Brittany's Shape Up Showdown

5-24-11

   On Saturday evening I decided I needed a little break from my daily routines.  I gathered up a few family members and Sunday morning we headed off for a “daycation” to Gulf Shores. 

   In the past, we would probably stop along the way and get something to eat that wasn’t really healthy and we would bring junk food to snack on.  Not this time though!  I was in charge of packing the ice chest and it was probably the healthiest one in our area.  We brought cucumber, carrots, apples, water, Powerade Zero, diet green tea, and low calorie sandwiches.  For anyone taking a trip to the beach soon, this is not expensive to bring along and it is a healthy way to snack while soaking up some rays.

   I will say with the heat indexes and temperatures climbing, it is important to put on plenty of sunscreen.  I should have known better than to use just one coat of the 50 SPF sunscreen, because I now look like a lobster and working out with sun burnt skin is no fun!  It should be an interesting week but I’m a tough cookie so I’m sure I will do just great.

   This morning I was working on my cardio and I was supposed to do three machines so I started with the Elliptical and moved on to the treadmill.  The treadmill I was using was right across from my next enemy, the Stairmaster, and it got the evil eye!  As I was fighting the Stairmaster, sweating buckets, I swear I could hear Donald’s voice in my head saying “Come on!” and I finished my work out! Haha.  :)

Now to see what the rest of the week holds for me!

Brittany

Recap of the month of May so far...

I realize I have not updated since the first of May but the last few weeks have been very hectic! 

The first week of May I was preparing and reviewing for final exams at school.  During that same week I was filmed training with Donald.  That means you will see me sweating on WAFB very soon and it will give you a SMALL insight of the workouts Donald has for me. 

The most important part of that week for me was the weigh in!  I have lost another 8 pounds and three inches which makes a total of 31 pounds and 10.5 inches since January!  I am VERY happy with that!  Weigh in days really make me appreciate those few exercises that I don’t like to do but I don’t really have a choice.  Those are the exercises that typically warrant the fake smile and there is a good possibility you may see it in the new clip!

The second week of May, last week, was even busier for me than the first because it was final exam week at school.  My school schedule was very different and I got to see some former classmates I haven’t see in about six months.  I found it very humorous that neither of them recognized me until I walked up and spoke to them.   Other than that, it was a very stressful week studying every day but my workouts helped keep me sane and get me through it.  I didn’t weigh at all because I know stress usually makes me gain weight or maintain it.  It was well worth the stress though because I finished the semester with great grades and I am sure I will be seeing positive results on the scale again shortly. 

Last week I also got the chance to volunteer answering calls during the WAFB morning show for the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital’s “Drive the future” campaign.  I really enjoyed it because it was something I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do a year ago but I do now. 

This week’s workouts have gone well so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the week.

More to come soon!

Brittany

5-1-11

  Throughout the Shape Up Showdown I have had a couple people tell me I am their inspiration and that really means a lot to me.  Everyone asks me what I am doing and how I’m losing weight so quickly.  Well my weight isn’t just falling off of me.  It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and support from my family and friends.  There are days where I question myself and I feel exhausted but then someone says something that keeps me going.

  For those who have asked, I am on a 1200 to 1500 calorie diet.  I work out 5 days a week for about an hour each day.  I use the website www.myfitnesspal.com to keep a daily log of my food because they have an app for iPhone users. 

  I have had a few people ask me if I thought I would have lost weight like this on my own without a trainer.  As I said before, I lost 22 pounds about a year prior to the Shape Up Showdown but I questioned my ability to lose any more weight.  Since beginning to work out with Donald I have seen great results.  I am losing weight along with inches.  Having a trainer holds me accountable and I look forward to going to the gym to workout with him.  I have completed workouts I never would have done on my own.  During our workouts when I am drenched in sweat, tired, and feel like I want to stop, he doesn’t let me give up.

  Last Thursday, I was back jogging and power walking the track again.  Donald is timing me to see how long it takes me to complete a mile.  It took me about 12 minutes!  I intend to get faster each week and I am sure before I know it he will have me jogging the whole mile. 

  This week I am looking forward to our doctor’s appointment on Thursday.  Can’t wait to see how I have done since our April appointment! 

Stay posted… I will be writing again soon!

Brittany