Hey Everyone,

Just checking in! Our routine is changing rapidly (evolving) and it's been a real exercise in fortitude to keep pace. The physical demands are unrelenting and your body does what it can...or what the mind tells it it can. And that's the challenge..the mind! All the familiar slogans--"getting your mind right", "made up mind", "mind over matter"..both bolster and infuriate you during this process. Your body wants to give up..and you can sympathize after 300 pushups AND a 3 hour workout day...but somehow you're up the next day ready for more. And I can't speak for anyone else but the ability to continue is nothing short of God! I'm thankful He's given me a spirit of resilience and determination and silliness with a smidge of crazy because without the combination, I'm sure I'd be at home justifying eating a 4 wing mild sauce, salt and pepper.

This is the hardest thing I've ever done. I have good days, not so good days and downright bad days. I'm physically tired but often don't sleep well. I'm hungry a lot but am not fulfilled by the thought of a "cheat day." It's really a trip what you go through emotionally and mentally. I've learned so much about myself during this process. This sooooo started with the desire for a better, banging body. The idea of a six-pack is seductive, no??? But now, it really is about the journey (Elena's been saying this all along:-)..And a hellava journey it's been. Can't wait to see where I end up. This is just the beginning!

Ups and Downs - Good days and Bad days...

Well I finally experienced it...my first BAD day...and boy was it a doozie! Yesterday for the very first time since joining BABs I wanted to say "F"it...my couch is calling! Now don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of days where I didn't feel like it, or my energy level was low...but nope - yesterday was next level. Then Dre went HARD on me at PT - never met that Dre before yesterday...wasn't feeling her at all, nope...not one bit. Then the workout was HARD! Back to back to back to back - no breaks - just hard. I don't know if Dre has a background in the military, but I'd swear she has some drill sergeant flowing thru her veins. For whatever reason, I couldn't seem to push through it; I know a lot of it was mental because I was definitely feeling deflated - in retrospect I should have used those negative emotions to help push me through my workout. But truthfully, I just wanted to get my stuff and go home. I finally got home to discover that somehow I was out of the precious sweet potatoes I needed for my dinner...I was totally like FML! The diet is very limited so I had to go back out to the store...*insert angry face here* After coming in, eating (starving to death by now) and getting a good night's sleep (something like a coma), I am here again today and ready to get back on the horse. I will not give up on myself...not an option.
I need to thank each BAB individually (Vicki, Bea, Karlisa, and Elena) for the encouragement yesterday. Each of you put your own spin on understanding how I was feeling and managed to say just the right thing to help me through. I appreciate you so much, I don't know what I would do without the support. I think its a benefit for me, being the last to join, I feel like you guys have experienced some of the emotions I'm feeling already - so you know just what to say. Coming up from behind isn't all bad, although I wish I had been a part from the beginning. And Stephanie, every time I think of you going through this by yourself...you are an AWESOME WONDER. And Dre, stank or no stank - I'm glad you like me...I cringe to think of my life right now if you didn't - LOL!

Just me and my Breath, me & my Breath :)

As I’m upping my workouts, I’ve become more aware of my breath and how vital it is to get me through the tough workouts. Here is an interesting link about breathing. It’s so basic and so true: “The deeper you breathe during exercise, the more calories you will burn.” Let’s keep this in mind as we’re getting it in class. Breathing deeply has definitely helped with my endurance. Breathe baby breathe!!! And excuse me if I make loud noises in classes with my breath, I’m just trying to burn these calories!!!!

http://www.prevention.com/cda/expertblog/fitness/fitness.coaches?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=c95b8814-546d-4f44-becc-202fb8d2d8ae&plckPostId=Blog%3Ac95b8814-546d-4f44-becc-202fb8d2d8aePost%3A16a2148e-a713-4f02-ab10-d89c901a6beb&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

My diet is now mainly consisting of fish and veggies and I am upsetting people all around me. My co-workers roll their eyes and sigh during lunchtime after I heat up my fish and veggies. Sorry folks, just trying to get my nutritious lunch in! Go ahead and enjoy your cheeseburgers & fries, barbeque chicken and Chinese food. I’m sticking to my healthy lunch. Together we are stinking up the office!!! My young nieces slept over Saturday night and while they enjoyed their chicken and mac-n-cheese, I heated up my fish and brown rice. My 3 yr old niece immediately put her little arm across her nose and said “Ewww, what stinks Tia?” (tia is auntie in Spanish). My little princess was so cute. She made me laugh so hard. My little nieces bring so much joy to my life. They take me away from reality if at least for a little while.

That’s it for now. Don’t forget to breathe baby!!!

See you soon,
Bea

A little Heart to Heart Moment!! From V

Hi D3 Family,

Sorry I haven't been on here in awhile like everyone i just have a lot going on in my life right now and sometimes it’s hard to fit everything in, in one day.  I want to say thank you to ALL OF YOU for being so supportive during this crazy and intense training for the BABs figure show that’s coming up. I can’t believe we only have 2mths left to go it’s so crazy how fast time goes by.

This has been one crazy journey for me as it is for all the girls training for this show I’m sure. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate everyone’s kind words. I never thought that a training like this would take such a toll/change a person. I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions since i've started this training. Some days I’m so happy and feel like I’m on top of the world and then other days I feel like I’m falling apart. I know most of you see me as this happy bubbly person all the time and then when I’m not that happy bubbly person it shows and I’m not really good at hiding the way I feel and I want to apologize in advance if I’m ever short or not so cheerful/bubbly all the time. I care about everyone at D3 and i think everyone is doing such a great job and i'm so proud of each and everyone of you! Until you go thru something like this it’s really hard to explain all the feelings you go thru doing something like this. I don’t regret signing up for this at all!! If I had to do it all over again I would. Training for something like this is NO JOKE!! If it was easy we would all do it!! This take pure dedication, time and effort and it’s very very challenging. You’re personal life will completely change and those of you who have a family and are training for this I give you so much credit like Stephanie “GIRL YOU ROCK” !! When I feel like giving up I just stop and think about all the stuff you had to go thru and how you went thru this training alone. I don’t know what I would do without You, Dre and the BABs team. The BABs team is like my second family as well as all my D3 family members.

I want to personally thank Elena and Karlisa for all their encouragement and kind words these past few weeks. I’ve been hitting a lot of rough patches and they’ve both been there to listen to me and give me some awesome advice so THANK YOU BOTH!! I love you both so much and again thank you for taking the time to listen to me.

Dre – I don’t even know where to start!! You have been so good to me and so helpful with everything going on in my crazy life. I’ve never met someone who has your heart, drive, soul and dedication to not only your family, friends and D3 but to everyone and anyone that comes to you. You’re an amazing person and I’m so honored to have you in my life not only as my trainer but as one of my very good friends!!

BABs TEAM!! We ALL ROCK and I’m SO EXCITED to see the end results and see us ALL KICK ASS at this show!!

Until next time!!
Xoxoxo
V AKA “POOKSTER!!”

PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK

Something happened last night that has finally made me truly realize that all my hard work and effort is paying off. I went to one of my favorite restaurants with my Mother last night that I hadn't been to in about 4 months. My Ma and I were seated and the menus were placed on our table by the waitress that regularly served us in the past. I excused myself and went to the ladies room. I came back to the table and my Ma said "you are not going to believe what just happened!"

She said that the waitress asked her if I was her youngest daughter.
My Ma told her "she's my only daughter."
The waitress asked her "the same one that came with you before??"
Ma said "Yes, she's my only daughter!" The waitress told her "Wow, she looks so different. So young! I can't believe that's her. She looks so great!"

After a few minutes, the waitress came to the table and told me that I look totally different and asked what I have been doing. That was such a great feeling. I felt on Cloud 9. It’s wonderful to hear feedback from your family and friends, but there’s something to be said about “strangers” commenting on your progress. To me, that kind of feedback seems more real because they don’t NEED to say anything – what do they care, right? When family or friends tell me they see the changes, I’m always like “oh sure, thanks.” Last night was special to me.

It’s so strange that even though I’m buying smaller pant sizes, I don’t give myself enough credit. I’m in denial. I need to work on appreciating myself and be happy with my progress. It just seems like I have such a long way to go and sometimes feel so discouraged. I need to take the time and stop and look at myself in the mirror and compliment myself. “Look at you. Look at your progress mama. You are doing this. Stay the course. No looking back. The past is the past. You are doing good.”

See you soon,
Bea

I Survived Hell Week Part 2

Well folks, 14 classes in 7 days is no joke, but I did it. Today's Zumba's class was a great way to finish off the week. This past week was just what I needed to get back on track and I feel great! My goal for next week is a minimum of 10 classes. I know I have some ways to go to reach and sustain my fitness / wellness goals, but I proved to myself that the excuses that I was so dependent on (can't get up early, not enough time, competing priorities, etc), really doesn't bear much weight (no pun!)

Bottome line is you plan and make time for things that you want to invest in.....

Congrats to my AC buddy Dupe for everything that she accomplished this week!!

I made history at D3!

This morning I went to D3 on a Friday for the first time ever!! For real!! Since 2007 I have never been to D3 on a Friday...deliberately. In fact this week I defended my no- Friday policy on two occasions! Friday is a day for me to chillax. I typically dont schedule any court cases, just so I can work from home. I can sleep late, work at my leisure and then look forward to the evening. At the end of the week it gives me something to look forward to. I can hang out with freinds or do absolutely nothing!! Either its about me chillaxing.

As this week has progressed I have been thinking about going to D3 on Friday, but really wasnt sure if I could do it. Then I guess I had a shift in my mind set. I knew I would not be doing my (semi) usual Saturday, this weekend, plus I knew my ac buddy Josey has been pushing herself to the limit, so I knew just by me going to class on Friday at 6am, that was really pushing me to the limit. So I did it.. And so now Hell week Pt II is officially over for me!!!

I made history twice: burned over 600 calories at the gym and went to d3 on a Friday!! Well alright now!!