I can't fail...

So, I think I've done everything I possibly can to keep my self from failing! I have my weight room set up with everything I need. I moved all of my workout clothes down stairs so I can shower and get ready right after I am done. I have workout partners. I've told every body I know, and built up my support group. I've invited people to do it with me. I bought all my foods ahead of time and individually packaged items to make it easy to cook. I've got protein shakes for times I can't cook. I've worked out a schedule with my hubby and the kids. I feed Zoee before I start, so she will sleep till 9, and my hubby doesn't have to worry about her. I set up a TV and DVD for Quin in my weight room so he can watch that. Got my hospital mug that I leave out on my counter, so I can drink my water. Hmmm... I think there are some others, but I believe that I have done everything I can possibly do to make sure I don't have any excuses!
You should do the same! You know yourself better than anyone else. You know your weaknesses. You know the excuses that you will make to wiggle your way out of it and make the justifications to make your self feel better if you quit. If you see through these, and do everything you can to avoid them, you should not fail! I heard a saying the other day... A sailor isn't a good sailor because he can sail through the storm, he's a good sailor because he can get himself out of the storm. Recognize your storm and go the other way! Keep up the good work!!!

Calorieking.com - only $49/year!!!!

Calorieking.com is having a special for $49 for a year membership - awesome deal! If you want to sign up for this and give me your user name and password, I'd be more than happy to check it/anaylze it, any time for you!

Just go to:

http://www.calorieking.com/club/?utm_source=calorieking&utm_medium=navigation&utm_campaign=januarysale&utm_content=header_nav_join

Staying strong!

Things are still going well! But I had someone suggest I share what I eat! I found out on the food log site that I use, www.calorieking.com, that you can make your food log public - http://www.calorieking.com/community/user_home.php?id=161784 - You can see exactly what I eat! It'a an awesome site I highly recommend! I've been a member for 3 years now! Their membership is only $9 a month - cheaper than weight watchers! I'll try and get some recipe ideas up in the next day or two, but for now, you can keep tabs on me! Just click 'Candice's Food Log' in the upper right hand corner. Stay Strong!

Week 1 - Done!

I made it! And I am even down 2.5 lbs! I like to think of my free day as a celebration of a successful week. I did it! I survived the first week. My muscles were really sore, and I've had to be a little creative in the kitchen, but all in all it wasn't too bad. Like I said before, I really like the lifting, but the cardio still sucks - but I did it! And having the free day was a huge mental perk for me. Now I am recharged and ready for another week. But I do have to say, I ate some 'not so great for me' stuff - like my homemade cookies, some chocolate covered cinnamon bears, and 1/2 a gallon of skim milk. While they were good, I feel kinda crappy, and my body is just craving good foods. I think I'll have to tone my free day down. I know I definitely over did it, but it was worth it mentally. On to the next one! Tomorrow morning is legs!

And I figured it would be best to do measurements the morning of my free day.

Weight 195.5 (back to my pre Zoee weight!)
chest - 39.75 (down!)
waist - 40.5 (same)
hips - 45 (down!)
thigh - 26.5 (same)

BFL Days 2-4 - OUCH!

So I don't think there is a single muscle in my body that isn't sore! But, it feels good and is satisfying, knowing that I am actually doing this! I've done great every day so far. This first week or two is a little crazy trying to nail down the exact weights, and timing of everything, but it is coming along well.
Nutrition is even a little tricky - you have to eat a lot!!! Trying to get 6 small meals is tricky, so I ordered the EAS Myoplex lite shakes so I wouldn't have to fix something every meal. But the food is actually pretty good - This morning I had whole wheat french toast, with sugar free maple syrup, and scrambled eggs! Yum! The worst part is having to wait a whole hour before you eat - BUT - your burning fat stores, instead of carbs! Makes that hour worth it, and I just keep busy getting ready and fixing the kids breakfast!
Besides the soreness, I really like the weight lifting part - Its similar to what we would do in college for track. It definitely shows me how weak I am! The cardio on the other hand, just flat out sucks - BUT - It's only 20 minutes! That's awesome! I moved all my exercise clothes and stuff to get ready to my weight room/bathroom - I can work out, shower, and get ready for the day all in an hour! I even have a TV and DVD set up so Quin can watch TV while I am working out. It's all about setting your self up to succeed - not to fail!

So far, so good! Hopefully this initial soreness will subside after a week or two, but again, it's motivating knowing I am actually accomplishing something! I hope everyone has a Happy (and safe) New Year! And feel free to join me anytime if you are considering it!

Day 1 of 84

So far so good - I know I didn't push as hard as I could have on the lifting this morning... I need to invest in a few more dumbbells, so I'm not jumping aroud too much. It was good though - felt a good burn, and upper body is defiinitely shaky - tomorrow is probably going to suck, but that is inevitable. The nutrition has been a little tricky... not that I want to eat bad or anything, it's just a little time consuming to plan out and cook meals vs. just going to the fridge/pantry to grab something. I definitely recommend cooking in bulk, and freezing your meals.

I had my hubby take my before photos... OMgosh - clothes are so deciving!!! I was feelin pretty good about myself after the sugar detox, but I have some WORK to do - just more motivation to push harder. I'm thinking of printing them out and hanging them up in my weight room for a little extra motivation. I'm kissing this body good bye! I'm not going to immediatley post my before photos (that bad!) But they recommend taking photos every 4 weeks, so I will post them in 4 weeks for comparison. I weighed in at 198 (1.5 lbs up since detox) and measured chest - 40.5, waist - 41.5, hips - 46, thigh - 26.5. I'm going to try and have my little bro do my body fat in the next couple of days, we'll see ;) Tomorrow AM is the cardio work out.... Good luck all, and let the games begin!

And so it begins....

Tomorrow morning! Ah! I can't believe I am going to be doing this. The first workout is upper body - chest, back, shoulders, bi's, tri's. that simple, right? Except its pyramiding - reps start at 12 (12,10,8,6,12,12) and go down, weight goes up, and then you do a secondary lift right after you finish the main lift. Supposed to be hard, but efficient/effective! And I am happy to report that my little bro is doing it with me, and will be entering the group/couples with me :) And I have talked to a handful of people that may be doing this as well. If I am going to be putting money up, I'd like to see at least 5 people doing this, so we'll see on that part. Just let me know if you want to join!
Nutrition is six small meals a day consisting of a high quality protein and whole grain carb or fruit. Shakes are ok as well(protein, not milk ;) I cleaned out my fridge and freezer, and stocked it with lots of good stuff. I even individually froze my meats to make it easier to cook with. If you are going to do this, you have to plan ahead, and be prepared! Set yourself up to succeed, not to fail!

Well, I better go finish planning this weeks meals, and get a good nights rest! Good luck all (and me!!!) and I'll give my first report tomorrow!

Fitness Challenge/Contest!!!!

Hi Everyone!

If you are reading this, it is because at some point or another, we have talked about health and fitness. Well, I have decided that I want to not just talk about it, but finally take action for my self, and I need your help! I, probably like a lot of you, am mentally weak when it comes to weight loss. I've always had an excuse... 'I needed to be big for track, I've always been this way, I'm just built this way, It's genetics, I get bored, I just had a baby, I'm 'happy' this way. While some of these may be legit, they are again, excuses. I'm done making excuses, and want to once and for all be healthy and look good!

As many of you may know, I did a sugar detox in November. Worked well, but time for more. I've decided to take on the 'Body for Life' Fitness Challenge by Bill Phillips. And this is where you come in... I need your support and help, and want all who need help, as well, to join me!!! I figure the bigger the support group, the more likely I am to succeed. The web site www.bodyforlife.com has an actual contest that has to be started between now and February 11, 2010. (Grand Prize $25,000!!!!!!) I plan on actually entering, and welcome any of you to enter as well. But on top of that, I plan on having my own contest for anyone that would like to enter. It will follow the same rules. (http://bodyforlife.com/challenge/whatis.asp) But your submissions are made to me, and I will pick a winner. That means before and after photos and an essay! These will remain confidential, but I plan on taking and posting my own on my blog for all to see (just please don't make fun:) And if anyone would like to post theirs with me as a little motivation, just let me know. www.askcandice.blogspot.com

So what do you win? For right now, I am offering up $100, but I want to try and find a few sponsors and see if I can get a little more. No measurements are required, but if anyone would like their measurements taken before and after, I will do them free of charge (body fat%, weight, and inches). I will be doing mine and posting them. I will also blog everyday about my workouts, and I will also post spreadsheets to print off for those who want to keep track.

What does it entail? The 'Body For Life' challenge is a high intensity cardio and weight lifting regimen. But, it is time efficient, thorough, and effective. It's 6 days a week, alternating between cardio, and weight lifting - the best part - the cardio is only 20 minutes!!! Weights lifting is closer to the 45 minute mark. Nutrition is also a key factor, but you actually get to eat, a lot! 6 meals a day, and a free day to boot! If this is something you are interested in, I recommend you obtain a copy of the book - amazon.com had tons of used copies. I plan on starting Monday, December 28, 2009 - why wait for the new year? Because this isn't about a new year, it's about a new life! If you want to join me, let me know with in the next couple of weeks. And please feel free to invite your friends and family to join!!! I hope you all have safe and Merry Christmas. God Bless!

~CaNdIcE EkBeRg~
*B. S. ESS, NSCA-CPT, EMT-I*
1-801-556-6335

Little update

So, I got my treadmill last week, but it is a 2 man job to put it together, and Niel has been out of town, and busy with work. So, it's still lying on my floor in pieces :P Hopefully this week it will be together. So I'm kinda thinking I want to do the Body for Life work out. I like that they are short and intense. Just get it done and over with... my kinda poison :P So, once I get the treadmill up, I'm gonna just start easy by building my base. I have NO base right now - I can't remember the last time I did any real cardio. So once I get my base, and feel comfortable, I will start into the body for life program. I plan on blogging it on here, and will post the work outs for those who want to follow! I will probably follow some of the nutrition as well, but I am more interested in the work out part. So for those who want to join me, feel free! I plan on actually starting the BFL work outs after the New Year - good time to start! :) Happy Holidays!