Ok, so I know that this seems silly, but I'm reading The Secret again & I'm actually doing what it tells me to do;) the book is all about the laws of attraction, and the steps to getting what you want are to 1. Ask 2.believe 3. Receive. 
When it comes to weight loss, if you're always thinking about losing weight, the theory goes that you will continue to attract needing to lose weight.
So instead, You're supposed to picture yourself at your "perfect weight." feel the feelings you would feel at that weight, feel good, etc.
SO LONG STORY SHORT, I covered my scale window with what I consider to be my perfect weight, so I can stop stressing and thinking I'm constantly neediin to lose it. Instead, I think of that perfect number as already being mine!
I realize this sounds like a lot lol...but that basic principle will totally change your life. Like attracts like and good thoughts will attract good things to your life!

I think I've admitted before that I am not a natural born runner, so I'm always on the lookout for programs like this!
On the books:
Color Run- August 18, St. Louis
Hell Run- September 1, Chicago
Car-X Crazy K- September 9, Chmpaign

If anyone wants to join me for any of these races, please let me know! Always the more the merrier:o)

Made improvements for the most part!

1. Switch Kicks      Day 1: 50      Day 15: 77
2. Power Jacks      Day 1: 55      Day 15: 50
3. Power Knees     Day 1: 74      Day 15: 90
4. Power Jumps     Day 1: 23     Day 15: 27
5. Globe Jumps     Day 1: 8       Day 15: 9
6. Suicide Jumps   Day 1: 17     Day 15: 19
7. Push-Up Jacks   Day 1: 19     Day 15: 25
8. Low Plank Oblique     Day 1: 37      Day 15: 49

Today was rough! My quads are killing me and I'm just spent in general, probably from the craziness of yesterday! (All day in the sun, Group Boot Camp style workout, Insanity.) I'm seeing great results though, and after only 2 weeks!!! I know you can't get instant gratification in fitness and weigh-loss, but this definitely happens quickly. Feeling good :o)

I forgot to mention yesterday that I first tried Insanity about a year and a half ago. I couldn't even make it through the fit test, and I think I just wasn't ready. (It was a big reality check as to how out of shape I had become-I joined a gym about a week later!) I digress...I am READY NOW & I'm feeling great so far! Day 2 is over & I'm not gonna lie, it was hard! Just like yesterday & probably most days will be. I had to take a couple breathers, but I kept pushing (Shaun T is my hero!) and I made it through. Even though there are moments you want to give the TV the finger, you end up feeling amazing at the end. Not sure if you can really tell the extent from that picture, but I went through 3 bottles of water & sweated out about the same amount!! For some reason the hardest exercise for me today were the Globe Jumps. A big goal for me during this program is to improve my endurance so moves like that get a little easier. I'm going to share my fit test results and keep a journal on here to chronicle my insane little adventure and track my progress. So here we go!

...and it was GREAT! We started with the Plyometric Cardio Circuit &I think we have a really amazing group of people who want to continue improving their lives, and I get excited about that:) I'm really looking forward to encouraging, challenging, and pushing each other over the next 60 days and I CAN'T WAIT to see what the photo from our LAST workout is going to look like! This program is hard, but it's honestly FUN, especially with the group atmosphere.
Working out was always my "me time" until I took my first Body Pump class. Then came Boot Camps, Fit Clubs, and now Challenge Groups. If you've never worked out in a group setting before, I would encourage everyone to get out there & try something new. I see it changing lives every day, including my own, & that's something I want to share with as many people as I can!! Now it's time to prepare for workout #2- Cardio Power & Resistance. Wish me luck:)

I've been wanting to talk about positive self talk for a while, but have had a hard time diving into the subject. After all, it's a very personal thing!
I'd like to share two exercises that I do on a daily basis to try and keep the positive vibes flowing inward. Continue after the jump...

-Made it through 5 rounds plus the first 3 exercises
-Ave. HR 184
-Max HR 194
-30 minutes
-Calories Burned: 383

Daily Challenge: share 2 things you do to take care of yourself while caring for others.
1. Make time to read a book every week.
2. Paint my toes once a week!

How bout you guys? It's so important to take time out of our crazy lives and all the responsibilities we have to others & do something for our OWN well being:)

So I was driving along in my car, listening to National Public Radio, shaking my head at the reports on Afghanistan and the economy, when suddenly I was assaulted with the worst news ever: “Having a mere three ounces of alcohol,” intoned a diet book author being interviewed, “reduces fat-burning by about a third.” Now, if there are two things I love in life, it’s drinking wine and burning fat. Hearing they were in opposition was like when I heard Jon and Kate were splitting up: How could you choose between the two when they’re both so delightful? The author continued, “If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably need to stop drinking alcohol. You booze, you don’t lose.”

It’s not like I thought cabernet was made with Splenda. I knew it was calorific, but the idea that it was double-crossing me by slowing my body’s ability to burn fat was almost too much to bear. I normally believe anything NPR tells me, but I decided to do a little fact-checking. I mean, beer is among the top 10 energy sources of Americans (right up there with soda, doughnuts, cheese spread, and corn chips—and, no, I am not making that up). Since the majority of Americans need to lose weight (last count, 67 percent of us are overweight or obese), and health officials are always looking for reasons to tell people to stop drinking (don’t drink if you’re pregnant, don’t drink if you have breast cancer, don’t drink and drive, nag, nag, nag), wouldn’t we have heard by now if Bud Light were some evil fat-storing demon foodstuff? And beyond that, moderate drinking is linked with lower risk for heart disease and diabetes and increased levels of “good” HDL cholesterol—how could it do that and be working overtime to make you fat, too? As I suspected, the story is more complicated than the diet book author suggested—although, sadly, she was not totally off base. How alcohol affects your figure depends on genetics, your diet, your gender, and your habits.

Now I'm going to take a break from the article and talk about my personal experience, but if you'd like to read the rest you can find it here: http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Alcohol-and-Calories-Does-Drinking-Cause-Weight-Gain


I seriously began my wellness journey in October, 2011. During that time until about March, a single drop of alcohol did not touch these lips. I was serious. I was motivated. I was ON IT! Then the weather gets a little nicer, and with that comes patio dinners, beer gardens, outdoor bands, and many other enticing activities that tend to include booze. During the last couple months I have consumed alcohol 2-3 times a month. No big deal, right? WRONG! Obviously, there can be other contributing factors here, but I saw an immediate plateau occur as soon as I began drinking again, and the effects seem to linger. I vowed that for the duration of my current 5 week boot camp, I was NOT drinking at all, because I wanted to maximize my results. But week 1 was Cinco De Mayo...and Week 2 my favorite band was playing. My point being, there will always be SOMETHING! If I had the discipline to abstain from alcohol for all those months, there is no good reason I can't do it now. So, I here pledge (very publicly) that I will NOT BE DRINKING until this camp is over.
I have read on some trainer's blogs that 2-3 drinks per week is ok. Other body builders say none at all. I say, that while you're in serious weight-loss mode, just give it a rest. I promise you'll feel better and utilize your time in a much more wise and healthy manner. I should also note that my thoughts aren't directed toward those individuals who simply want to tone up or lose 5 pounds. I'm talking when you're trying to lose a significant amount of weight. I also promise to follow my monthly follow up pics when this bootcamp is over! Always scary:) 
Live Your BEST LIFE; love one another, and most importantly, love YOURSELF today! Feel free to weight in with your thoughts in the comments section!

**Side note: I read an amazing article on alcohol and the effects it has on the body about 6 months back. I can't seem to find it anywhere right now, but when I do, I will be sure to share it!

Supermans,Bananas, Mountain Climbers, OH MY!!