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!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
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
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
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
You are too sweet! Okay, NOW I AM getting a little emotional!!!
The week has flown by, and I have to admit the diet change up has gone pretty well! I've dropped almost 7 lbs. this week, but still have felt plenty strong. I did eliminate my extra HIIT's, so that has probably helped. Food today was pretty weak, and I'm feeling the combined effects of that and a hard workout tonight! All I can say is that my husband needs to not say or do anything stupid, because I would hate to have to kill him and miss my trip!
Workout:
Deadlift from step: 1x10x115, 1x10x125
Bulgarian Split Squat: 2x10 eachx45lb. plate on 16" bench
Underhand WG Lat. Pulldown: 1x10x70, 1x10x80
Rev. Lunge w/Forward Reach: 2x10 eachx20 db's
DB Prone Cuban Snatch: 2x10x10 db's
(I giggle every time I say that aloud OR type it!)
Ball Crunch: 2x10x25lb plate
Reverse Crunch: 2x10x10lb. med. ball between knees
Side Crunch on Ball: 2x10 eachx10lb. med. ball at neck
Prone Cobra: 1x90 seconds, 1x75 seconds
I did not do the intervals-A, because of my food intake being so low, I wanted to preserve what I had done with the strength workout. B, I knew I was coming home to shovel snow and spent 1 hr. 35mins. doing that god-awful chore, so felt that was an adequate exception for opting out of the intervals.
I decided to do my oblique work with the side crunch/med. ball instead of the Hanna Flexion options. Didn't use a crazy weight and felt a much better contraction, PLUS got the added benefit of the lenghtening contraction. (just wanted to clarify before I got any posts that I was doing the wrong shit again! )
Planning a nice pilates-type workout tomorrow, so looking forward to getting some deep stretching. Will be using resistance bands, but nothing crazier than that. Probably will hit abs. pretty hard--one last gasp!
was that for me? I didn't think YOU were wrong - I was sure I had forgotten something> I knew there were 3 abs in WO B and I'd only done 2 for WO A - wouldn't have surprised me if I'd missed one.
__________________ It all starts with the mind, but the thoughts, the intention aren't enough. Action needs to come next. Dream it, believe it, plan it, execute it, celebrate it. - Wendy
was that for me? I didn't think YOU were wrong - I was sure I had forgotten something> I knew there were 3 abs in WO B and I'd only done 2 for WO A - wouldn't have surprised me if I'd missed one.
No, not at all at you, or anyone for that matter! I just didn't want anyone thinking I had misread the workout. I know some people are following the NROL workouts to a T, and others are doing their own thing. I just wanted to clarify that sometimes I get a wild hair and like to mix it up a little!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpacecityPaula
Wow LoriAnne... That's an awesome story
Thank you Paula. I'm sure lots of people here have gone through the same ups and downs. Jane had encouraged me to share my personal story, and readers of these threads have been so encouraging and supportive. It's quite a remarkable online community of people--a lot of whom are going through the same things!
For the flexion exercise....I know it says we get to choose. I looked at all four choices...the 3 Hanna and the side crunch on the ball. I tried them all, and for me, it seemed that the side crunch was the only one that really did anything for me. So, I MUST be doing the Hannas wrong or something. They seemed so easy for me. While the side crunches on the ball seemed to "work", if you know what I mean. So, of the 4 choices, I went with the side crunches. Now, I am wondering if I am missing out on something with the Hannas. What do you think?
Oh, and 7 lbs in a week is awesome! I may have to switch to YOUR diet to rock mine for a bit!
For the flexion exercise....I know it says we get to choose. I looked at all four choices...the 3 Hanna and the side crunch on the ball. I tried them all, and for me, it seemed that the side crunch was the only one that really did anything for me. So, I MUST be doing the Hannas wrong or something. They seemed so easy for me. While the side crunches on the ball seemed to "work", if you know what I mean. So, of the 4 choices, I went with the side crunches. Now, I am wondering if I am missing out on something with the Hannas. What do you think?
Oh, and 7 lbs in a week is awesome! I may have to switch to YOUR diet to rock mine for a bit!
I completely agree! I was able to feel a nice "chop" contraction (for lack of a better way to describe it) on the Hanna #3, but if I'm going to work my obliques, I want to FEEL like I've worked them, you know? The Hannas being so easy was exactly the breaking point for me. I still have excess fat deposits that are doing their best to hang on and I feel like an agressive attack is the only way to go. That being said, I think doing one of the Hannas and super-setting it with the side planks has been good for me. I'm feeling super results from combining that static contraction and following it with the squeeze-it makes the Hanna feel much more effective.
Thanks for the congrats! I feel like I've been living on EAS Protein Powder and don't even want to think about how many delicious egg yolks I have wasted! I definitely miss my morning cereal, but think that keeping my carbs. at a lower level may be a catalyst for me. It may not even be the carbs. so much as my sodium intake. I always watch it closely, but this week have had days where I was well under 500mg per day. Tough to keep them that low with lots of grain-based carbs. for sure.
7 pounds in one week!! I know, I know, we're all supposed to be tough chicks who don't obsess over the scale, the numbers mean nothing, blah, blah, blah... But, dang, I'm jealous! (If we could only choose a specific area from which to subtract the poundage, I'd sign right up for the next crash diet!)
So when exactly do you take off for NeverNeverLand?
Woke up today to a beautiful sunny morning after a full 8 hours sleep, which just hasn't happened in the last couple weeks, so a great way to start the day! Not a great thing was the incredible tightness in my back which I am definitely attributing the damn snow shoveling.
Got in one more good workout, and feeling dang good with my progression so far and definitely ready for those bathing suits!
Workout:
Warm-up/Stretched for about 6 minutes.
Concentration Curls: Right arm-12x20lb., Left arm-14x20lb.
Bench Dips: 18
Single-Arm Tricep Dropback: 12x15lb.
Shoulder Press: 19x20lb.
Hack Squats: 20 w/15db's
Jump Squats: 22
Walking Lunges: 40 total w/45lb. plate held overhead
Kickboxing for 20 minutes, 30 sec. rest periods every 2 mins.
10 minutes worth of pilates leg work/stretching on the Reformer.
12 Arms Overhead Crunches
12 Reverse Crunches
40 Bicycles
60 sec. plank
30 secs. scissors
30 secs. flutter kicks
15 Double Crunches
(by the 2nd double crunch, my abs. felt like they had been tied into a ball!)
Spent 10 minutes doing some serious stretching.
Not sure if I'll be posting next week, but will be keeping up with my workouts.
7 pounds in one week!! I know, I know, we're all supposed to be tough chicks who don't obsess over the scale, the numbers mean nothing, blah, blah, blah... But, dang, I'm jealous! (If we could only choose a specific area from which to subtract the poundage, I'd sign right up for the next crash diet!)
So when exactly do you take off for NeverNeverLand?
Thanks! I was a bit surprised to drop that much, but heck, I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth! No kidding about wanting loss to be specific--7 lbs. later and I STILL have those annoying inner thigh fat pockets.
We fly out tomorrow morning at 11:00am! Can't wait!
Have a fantastic trip!! Your story is certainly incredible... you are definitely an inspiration. I don't have to tell you what a great job yo're doing, keep it up!
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