yvonne: Be the change

Well we are at week 7 with the Dear Joe Fitness project and I am beginning to see

signs of change in myself and my colleagues. Little things like walking taller, faces thinning and

more deliberate affect in conversation. In other words a greater sense of confidence. 

James started out being very sore and now he is asking that more weight be added to

his workout. He is also starting to brag about weight loss : ) I have felt like I am walking a little taller and feeling stronger. I think the strength is what makes everything else start kicking in. When you feel physically stronger the mental part follows. I also find that I am starting to eat

for strength instead of ooooh I want that. 

The beauty of having a trainer at Adamson's is if you are feeling low on energy one day or have a question about nutrition they have the answer. Within myself if I don't ask I will fall back into my old ways and not make the change I need for my lifetime. The more you know the more powerful you feel. That's the change I want to be.

I also had a photo shoot last night for Dancing with the Stars Shasta County Style. Competition is good. I have a goal and I am going for it… but Amy said I need to pick up on my cardio everyday to get there. See what I mean information is key!

Kerri: Progress and motivation

I was out of town and missed Monday's workout, and I can't believe that I actually missed going to the gym... how crazy is that?!

Friday's workout was pretty inspiring for me - I lost 3.5 percent body fat in our first six weeks of exercise, and I also lost up to an inch in several areas. Using my crack math skills (multiplying my weight by my body fat percentage, before and at the six-week mark), I figured out that I actually lost six pounds of fat, which means that I gained four pounds of muscle for a total loss of two pounds. (I'll admit I was pretty annoyed that I wasn't down by more than two pounds after all that work, but these new numbers made me feel a lot better.)

That being said... I was bummed for my workout partner, who has been working her tushie off and didn't see a big payoff on Friday, as you read below. Angela did tell me that it's unusual to see significant results in the first six weeks since your body spends that time acclimating to the torture. ;-) (She didn't use that exact terminology.) I can actually see a difference in Ronda, so something is happening, there's no doubt about it.

I have been watching my diet pretty carefully, making sure to take a couple minutes in the morning to toss some yogurt and fresh fruit into my bag for work, along with a can of light soup (I know, sodium is bad) or a sandwich, and a granola bar or some crackers to get me through the afternoon munchie period. Blessedly, my coworkers don't bring a bunch of junk food into the office anymore, since I have no willpower when it comes to resisting sugary snacks.

The next couple of weeks will be my biggest challenge thus far... I've got huge life stressors coming at me from all directions, and I am determined not to let that derail my efforts. Failing to take care of myself by exercising and eating right will not improve my mental health, of that I am certain. I must resist the urge to seek solace in ice cream! :-)

Ronda: Week 7

I have to admit, I was a little (OK... a lot) disappointed with the outcome of my weigh-in on Friday. I didn't lose any weight, actually gained a pound! I lost an inch in my chest area (isn't that always the way it goes?) and lost an inch on my thighs. I didn't lose any inches any place else. I gained 1/4 inch on my arms which is fine, because I see muscles there that weren't there when I started! 

It's time to step it up now! More cardio for me on the days I'm not at the gym. I'm also starting a food journal so I can keep track of everything I put in my mouth. The next weigh-in is going to blow everyone away! I'm just going to be optimistic!

Kerri wasn't able to make it to our workout on Monday and I really missed her. I sort of feed off of her energy. As much as I dislike working out while I'm there doing it, I do feel good when it's over. Angela is a tough trainer, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Ronda: Hey Kerri!

Are you still alive after that workout this morning? Geez! All that cardio! One thing I have noticed, though. There is no way I could have done all that cardio 3 weeks ago. How about you?

Ronda: OUCH!

My arms have hurt since Monday night, and it makes me feel like such a weakling. Especially since Kerri did the same exercises as I did and she seems to be moving along just fine! I had a tough time today doing some of the things that require upper body strength. I guess whatever Angela is having us do is working, because even into our 5th week, I'm still getting sore muscles.

I don't think I have lost any weight and haven't stepped on a scale since we started. I do feel good, though. I feel a lot stronger and I'm proud of myself for getting out of bed at the crack of dawn to make it to the workouts.

Now, I really need to get serious about eating the right things. I have a hard time doing that this time of the month... DEADLINE! It gets pretty stressful around the office and I'd love to have a handful (or 10) of m&m's at my desk to munch on while I'm working. I haven't had any yet this month, but I sure think about it.

Kerri: "Are we in shape yet?"

We're midway through Week 5, and although I had fantasies of being down by at least 10 pounds by now, I know that's not my reality. I am, however, starting to feel the effects of our workouts (other than sore muscles!). The soreness isn't lasting as long, I'm paying closer attention to my diet, and I can absolutely feel my muscles getting stronger. Angela was kind to us today and let us do a lot of stretching. She also impressed me with her detective skills - during one exercise, she noticed that I wasn't landing the right way on my feet. "Do you wear high heels at work a lot?" Hello, I'm five-foot-one... of course I do! Well, apparently that tightens up your calves, so I'll do a little extra stretching as homework.

It's a heck of a lot easier to put on the weight than it is to take it off... but I'm encouraged to be feeling some progress. The big test is next week, when we'll have our measurements taken again. I'm crossing fingers and toes that I've burned off at least a little bit of body fat during this adventure.

Yvonne: Being Aware…

The reason anyone makes a change in their life is to first be aware that there is a need. I feel that with my body composition for years I was a talking head. Didn't feel anything below the neck… like it didn't exist. Well, I know I was shutting myself off and not wanting to feel anything. I think that happens to many people. When you are in a fitness program especially with a personal training they train you to feel. From your psychological to your physical. When you move and work parts of your body you start to stand up straight, hold in your belly, hold your head high and quite often you are taken more seriously. 

Also being aware of why we over eat or are less active from a psychological level is one of the steps in making change to become healthy. We are starting an "I will" concept of positive reinforcement self talk. The exercise, if you will, is to say 7 times a day your personal positive affirmation, because that is what kicks your brain in gear. One of mine is "I will be strong and active". I would love to be known as a strong and active woman… Again being aware is what helps to make change in your life. (Amy: you inspire me, thank you!)

I will be the change I want to see in the world! - Yvonne/Ghandi : )