There's No Stopping Me!

Just a quick update...

I am still working out not only because I love how my body is looking but because it is how I maintain my sanity. Carlene of Mommy's Body came by last week and gave me some killer upper body exercises so I should see some definition in my arms and back soon. I have been doing the leg workout she suggested, but a couple of the days I had some terrible pain in my left knee that made it difficult to do lunges. The photo above was taken about a month ago and i like it because I look lean with a bit of definition to my arms. I will keep posting periodic updates as I get new photos or have new milestones to announce.

Thanks for checking in!

Tight Curves Transformation Challenge - Part II

Yesterday I sent in my "after" photos for the second 12 week Challenge in which I was chosen to participate. I have included all three sets of photographs- "before", "during" and "after". "After" is not the end though, so be on the look out for more progress photos in the future. Carlene came by yesterday morning and I stepped on the Magic Scale once a gain and...I am so excited with my results! I lost almost 3% more body fat and gained some lean muscle mass so I am definitely on my way to meeting my overall goals. My fabulously fit friend, Carlene, who is a personal trainer and owner of Mommy's Body Health & Wellness, spent over an hour with me showing me a whole new lower body weight training program including plyometrics that will build muscle in my legs and butt. I am sore today but it's that good sore that lets you know you have muscles being built.

All this just goes to show there is hope for a 43 year-old woman to get in the best shape of her life. It's not easy and it takes time, discipline, hard work and dedication. But I think it is worth, don't you?

These are the "before" photos from December 10, 2008

These are the "after" photos from February 28, 2009

These are the photographs from May 29, 2009...TRANSFORMING!!!

Still Transforming and Working My Butt Off!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that I am still transforming and working my butt off! Carlene stopped by today with the Magic Scale and I am so thrilled to see that my body fat percentage is down. I lost some inches overall but it was all BF and only a teensy bit of lean muscle which is fantastic. Carlene will be putting together a new workout to focus on my lower body- legs and glutes need so much more work than anything else at this point. She's also going to address my nutrition plan which has been rather lame lately. I eat, but don't stick to what I should and sometimes don't eat enough. Lastly, I am going to ease back on my cardio since it is pretty much overkill at this point. One 30-45 minute session in the morning is fine for now and I figure on non-weight training days I can also go for a run in the afternoon if the mood strikes me. I have been walking with my niece, Kristin, and we split pushing her kids in a stroller on a five mile walk up and down hills a couple of days a week which is some really awesome exercise. We're thinking about renting the kids and stroller out to help people get in shape!

Well...progress is being made and I look forward to the day when I am training for a competition. Yes, I said it. It makes me really nervous to think about it but it would be really awesome to have a goal to work toward of that magnitude.

Until next time...keep your chin up and keep your eyes focused on your goals and you will succeed!

Tight Curves Transformation Challenge People's Choice Award :: Vote For Me!

:: AFTER :: :: BEFORE ::

I need your help! As you know, I participated in the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge, a nearly 12 week fitness challenge sponsored by Tight Curves between December 10, 2008 and February 28, 2009. I used their products for the duration of the Challenge as well as ramped up my workouts and changed my eating with the guidance of Carlene Steenekamp who is not only my friend, but a personal trainer and owner of Mommy’s Body Health and Wellness. You can see from my before and after photos that I did work really hard and I still am. Tight Curves sponsored about 20 of the participants, including me, with products for another 12 weeks so we could transform even more. How awesome is that?!

So here is how I need you help…Tight Curves has posted the winner of the Transformation Challenge and posted the finalists for a People’s Choice vote. Please vote for me (and the two other challengers you think made the greatest improvement)! Click here to get to the voting website. You will find me a little more than halfway down the page (Lisa Mueller) and then simply make your selections at the top of the page for first through third place. This was an unbelievable experience for me and I would love to win the People’s Choice! Voting ends on May 15th so don't wait, do it now! :)

Voting website :: http://www.tightcurves.net/transformation-challengers.aspx

I will continue to post periodic updates, including my second “after” photos in mid-June!

Thanks for helping me out!!

And the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge Winner Is...

...not me, but don't think that this will keep me down, dampen my spirits or cause me to give up on my physical transformation. Ummm, hell no! It's actually going to make me work harder so that I will have a stronger and more solid physique at the end of the extended Transformation Challenge some time in June. Not only was I sponsored for another 12 weeks, but I also receive a $100 credit for Tight Curves products. Yay, now I can try the Chocolate Protein! Carlene says it is yummy!! I will keep everyone posted on the next phase of judging the "People's Choice" which will be the top 20 Challenge finishers who will be posted on the Tight Curves website and the public will vote on their favorite. You can guarantee if I am one of those lucky women you will be asked (required!) to vote for me. So, even though I wasn't the BIG winner for the Challenge I have made such great improvements that I really feel like a winner (and a little bit like a dork for making such a big deal about this whole deal)!

...and the winner is...
Congratulations to Christine Woods Team Tight Curves Member Winner and Angel Miller Transformation Challenge Winner. (Angel's photos will be posted on the Tight Curves website soon and I can't wait to see what I was up against...)

Training and Food Journal: Saturday, February 28 :: Final Day and After Photos

Today marked the end of the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge and I celebrated with pizza and beer for dinner. Woo Hoo! Allan took my after photos for me (warning: photos are posted below and may scare small children so please use caution while viewing ;)) and I was very impressed with the way my body is transforming. I still have a long way to go but for a 43 year old woman I think I look pretty good.

Carlene used her magical machine on me Thursday afternoon and I learned that my hard work is paying off! I have lost 15 pounds, 5% of my body fat, one inch off my hips and three inches off my waist. Good riddance! Sadly, I lost about 3 inches off my chest, however; on the plus side my metabolic age went from 30 to 20! Yay me!

I asked Tom at Bodywell Nutrition to consider sponsoring me with their product for another 12 weeks. They said they would possibly do this for anyone who finishes the Challenge and is motivated. That's me! Unless, of course, I am the winner and then I think I still get some more Tight Curves product to try. I will definitely post whether or not I win or get to continue using the product at no charge. Wish me luck! I will be continuing to work toward my goal of a totally lean, fit and healthy body and will post my progress but probably not a daily journal of my training and nutrition as it has been a rather time-consuming task.

Let me know if you have come across my blog and been inspired to pursue a fitness challenge of your own!

Training:

AM: 35 minutes treadmill

PM: 30 minutes elliptical

Weight training: N/A

Food:

Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules

Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon and Splenda w/ 1/4 apple

Snack: N/A

Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules

Lunch: One slice bread and 6 slices turkey (150 cals) and soup (140 cals)

Afternoon snack: N/A

Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules

Dinner: Two slices Mellow Mushroom meat pizza and two Stella's

Dessert: Cheese blintz with strawberry sauce and two snack size Milky Way bars

Lots of water

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

Before - Front

After - Front

Before - Back

After - Back

Special thanks to Carlene Steenekamp at Mommy's Body for getting me involved in the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge and providing the nutrition and workout information I needed to get from "before" to "after" and beyond. Please contact Carlene if you would like to experience your own transformation challenge.

Training and Food Journal: Thursday, February 26

Carlene from Mommy's Body (I know, even though I don't have a Mommy's Body I still need guidance and Carlene is the perfect coach) came by to update my stats and it was awesome. More on this in Saturday's post since it is the last day of the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge. Check out Carlene's website for more information about what she can do for pre- and post-natal women or any woman who would like to change the shape she is in.

Training:
AM: 30 minutes elliptical
PM: 15 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Workout #4/Lower Body

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon and Splenda
Snack: N/A
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: One slice bread and 6 slices turkey (150 cals) and soup (140 cals)
Afternoon snack: 2 tbsp. peanut butter
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Chicken taco salad
Dessert: N/A
Lots of water

I received some new workouts from Carlene today and got right on it. My legs will definitely be sore tomorrow but that is great. Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 43 years old. I can still remember when I was 18 (and even younger) and I am in better shape now than I have been in years. I love my birthday, it's the best day of the year!

Training:
AM: 40 minutes treadmill
PM: 22 minutes treadmill
Weight training: Legs (new workout from Carlene)

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, Splenda and 1/4 apple
Snack: 1 oz. mozzarella cheese (reduced fat)
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: One slice bread (80 cals), 6 slices of turkey (70 cals)
Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese with Splenda
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Chicken with rice, diced tomatoes, onions and garlic with a salad of lettuce, onions and baby carrots
Dessert: Sugar-free jello
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Thursday, January 29

This is the swirling vortex of an office that Allan and I try to work in

Another busy day working on reorganizing the office...it is a seriously small space but packed with everything we need to run our photography business: computers, printers, paper, books, DVDs, programs, various pieces of equipment and what-not. I have been getting an earlier start to my days lately which has really helped with my energy, plus I go to bed earlier and exhausted. I love it!
Carlene should be doing another body composition on me soon and I can't wait to see if anything has changed. She will also be sending me some new weight training exercises so I can build some serious muscle. I have shed about 7 pounds and now it's time to put it back on in the form of rock-hard muscles.

Training:
AM: 40 minutes treadmill
PM: 15 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Legs

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/4 apple and Splenda
Snack: N/A
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: One slice bread (80 cals), 6 slices of turkey (70 cals) and Healthy Choice Soup (120 cals)
Afternoon snack: 1/3 cup non-fat cottage cheese with Splenda
Pre-dinner: N/A Oops forgot my TC Fat Burner!!!
Dinner: Boneless breast of chicken with brown long grain rice
Dessert: Serving of sugar-free jello
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Wednesday, January 14

Carlene, my trainer at Mommy's Body, sent over my new menu and a recipe for Muscle Bound Chili which looks like a rather tasty meal. I can't wait to go to the grocery store tomorrow for the ingredients. Allan will like it too. I didn't remember my lunch time Fat Burner today... better luck tomorrow! I need to add a lot more strength training to my workouts because I just feel like working harder. This challenge is addictive!!

Training:
AM: 42 minutes treadmill
PM: 20 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Shoulder and Abs

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Post-cardio: Tight Curves Protein in 6 oz. water
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, ginger and Splenda
Lunch: 8 slices of turkey and 1/3 cup cottage cheese
Afternoon snack: 1 tbs. peanut butter on wasa bread
Dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules 30 minutes before pasta, sauce and baked chicken breast (leftovers)
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Friday, January 9

Carlene from Mommy's Body came by today to check my progress and run some new tests with her nifty new machine that calculated my body fat and a ton of other exciting things. Carlene is awesome and knows exactly what everything the magical machine spit out means...so she can tell me what I need to focus on for the remainder of the Transformation Challenge. I am still on track and guess what...my metabolic age is 30. Cool, huh?!

Training:
AM: 30 minutes elliptical
PM: 30 minutes elliptical
Weight training: N/A

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules and 1/3 apple
Post-cardio: Tight Curves protein and one cup skim milk
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, ginger and Splenda
Morning snack: 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
Lunch: Two slices Pepperidge Farm Thin Slice Bread- Wheat and 6 slices of turkey
Afternoon snack: Tablespoon of peanut butter on wasa bread
Dinner: Lettuce, 6 slices of turkey, hard-boiled egg, 1/3 cup cottage cheese with balsamic vinegar
After dinner snack: Handful of popcorn
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Thursday, January 8

I can't wait for Carlene from Mommy's Body to come by tomorrow to see how I am transforming and do some re-measurements and give me some new nutritional menus. I can definitely tell a difference in my appearance and I hope she will notice too. One problem I have with myself being on this program is I don't think I am eating enough. I am starting to feel a little run down and I need to ask Carlene if this is normal or if I need to eat more. I forget to eat my little snack meals...

Training:
AM: 30 minutes treadmill
PM: 30 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Chest and triceps

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules and 1/3 apple
Post-cardio: Tight Curves protein and one cup skim milk
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, ginger and Splenda
Morning snack: 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
Lunch: Two slices Pepperidge Farm Thin Slice Bread- Wheat and 5 slices of turkey
Afternoon snack: Tablespoon of peanut butter on wasa bread
Dinner: Lettuce, can of tuna, hard-boiled egg, 1/3 cup cottage cheese with balsamic vinegar and a small serving of baked beans (about 1/4 cup) (My mom makes these great Boston Baked Beans and I have to eat them or her feelings will get hurt. I would rather do extra cardio and weight training than make her sad!)
After dinner snack: Allan shared 1/6th of his regular size Snickers bar with me. Not on the plan, but won't even think about a Snickers for another six weeks...
Lots of water!!!!

Training and Food Journal: Sunday, December 28

Starting today I will keeping track of my progress on a daily basis to keep Carlene up-to-date on what I am doing and to keep me honest. I have not been following my diet and it will end up costing me serious results if I don't get on track. Journaling my diet will help me see where I might need help with my food habits and make me accountable. My weight training and cardio workouts will also be reported daily. Time to get in the zone and stop slacking. I am going to win the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge!!

FOOD:
Water
Tight Curves Protein powder in 1 cup of skim milk
Coffee with Splenda and half and half

Uncle Herschel's breakfast at Cracker Barrel: two eggs, grits, biscuits, gravy, hashbrown casserole, catfish fillets (grilled), lots of water (the only item I am allowed to consume in this meal)
...not surprisingly I am not hungry at 6:26pm but if I feel the need I will just have some more protein and, of course, water.

TRAINING:
AM: 30 minutes cardio on elliptical
PM: 30 minutes cardio on elliptical
Lower body weight training per instructions from Carlene

Today's thoughts: I am getting back on track with my diet and this will make me feel better. Also, starting tomorrow, Monday, I will be back to a more normal work schedule and this will keep me from doing any grazing during the day. It has been difficult to keep up with the diet since I haven't gone to the grocery store in a while and it is the holidays and we have friends in town who want to eat out. I have to be better about telling everyone that I am doing this Challenge and that it is important to me and I have to eat right and exercise everyday. NO EXCUSES!

Days Four and Five :: Updates

I received my diet plan and shopping list from Carlene yesterday along with four workout plans that I will do once a week on four different days. I also have to do 30 minutes of cardio each morning when I get moving and then make sure I eat my breakfast and the rest of my 4-5 meals each day. I have been disciplined with my diet and exercise before so this won't be too difficult, however; I do have to make sure that Allan gets enough to eat... He is very support of me in everything I do so I should be fine for the duration of the Transformation Challenge (and beyond). The protein supplement and fat burner have not arrived so Carlene substituted another protein source for my diet, but the Tight Curves products should arrive this week. Each program that Carlene designs for Mommy's Body is specifically tailored to the individual based on the information she obtains from a series of questions, tests and feedback during the consultation. Although Carlene and I have known each other for quite some time she has followed her usual procedures to ensure she doesn't overlook anything in my analysis.

I have to keep a diet journal of everything I eat. This, I know, will be the most surprising part of the next 11 weeks. I honestly don't eat as well as I used to and I will have to work hard to prepare the nutritious meals that Carlene has on my program. The meals themselves are not difficult it will be me making the time to shop and then prepare each day. Just a little re-prioritizing of my time and energy is all. I have gotten so used to working from home that I often overwork and lose focus on me and what is important to my health and well-being.

Just to keep me on track...30 minutes of cardio and the shoulders/abs workout yesterday and 30 minutes of cardio already this morning (per the program!). Thought for the day: Focus!

Days Two, Three and Four :: Updates

There has obviously been no major progress on the transformation yet, but I have sworn off the Christmas cookies for the rest of the holiday season as of Thursday evening. I have been holding an Open House for my fused glass business, Sassy Glass Studio, and served some yummy cookies and they were my dinner on Thursday. Cookie overload. I won't need another sugary treat for a while, I guarantee it.
Carlene from Mommy's Body came by Friday afternoon to do my analysis which included checking my blood pressure (good) and my body fat (not good) and she will be preparing my diet plan and give me some guidelines on my workout program as well. I have been doing about 30 minutes of cardio most days of the week, but I really need to step it up if I am going to win the challenge.
No excuses. Excuses don't win you anything...

Day One :: Tight Curves Transformation Challenge

December 10 marks the first day of the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge. My before photos are below. They are not pretty and I didn't realize how out of shape I am. Thanks to Carlene Steenekamp of Mommy's Body - http://www.mommysbody.com/ - for getting me involved in this Challenge. The Transformation Challenge is about 12 weeks long and the winner is chosen based on overall appearance improvement not weight loss, fat loss or increase in muscle mass. I have been so focused on building the two businesses my husband Allan and I have, Sassy Glass Studio and ALM Photo that I have not been focusing on my fitness like I used to when I had a regular job. You would think that working for yourself would guarantee you would have and make time to workout but you would be wrong. It has taken a goal to get me to reevaluate my life and day to day activities in order to fit fitness back in.

In this blog I will be keeping track of my progress and providing some information on the challenges I face on my way to the end of the challenge and beyond. Drop me a line if you have any suggestions or tips that will help me stay focused and strong!