Cher's Shape Up Showdown

Squats Galore

Today was a great day! Aside from the heated conditions, I have a lot to be thankful for. I would be remiss if I didn't give a shot out to my OT (original trainer) Everette. While he is no longer working with BREC, he helped me accomplish the major task of losing 25 lbs and for that I am eternally grateful. Since Everette's departure, I have been paired with Lee who has really upped the anti. His approach is very different from Everette but it is equally if not more effective. He also pushes me beyond what I normally push myself.

I met with Lee today after our monthly check up with the medical staff and nutritionist. Today's session focused on my lower body. The exercises of torture involved squats, squats, and more squats. He pushed me so hard that he had me squatting 95 lbs. I somehow managed to do 10 reps and now I'm paying for it. My thighs are sore and my legs are so weak it's hard to walk. All in all, it was a great workout and I'm glad Lee is challenging me the way that he is.

Until next time, let's keep pushing! We are bound to reach our destination. Hugs and Kisses,

Cher

Taking it to Another Level

I told you all I made a mistake of telling the slave master (Everett) that we needed to be more aggressive with my abs and thighs. I've regretted that statement ever since I made it. Everett has stepped the intensity of my work outs to a-whole-mother level! He has me running stairs, doing suicides on stairs, doing squats on the bonsu, and incline sit ups with a weight vest on. If you all are not familiar with it, it's a vest with a million pockets on it. Each pocket has a weighted bean bag like object in it and the entire vest weighs 20 lbs. While I cant stand that vest, it makes me sweat profusely which is a good thing!

On Friday, I met with Keith from WAFB to film footage for the next commercial. It was on this day that the slave master decided to introduce all new exercises. Why? I have no idea! He had me doing an alligator crawl which hurts like crazy. My shoulders and abs are so sore that it is unreal. The alligator crawl is an exercise that requires you to drag a weight across the floor with your feet. You start in a push up position, put your feet on top of the weight, and walk forward like an alligator using your arms all while dragging the weight along with you. It is soooooo hard but it's effective and it brings the sweat out! Look for it on my commercial and you'll understand why I'm not a fan! Take care guys!

Until next time,

Dr. Punkin

Staying Focused

Happy Easter to all! Hope your havImg a fabulous Easyer weekend and you're finding ways to be healthy. My family and I did the Crescent City Classic 10k on yesterday. It was my first time doing it an I'm glad i did it. We decided that it would be an annual thing for us. Today I did 8 miles on the roller blades. By any means necessary, I've got to find a way to get Rae last 20+ pounds off. My eating has been a little weird these days so I'm upping my workouts to offset it. Go do what you gotta do. Much love!!!!

Gotta Stay Committed

Today was an interesting day and it really tested how focused I am with this workout thing. I made it to the gym, excited to be wearing some of my new workout gear, got fully dressed and realized I had forgotten to pack tennis shoes. Most people would have changed clothes and came back another day. Not I said the cat!!!! I accepted the fact that i wouldn't be able to do my normal workout but decided I would do the one piece of equipment I hate most- the spin bike. I did my entire time (60 mins) on it. What a trooper I am!!!!

We had our 3-month check up on yesterday. While I didnt expected to see a lot of weight loss, I did manage to lose a couple of more pounds. More amazing though is the two additional inches I lost in my waist. My waist is now a 32.

The soreness in my thighs has since dissipated, and I am glad about it. I had to wear tennis shoes the other day because the heels were causing extreme discomfort. For those of you who truly know me, you know I'm not a tennis shoe wearing lady. The only time I embrace them is when working out. I totally felt out of my element. Of course since the soreness is gone, the heels are back. I dont know how people wear flats everyday. I can't imagine life without them. Until next time, y'all!

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

I made a terrible mistake of telling Everette, my wonderful trainer ;-), that my legs are my troubled area and I felt we needed to work them out more aggressively. I think I should have kept my mouth shut. He made me do so many squats today that it was hard to squat over the toilet after I was done. My legs were so weak that I almost lost my footing while on the elliptical machine at the gym.

Quite honestly, I ne'er knew there were so many variations of a squat. It reminded me of the many different ways Forest Gump mentioned of preparing shrimp. To add injury to insult, he had me doing squats with the weight bar and weights, and joked about adding more weight. I'm glad he was only joking because I don't think I could have done another squat.

My legs were extremely sore by the time I
made it home. I came up with the idea of getting on the treadmill to stretch those muscles out. Can you say, "MISTAKE" in all capital letters? My legs hurt so bad that I could only walk for 20 minutes. My initial intent was to walk for an hour. Need I say more?

Another day of torture that I guess in the end is all worth it!!!!! June can't get here quick enough.

Two Month Check Up

Today is a great day! I had my 2-month check up and weigh in, and I couldn't be more happier! While my cholesterol is slightly elevated, I weighed in at 175 pounds today which is 24 pounds lighter than when I started on January 6th. Even sweeter is the fact that I had to pin up the waist of the jean capris I just bought 2 weeks ago. Does it get any better than that? Miami, here I come!

Another Week, Another Pound

It's almost the end of another week and I've encountered many obstacles that have prevented me from making it to the gym. However, when a person is focused, there isn't anything that can keep him/her from doing what he/she has to do. I thank God for an understanding trainer who has been very patient with me! A high five to Everett, the best trainer in this part of the world.

Fourteen Pounds Lighter

I am on cloud 9 right now and there isn't anything that can steal my joy! Today was my first check up since starting the Shape Up Showdown and the scale showed a decrease of 14.2 pounds. While I knew I had lost some weight, I didn't think for a minute that I had lost that much. More amazing is the progress of my teammates who have been equally and in some cases more successful. What a wonderful way of starting the weekend! Stay focused and be motivated!

Help! Help! I Lost Some Inches

Happy Tuesday, Showdown fans! Today was a great day! It's a great day because Ive lost some inches and can't seem to find them. Yesterday I put on a pair of jeans to wear and had to pin them up in the waist because they were about 3 inches too big. It was such a great feeling that it motivated me to add an additional workout to my day after meeting with Everette at BREC. I'm so excited and of course everyday I am anxiously waiting on the day I can go to the store and pick up a size 8 pant and be comfortable in them.

A big shout out to Everette for being right on point. Today he incorporated weights into my regimen. Of course it wasn't easy but my arms were really heavy and tired, and my abs were sore after my workout was over. Its all in the name of weight loss so I wouldn't change a thing.

For those of you who are following along and making a lifestyle change, a heartfelt kudos to you for loving yourself enough to lose weight and be a healthier you!

Until next time,

Cher