New Attitude!

Finally after a couple of months of skipping my workouts and cardio more often than doing it, I decided I had to take back my life. We've been really busy. Our photography business just celebrated its fifth full-time year and my glass business continues to grow. These successes mean more time working and running around. Being busy shouldn't be an excuse for me to not be working out and eating right. I know this. But I wasn't doing anything about it. 20 minutes squeezed in on the elliptical wasn't cutting it. Eating a protein bar for breakfast followed by a meatball sub for lunch wasn't cutting it. I finally hit my breaking point when I realized that none of my clothes were fitting and I was going to be spending a week at the beach in August.

This was me before the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge.
NOT ACCEPTABLE!

I won't be able to completely transform my body in a little over a month, but I can put my healthy habits back in place. I CAN DO THIS! I did it once, I can do it again. Yes, I am a little older and my body looks like hell {you may disagree but chances are you don't see me unclothed} and my body is just super pissed at not being as strong as it would like to be. So what am I going to do about it? I'm going to shed a huge portion of my body fat, increase my lean muscle and improve my body composition! Here's my plan...

1. Logging all my food and fitness into My Fitness Pal. It's a free app I downloaded onto my phone that lets me easily add to it no matter where I am.
2. Shopping for healthy foods, packing my food for the day and preparing meals at home unless absolutely impossible. {Impossible is when I get caught on location longer than planned or there just isn't a healthy option. This should be a rare occurrence.}
3. Drinking as much water as possible. All day. Every day.
4. Minimum of 30 minutes of cardio 6 times a week. Aiming for 2 cardio sessions a day to start.
5. Weight training a minimum of 3 times a week to train all body parts at least once.
6. Minimum of 100 crunches per day. These may be standard crunches, using the dip station or Roman chair.
7. Getting up from my chair every 30 minutes when I am in the office and hula hooping or going for a walk around Downtown Knoxville. I also have my balance ball, 5# dumbbells, stretch band and yoga mat in the office so there is always something I can do for 5 minutes every hour.
8. Not going to let anyone or anything derail me {short of an injury}. NEVER. EVER.
9. My fitness and 'diet' will continue to be my lifestyle until the day I die. Being strong and healthy is my goal. Being 'thin' is not the goal, but being fit and lean is. If you aren't interested in being lean and fit, I won't cram my lifestyle down your throat. Promise.
10. I will still enjoy the things I love...margaritas, beer, Hooters wings, pizza, Rita's gelati and frappes, but it will be in moderation. No cheat days per se, but I will be flexible. I'm being realistic.

So now you know what's going on with me and my health. I want to be in the best shape I can possibly be and I don't believe my husband when he says 'round is a shape'. So watch out world, Kitty Fantastic is going to be fit and fab at over 40 before you know it!

Me after eating clean and working out for six months.
ACCEPTABLE!

I'd love to hear from anyone committed to the same success or looking to take back their body and transform it whether you are over 40 or any age. YOU CAN DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS!

Peace out!
Lisa

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!!!

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!!

The Tight Curves Protein Powder and Fat Burner Capsules Have Arrived

I am so excited to have received my 6 lb. jug of Tight Curves Vanilla Bean Protein Powder along with two bags of Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules. If you have not tried any of the Tight Curves products yet, do it now! This is very delicious protein powder and it tastes great in plain old water, but is an absolute treat when enjoyed in skim milk. It's almost like a shake!

I swear the Fat Burner (in addition to an hour of hard cardio almost each day) is what helped me reduce my fat percentage so greatly in the first three months. I am still working out hard and have been pushing myself more with my weight training. I have GOT to build up my legs and butt. Unfortunately, I was born with chicken legs (as Allan affectionately refers to them) and a long, flat butt (thanks Mom!) so I have to work harder on these areas than some people, like J-Lo for instance, do.

I will have Allan do some photographs of my 4 month progress by the end of the month for those of you following my progress. Remember, I need your comments and critiques! I am waiting to find out who has been chosen as the Tight Curves "People's Choice" finalists for the on-line voting as well as seeing the Challenge winner's photos. I need some inspiration!!!

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...)

Goods News :: But Still No News on the Challenge Winner...

Today's good news is that I was one of 20 Tight Curves Transformation Challenge contestants to be chosen to be sponsored with Tight Curves product for another 12 weeks. Tom asked anyone who was interested to send an e-mail with their measurable goal(s) and a commitment to complete the next 12 weeks. I was on that offer in a second! I don't necessarily need any assistance with keeping motivated but the added bonus of being able to incorporate the Tight Curves products into my fitness plan is a definite added bonus.

I am sticking to my nutrition program that I have been on for the past three months and have upped my cardio to include actual running and pushed up my level of simulated running of the elliptical. My knee has been hassling me some but I think it is getting stronger and will eventually be less painful.

Well, I am still waiting for the winner of the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge to be announced...I didn't realize how much this competition meant to me...I just want to see who won so I can see how much harder I should have pushed myself (I have been trying not to think that I didn't win, but I kind of figure since I was given the option of continuing the Challenge that I wasn't, unless that is just a tactic by them not to give the winner away...)

Update :: Sticking With It

Just in case anyone thought that once the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge was over I would quit the cardio, walk away from the weights or ditch the diet...you'd be wrong. I have stuck with my fitness and nutritional program and continued to work toward the fittest me ever! Yes, I did go off the wagon a bit this week when we were out of town for some photography seminars and I shared some cheesecake with Allan, but i am right back on that wagon now.

The Tight Curves Transformation Challenge winner should be announced this week. Over 100 women finished the Challenge so there were a lot of "before" and "after" photos to review before the final winner could be chosen. There is the possibility that the top 10 finalists (after the winner) could be posted on-line for a People's Choice Award which would be determined by votes from the public. I would love to end up a finalist! Plus Tight Curves is offering 20 participants the opportunity to be sponsored to continue the Challenge for another 12 weeks, so I was sure to reply to Tom with my two measurable goals.

I will be posting to this blog more frequently if I am given the opportunity to continue the Challenge because it really helped keep me accountable as far as what I was eating and how much cardio and weight training I was completing.

Wish me luck!

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

Training and Food Journal: Friday, February 20

The end of the Tight Curves Challenge is nearing and I am so excited about taking my "after" photo. Be sure to check out my "before" photo in the first post if you need a little chuckle.

Training:
AM: 34 minutes treadmill
PM: 25 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Workout #3/Upper 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 (110 cals)
Afternoon snack: N/A
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Rice, diced tomatoes, chicken
Dessert: Sugar-free jello
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Wednesday, February 18

I think that the only challenging for me right now about the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge is keeping up with this blog...I was doing really well when I was boycotting the messy office and working in the living room because my laptop was right there out in the open. Now that the swirling vortex Allan and I refer to as our office has been reorganized and is fit to co-work in again, I have a tendency to overlook the laptop and neglect my posting to this particular blog. No problems keeping up with our ALM Photo blog or my Sassy Glass Studio blog, but for some reason I have been neglecting myself in the way of my personal blog!

Well, now that I have that rant out of the way...on with the real reason I have this blog :: MY PROGRESS!

I am really excited about the end of the Challenge. Not because it will be over, but because I want to find out if I am the big winner. I have really amde some big (for me) visual changes :: little to no back fat, absolutely no muffin top, my size 6 pants (with and without stretch) are too big, I have an ass-load of energy, I feel stronger, I feel sexier and I feel like I am going to take advantage of BodyWell's offer of getting another 12 weeks of supplements.

Training:
AM: 30 minutes elliptical
PM: 20 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Workout #1/Upper 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: GridIron Burger Personal Fowl salad with blue cheese dressing Afternoon snack: N/A
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Rice, diced tomatoes, chicken Dessert: N/A
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Monday, February 16

Less than two weeks to go in the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge and I am so excited! I have been pushing myself and I feel great.

Training:
AM: 46 minutes elliptical
PM: 15 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Workout #3/Upper 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: Leftover soup - veggies with chicken and rice
Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese with Splenda
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Roasted chicken and egg noodles (I ate some skin...it was fantastic)
Dessert: N/A
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Friday, January 30

Crazy day! Busy morning, ran around all afternoon...lunch was late and so was dinner, hence the small dinner. No point in eating too much if I wasn't too hungry and it was late. Sleepy...time for a good nights rest!

Training:
AM: 52 minutes treadmill
PM: 20 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Chest

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/4 apple and Splenda
Snack: One Dark Chocolate caramel from the Chocolate Factory (lunch was super late and I had to walk past here...heavenly!)
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: One slice bread (80 cals), 6 slices of turkey (70 cals) and Healthy Choice Soup (140 cals)Afternoon snack: 1/3 cup non-fat cottage cheese
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules and a large Starbucks coffee with 1/2 & 1/2 and Splenda
Dinner: One slice bread (80 cals), 6 slices of turkey (70 cals)
Dessert: N/A
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: Sunday, January 25

Ugh! I just realized that I didn't do any weight training yesterday and thought I was giving myself a break by not doing any today, but all I did was set myself back! So, UGH! Oh well, that just means that I have just over one month left for the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge and really have to bust it for the next 30 days. This includes the days around and after my birthday...not planning on doing anything crazy, but a beer would be nice!

Training:
AM: 30 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
Snack: Tight Curves Protein in one cup skim milk
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: Soup (130 cals) and one slice bread and 6 slices of turkey (120 cals)
Afternoon snack: 1/3 cup cottage cheese with Spenda
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Leftover chicken, rice and veggies and a lettuce salad with 1 oz. mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing
Dessert: Sugar-free jello and fruit cocktail in no-sugar
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Wednesday, January 21

Another great day! My body is really starting to feel stronger and I love it! Why am I so happy today? I just realized my 43rd birthday is in two weeks and I feel fantastic! I can only hope that I still look as good as I feel...

This Transformation Challenge is just the thing I needed to get me through what has turned out to be a rather rough time in my life. Getting better every day...

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

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/4 apple and Splenda
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: Personal Fowl salad/GridIron Burger and water
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Muscle Bound Chili, 1/2 oz. mozzarella, 6 crackers
Snack: Serving of sugar-free pudding prepared with skim milk
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Tuesday, January 20

Busy day! Nothing of particular interest to report today...well, except the Inauguration of the 44th President. But that doesn't really have anything to do with my Tight Curves Transformation Challenge.

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

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/4 apple and Splenda
Pre-lunch: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Lunch: Turkey sandwich- one slice Pepperidge Farm dark pump and 6 slices of turkey and 1/3 cup non-fat cottage cheese
Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Salad- iceberg lettuce, onion, chicken breast and raspberry flavored vinegar
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Monday, January 19

It snowed today! My visit to the chiropractor was great this morning. My body is getting back to normal and then some, thanks to all the exercise I have been getting. It is hard to believe it was just three months ago that I couldn't even move my head let alone do an hour of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training each day! Ahhh, how times change!

Training:
AM: 31 minutes treadmill
PM: 21 minutes elliptical
Weight training: Legs

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Post-cardio: Tight Curves Protein in one cup of skim milk
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, 1/4 apple and Splenda
Lunch: Soup (100 cals) and turkey sandwich (150 cals)
Afternoon snack: Slice of Pepperidge Farm Dark Pump bread and one tbs. peanut butter
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: Salad- iceberg lettuce, onion, chicken breast and vinaigrette dressing
Snack: Serving of chocolate sugar-free pudding prepared with skim milk
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Sunday, January 18

Today I added different weight training exercises to my program. It's crunch time. I am half-way through the Tight Curves Transformation Challenge and I have to work very hard over through the end of February if I am going to win.

Training:
AM: 30 minutes treadmill
PM: 30 minutes treadmill
Weight training: Back

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Post-cardio: N/A
Breakfast: Omelet- two eggs, onion, garlic, crumbled bacon, 1 oz. mozzarella cheese
Lunch: 1/2 salad with grilled chicken, feta, olives, peppers with vinaigrette dressing (small amount)
Afternoon snack: N/A
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: 1/2 cup Muscle Bound Chili and rest of lunch salad
Snack: Chocolate sugar-free pudding prepared with skim milk
Lots of water

Training and Food Journal: Saturday, January 17

Busy day today and I was not able to eat my usual at home lunch...had to make due with a veggie platter and a bowl of nuts at the housewarming party this afternoon. I was so thankful there was a good choice of food for me, not all chips and sweets. Whew!!

Training:
AM: 42 minutes treadmill
PM: N/A
Weight training: N/A

Food:
Pre-cardio: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Post-cardio: Tight Curves Protein with one cup skim milk
Breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal with cinnamon, ginger, Splenda and half an apple
Lunch: N/A
Afternoon snack: Some veggies, couple of slices of cheese and 1/4 cup of nuts
Pre-dinner: Two Tight Curves Fat Burner capsules
Dinner: One cup Muscle Bound Chili and 5 Ritz crackers
Snack: Chocolate sugar-free pudding prepared with skim milk
Not enough water...out and about all day...