Newbie Status is Over in Grant Park

I can't believe that we finished with week 1. Well, the newbie status is over and I'm running with the Big Dogs(Vets)! The first night of camp for me was hard, because I was not as active as I wanted to be on my week off. I was trying to caught up on some many things and did not workout like I planned. I was still tracking what I ate and was proud of myself. I did have a few things on my weekend getaway that I could have lived without.....but I am only human and ate several pieces of cake over the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. I am still struggling with seeing process that I made and can only tell by looking back at old pictures. Since I started my journey, I have lost about 45 pounds. I really don't have a goal weight that I want to achieve, but I have an image. Once, I reach that image then I will work hard to maintain it.

Friday night was HARD! My workout was modified from the 100 burpees, but I did 25 mountain climbers per leg and 25 step ups per leg. I had to work for 10 minutes straight......toward the end I was really getting slow and it felt like I could not hold up my body. The floor exercise was a bit intense after the first part. My leg felt like it was on FIRE!!! All I remember is the Bwaa and Lindsay saying that we are working on our "Summer bootays"......LOL!!! The team exercise was FUN!!! I really had FUN and was able to connect with several vets and newbies. Jodi, my co-worker, was on my team. She attended bring a friend to camp with me several weeks ago and I am EXCITED that she will be working out with me this camp. I LOVE JACK!!! He is always there to encourage me even when he is across the room. I was worried that he was not coming back when I didn't see him the first couple of camps. I was EXCITED when he came back on Thursday. I feel like FitWit is my family and we have a common goal of getting in shape/staying in shape so that we can live longer.

I am excited about week 2. Here are a few pictures that I wanted to post. I did my measurements on Friday and I will let you know all of my results at the end of this 6 weeks camp.

Remember to "Make an Effort and NOT an EXCUSE"

JCE

Decatur: Week 1, Day 1.

Newbie status is over, now it's time to play with the big kids. And the big kids play hard. After a week off tending to the munchkin with pneumonia, the workout felt like a vacation and a punishment all at once. I was disappointed not to really get to work out during the break, but I still managed to come back strong. I did better than I thought I would. I got lower with my squats, I was able to do unbroken sets with my pushups, but still my situps need some work. I'm really wanting to concentrate on my arms and tummy this camp. I feel like they should be shrinking at the rate the rest of me is, but I'm not seeing it yet.

Here's what we did.
5 min jump rope - # is best set of consecutive jumps in a row
4 min. of squats - to crate or doesn't count
3 min. of situps
2 min. of pushups
1 min. touch drill - counting # of touches
1 min. of burpees


Then, partner band ladder to 10 (w/shakeups of 30 jumping jacks & 30 sec. squat holds)
Bicep curls
Shoulder press

5 minutes of jump rope doesn't sound so bad, does it? Talk to me when you're halfway in. It's a long time. A very long time. Although, I did manage to jog a bit on the touch drill and did real burpees for the whole one minute. And those shakeups, I held that squat so low I was damn proud of myself. I felt the burn. So, I managed to retain a bit of the conditioning from the previous camp.

I'm pretty excited to see where the next six weeks takes me. I'm a little nervous about losing that newbie status, but I know FitWit isn't going to make me do anything I can't handle. And really, after ending the last camp with a pair of jeans FOUR SIZES SMALLER, I can only imagine what vet status is going to do for me this time.

That D*** SNOW!!!......I MISSED my LAST NIGHT @ Grant Park

I could not make my last night of camp and was upset because I was not 100% for the six week. I left my house and they were closing roads and my car was sliding a little bit too much for me and I felt unsafe. I took these pictures of all the snow when I was driving back to home. I was upset and in a bad mood b/c I could not get there. It was my goal to be there every night and this was the only night that I missed. I was looking forward to redoing the exercises from night one so that I can see the progress that I made during the six week. I am going to see if I can redo them the first night of the next camp, so that I can see my improvements.

Mid way through the camp, I decided that I was not going to read the workouts prior to going. Sometimes the knowledge was too much for me and I would think about it too much. It was better for me to find out at camp and work it out!!! On Thursday night, I got to camp and Bwaa let me in and we were chatting about camp and the workout. He said are you ready for tonight? I was like.......ummmmm......are we doing a lot of running?....he smile and I knew that we were doing the Victoria. Running is just something that I am getting use to and it is not my favorite. Many campers said that they thought about not coming because of "Victoria", but at the end we ALL MADE it through. I even did some of my push-ups not on the wall. My arms were on FIRE!!!! I was able to knock her out (Victoria) and I didn't have to crawl out of my car or up the steps when I got home. That was proof that I have changed since the first time we did the Victoria. It wasn't that bad the second time around.

I really enjoyed my first camp at FitWit and excited about the next one. I feel that I have grown so much and that I have progressed throughout the past 6 wks. I was able to met several goals that I set for myself. I was able to jog one lap. I was able to run the entire 17 touch drill. The entire camp was cheering me on and I made it in 2.21! Just to think that I was able to keep jogging non stop for 2.21. GO ME!!!! GO ME!!! GO GE!!!!!

I just want to THANK all of the vets and newbies that gave me support during my first camp at FitWit. I came in with some doubt in myself and yall helped me to get through it. It was truly a blessing to be in camp with a GREAT group of people that would keep me going and encourage me as they would pass by. All my partners and groups that I was in for allowing me to feel like a member and pushing me and not being upset with me if we did not win. Special thanks to the trainers for all the encouragement and taking the time to show me things at a slower pace and not allowing me to say that I couldn't do. I can even jump rope now!!! Lastly to Josh, for having this contest and putting in all of your handwork and time into FitWit. I can tell that you are passionate about what you do. This experience has changed my life in just 6 wks.....I can only image.....what it is going to be like at the end of 6 months. THANKS A MILLION!!!!

JCE

Make an Effort and Not an Excuse

Decatur: End of Camp Workout!

Wow. I can't believe six weeks went by this fast. I can't believe how far I've come from the first workout. I came to FitWit scared and excited. I was terrified that I wasn't going to be able to do it. Kicked out on account of fat. After that first day, I saw how silly I was to be scared. It was such a supportive and encouraging environment. The trainers worked with me, I got modifications on the spot before the injuries happened or got worse. I kept apologizing for not being able to do the exercises properly. I was promptly told, no apologies. Do what you can. You'll get better. Even though, at the time I didn't quite believe them.

Boy, I sure do now! Not only did I get OUT of some of the modifications, (regular burpees, anyone? Heck yeah, me!) I got better. I got faster. I got to heavier weights. I got to more reps. And really, through most of the camp, I didn't quite believe I'd get better. When we started repeating workouts and comparing times, I saw it. I saw that I was getting better, faster. That first workout where I really saw an improvement was Kristie. I never felt so accomplished than I did that day. I shaved a whole seven minutes off my previous time. I WAS getting stronger. (And I am now thoroughly convinced that I can kick my husband's butt in just about any exercise.)

It was last workout of the camp, which means assessment time again. Now I was going to be able to see exactly how much change there was from that very first day. Newbies only had to go for 60 seconds on each exercise (thank goodness!).

Here's the breakdown from the first camp. January 4th. Pushups/Sit-ups/Squats

Anda T 16/18/15

And here's the proof that FitWit is awesome. Here's the breakdown for the camp on Feb 12th.

Anda T 35/26/35

That's right. I darn near doubled my counts after 6 weeks. I'm still going to have to work on sit-ups, but hey, it's still nothing to sneeze at. And not that it's an excuse, Emily was making me laugh during the exercise. It's REALLY hard to sit-up and laugh at the same time. Really. Try it. I dare you.

I decided to go ahead and get my measurements done after camp, just to see what else was different. (I love that instant gratification!) I lost 8 pounds over the six weeks, lost nearly 6 inches off my waist and at least 1 inch everywhere else. I was shrinking! SHRINKING! I could've floated home after seeing those numbers.

Not only did I get better, stronger and faster after six weeks of FitWit; I got smaller. Small enough to shrink a couple of jean sizes, as I later confirmed that day.

Camp #2, here I come!

Decatur: Victoria, Victoria. The remix.

Well, well, well. We meet again, Victoria. And this time... I ROCKED you! HA!

All bragging aside, the Victoria was no nicer the second time around. It was a struggle to the end, but I pushed myself as hard as I could go throughout the whole thing. I still had to sub some things, no squat jumps, those were regular squats and the 1-leg squats were subbed with lunges.

I was huffing and puffing by the end of the first round. And sweating like nobody's business, but I still had energy. Those dips, though. They kill me every time. My upper body seriously needs some work. I'm really going to try to concentrate on that next camp. Maybe bigger weights will help me support some of this weight I'm lugging around.

Here's the breakdown of the mysterious and difficult Victoria:
Round 1 -
Run 9 laps (1200 meters)
20 dips
20 1-leg squats
20 pushups
20 squat jumps
20 shoulder press (seated w/kb)

Round 2 -
Run 6 laps (800 meters)
30 dips
30 1-leg squats
30 pushups
30 squat jumps
30 shoulder press (seated w/kb)

Round 3 -
Run 3 laps (400 meters)
40 dips
40 1-leg squats
40 pushups
40 squat jumps
40 shoulder press (seated w/kb)

See? It's no joke. My laps were a little shorter based on the fact that I'm still not up to jogging yet. I did a 5/3/1 on my laps. That's my next goal for the upcoming camp, jogging and upper body strength.

The last time I did the Victoria, was Jan. 11th. My time was 37 minutes for a whopping two rounds. Two. That's it. And I can tell you, it was a struggle to get to the end of those two rounds.

This time, the new and improved Victoria time was ALL THREE ROUNDS in 38:40. I went a little past the 37 minute time limit, but I finished. I finished and for the first two rounds, I used a heavier weight on my shoulder presses.

Victoria, Victoria. You will always be a challenge, but I can't wait to meet you again.

Bowling Social and Start of Week #6 @ Grant Park

I had so much fun at the bowling social on Saturday. I can say that we ALL clean up very nice...LOL!!! Diamond and I had SOOO much FUN! Oh yea...... I must brag a bit.....I BEAT BWAA!!!! That was my highlight that I was able to beat my trainer. He motivates me more and more each week. I can honestly see why campers start and never stop. The 6pm trainers @ GRANT PARK are the BEST...HAND DOWN!!!!! It was a GREAT way to spend time on Saturday with my FitWit family away from camp. I am so GRATEFUL to have so many supporters that are encouraging me along this journey.

Diamond REALLY enjoyed herself! She wanted to come with me to camp tonight(Monday) when my mom was running late to get her. She talked in the car about how she had fun and that everyone was nice. See even my 6 yrs old can tell that I work out with a GREAT group!!! THANKS FITWIT! She was asking 500 questions about what we do each night. When we move outside, my mother will be walking the track with Diamond and she will be able to see all the fun that we have. We should have a family workout session.

At church on Sunday we had Women's fellowship after service for about an hour. We discussed making visual boards. I am excited about making one and placing it where I can see it each day. It will help me to stay on track and see what I am striving for each day. I was able to share with them some of my milestone that I have made so far. I was proud to tell them about the "Kristie" and how my time decreased. I also shared with them my quote that keeps me going. "Make and Effort and Not an Excuse".

We are in week #6 and we all have made progress. I was able to jog the entire lap tonight. I realize that I just have to fine a pace and stick to it. I had FUN tonight and I was able to do ALL 17 touch drill for the first time. I have done the drill in the past but never 17. I think that the highest was 10. It took me 2.21 but I WAS ABLE TO DO IT! I was the last person, but it felt good to be able to do it. The whole class cheered me on and I was on my last few touches. Just a few short weeks, I could barely do a sit-ups and tonight, I was able to do all 20 non stop. I only made it through one round. My right knee is starting to bother me just a bit, but I am still pushing myself and not making an excuse. I was afraid of team exercises/partner, because I felt that my members/partner would get upset for me moving a bit slower than them, but that is out of my mind. My team members/partners are supportive and have never been rude or got upset with me. I look forward to coming each night. I haven't missed a night and strive to be 100% until the end. When you are passionate about something you will do what it takes.........I am so passionate about getting in better shape and living a healthy life that I will do what it takes........I am grateful that Josh had a contest and the voters that voted for me that allowed me to have this opportunity. I strive HARD to make sure that I am doing my part....This is a life changing experience for me and I LOVIN' IT!!!

JCE

Decatur: Kristie, we meet again.

I was wondering when we'd get around to repeating some of the timed workouts. Kristie was the first to come around, and I'm happy to say, I didn't mind it.

It's not an easy workout, I tell you. The breakdown is below.
4 rounds – “Kristie”
400m run (3 laps)
50 Lunges (total)
30 Wall Ball
20 KB Squat High Pull
15 Rows
10 Push-up Burpees

Newbies do 2 laps around track, 30 lunges, 20 wall ball, 15 SHP, 10 rows and 5 burpees

Of course, I did the newbies rounds. (Which was nothing to sneeze at, either.) This time it was different for me. I could really feel the difference in my body. I could feel the ease of some of the exercises and on others, I could notice the difference in how far down I could go, or move up on the weight being pulled. It's amazing how after just 5 weeks I can feel my body responding and changing. I'll be honest, I thought I wouldn't feel comfortable at some of these exercises until the end of this journey. I really did. The KB Squat High Pulls, I thought those would elude me forever. Zipping up the front with a weight when you've got boobs in the way, it just doesn't flow well. But this time, I was going like a champ. It got easier to do them. I even managed to get all 15 in a row without stopping. At the beginning of camp, there's no way I could have done it. Even my lunges have gotten better. Barely, but they've gotten better. I still go slow, but I can get further down and I can feel less tension in my knee. And wall ball. Oh, wall ball. You're one of my favorite. Don't tell the others. There is nothing like taking that shoving it up the wall as hard as you can. Yours arms are quaking by the end of the reps, but it feels so good. You can let your anger and irritation with whatever just go with that ball right up the wall.

The rows are still tough for me. It's gotten a little easier, but my upper body strength is still in the garbage. My legs are nice and strong now, but my arms just can't hold my weight. Which is strange since I had an easier time of it before I starting to lose weight with FitWit. I know what I want to work on for next camp though, ARMS!

All in all, it was a great workout. As the time ticked down, I begged Stacy to let me go to 40 minutes. I knew what my time was before and I wanted to beat it so badly. I wanted to say I got better. I wanted to be better! I'm down to the last two exercises and I'm hearing some folks finish, but there's more that have time to go. I'll be able to finish. I'm gonna beat that time. Stacy told me she'd let me finish, I'd just skip the cool-down if I needed to. I took it and ran. I got down the lunges and I'm going slow, but I'm keeping form. That's when you want to keep good form. It's when it counts, when you're exhausted and you want nothing more to do but to rush through and finish. I managed to finish and run over to the rows. These are still so hard. I have to break them up. 5 and 5, and the last five always are so hard to get through. Jose gets next to me, and ever the awesome cheerleader tells me to go when I'm ready. So, I go and we're counting them off. I got through the first five, but I'm pouring sweat and I want to lay down and stop. 5 more. That's it, just 5 more. I managed to get them out, I felt my hands slipping at the end, but I got five more and I slam myself back to the floor. Last exercise, the very last... burpees. Mine are still modified, but I'm going to do them and I'm going to finish. The next to last burpee my hand slips but I held on, and soon enough, I jump up after 5 and yell time! I did it!

Stacy gives me my time: 35:47. I did it! I finished. I didn't need the 40 minutes. Not only that. My old time? 42:07. That's right, I shaved almost 7 minutes off my time.

Now I feel like a true FitWit-er. We always say we're competing against ourselves. This time, I truly felt that. I came, I conquered and I beat my old time.

Weigh In (JCE)

I went to my weigh in this morning at Weight Watchers and was a bit disappointed that I only lost 1.4 lbs this week. I guess that I should be happy that I am in the negative and it was not a gain. I am still on track and will continue to work hard this week and make the right choices. We will see what will happen next week.


JCE

OMG week 5 is over @ Grant Park

Here are a few pictures that Trevor took that I would like to share. He took the first picture and it looks like I was about to die....LOL!!! I was doing dips on that photo......Trevor loves to take pictures when we are looking our best and it shows that we REALLY work at FitWit!

Can you believe that week 5 is over? I can't! It seems like me just started.......I guess that what happens when you are having fun. I have made it to all classes and plan to make the last 4 of this session.

This week I made some progress that I am proud of it and wanna share. Well, we repeated "The Kristie" from week 2. For those of you who can't remember "The Kristie"is

4 rounds –

400m run

50 Lunges (total) – hands interlocking

30 Wall Ball

20 Kettle bell swing

15 Rows

10 Push-up Burpees

In week 2, I was able to complete 2 rounds with modifications. I know that I did only 25 squats per round and I sub push-up burpees for 25 jumping jacks. It took me 34.35. This week we did the same workout and I was able to do it w/o modification just sub the burpees for the 25 jumping jacks and it only took me 34.12. YEAH!! I did it in less time and 50 more lunges. For the rows this week, Trevor had me to do 10 since I held them for 5 secs each. I have made progress..............

Today(Friday) was 80's night, I had on my wig with pony tail to the side, big shirt tied on the side, my socks over my legging. I had on my wig for about 10 mins and then it was getting toooo HOT! I had to take it off to get my workout on. I am going to post a few pictures tomorrow of me in my wig with the high teased bangs........they would not stay b/c I did not have any hairspray. The 80's workout was a bit of a challenge. It seems that once we got on the floor it was time to stand back up. A camper dressed as Richard Simmons and I feel like I was 'Sweatin' in the Oldies'. I learned how to jump rope and next camp....Jo will be ready!! It was great to listen to music that I jammed to when I was a little girl. I think that I need to make me a playlist of some of those songs. Who remembers New Kids on the Block? I do! MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Guns and Roses, New Edition........I think that my list could go on and on.

On another note, just wanted to share with you some things going on in my family. Diamond had a dr appt today and it went GREAT!!! Her dr was proud of her for ALL the work that we have put in over the past 3 1/2 months. I am proud to say that she gained only a pound and grew 1 1/2 taller. On her previous visit she gained about 7-8lbs. Some of it was due to medication that she was taken but we did a 180 turn. She is excited about her dance classes and the progress that she has made. I am proud of my BABY!! My boyfriend, Ian, has jumped aboard and decided that he needs to get in better shape and lose weight as well. He is diabetic and fell off the wagon for a while. He started to workout some with me but he was not motivated. I think that he was joining me b/c she was tired of hearing me nag....and wanted to do it to shut my mouth. He was supportive but just did not want to workout with me all the time. It is hard since he works nights...We are like night and day. Well, the light bulb finally came on and he decided that he is going to do what it takes. He weighed in tonight and lost 9lbs this week. It took me a month to lose 10lbs. He decided to detox and he still have 2 more days. WAY TO GO!!! I will weigh in tomorrow. According to my scale, I have lost but I like to report my weight from Weight Watchers. I am planning to attend the 6:45am meeting, so I will have to post my success.

I purchased an outfit several months ago b/c it was on clearance for $10, but one thing......it was too little....they did not have my size and I knew that it was too good of a deal to pass by, so I bought it. Now, I know that I am not the only person that has purchased something and made a pack that they would get into it by a certain date......sometimes it might get lost in the closet......... but this one didn't. Lets be honest....... I was able to wear to work on Wednesday and got some many compliments. I had a dental appt and my dentist even told me that my outfit looked good on me. To be honest, I can't see the weight loss and I can only tell it if I put on something that is a smaller size or when others tell me. I often look at old pictures and I can see the difference in my face, but looking in the mirror....I just can't tell

Well, I hope to see all of you at the bowling social tomorrow......I took bowling in college and thought that it was an easy "A"..........I guess that is what I get for thinking........

JCE

FitWit 250......Not FitWit 500 @ Grant Park

FitWit 250 (2010 remix)
1 rounds = 250reps
50 Sit-up and double shoulder press - bars
50 Broad Jumps
50 1-arm KB Thrusters
50 Windshield Wipers (over and back is one)
50 Slam Balls

I know that you are thinking...FitWit 250...Yes, I was able to complete the FitWit 250 last night without any modification. It took me 40.05 to complete one round. I am excited and proud that I was able to do it. I think that I could have pushed myself a bit hard, but I caught myself starring out into space with I was doing my sit ups and double press. Josh quickly got me back to FitWit world and was able to push through into the end. During the workout, I talked to myself more last night than before. I had to keep telling myself that I could do it and counted the numbers down. Generally, I will count backwards and it helps me push to get to "0". I am glad that it was not raining outside b/c my windshield wipers(legs) were struggling to make it from one side to another. Stacy was next to me and her wipers were on high speed! She was rocking those windshield wipers out. She was like the Energizer bunny...she was going...and going and going! It seems at one point I had turned my body upside down from where I started.....not sure if anyone noticed or not...but HEY!...I was able to get them done. Slam balls are the way to take out any anger and frustration that you have going on. I was having a moment and was able to release it as I slammed that ball to the floor. The kettlebell thrusters had me moaning and grunting and I even found myself praying..... I realized that it is IMPORTANT to have a positive attitude when you are working out, because negative energy is hard to get rid of. I realize that this is a journey for me and I will have bad days and some good, but I MUST give it 100% even when I don't feel like it. It is only going to help me get to the next level and reach my goals that I am striving for. I have not missed a day and striving for perfect attendance.


I have changed a lot in the past 4 weeks. I notice that I am able to do things that I could not do before. I just gotta hang in there. My motto for the week is still " Make an EFFORT and NOT an EXCUSE". I got it from one of the poster that is posted in the hallway. I seem to look at it when I am jogging. Thanks to Justine for pointing it out to me. It helps me to stay focused on that I need to be doing.

See ya tonight!

JCE

Decatur: The FitWit 500.

It's the beginning of week 5 and boy, did it start with a bang. I should've known something called the FitWit 500 wasn't going to be easy. (But, I can dream right?)

For those of you that won't know what the heck I'm talking about, here's how it breaks down:

FitWit 500 (2010 remix)
2 rounds = 500 reps
50 Sit-up and shoulder press - bars
50 Broad Jumps (PM ground subbed Squat Jumps for these since we were in restricted pace)
50 1-arm KB Thrusters
50 Windshield Wipers (over and back is one)
50 Slam Balls

The first round, you're like, yeah! Let's go! By the middle of the first round, you're like, Ok! I can make it! By the middle of the second round, you're like, what? There's more? How can there be time left?

Okay, maybe not everyone. Some hardcore campers actually made it to three or four rounds. (I would NOT be in that category of camper.) My goal was a simple one. Make it all the way through two rounds, as requested. I trucked through that first round. I got to sub lunges for the squat jumps since I'm still a little unsteady on my knee. I got through the situps just fine. For some reason, that bar makes it a little easier. Maybe the momentum of carrying it through to overhead helps. Moved onto the lunges. Easy peasy. The Kettle Bell arm Thrusters. Oh sweet lord. Guess who needs to work on her arm strength. I had the smallest damn kettle bell, and still I was crying trying to lift that bad boy up over my head. Michelle took pity on me and said to just do 30 total, 15 each arm. I got through it, but my momentum took a plunge. I felt like I was on slow motion for everything else. The windshield wipers were easy for the first half, but the second half was really tough. My core muscles were just screaming at me. I was grunting like a vet just to get through that first set of 50. The slam balls are my favorite. There is nothing like slamming a medicine ball down on the ground at the end of a long day at work. Take that, cubicle life! SLAM! Take that, stupid traffic jam. SLAM! I love it.

I was energized once again, so I decided to go backwards for the second round to change it up a little. Back to the windshield wipers. I thought that last set of 25 was hard to do, by the time I was on 15 of the first set this time, I thought someone had lit my stomach on fire. They sound all cute, but man, they will work you over. All around me people are screaming out their end of round 2 and moving onto round 3. Ahhhh! Time was running out, this sucks! I want to finish! No no no! So, I keep trucking. I get to the sit-ups, the kettle bell thrusts, I get to the slam balls, and sure enough, I am running out of time. Nooooo! I want to finish. I get to the last of the slam balls and Michelle calls time. She tells everyone to take a nice slow walk, but I beg her to let me finish while everyone walks. I HAVE to get the lunges in! I HAVE to finish! I was so close. Thankfully, she says yes and off I go with the wonderful Jamila counting me down. People are starting to trickle back in, but I'm still going. I'm totally bathed in sweat, but dammit, I will FINISH! This is FITWIT! I'm down to the last 10 and Jamila is coaching me through, and I MADE IT! I didn't do it in the time allotted, but I finished TWO WHOLE ROUNDS!

I have never felt so accomplished. I know next time this one comes around, I'll be able to finish it just fine. I only went over by about two minutes when it was all said and done. I may not have made it withe the rest of the class, but I still did it and I hit my personal goal.

So, to that, I say... bring on day 2, week 5 and let's see what I can do!