Body Project Fitness

Inspired, Motivated, Proud & Tears

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

Friday night was an amazing accomplishment for me personally – I WON the 6 week Fall 2013 Transformation (to transform is to change (something) completely and usually in a good way) as a Body Project Fitness HardBody!  So what does that mean?  I got this awesome golden dumbbell, certificate, beautiful flowers and a year of workouts!  How awesome is that?  Pretty Awesome – but it is so much more – I don’t even know if I can do it justice in this blog (and my apologies if I seem to ramble – it is just so hard to get all of my thoughts together).

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This truly has been a journey for me.  I don’t know how many transformations I’ve participated in – little did I know then – I was just ‘participating’ – maybe even going through the motions sometimes.  I’ve worked out with many of the prior winners – and I was always in awe of hearing their stories – so inspirational.  I often wondered if I would ever get it?  And there was a part of me that thought I never would – it just wasn’t in my DNA.

In my last post, I talked about how I was MISSING my workouts – not skipping my workouts.  Little did I know that that was truly my AHA moment – and I almost missed it.

I went in on Friday morning for my measurements – I don’t recall the numbers but the biggest drop was in my hips with an overall decline in bodyfat – note – I didn’t lose any weight in 6 weeks (and there have been moments in the month where I’ve gained weight – amazes me how it fluctuates) (and you all know I’m a numbers person).  My trainer and coach asked me a question – how is this transformation different? – she always asks me these simple questions that catch me like a deer in headlights.   So we talked about how I was trying to find ways not to miss workouts when in the passed I found ways to miss workouts.  We talked about how my work travel exercise was different – I walked as much as possible (it helped I had my Jawbone working again).  She asked me what was a different – I know it is all about how I think about things – and the large muscle between my ears is so very powerful.  I think we forget or don’t realize just how powerful it can be.  I’ll be honest I walked out of there thinking I didn’t quite know the answer.   I thought about the question all day – it wasn’t until I got in the car that it hit me – missing the workouts also turns into that working out (whether it is going to BP, a spin class or getting out and walking) has become a part of my life – I don’t view it as a chore anymore or something I HAVE TO DO – it is something I WANT TO DO!  It has become a part of my LIFE.

Now this may not seem to be a big deal for you – it is for me – during the big reveal it became clear that everyone else noticed the change in me – probably even before I did.  One of the things that was mentioned that was totally me – I would come and go at BP – I joked later – We were on a break (reference to Friends 🙂 ).  There was also a reference to how much I focus on the numbers – they are still very important to me – but not the only thing – it is about how I feel too (and I’m feeling pretty good right now).

For those of you who know me personally – of course I shed some tears (I think I kept it together though) when the announcement was being read – I knew it was me when the comment came up about I would come and go (or something like that).  I had an opportunity to say a few words to everyone after my award – and I believe I touched on some of those items in this blog.  I’m so very proud of my accomplishment!  I’m still in shock that women came up to me after the award and told me – “I’m an inspiration” to them.

I’m so very lucky to be surrounded by strong and inspirational women – they’ve always been my biggest cheerleaders.  I moved to this part of NJ in 2005 – I didn’t know a single person in the area.  It would be very hard for me to leave this area not only because I love the proximity to the Jersey Shore, NYC and Philly – but also because I don’t know if I could survive with out BP and my BP girls – they are an amazing group of women!

I’m motivated as I continue this journey…

My New Favorite – HIIT Workout

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

July is a very busy month with vacation and travel so I won’t be attending my normal bootcamp. Two days this week while on vacation I re-discovered HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts.  I’ve known about them for since the first BodyProject Transformation, but I’ll be honest I never really embraced them.  I dislike cardio – all kinds – it is just not enjoyable to me – never has been.

The mantra for HIIT is “no long cardio” – and this is not a long cardio at all.  The gym I joined while on vacation has a 30 minute time limit for the treadmill and elliptical machines.  I select the elliptical and have gotten 23 and 24 minutes of HIIT workouts for the past two days with 7 and 6 minute warm-up/cool-down.  This hits the mark for me!  I love the sense of accomplishment!

Here is the work-out I did today (I did the 10 rounds x 2):

  1. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  45 seconds
  2. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  45 seconds
  3. Work Hard – 30 seconds; Rest:  60 seconds
  4. Work Hard – 30 seconds; Rest:  60 seconds
  5. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  30 seconds
  6. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  30 seconds
  7. Work Hard – 30 seconds; Rest:  60 seconds
  8. Work Hard – 30 seconds; Rest:  60 seconds
  9. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  45 seconds
  10. Work Hard – 15 seconds; Rest:  45 seconds

For more information about HIIT workouts check out this link:  http://tiny.cc/5zv0gw

Here was the rest of my workout this morning:

5 Times x 5 Rounds

  1. Overhead Press – 8 lbs
  2. Bicep Curls – 10 lbs
  3. Tricep Kickbacks – 8 lbs
  4. Chest Flye – 8 lbs
  5. Back Row – 10 lbs

And lastly 4 30 second low planks and finally a nice stretch.  I’m ready to start the day.  Have a fantastic Friday!!

PS:  This will be my go to workout when I’m traveling for work next week! 🙂

Tears of Joy…

Posted on by keepingupwithkate91

As you know from reading my blog that I started a 6 week Fall Transformation…my true transformation has been evolving long before this Fall program (I promise to explain the tears).

To give you a little background…I’ve been making changes in my life over the past few years.  It all started when I was looking through one of the local CNJ weekly newspapers…I spied an advertisement for Body Project Fitness.  I’m not sure what exactly it was that triggered me to try it…maybe the free week or maybe it was just different from a gym.  I know I was back and forth with BodyProject a couple times before it really stuck for me.  I tried the holiday program and they did a special for kettlebell training (if you’ve never tried it…AWESOME…great cardio/strength workout)!  I have probably been a HardBody (what we call ourselves who go to bootcamp every month – not the special programs).

What is Body Project Fitness and how did it change my life?  It isn’t just a work-out, it is a fitness program.  Yes, I work-out 3 days a week at 6 am (and yes there are days when I pop right out of bed at 5:10 am, times when it is really tough to get up and others when I let negative self-talk get the better of me and go back to sleep (doesn’t happen as often as it used to) for 45 minutes with a mixture of cardio and strength training – lots of times circuits.  A different workout every day.  It sounds like many other programs right?  No, it isn’t because the FitPros at Body Project are there for you for the full body workout – including the mind (food journals-including reviewing, our own FB for BodyProject, available for 1:1 consultations – including goal setting, etc)

How have things changes (credit to BodyProject and helping re-think a few things)?

  1. Check out my freezer…not one WW or Lean Cuisine meal.  here are frozen veggies, fruit, chicken, filets and salmon.  Ok..there is some ice cream – but it isn’t light…full blown…I know what is in it – cream, sugar, pecans.  3 years ago my freezer was filled with whatever was on sale for WW or Lean Cuisine (and prior to that JC meals)
  2. Sweetner:  I used to use 2 (yes 2) Sweet n Low packets in my coffee, then I moved to 1 packet and now I’m using 1/2 of SweetLeaf (stevia).  And if I forget my Stevia and I’m out I use sugar…would rather put the real mccoy in vs. a chemical.
  3. Reading Food Labels:  I’ve been on 2 Grocery Store Tours as part of the Body Project program.  I’ve been a label reader for a long time..this has made me look at the labels differently.  I look at the sugars, fiber and actual contents…I still look at the calorie and fat content but I weigh them differently than before.
  4. I eat more whole foods and try to stay away from things with a long shelf life (ie. bread)…oh I still eat bread – either Eizekel Sprout bread (from the freezer) or fresh made delivered from the bakery rye bread.
  5. I have ‘new’ go to items:  hummus, avocados, guacomole, cannellini beans, black beans, ricotta cheese, nuts (almonds and pecans), honey (for the ricotta cheese), greek yogurt, homemade granola, string cheese, apples, dark chocolate.
  6. I’m taking a yogalates class on Thursday nights through December in addition to Bootcamp
  7. I really try not to ignore the scale in my bathroom
  8. And I’m not on a DIET – and I correct anyone around me who asks how my diet is going! 🙂
  9. And I’m sure there are more I just can’t remember

So back to the Tears of Joy…as part of our program our measurements and body fat are measured.  When I first stared we held a machine in our hands.  Now we use BodyMetrix.  What is BodyMetrix?  They still take our measurements, but the add in is an ultrasound of the back of our triceps, waist and hips to measure the layer of body fat / muscle.  Since April 2010, my bodyfat has DROPPED 7% and I’ve moved into an ACCEPTABLE range for BodyFat!!!  I knew my numbers a week ago, but I didn’t get my report (to show the ranges) until the other night…I cried TEARS of JOY!  It clearly shows the progress I’ve made and what I can do when I put my mind to it.  I’m very pleased!  And I’m ready for the next 6 weeks!

PS:  A special SHOUT OUT to Lindsay Vastola and the BodyProject FitPros…THANK YOU!!