Ashley's Fitness Journey

 I have always been into fitness from a very young age. My Mom enrolled me in gymnastics at the age of three, in hopes of curbing my excessive activity. This led to a fourteen year career, occupying much of my childhood, and laying a foundation for physical activity in my life. In a highly competitive sport and my desire to be the best, I spent hours in the gym every day, forgoing other activities of what one might consider a normal childhood. This eventually took its toll and during my high school years and the desire slowly faded. So, like many teens I rebelled and quit gymnastics. Fitness overall took a distant back seat in my life. This would last throughout my college days.

Fast forward ten years, I married my best friend and we started a family. I was working night shift as an RN in the NICU at Kosair Childrens Hospital. Fitness seemed a luxury that I simply could not have time for. I know now that you must make time.

My husband had taken up running along the way and had completed the Triple Crown and the Mini Marathon with some friends. So after the birth of our second child I figured why not join him. Nothing like some friendly competition between spouses to motivate you. I started training on a tread mill and hated it but eventually completed my first Triple Crown series in 2007 at the age of thirty three with my husband by my side. While I did not properly train, I again found that drive to compete and complete what I set out to accomplish. The thrill of crossing the finish line is pretty amazing! Recovery from each race was difficult because I did not train properly but we got it done. From there I exercised sporadically but fitness was not yet a priority. Through it all I did find a fondness for running.

I completed another Triple Crown series and Mini Marathon in 2009. My goal was to run each race in its entirety. I accomplished that goal. It was not fast or pretty but I ran every mile. This time I ran alone but seeing my family and friends at the finish line was rewarding enough to keep my drive alive. I’m pretty sure I was crying as I crossed the finish line of that 13.1 mile race.

In 2010 life became a little crazier as we added a third blessing to our family. Going from two to three children is difficult. The parents are outnumbered and someone always seems to need something, leaving little time for you. So I thought.

Fast forward again to 2013. I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions but my Birthday is in January and I was turning thirty nine. I felt as though I had let myself go. I was not consistently doing anything in the way of exercise or for myself. I was still working night shift but now with the demands of three kids, two of whom were already in school and involved in their own activities as well. I felt exhausted most of the time. I knew turning thirty nine that the big 40 was on its way. I hate to admit it but that age is what motivated me into a fitness routine. My goal was to get toned and feel better. I did  not have lots of time or extra income so I figured the best plan was to start working out at home. I picked a program, Jillian Michaels Thirty Day Shred and committed to completing it. I made it known to my husband so that he could help hold me accountable. I feel if you make your goals known, you are more likely to complete them. My husband would work out with me as he could. We would work out after getting all three kids tucked into bed, or I would get it in while the older two kids were at school and while my youngest played around me or joined in. I finished the program two times but each time took a little longer than the actual thirty days. The important thing was, I completed my goal.

Along the way a funny thing happened, I began to feel much more alive. I quickly found a renewed passion for fitness. Seeing changes in the way I looked and how I felt inside spurred me on to want to do more.

One at-home workout led to another. A friend eventually introduced me to the Insanity workout program which is a 60 day high intensity program. Even with my new found drive and love of fitness I was intimidated by this program. But I knew all along in the back of my mind that I would complete it. I did complete it! Although it took me more like five months rather than sixty days. This program made me not only physically strong but mentally strong as well. During this time another friend invited me to join her at an Insanity class at FitMeStudio. I was nervous. Group exercise was not my thing. Working out at home was what I did and what I loved. It was my comfort zone. But being that I had done Insanity at home I thought I knew what I was getting into. I gathered up my new found mental strength, squashed my fears and took that class. It was amazing! I don’t know if it was the simple fact of sharing a sweat with a group of welcoming and encouraging people or the motivation from the instructor or that little competitive spark still inside me. These group exercise classes ignited my true love of fitness that I still have today.

In January of 2014 I turned 40 and was in as good of shape as I had been in a very long time, perhaps ever! It was also rubbing off on the people around me. My kids would often join me at home when I would work out there. My Husband and I would take Insanity classes together when we could and coworkers started asking me for fitness advice. I tried other classes at FitMe Studio and fell in love with Zumba which was unimaginable from this 40 year old who does not dance! Feeling stronger each week and knowing that variety was keeping this whole fitness thing a priority for me, I took up running again. I could not believe how much easier it was for me now having a stronger body, properly trained along with a stronger mind and will. A highlight of my 40^th year of life along this journey was completing the Rugged Maniac. The Rugged Maniac is a 3.1 mile course through the hills of a ski slope (Paoli Peaks Indiana) with 25 obstacles thrown in along the way. Self-doubt be damned! I completed the course and managed every obstacle except for one. I ran this course with an amazing group of friends and my husband. I don’t think I would have done as well as I did without the push, encouragement, and support of those people. It was a challenge but a fun one, and I can’t wait to run it again this year!

People often say, I just don’t know how you have the time or how you keep going. To this I often simply say that you have to make the time somehow, some way. Like anything in life, if it’s important to you, you will find a way. It’s not every day I wake up and think I can’t wait to work out, but I get it in because I know afterwards I will feel so much better. My body needs it and my mind needs it. It makes me a better Mom to my three, a better wife to my husband, and a better me to myself. Somewhere along the line in these past two years it has simply clicked for me. I know how good we are meant to feel; how surrounding yourself with others who share similar goals can provide you with the motivation you need on those days when you just don’t want to do it. Being strong is more of a mental feat than a physical one. That one good habit can snowball into a mountain of change for the better in your life. And how the support from those closest to you can build you up and lead you to believe that you can accomplish anything.

As I go into my 41^st year of life my fitness journey will continue to evolve. I work out five to six days a week. I schedule time for it in my calendar around my work schedule, kid’s school, and activities. I actually write it down so I will hold myself accountable and check it off as it is completed. I run one day a week, do Zumba twice a week, Insanity class once a week, and fill the remainder of my days at home with weights, Insanity, T25, Circuit training, and Yoga. I listen to my body as well and will do what it tells me it needs.

A few goals I am striving for this year are to keep up my current pace at which I work out, try new classes when they’re available, run the Louisville Triple Crown of running (already signed up), and maintain my 8 minute mile pace for each race. I want to overcome a fear and actually teach/instruct a fitness class. I want to continue to motivate and be motivated by those around me, especially my family. I will focus on nutrition and make why whole health circle complete. I believe I will do all I set out to do.

What has worked for me is to first set small goals that you know you can achieve. As you achieve the small goals your confidence will grow and eventually you’ll feel like attacking the larger goals. Take it one day at a time. You will have road blocks, one step forward two steps backwards! Focus on the forward and stay positive. This is a constant struggle for me. Find your passion for fitness. Variety is what works best for me. Keep it interesting. Find the support you need and embrace it. Surround yourself with goal oriented friends and let your goals be known to those people so that you will be held accountable! Finally, don’t let one bad day get you off track. Bad days happen, life happens, but refocus and move on anew to the next day!

 

My Journey to Healthy - Kathy Kingsbury

I wanted to start running, bad! I had no idea what to do to start. The month of my 30th I decided now was the time. Running started small, driveway to driveway. A week later it was 2 driveways then walk one. Pretty soon I learned that at my park by my house there were green dots every 1/10th I ran the park for months increasing the number of green dots each time. I became a green dot runner! 
 

I remember the first time I ran the whole park, it took so long but I did it! I was so thrilled! I felt so accomplished. At this point my father-in-law (a 30 year runner) asked me to do a club run with him. I knew I could do it but didn’t know if I could do it with everyone watching. Thankfully it was cold so there weren’t a lot of spectators and thankfully he is patient and willing to go slow with me. We made it! My first race! Hook-Line-Sinker, I was a runner now! From then on I met my father-in-law once or twice a week to run together. I loved it.

I had been running about 1.5 years when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At this point I had completed 2 half marathons, lots of 5K’s, and ran probably 4-5 times a week. I was pretty good and decently fast. My life came to a sudden halt, I had cancer. Many surgeries, chemo, and overall feeling like crap days later, I was finally released to run again. My plastic surgeon knew every visit I was going to ask “the” question, “when can I run again?” Thankfully he was a runner and understood that I needed to be on the road. 
 

Trail running with friends.

After taking about 6-7 months off from running, I was finally released to run again! I couldn’t have been happier! Laced up my shoes as soon as I got home from the doctor's visit, headed out. I ran one driveway and realized my body was not ready for that. So I waited some more and tried again about a month later. This time a little easier, not comfortable but a little easier. I eventually went on to complete my 3rd half marathon just 4 months after the completion of chemo—no hair but I was there!

I slowly transitioned back to being a runner but had gained about 25 pounds during chemo and the weight added to the inability to train, made me really slow, REALLY SLOW! Nothing like I was. I continued to run and run and run some more even if it was slow. In April of 2014 I started a cleansing program and finally dropped the weight. This past summer I have worked super hard on my body and finally am back to my pre-cancer weight and pre-cancer ability. I AM BACK! Took 2 years to get back to me.

Now I run 2-3 times a week, cycle 2-3 times a week, strength train twice a week, and rarely take a full on rest day! I get cranky without exercise. I appreciate so much what my body can do, and where my body has come from. There was a point in my life I couldn’t sit up on my own and now I can run 13.1 miles! I GOT THIS!!! 

Kat (in the green on the left) with her workout buddies

Thanks for sharing and inspiring others to be a green dot runner, Kat! You will be reading more from Kat in future months in her featured posts, "Run, Kat, Run."
Be sure to check out others who have shared their fitness journeys in the Features tab above.
Interested in sharing your journey and inspiring others? Contact me at fitinlou@gmail. I would love to hear from you! 

Catherine's Fitness Journey

To talk about my fitness journey is actually a very emotional thing. I have struggled with body image
for most of my life and for a long time working out and going to gyms was a means to try to be skinny and fit a certain mold I thought I was expected to fit. I grew up going to the gym with my mom, and she signed me up for my first training class as a pre-teen. In that class I was taught how to properly use weight machines and given basic fitness instructions so I wouldn’t injure myself. So working out and gyms have been a part of my life as long as I can remember.

 I first started to have more fun with fitness when I was a camp counselor. We took the kids hiking and mountain biking, and had an awesome climbing wall and zip line. These were all healthy ways to stay fit that weren’t being done because I wanted them to make me skinny, I just liked it!

   In college I dabbled in running to be “cool” (okay, I think a cute guy asked me to run so all of the sudden I was a runner) but running didn’t stick. I also began hiking more and rock climbing for real! I spent a summer outside of Yosemite in California working as a counselor, hanging out on a ropes course and going backpacking on my days off. I pretty much lived in a harness. I also continued this some once back home.

  After college I moved to Nashville, TN and my body insecurities crept back in. I was a teacher at the time and spent almost every day after school at the gym, taking classes or just pounding away on a stair climber. I ate very little and reached my lowest weight ever, wearing a size zero proudly. Unfortunately, it didn’t give me the satisfaction I had hoped it would. After several failed relationships I sought out counseling and talked through some of these issues which at least brought me more awareness about the dangers of my thought patterns. I did finally put back on a few pounds and reached a healthier weight after switching careers and having less time to work out and more meals out because of my job. I think I was happier too. 

 Once I was married, my husband and I worked out together a lot. We went golfing and walked the
course for more exercise, strolled botanical gardens, and rode our bikes. Once I became pregnant with my first daughter I kept exercising but packed on a lot of baby weight. I ate a LOT and for the first time in a long time didn’t worry too much about the scale. It felt great until I had to lose it afterwards! I breastfed, counted calories on MyFitnessPal and walked. Then when she was old enough I rode her everywhere I could in the bike trailer. I lost all but 2 pounds before getting pregnant with my second daughter. I swore this time that I wouldn’t gain the weight but my body did what it wanted despite my valiant efforts to eat salads and grilled chicken instead of Blizzards. The second time around I decided to get back into shape celebrity style. Unfortunately, by pushing myself to run and do boot camp type exercises too soon I injured myself and couldn’t do more than walk slowly for almost an entire year before it was resolved. This was very discouraging and coupled with my very messed up marriage and a move to another city I was not in a good place in life. I didn’t feel very good about myself but put on a happy face as much as possible.

  I joined the Y when I moved to Louisville and began working back up to the fitness level I was used
to. I made a lot of friends from my MOPS group who went there too and it was such a healthy and encouraging environment that I really stuck with it. When after living here for about 8 months my
world turned upside down and it became clear my marriage was ending, those same friends were there to encourage me and my fitness journey took yet another turn. It began to be therapy for me to run. Running on the treadmill and praying, sprinting out my emotions, crying (which of course got me funny looks) while taking long strides made me feel so much better. I remember feeling like God was saying to me “Look at those seconds ticking by on the screen. I just want you to trust me with one second at a time of your life and I will get you through this!” It’s the first time in my life where I was using my body to help heal my soul. It became as necessary to getting through the toughest of days as my friends, my therapist, and my Bible. 

 My baby weight is all gone, I can pull off a bikini again, but most importantly I am so glad that I have made peace with my body and can see the gym as a place to go to nurture myself physically and emotionally. Riding my bike through The Parklands is an opportunity to pray and to dwell in nature, not just to burn off the cookie I ate. When my insecurities start to creep back in, I am not as hard on myself as I used to be. I am so thankful that I have this body that made my beautiful children, legs that carry me through the zoo and pedal over trails, strong arms to hold my babies and spin them around until we’re dizzy, and a healthy mind to pass on good attitudes regarding fitness to my two girls. These days my favorite things to do are riding my bike, Barre, and yoga but I also do a lot of other things. I just have fun and will try any workout to shake things up and keep my body surprised. Most importantly, I try to have fun while doing it!

Thanks for sharing, Catherine! For more fitness journey stories check out the features tab above. If you would like to share yours, please e-mail me at fitinlou@gmail.com. You never know who you might inspire to start getting their fit in Lou. 

Running with Inexperience - Maleah's Story

I am not a runner.  I am not an athlete.  I run with inexperience and I just completed my first half marathon.

My journey began 2-1/2 years ago.  I found myself winded from running up the stairs with a basket full of laundry.  I had two kids in two years and worked full time.  I was exhausted and out of shape.  I needed to exercise and I had no free time to do it in.  So I started the program 'Couch to 5k'.  I ran on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  My husband joined me and ran opposite of me on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  We woke up early and ran through our neighborhood.  One parent was running while the other one got the girls up and fed them breakfast.  I ran my first 5k 12 weeks later.  I ended up with an injury at 10 weeks and finished the program with an inflamed sciatic nerve.  I quit exercising completely after that and nursed my injury.

Last summer, it was my husband's turn to come up with a crazy exercise plan. Together we started P90x.  We made it 45 of the 90 days.  The program was amazing! It kicked my butt (in a good way).  I may not have finished the full program but I did get stronger.  A couple months later I ran my second 5k without injury and it actually felt good to run.  That is when I made my new goal - 13.1!

I spent the months of October-December running 1-2 times a week, anywhere from 2-3 miles each time.  I also did Yoga once a week to help with flexibility.  I am not flexible at all by nature.  In January, I started training with my friend (and your wonderful blog host) Jeanette.  I committed myself to working out 6 days a week.  My basic plan included 2 shorts runs per week (2-4 miles) and one long run on the weekend.  I added in interval training or an exercise bike plus Yoga each week.  I had a lot of firsts during my training. Running in the rain, the slush, and the snow.  Running longer distances than I ever had before.

In March, I completed my first long distance race, the Papa John's 10-miler, with my friend Jeanette by my side.  It was a great, albeit challenging course through Iroquois Park.  We used it as a practice race so that I could get a feel for the water stations and eating carbs mid-race.

On April 19th, I completed my goal and ran 13.1 miles at the Kentucky Derby Festival Half Marathon.  The weather was amazing.  The course was interesting, weaving through downtown Louisville and running inside Churchill Downs.  The crowd cheering along the way was very motivating.  It felt so good finishing such a long race and accomplishing such a big goal.  I hope to do it again next year!

Thanks, Maleah for sharing your story. You did a great job training and it showed in the races! 

Laura's Fitness Journey

As I settle into my couch, feet propped up, watching the fitness gurus of our 2014 winter Olympics, it's pretty humbling.  Their dedication and guts- seriously could not stomach skiing down the side of a mountain- put in perspective my wavering journey of fitness.  I am constantly inspired by the stories of these athletes and many others who seek and push the limits of their bodies.  I want to push myself but only do so on occasion (in FAR less risky venues).  But my fitness journey is more of a ebb and flow of making excuses mixed with inspired goal-setting... in the recent years, it has been marked by signing up for road races only to rediscover my internal motivation.

FIT in childhood-

Exercise began, for me, as it does for many- playing childhood sports.  Starting in 3rd grade, I joined the basketball team at my small grade school.  The sport stuck and I competed through my high school graduation. Though my high school basketball career left much to be desired, I regained my love for the sport in late night college pick-up games- and I finally appreciated the exercise it provided (since gaining my freshman 20).  Throughout my elementary-high school years, I experimented with volleyball, soccer, then golf, and finally, track & field.  It wasn't an anomally to be a 3-season athlete at my alumnus, Mater Dei, in Evansville, Indiana.  

But, I never really thought about sports in terms of a workout, getting fit or getting to check off my exercise time.  Sports were just an avenue to stay occupied and a fun social outlet.  Fortunately, that outlet continued to be an option through college: I was elated and shocked to receive a scholarship at Murray State University, to throw discus and javelin for the next four years.

FIT in college-

This was when exercise turned into a job...track & field was fun, don't get me wrong, but daily and sometimes twice daily practice helped for it's spark to get dimmer over time.  Competing at Murray State, a smaller Division 1 University, I was privileged to get the opportunity to compete and get paid doing so.  I got a 4-year ticket to motivational training, pre-planned workouts, and LOTS of strength training- though I didn't appreciate it then. I realized I didn't have the passion that others shared, my (future) husband included.  He'd been recruited to pole vault at MSU the same year, only to find out that the men's team was cut as a scholarship program, due to Title IV...so, in essence, I took his scholarship ;).  As my 4 years continued, I told him he deserved it more- he wanted to compete. I just wanted the tuition assistance and, occasionally, to work out. I was also increasingly self conscious about the muscle I was gaining from heavy weight lifting.  Bulking up didn't exactly make me feel feminine.

So, that's where my love/hate relationship began. I felt less than feminine building muscle and gained my freshman 15 fast, before the end of my 1st semester.  I'd never really weighed myself prior to college and didn't think about what I ate, until then.  All of the sudden, I realized something was wrong with my body.  It was changing and I needed to actually exercise outside of track and field- but didn't know how.  All I knew was that the distance runners looked pretty slim and in shape.  So, I signed up for my first mini-marathon- 13.1 miles and the training it required couldn't hurt.  I signed up my sophomore year in college, ran it in a little over 2 hours, and thought, this running thing isn't as awful as I thought. Unfortunately, my coach wasn't happy with me when he found out about my min- it compromised my thrower's training, he said.  So, I found other ways to work out, to hopefully slim down my bulky arms- I continued to experiment with yoga, various fitness classes, and biking to and from classes. 

FIT in Adulthood

9 years, 2 children (and one on the way), and jobs/motherhood/moving in between, I'm learning more from fitness than I ever thought possible.  Fitness and exercise are no longer about controlling me with a checklist or a begrudging "job." It's about taking ownership of my journey.  Fitness continues to teach me that:

1. It's a PRIVILEGE what my body can do- I know there are many people who only wish for the God-given abilities that my legs and arms provide each day. Exercise is expressing my gratitude for this GIFT, and to continue to improve it, rather than remain stagnant.

2. Fitness benefits are far BEYOND a "better" body," instead reaching my soul in ways that therapy, shopping, or happy hours cannot provide (although a good glass of wine is second ;). Exercise is, without a doubt, the best stress reliever out there. Coupled with a scenic trail or natural setting, I get time in God's creation, to talk with Him about whatever's plaguing my mind while moving my legs.  I could expand on this benefit for days, but I'll spare you.

3.  Fitness is a calling, a desire to "keep our earthly vessels holy," and a must in motherhood in my opinion- to model for our children the value of caring for ourselves and for our children's children- that we might be healthy enough one day to enjoy our time with them.  AND, exercise is the ULTIMATE way to engage with our loved ones, playfully, outdoors, far away from screens, noise, and encouraging our loved ones to improve themselves, rather than sit idly.

My journey continues, as baby #3 is due one month from now. I'm feeling 100% better at 36 weeks than with my first 2, pushing myself to keep up my exercise this time around.  Crazy as it sounds, I'm craving my first trail run post pardum, but that time will come eventually.  My hope for now is that, in adopting a lifestyle of fitness, my children will as well.  And one day, when I'm making excuses and feeling lazy, they'll take me by the hand and lead me down the trails that we've traveled so many times together already.

Twas the Night Before The Derby Half.....

A little bedtime story for Derby Race Eve from Gone For a Run

‘Twas the night before the race and all through the state,
Runners were carb loading, hoping for a great pace.
Their race day clothes were hung with such care,
Along with the gels, watches and bibs all there.

The many weeks of training were not very fun,
Hill repeats, fartleks and long runs were done.
Hydration intake has all been perfected,
Thankfully no major pains were detected.

When race day arrives runners will fill the streets,
And into their corrals they eagerly retreat.
Setting their watches, as they run through the start,
We bid them all a good race admiring their dedication and heart.

As miles pass by they run with all their might,
Water and fuel stations were a very welcome sight.
The crowds were all cheering and having a good time,
Giving the runners high fives all down the line.

When what to their wondering eyes should appear?
But the finish line with gleaming medals ever so near.
Endorphins are dancing all around in their heads,
It’s time for celebrations and then straight to bed.

May your running always be such a wonderful delight,
Happy running to all and to all a good night!

Happy Running to all the runners running a race tomorrow!

Erika's Fitness Journey with Beach Body

As I sit here writing this I look back at the last 9 months and am in awe of how far I have come and all the changes that I have made heck I rode my first century ride last year because of this! 

My Fitness and Health journey started last May 2013, I was 9 months postpartum from having my second baby,  where I was being active 2-3 times a week, eating what I thought was healthy 60% of the time and had told myself I was happy with where I was mentally and physically, but who was I kidding I wasn’t. A friend of mine from high school who had just become a beachbody coach, was 6 months postpartum from her first kiddo, and reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be in an accountability challenge group run through a private setting on Facebook. If you know me you know I NEVER pass up a challenge, so I said YES and dove right in! She told me we would be working out 5-6 days a week and eating clean! I dusted off my copy of P90X ( that I had used post baby number 1 and maybe lasted 30 days lol) and planned to incorporate that on the days that I couldn’t get to the local barre studio that I was going to.

 I have to be honest I participated in the first month but I did not really change my eating I was always under the mindset that calories were calories it didn’t matter what you were eating rather how hard you worked, sound familiar to anyone?? BOY was I WRONG! You can not out exercise a bad diet, I totally learned this the second challenge when I started tracking what I was eating, replaced one meal a day or a snack with Shakeology and stuck to a new workout schedule! For the first time in my life working out was FUN and something I began to look forward to. It became my mental me time and NOT my punishment for eating something that was unhealthy or “unclean”. Come the end of June my body really started to transform and my clothes started fitting differently. For the first time since having kids my stomach was flat and I had ABS! Something I just thought had to be given up after you have kids lol. Mentally I started feeling happier, I wasn’t so depressed anymore, or moody, and I wasn’t tired! I had more energy to play with my kids and didn’t feel like I had to take a nap every day when they did. I also for the first time since 2004 didn’t have KNEE pain. I have had two knees surgeries and thought  I was stronger and would just have to deal with the pain, but I realized now after 3 months of really focusing on my health and fitness that all of this was becoming a myth and a lie that I was telling myself. I was down to my pre pregnancy weight but I was never stronger!! 

Come July my friend who had been my “coach” for the past couple months approached me and said “hey you should really become a coach” your story is inspiring and your transformation is awesome, the other challengers really look up to you and I think you would be really good at this yourself.” I kind of laughed at her at first then started to say WHY NOT??! Why wouldn’t I be a good coach?? Why couldn’t I help people start to feel as good as I do?? I then began to believe it, just had to convince my husband to jump on board with the idea :). It wasn’t until October 24th that I signed up to be a BeachBody Coach, and I ran my first accountability challenge group the second week of November. I had over 60 women in that first group wanting to make similar changes to better themselves and to be better role models for their children or families. Some had a lot to lose but everyone had so much to gain mentally! 

This group was amazing and for the first time I was doing something that made me SO happy and fulfilled. Work didn’t seem like work it was fun! I loved waking up in the morning and seeing everyones progress and posts. I was not only helping to keep them accountable but they were helping me! We were becoming a FITFAM and women I have never even met were inspiring me and lifting others up in so many good ways. These groups almost give you a natural high, a euphoria, a comfort. They are there to pull you out of a funk and push you forward! I am currently running my fourth group and at the end of my last I had a couple challengers make the most drastic changes yet 12 lbs lost, 7.5 inches gone, and all because we were putting in time to sweat and filling our bodies with good clean food. Life is too short to be unhappy with how you look and feel. There is always time for health and exercise. I am not on a diet and never again will I be I have made a lifestyle change and it has stuck because I did it the slow and steady way! I have done things in the past year that I NEVER thought I would be able to do, I rode my first century ride and I am training for my first Mini. 

I run these challenge groups every 30 days on facebook and am always looking for new faces to join our journey! Friend me on facebook and I would love to message you more info! 

Adam's Fitness Journey with Pure Fitness Training

Adam's progress over the past year.

 In November of 2012, a friend talked me into getting a Groupon for Pure Fitness Training which is a bootcamp style gym.  It is a high intensity circuit training that really works for any level of fitness experience because you can go at your own pace.  What I mean by that is if you are an advanced level person you can always make exercises harder and push yourself harder, or if you are a beginner you can do modified exercises and take more rests as needed.  After I did the Groupon, I was very impressed with the type of training.  So when they had a "Body Transformation" contest in February of 2013 I was in and have not looked back since (except to be amazed by my progress).

 There are many things Pure does that are great.  One of the things that I really like, is that the trainers don't just say go/stop.  They walk around, look at your form, and do on the spot corrections to make sure you are learning proper form. They do this so you do not hurt yourself. They also provide modified exercises for your fitness level or if you have an injury. The majority of trainers at Pure have a degree as well as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification.  This, I believe, makes them stand out among other local fitness places that I have looked into online.  At most local bootcamp style gyms, the trainers are only certified in "Group Training". I feel a person that has been through school studying how the body works and body mechanics probably has a better understanding on form and preventing injury.

 One of the things that really has allowed me to continue to strive to keep working hard is they have an ultrasound machine to measure body fat percentage.  I can keep track of my progress and set incremental goals.  For example, I started out at 23% body fat  (about 250 lbs) and now, I am around 12-15% body fat at about 200 lbs.  Without being able to track that, I would be relying on a scale which does not show you how much muscle you put on versus fat you have lost.  Mike Jett (the owner) also keeps a daily food blog for anyone to follow and track their food in which he will make recommendations to modify your diet (because I didn't lose all that weight just by working out, I also changed my diet). 

Adam is working on his friends to start working out and make healthier food choices just like his friend convinced him to buy the Groupon in 2012 for Pure Fitness Training. Sometimes you need just a little extra push from a friend to get you going or maybe you are the friend giving that extra encouragement.

Thanks, Adam, for sharing your success story with Pure Fitness Training! Check out Pure Fitness Training's website to see what it is all about and schedule an orientation to see if it is the right fit for you. Maybe you will even see Adam there working out.

Who Do You Run 4?

 Looking for more motivation to get your workouts in? Check out the non-profit group I Run 4!
 I signed up a few weeks back and still have a few more weeks before I get a match. Can't Wait!

   The group pairs you up with someone that cannot run. From their website, I Run 4 describes the connection of the match, "The mental and emotional encouragement for both runner and honorary runner is proving to be a whole new level of motivation and awareness.  Runners are able to find a whole new sense of purpose in their running while sharing who they are running for and bringing awareness to diseases and disabilities of all types. We hope you will join us to run for someone special that you may not know yet…. but you will instantly form a bond." I have enjoyed reading the posts on their facebook page of both the honorary runner and the runner.  You dedicate your workouts to your buddy and keep them posted on that while they keep you posted on how they are doing.

   New this year is the virtual race series.  You will get two medals - one for you and one for your buddy. The first race registration deadline is Feb. 10, 2014 for the Irish Upon A Star. It does not matter if you have a buddy yet, as when you get your match you will be able to send them the medal. How cool is that?

Hope you check it out and sign up either as a runner or if you know someone for an honorary runner pass it on - keep getting inspired! Who do you Run 4?