Frustrated

Well, I ended up not being able to get to this last night. I was driving home from school last night when the temperature gauge started climbing and before I knew it, my car was overheated. I made it to our church house and when I opened the hood of my car, radiator fluid was spraying everywhere. Oh the joys of the car I loathe.

Anyway, I am sad that I won't be able to make it to Bootcamp today. I seriously need to be there. My heart is truly broken. I wish that there was some way to pay for a new car, but we can not afford the monthly payments. It sucks.

As for yesterday, Bootcamp was great. I quite enjoyed the workout. It was hard, but I really felt like I did a good job. Instructor Thomas has a way of making our conversations awkward and hilarious. I seriously love him!! I may now know more about him than I ever wanted to know, but that's the way he is.

So today I get to figure out how to fix my car yet again, with no money and no hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel of car problems and medical bills, but hey, that's life. So I'm just going to figure it out and hope for the best because that is what we have to do to survive.

Have a great day!!

A dream of blues

Tough workout!

I experienced being yelled at by two instructors tonight AND instructor Thomas threw his hat at me!! Better than his boot I guess. That was one of the hardest workouts I've done at Bootcamp so far. It was tough, but I didn't die. I feel awesome for finishing and I learned something today that I didn't know. If I would have known that bending over when out of breath was not a good thing, I wouldn't be doing it. So thank you Instructor Paul for teaching me that. Now I know, I will do my best to avoid doing that.

It was fun to work out with some awesome people. It was nice to meet everyone and know that no matter what group you work out in, we are all family. I can't wait to get back to 0800 tomorrow though! Missed you all this morning!!

Well, my bed is calling my name. Sorry for the short post, goodnight!!!!

Ten Years ago

This morning was a very emotional and hard morning. I have been stuck at 286 for several days and I had hoped to make it to 283 today. Today I scraped by and made it. I was sure nervous. I was 283 the day I found out I was pregnant with my son. I found out on Labor day weekend of 2003. Guess what this weekend is! That's right, Labor day weekend. Coincidence?? Probably, but it makes for a good story, so I am going to use it. ;) Ten years ago was the last time I was this weight.

I am thoroughly amazed at how fast things have changed in my life. I am in week 8 of boot camp and I have lost 33 pounds, a tshirt size, a pants size, and the passenger side seat belt is loose and I don't have to squeeze into it anymore...which means my husband can drive more now!! Woot Woot!!

Seriously though, I am stronger, I am happier, and I have made some great new friends and family. I can honestly say I have higher self esteem and I just feel so much better over all. As for my knee, yes it hurts, but it is getting better. I have been able to increase my speed a little on the treadmill, not a lot, but it will get there.

I am training for a 5K at the end of September. I hadn't been out and running outside yet, but this weekend when I was worried about the numbers, I ventured out to do just that. I was fairly surprised at how well I did this weekend. I remember about 2 months ago when I was walking with my friends every morning, I was always out of breath and I didn't really LOVE doing it, but I did it because I needed to. I was able to run the same distance I walked with my friends and I felt great. I went even further last night and did 2 extra laps! I am getting better. I am not a fast runner, by all means, but I am trying. I hope to get enough endurance to make it through the full 5K without passing out. ;)

I am loving exercising and I feel so much stronger. I am getting there. I appreciate all of your support and your help. I am learning so much. I would not have the strength to do it if I didn't have all of you.

A dream of blues (PT Miller)

Sooooo sore!

Today I woke up and I felt it! I forgot how much it hurts to wear that vest. I think I have hit a plateau and I'm hoping to make three pounds lost by Monday, but my confidence that it will happen is not good. I can't see a way that it will happen. I will go do some more exercising this weekend and see if that helps. I really don't want to wear that vest again, especially since I just voluntarily did it.

I don't like feeling like I am not going to succeed and it terrifies me. I am not looking forward to Monday at all. I have kept to the diet and have done really well. Maybe I'm not getting enough water, maybe I need to increase my cardio. I don't now, I just know that it is frustrating.

I ran a lot further today. It helped that instructor Stone was back there pushing me. I didn't do as well on the mountain, my knee was killing me. Still I was dripping with sweat by the time I was finished. Maybe I just need to do that a few times a week!

My determination is still there, just feeling a bit down about it today.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

A dream of blues

30 lb. vest!!

Holy cow!! What a day!

Today at Bootcamp we wore the 30 lb. vests. Holy crap that was hard. I'm pretty sure a few swear words came out of my mouth today. (I know, shame on me) How I ever did that every day of my life is beyond my comprehension. I was out of breath very easy and everything just hurt. All through the workout I kept saying, how did I ever do this!? I'm sure as more weight comes off I will be able to better appreciate what I've already done. Oh, and guess what!? He put the vest on me and it fit!!! He didn't have to use the extension!!! I was so excited about that, I think I smiled for a good 2 minutes ;) (I stopped when we started to work out....)

This week has been rough, emotions have run rampant and I look at myself and even though you can clearly see a difference, the pain of being overweight is still there. I know it is going to take time and I know I have a long way to go yet. Today after wearing the vest, I have realized how much I have done and how much I have changed, it was fun and hard, and I would do it again. The minute he took the vest off I felt so much lighter. It was crazy awesome.

Anyway, this seriously works and well. I love Bootcamp and instructor Thomas, and my awesome Bootcamp family who are all the most amazing people ever!!!

Have a great day,

A dream of blues

Day 3 of week 7

Another late post,

Today was good. Only three of us showed up. It was a tough workout, but not too bad. I am quite tired tonight though, so forgive me for the shortness of this blog.

Good nights,,

A dream of blues

P.s. what day is it??

Week 7 day 2

Week 7 day 2

New clothes!! I got some awesome boot camp sweats today, check them out!!

I have been truly blessed by Instructor Thomas and I owe him a LOT!! After 20+ years of not seeing him (seriously I was like 12 the last time I saw him) he has taken me under his care and has shown me so much love and kindness. I continue to learn and grow, I have found that he truly truly cares about all of his PT's. It feels like family all the time. It is so nice. Thank you Instructor Thomas! 

Endurance leg day today.....I swear that leg day comes so fast and I'm never ready for it. Still, I survived and It feels awesome!! Had to bring my daughter today, she was very well behaved and she told me on the way home, "Mom, I figured out why you are always so sweaty...it's because of Jesse, huh?!" Ha ha, yes sweetheart, it is!!!

Well today was good, I'm tired and I think bed sounds nice. Good night my dear dear friends!!

A dream of blues

P.s. I went to TOPS for the first time since February and lost 35.6 pounds (is it sad that 29 of them happened in the last 6.5 weeks?) OH! And did I mention I LOVE THESE AWESOME PEOPLE????

Round two!!!

Round two!! Today was day one of week 7 for me. I am officially down 29 pounds and I am feeling good. This weekend was super busy, but I was able to accomplish a lot.

I have a great feeling of accomplishment as I begin this new session of Bootcamp. I finished one session already!! It wasn't easy, but I did it. Not only that but I feel better, stronger, and healthier. I went through millions of emotions as I went through the first few weeks. Emotions about myself that I had held in for a long time. My self esteem is higher and I have more confidence in my ability to do this.

I know this is working because people are starting to notice. Yesterday at church I was called the incredible shrinking woman. Totally made my day! ;) I have had am any people tell me that they can tell I'm losing weight. It feels so good to hear it. I only have me complaint.....my clothes are getting too big and I don't have the money to get new ones!!! Lol!!! #bootcampproblems!!!

I love BOOTCAMP and I Love instructor Thomas. Thank you for conditioning my mind and my body. Something I could never have done on my own. I'm glad I took the plunge and let you help me!

Hope you are all well, thank you for reading my blog and supporting me. I truly appreciate it.

A dream of blues

6 weeks before and after

When I started boot camp six weeks ago,this was my picture

Today minus the jacket I took the same picture.....it is amazing how much I have changed already. 

 I still have a really long way to go, but I will get there.

Week seven starts on MONDAY!!!! Gonna keep workin hard to get this weight off. Thank you all so much for the love and support you have given me. I am going to keep blogging every day and keep working hard. Love you all!!!

Have a fabulous weekend!! 

A dream of blues

100 day (and a little from yesterday)

So just to tell you all, I got on the scale yesterday and I weighed in. I have officially lost 25 pounds! I still have a long way to go, but I feel pretty good about that. Instructor Thomas told everyone in 0800 and try all cheered. I felt pretty awesome. One of the PT's asked me who I was and told me I reminded her of someone, but she was 25 pounds heavier. Ha ha, so cute.

The last 6 weeks have helped me learn so much about myself and I have gained confidence in myself and done some things I never thought would be possible. I have found that as this journey progresses, I am learning more and more about myself. I am loving boot camp and I am definitely going to keep going.

Today was 100 day, it was probably one of the hardest workouts I've done so far. I hear strip day is bad too. My whole body hurts right now. Really, it hurts, I mean it. Tomorrow I am going to go to the park and try again. Every week seems so hard, but I feel like it is getting easier as time goes by.

I need to get training outside for my 5k, I need to find the time to do it. I've been so busy with kids, Bootcamp, school, and life that I haven't had time to do any extra things. The kids start school next week though, so I should be able to fit it in sometime. I am super excited about the color me rad 5k. I've never run a 5k before, I've walked one once before and that was in 2009. So this will be an adventure I never thought I would take again. I'm excited to see how I do.

Well, a nap, dinner, children and husband are all calling for me, I better go decide which one I have to listen to and Then do something productive. Have a great evening.

A dream of blues

Endurance leg day

Today was endurance leg day......so not my favorite day of the week. I made it through it though and that has to count for something!! I am starting to really feel stronger, well that is until I try jump roping and I jar my knee worse than it was. Word of the wise, don't try jump roping on a hurt knee.

So only a few more days left in week 6. I'm really happy with the results I have had. I really don't have much more to say today.

I hope you all are well and that in some way I have motivated you to make some kind of change in your life. Whether it is health related or not. 

Have a great day!!

Motivating others=happiness

Today was a little tough, but I made it through. My new equipment (knee brace) is slightly annoying and I dislike it, but if it helps my knee get better, I will wear it.

It is fun to see when someone is motivated to go out and exercise because of this blog. Today a friend messaged me on Facebook to tell me that because of me the decided to start running. It makes me happy when I hear stuff like that. It wasn't the first time I've heard that either. I received an email from a friend telling me that because of what I was doing, they decided to do the couch to 5k program. I have re ieved several messages from various different people saying they are now working out because of me. It is awesome!!

I hope that more follow and that somehow I am able to help them make a difference in their lives. I have done nothing special to get people to do it. All I did was make the decision to change my life.

It is so much fun to be at church or at school and hear people tell me that I'm starting to look good. It is proof from others that what I am doing is working. It really helps my self esteem and makes the hard work truly worth it. Today even instructor Thomas told me I was starting to look thinner!! People are noticing and that is so amazing to me. My clothes are fitting better, some are getting too big.

This program truly works. I love it.

Hope you all have a most fabulous day, and remember, 

"When you are ready to dawn that uniform, you will do whatever it takes to get there"- Bill Crook (he has no idea I've been quoting him....he he he, guess I better tell him!!)

A dream of blues

And the WINNER is............

Who wants to know who won the $25 gift card???

Oh? You do??!!! 

Ok, ok, fine, well I had my 9 year old son pick a name from a hat (not really a hat, more bowl like) and this is the name he chose......

Drum roll please....

The winner is ................. DANCIN MAMMA!!! That's right it is none other than Christa Terry. 

Thank you to everyone who entered. Christa, just message me your address on Facebook and I will get that sent off to you :) 

I truly appreciate all of the support and love I have gotten from so many of you. It has helped fuel the fire of my determination and kept me going on days I thought were not worth the fight.

Next giveaway will be under 250!!! 

Love you all!!!

A dream of blues

End of week 5

So today ended week 5 of Bootcamp. I survived yet another workout at the park. I do have to say, I'm starting to feel stronger though. I am losing weight and feeling so much better.

 Today I went to my doctor for the first time since April and he was pleasantly surprised. He said I looked happier and looked like I felt better. I would have to agree. He approved of me doing Bootcamp and he has asked if I would like to be a part of their weight loss program. I agreed and will be giving him feedback about their program. It shouldn't be hard because I am already doing the things they want me to be doing.

Now for the bad news. Instructor Thomas, this is where you skip reading and go to the next paragraph. Did you stop reading?? Good. Well the doctor looked at my knee and I have a minor problem. I have strained my MCL and have a slight problem with the position of my kneecap. Now back to the good news, and I know you are still reading Instructor. I was not placed on any restrictions except to not overdo it. I have a good knee brace and things should be much better. So I can still keep going. Yay!! I also have to do some strengthening exercises for my knee. It's all good. 

I can't believe next week is week 6. Crazy how fast it has gone by. Well, I still have two papers to write before Monday, they aren't going to write themselves. Have. Fabulous weekend!!!

You still have time to enter, if you post on Facebook it will count too! -----http://adreamofblues.blogspot.com/2013/08/under-300-giveaway.html

Leg day. Day 24!

Today was leg day! One more day and I will have completed 5 weeks. Crazy that it has already been that long. Today's workout was tough, but I kept up with everyone and that was an accomplishment.

I am truly so sore this week. It's a good sore. Today wore me out, wish I had time for a nap, but I have so much homework to finish that I can't. Oh well, off I go!!! Have a beautiful day!!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!! ----> http://adreamofblues.blogspot.com/2013/08/under-300-giveaway.html

Blueberry Pancakes

I walked into the house after Bootcamp to the smell of pancakes!! My oldest daughter has learned how to cook a few things and she had made some. She tried to surprise me by making a couple blueberry ones, she was very happy to get to eat the blueberry ones when I told her that I couldn't have them.

Such a sweet girl. I'm glad she understood that I couldn't have them and didn't get upset.

Biceps and back today. I'm hurtin!!! It's all good hurt though. I am still rather baffled at how fast the weight is coming off. I am not complaining, just surprised. I love this program and what it has done for my health and even my self esteem. It is seriously amazing!!

Just a reminder, if you haven't entered my giveaway yet, you have til midnight on the 9th!! Enter here-----> http://adreamofblues.blogspot.com/2013/08/under-300-giveaway.html

Thank you all!!

A dream of blues

UNDER 300!!! GIVEAWAY!!!

It's here!!!

The under 300 giveaway is here!!!

Who wants to win?

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me which workout you love to hate the most. That's it. Super easy, right??

Mine is endurance leg day, and to make it even more detailed, kettlebell throws are not my favorite at all. I loathe them.

So to win this awesome $25 dollar gift card to TARGET, just leave that comment. Hope to see a lot of entries. You will have until Friday august 9th at midnight to enter. Good luck!!!

My official weight is 299. I haven't been here in around 8 years. It truly is a miracle. I owe it all to Bootcamp with Jess. Thank you Instructor Thomas for changing my life and to the wonderful PT's and all of you who read and comment who have supported me in this. (Insert tears here) It is always great to have the 0800's cheering me on. You guys are great!

Rock it!!!

A dream of blues

Week 5 is here!!

My arms are Jello!!!

Today was crazy!! My arms really do feel like jello. It is a good thing I am not swimming in the ocean, I would be shark bait for sure!!

This weekend was rough. I'm pretty sure I had a food withdrawal issue. Seriously it got to the point where everywhere I turned there was a temptation. It was hard to fight the temptation and I struggled. I so badly wanted that hamburger, or a taco, or honey walnut shrimp, and many other things.  I could smell it in the air and I wanted it. Now. Had I been on my own. I may have caved, luckily my mom was with me. She kept me from doing anything crazy. It wasn't really about the food though, well, sort of. It was about my brain thinking that food is comfort.

Food has been a comfort for so long that when I was placed in a really stressful situation,that is what my brain needed. Food, greasy, fattening, food. I fought the temptation for days. It was hard to fight and by Saturday I wanted it so bad that I actually broke down into tears. I immediately talked to instructor Thomas, who convinced me that I didn't really want it. He may have threatened to put the vest back on me. That isn't really why I didn't do it, but it felt good to talk about it. I really didn't want the food,, but I felt like I would die without it.

This has been a learning experience for me and I am glad that I had the temptations. I am doing much better after having my breakdown and I now realize how silly it really is. I'm back on track and honestly don't have a desire to eat those foods at this time.

So begins week 5!

A dream of blues

Day 20!!!!

Today was awesome!! I got to help my mom with the last day of her hellweek. She did great. I also was able to run a little more and keep up a little more that before. It's fun to go On Friday to see how things have changed.

It was awesome to see so many awesome faces this morning. I love working out with all of you.

I am excited to go to Bootcamp again with one of my friends tonight. I have also talked to several others who may be interested. I am hoping that they will all at least try the free session and see of it is for them or not. It has been so worth my time and money to do this and I will be doing it again because it is working.

I love Bootcamp!!!!

OH! I ALMOST FORGOT!!!!

I found this as I got to the top of the mountain today. I thought it was rather fitting for this program.

A dream of blues

Day 19!

Holy cow! Almost the end of the fourth week already!! 

Well today was tough. Every day is tough. Shoulders and legs. Phew!! Talk abut a good workout. It is crazy how it feels so hard while doing it, but you look back and realize what you did and it feels amazing. I love that feeling.

I didn't get my extra eliptical workout because fate finally caught up with me. I got pulled over this morning on my way to Bootcamp. No I was not speeding. I was sitting at a stoplight and an officer pulled in behind me and noticed my expired registration. Luckily for me, the officer did not impound my car. So I appreciate that. Now to find the money to finish registering my car and pay the extra fine I have. Gotta love having no money. Oh well, it is life and Bootcamp was fun. So on with life I go!!