Don't Stop, Don't Give Up!

Our Boot Camp leaders sent this out to us :)

Yo Gabba Gabba

Posted In General, Motivation Mondays | No comments

If you’re trying to summon the strength to make it through your workout or anything for that matter, little Ryan has a song that’ll do the trick. Granted, she appears to be making the lyrics up as she goes, but that’s just part of the magic.

Just remember: “Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. Keep trying. You’ll get it right. You’ll get it right.”

http://loadedwithexcuses.com/yo-gabba-gabba/

Thanksgiving- Hope

Got up early for bootcamp, and they had something special for us.  Their annual Thanksgiving workout.  :)  Lots of exercises, with reminders of why we should be thankful.

I am thankful for my Lord, Hope, Family, and Opportunities I have been given.  

YWCA Rhapsody Ball

This was a neat event that I was lucky to have the privilege to attend.  It was a Benefit Ball, with tickets ranging from $200-300 a pop.  Someone bought a table, and donated it to some volunteers.  The ball was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in Beverly Hills.  We ate fancy, drank wine, danced, and laughed the night away.  Great night. 

Sparkly Toms :)

 

Week 3- Quick Update

Despite not feeling well, I got my booty to the IE Bootcamp, and then, when jogging, my ankles decided that this was the best moment to give out, and I hit the concrete. Still... I got up and kept going at least.... :( So embarrassed, and totally in pain, but gotta get up and keep going. Although, the best part of the night was when the trainer was trying to distract me from my embarrassment and asked me if I had ever seen a naked elephant before.... haha, embarrassed, confused, hurt, and now picturing an elephant in a bathing suit... ok I'm done. night.

Week 3 Bootcamp

This week has been very difficult for me...  Last week, near the end as well.  I am coming face to face with the fact that I cannot run for long periods of time, or very far, and that I am nowhere near the fitness level of many of the people at the camp.  This is probably the worse part of participating in camp, or any fitness program for that matter, no matter how supportive the trainers and team are.

When you are as out of shape and overweight as I am, working towards fitness goals is something that I just cannot do while maintaining an outward appearance of control and dignity.  It is however, something I can do with determination and a good attitude.... as corny as that sounds.  The fact is, is that this is not my area of specialty, I am actually completely out of my comfort zone, and am not familiar with the exercises that we are being asked to do.  I am also aware that there is no mistaking me as an overweight and unfit person.

I work in high stress and emergency situations, teach, tutor, and interact in cross cultural situations on a regular basis, so being outside of my comfort zone is nothing new to me...  I actually find it normally quite exciting.  In learning a foreign language, though, I began realizing that in order to accomplish a goal so far outside of our own norm pushes us to face our limitations, push past them, and work with them.  Still, our limitations, and our imperfections, are things that we try so hard to hide or minimize.  They are not something that we actively want to bring attention to.  When approaching cultural situations, especially on a professional basis, while language and customs may be a significant barrier, your posture, dress, and overall presentation can still allow you to demand respect, and function with dignity.  Still, you have to "put yourself out there," and in doing so, get ready to make mistakes, and be willing to accept criticism and/or corrections.

When you are starting an exercise program, however, you are not only "putting yourself out there", but you are messing up, moving weirdly, out of breathe, sweating, looking unattractive, standing in unflattering poses or manners, etc.  You are essentially highlighting a good majority of your imperfections, and you are relinquishing a sense of control of physical presentation, for the sake of a higher goal.

This is what I had to keep reminding myself this last bootcamp session.  I am still the last person, but I can already see and feel the difference.  I cannot give up now, and just have to persevere mentally, as well as physically.  I want change, and if I am going to reach it, I will have to put myself out there, and look ridiculous, but in doing so, change my life and health.  Still, it is not easy.

First Week of Bootcamp

After getting everything in order, I am finally starting fitness bootcamp.  I love it, but am so sore, and am always the last person to finish.  Actually, that is not true.  There is a pregnant lady who is slower then I am. I give that lady mad respect though. Wow. Not going to give up though.  I will do better.

Anyways, after workout, I watched comedian David So's youtube videos, and found this one.  Don't get me wrong, I know that the trainers are helping me more than I could ever know, but being in a class with a bunch of fit people, and doing exercises I never thought I would ever do.... well, this just speaks to me, and I feel like this video described exactly how I feel like I look.  The only thing missing is the running... at which point I feel like the rhino at the end of the stampede in Jumanji.  Dear Lord. lol.  I will persevere and I will get better!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FNf8LoH6Wcg

Starting bootcamp/weight loss journey

My "Big Fat Reason" why I signed up for Bootcamp:




My Big Fat Reason Why I signed up for Bootcamp:

I want to change, and I want to be a better me.  I already started on this journey, but I really need some help.  I want to climb rocks, scale cliffs, sky dive, parasail, bunji jump, hike, bring supplies to rural villages, explore, study, etc.  I can't do these things now, because my health is in such bad shape, and I no longer want my health and weight to be a reason why I cannot do something.

In addition, I want to get my life, including my ADHD, in order, but lifestyle changes need to be made, in addition to the medication.  Nutrition is essential to managing ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety, because certain foods make the symptoms worse.   Sooooo..... here I go!

First goal:
     - Get down to 200 lbs, and be able to run 1.5 miles.
     - Get a nutrition routine going.  (Us ADHD folk benefit from routine)
     - Get my surrounding organized. (This is extremely difficult for ADHD peeps)

This is the second part to my reason why.... Some stories and info and examples and what-not.

#1- I want to live!!!!  I am so tired, all the time.  I get sick, I can't focus, and meds are not the answer. I need help.

#2- Guatemala, 2008- The church members we were working with wanted to do something special for us, so they planned a hike up a water volcano, and carried a full lunch for us.  Now that I look back, this was only probably a mile up, maybe a little less, but it was like climbing stairs all the way up.  I felt like I was going to pass out, and have to go back, and I almost did.  The locals carried pots, water, chicken, veggies, etc. on their head, and walked up like it was nothing.  I could have missed this opportunity because of my health.  Can you believe this?  In Costa Rica, we also had to climb a mountain to bring up medical supplies, but at that time I was dancing, a size 10, and in shape, and I was fine.  If I want to do this kind of work, this is just a reality, and for me, it is a requirement to such awesome opportunities.

The hike up (very steep) 

The view from the top

#3- I want to be in pics and love myself in them.

#4- Sky diving has a weight limit.  Anything past that and you need special equipment and lots more money.

#5- What if a person is chasing me, and I can't run away for more than 30 seconds?  Seriously, I am at the bottom of the food chain at this point.

#6- If I ever wanted to work in any physically and mentally demanding job, I need to be lighter, and at least be able to run 1.5 miles.

#7- I want to fit comfortably in:
               - airplane seats, roller coasters, water slides, Asian restaurants (in Asia, not a stereotype I promise)

#8- I don't want to wear t-shirts at the beach anymore.  I want to be able show my sexy arms.