Brittany's Shape Up Showdown

3-18-11

 This has been a great week for me.  I set a goal for myself to fall below 200 pounds before my twenty-first birthday.  On Tuesday I was extremely excited not only to find out I accomplished that goal but I reached it three weeks early.  I am very proud of myself because according to my scale I have lost almost twenty pounds since starting the Shape Up Showdown in January and having lost weight beforehand I am down a total of forty pounds!

 Starting out on my own about a year or two ago I never thought I would get on the scale and weigh less 200 pounds, because I haven’t since I was a Freshman in high school.  This was a huge motivation for me to keep on going and give it all I have.

 Donald has informed me the next two months will be high impact and I am really looking forward to stepping it up and burning off more calories. 

 I am so thankful I have been given this opportunity and thankful for Donald pushing me in the gym even when he tells me to do something and I just look at him with my fake smile.  I am thankful for all the people who are supporting, encouraging, and motivating me.  You guys are awesome and have really made a difference. 

 For anyone who is reading this and is also battling their weight, keep on fighting!  If you believe in yourself you may achieve goals you never thought you would.

 Well, I’m heading to Donald’s Boot Camp tonight for today’s workout!  In the words of Donald, “Work hard or don’t work at all.”

Until Next Time!

Brittany

3-14-11

 Last week was tough for me because as much as I did not want to admit it, I was defeated by an awful cold.  I went to the doctor Monday and got medicine but of course it took a few days to start getting well.  I kept debating on going to the gym or not and I was a little mad at myself because I decided not to go.  I figured I needed to rest and try to get well so the cold did not get “angry” and become worse.

 I was excited Donald was back on Thursday and I was able to train with him again.  I missed training more than I thought.  I have got into such a routine of going to the gym and working out that I’m not a happy camper when I do not go.

 Friday I attended my first boot camp class with Donald.  I thought I would be able to sneak in and out of the class without anyone noticing I was someone new… but nope!  Donald introduced me over his microphone haha…  I should have known.  :)  I was a little nervous about going because I was questioning whether or not I could do the workout.  Once the class started I realized I was going to be just fine because there were people of different ages with their own challenges.

 Saturday I jogged and walked the track for two miles and Sunday I mowed my grandmother’s yard.  I can tell I am getting stronger because working in her yard is not near as challenging as it has been for me in the past. 

 I am looking forward to training again this week.  Today and Tuesday I will be working out with Donald!  Another week means stepping things up another notch!  Can’t wait to see what my new challenge will be this week.

I am sure I will have more to post very soon!

Brittany

3-4-11

 Yesterday was our checkup at the doctor and my visit went well.  I lost 4 pounds for the month, but I lost 6.5 inches which is amazing to me! Before I found out I lost inches, I had been a little discouraged because I knew pound wise I had not lost much.  I felt like I was working out so much and the scale was certainly not showing it.  Then I realized I have to keep telling myself muscle weighs more than fat.  Physically I can tell each month how different I look.  I take a picture and compare it to other pictures I have and I am like WOW!

 Getting measured yesterday really motivated me to keep working hard.  It is like that old saying, “Rome was not built in day.”  It took years to put on this weight and it is going to take time to get it off.  Patience, patience, patience…..  Each week at the gym I get a little stronger.

 The program is going really well for me.  The problem I have had most has been really bad pain in my shins, but I am hoping that gets better soon so I can get back to jogging the track!  Other than that, I love going to the gym and working out with Donald because he really keeps me motivated and encourages me.  Each week becomes more challenging but I just put on my “Barbie smile” for Donald and hang in there because it is so worth the pain.

 I would like to encourage the other participants to hang tough!  We will make it through this!  One day we will look back on this journey and the pain will not even matter.  Stay strong and do not let the scale defeat you.

More to come soon!

Brittany