Time to catch up!!

 It's been a long time since I have added anything to this blog!  You've probably given up even checking on it or me!!! I've participated in another transformation weight loss challenge, changed to a different eating plan, lost some more weight and gotten closer to my goal of health and fitness! 
So to begin with I'd like to introduce you to my team mates who encouraged me and pushed me and let me encourage and push them for 8 weeks of the Vigor Ground Team Transformation contest. All of us are over 50 and I'm the oldest at 65! So, we call ourselves the Booomer Babes!  There are 5 of us, Jackie, Connie, Donna, Mulu, and Susan!  It was a fantastic 8 weeks as we saw a lot of progress toward our goals.

 

Our pre-picture:  September, 2011

 

8 weeks later!
Our super-star with 18# lost was Jackie who
couldn't be there for this picture!



In all we lost over 54 pounds. The team concept was a first for us and it worked very well. Even though the competition has ended, we still consider each other team mates!  Everyone one of them made progress they didn't realize was possible!  They worked through challenges of pain, vacation time away, eating out challenges, sickness, all the obstacles that present themselves when we decide to change our lives for the better! And everyone came out winners!  All are continuing on the road to health and fitness---working to maintain the momentum and keep their eating clean through Thanksgiving,Christmas and New Years! Why not!!! There's always going to be something coming up that tries to derail our progress.  The holiday season is good practice for all of us!!

With my daughter
Rebekah at the Team
transformation party.



A Couple of Christmas's ago!

I have reached the point of 178 pounds on a given day! We all know that can fluctuate wildly some days!  At any rate I take the 178!  It is 1 pound under what I weighed in 1973 just before I delivered my first baby, Deborah!  I have to laugh because I'm much smaller now and far more fit than I was then, pregnant or not!  So again, that number is just that---a number that gives a bit of guidance or reference, but not a final or difinitive reflection of who I am!


Along with turning 65 and joining medicare I was given a 'free' gym membership and chose a local gym where I can do my cardio on Tues/Thurs when I'm not doing boot camp.   Today I delivered my grandkids to school, then stopped by early for a spinning class. Since I had about 45 minutes before the class, I was able to do a lot of foam rolling and stretching. I added to that our usual boot camp dynamic warm up and a lot of ab work!  Like 12 reps of each: While on my back on the mat--lifting large ball over my head with my feet, v-ups, runners sit ups, pilate like sit ups, bridge, etc. What is so encouraging is that they are pretty easy for me to do because we do a lot of these at boot camp and are challenged to do them to the point of failure!  Therefore 12's a breeze!

I went into the spinning class warmed up and ready to do intervals---15, 30, 45, 60 seconds of sprints with recovery; lots of hills and other intervals. Was able to push myself and if sweat is any indicator of effort, I put forth maximum effort since I haven't sweated this much at cycling for a while!!!



Leaving it all on the turf at Boot Camp!

 Let me be quick to say it does NOT in any way replace boot camp!  I'm forever sold on boot camp and the opoportunity to challenge my body to do a bit more each time! I'm far stronger than I was a year ago, but not nearly as strong as I can or want to be! I can do 12 full body push ups before I have to start doing cheater push ups and then regress to the knees totally!  And if I just stick with the knees---I think the sexist term is 'girl push ups'----I can keep those going for a long time! Last year? Could hardly do 1 from the knees. I can do jumping lunges now--last year? Maybe a partial---like hardly bend the knee partial----static lunge on one side at a time!  Burpees?  No longer dreaded and usually I can knock out quite a few at a time! Bear crawls? Getting better all the time. Even trying them backwards on occasion! Still LOVE the ropes even when we have to do them some crazy new way! Sprints and side shuttles? I hold my own---just trying to keep from tripping over my big feet!!! But I do know how to fall!  Have gotten some practice at that lately!!! Kettle bell dead lifts, swings, farmers walk, etc. challenging my form and weight all the time. 

My size 22 jeans!!



6 months and into size 14 jeans

There is so much I can do this year that I thought would be impossible when I began a year ago!  It's fun to look back from where I've come, but even more enjoyable  to share with others that it is possible for them to do it too!!! I love to see new people at boot camp and to encourage them to keep coming, to not give up, to set goals, to celebrate the little achievements along the way;  If I can do it, they can too!


 

After the last team transformation!
Total of 66#  lost!!

 

Just a reminder! This IS BEFORE!!!!

My hope as you read this is to encourage you that you can do more toward your health and fitness than you are presently doing. I challenge you to get going right now. Don't be tricked into thinking it will be a goal in January. The sad truth is this: If you can't get started right now even in the midst of holiday eating challenges, you won't be any more successful in January either. It takes a made up mind and determination---a choice, not a preference, a conviction from the gut that you will succeed, you can do it-----and when you have that?  Holiday eating is no more an obstacle or help than a new year!  So work on that head, what's on your mind, your self talk---get it into the right place. I know you can do it---others knew I could do it even when I had doubts. So go ahead with my confidence in your success and get going on it!!!
Happy THANKSgiving------
                                     Babyboomergrandma--Susan

I even made the "front page"!!!