Cher's Shape Up Showdown

It's Friday!

Normally I look forward to Friday because it means the weekend is here. Today is Friday and it equates to soreness for me. To make sure that he keeps me guessing, Everette had me boxing today. I learned how to do jabs, body shots, and upper cups! It was quite interesting and fun to say the least but my arms are hurting like crazy! I went to the bank after my workout and could barely fill out a bank slip. Even though they are hurting, my arms are one of my problem areas so I'm hoping the pain means I'm burning stored fat and my arms are on their way to being slim and trim.

It feels great to have completed a week of training with Everette! Believe it or not, I'm eagerly waiting for Monday!

Weight Loss in 2011

January 6, 2011 marked the beginning of a monumental era for me. This era was the end result of taking 12 hours of graduate courses a semester for 2 1/2 years, completing a 225 page dissertation, and ultimately finishing my PhD on December 10, 2010. These events led me to this point- the point of having to lose 50+ pounds to get down to my pre-PhD weight of 138 pounds.

Prior to starting my PhD program, I always worked out and took pride in looking great and being shapely! Little did I know that my quest of acquiring a PhD would challenge me in ways I never thought imaginable, and would strip me of my desire to work out 3 - 5 times a week. There were times when my coursework was so overwhelming that I barely got 2 hours of sleep a night in any given semester. My sleep deprivation resulted in a lack of energy and no desire to work out. This went on for 2 years, and during those 3 years, I relied on Jolly Ranchers and Now & Laters to help keep me up so I could read articles and dissertations, complete my homework, and analyze data. This resulted in me gaining a few pounds here, a few pounds there, and eventually tipping the scale at a whopping 190+ pounds. I had never weighed that much. I didn't weigh that much when I was 9 months pregnant with my son so my new curvaceous figure was difficult to embrace. During semesters when stress levels were down, I would get back into a consistent workout routine and would lose 10, 15, pounds with ease, but once the next semester started, and the stress levels were up, I gained them back.

Unlike some individuals who struggle with their weight, I didn't let my weight gain consume me because I knew I would get it off eventually. And since I never considered myself fat, my self-esteem was only impacted during those periods of my PhD that were most demanding and stressful. Knowing I needed to work out and lose weight, I would put it off semester after semester because I knew the demands of my program would prevent me from winning the weight loss battle completely. I finally decided that I would maintain a weight below 190, and upon graduating, I would spend the next 6 months losing those dreaded PhD pounds.

I vividly remember praying to God after I had graduated and after seeing pictures of me at my graduation celebration, and pleading with him to help me on this journey because I didn't think it would be as easy for me as losing weight had always been in the past. His answer to my prayer came in the form of a phone call from Brent Ledet, creative services director at WAFB. Brent informed me that I was one of the 100 finalists for WAFB's Shape Up Showdown, and needed to come in for an interview. At the end of the conversation, I informed Brent that I was claiming 1 of the 9 spots in the mighty name of Jesus and that I needed exactly what the Shape Up Showdown had to offer- someone to motivate me (the person who usually motivated everyone else to eat healthy and work out) to lose weight.

As of December 31, 2010, I am currently at 188 pounds and I hate the place that I am at weight-wise. It is divine intervention that God has granted me with an opportunity of a lifetime- a 6 month membership at BREC with a personal trainer, and access to a nutritionist and doctor. I would be remiss if I did not give God all the glory for utilizing Brent and WAFB as vessels to assist me in accomplishing my weight loss goal. In return for his favor, it is my desire to blog about my journey with the hopes that it will help others who feel like they have lost or are losing the weight loss battle. So, whether you have 5 pounds or 100 pounds to lose, I hope that my journey will be of inspiration to you! I pray that it will help you conquer the internal battle with your personal weight loss demon.

Happy Weightloss in 2011!

TypePad Conversations » Answer this question!

A Glutton for Punishment!

It's Thursday!  I've completed two days of training with my trainer, Everette, and can I say that right now he is not one of my most favorite individuals to see.  While he's pleasant to look at, I know seeing him means work.  On Monday when we initially met, the workout went well but I was so sore the next morning that it was difficult to do my normal, daily tasks.  I drive an expedition which requires me to step up and down to enter and exit the vehicle.  If you all could have seen me getting out of the car, you probably laughed yourself into a stupor.  I was sliding out of the car gently in an effort to minimize the pain.  Of course it did not work.  I texted him and he told me to sit in a tub of warm water to relieve the pain.  I did that to no effect.  Tuesday came with a little relief but I was still sore.  And then came Wednesday.  I was scheduled for Everette's boot camp at the Howell Park gym.  As a former basketball player, we ran more suicides and laps than I care to remember.  I swore I was having flashbacks from my basketball days.  To add further insult to the matter, we played a 3 on 3 full-court basketball game- the Shape Up Showdowns versus the Boot Camp participants.  For those of you who have played basketball, running up and down a court non-stop is no laughing matter.  I recognized then how out of shape I am.  I use to be able to do that with ease but not anymore.  My chest, legs, buttocks, and arms were all in pain.  While it was a torture indeed, Felicia, Everette, and I represented and won the game.  Of course running up and down the basketball came with more pain.  The pain that had once diminished is not back with a vengeance...lol!  One good thing, though, I slept like a baby.  For me, that's a great thing because my body was still in dissertation writing and research mode which equated to 3 hours of sleep max.  So what's a little pain if it's helping me get a good night's rest.  I meet Everette again on Friday.  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment...smile! 

Until next time,

Dr. Punkin