During my 20’s and 30’s, I would roll my eyes at those over-40 women who would whine and moan about how hard it was to lose weight. Well, now I’m the whiner!! I’m a busy, 44 year old single mom with two girls, ages 14 and 11. I work full-time, I’m president of our HOA, and seem to always have something better to do than workout. But, after my divorce last year, it was time to convince myself that I was worth the effort. Even if the weight comes off slower, I’m still headed in the right direction and I am making committed changes that affect my future health and well-being. Bottom line: Positive changes.
The Transformation Challenge forced me to take a closer look at my food choices. While my daily food intake wasn’t out of control, it did help to reveal that I potentially have an intolerance to dairy products. Now, food is not entertainment. I eat every 2-1/2 to 3 hours because my body is now expecting it, I eat protein with every meal and I usually eat the same types of foods. It’s become a habit and I am confident that this is my ‘diet’ for the rest of my life.
The competitors attended an orientation meeting at Concita’s house where we also watched her weekly food prep. It was a wonderful education and I learned so much from the questions the other women asked that had not even dawned on me. I highly recommend that session.
Of course, having the daily accountability was key. I set up a reminder on my Outlook calendar to email Concita every evening at 9:00 pm and it would pop-up on my phone every night. Answering to myself wasn’t enough. I also had a competition going with my boyfriend which helped as well. Once Concita found out about that competition, there was no way she was going to let me lose and she’d use that motivation during boot camp to remind me. (By the way, I kicked his butt!)
My proudest moment was when a male co-worker (who had noticed my frequent trips to the office kitchen over the past few months) commented “I admire your commitment and dedication to your health. And it shows!” That recognition energized me and reinforced my path.
It is so easy for busy moms to throw their time completely into the other areas of their lives – their job, family, community, church, neighbors, housekeeping, etc. And, boy can we preach it to other women, “you’ve got to take care of yourself” or “don’t ignore your health”. But, for some reason, we’ve been programmed to think that we’re being selfish if we take a moment for ourselves. I’ve realized that in those ‘me’ moments, I am still giving back to the other areas of my life – as a healthier, more balanced woman. And, of course, the example I’m setting for my girls will hopefully shape them to be healthier, balanced women, too.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Weight Loss for Women Over 40 - Boot Camp Style
Lose Fat Fast- Set Priorities-Plan- Follow Through
Here's how Liz set priorities, planned, and used accountability to follow through to lose fat fast by completing her Highland Village boot camp challenge.
After two months of Fit Club, I was looking for a new way to motivate myself. I signed up for the challenge knowing it would be difficult...
A written out meal plan sounded easy. It meant not having to plan my own meals, but soon I found myself in the kitchen non-stop, cooking and washing dishes. I was getting stressed and started thinking I‘d made the wrong choice. Looking through the plan I found several days of substitutions, and a way to keep eating according to plan. I found a way to start preparing several days of meals at a time.
How hard could 24 minutes of exercise each day be? I soon found out. Some days, the only thing that kept me following the rules was the simple fact that I’d told Concita I would. I didn’t want to quit when I’d given my word.
My worst day I had to wake up at 4:45am to start my tabata. I worked all day and then had to start my “job” at home. I took the kids to karate, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen, packed bags for the next day, bathed the kids, and put them to bed. I was exhausted and falling asleep at 9pm. I lay there thinking that that would be the night I would quit the challenge. It wasn’t possible to keep up with the exercise, it was too hard, I was too busy. Who would care if I didn’t do my exercise? It didn’t really matter to anyone but me if I quit. Then I thought about all the effort I had already put in. How could I change my body if I didn’t even try? Unhappily, I changed my clothes and started my workout. It was a struggle to start, but once I did, I got a second wind and was able to finish. I was really proud of myself for getting it done.
After that I moved my rest day from Sunday to Monday. I had to make exercise a priority in my schedule, and my Mondays were too unpredictable. I also realized that having my exercise requirement hanging over my head was no way to spend my day. I hate getting up early, but I hate the feeling of having unfinished responsibilities even more. Setting the alarm and getting up before the rest of the family is the best way for me to get my exercise done so I can enjoy the rest of my day. The tabata I could do anytime, even if the kids were right there.
This challenge taught me a lot. I learned just how crucial planning really is. If I leave my exercise to the times when I “feel like exercising,” I never get it done. If I leave my meal planning to the start of each day, I find myself hungry and frustrated several times a day. I learned that I really can change my habits, my lifestyle, my body. It can be done!
Liz's Flat Belly Highland Village Boot Camp Challenge Pictures
Lose Fat Fast - Coppell Boot Camp Challenge
Here's How Cristina plowed through excuses, resisted the temptation of her parents' great food, and learned to plan her menus so that she could succeed at eating to lose fat fast with her Coppell weight loss challenge.
One of the obstacles that I had to overcome to stick to the challenge was the temptation of the home-cooking at my parents’ house since I often visit on weekends. During the week it was easier to stick to compliant meals and workouts but when I am with my family, it can be difficult to turn away when offered. I started bringing my own prepared meals and snacks which really made it so much easier not to slip. It also was great that my family started making an effort to eat healthier.
Another of the obstacles was holiday parties that occurred throughout the month. I knew that there aren’t always the best choices for food and there is always alcohol available. I prepared the whole week by being strictly compliant during the week and being able to let loose just a bit during the social gatherings without going overboard.
One of the most exciting moments during the challenge is when I notice that my pants were starting to fit more loosely as the weeks progressed. It definitely motivated me to push harder during workouts and not falter with meal options because I definitely love food and sometimes it can be so tempting to eat what you shouldn’t.
One of my lowest points during the challenge was when my back started bothering me again from a previous injury. I didn’t want this to be an excuse to quit the challenge altogether, especially since I was halfway through it. Instead, I adjusted the workouts and decreased the intensity so I could still complete this challenge and maintain my compliance with my workouts.
This challenged helped me realize that getting the body one wants can be done. I find myself more aware of what I eat and keeping my workouts going even after the challenge. I know that as a busy woman there are so many things that pull us here and there or stress us out, it being work, family, etc and make it seem difficult to squeeze in a workout or make a better eating choice. It is about wanting it enough to make it work and not making excuses to yourself or others to make yourself feel better, which I have definitely done before. Those 20 minutes that I probably would use to sit in front of the TV, I can use instead to workout, or even workout while watching TV.
Concita always says that meal preparation is important for your nutrition, which is so true. When I began preparing my meals in bulk, it was so easy to just throw my meals in my bag before heading to work. I didn’t have to think about or stress about it, especially on mornings where I was running late or where I knew I was going to be really busy all day. The last thing I want to do when I get home late is to figure out what meal to prepare and it becomes so tempting to just stop by a fast food place. Time is of the essence for a busy woman and if you can save a couple of hours throughout the week by setting aside allotted times to prepare meals, it makes it a lot less stressful and less likely for slip-ups.
Tight Waist - How Cindy Achieved Hers
Here's how Cindy found what worked for her to overcome emotional eating and find her weight loss motivation to complete her Highland Village boot camp weight loss challenge.
I wanted to be a part of this challenge because I need accountability. I was 130 lbs and had just left a career of 17 years that I was very successful at. I worked hard and was promoted three times in 6 years. I finally resigned because of a hostile work environment. I walked around for about four years feeling like I had been kicked in the stomach. Oh yeah, I also went through a divorce and got remarried during this time. Over the past 6 years I have dealt with my stress and disappointments by eating. Of course I did not do this in front of my friends and family- I was too embarrassed. So, when they were out of the house or in bed, I would eat an extra piece of cake or some more cookies, etc. Most of the time I found myself snacking to avoid tackling the mounds of paperwork and responsibilities that come with a family business. I would tell myself that as soon as I had a snack, I would feel like handling all of that paperwork. Always putting off responsibilities would add to the stress and dread of missing deadlines and having even more work to do today than the day before was frustrating and depressing. THAT is why the accountability appealed to me. I knew that without someone contacting me every day to check on my progress for that day, I would not follow through.
While some participants might point to a particular portion of the challenge as the turning point for them, I had to take it meal by meal. If I ate an acceptable meal, I felt really good, like I had taken a step forward. But, it was that way with every opportunity to succeed or fail. I did not always eat the appropriate meal or exercise every day. I did realize though that there was always another opportunity to succeed with the next meal or exercise. That helped keep me going whenever I would blow it.
While the hardest part of the challenge for me was eating every 2-3 hours since I am very impulsive and busy (hard to stop what I am doing at the moment and have a meal or snack), the best part was the accountability.
I would say that if I did not believe that Concita knew what she was doing, I would not have the confidence to continue on my journey. Because of what happened to me in my career, I don't trust in or "sellout" to anything easily. But, I am very confident that if I follow her plan, I will succeed. I did not follow it consistently but if I had, I would've won this challenge!
Weight Loss For Real People
You too can lose belly fat, drop holiday pounds, and get in shape. Learn real life weight loss strategies from real women.
Our Beat the Holiday Belly Bulge Participants Share...
Learn what each woman learned about achieving rapid fat loss, their weight loss success tips, and how they stayed motivated to complete the challenge and achieve their weight loss and flat belly goals in our boot camp challenge. Click on the participants' name to read each story.
Cindy
Cristina
Kandace
Liz
Tricia
Monday, December 28, 2009
How to Trim and Tighten Your Waist in Less Than 30 Days
How to Flatten Your Belly After the Holiday
How to Lose Stubborn Fat in Less Than 30 Days
Tricia lost 1.625 inches in her umbilicus & 0.25 inches in her waist. She also lost 2 mm of fat off of her abdominal and 3 mm off her suprailliac site. Here are her comparison pictures.
This is 24 days of work. Are you ready to lose stubborn fat in less than 30 days with our boot camp program? Call today to reserve your spot for a FREE 2-WEEK trial membership 214-257-0146.
How to Lose Belly Fat in Less Than 30 Days
Here's Cristina's Coppell Boot Camp Flat Belly Challenge Results
Cristina lost 1.25 inches in her umbilicus & 1.625 inches in her waist. She also lost 4 mm of fat off of her suprailliac (hip bone) area. Here are her comparison pictures.
This is 24 days of work. Are YOU ready to lose the holiday belly fat with our boot camp program? Call today to reserve your spot for a FREE 2-WEEK trial membership 214-257-0146.
How to Drop a Jean Size After the Holidays
Liz lost 3.75 inches in her umbilicus & 2.25 inches in her waist. She also lost 2 mm (each site) of fat off of her abdominal and suprailliace areas. She also bought the smallest size jeans she's ever bought in her life after she dropped the belly fat during her challenge. Here are her comparison pictures.
How to Lose the Holiday Pounds
You know how hard it is to beat holiday weight gain and it's not much fun to lose the holiday pounds when the festivities are over either. But if you are looking for some inspiration to lose fat and get rid of the holiday pounds, you have come to the right place...
Many people think weight loss during the holiday season is near impossible and resolve to drop the weight after the holiday. However five ladies from Coppell, Valley Ranch, and Highland Village have beat holiday weight gain with our boot camp challenge. Out of the 5 ladies in our boot camp that took on the challenge to beat holiday weight gain, all 5 finished. Even more impressive is that all 5 got closer to their flat belly goals during the boot camp challenge. EVERYONE had reductions in waist and umbilicus (gut measurement) circumference measurements and reductions in abdominal and suprailliac (the pinch by the hip bone) body fat pinches. I have posted a blog for each participants results. Check them out by clicking on the participants name.
Then after you check them out, be sure you have secured your spot in our boot camp program to drop the holiday weight and lose the belly fat with us. Get your FREE 2-week trial membership today... 214-257-0146.
Cristina
Cindy
Kandace
Liz
Tricia
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Flat Belly for the Holidays
Week 1 CORRECTION: Tricia had 100% workout compliance, not 50%. I misread her grid.
The second week's check in has come and gone. The goal for dietary and exercise compliance is 90%. Here's the check in stats for week 2: (nutrition / exercise)
Cindy: waiting for her final check in
Liz: 98% / 100%
Cristina: 86% / 83%
Kandace: 93% / 100%
Tricia: 100% / 100%
Liz, Kandace, and Tricia have met both their workout and nutrition compliance goals. Congrats ladies!
The competition is getting fierce. All of the ladies are giving good effort in boot camp and everyone is having personal breakthroughs.
Tricia just dialed in her nutrition even more to put her fat loss on turbo charge.
Liz is bringing the intensity with the 'big girl' weights in class.
Cindy is pushing past her limits in class and giving the advanced exercise options a go.
Cristina is reigning in the weekend eating temptations and showing up on even the coldest of days (she's in the Coppell group and they still exercise outside most days) to blast the belly fat.
Kandace is pushing even harder than before and mastering her nutrition plan despite dietary limitations. She is not making any excuses- just finiding solutions!
Who will go on to be the Beat the Holiday Belly Bulge Champion? No one knows but one thing's certain, with compliance and effort like these ladies are giving, they will all get the prize of an improved figure for Christmas!
To work out with these inspirational women who are saying 'no' to holiday weight gain, join us next week for FREE BOOT CAMP WORKOUTS in Highland Village & Coppell during our bring a friend week. Call me at 214-257-0146 to find out what to bring to class.
Embrace the Burn!
Concita
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Beat Holiday Weight Gain
Check the blog weekly as I'll keep you up to date on how they are doing.
The first week's check in has come and gone. The goal for dietary and exercise compliance is 90%. That's right. You don't have to be perfect to beat holiday weight gain and lose weight.
Here's the check in stats for week 1: (nutrition / exercise)
Cindy: 67% /80%
Liz: 92% / 100%
Cristina: 100% / 100%
Kandace: 100% / 100%
Tricia: 92% / 50%
Cristina, Liz, and Kandace have met both their workout and nutrition compliance goals. Congrats ladies!
Trica met her nutrition compliance goal. Way to go!
Stay tuned to see how they do next week. One thing's for sure, they are giving some major effort in boot camp class and 'embracing the burn'.
To work out with these inspirational ladies who are Beating the Holiday Belly Bulge, give me a call to be my personal guest for a free boot camp workout during the week of December 14th. It's bring a friend week at Great Shape Fit Club and I'd love to help you beat holiday weight gain!
Embrace the Burn!
Concita
214-257-0146
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