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Swimsuits

Susan Nooney — Tue, 01 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Last week I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I went bathing suit shopping. I haven’t had a new bathing suit in years. In fact, the last time I bought one was about a year before I got married. I figured it was time to start looking. Recently, I’ve noticed that some of my clothes fit. It’s sad because, clearly, I was squeezing into them. It was nothing for me to have red indentions from wearing jeans. That’s sad. Because my clothes hurt to wear, I would wear gigantic t-shirts and stretchy pants around the house. I know my husband loves it.

Anyway, I decided that I would just see what swimsuits were out there. Just go and see. As flattering as they probably are, I don’t do skirts. I had a skirt swimsuit when I was in high school and college – before they were even remotely cute. Me & an expectant mother could be expected to wear the same one. Talk about self-confidence! Back then, plus sized fashion was terrible. I one time showed up to church wearing the same dress as an 80 year old. Exact same dress. I never wore it again. I also don’t do 2 pieces. Child please. I wouldn’t do that to my own worst enemy.

So, I told myself that tears were not allowed. There are plenty of days left until the pool opens and I always have my trusty dusty suit at home. So let’s just go and see what happens. I kept a very open mind. Just chill out, try a couple on and if it doesn’t work, I can just go back home.

I thought back to where I was in January (and really months and months before). The scale wasn’t really moving. I wasn’t really…ok I wasn’t…watching what I was eating. I was going to 2 classes a week. So I was half….I wasn’t really giving 100%. I’m now taking 5 to 6 classes a week. That’s not meant as a brag cause I still stink at running….and burpees….and so much more. I have really been trying to eat less processed food. I cut back to one coffee a day. I was drinking 3 and my coffee is 80/20. 80% creamer and 20% coffee. I’ve been doing my best to prepare meals myself, even though I am married to an awesome chef. The only problem with that is that he loves to use heavy cream in almost anything. Do you see my daily battle?!

Anyway, I found three suits. I figured that was enough. Again, just taking it easy. You have no idea how many crying fits I’ve had over clothes. A bathing suit is a whole different category. I put on the first suit and I smiled. That’s never happened‼‼ Now don’t think I’m ready to strut my business down the catwalk. Calm down. I will still dive for a towel if I see anybody with a camera. I was just thrilled that I was remotely content with what I had on. The second one was good too. I couldn’t believe how certain body parts changed – for the better. The third, well it stayed at the store. I bought a bathing suit without crying. At 34 years old, I feel so grown up that I did that. Shoot, I’ll probably go back and get another one. (Did I mention it was $15?! Bonus!)

The point of this is that you get what you give. I have been giving and I didn’t have any expectations. I have been doing my best to push my body. It’s not easy to get up and be working out by 5:00 am. However, I really really enjoy it. You know, we’re always our own worst critic. I’m always going to be harder on myself than anybody ever will be. I still have room for improvement but the work is starting to pay off. Sure, I still have a long road ahead but it’s ok to look at what I’ve accomplished. You know, stop and smell the roses. I think we all would agree that there is nothing wrong with that.

“How do you do it?”

Susan Nooney — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

I’ve recently heard from multiple people, “How do you do it?” Well I’ll tell you. See, I’ve been with Extreme Fit for about 2 years. I took off for a few months here and there but it’s close enough. I’ve met so many wonderful people. I’ve met many not so wonderful people too. Like the woman who called me an ox and said she never wanted to be my partner or the person who didn’t know what deodorant was. Anyway, when I look back at the very first month compared to now, it’s like night and day.

I couldn’t run a lap. Our location has a track around a pond that really is beautiful when you’re not sweating, running around it and dodging geese. Yes geese. The first time I was told to run around it, well I didn’t. I walked 80% of it, thought my heart was going to come through my chest and I felt like a loser. Now I can at least jog one lap, possibly 2. Although, that hill gets me every single time. The amount of irony involving my battle over that literal hill could probably fill a football field. Please know I’m not bragging. Jogging is not running. I stink at both. I just know the difference in my first month and where I am today. I’ll proudly take the jog any day.

I never caught my breath. Ever. I would find myself needing to stop & try to catch my breath before moving onto the next exercise and I was so frustrated. Every single thought was “Is she crazy?” or “Why is she so mad at us?”. Rachel was my teacher at the time and she’s not crazy AND I’ve seen her mad. You don’t want that…I promise. Two years later, I can handle going from one exercise to the next. I’ve learned when, where and how to catch my breath. I’ve learned sometimes that if I just stop and count to 5, I can move on. Trust me when I say 10 is too much.

I wondered how people had conversations. I would be so out of breath and tired that I would hear people talking and laughing and it would make me mad. I wasn’t mad at them, I was mad at myself because I had no clue why I couldn’t talk at all. Not even an “OK”. I had to give a thumbs up, Fonzie style at anything. In the last few months, I’ve been able to talk and laugh some. It’s not much but it’s something. I was doing a parachute run around our track and my partner, not my usual but my next best favorite (shout out again – she knows who she is) and she talked while I listened. I muttered out a few words. I often laugh during certain parts of the class. I am now the person that I always wondered how they seemed to enjoy the torture.

I didn’t understand how it was an addiction. I’m the kind of person that if I pay for something – I use it. I might not like it, but I use it. I once belonged to a gym with a tanning bed & I would go there and tan just so I could say I went to the gym. Sure did. See, I enjoyed the first month of boot camp but I wasn’t addicted. The warmer the months got, the less I enjoyed it. I paid and went but I wasn’t thrilled. Why did I keep signing up? (Glad you asked) Chances are, I signed up right at the end of class for the next month because my endorphins were crazy high so I had to come back. It’s a vicious cycle and that’s how I roll. Now, I don’t think I could live without it. I don’t care if I’m behind everybody & running & crying. I am always glad I came and cannot wait until the next class. For the record, I have cried in the year of 2012 in boot camp. It was cold (ok barely below 50), it was well before 6:00 AM and I was able to conceal it and just pretend my nose was running. It does run when it’s cold. That’s not a lie but one time, at band camp, it was.

I don’t hate certain exercises – AS MUCH. That last part is super important. As much. When I heard any of the following phrases, I would get a knot in my stomach & want to go home:

“Burpee”, “Parachute Run”, “Mountain Climbers” or “Weights over your head”. I hated them all equally. No, I loathed them. I would rather go to the dentist than do any of those. Ok that’s a little dramatic but I’m trying to get my point across. Now, I dislike them but not equally. Probably because I’m not terrible at some of them. I’m not good either, but I can do more exercises than I used to. When I’m not good at something, I tend to quit. To quote a tv character “I never lose competitions. Mostly because I quit if I’m in last place”…..and Bingo is my Name-o! I would think doing 10 burpees really seemed like 100. Now, I’ll take 10 over 50 any day.

The point of all of this is that I don’t suck. You don’t suck. Nobody does. It takes time. Some people make it look so easy and effortless. Others make you want to call 911. I’m somewhere in between, or so I think. Whatever the case may be – give it time. Give it a chance. Rome wasn’t built in a day and as long as you’re trying YOUR best, the rest are just semantics.

Outside of boot camp

Susan Nooney — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Outside of boot camp, I really am a fun person, or so I think. The other day during class I heard “Uh oh, Susan’s quiet over there” and my lovely friend said “Susan’s always quiet”. It is true but only during class. It is a documented fact that I’ve always gotten in trouble for talking. It began in 2nd grade and continues today. I would’ve defended myself but I was in the middle of 50 burpees. Ugh…burpees. Where was I?

Any performance evaluation I’ve ever received, at work, is about how I socialize too much. No joke. I had one just this month that mentioned something about talking too much to co-workers. Blastmaphy! I kid. I wish I could defend myself, but it’s unfortunately true. The rebellion part of my personality wants to say “Tell me something I don’t know” but that’s just rude! I swear, talking has to be one of my hobbies. If something has a heartbeat or brain, I will talk to it. However, along with my fun side, comes the blunt, harsh, and often impatient person. I’ll call a spade a spade, even if I’m not asked. Let’s call it Brutal Honesty. Having said this, some of you may not like what I’m about to tell you.

There is no quick fix to losing weight and keeping it off. Whew….a load has been lifted off of me. You’re lucky I’m not charging you to read this. It is hard work. You can starve yourself. You can take over the counter medication. You can drink nothing but liquids. Pick whatever latest fad is out there and go for it. But I guarantee you, the weight will come back. You cannot expect fast results. Slow & steady wins the race!

It’s real simple. Calories in versus calories out. You don’t have to cut out anything. You just need to watch the portions of what you’re eating. Add more fruits and vegetables. Find other spices and seasonings besides salt and pepper. There’s a huge aisle in the grocery store of spices. Pick something you’ve never heard of and buy it! Just know that you don’t have to eat just lettuce and ice cubes. Oh & you can eat out too. Just don’t eat the entire portion that you are served. Make the most out of a meal and take half of it home. Besides, that $10 meal, just became two $5.00 meals! Boom!

The other thing you need to know is that you have to exercise. You have to sweat. I recently read a saying that just cracked my junk up. “Sweat is fat crying”. Well let me tell you, my fat is really depressed. I didn’t think it was possible that I’d be outside in 30 degree temperature in a t-shirt and watching steam come off my head. It is. You don’t have to do a marathon or train like an athlete. Walk. Jog. Ride a bike. Do a video tape (Yes I realize it’s not too popular to pop in a Buns of Steel VCR tape. If you haven’t experienced that golden nugget, you’re missing out). Just do something. Anything.

If you ARE in boot camp – amp it up. Add more classes. Do the extra workouts. Push yourself in any capacity! I recently had a horrible experience with plastic hurdles that just embarrassed the mess out of me. When I went under it, my big ol’ rear end knocked the bar down. Nobody else knocked it down. Trust me, I looked. I went from apologizing to cussing in 30 seconds. When I was supposed to jump over it, I freaked out & just couldn’t do it AND THEN I got called out. It was totally mental and I just didn’t push myself. On the flip side, I got a compliment on my running skills. That also cracked my junk up but I was super appreciative. (Sidebar: The person that complimented me, always uses what I type in these blogs against me – I love it!!) I have been working out more than 2 days a week. It makes a world of difference even though I was blessed with the infamous Spencer speed. It’s genetic. I need a shirt that says “My sprint is your hustle” or something like that.

Whatever you do, give 100%. Don’t compare yourself to anybody. That’s just a general rule of life! Do what you can do and be the best at it. We are all different, wonderful and unique people so none of this comparison business. Be you. Be your best and know that you’re not the only one out there trying to succeed.

Changes

Susan Nooney — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

I have been with Extreme Fit for almost 2 years…give or take a few months here and there. My scale hasn’t really moved. I knew I had to change something because working out wasn’t my problem. I knew it was what I was eating. I was halfway keeping a food journal. I wasn’t honest. I tried to eliminate dairy and sweets. That only made things worse. You can’t live a normal life when you eliminate a food group. If you think so, try it. You’ll eventually get into a fight with your spouse because he (or she) put cheese on your sandwich. I tell you from experience.

I guess I thought because I was (or am) burning 600-700 calories, I needed to eat like a champ. I would come home and act like the Tasmanian Devil. It wasn’t necessary. I had just spent an hour sweating, crying and bleeding. (Yes bleeding. I recently lost a layer of skin on a rock on the palm of my hand while doing a burpee. No pain no gain, right?!) Yet I guess I totally forgot all the hard work I did because my actions showed it.

I had to have a heart to heart conversation with myself. Literally not figuratively. I was working out and my scale wasn’t moving. (Sidebar: Google “Why The Scale Lies” and read that article.) I had to ask myself the honest question of “Why”. I had to be honest with myself. I knew the answer but didn’t want to admit it. On top of that, I honestly felt (and feel) super hypocritical to be blogging for a company called “Extreme Fit” and be the size I am. Not that I would say I am a “Fatty Fatty 2 by 4, can’t get through the kitchen door” kind of gal. Save your comments. I just want to be able to hold my head up high when I talk about boot camp. You cannot, I repeat CANNOT take one or two classes and expect results. So I decided to make some small changes because I have a mentality of put up or shut up. Ok really, I can’t use the phrase I love because it’s not polite BUT it involves going to the bathroom or getting off of the golden throne.

Here’s what I did y’all. I changed my hours at work to come to an early morning class in addition to my night classes. I sure did! Do you know how hard it is to get home from boot camp at 7:30 at night and be back at & working out by 5:00 AM?! It stinks!!! I changed how I’m working out too. I try so hard to push myself harder than normal. It’s up to me to set that standard. Standing around while listening to instructions doesn’t help at all. I changed my eating completely. I’m trying my best to eat 3 balanced meals a day. I eat a small snack in between and only if I’m hungry. I used to think I needed to eat a snack at 3 because it was 3. Nope. I have to figure out when I’m hungry and when I’m not and ignore the clock. That hasn’t been easy. I changed the amount of water I drink. I don’t know how many ounces or cups or servings. I do know that I have doubled my water intake thus doubling my trips to the golden throne. See kids, it always comes full circle.

Guess what happened: Within four weeks I’ve lost a little over 7 pounds. I sure did. Again, save your comments. In life, you get what you give and I wasn’t giving. I would tell you I was but I wasn’t being honest. As my dad would say “The truth hurts” and boy does it!

I have a long road to travel. If I told you the pounds I have to lose, you wouldn’t believe me. If I told you it’s easy, you wouldn’t believe me. Well maybe you would. However it is hard and it would be easier to quit. So when you’re frustrated at yourself remember that eating a piece of cake isn’t going to kill you. Doing 1,000 jump ropes isn’t going to kill you. It might but we’ve all heard it before “Nobody died from boot camp. If they do, you can all go home”. Just so you know, that last part is a lie.

Time for Resolutions

Susan Nooney — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

It’s new year. Time for resolutions. Save money. Be nicer. Sign up for some crazy hour long workout class.

There are people who are new to boot camp. I feel the need to give some advice to those newbies after having completed a week of boot camp. I feel the need to tell you that I’m not an athlete. In my family, running isn’t in our gene pool. Seriously. I don’t teach any class. I’m just a normal person that has taken boot camp for a while. I’m not a size 2 – oh how I want to be without another number in front. I’m always at the back of the pack. I’ve just been around the boot camp block enough to know that I’ve seen/done things and you aren’t the only one. Everybody that’s been in boot camp a while was a newbie at sometime. We all understand and feel your pain. The fact that you showed up should make you proud. I can’t get any friends to come to class. Well I did once and I had to beg her not to go to the car and go home. So here’s some pointers from an average person:

Whether you’re used to running, walking or sitting on the couch remember this: it’s not easy but it does get more tolerable. The first class seems so horrible. Shoot, the warm up seems like torture! However, the further you get into the month, you’ll be able to look back and realize how you’ve progressed. I promise. It helps to do as much extra workouts as possible.

Everybody is on different exercise levels so don’t compare yourself to others. Some people have been taking the class for 1 month and some for more than a year. We are all struggling together for an hour. Honestly, I used to think because I was (and still am) pretty much last at everything that everybody was thinking I was a failure. Turns out, I was the only one thinking that!! Everybody is so busy thinking things like “I can’t breathe”, “I feel like Jell-O” or how insane your instructor may be for making you do this, that you aren’t thinking about other people.

Most people will either cry or throw up. I cry and say really bad words. I’ve shed so many tears that I could fill a swimming pool. I hate crying at a movie theater so imagine how embarrassing I’ve felt crying while exercising. However, I will ask that if you’re a puker, please step as far away from the group as possible. Pretty please?! I’ve had to run while covering my ears and yelling out “Please don’t throw up there”. I tried to politely ask but it didn’t come out that way.

When people are telling you that you’re doing great or a good job, they really mean it. If I’m saying it, then I truly-honestly-for-sure mean it. Half the time, I can barely breathe so when I can get it out – I mean it. This may or may not encourage you, but sometimes I think of a friend or family member (my own husband) that isn’t doing a thing and that makes me feel better. Then again, I’m super competitive so it may not work for you.

Some classes will be easier than others. What I mean is there are some days that I can give a billion percent and love it and enjoy the hour. There are other times, it’s the last place on earth I’d rather be. Everybody struggles once in a while. It’s ok. Just try and push yourself as much as possible.

What you eat is very very very important. In fact, it is key. If you want to be faster, stronger and leaner – don’t eat chocolate cake and crackers. Unfortunately, that’s what I’ve been living on for most of the past year. So this past week, I decided to cut back on as much processed food as
possible and saddle up again. This hasn’t been easy because sometimes it’s quicker to grab something that’s not necessarily good for you. So the days I have class at 5:00 a.m., I have to pack my food for that day the night before. More on that later. One day, I swear I’m going to be able to write a post saying “I did it”. That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it.

I encourage new boot campers to go back and read previous blog posts. Surely something in there will give you some kind of help or motivation. Just know that you aren’t alone in whatever you’re feeling. Keep on moving y’all.

Just a few Facts

Susan Nooney — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

I feel the need to tell you a few facts that you may or may not know about me. Maybe you can relate. I don’t know. Shoot, you may not care but here goes:

* I get super nervous before class. No matter what, I have butterflies. I feel like I’m 12 years old and going to the dentist and today is the day I found out if I have to have teeth pulled. (Sidebar – I had baby teeth until I was 15. I had several pulled. I had braces put on and wore them for several years. So I have a horrible fear when I go to the dentist) I’m nervous right now thinking about it.

* I like sweets and desserts. I like them too much. I eat them to the point that I get sick. I really don’t think anybody understands the realm of my love for sweets. Ask my husband about the Dairy Queen Blizzard of 2008 incident. I have never and will never pass up dessert. When I go out to eat with people and the waiter says “Anybody care for dessert?”, I look down at the table, pick at my fingernails and never ever answer. When there is a collective “No”, I am immediately mad at everybody and mumble “I guess not”. I always want it but I don’t want to look like a pig.

* I don’t like to talk during class; however, I love to listen to others. Now 99% of the time, I can’t breathe. I just like to focus on getting through the workout. It’s the one hour where I don’t have to think about anything. There are some people that can carry on conversations like they’re at a dinner party. How in the world can they do that?! Even if I tried, I can only say a few words. So, I just like to shout out a sentence here or there for comedic relief – mostly my own.

* I don’t share food well. Shoot, I don’t share anything well. If I offer you a bite, that’s one thing. Don’t eat off my plate unless I give permission. Oh & I have no problem eating off your plate and don’t tell me to back off. Yes, I see the double standard here. The food on my plate is mine and the food on your plate is mine. My husband will be the first to tell you this is one of the motto’s I live by.

* I wish people would pay attention during class. I know it’s the one hour in a day when some people don’t have to think. I get it. I just wish people would listen. Say this is shouted out: “Do 1,000 jump ropes, carry my car up the hill and then do 1,000 sit ups”. People start yelling out “What?! I’m confused…carry 1,000 sit ups. huh?!”. I just can hear what we’re doing and go. I realize that for some people it’s not that easy. Last week, in the middle of instructions I harshly blurted out “Just do it!!!”. Then I had an internal discussion with myself that it was rude and inappropriate. I’ll try to keep my mouth closed.

* I’ll explain the DQ Blizzard incident of 2008 since you’re dying to know. We were celebrating the anniversary of when we went on our first date. We ate somewhere on 280. He suggested we split a Blizzard at home (refresh yourself with the fourth bullet point above), I agreed. So we went through the drive through and got one. I held it and took a few bites. We were going from the DQ on 280 to Highway 459. Think about the distance. Maybe 2 or 3 miles? I don’t know. When we were at the traffic light turning onto the interstate, he asks for a bite. There was nothing left. He thought

I was kidding. I was so mortified and embarrassed. The moral of the story: we don’t split Blizzard’s anymore.

* I have a secret mission to establish a partner. We’ll call this person Buddy. Men need not apply. Buddy is somewhere near my workout speed. I will never come in first, but I will never quit. I need Buddy to be on that level. I get sad if, for whatever reason, Buddy can’t come back the next month. While I completely understand, a part of me feels like Buddy is figuratively saying “We can still be friends.” or “It wasn’t you, it was me”. I immediately have a desire to listen to REM’s “Everybody Hurts” on the way home and begin the vicious cycle of finding a new Buddy.

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop for now. Believe it or not, I really do love boot camp. I know it might not seem like it from what I listed above but I do. It’s a great workout and different every time.

Maybe somebody can create a boot camp for eating right. You meet at every meal, show what you have and then you are pushed to fight temptations! I’d call it Extreme Eating but then people might get the wrong idea. That sounds like a competitive eating group. The way I’ve been eating lately you'd think I'd be auditioning.

The Holidays

Susan Nooney — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

It’s that time of year. The holidays. Family. Food. Fun! Believe it or not, I have been able to lose weight during the holiday season. True story. Ask my mama because she did it too. Now, it wasn’t easy, but it was doable.

See, Thanksgiving is one day. ONE. It’s not a 3 day long gorge fest. It is one day. Last year, my husband and I decided to stay at home, order food from a local restaurant and ate on it for 3 days. Yes he’s a chef, but he begged for a break. Fine by me. When he made his plate, I wanted to take a picture of the very first-by-ourselves Thanksgiving plate. He said no because he didn’t want to look back and see what a pig he was. Seriously, the man had enough food to feed an army. I found myself heating something up when he did because it smelled good. Shoot, I didn’t even get dressed that day. I ate. I slept and kept plenty of antacid in stock. I was in a 3 day food comatose. Looking back at it, it was the beginning of a 5-10 lb weight gain that I’ve just now almost gotten rid of. No joke.

This year, we’re going to my mother’s house. I won’t have tons of food in my house that I feel the need to eat. I’ll get up early and go on a long walk to burn some kind of calories. Truthfully, I’ve got to warm up for the annual “I Got The Last of Mom’s Sweet Potato Souffle Topping” battle that I have with my brother. Another story for another day. When Thursday is over, it’s back to eating as clean as I possibly can and getting in whatever exercise possible.

During this time of year, you don’t have to eat every time somebody offers you something. Not sure why we can’t say “no thank you” or just eat a little here and there. I guess it’s a southern thing and we don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings y’all. I know people bake things and bring you so much stuff from Thanksgiving until Christmas, but you don’t have to eat it all. Share it with people. At my job, you can empty out your cabinets, put it all in the break room and everything will be gone by noon. I mean people there eat anything. For me, it’s not easy to walk through there during this time of year. Sometimes I walk around it. Most of the time, I have to go through there. Sure, I’ll grab a small something from time to time, but this year I am going to try hard to avoid things. I tell myself that people don’t wash their hands. Truthfully some don’t. It’s not the first or last holiday where food will be available. That’s what I keep telling myself.

The point is this – if you have no plan, you have no guidelines. You’ll just eat whatever. At least with a plan there are some guidelines to follow and you won’t spend the next year trying to lose it. You don’t have to tell people “I’m trying to be good”. Simply smile, thank them and go on about your business. It’s time to learn to eat to live and not live to eat…y’all.

Battling Rope Run

Susan Nooney — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:00:00 GMT

I must address a very serious recent event. For those not in Rachel’s class, you probably have not experienced the “Battling Rope Run” or as I call it “Straight Up Hell”. The only element missing in this exercise was rain. I swear it felt like we were in basic training. Let me explain. You run with a rope over your head with other members of boot camp. You must keep 2 hands on it at all times. If anybody drops their hands, everybody stops and take 10 steps backwards. See, I suck at running by myself and I felt sorry for anybody on my team. I really did. On top of that, throw in a gigantic hill. We did this three times. This was my worse nightmare brought to life. What’s next? I’m back in middle school and forgot my locker combination?!

The first lap was very hard for me. Like I said, running for me is not a good thing. It’s genetics. Then we had to turn around and do it again. Coming back down the hill, I had a horrible cramp in my side. I was so afraid to let go because other people were counting on me. At some point in that class, several people threw up. It’s the most I’ve ever seen. I think inside, Rachel was filled with joy. Oh and you guessed it, Baby Nooney here cried. I don’t vomit. I cry. I was able to hide it, until now, because it was cold/windy and everybody was sniffling & wiping their face. Why was I crying? Because I was full of endorphins and I was mad. Some people showed up late and we had to do it again! I was seriously mad. Let me be clear, I was NOT mad at the people that showed up late. I’m late all the time to things. My husband’s ability to be late has rubbed off on me. We can’t all be everywhere on time. I was mad at this exercise. I was mad that I suck at running. I have no idea why, but that’s what I was mad at. The third trip, well I think I blacked out. I thought I was going to take off and fly every time we came down the hill but I didn’t. I survived, finished class and crashed.

For some reason, I always think I’m the only one struggling and everybody else has no problems. Realistically, I know that’s not true. Some people in the class just make boot camp look like a walk in the park. I wish I could make it look so effortless. Every class is a struggle for me – and – I exercise outside of boot camp. Just the other day I was telling my husband all of this and I pointed out that it’s not easy and I’m always at the back of the pack. That really used to bother me. I would spend more time thinking about how I’m bring up the rear, pun intended, than focusing on giving my all. So I just quit caring if I came in last. I had to for my own sanity. So what if I finish last?! Somebody has to do it, might as well be me. Wait, that kind of sounds very Debbie Downer-ish but then I think about this: Me coming in last place in something in boot camp is better than somebody sitting on the couch.

Oh and to all the Extreme Fit trainers out there, get your team to do the “Straight Up Hell” run. For real. If there aren’t hills where your class is, they better count their blessings. I look at it like this, if we had to suffer, everybody should have to suffer. I know it’s not fair but I’ve already shed tears about it - literally. Hey, not only am I an Extreme Fit messenger, I’m also a client.

Blame or Shame

n/a — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT

I have no problems with exercise. I actually love it and feel horrible when I miss it. I might not be great at it, but I enjoy it. It’s getting this food thing under control. I cannot blame anybody but myself. Nobody is tying me to a chair and cramming food in my mouth. I’m just doing it to myself and justifying. Seriously, I’m my own worst saboteur.

When I come home from boot camp, I can’t decide if I should eat, shower or sleep. I swear if I could eat in the shower, then go straight to bed – I would. On Thursday, my husband was off from work and tried to have something edible ready or at least in the works. He knows that when my blood sugar is low – the universe needs to watch out. He was going to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. My response “NO! They’re too fattening”. He could make meatloaf but it would take a while “NO! I have to eat now”. (Really, I couldn’t wait 30 minutes? Whatever). I informed him that I wasn’t like him and had to watch everything I eat. I can’t eat fattening food. I told him to make whatever he wanted and I’d figure it out later. I slammed things. I was fussing and then…….I ran slap into the dishwasher door. Who keeps the dishwasher door down? Honestly. I said the most horrible words and couldn’t breathe. I grabbed my shin, looked up and just stood there bent over. Ok I got the message loud and clear. I was being extremely rude and I know “God don’t like ugly”. I sincerely apologized and I realized he was just trying to help. He jokingly said he was about to tell me that I could leave and come back with a new attitude. So, he split a granola bar with me, told me to shower and he’d have something to eat when I got out. What did I eat? So glad you asked. Leftover cheese tortellini covered in alfredo sauce. But wait!!! I thought I couldn’t eat fattening foods. Apparently I’m a liar. Not only that, but, it was a leftover meal, that I ordered at a restaurant the night before. I could’ve had a salad, but I didn’t. Epic fail.

I spent this past Saturday morning being tortured….a.k.a. working out with Rachel….and I didn’t cry! When talking about this journey, I confessed that it was my eating. I know what to do. I know I have to plan. If I don’t plan, I eat the quickest junkiest thing. So she told me to get on the scale Monday morning - no matter what. I did and it wasn’t that bad. I started tracking every calorie on Saturday right after my work out. Quickly discovering why the scale hasn’t moved. I planned my snacks and meals for the week. Since I do all the grocery shopping, I picked out good snacks. I had to plan out my lunches and really think about what I was going to be eating for dinner too.

So here I am once again feeling like the yoddler from that game “Cliff Hanger” on the Price is Right. You know, the one where the contestant has to make him stop as he climbs a hill in the price range of the prize. I can either take it fast, get it wrong and fall off or take it slow and just try to get it right. Time to take it one day at a time…no. One planned meal at a time. I’m off to eat some cottage cheese and listen to Beastie Boys “Sabatoge” and get my act together. Word.

I Won't Accept Can't

Susan Nooney — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:00:00 GMT

When I was a little girl, my mom took me shoe shopping. This was back in the day when you sat & waited for somebody to measure your foot, bring you shoes and helped you pick the right one – and they usually were nice! After trying some on, it was time to make a decision. The shoe I liked was available in three colors: red, blue or brown. Hey, it was the 80’s. So, my mom asked me “Which shoe do you want? The red or the blue”. Without hesitation, I said “Brown”. Let the record show that to this day, there is a picture of me in a blue dress & brown shoes on my parents wall. Now, if my mom had said “Pick the color you want”, who knows what I would’ve chosen. Instead, I chose the option not given to me. To this day, that’s the kind of person I am. Tell me that I can have option A or option B, I want option C. If I see a sign that says “Do Not Cross This Line”, don’t think I don’t cross it with my tiny pinky toe.

Several weeks ago, I was told that I can’t run or do boot camp by my doctor. I have arthritis in my knee at the ripe old age of 34. Save your dinner at 4:30 jokes because I’ve already got them covered. (Sidebar: May I recommend that if you are in pain, don’t ignore it.) After several weeks of doing physical therapy and doing very low impact workouts, I decided I wasn’t accepting that I can’t do boot camp. That’s just one more step backwards in what I’m still trying to do. After talking to the physical therapist, I was told that I could return to boot camp. However, it has to be very modified or I may further injure myself. I’ll always be in pain, but my entire body isn’t injured or broken! I’ve never realized how much I missed it until I couldn’t go. It’s a great stress reliever and I’ve really needed it the past few weeks. So I’m ready to burn some serious calories. Here’s the good news: I get to see Rachel again because she’s coming to Team Homewood. Here’s the bad news: I get to see Rachel again because she’s coming to Team Homewood. I know it’ll be tough and I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for hearing her yell at me….and possibly me crying…it’s inevitable. Don’t. Judge. Me.

It kind of makes me think about how many times I’ve told myself that I can’t finish my journey. Why?! Yes, I know it’s never really finished. I have a destination that I’m trying to get to but in a way, I’m somehow telling myself that I can’t do it. I know I can. I’ve been there before. I’m not sure why I keep telling myself that I can’t because I loathe that word. So it’s time: I won’t accept the word “can’t”. I can get there.

I know what to eat. I know that Triscuits and cheese don’t get it. I don’t really even like Triscuits. They taste like salty hay…not that I know what salty hay tastes like. I just know that if they’re in my face, I’ll eat them. It’s about more protein, less processed. It’s about “eating like your grandmother”. I know how many calories I should have in a day. I’ve done so much research until I’m blue in the face. I know so much. I just have a hard time staying on track and getting focused. For whatever reason, I get sidetracked super easy. So here I am, once again trying to get focused.

Now that it’s time to get focused, I’ve got a great support “team”. I have 2 friends that I can call, e-mail or text to help me say “Yes you can”. It is an uphill battle and it’s like you’re constantly pushing a car up a hill. One slip and you can be worse than where you started.

*Editors Note: If you don’t think this picture isn’t motivating, have somebody take a picture of you from behind and then see how you feel.

Tailgating

Susan Nooney — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 05:00:00 GMT

2….4….6….8……I think it’s time to tailgate! Some of you would rather put a hot poker in your eye than face what’s coming up. Not me. It’s time for football season and I love it. Whether you like it or not, it’s here. No matter who your favorite team is, there is nothing like football season. Cheering and screaming. Singing the fight song. Watching the middle aged men awkwardly give each other high fives. Hearing 90,000+ fans turn into screaming referee’s. Staring at the grandmother with the matching earrings, hat, rhinestone decorated shirt, purse and shaker that cheers no matter what happens on the field. Ok maybe that last part is just me. Anyway, I love this time of year. I love getting together with groups of people and laughing….and possibly ducking because our team is losing and some people throw things. Go team.

Here’s the best part about football season: tailgating. Here’s the worst part about football season: tailgating. It’s so hard to stay on track when there are such delicious goodies as Rotel Dip and chicken fingers. (Side note: Dipping the chicken fingers in the cheese dip is the bomb diggity…or so I heard). This is the first football season where I’m not eating dairy, sweets or anything really junky. I’m going on about 7 weeks and it is not easy. I’m oddly focused. I’m very quick to remind my chef of a husband “I can’t eat that”. I can sample whatever he’s wanting me to taste, just not consume it in mass quantities. I’m on a serious mission. You have no idea how awesome these past weeks have been without stomach aches or bloating.

So now I’m faced with this issue: how do I handle tailgating. I’ve read so many things like “Bring a low fat snack so you won’t be tempted”. Really? My husband’s friends would laugh/ “Hey Susan, are you bringing the usual Nooney Soul Patrol Casserole? Man the cheese, ham and beans together are so delicious!”. (FYI - That’s not the name but it’s what we somehow ended up calling a casserole through a miscommunication) My response could be “Well, I’m bringing mixed fruit this year” and then you would instantly hear the crickets loudly chirping. Most people that I know wouldn’t care, but I’m trying to watch what I’m eating and not make a big deal about it. Bringing mixed fruit is a red flag.

So what does one do? It’s so easy to get caught up in the drinking and eating and mingling. One minute you’re so proud of yourself for working out all week and eating healthy. Next thing you know, you’re headed to the car wondering why your stomach aches and how it all went terribly wrong. Tailgating doesn’t have to be about seeing how many pigs in a blanket you can cram into your mouth at one time. Not that I’ve ever played that game. It should be about fellowship, laughter and fun. The only thing I know I can do, is to eat something before I go. I can try my hardest to ignore the temptation. I can bring something that doesn’t tempt me (shrimp dip anyone?!). I just feel that the best option is to eat before I go and possibly throw some kind of healthy snack in my purse. Let’s be realistic: Does this plan mean I won’t take a nibble here and there of something? No way. Does it mean I will try to focus on anything but food? Yes way.

Now if you’re at an actual football game, eating before you go will only last so long. Just make the best choices with what you have in front of you. That’s the only thing I know to say. Make a decision that will be beneficial. Let’s say I’m at a home game this season and let’s say I’m hungry. You know, the smells and thoughts begin to creep in. I get the desire to try one of the best hot dogs from a certain vendor or their BBQ nachos (they seriously are delicious), I need to really think about the consequences. The consequences have a name called “Extreme Fit Bootcamp” and it’s like a big bad wolf (pun intended and if you get it, you know the vendor and my team)! Perhaps I’ll just have to find a local sandwich shop or some kind of healthier restaurant near the stadium and eat in a corner by myself. It’s not the first time that’s ever happened and it won’t be the last – but at least I won’t be mad at myself for not being focused.

Here’s the good news: Focusing on eating properly at a football party or game and ignoring temptation won’t be easy. In fact, it will be downright difficult. However, if I am prepared and don’t give into temptation, it will be rewarding. Here’s the bad news: If I don’t eat right, I’ll end up confessing because I somehow end up telling on myself. Next thing I know, I’ll be running up a hill literally carrying somebody on my back. Don’t knock it because it’s been done in class before.

So, what is your plan to stay focused during tailgating season?

Challenge

Susan Nooney — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:00:00 GMT

I have been M.I.A. Not on purpose, but I just haven’t been motivated. I hate to use the phrase “I fell off the wagon” because I didn’t fall. I think I’ve just been comfortably riding in it down a proverbial hill. I exercise regularly. Shoot, I’m out exercising in 100 plus degree weather! For whatever reason, I am the same place I was a year ago. I am coasting along and not really getting anywhere. It is time for a change.

I have decided to challenge myself to push harder. Think outside the box. I started this journey so long ago and in my own weird way, I quit. I didn’t intend to, but I made excuses. I set out to get to a certain place back in 1999 and I failed. Somewhere in my mind, it’s just 2002. It’s not. Newsflash: it’s 2011….the middle of 2011, might I add. About 2 weeks ago, I decided it’s time to really challenge myself and make my goal. It won’t be easy. It won’t be fast. But it will be doable!

I recently looked up the word “challenge” in the dictionary. There were many definitions. The one that stood out the most to me, was this: “A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking”. I am about to test my abilities in this undertaking battle I call “weight loss”. I abso-tee-totally-lutely, refuse to take some magic pill or starve myself. Seriously. So I decided to only chose foods that are beneficial to where I’m going. I’m not loving it, but I’m getting used to it. I cut out dairy products and sweets. I went cold turkey. Oh and I literally started eating cold turkey – but lower sodium turkey. Have you checked the sodium count? It’s unreal. Anyway, I am forcing myself to just turn the notch up. For starters, I’m writing down everything I eat. Everything. I used to think it was silly, then realized that it’s necessary to finish my journey. I need to be held accountable for every item I consume.

I’m trying my best to push myself in boot camp. I’m trying to get myself out of my comfort zone. Recently, I had a training session with Rachel. I figured it would be so easy. I work out 5-6 days a week. I told myself “You got this”. Well, 20 minutes into the workout, I’m sweating, using 15 lbs weights and crying my eyes out. Although I still have my eyes. Really think about this. Sweating, crying, stepping up on weight bench in one motion with a weight. Repeat x 25 then switch legs. I think I eventually quit crying because it wasn’t helping me to cry about it – in the heat of the moment. Rachel let me cry, but I needed to focus. I was reminded that we tend to get comfortable with things. We tend to just get in a comfortable place. We tend to just move along with things and sometimes you have to challenge yourself. So I had a pep talk with myself. I had to realize that just because I haven’t made my goal, doesn’t mean it’s over. Time to man up, or woman up in my case and get focused.

So I challenge you to do this: What’s something you’ve been trying to do, but you’ve been simply making excuses for it? Just do it. It’s possible! What are you waiting for?!

Keep Moving

Susan Nooney — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:00:00 GMT

I simply cannot get anybody to come to boot camp. Most people, especially those who are older, have even said to me “I’m too old for boot camp”. No you aren’t. You just think you are. Really, you aren’t. It’s exercise, not running in the rain and mud with guns over our head at 2:00 AM. Wait, I hope I didn’t just give any ideas! Seriously, I’ve tried to get my husband, who was in the Air Force, to come and he says “I did the real thing and served my time”. Denied. I’ve had co-workers and friends who say they need to build up stamina to come to boot camp. Excuse. It’s simply exercise, not moving a mountain.

So here’s the deal: If you’re reading this and have never exercised a day in your life, it’s doable. You don’t have to workout for an hour. You don’t have to run a marathon. You just need to get moving. Do what you can do and what you enjoy. When I first decided to exercise, I picked walking. I figured that I didn’t have to rely on anybody but myself. Plus, I loved to walk and I still do. I slept better. I felt better. I came up with some great ideas and I also talked to God! On my first walk, I picked an object, I walked to it and came home. That was it. The next day, I did it twice. I decided to just walk 3 days a week. Eventually, I got to where I was walking 7 days a week for 30 minutes. With walking alone, I lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks. I weighed over 230 lbs, so that was a lot.

I eventually joined a gym. Figuring that I could switch it up. I watched the exercise classes while I was on the treadmill. Internally, I made so much fun of those girls. Realistically, I was dying to take the class but I was so scared. I didn’t know anybody so I didn’t go. That made no sense. I would watch with complete envy. It looked like so much fun, but I could never to that. About a year later, I switched gyms. I purposely picked one that offered tons of classes. Sure it was more expensive, but I wanted something different. I started by taking a spin class. Loved it! I loved it so much that there were days that I went at 5:00 in the morning and 5:00 at night. No joke. I seriously loved the class and I even started making friends too! Double bonus. Working out and making friends. How awesome.

The point is this: no matter your age or size, you can get moving. I used to only enjoy exercise by myself. Now, I really miss the days I’m not in a group setting! If you need a buddy, find one. Meet for a walk. Treat it like a doctor’s appointment, well except for the part where you dread it. Find the time and just do it! If you want to bite the bullet and come to boot camp for your first exercise – do it! Even if you read this and don’t know me, send me an e-mail (callie77us@yahoo.com ). Whatever it takes! Just get out there and get going!

On a similar note, I’ve made such great friends at boot camp. This past Friday, a few people got together and went to dinner. So. Much. Fun. We all laughed at how different everybody looked in our regular clothes. Normally, we’re sweaty and wearing old clothes, at least I am anyway. Personally, I’m just too winded to talk, but I want to! I’m not being rude, I just can’t breath. Anyway, it was so nice just to sit and find out what everybody does for a living. Sharing stories and laughing. I know several of the moms needed a break. We just laughed and spent several hours together. I had such a great time and hope we can do it again. I was even recognized for my work here on this blog! Does that make me a celebrity? I don’t know, but please….no photographs.

Stop

Susan Nooney — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Alright, stop, collaborate and listen….or read. I’m an emotional eater. I know it. I can’t help it. When things go wrong, I go to the kitchen. When things go right, I go to the kitchen. Not feeling well, the kitchen is waiting with “prizes” to make me feel better. Bored? The kitchen is ready to play a round of “What’s behind that cabinet door!” I seriously think you get the picture.

Just this weekend, I had a minor issue occur. Sunday night, I started thinking about several different things that are personal and irrelevant. My heart started beating real fast and I felt like somebody put a lump of coal in my chest. What did I do? Glad you asked. I went to the freezer and pulled out ½ of a candy bar. I stood there with the freezer door open and began eating the rock solid candy bar. I didn’t care that it was my husband’s treat. Especially knowing I’m the “Don’t-You-Dare-Touch-My-Food-But-I’ll-Help-Myself-To-Yours” person in the relationship. I didn’t care that I wasn’t even hungry. I was doing my best effort to rip out all of my teeth. I didn’t care that I had a flashback to crying in the dentist’s office a few weeks ago (not years…weeks) as he was filling a small cavity and I’m crying like a 2 year old. No. I was absolutely eating for no reason and freaking out. How will we make it?! What will we do? Do I have to start selling organs and both of us have to get a second and third job? I took a second to….truthfully, let the candy bar melt and breathe. My eyes started watering and I thought “What am I doing?” What good was it going to do? All I was doing was turning to something that would only add to my problems. It was time to stop, put what I hadn’t eaten in a Ziplock bag. I went and read the daily journal, if you will, in a book I am reading called “Faithfully Fit”. I sat down and said some prayers for help. I’m trying here. I’m trying to turn this issue over to God. Baby steps here.

Am I the only one that used to get nervous before a workout? It’s the same feeling I had when I was in high school and had to go to the orthodontist. I knew it was painful and I just wanted it to be done! Well, I am on this kick where I’m just making an effort do my best in class. Although I still haven’t mastered the burpee but I’m trying! See, I recently went to the doctor for a check up only to discover that I have an extreme iron deficiency. I find it ironic that the word “extreme” was used. Now, I am taking an iron supplement and eating iron enriched foods. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my workout. Even Sarah, my awesome trainer, noticed that I’m not giving death looks and just my overall effort has increased. Sorry about the horrible looks, it wasn’t personal. Rachel says “Boot camp doesn’t get any easier, it just gets more tolerable”. It truly has. Yes it’s getting hot but I can tolerate the heat and the workout! Also, the amount of calories that I’m burning has increased and honestly, I enjoy class way more. I also take a couple of minutes to mentally prepare myself before class. I get rid of any thoughts going on and get focused on what’s ahead. Sweating!

So what’s this all about?! Should I eat a candy bar after a workout? As the Magic 8 Ball would say “All signs point to no”. It’s about recognizing your actions and doing your best to correct the negative ones. We are all different and all have our own problems. It’s time to recognize where you are failing and do whatever it takes to succeed. It takes time but if you truly stop and focus on the issue, you can eventually more forward.

The future depends on what we do in the present – Mahatma Gandhi

Excuse

Susan Nooney — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Sometimes I think I’m in the wrong business. I think I could sell a ketchup popsicle to someone wearing white gloves. It might take some time, but I think I could do it because I have an excuse for everything. Perhaps I should set up a booth somewhere and just charge people $1.00 for me to give them an excuse. Here’s some tasks and my excuse (these are off the top of my head here):

Task: Clean the house
Excuse: Have you watched all of the shows you put on the DVR this week? You need to do it now!!! What if they get deleted and you miss something? Your world might end!

Task: Call a friend/relative
Excuse: Aren’t you tired? You should take a nap.

Task: Workout
Excuse: Don’t you need to clean your house or call that friend/relative?

Do you see the vicious cycle? I’m amazed how I ever get things done. The problem here isn’t the excuse itself. The problem is that I tell them to myself. The smallest reason can pop into my head and I turn it into an excuse. Traffic was bad or I am running late so I guess I shouldn’t go at all. That makes no sense. Isn’t there a phrase out there that says “Better late than never”? Yes there is.

Just this week, I had to leave work late. For those who don’t know about the construction on I-65, it is an absolute nightmare. If I get into it, my blood will boil and my head might explode. Well a tiny thought popped into my head “Your class starts at 5:30. You might get there late”. Now, the whole time that I’m in the parking lot of an interstate (still trying not to go there), I start convincing myself just to go home…not out loud because I don’t want to look too crazy. I then posed this question: What would I regret more: being late or skipping my workout. The answer was so easy: skipping. I got to the gym at 5:30, changed quickly and just missed less than 5 minutes of my class. I was so glad that I didn’t skip it.

Yes, situations occur that will cause you to be unable to attend. However, inventing a reason just so you don’t attend is not acceptable. I’m speaking to myself as well. If you’re injured or sick, that’s one thing. It’s another to purposely bump into a coffee table or cough loudly and say “Well, can’t go now”.

I love boot camp. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t sign up. Yes there are certain things that I hate doing and I’m not the only one. I simply complain while doing said exercise. For my very first two months of boot camp, I literally had dreams of Rachel yelling. At first it was about exercise and then it turned into me at work with her yelling “You aren’t dying”. I mean it was odd how much dreaming I was having of her. Perhaps Rachel and other Extreme Fit trainers should create an automated sounds of them yelling at you when you don’t want to work out. You could call 1-800-EXT-REME and hear your options.

Don’t know about you, but every now and again, I need to be yelled at. Personally, I’ve heard “If anybody gets struck by lightning, we’re going home” as I’m running around a track in a thunderstorm with metal weights in my hand – over my head! Since nobody was struck, we continued on with class. If I can do that and survive, then there isn’t any excuse that I can create that will work.

Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. ~Don Wilder and Bill Rechin

Break

Susan Nooney — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMT

This past week, I took a break along with the universe. In the corporate world, Spring Break simply means that traffic is much lighter. Certain people are out of the office but that’s about it. Well, boot campers took a break and apparently, I felt the need to break from everything and in a weird way, I kind of went on strike. I felt compelled to “stick it to the man”. It started with company we had the weekend before and continued until this past Sunday. I didn’t work out. I ate complete junk and I felt like a slug.

Not only did I convince myself it was ok, but I convinced others. I e-mailed a friend on Monday and said “I’m taking an eating and working out break” and she agreed that I deserved it. I thought about it over the weekend and wondered “What did I do to deserve a break?” Did I cure world hunger? Did I bring peace to the world. Nope. I did absolutely nothing. The only thing that I did was ultimately punish myself.

I don’t know why I felt that I deserved to eat unhealthy or not workout. I seriously don’t. I know my genetics and ultimately, I know the consequences. I was “blessed” with a type of body that cannot take breaks. I know that you get what you give. I seriously thought about what I would consume for dinner while I was eating lunch. I would show you the receipts from restaurants and the grocery store, but it would be too embarrassing. The only vegetable that I ate – was lettuce or tomato on a hamburger. Here is an ugly truth folks: macaroni and cheese is not a vegetable. It’s just not. It’s delicious and creamy, but it’s neither a vegetable nor healthy - discuss. Oh and the closest thing I got to fruit was strawberry jelly on a bagel.

I also didn’t work out. Period. Not even at all. It would be one thing if I took our dogs on a walk, but no. I went on a work out strike. Since I was doing nothing, I should’ve just made picket signs for whatever union I created. Seriously, how about this for a sign: “Heck No I Won’t Go…and workout or eat healthy!!”. I literally sat around, ate & watched tv and came close to training our dogs to fetch the remote that fell on the floor. It was that bad.

The consequences of my break: A 7 day stomach ache and restless nights. So, again, the only thing that happened was I punished myself. This past Monday I consumed actual fresh fruit, vegetables and worked out. I felt good, I slept like a baby and was in a fabulous mood.

Why am I confessing all of this? I’m glad you asked. I feel that if I can help just one person in this uphill battle, I’m victorious. It’s not easy and I can totally relate. So the moral of the story: Don’t ever, ever, ever go on a break. You can relax and put your feet up every once in a while. The key phrase is “every once in a while”. It’s ok to have that special treat you’ve wanted or sit back and just read a magazine. Just don’t take a break because guess what happens? You end up un-doing what you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.

When all else fails, get in touch with me. I’ll come to your house, bring a megaphone and one of our super awesome trainers. I can inform them of your break and see if it doesn’t change your mind. Hey, I’m here to help, it’s how I roll.

Men's best successes come after their disappointments. - Henry Ward Beecher

Making a Decision

Susan Nooney — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:00:00 GMT

It seems today that we spend our life making decisions. Go into a coffee shop and say “I’d like a cup of coffee”. See what happens. If they simply say “Your total is…” then I’ll give you a billion dollars. You have to pick your size, flavor etc. There are so many choices these days and they aren’t just in coffee shops. Small. Medium. Big. Jumbo. Extra Jumbo. One time, I went to the movies with a friend that always gets popcorn. Even if we’ve just come from dinner, she orders it. The cashier said “You can upgrade for an extra $0.75” and I started laughing. I said “A whole $0.75? Really. Seriously, do they have a meeting and tell you that you have to say things like that?” and he chuckled and then turned to my friend and said “So, would you like to upgrade for $0.75”. That confirmed exactly what I thought.

Sometimes making a decision is good. Sometimes it’s bad. Sometimes, it’s just about making the right decision for yourself in that moment. You don’t have to announce it to everybody. You don’t have to sky write it. Just make one that is realistic and rational for the situation.

We recently went out to dinner with out of town relatives and my mom asked my dad if they had a coupon for a free appetizer. Since my dad is great about filling out the on-line surveys (and rebates!), they had one. So in addition to the complimentary rolls, we received the awesome and gigantic appetizer in the picture. Potatoes covered in cheese and other yummy goodness. When it arrived, I had to make a decision: A) I could not eat anything. I was trying to be good!! I could stare at my family members as they enjoyed every single bite. All the while, I’m dreaming of what it must taste like and my taste buds watering. B) I could dig in and have an epic fork battle with my mom for the last bite and then 30 minutes after our meal was done, be overcome with guilt (and a stomachache) that I ate so much. I went with C) I could compromise. I mean, why did it have to be all or nothing?! So I ate just had a few bites so that I enjoyed it and I was still hungry for my dinner – which was a delicious and gigantic California salad I didn’t feel guilty. I enjoyed it and I was very satisfied with my decision.

With many things in life, there has to be a happy medium. I’m all for a compromise. Sure I might pitch a small temper tantrum, but in the end, I’ll make the right decision. You don’t always have to eat grilled chicken and steamed veggies when you go out. You also don’t have to get the double bacon cheeseburger and loaded fries. Sometimes, I simply don’t want chicken. Why not get a hamburger (minus the cheese and bacon) and steamed veggies. I’m trying to run a race here, not a marathon. Make whatever decision is best and don’t think twice about it.

When it comes to working out I can workout or not. If I make the decision to not workout – simply because I don’t want to – I end up sitting at home and feeling so guilty that I get a knot in my stomach and contemplate getting the antacids out of the cabinet. I try to justify to myself that I wouldn’t do good anyway or that I really and truly needed to go through our DVR and clear it out. Once again, I’m sabotaging myself. It’s the angel vs. the devil on my shoulder. I have never left a workout feeling guilty. I’ve also never left with a knot in my stomach.

It’s all very mind over matter for me. There have been times where I’ve been in the middle of boot camp going “Would anybody notice if I just pick up my keys and left everything else?”. Of course they would. What purpose would that do me? If you find yourself thinking or even wondering if you should go – do it. Go and make the decision to do what is your best. Don’t just go to watch other people workout. Get in there and burn those calories otherwise, you may end up laying on the couch feeling like Jabba the Hut and wondering why your clothes don’t fit. Been there. Done that. Got the gigantic T-shirt.

“Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever” – Keri Russell

An interview with Lynnsey Nowell

Susan Nooney — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:00:00 GMT

This past weekend, boot campers headed out to get their measurements. If they didn’t, they should have! I’ve gone before and left in tears because I didn’t like my results. When I got home, I had a brutal realization: I was going to 2 classes a week, walking 30 mins here and there and not changing what I was eating. See the problem? After hearing that one person lost 15 inches (say what?!) in one month, I decided to interview her and see what she did and what advice she could offer everybody. I mean 15 inches is truly amazing. Congratulations to Lynnsey Nowell!! I must say, I was Lynnsey’s partner in her class one Sunday and I can honestly say she worked hard and even caused me to push myself. Rock on Lynnsey! Anyway, here is the interview:

Congratulations on losing 15 inches in the month of February! How did you feel when you first heard the news?

Ashley called me and told me the results, I was still driving home on my way back from boot camp and tried keep both hands on the steering wheel after hearing the news. It was fantastic news but I just remember telling her those measurements weren’t what I was expecting, I was just happy knowing I had lost three inches in my hips!

When do you attend boot camp (time & location) and who is your instructor?

Heardmont 0830, Ashley Dawson is my trainer and SHE IS AWESOME!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what originally brought you to boot camp.

I participated in the Rumpshaker 5k last year and there was a flyer for Extreme Fit for a free week- I kept it and said to myself “I’ll try it sometime”…three months later the flyer was still on my fridge and not going to be used anytime soon. Then I realized that the date for one of my best friends’ wedding in which I was going to be a bridesmaid was quickly approaching. Lo and behold! Groupon put up the Extreme Fit deal soon after and I thought “it’s now or never” and signed up and I’ve been coming ever since.

What is your favorite thing about boot camp? Any exercises you hate or love? (*Editor’s note: I am not held responsible if you’re forced to do the exercises you hate.)

My favorite thing about boot camp is the comradery with the other participants- we’re all suffering and encouraging each other through the same workout. There’s a lot of good, friendly competition, too. At first it started out just as me going for my daily workout and that was it- now it’s become something more, I look forward to going on a daily basis because I have developed so many friendships and gotten to know some wonderful people who I otherwise would have never crossed paths with. I love that my team cracks me up on a daily basis- we all joke around but when it’s time for the workout, we’re all focused on getting the best workout we can and keeping each other motivated.

Can I say there is really any exercise I LOVE to do? I can’t say that when I get home at night after a long day at work that I’m just dying to start doing jumping jacks, bicycles, lunges or anything else for that matter. However, there are some exercises that I don’t mind quite as much as others- I can now say I “almost” enjoy doing fast football feet then jumping up the bleachers now that I can actually do it. I always enjoy ending the workout with a good ab routine.

Now for the long list of those exercises where I start saying things that make sailors blush: Indian runs- UGH! I don’t even think there are enough words to describe my loathe for those things! Burpees- tough, tough, tough! But they work! Surrenders- I’m not coordinated enough to alternate going down with my left leg leading- it’s been 8 months! HA! The jump rope and I aren’t exactly on good terms, either but again, that goes back to my lack of coordination rather than not being able to do it.
In all seriousness, I may groan & complain sometime (ok, it’s a lot) and I rarely- if ever- finish first but I grit my teeth and keep doing it and FINISH! That’s really what it’s all about. When I get in my car, I leave knowing that I’ve done more in one hour than what most people do in a day.

Aside from your regular boot camp classes, did you do any extra workouts? If so, what were they?

I wish I could say I had the motivation & determination to do workouts on my own but that’s exactly the reason why I HAVE to get up every morning and drive to Heardmont. Treating my workouts like another job has been one of the reasons I’ve been more successful at sticking with this than anything else I’ve ever done. I’m still working on the independent workouts- my lack of solo motivation is something I need to work on.

In order to be so successful, eating had to have played an important part. What were you eating habits? Did you completely stop or start eating anything specific?

I love to eat! That’s what got me into the position I was in before boot camp. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to eat but I’ve changed what I eat and the way I eat it. Before boot camp, it wasn’t unusual for me to order from Domino’s at least once a week, the people at Wendy’s knew me when I drove up- they would have my order ready for my after-work snack which usually consisted of a Frosty plus other unhealthy goodies and the staff at Chipotle knew me and what I liked on my burritos. I work in the healthcare field and we are by far the worst eaters out there- nutrition is sometimes put on the backburner on a busy night- it’s convenience over calories most of the time.

Now, my diet consists of lots and LOTS of protein- I usually eat Greek yogurt at least 2-3 times a day- that has been the biggest change in my diet. I eat more chicken & salmon and nuts than ever. Fruits are eaten instead of candy & chocolate. My water intake has not really changed much simply because drinking copious amounts of water was one of the only healthy habits I had before boot camp. I have always had a sweet tooth, candy- any candy- is my weakness and I do cheat but I try to limit myself- easier said than done most days.

Do you have any advice for boot campers that may be struggling?

Stick with it! Make it a habit, better yet- treat it like another job. If you get into the habit of going to boot camp your body starts to crave the workout. I have had a few months where my results were lack luster but then there have been some months- like this month- when I get amazing & unexpected results.

Did you have any type of support system?

Absolutely! I don’t think I could’ve ever gotten where I am without the encouragement of Ashley Dawson and my teammates from Heardmont- they are all AMAZING & INSPIRING! Having someone like Ashley who holds you accountable and pushes you to do more than what you think you can do is invaluable! Having boot camp is a good stress-relief for me and I look forward to going every morning. I love the fact that I’ve met some wonderful people and formed some great friendships out of this.
Of course, my family and close friends have seen the changes (big and small) I’ve made in my everyday life and seen the results in my physical appearance and personal attitude since July and have been a wonderful support system.

Did this victory come naturally or did you have any “road blocks”?

Oh, there’s nothing “natural” about this! It’s hard work and worth every single second!

Any final words?

When I started this little adventure, I didn’t think that eight months into it I would call myself “addicted to boot camp”, but that’s exactly what I’ve become. I started this mostly out of desperation to get into a bridesmaid dress in a short amount of time and overall curiosity about what boot camp was. Then it became “I’ll stick with it for another month or so” then it was “I guess I’ll stick around till my big 3-0”, now it’s “I’m in this for the long run!”

Before boot camp, my only exercise (besides running around like a crazy woman at work) was seeing how many times I could walk to the refrigerator and back on any given day. I was probably one of the “healthiest” overweight people around. My highest weight was 212 pounds (size 18 for those who are curious), I yo-yo dieted and did exercise fads, wasted money not going to gyms I had joined & lost some weight but it always crept right back. When I started boot camp, I was 29 and had somehow gotten down to 184 pounds after training for a 5k. I had inexplicably dodged the inevitable diagnoses of high blood pressure and diabetes but I knew it was coming and time for a change.
I have to keep telling myself that the weight didn’t get there in a day and it’s certainly not coming off quickly either. You can try the “fad” diets but you may find that that weight creeps back up on you quicker than you ever imagined. Working out, eating right and a good support system are the only ways to definitely keep the weight off.
It sounds so very cliché’ but if I can do this, anyone can!
Your body will thank you- once it gets over the initial shock of the workout and with ample amounts of Ibuprofen & Tylenol to help with the inevitable aches & pains- nobody said this was easy.

To the Finish…and beyond!

Susan Nooney — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

To the Finish…and beyond!

Setting a goal or deadline is very important. It holds you accountable for whatever the situation may be and helps you stay on the right path. However, setting one that is unrealistic will set you up for failure. If you want to get on the “I want to lose 50 pounds by the end of the month” ride, then get in the “Lettuce and Ice Cubes Diet” line. Perhaps you’d rather take a one-way trip to the city of “I’m going to be a size 2 in 5 weeks”. Wonderful! I’ll give you a complimentary “But aren’t you’re a size 12 today” pass as you board your means of transportation. Best of luck!

We’re all friends, right? Well, here is a dose of tough love: Those goals above aren’t obtainable or realistic! First, if you set up a goal to (insert here), make sure it is obtainable. It should be set far enough in advanced so that you can achieve it! Second, have a P.I.A. (Plan In Action) for when you obtain your goal. Trust me, the P.I.A is uber important. You wouldn’t run a marathon, cross the finish line and immediately sit down? If so, make sure you’re near paramedics!

What do I know about a P.I.A? Well, I’m glad you asked. In 2006, my then boyfriend, now husband, went to Iraq to serve his second tour with the Air Force. When he left, I planned to be at a specific weight/size by the time he returned. I hired a trainer. I gave up processed junk food. I worked out very hard and ultimately reached my goal. He came home and couldn’t believe my success. I admit that I never felt so healthy and so proud of myself in my entire life. I put in hours and hours of work and I got results. If I had a chart, I would’ve had gold stickers everywhere. Well, he came home and we got engaged. Halleluiah! I could call my grandmother and say “You were wrong about telling me I’d be a spinster!!!” (True story by the way.) I had him and I was so happy. Apparently, I was so happy that I quit working out and quit paying attention to what I was eating. Why continue? I got to my destination so I was hopping off this crazy train! Cut to a month or so later, I had crying fits in my closet. No joke! I turned into a 15 year old that had “nothing to wear”. I swear, I was one phone call away from asking my mom to take me to the mall after band practice. It was only a matter of time before I was wearing clothes from the back of the closet that were once too big.

I didn’t have a P.I.A. and I was right back where I started. All that hard work down the drain only to end up back at square one. Now, I have a simple goal and a simple P.I.A. I have a goal and a date. It’s circled in my calendar in the picture. I also have a P.I.A. and another goal to add to it. Hey if you believe – you can achieve.

So, what’s your goal? It can be something small. It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe you want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs and not be winded. It might sound odd to you, but to some people it’s a task! Shoot, maybe you have an upcoming event where you want to fit into that special dress or outfit. That’s perfect. Whatever your goal is, do your best! Give your all! Just remember to have a P.I.A. Surely you wouldn’t work so hard only to do what I did. So, I challenge you to this: Make a P.I.A. now. Make it obtainable and do everything you possibly can to succeed and maintain that goal.

Failure is blindness to the strategic element in events; success is readiness for instant action when the opportune moment arrives.- Newell D. Hillis

Measurements

Susan Nooney — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Measuring can equal success

Life can be measured out by small milestones. Bad ones and good ones. In order to keep motivated, it’s important to realize when you’ve failed, when you’ve succeeded and when you just make a realization that you can sabotage yourself and not even know it. Within the last month, I’ve realized the importance of measuring. I was overeating and not realizing it.

Most of us make a bowl of cereal or ice cream without measuring. Ok be honest, most of us don’t even get a bowl out when eating ice cream. About two months ago, I was going to eat a bowl of cereal but all of the bowls I like to use were dirty. Out of pure laziness, I grabbed a serving bowl. I started pouring the cereal and realized how big the bowl was. Did I really need a huge bowl of cereal? Nope. Did I want it? You betcha!

It got me thinking about how important measuring portions of food should be. I mean, there has to be a reason serving sizes exist, right? If not, we’d all look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man – from Ghostbusters. So, I decided to measure out 1 cup of cereal and ½ a cup of milk. I couldn’t believe I was actually measuring cereal. The person who used to eat the cereal until she found the Garfield bike reflector at the middle of the box. Anyway, in the gigantic bowl, it looked like I had 2 bites. I looked back in the cabinet and found these small bowls that I bought at a yard sale for $0.05. At the time of purchase, I didn’t know what I would use them for but they were $0.05!!! I transferred the cereal over and had this heaping bowl of cereal. I literally said “That’s what I’m talking about” and started digging in. Yes, I talk to myself. Now, I eat a small bowl that is filled to the rim and it’s the perfect amount. I also eat on small plates that are jam packed. The picture is from Thanksgiving but that’s the size plates I use for everything. Call it what you want, but if eating on smaller sized plates or bowls is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

In boot camp, everybody loves the parachute runs. Am I right? Ehh. Personally, whenever I see those things, I want to do the old “Hey, what’s that over there” trick and somehow shoot them to the moon. I had someone tell me once “You’re pulling too hard. I don’t like being your partner” and it made me so mad, I pulled harder. She hasn’t been back to the class since; however, I seriously doubt I had anything to do with that. Usually when we use the dreaded bands, we measure the steps. 100 forward, 50 side shuffles on each side and 100 steps backward. While I dread every single step, I know that if I do them, I will get results. So I take off and usually I have to get my partner to count for me, but I get the job done. In fact, I pushed someone this week to continue even though we were getting the “You have 6 seconds to get back here!!” yell. My partner stopped and I said “Ignore her and finish the last 20 steps” and she did.

Now, I know this might be hard to believe, but parachute runs are very parallel to life. I know, I know. I promise I haven’t fallen off my rocker. Really think about it. If you take the time to measure things out, you will have some added pressure and it won’t be easy. Sometimes, you might even get frustrated and need a little help. However, if you give everything you have, you will eventually find success.

The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize - Richard Monckton Milnes

Tales of One Mountain Climber

Susan Nooney — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Do you need encouragement? Do you need support? Do you just need to know that there is somebody in this universe that can remotely relate to the ups and downs of weight loss and fitness? Well now you have a place to turn. I will be regularly blogging and updating to give you laughter and support as we take this journey of boot camp and eating healthy. I’ll be honest and tell you when I fail; as well as succeed. I just want you to know that I am a human being. I’m not working out 8 hours a day and eating lettuce and ice cubes. I’m a normal person. I have a job. I have bills. I am not competing for half a million dollars. I’m simply competing for my life. (Feel free to stop and get a glass of water to sip on while reading)

Let me introduce myself. I’m Susan Nooney and I’m an Extreme-aholic. I mean that on two levels: Food and Exercise. At night, I dream about eating tons of food, Augustus Gloop style, doing burpees and then running 100 mph with a medicine ball over my head. Who am I kidding? That last part is a nightmare.

Here’s my story:

As a child, I remember being very aware of my size compared to others. I was the big girl in the pool with the t-shirt on. When I went to college do you think I became acquainted with “The Freshman 15”. No. I met a new friend called “The Freshman 40.” Yes. 40 lbs in one year. The first summer I was home, I tried a program that was nothing but drinking liquids and eating these cardboard flavored bars. Blech. Oh I lost weight. However, I went back to school and I put on most of the weight. Shocker. When I moved back home to attend a local community college, I ate out for every single meal. You read that right. Every.Single.Meal.

One day, I had a wake up call. I decided to visit the doctor because I was very tired, dizzy and short of breath. The nurse asked me to step on the scale and there were the numbers that haunt me to this day: 236. Let’s say that out loud: Two hundred and thirty six pounds. I joked to the nurse “Guess I better change my license”. I honestly don’t remember the rest of that doctors visit. I went home, sat on the front porch and cried like a baby. I mean, complete sobbing like a 2 year old. I knew I was big, but I was over 200 lbs? ME? The funny girl? Wait a minute! That meant I wasthe funny fat girl. Well that was just great! The more I thought about it, the more I cried. While I was sitting there, I thought to myself "I can either sit here and cry or do something about it". I stood up & headed to the end of the driveway – all while still crying. I simply walked to the end of our street and came back. I felt like I had walked across the entire United States of America. Realistically, it was about a block. I thought my chest was going to explode and I couldn't breathe. The next day, I walked up the end of the street twice! What was next? A triathlon?! Over the next few months, I started walking around a lake. I even jogged a little. Slowly but surely I increased my exercise and lowered my caloric intake.

Ultimately, I went from a size 24 pants and 1X shirt to a size 10 pants and small shirt. Keep in mind, this has been over the course of 10 years. Say that again: TEN YEARS! I didn't pay anybody anything. I didn't take any magic pills. I tried a few crazy fad diets (cabbage soup, really?!) but for the most part I just tried to eat healthier. I have had several set backs and have yet to achieve my goal. I was very close; however, I got married – to a chef - and thought I could now let myself go and eat whenever my husband ate. Wrong. Some of the weight came back like a moth to a flame. So here I am again, working on my goal.

I started Extreme Fit in April of 2010. I went to “Bring a Friend” Day in March. Within 5 minutes, I was sweating, seeing spots, almost losing my lunch and immediately declared my “friend” my newest enemy. In the car on my way home, I even called one of our mutual friends and left a message of “Be glad you didn’t come!!!! You were smart!! It was the toughest workout I’ve ever done. I thought I was going to die! Call me”. Two days later, I registered for April. To this day, I cannot get Message Friend to visit one class.

Here’s the thing: I’m not an athlete. I’m not trying to be one. When I’m in class, I do my best to give 120%. There are many times that I’m the person at the back of the pack. It seems like I spend most of boot camp catching up. I’m last in finishing the 100 jump ropes and 1 million bicycle crunches (ok that’s what it seems like). The key to it is this: I finish. I don’t quit. I try to do what I feel is my best and I know it’s not the same as the person next to me. I’ve shed blood (literally), sweat and enough tears to fill a swimming pool. I’ve found that when I start to have self doubt in the middle of a workout, I can think of 5 people who are at home doing absolutely nothing and wouldn’t come to boot camp to save their life. So do what is your best and try to push yourself just a tad bit further.

“If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed” – David Viscott

Talk of Alabama December 2010

Rachel Hunt — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:00:00 GMT

New Year's Resolution

Rachel Hunt — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Over the next week millions of people around the world will make their New Year's Resolutions. If you are one of the many that like to begin the year with a fresh start and new goals, you are not alone. Is this the year you will stick to those new year's resolutions? If you are ready to start a new and healthier you this year, here are a few tips for making your resolutions a reality.

· Choose an Attainable Goal. We all like to dream big, but to be successful with this year's resolutions, keep your resolutions attainable. Creating smaller goals that you can build on will keep you moving in a positive direction. If your goals are too large, you may get disappointed if you don't meet the high expectations you set for yourself.

· Do it for YOU. We've had clients in the past that have signed up for boot camp because someone else wanted them in boot camp. Those client's usually don't stick with the program. To achieve your resolutions, the goals you set should come from a sincere desire to change for yourself. You've got to want it!

· Reward Yourself Along the Way. We all like to be rewarded for our hard work. So before you even start going after those resolutions, establish a reward that is within reach. However, be careful of the reward you establish. If you just lost 7 pounds from boot camp, don't celebrate with a large piece of cheesecake! Instead, treat yourself to something non-food related, like a message or a new pair of jeans.

Don't Do it Alone. We all need accountability and encouragement when we are facing new challenges. Find a friend or family member who will be honest and keep you accountable. It is also helpful to have a professional onboard to help you reach your goals. Especially when it comes to fitness, research studies have shown that assistance from a fitness professional greatly improves an individual's success rate.

Apricot Lemon Chicken

Holly Grainger — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Your Daily Dish

Overeat yesterday? I'll admit it--I did too. Sometimes potato salad and stawberry cupcakes just seem to call my name. Let's clean it up this week and get back on track. A new month of bootcamp starts today so commit now to eat clean and healthy this month. Start with this high protein, 5-ingredient chi...cken recipe paired with a spinach salad and 1/2 cup brown rice.

Recipe Here

Boot Camp Blogger: In This Together

Tara — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:08:04 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

There are so many aspects of Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp that have enhanced my quality of life in the past few months. I’m getting into shape; I’m getting into a routine; I’m changing my lifestyle; I’m becoming a better role model for my daughter. All of these things are things I had hoped would change in my life when I signed up. What I didn’t expect was that I’d become friends with the people who were going through many of the same things I was (and still am) at that time.

When I signed up for Boot Camp, I was not in a very good place in my life. I still had baby weight I was struggling to lose, I wasn’t eating right, I wasn’t moving enough. I needed something to really kick my butt into shape and get me on the fitness wagon. And when Valerie (whom I’d worked with and whom I knew was an amazing athlete) mentioned that she was going to be teaching a “boot camp,” it was like a light went off in my head. I knew immediately it was what I had to do.

Initially, I was afraid these classes were going to be filled with tri-athletes like Valerie who were just there to get a little extra out of their workouts. But when I began class, I realized that I was not alone in the search for betterment in my life. There were people of all sizes, all fitness levels, all walks of life. Amazingly, I don’t think I was in the worst shape compared to my classmates (though I could’ve been close). I was in good company, and that remains the same today.

Making new friends in a situation like Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp was inevitable. We’re all working hard toward goals that are vital in our lives, whatever our core reason, especially those of us who stick with it month in and month out. We have all chosen to do something extreme, something many people wouldn’t dream of taking part in. We’re all to a point in our lives when we’re ready for real change. These new friends have become essential to keeping me focused on achieving my goals.

Case in point: This past weekend, four of Valerie’s Boot Campers (myself included) decided to go mountain biking. We met at the Cracker Barrel (I won’t mention how much food landed on our table for breakfast) and then headed out to Oak Mountain State Park. Now, I hadn’t been mountain biking since I lived Northern California, and mountain biking in the Sierras is quite a bit different than mountain biking in Birmingham, Alabama. I prepared by packing my backpack full of cereal bars and trail mix and water, anything that would keep us alive in case we got off track and had to spend a night on the “mountain.” With my history in biking out West, the fact that “mountain” biking in Birmingham should more aptly be called “hill” biking, and my full backpack, I figured I had a leg up in this endeavor.

We got to the park, de-biked our cars, and threw on our helmets. I tried out the bike loaned to me by a fellow Spain Park Boot Camper (thanks Steph!), and I thought I had a pretty good handle on the gears. So we oiled up our chains and headed out. About .1 miles down the trail, I hit a rock, lost my footing, smashed my shin on the spiked pedal (yep, I have bruise), and slammed to a stop. I looked back, and my chain lay on the ground next to the bike. It was broken. Guess I need to rethink these Alabama “hills.”

After breaking my friend’s bike and conceding defeat to the Alabama “hills,” the whole group walked back to the parking lot, and I prepared to leave. But my fellow Boot Campers decided to hang up biking for the day and go for a hike instead. Since my backpack was heavy (and surely a part of the reason I hit the rock initially), I decided to leave it in the car. We hit the red trail and hiked, talked, laughed about how Coach Val would have us running through the hills with a BOSU ball above our heads, and even went off the trail once (thanks, Steven, for getting us back on track and saving us from a cold night on the mountain with no food and only a few sips of water to keep us alive). It was a great day and a great workout.

I look forward to more excursions with the friends I’ve made through Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp. We all have goals we are striving to reach, and we’re helping each other to reach those goals, whether with a simple “you’re doing great” in class or on facebook, or by picking up your classmate’s broken, WD40-soaked bike chain after she ruins a much-anticipated bike ride. What I was looking for when I signed up for Valerie’s Boot Camp class was support and encouragement, and what I’ve gotten out of it is so much more. Thanks Coach Val and Spain Park Boot Campers. You have made my life so much fuller.

BOSU Ball Run Update: The day I wrote the post “The Albatross,” Coach Val decided it was the perfect day to do the BOSU ball above your head/run challenge (you tricked me, Val!). So I did it, and I survived. It was tough, I was miserable the whole time, but I did it. On a high note: We burned a heck of a lot of calories that night!

Boot Camp Blogger: The Albatross

Tara — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:09:04 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

As most of you know firsthand, facebook is an amazing place to reconnect with old friends, chat with current friends, and make new friends. It’s also a great way to keep up with what’s going on in people’s lives without actually speaking to them. What facebook has done for Extreme Fit Training is offer a valuable forum to grow and expand the brand, as well as keep Boot Campers informed about daily goings-on. So last night, as I was perusing the Live Feed on facebook, I noticed a comment that stopped me cold: “Who runs a mile with a BOSU ball over their head, competing with another team? Greystone Boot Campers, that's who!!! GO team!” Rachel’s Boot Campers (you all know Rachel, I’m confident) ran a mile holding a BOSU ball over their heads. Rachel’s Boot Campers ran A MILE with a BOSU ball OVER THEIR HEADS! This single comment sent a surge of terror up my spine.

I’m not sure when it happened, my anxiety about running long distances. In my 20s, I used to run all the time. In my early 30s, I trained for a marathon! I was up to about 8 miles when I got pneumonia and was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and had to cease training. Eight miles: I think that’s pretty good! At home, I do pretty well when it comes to running, probably because I don’t feel the pressure of performance like I do in class. But now, whenever Valerie mentions running even a short distance, I get a knot in my stomach and begin to shake.

So when I read Rachel’s comment, I immediately e-mailed Valerie. And, as I suspected, Team Spain Park will soon be doing the exact same challenge. I think I need to lie down. As a warm-up this week, we did a chain gang run where Boot Campers, in a single-file line, jog behind the leader at his pace, and then the last person in line races to the front of the line and keeps pace until the next person takes lead. It was awful. I could barely get to the front of the line because the class seemed to be running so fast, and when I finally made it and slowed the pace a bit, the next person (I won’t name names) stepped it back up almost immediately. I was in hell! And to add insult to injury, toward the end of the run, as I lagged behind the rest of the class, Valerie yelled at me to pick up the pace and said (in the nicest way possible, as Coach Val is a very sweet human being) that I was holding up the team. HOLDING. UP. THE. TEAM.

I have expressed my apprehension about running to Valerie several times, and she’s always been quite encouraging. She tells me how strong I’ve gotten during the past three months, that she knows I can do it, how my mind is telling me I can’t do it but my body knows I can. I hear all of Valerie’s words loud and clear and try to take them to heart, but when I’m running with the class, it feels as if it’s my heart that’s telling me that I can’t do it. And my lungs. And my legs. And my red-hot face dripping with sweat. Even my arms are screaming for me to stop, lie down in the middle of the street, and pray to God that this will end!

So now that I know this one-mile BOSU ball challenge lies ahead, I really have to wrap my brain around this running thing. It has become my biggest obstacle, and I must prevail. Anything else that Valerie throws at me right now I can handle. Push-ups (the real ones): no problem. Old-school sit-ups (50 in a row): easy breezy. Fast squat lunges: Just tell me how many. Go run a mile while holding a BOSU ball above your head: Shoot me please because I’d rather be dead! I guess it’s time I sling this albatross from my neck, take Valerie’s advice on practicing at home, and get out there and tackle it with my head held high! So which night is it we’re doing this Coach? I’m pretty sure that night I have to wash my hair.

Boot Camp Blogger: Obsessed With Calories

Tara — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:32:19 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

An important thing (well, many important things, but I’m focusing on one in particular today) has happened to me since I began participating in Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp: I’ve become completely obsessed with calories. I’m not saying this is a good or a bad thing; it’s just a new thing for me. I mean, of course I know eating a big Italian meal and topping it off with a bottle of wine is likely more calories than I need in an entire day, but I love Italian food and wine, so I used to just accept that I wasn’t making the healthiest choices and move on. But now, looking at a plate of lasagna makes me sweat, and drinking an extra glass of wine has me waking the next day mad at myself.

So today was my mother’s birthday, and as a special treat, we decided to go to the movies (Couples Retreat is hilarious, by the way). Since I knew I’d want to get popcorn, I decided to save up my calories for the day and splurge (no, I didn’t skip breakfast, but I do plan to have a very light supper). In my former life (BBC [Before Boot Camp]), I would not only have popcorn, I’d top it off with a Coke Icee (sorry Valerie, I know your entire body is convulsing as you read this). But now, I just can’t wrap my brain around ingesting more than 1500 calories per day (preferably 1200 until I reach my weight-loss goal). So we went to the movies, and I had my popcorn. And it was fabulous!

When I got home, I had to do my second weekly workout for Month 3, Week 1. So I completed the first half and felt like I’d burned quite a few calories, but as always, life got in the way. A stray dog decided to go along on the run with my daughter and me, and Kensie loved it! She watched him like a hawk and squealed with delight when he came over and licked her across the face. But when we got back to the driveway, and I lay down on my mat to do my full sit-ups, plank holds, and the rest of the ab work, the dog spotted our cat. You can only imagine what ensued. As my daughter stood screaming at me from the garage, “Mommy, he’s trying to eat Torgo! Mommy! Save Torgo!”, I chased this dog around my car (yay, more burned calories!) trying to grab his collar and pull him away from my cat, who was hissing and screaming as if being tortured. By the time I got the dog away from the cat and the cat into the house and safe, it was dark, and I had to move the rest of my workout indoors.

So I hopped on my stationary bike, set it for 20 minutes on a relatively tough setting, and started peddling. On this bike, you’ve got every number you could want at your fingertips: heart rate, pulse, distance, time, and the dreaded calories. The problem was that the calories just didn’t seem to be moving as quickly as I would have liked. So I increased my peddling, and still, the calories rose at a snail’s pace. According to our weekly agenda, I was to do 20 minutes and burn no fewer than 250 calories. At 10 minutes in, I knew there was no way I was going to hit 250 calories in 20 minutes. So I began to pedal as hard and as quickly as I could. Final number of calories burned in 20 minutes: 150. It had been nearly two hours since I began my workout (including the dog and cat debacle), and it was past time to feed my hungry daughter. So I had to accept the fact that I hadn’t burned what I’d wanted, and I there was no more time in my day to burn more. I was very disappointed.

What I’ve concluded about the issue of calories for me is this: There has to be a happy medium. I have accepted the fact that I will never be a fanatic like my coach, Valerie, and that fitness will only be a small part of my life with everything else that I have to fit into a day. But it has become a much more important part of my life in the past few months—one that has made me a new, better version of me. I’ll never completely give up a good Italian meal and a luscious bottle of wine, but Extreme Fit Training and Coach Valerie have opened my eyes, and I will forever be grateful for that.

Boot Camp Blogger: The Hiatus

Tara — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:24:37 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

I’ve decided that having time off in between Boot Camp sessions is not a good thing for me, and this was clear last night during my first night of Month 3 with Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp. Now, in my defense, I was sick the entire off week and in bed much of it, even with a two-year-old at my heels. But I’m not really sure what I would’ve done with my time had I been in perfect health (though I do know what some others did, or, shall I say, did not do). For me, being in a class setting and being held accountable is a huge deal and something that has kept me going in this endeavor for the past two months, and I know missing that routine for even one week could set me back.

All day before my first Month 3 class, I had a sort of knot in my stomach. No doubt my life in most areas right now is not even close to the way I’d like it to be, but I knew it was more than that. It was Boot Camp that was causing my stomach to turn. I. DID. NOT. WANT. TO. GO. I hate to say those words, though they were true at the time, because I love the class, my coach, and my fellow classmates. But Boot Camp is hard work, and after being off for a week sick with absolutely no exercise other than climbing the stairs to the kitchen or chasing my kid who thought it was funny to run from Mommy when asked to do something that she deemed inane, I had a feeling things were gonna be rough.

If memory serves, I don’t believe my very first Boot Camp class ever (a couple of months ago) was this hard. Admittedly, I was in terrible shape, but Valerie has really stepped up her game, and last night she proved to us why we’re where we are and she’s where she is when it comes to fitness. We started with hundreds of jumping jacks to warm up, followed by quite a bit of upper-body work (my shoulders are definitely tight today), squat curtsies, football feet, the praying-position-bounce-to-squat-with-your-arms-out-like-you’re-about-to-attack move. Valerie pulled out some of her best moves for our first night, and some new ones, as well. (I have to say the new ab move where you’re lying flat on your mat, lift your legs straight up, raise your hips and then let your partner shove your feet back to the ground kind of took my breath away. 50. TIMES.) I definitely think she opened some eyes with this initial workout, and I’m afraid, yet excited, to see what else she has in store for us this month.

One of my favorite things to do now that I’m a Boot Camp “veteran” is to focus on the faces of the new Boot Camp participants. You know that commercial: “Boot Camp Admission: $200; Ripped Boot Camp Instructor: Bonus; New Boot Camp Participants’ Expressions: Priceless!” That’s what I had going through my head while watching the “newbies” try to figure out how to do a plank-hip-touchdown or air jack for the first time, or huffing and puffing just trying to pull up their bodies while attacking surrenders. They had no idea what they’d gotten themselves into, and they were now second-guessing that decision every time Valerie mentioned getting our heart rates up a little higher when they were already gasping for breath or when she shouted, “Come on! You can do anything for two minutes!” I was there once: I remember!

For me, the first night of Month 3 was definitely hard, but surprisingly, I was OK with it. Yes, the cardio was a bit harder than it should have been at my stage, but then, I’m still getting over a sinus infection. And yes, the shoulder and ab work burned a bit more than I remember, but then, Valerie’s changed things up this month, and the moves are getting more refined and tougher. After class, I felt as I always do, relieved yet excited and ready to tackle another uncertain day. Who’s to say whether it was my week off in bed or Valerie becoming a bit tougher in her regime, but one thing I know for sure: I won’t be slacking the next time we have a week off!

Boot Camp Blogger: The Magic Number: 900

Tara — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:38 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

In the final week of Month No. 2 into my journey with Extreme Fit Training’s Boot Camp, Coach Valerie was on a mission. She freely admits that she is a fitness nut and a “little bit crazy,” and when we heard our goal for the last few nights of Boot Camp, we began to believe her. We were to burn 900 (yes, I did say 900) calories per night. OK, I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that’s a lot of calories to burn in one hour, and I’m pretty sure it’d be quite the feat to actually accomplish this goal. But Valerie believed we could do it (no doubt she could do it, but I’m not sure anyone in our class believed we could), so after a few grunts and groans from class members, we set out to accomplish our goal.

One of my classmates wears a heart-rate monitor, which shows how hard your heart is working and how many calories you’ve burned. Although I haven’t yet made this purchase, it seems like a good investment, especially if you’re into this fitness thing for the long haul. Our plan was to keep up with my classmate’s calories and to assume that we were all on track with her. So we began our first class, and we hit it hard.

After a gentle warm-up of running stairs (see “Don’t Learn the Hard Way: Eat” about running stairs) peppered with a few hundred push-ups, we were ready to start burning calories. Valerie had set up stations for us, with the dreaded center station right in the middle of the pavilion. In the center station, one person does 75 to 100 (depending on the move) reps of one cardio move while everyone else does the station of their choice until the center person is done performing his or her move. The first center station move was the dreaded sideways-step-hop-over-the-ball-then-squat. We were to do 75 nonstop, and no one could stop their chosen exercises until the center person was finished (Coach Val has taken the advice of current and former class members to become a bit harder on us, so every now and again she implements a punishment if you stop before it’s time).

Now, I’m the kind of person who likes to get the hard stuff over with first, because I know once it’s over, I get a nice break (well, as nice as the breaks get during Boot Camp) from the heavy-on-the-legs cardio, which is the toughest part for me. So I always tried to jump in there first and get it done. Like I said , the cardio that’s heavy on legwork—running, stairs, frog leaps, the sideways-step-hop-over-the-ball-then-squat move—is always the hardest for me. Arms are easy-breezy; squats and lunges are a walk in the park; abs are a welcome respite. But the second Valerie mentions jogging or running stairs, my heart skips a beat. But I got in there and did it, and then watched as the rest of my classmates struggled through.

The center station for the second challenge included a new move Valerie saw on some fitness show I’m sure she watches every chance she gets to find new ways to challenge us. The punch-punch-punch-jump move. This move has to be one of the hardest we’ve done in the second month. The punch-punch-punch part isn’t so tough, but then you have to jump with both knees together as high as you can and slap your knees with your hands. After about 10 of these in a row, you’re pretty much ready to quit. Only 65 more to go! So the second challenge was just that, a challenge.

After each challenge, we’d check the heart-rate monitor to see how many calories we’d burned, and no matter how hard we worked, they just didn’t seem to climb as quickly as we’d like.

The center station on the third challenge consisted of lunges. 35 on each leg. This doesn’t sound like it’d be too hard, but after all of the cardio we’d been doing (don’t forget that while one person is performing in the center station, everyone else is performing another move, like the mountain climber, jump-turn-squats, or triangle push-ups), our legs were like noodles, and lunges burned like fire.

So after our final challenge, when we checked the heart-rate monitor for calories burned, needless to say, we were a bit disheartened. But Coach Val wasn’t discouraged at all. “OK,” she screamed, “let’s go run!” So off we were to run laps.

The second night was much the same as far as challenges, only our final push after not burning quite enough calories was relay racing (again, not so easy with legs like noodles). Our final night consisted of the 100-point challenge, which is basically to choose challenges from a list and do them as quickly as possible until you’ve garnered 100 points. The last night is always a nice end to a challenging month.

Needless to say, we never made our goal of 900 calories in one hour, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. In my opinion, an hour just isn’t enough time for a bunch of people just beginning a fitness routine to burn that many calories. We haven’t yet developed the skill and determination to reach such a lofty goal. But I know that will come in time as long as we keep working hard and keep believing in ourselves, as I know Coach Valerie does. Why else would she give us what seemed like such an unattainable goal unless she knew that we could, eventually, reach it?

Boot Camp Blogger: Don’t Learn the Hard Way, Eat!

Tara — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:38:12 GMT

Boot Camp Blogger is a look into the life of Boot Camp participant Tara. Follow along each week as she experiences the challenges and successes of Boot Camp the Extreme Fit way!

I’ve never been one to really think much about eating other than the fact that I love food, and usually not the right kinds. But one thing I’ve definitely learned in the past couple of months during Boot Camp is this: Food is imperative to a properly functioning body, especially in extreme situations.

From the start, my Extreme Fit Training coach, Valerie, has always emphasized the importance of eating right, getting in our vegetables and water, always having a snack a couple of hours before each class, and the dreaded, “A flat tummy starts in the kitchen!” And in my head, I know that she is absolutely correct on all counts. That’s why I’ve changed the foods I eat (cheese is out for the most part, and portion sizes have been cut in half), I’ve really cut back on what I eat, and I’ve definitely been cognizant of what I put in my mouth (wine doesn’t count, right?). And from the beginning, I’ve made sure that I always get in my 4 o’clock snack. But sometimes, life just gets in the way.

It’s Week 3, Month 2 with Extreme Fit Training for me, and this week, I felt like I was hitting my stride. But before our first class of the week—which is always the hardest, I might add—I made a crucial mistake. I got busy with my daughter, trying to get my new business going, and taking care of things at the house (i.e. broken dishwasher and dryer at the same time), and I forgot to eat. I had eaten a protein shake for breakfast and half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (wheat bread, of course) for lunch, and that was it for the day. So as I was driving to Boot Camp trying to shove in about 40 ounces of water before I got there (forgot that, too), I realized what I’d done. But it was too late. If I ate right before class, it could make me sick. But then, if I didn’t eat anything at all, I could get sick, too. So, with only two options and both having similar possible outcomes, I chose the latter.

Almost immediately as class commenced, I noticed a huge difference in my energy level. Our workout started with running stairs (the first time I’ve done this, actually, with our team), and I was miserable! Up sideways right, sprint down. Up sideways left, sprint down. Up backwards, sprint down. Sprint up, sprint down. Three flights of about 15 steps apiece per move. By the time we jogged back to our usual workout area (which seemed like a mile but was likely only a couple hundred feet), I felt like collapsing. And it was completely my fault.

The entire workout, though a great one (Valerie’s really stepped it up this month), was the hardest I’ve had to endure yet. Harder even than my very first class! And by the end of it, I was completely nauseous. The first place I headed right after class was the grocery store for a banana. ONE. SINGLE. BANANA. Yes, I got a few interesting looks from people being I was dripping wet, had sweat rings surrounding every crevice in my body, and looked a bit green while buying one single banana. But I didn’t care. All I could think about was getting that banana in me. After the first couple of bites, the nausea began to decrease, and I was on my way to recovery. An hour or so later, I was fine (though a bit sore from class, which is the norm).

The moral of this story: Always make sure to eat a proper snack (fruit, veggies, nuts, PB&J, anything healthy) a couple of hours before working out, especially before an extreme workout; make sure to drink lots and lots of water so you’re properly hydrated; and try not to let life get in the way. If you do, you’re going to end up like the guy who threw up during my very first class, the other guy who ended up flat on his back with his legs in the air my second week of Month 1, or me in the grocery store who was lucky enough not to throw up on the feet of the cashier. And you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.