But today I plowed through this activity with vengeance. I was going to hit the 100lbs mark this week if it's the last thing I did.

Exhausted from this, I jumped off the treadmill, so happy to be done with that portion of the workout. Unfortunately, I didn't see the dumbbells on the ground behind the treadmill next to me. My left foot landed on them, including all of my weight, and I fell face first into the ground. I immediately burst into tears. A combination of exhaustion, pain, and embarrassment, I couldn't even handle my emotions. 

Coaches and friends rushed to my side. Chef AJ immediately propped my leg up on his knee and tied my shoe tighter. AJ ran to get a bag of ice. Whitney was on the phone with 911. Jill, another client, rushed to my side to hold my hand. Erica was there to keep me in good spirits. 

It was a humbling moment. All of my hard work had come crashing down, literally. But not once did I not feel cared for. After I calmed down, adrenaline kept me in a positive mood. I was able to cut up with the handsome firefighters and rescue team that took me away. They put some morphine in me on the way to the hospital, I was loopy and although I knew it could be serious, I was okay. (Even when the ambulance driver hit a curb and I almost flipped off the stretcher!)

Thankfully after hours of sitting in the ER, the doctor came to me and let me know it was just a really bad sprain. I was so thankful and blessed that that's all it was.  I was happy. I was okay.

Now, almost 12 hours later, I'd be lying if I said I have stayed positive the whole day. As the meds wore off, the pain became excruciating. I'm on crutches, I cry every time I have to get up and go to the bathroom, and honestly I've just felt kind of helpless. That's a feeling I hate. I want to be able to do things for myself, and not ask for help.

But as the immediate storm passes, I know that God would never give me something I can't handle. As Andrew keeps reminding me, you can't find a rainbow without a little rain. 

I know this is a lengthy post, but I'm in good spirits and I know I can do this. I still have every intention of hitting the 100 pound mark. I am happy, and I am looking at all the things I can do. Sure, I can make a long list of things I'm not able to do right now... But guess what? There's another list of things I CAN do. With eating right, working with my coaches, I will push on. I will keep fighting. I will get this done. 

If I can leave you with one thing, it's that injuries happen. I know you have pains and limitations. I know it hurts. I know it's hard. But we can do this. Focus on the good and forget the bad. As the Live In Fitness life coach Jenny says, the difference between those who succeed and those who don't is your mindset. 

I want to thank those of you who sent me thoughtful prayers and text messages. Not a single one went unnoticed or unappreciated. 

I get knocked down.... But I get up again!

6 Month Progress Pics!

WOOHOO. I have been on this crazy journey for half a year now... and I'm shrinking!!!!!

And I Will Bike 100 Miles!

Back in January, in only my second post while at Live In Fitness, I announced what then seemed like the most amazing thing: I had ridden a bike! It’d been years since I felt comfortable or had the confidence to do such a simple thing. In only one week at Live In Fitness, I was ready to try it.

I wrote, “Pedaling in the sand for that long was so hard!”

It’s funny to look back on that now because that bike ride was only about two miles.

I never thought that I would fall in love with bike riding. I simply thought that it would be a means of transportation to get from my villa to the gym, which were about a mile apart. I never anticipated signing up for all of the group bike rides, biking to the movies, or even to the park to go running.

Now, only 6 months later, I am participating in all of the advanced level bike rides which are anywhere from 12 to 20 miles. This week alone, I have biked 101 miles!

If you had told me back in January or even May, that I would love bike riding so much, I would call you crazy.

Coming to Live In Fitness has transformed my life in so many ways and has even opened unexpected doors and interests that I never thought I would have.

I clearly remember going on a bike ride in February and going up this tiny hill in my neighborhood. It made my legs hurt and frankly, it was sort of exhausting! The advanced level bike rides include going over a humongous bridge with the steepest hill I’ve ever biked. Although I always dread it, it’s exhilarating and I always feel accomplished.

Live In Fitness has given me what was once thought to be impossible and turned it into my reality.

Believe In The Impossible

Hey everyone!

I want to share something that you’ve probably heard a zillion times already: You can do way more than you think you can — you just have to believe. I know that sounds a little preachy, but I’m reminding myself as much as I’m sharing with you.

At Live in Fitness™ I’m reminded every day of two things: weight loss is hard work and that the hard work is totally worth it, but sometimes, when things seem a little tougher than others, I need to remind myself to keep going.

It’s been a rough week of workouts here in South Carolina. It’s brutally hot outside and this Michigan girl is way out of her comfort zone. It is weeks like this that remind me how big of a role your mentality plays in everything you do.

My alarm goes off at 7:45A.M. every day, and every day I am faced with the same decision: get out of bed and work hard or stay in bed. I know that six hours of workouts awaits me. I know my body is aching, my muscles are sore and I’m tired. But every day I make the decision to get up and go, not because that’s what I feel like doing but because the rewards massively outweigh the difficulty.

As many of you know, I make noise in the gym lifting some heavy-ass weights. I often have older ladies standing around me, jaw dropped, wondering how it’s possible. Well, here’s my secret. It’s not that I’m ungodly strong (even if I act like it); it’s that I believe I can do it. I am not saying that everyone can lift the exact same amount of weight as me, but if you approach a weight or exercise and think it’s impossible, you’re right.

If you want to reach your goals, you have to believe in yourself. Day after day I watch ladies pick up 2-3 pound weights. Well ladies, I have news for you — you are stronger than that! Coach A.J. often says, “You can’t get a training effect off of lifting a pencil.”

Today several ladies were standing around watching me during CrossFit Quickie, amazed at the 95lbs on the bar. Afterwards, several of them gave it a little tug, trying to do a deadlift. All of them immediately said, "I can't do that." One by one Nick got them in proper positioning to deadlift, and they each lifted it. It was the coolest thing and truly touched my heart! One of my favorite things about LIF, is watching people do the "impossible." 

Getting in shape isn’t supposed to be easy, but it is simple! Exercises SHOULD be challenging and if the last rep is as easy as the first one, you can do more. So explore your limits, push the envelope and get out of your comfort zone. Oh yeah, and believe in yourself — the results will amaze you.

OMG Collarbones!

Weeks ago, losing weight at Live In Fitness seemed easy. I stuck to the routine, ate the food as scheduled, and did all the workouts. It was (and is) that simple. Funny, because people think that there's a secret to weight loss, but here, it's no secret - it's science. It's the most amazing thing; I do what they tell me to do, eat what they tell me to eat, and the pounds disappear.

But after 23 weeks of following the program, I was starting to feel a little discouraged... not because I wasn't losing weight, but because I wasn't losing it as fast. It wasn't because the program stopped working, or even that I stopped working, it's just that the lighter and in better shape I got, the pounds just didn't melt away quite as fast.

I needed a little boost... a little milestone to get excited about, and this week I got it. It wasn't a number on a scale or a compliment or anything like that. It was better.

I got out of bed, looked in the mirror, and saw something I've dreamed of seeing since I was sixteen: my collarbones. I'm sure there are some of you who can completely relate, and others who think that's pretty simple, even insignificant milestone, but to me it was huge.

I remember about a month into my program, I looked at Coach Nick and told him that the day I saw my collarbones, was the day I would go home because that's how exciting it would be. I'm definitely excited, but I'm not going home. I'm excited that I can see my collarbones, but I'm also excited to reach all my other body goals before I leave.

The collarbone sighting was a great reminder that my goals aren't just numbers on the scale, but the changes I see and feel in my body... and knowing that, with every positive thing I do, I'm moving in a positive direction. I may not be the skinniest I've ever been, but I look the healthiest.

Losing Weight & Gaining Friends

There are many things I love about Live In Fitness; the results, the coaches, but most of all, the people.

Every week has me building new relationships with people, young and old, from all over the world. Our group is ever changing as people come and go, but there’s one person who has been there for me from the beginning. His name is Anaahat.

I didn't know much about this 19 year old genius from Canada, but I knew we would become good friends. One week into our stay, I was showing off my super strength by lifting a log at beach boot camp. He didn't waste any time giving me a little friendly competition and trying to show me up!

Through these friendly competitions, he became one of my favorite people at Live In Fitness. We bet and compete on everything. From weigh ins, to work out times, to silly random things, it keeps me motivated.

But as fun and helpful as it is to see who can best whom, Anaahat is much more than an opponent who pushes me. He’s a true friend who offers support. If you know me, or if you read my first few months of blog posts, you know that I was an emotional wreck who wanted to eat her feelings away but knew that I had to stay on my program if I wanted to succeed. Anaahat made it a lot easier.

Things have gotten better and easier, and the pounds are disappearing for both of us (Anaahat’s lost almost 90 lbs.!), but it still helps to have someone I can count on for extra encouragement when I’m having a rough workout…or someone I can text who will remind me that a fast-food bender is a bad idea…or someone who won’t hold back when I need to be reminded that I’m slacking off.

Sometimes I don’t like being reminded of these things, but I love the fact that I have a new friend and accountability partner. I also love that there are others here, like Anaahat, that have felt the way I feel, that face the same struggles and are achieving the same goals. And I also love all of the coaches and staff at Live in Fitness™ who have given me a great program and the support to follow through with it.

That’s a lot of love…and a lot fewer pounds.

Never Too Old!

Hey everyone!

I’m happy to be back in Hilton Head, grinding out workouts day in and day out. I’m recovered, rested, and ready to go!

Naturally, when Sunday came around, I hit the ground running. I usually take it easy on Sundays, but this week, I decided to do Beach Bootcamp with Kelly.

I’m happy I went. We did a partner workout consisting of 16 stations. While one partner was working, the other person was running.

Every time it was my turn to run, I passed by a group of older (50-60s) ladies, all overweight. One stopped me and told me how much she admired all of my hard work, and the conversation went from there. Each time I’d pass her by, she would ask me another question… My name, where I’m from, how much weight I’d lost, how old I am, etc.

She was amazed that there was a program that enabled me to lose 80 pounds in so little time, but immediately downplayed it, attributing a lot of my success to my youth.

No joke, I stopped in my tracks. I explained that yes, I’m blessed to be so young and able to work out as hard as I do. I’m glad that I’m conquering this at 23 and not at 53.

But I also explained that, week after week, I watch masters (40+) come to the program and reach their goals. They work hard, and I admire them so much. There are far more older adults than there are young people at Live In Fitness™, and people here come in all different sizes, shapes…and all have different kinds of goals.

One of my first roommates, Laura G., was 70 and her goal was to be able to walk up stairs! By the time she left, she could! She was getting around so much better.

For the first two months of my stay, one of my best Live in Fitness™ friends, John (42), lost 68 pounds in only 8 weeks. Although he was older, he kept up with us “young folks” and got the results he wanted.

Yesterday my friend Laura Ross left, and she saw amazing results! At 57, she stayed at Live In Fitness™ for almost 4 months and lost 65 pounds. What’s even crazier is that she went from a size 28 to a size 16.

This week, we celebrated Bob (69), who is a grandfather! When he got here 2 weeks ago, he couldn't walk 30 seconds on the treadmill. Yesterday he walked 2 miles.

As you can see, all sorts of people come to Live In Fitness™ with different fitness goals but with one common goal: to live a healthier, fitter and happier lifestyle.

And all of us, young and old, are reaching those goals every single day!

"You're never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream."