Will work for smaller pants. - Page 5 - JP Fitness Forums

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

That Squat/Push press is DAMN impressive! I honestly don't think I can ever do that much weight over my head. It's surely my weakest area! You must be turning some heads in the gym!

Thank you so much! They were a struggle and I was relieved when I set the bar down and realized I had overloaded, finally figuring out why they were so hard! I work out my home gym--but next week will be in front of other people and am somewhat scared, yet excited to bust out some serious lifting!

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sveta

Second that! "accidentally overloaded" 80# push!!!

EEk indeed! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

You've come a long way, Baby!

Wouldn't have begun or made it this far without you!

dillytl · 02-20-2008, 11:31 AM

WOW Lori.....just....freakin' WOW!!

You have made SUCH a transformation!!!! You are truly an inspiration!!!

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillytl

WOW Lori.....just....freakin' WOW!!

You have made SUCH a transformation!!!! You are truly an inspiration!!!

Thank you--such a wonderful compliment just makes my day!

Ginger and I have talked about the fact that my significant overweightedness almost put me in the category for bariatric surgery, but every day, I am proud of the fact that I lost the weight and changed my body the hard way!!

missjane · 02-20-2008, 03:51 PM

What an amazingly beautiful transformation! You need to tell us your story!

stingo · 02-20-2008, 07:16 PM

Congrats to you for turning yourself around, and getting a whole new life.

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

What an amazingly beautiful transformation! You need to tell us your story!

Thank you Jane for such a meaningful compliment. My sister was going through her photos and came across those, they were definitely taken during a time when I avoided the camera as much as possible.

I was always one of the "chubby girls" growing up and if you were ever one of the big girls in school, you remember those moments when it was painfully obvious (or pointed out to you). My best friend growing up literally would eat a bag of Funyuns and drink 3 Cokes for dinner, and to this day, standing at over 5'10", hardly tops 110 pounds. As a teenager, I envied her like crazy for being able to wear the Guess jeans and have all the boys lavishing her with attention. By 8th grade, I was already grown out of the junior's sizes! When I was around 16, I joined the track team and a combination of daily running-until-we-puked and the discovery of awful OTC diet pills caused me to drop about 45 lbs. I stayed decently in shape throughout high school and had the typical peaks and valleys of a good 20 lbs. over the course of those next 4 years.
Suffice it to say that up until I was 30, I went through several periods of being pretty overweight and also several times where I dropped weight (the unhealthy ways--with the exception of the track team in high school, long-term adherance to exercise never was part of the equation).
I got married in April 2005, and on the day of my wedding weighed around 185lbs. The frantic nature of being the bride and planning the wedding, etc., etc. impacted that number with a good 7-10lbs. dropped just in those last two "I've got to fit into that damn dress" weeks before. After the wedding, I was happy and got comfortable and didn't give much thought to my eating or lack of activity and steadily ballooned up to 240lbs. Ginger and I had been friends for some time but had fallen out of regular touch until right before the wedding. Once we re-discovered our friendship, we started making it a real priority to plan visits. (we live about 4 hours apart) She started mentioning that she had joined her local Y and during our visits every 6-8 weeks, it was obvious that she was focused and really changing her body. In August 2006, I joined the Y down the road and started going in for different classes-step aerobics, Body Shop-which is a 1 hr. all-over light resistance class, and a couple others. I started making it a priority to work out at least 3 days a week and also began taking more notice of what I was eating. By January 2007, I had been faithfully going to the Y 4-5 days a week and had lost around 30-35lbs. Mid February, one of the instructors there mentioned that she worked as a personal trainer, so I met with her and signed on for 75 minute sessions, 4 days/week for 6 weeks. I continued to work with her until the beginning of September, but had reduced it to 3- 60min. seesions/week after that initial 6 week period. I saw great physical results and was encouraged by the workouts, but what she (the PT) offered in physical transformation was becoming more and more overshadowed by what she lacked in the "Personal" aspect of the training. About one month before I stopped working with her, I had begun my own studying to receive my PT certification.
I was definitely worried that by not having her to tell me what to do, I would put the weight back on or lose my motivation, but quite the opposite has happened! I've actually made more positive gains on my own and have also found new avenues of fitness that she was never willing to explore with me. Throughout this whole journey, Ginger and I have spent countless hours talking about every topic you can think of fitness and helth related. She was the one who turned me on to the NROL4W and got me interested in studying and applying the benefits of weight training. Heck-we just got off the phone after a lengthy discussion on jump squats and the terrible industrial practices of meat processing!

So, my story up until now has been me not having the confidence to believe in what I now know I am capable of doing. It took a friend to share her experiences and encourage me when I was at that "Where do I even start?" stage. As of this morning, my weight is 144lbs., I'm chalk-full of lean muscle mass, and most importantly when I walk into a room, I don't feel like I need to be ashamed of myself. Yes, perception of the body is a superficial concept on many levels, but you just can't put a price tag on that feeling you get when you know people have stopped what they were doing to take a good look. (especially gratifying now that I could probably *to steal a line from Natalia*-pick up the men that might try to pick me up!)

My life is so different now and so much more fulfilling. I'm so thankful and blessed to have had a friend like Ginger when I needed it most. Along the way, things have just started "clicking" for me, and I NEVER doubt for one second that I will EVER be at that "Where do I start now?" stage again. I do now hold my PT certification and have the joy of not only continuing to push myself to new heights, but to be a part of that rediscovery in other peoples' lives as well.

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingo

Congrats to you for turning yourself around, and getting a whole new life.

Thank you Tom!! Living proof that if I can do it, anyone can!

missjane · 02-20-2008, 07:39 PM

Bravo! Many congrats to you and how wonderful that Ginger was such a good friend and got you on the right path. And now you,are paying it forward! Way to go! You must be very proud and I'm sure you have inspired many.

LisaS · 02-20-2008, 09:00 PM

is the side-plank in workout A just a something extra that you've added in?

LoriAnne · 02-20-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaS

is the side-plank in workout A just a something extra that you've added in?

Yes it is. I felt like I needed a little extra "oomph" for my obliques and am feeling a difference from the extra static contraction.

LisaS · 02-20-2008, 10:34 PM

I just did A1 last night and didn't do them and when I read this I thiought "oh man, did I miss something?" and since my book wasn't here I thought I'd double check.

GinnyLou · 02-21-2008, 06:52 AM

I'm so happy that you posted some before pictures and shared your story, because it is a good one and so, so, motivating.
You have worked so hard and come so far, doing it the right way and treating your body good.
I love seeing how your confidence has changed!
I may have sparked your interest, but you have done all the hard work.
You have been just as much a motivator for me and I hope you know that. I'm super lucky to have you to bounce ideas off, discuss frustrations with certain exercises *cough, cough* one point rows and everything in between. Having you to talk to about all this, keeps me going.

LoriAnne · 02-21-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

I'm so happy that you posted some before pictures and shared your story, because it is a good one and so, so, motivating.
You have worked so hard and come so far, doing it the right way and treating your body good.
I love seeing how your confidence has changed!
I may have sparked your interest, but you have done all the hard work.
You have been just as much a motivator for me and I hope you know that. I'm super lucky to have you to bounce ideas off, discuss frustrations with certain exercises *cough, cough* one point rows and everything in between. Having you to talk to about all this, keeps me going.

Thanks and you know I love ya! If we don't watch out, people are going to start thinking we are actually emotional, mushy girls! LOL

sveta · 02-21-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoriAnne

Thanks and you know I love ya! If we don't watch out, people are going to start thinking we are actually emotional, mushy girls! LOL

You're too funny! LOL
Your story is incredible. You look gorgeous on you "before" pics as well IMHO but all the hard work you've done is just totally crazy in the best way. You're a star