Confessions of a Not-So-Ready Runner

Hi everyone! It's been a while since my last post. Life has been super busy with my cleaning business and love life! I took a break from blogging and being a trainer for the latter part of 2013. But, I'm back to blogging now and ready to motivate you and hear about your accomplishments! 

I want to talk about training for long runs. As most of you know, I completed my first full marathon in February 2013.  Well, what most of you don't know, is that I didn't prepare to push my body to the limit of 26.2 miles by doing LSD training. LSD = Long Slow Distance. I took a much different approach by doing Crossfit. Crossfit whipped my behind into much better shape with the combination of metabolic conditioning, weight and endurance training. My longest run going into the full marathon was 10 miles. Most seasoned marathoners would never have fathomed such. As a matter of fact, all that I have spoken to said that I was nuts! Ha! But my point is this....what works for me, may not work for you. And what works for you, may not work for me. And to be totally honest, that's OKAY! Keep on training and pushing towards your goals! By the way, I completed the marathon and didn't sustain any injuries. It wasn't "easy", but it didn't "put me down."

Look for my next few posts to have some really great discount codes to some super fun races! Until then, TRAIN HARD, EAT SMART!!!! 

Marathon Checked off the Bucket List

Well, yesterday was the day! I completed my first full marathon. Unfortunately, I had to walk from time to time, stop at the potty every mile after 13, stop to stretch a few times, BUT I finished! And the sag wagon was no where close to picking me up. Ha!

If someone had told me in September 2010 (when I first started running) that I would do a half marathon in 2012 and a full in 2013, I would have said, "You're crazy!" But, look who the crazy one is now!

I learned A LOT about myself during those 26.2 miles. I also had some deep thoughts on many different things! I'm working on a different post to express those thoughts.

In closing this post, I have many people to thank for encouraging me through all of this. First of all, without being blessed with a healthy and able body, I would not have even been able to start this journey. So, all praise and glory goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have many family members, especially my mom, who have been my best cheerleaders. I love you mom! You're the BEST! Larisa (my running and crossfit partner-in-crime), thank you for always being positive and encouraging. You lift me up, make me dig deep and press on. I am so thankful to have you as one of my best friends. Melissa, you were a trooper yesterday! Thank you for fighting the madness and waiting 6 + hours for us at the finish line. You have been a huge blessing to me for 25 years now! To all of my friends, clients, coaches and other supporters along the way, thank you! You all inspire me more than you know! Those who were following my splits/updates yesterday on Facebook and cheering me on, thank you!

This pic is one that I think I will have framed. This is last year's half marathon finish photo and yesterday's finish photo.

Giveaway Coming Soon!

I have a really cool giveaway coming soon! Stayed tuned for more information!

In the mean time, Train Hard, Eat Smart!

What was your week like?

My week entailed 5 hard-core Crossfit workouts! Today has been a rest day and tomorrow is a long run day. The Rock N' Roll New Orleans Marathon is 2 weeks from tomorrow. It's crunch time!!!!

What was your week like? Did you train hard and eat smart?

Crossfit Works!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that if you have not tried Crossfit because you are "scared", etc., please don't let this keep you from trying it! The feeling I get after a WOD has me on cloud nine! If you are an adrenaline junkie, you will LOVE it.

All "boxes" have scaled versions of the WODs (workout of the day). The box I go to actually has a beginner/introductory level program called On-Ramp. This is a 6 week course that allows you to become familiar with things as well as builds your strength and stamina. If you are local (Mobile, Alabama), look up Crossfit Coastline On-Ramp on Facebook and give it a chance!

I know it works, because in 3 weeks I lost 5 pounds and 2 percent body fat. I've also worked my way up to doing a set of six 150 pound back squats. I can tell my muscles are getting stronger every day.
* I also watch my food intake and eat clean. ;-)

Ok, so that's all for now!

Train Hard, Eat Smart!

My Journey Continued

Greetings, everyone!

If you missed my introductory post, click HERE.  Today I will tell you more about my journey.

After losing 30 pounds in 2010 by running, tracking my calories and exercise on Myfirnesspal, I decided to join a fitness boot camp at a local gym.  It was $60 a month and I wasn't sure I could justify the expense.  I looked at my spending habits and decided that I could cut out my frequent trips to Starbucks (even though I only ordered a skinny vanilla latte, I knew that I would be much better off cutting it out). I also decided that a manicure wasn't priority over my health.  There, I had it covered!  So, off to boot camp I went.  I had never participated in this type of group fitness class.  I'm not going to lie, it was hard the first 3-4 weeks.  I cried at times, doubted myself, said a few choice words, etc.  I thought the instructor was trying to kill us.  I pushed through the sweat, pain and tears and hung in there for about three months.  During those months of boot camp, the weight didn't come off quite as fast as before.  I was irritated with the scales and getting a bit discouraged.  HOWEVER, I was going down in size.  I lost A LOT of inches.  I decided when I hit the 52 pound mark (down from a size 18/20 in September 2010 to an 8/10 in April 2011), that I'd throw away my scales and not face that battle.  I was more concerned with toning up and defining my body.  So, I tossed them into the donation pile. HERE is an interesting article.

After 3 months of bootcamp training, and failed attempts at getting my friends to join with me, I decided that I could dig deep and pull up the "inner leader" that was buried deep inside me from my cheerleading days in high school.  So, I rounded up a few friends willing to meet me at a local park and we set out to improve our health and fitness together.  We started out as a group of four ladies.  As the days went by, people passing by in the park started inquiring about what we were doing.  We invited people to join us.  I disclosed to them that I was not  a certified trainer, therefore the "bootcamp" was free.  People were amazed at this opportunity and started showing up in greater numbers each week. After being told that I was encouraging, uplifting and motivational, I took advice from friends and decided to become a Certified Boot Camp Training Instructor.  The birth of an official business began and I decided to name it Rock N' Body Boot Camp, Inc.

And so, the journey began into being "self employed" and a "trainer".  Little did I know, this would prove to be one of the most AMAZING things I've ever ventured out on.  I love people, I love motivating them, I love hearing their victories, struggles and most of all, I love seeing them grow stronger, overcome obstacles, become healthier and most of all, HAPPIER and having an improved quality of life!

Rock N' Body Boot Camp ended up becoming something that would lead me down a totally different path after 21 months.  That path was CROSSFIT!  Yes, the thing that most people are scared to death of.  I have to admit, I was SCARED to try it.  It was intimidating and seemed barbaric.  So, my first WOD (Crossfit acronym for Workout of the Day) was December 5, 2012.  I drank the kool aid and it was GOOD!  I was hooked!  I'll have a new blog post in the upcoming days to tell you more about this journey!

In the mean time, TRAIN HARD, EAT SMART!

Here is a comparison pic

Hot Tea, please!

I woke up this morning with a scratchy, dry throat and itchy ears. Not good, since my schedule is jam-packed during the week. Being sick...."Ain't nobody got time for that!" Ha ha, get it?
I had one bag left of Echineacea tea, so I decided to have a hot cup with breakfast. This stuff is perfectly flavored (light and smooth) and I don't have to add Stevia to it. Yay!

When I'm out running errands later, I'll have to swing by Fresh Market to pick up another box. This stuff works wonderfully for me!

Everyone have a safe weekend and enjoy!
Today is my rest day from exercise, but I'll be lacing up my running shoes to get in some mileage tomorrow.

Is today a rest day for you? If not, what was your workout for the day?

Hi, My Name is Jennifer, Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi Everyone!  My name is Jennifer and I am 35 years old.  I am new to this thing called blogging.  I have friends who blog, but I've never done this myself.  So, here goes!

My purpose for blogging is to motivate and inspire people who are on a journey to improve their health and fitness.  This includes weightloss, toning, defining...whatever your goal is.  So let me tell you a little about my journey:

In September of 2010, I stepped on the scales for the first time in a year.  I knew I had gained weight because I was constantly having to buy newer, bigger clothes.  What I was not ready for was the shocker of seeing a number OVER 200!  The ugly truth was 206.  Depressed, miserable, irritable and very disgusted, I decided that September 10, 2010 was THE DAY that I would get up off my lazy behind and do something to get in better shape.  Little did I know that running would become "my thing". Running along with improved nutrition helped me shave off 30 pounds in 3 months.  This lead to a happier, healthier Jennifer (as well as many other healthy habits). But I didn't stop there!  Stay tuned to hear more details on how I shaved off an additional 22 pounds, gained some back.  AND how I've learned what NOT to do, the obstacles, the victories, the brick walls/plateaus, as well as what led me to the decision to become a certified Boot Camp Training Instructor.

The pic below was taken in December 2010 (right around the 30 pound milestone).  As you can see, I still had a lot more to lose, but I was down from a size 18 jeans (pushing a 20) to a size 14.