2008 Transformation Contest

I’m not a country fan per say, but Trace Adkins songs always get me. This one is pretty cool, sometimes you look better to others then you look to yourself.

This is holding true for me (no I’m not a hot mama), people are noticing change even though I dont notice it as much, the camera doesnt show it but last week alone I lost 2" off my mid section, thats pretty good if you ask me. Seems that my body is finally in gear and ready to roll! I’ve had more people at work this week asking how I’m losing the weight, and the thing is the scale hasnt dropped dramatically even though my physical apperances are much more showing. I look forward to the next 8 weeks…..I guess its time for Team Xtreme to stop practicing but sitting on the sidelines the whole game, its time to get in the game!

Going back to one of the greatest bands of all-time. U2 teams up with Mary J. Blige for this version of the classic "One". I listened to this song while I was busting out a shoulder workout at the asscrack of dawn. I’m a fan of passionate singers. Mary J has the energy and passion in her voice that evokes an emotion. I dig it.

Is it getting better?
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now?
You got someone to blame

I want to give thanks to the supporters in my life who have helped me to get to where I am today.

My husband John, for working so hard, and supporting me so patiently while I recovered my body and my life.  

My three daughters, Shandra, Neva, & Zaelia, who have given up "Martyr Mommy" in the name of "regular old imperfect mommy".  I am a woman learning to practice self love and acceptance, and hopefully teaching them to do the same.

I also want to thank Bodyspace, and all of my friends on this website, who have been there with me, watching me change and grow, accepting me unconditionally, inside and out,  for the past year +.

You are all my super heros.

Depending upon scales, I was either up 1 lb this week, or remained the same.  I will take the remained the same thanks so much.    

The good news being, that according to the Tanita Scale, I am down from 24% bodyfat beginning of this contest to 20.5% bodyfat today!  (I was 21.% last week.)

I relented this week.  I had a cheat day.   And then I had another.  2 cheat days…Nothing too horrific.  Just a few shots of tequila, a half gallon of icecream, (NO FAT!  LOW SUGAR!),…a half quart of salsa, and about 20 packs of gum.

I am ready to start anew.  I am ready to look to the stars.

Progress pics, Jan 31, 2008.

Artistic shots this week.  Next week I will return to the side by sides.

Ready?….

                   Are you sure???….

                                                    Are you REALLY, REALLY, SURE?????

Alrighty then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!  WE ARE ALL WINNERS!  (AND GREAT BIG LOSERS!)

I have no idea what week this is? LOL Just tell me when its over I dont have time to stop and think about the weeks left, just push push push until the end baby!

I am foiled by Quiz Bowl again!  My teenagers are on a big, (important…haha), QUIZ BOWL MEET, 3 towns over.  Looks like the middle daughter TOOK MY CAMERA!

I want to say,…"HEY!  YOU!!  DON’T YOU KNOW MOMMY NEEDS TO TAKE PICTURES IN YOUR BIKINI AND PUT THEM ON THE INTERNET?    haha  

(It just sounds so funny to say it.)

Ironically, we live in the house with 4 cameras.  

1 Easy Share (which I have used for 3 years straight now), 1 worthless, battery dying digi cam that I got for Christmas, 1 worthless, battery dying digi cam that my MY DAUGHTER got for Christmas, and 1 pretty worthwhile decent RECHARGABLE BATTERY camera that THE OTHER DAUGHTER got for Christmas.  lol  

Yes, the worthless, battery dead ones are the ones they left me.

I will try my darnedest to get pics up by midnight tonight.  

Pretty disappointed.  

I am currently wearing my eldest daughters’ pirate/skull bikini for today’s pics.  

Makeup on, the works.

Oh well!  I have 2 orders on their way from Bodybuilding.com.

Maybe the UPS man will come…!

I’ve been on the boards for a while now, and I ran across a person who had great drive in achieving his goals. He not only met his goals but exceeded them in many areas. His starting weight is around where I started, and while I know we cant all expect the same results as another person. His results prove to me that anything is possible.

He is. Savage Muscle

Brief Interview.

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1. Why did you decide to start you personal transformation?

- I have struggled with my body weight my entire life. I hit my lifetime high of 290 in June of 2007. My military career was on the line and I was tired of hating what I saw when I looked in the mirror.

2. Did you have any bumps in the road along the way, what kept you motivated to stay on course?

- The majority of my bumps came in the first four weeks of my 16 week transformation. I remember during my third week looking at my stretch marks and thinking, "Not all sins are forgiven." One of my college professors gave me some advice about life when I told him how depressing I found my condition. I wrote his words in the front of my training journal and would turn to them on my ‘down’ days.

3. What was your normal routine weight lifting and cardio wise.

-Simplified version:
- Weights: Three days on, one days off. 3 body parts per day, 2-3 exercises per body part, 3-5 sets, 20-25 reps. 30-60 seconds rest in between sets
- Cardio: 30-60 minutes a day. One day off a week (if needed, but I hardly ever went a day without cardio)

4. After your transformation did your emotional and physical confidence improve?

- In 16 weeks I lost 65lbs & my body fat went from 29% to 14%. The way I felt about myself changed immeasurably in an emotional sense. I wouldn?t say that I am a different person, but I would say that my 16 week transformation made me more secure about the person I am. Before the 16 week transformation, I didn?t want to be around myself, after the 16 week transformation, I celebrate life.

5. Do you feel people treat you differently now that you’ve transformed.

- Of course people treat me differently, and I can?t blame them. For the 16 weeks I was in training, I hardly left my room expect to go to work or the gym. When I returned to a normal social life, people were shocked and a lot of people didn?t even recognize me. The biggest thing has been how I?m respected in the gym; I can?t tell you how many times I?ve been asked how I made such drastic changes so quickly.

6. What are your goals for the future?

- Fitness Goals for 2008 1. Get to 10% Body fat and maintain in for 4 weeks, then 2. Go on a growth binge, with a goals of squatting 405 x 20 (Don?t laugh, I hit 355 x 20 in early 2006) and 3. Maintain my bodyspace account and post, at minimum, a pic and body weight every week.
- Personal Goals for the Future: Finish my writing projects, finish my masters in Education and continue to serve my country in the Air National Guard.

Before Pic

After Pic

I can say this, I am really glad he isnt in this contest..I’m certain he would win.

I know what you’re thinking but no. Today is a busy day for me and I didn’t feel like cooking so I whipped what I call my Poo Bowl. Disturbed yet?

Poo Bowl Ingredients:
• 1 Large Bowl
• 1 cup of plain oatmeal
• 2 packets of splenda
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 scoops of MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hard Core Chocolate Protein Powder

• Mix it all up in the bowl dry.

• Add water. I like my consistency a little thicker but if you like a soupy bowl go for more water.

• Microwave it for about a minute.

• Mix it around and let cool.

Yes it may look like a bowl of poo but damn does it taste good. I’ve told a few friends about it and they we’re like WTF are you talking about? Until they tried it. Now, they are hooked.

ENJOY!

HARDCORE - that’s how I’d describe Beth Hart. Raw. Powerful Energy. I love her voice and the passion it has. The lyrics to this once are a little dark but the vibe is awesome. I say she’s "one bad bitch" in a positive light. Inspiration can be found in random places. I am inspired by Beth Hart’s hardcore, raspy voice combined with her ability to play the piano mixed in with deep personal lyrics.

This morning I ran with a fellow St. Louisian, Nelly.  That’s right.  His music kept me running and pushing.  Today was a long steady so I didn’t have to make the speed and hill adjustments.  I just ran free.  Nelly kept me in the zone.  Today was a pleasure run.  Felt great.  The only thing that would have been better is if I could have done it outdoors-to cold for me.

I was pretty excited about today.  It’s progress day!!  That’s right. Today is the day I weigh, take pictures, get measured and then post them for all the world to see.  How can I be excited about this?  When I posted my very first picture back in July, I was very embarrassed and ashamed of how badly I let myself go.  The worst part, I had already lost weight when that picture was taken.  I told myself that it would be my last fat picture and by posting it I am holding myself accountable for the changes to be made.  I promised myself that I will never be that overweight again. I kept that promise.  Every time I take a new picture, I know I am smaller and healthier than the last picture.  It feels fantastic.  One day a picture will be taken and the woman I feel like inside will be smiling back at me.  That is going to be a day to celebrate.

Here is this week’s progress report:

Weight:
12/26/07:  227.4
01/30/08:  215.8
Down:  11.6 pounds

Body Fat %:
12/26/07: 51.5
1/30/08:   45.1
Down:  6.4%

Measurements:
Chest
1/2/08: 44 7/8
1/30/08: 43
Down: 1 7/8”

Right bicep
1/2/08: 16 1/8
1/30/08: 15 7/8
Down: 2/8”

Left bicep
1/2/08: 16 ½
1/30/08: 16 3/8
Down: 1/8”

Hips
1/2/08:  50 ½
1/30/08: 49 ½
Down: 1”

High Hip:
1/2/08: 50 ¼
1/30/08: 48
Down: 2 ¼
This is very exciting news.  The high hip makes the difference between miss and womens clothes.  When your overweight this is the spot that fills in to give that straight up and down look.  This means I am starting to get that hour glass figure again.  Woohoo.

Waist
1/2/08: 38 ¼
1/30/08: 38
Down: ¼”

Thigh (left)
1/2/08: 29
1/30/08: 28 ¼
Down: ¾”

Left Calf
1/2/08: 17
1/30/08: 16 ¾
Down: ¼”

Down a total of: 6 ½ inches

Pictures
12/26/07 Front

1/30/08 Front

12/26/07 side

1/30/08 side

12/26/07 back

1/30/08 back

Shoulder work at home, I like to do these things when I feel my body getting tired. It gets the blood moving, and the energy for the next few hours thru the roof! Completing all movements without rest, keeps the heart rate up. Its this high rep movements that have shown more success this week for me.

Press is 37LBS, the Remainder of the routine is 17lbs.

Hello all!

I figure some of you might have noticed I’ve been quiet on Bodybuilding.com recently. I
have managed to injure myself pretty bad… A few days ago I rolled my ankle on the
elliptical. I figured I’d give it a few days of icing and rest and then hit it hard.
However, yesterday morning I could tell it wasn’t getting better. I went to the doctor
and I have 2 fractures in my right foot. I apparently re-injured my old fracture region
from late 2007 as well as fracturing another portion of the foot. The doctor wanted to
put me in a cast for the next 12 weeks, but in South Dakota weather that is just begging
for further injury. As such, I’m in an airboot, but with strict orders to limit movement
even in the airboot to a minimum.

Therefore, it is with great sadness, that I will resigning from the remainder of the competition. I will continue to focus on my diet, but training will be put on the backburner while I try and heal up. I wish the best to the rest of the competitors and hope that the male alternate, malibuilder, can step up and fill in nicely.

I want to thank everyone who took a chance on me, I’m sorry if my injury let you down.

Josh

This video explains a bit about why I workout barefooted and why I use the bands.  Over the past several weeks I have had a bunch of great advice given to me about workouts and I appreciate all of it.  What I have decided to do is follow Coach Mike’s training regimen to the best of my ability and as long as I see tangible results I see no need to change.  Could I be doing better following another workout?  Maybe I would.  What I have seen is a rock solid 2 pound plus drop in weight every week except last week since the beginning of December.  This is solid fat loss, not water and not muscle.  Results are proving Coach Mike and his prescribed workout to be on the money.

While I endeavor to win the Bodybuilding.com 2008 Transformation contest I know where I am and what I need to do to become healthy.  That is my goal, be healthy.  This will take me 1.5 to 2 years.  When I get to that point I will decide my next challenge.  Bicycle racing, power-lifting, or any number of other physical challenges that keep me on my toes will keep me focused on my new found fitness, a fitness that begins here.  

This is my best video to date.  Well in my opinion.  Some of you may prefer the workout partner verbal abuse from the last one.  Grab your no butter and no salt popcorn and enjoy.  Oh you better get the largest size tub and the biggest bottle of spring water (that actually comes from the tap.)  This is longer than my usual post.  

Today is a feel good kinda day. I feel good and one of my favorite songs to listen to keep me in a good mood is "Rodeo Clowns". This version features three of my favorite artists; Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter and G-Love. They are all folky type of feel good musicians. This is a song I crank up to just mellow out and feel good about what I have going on in my life. The next two songs are "Heading Home" and "Rainbow" which have a similar vibe and worth a listen. All three musicians have their own voice but in the end each reminds me to smile and enjoy my day.

Move on down the road my friends and enjoy your Tuesday.