Final Day

Tonight will be our last weigh-in and I am excited for us all.  These 10 weeks have not been easy and I know for most of us (myself included) it is just the beginning of our journey to being in better health.

Am excited for my teammates Gary and Mandy who will be fighting it out for the top prize tonight.  But I also feel that each and every one of us are winners.  We accepted this challenge, we came in nice and early (ok not always so nice) and gave it our all. Whether we end up in first or last place, we are all walking away lighter and wiser.

Thank you Red Dawn.  Yes it was painful at times, but am glad to have spent this journey with each of you.
Good luck tonight everyone!

-Elizabeth

Final Week

I can't believe that we are in the final few days of the contest.  I have come a long way.  I remember my initial assessment, and just walking for the 5 minutes on the treadmill.  I though I would not make it.  Then we had the initial group workout.  I barely made it through that, and I could not move for a few days after that.  I still struggle with some of the things we do, but I get through them, even if I am slow.  I certainly believe in myself more than I have for a long time.  I know that I can do anything I put my mind to.  I also realize that in the past, I was kidding myself with my "workouts".  What I thought was pushing it, or my max, was no where near where I am now. 

I wanted to say a big thank you to Jacqueline.  She has been such an inspiring and supportive person in my life during the past 2 months.  I am glad she came into my life.

I also wanted to say a big thank you to Red Dawn.  I can't imagine going through this process without the love, support and encouragement of the rest of my team.  We all have been a family since about 30 minutes into our first workout.  We have all had our good days and bad days, but we have all been there encouraging and supporting each other.  I am glad that you all came into my life.  I can't wait for all of us to continue on our journey's.  I wish each and eveyone of you the best in everythnig you do.

Thank you all.

Karen Nelson

Caught my second wind!

Not sure what happened but I crossed a line this morning.  In a split second I went from feeling completely exhausted and oh so ready for this competition to end already -- to feeling revived, strong, and ON FIRE to kick it up about 10 notches and end this thing like a champion! My goal of 199 lbs by the last weigh in is within reach!  I can do this!  I am confident (BJ please take note) that I will raise the bar in my workouts so that I can lower the bar one more level on that scale!  Time for Julie to amaze us all -- including herself! 

Scared of the scale

I knew coming into this I would get the flu sooner or later, was just hoping it would hold off until after the competition.  Have now missed 2 workouts since the last weigh-in due to illness and I know my results tonight will be less than stellar.  It is hard, but keep reminding myself, that colds happen.  It is how we deal with them and move on after that counts.  In the past, the flu would have had me curled up in bed 24-7 watching horrible daytime soaps.  But last Friday and this  Monday I managed to drag myself in.  I wasn't at 100% but I gave it all I had and felt absolutely miserable about the 2 days I was too ill to make it in.  Wow! I felt miserable about NOT going to the workout!  I believe I am creating a new norm for me and that was one of my main goals coming into this process: to make working out, being active a 'normal' part  of my everyday life.

This week (tonight especially) will be tough and tomorrow morning even tougher, but we all are alot stronger than we were back on January 1st.

See everyone tonight, and don't worry, I was taught to share, but I will make an exception and keep my cold to myself.  :)

-Elizabeth

4 weeks left!

At the beginning I had hoped to lose 15-20% but at this point it seems to be a bit unrealistic. Right now my goal is to get under 250. At that last weigh in I don't want to have to move the bar to the 250 mark and add. I want to move it to the 200 mark and add. That is 12 lbs in the next 3 1/2 weeks.

This week I've been at a point in this contest where I'm feeling less than motivated. Yes, I get up at 4 am and work out and eat a ton better than I have. But I have definitely slacked on my eating. The other day I had taco bell. While I did count my calories, I never would have ate that the first few weeks. I would have sucked it up, got my husband some taco bell and came home and fixed myself a chicken breast and green beans. I know it is reality and I'm going to eat those things, but I feel like I'm slowly falling off the wagon. I have such a long way to go and I can't let myself fall. I need to pick myself up and figure out this slide and get back to it. I have decided these next 4 weeks I'm going to do the best I can. I don't want to look back and say that I wasted the last part of this wonderful opportunity. I know after the contest I will continue to fight this battle. It will just be a little different but right now I need to focus on these 4 weeks.
 Today, I rolled my ankle at our Saturday bootcamp. It hurt and a lot of my teammates, other team and Lori and Brandon helped me (Thank you all so much). However I had to sit on the floor,against my will, with ice on my ankle and watch my teammates as they busted their butt. It really sucked and I hated sitting there. I wanted to be up with the rest of my team busting my tail. While sitting their watching my team and the other team I did get a different perspective. I saw the agony in some peoples faces as they pushed past their aches and pains. I also saw someone not even breaking a sweat and not pushing anywhere near their half potential.(No offense to that person. I just know you can do it) At one point in this contest I was told that when you feel like you are at your edge and you can't do anymore YOU CAN and you have to push just a little further. There have been many days when my head is saying "Ashley that hurts and you can't do that." I have let that get the best of me some days and some days I have pushed past it and wowed myself. (In some part thanks to BJ being in my face saying come on Ashley) From the next workout on that voice is not going to get the best of me. I'm going to push it as hard as I can these next 4 weeks. I've got a brace for my ankle and it's not going to get the best of me. I'm stronger than this battle I'm fighting and I can't let it get the best of me.

Red Dawn is such a wonderful team. We have the best trainer that doesn't allow us to have excuses and an assistant who gets in our face if those excuses come to the surface. We also have 10 wonderful teammates who always know just when to say. "are you okay", "you can do it" or some other form of encouragement. I feel like I have been placed in the hands of the best possible team. Nothing against the other team, I just feel Red Dawn is the best fit for me and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I know that many of us are going to try to stick together after the contest and continue to fight this battle. Even those who choose to go at it a different way or we don't cross paths at the gym,I'm sure we will all find a way to keep up with each other.

After getting all my thoughts out in this blog (Sorry it is all over the place) I feel better. I feel like I have realized the blessing that has been placed in front of me. I am going to take full advantage of these last 4 weeks and give it all I have!
Ashley

Been a while...

Been slacking on the blog posts lately.  I guess I haven't felt like I have had a whole lot to say.  I have been slightly discouraged by the scale the past few weeks.  I have killed myself every day and the scale just isn't moving as quickly as I had hoped. Rather than letting it eat at my spirit, I chose to measure myself again over the weekend and I had lost almost double the inches since the last assessment.  OK, I can deal with that!!  I have heard it time and time again...the scale doesn't tell the whole story!  It's hard to believe at times, but it is true.  Not only have I lost inches, but I am noticing other changes as well.  Tonight I was able to run quite a bit faster and further than I have in the past and of course I am lifting much more than I did week 1!

I have noticed these changes in many of my teammates and even some of the members of Night Fury as well.  I am just so proud of the strides we have all made in such a short period of time.  I know that we all have a goal in mind that we would like to reach by the final weigh in, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I hope that no matter where we end up on March 7th that we all realize exactly how far we have come!

In all reality, these 10 weeks are nothing.  They are just the beginning of this Journey.  Recognize your worth.  Know that you are completely capable and make it happpen!!!

Peace and Love,
Jenny

LOVIN THE BURPEES!

Don't get me wrong -- every one of us should HUSTLE between machines during our circuit training!  Even a slow crab walk would be better than moseying.  BUT, while brushing my teeth in front of the mirror this morning, I noticed definition in my arms that I have never seen before.  My ultimate goal is to be somewhere in between  the two extremes of having "batwings" and looking like I could bench press a priuss! Tone.  Definition.  That sexy little line that shows up when you put your arm in a 90 degree angle showing definate muscle tone beneath your skin!  Such a wonderful "GIFT" the burpees have given me - something I have always wanted! 

Now team - despite all this burpee praise, please HUSTLE YOUR BUTTS!  We have a competition to win!  

GO RED DAWN!

Julie

Changing my ways!

For me, Mat Pilates is the creamed peas of workouts!  NOT my cup of tea.  I'm sure from an outsiders perspect I looked as graceful as a gorilla on roller skates and quite frankly, it HURTS!  In places I didn't even know could hurt. I was feeling very accomplished this morning, knowing that I made it through that miserable hour of my life.  AND satisfied that I will NEVER have to do it again!    But then it occurred to me... if I felt satisfied and accomplished doing terrible at it --- how much more would I feel to get better at it!  Perhaps one day even master it!  

41 years of settling for mediocrity! NO MORE! 

I'm making a new commitment to spend the second half of my life learning to excel at the things I am NOT so good at!

I declare today - I WILL MASTER MAT PILATES BEFORE I AM 82!  lol.  Count on it!    

Julie

Dedication

My heart is so broke after reading Steve's post.  Every single member of our team is special in their own right.  Steve IS our patriarc.  Every single one of us have found strength in him throughout this competition.  With his calm quietness.  His encouraging words, and his kind loving heart. 

We all have our personal reasons for doing this.  Fighting hunger, sleep deprivation, our own personal demons, and Red Dawn's worst enemy of all:   ICE!   

I believe that each and every one of us NOW have a new motivation to give it our all!  NOT just 100% of ourselves -- BUT 1,000%!  Nothing taken from Night Fury but I propose we take the TOP 10 spots in this competion!  Nothing STOPS US - as we are a team UNITED!

Let us pick up where he left off -- LEADING RED DAWN INTO VICTORY! 

We got this!

Julie

oops, typing while medicated

sorry for the typos... i am pretty heavily sedated. I hope you get my intent...
Steve

Goodbye

I is with great saddness that I must say goodbye to you and NYRR. Yesterday around 5:00 pm I slipped on the ice at fell  on my back and struck my head pretty hard. I had no no feeling in my legs.
I am in the hospital and will be for four or five days.
I am being treated by a neurosurgeon who discovered a calcium deposit on my spine that he believes is causing my paralysis,
I have regained feeling in my legs but have limited movementin either leg.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for teaching me. Each of you have so much strength and tenacity I know you will achieve your personal goals.

As for me I have suffered a set back but I am confident that I can take the lessons learned from Jacqueline and each you to reach it on my own, at my own pace.

When I can. I will stop by a workout to say goodbye in person.

I can really express how sad I am at not being able to continue to grow (shrink) with Red Dawn
Even though we had not known each other very long I feel very close to you all.

Brst of luck to you all,,,

Steve

Today was great!!!!

When I got to the east side club this morning, I ran into a guy I used to work with. He said he noticed right away that I had lost weight. I was dissapointed after Wednesdays weigh in, but I realized that I AM changing my body, and I AM adding muscle, and I WILL continue to keep losing weight. Thanks to all of you for helping me get through last week as it was the toughest for me yet. Next week I KNOW I will have better results on the scale.....although that doesn't matter as much as OVERALL!!!!

Greg

WOKE UP ON WRONG SIDE OF BED

Hey guys just wanted to say  sorry for having a bad attitude this morning. Steve and Ashley probably heard from me more today than they would of liked at 5am.  This is the first time I have ever worked out with anyone, usually it's by myself.  You probably all know why, (little crazy):)  Anyway Iam trying to be motivating, but might come off wrong.  So feel free to tell me to shutup or worry about myself I'll get it.  Iam really proud of our team for getting through this week.  God Bless all of you.  See ya in the morning
Proverbs say"but he who holds his tongue is wise." Iam working on that!









Mandy

Working through it.

We made it through 4 weeks. Yeah!!! Go Red Dawn.  This has by far been the toughest week for me, but I made it through (bad toe / foot and all).   I wanted to say thank you to my team mates for the past few days.  Everyone was offering to help today, and I really appreciate it.  This team has become a second family to me, and it is amazing how well we all support each other on a daily basis.   I can’t imagine going through this process without the support of each one of you and Jacqueline to help push and encourage me.

I have to admit that after my “0” pounds lost at the weigh-in on Wednesday, I let self-doubt and self-pity creep into my head.  The last few times I have tried to lose weight, this is where I get stuck.  Then with my toe / foot starting to really hurt, it seemed like it might be another set-back.  But then last night when I got home from Gabby’s basketball game, I got a “Thinking of You” card in the mail from my brother Ryan, who lives in Illinois.  It really renewed my spirits.  Thank you Ryan for that.  The support of my family and friends has helped me out greatly.  I love you all dearly, thank you. 

One more thing has me back on track today.  I weighed myself on my home scale Wednedsay night after the weigh-in.  And this morning, it says I am down 6 pounds.  So, I am just going to keep working hard in the workouts, watching what I eat, and trust in the system.  I am changing my life for the better.  I know that I have a long road ahead, but I will get there. 

Thank you Red Dawn, Jacqueline, Lori, and BJ for your continued support. 

Karen Nelson

CAN'T is NOT in RED DAWN'S vocabulary!

But there were a few other choice words in our vocabulary during this morning workout.  lol.  Actually, that C word nearly completely slipped out of my mouth today.  Thank Goodness B.J. was right there to stop me mid sentence - and mid crying spell.  This week was brutal!  But as Miss Jacque says, there is beauty in the pain, as EVERY ONE of us now know what we are truly made of.  Our "edge" is significantly further than it was 4 weeks ago. I personally am looking forward to next weeks Mind-Body week. And weeks 6 through 9 will be AWESOME for us ALL! To be able to repeat the first 4 weeks and SEE the difference in what we now can do! What a boost to our self confidence to be able to complete a full 4 minute cardio burst with complete form and still be standing upright at the end!  WOO HOO!  Team Red Dawn... WE GOT THIS!

Julie

p.s.  High Five Mattie!

Carb Temptation

So far have been very good with eating healthy, but today is really testing me.

On the way to class (actually all throughout the building) there is the lovely smell of buttered popcorn.  And right around the corner from my classroom, free samples of pasta, bread-sticks, popcorn and pub food.

I just keep telling myself, that I am worth more than a bread-stick and a minute on the lips.....

They do smell awfully good though.
-Elizabeth

What will be, will be

Man-o-man what a workout today!  I'm glad that music was playing because it disguised the pain I was in.  Luckily it was mostly all good pain and we all seem to make it through.  I was planning on running or walking on the treadmill but my body was so sore and I felt like I just wanted to collapse.

I mentioned to Jacqueline today that I am super nervous about tomorrow's weigh-in, since I've been trying to increase my calories since talking to Dr. Dozie.  I'm not sure how my body will react but I hope that scale shows all the hard work that we have put in.  No matter what the scale says we all have to just remember it is just a number.  Our bodies are changing for the better and we are going to have good weeks and hopefully very few bad ones.  What will be, will be.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
~Henry David Thoreau


Good Luck everyone!

Mathew Madary

Today was rough....

We moved faster and we accomplished a great deal more, but with that came a greater intensity.  I am all for pushing myself...that's exactly why I wanted to be a part of this program.  However, today I felt like my body didn't want to cooperate, which is incredibly frustrating.  I can't lie, I cried at the end of the work out today.  That last core exercise HURT - I am still quite sore.  I try to ignore it when possible, but my body sometimes won't let me forget that I am still only 4 months post surgery.  I am just thankful that we have each other for support on our weaker days!  That....and the day and a half I have off work to catch up on some sleep!

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplaine takes off against the wind, not with it."  ~ Henry Ford

Peace and Love,
Jenny

Week 4 begins

 I think my shirt was sweatier today than it has been yet!!! What a work out!!! I'm glad we all finished, but I know that I can give more and do more. I want to apologize for my lack of effort last week. I was down physically and emotionally for whatever reason. I think I was beating myself up for letting myself get in such bad shape to begin with.  I have decided I'm NOT doing that ANYMORE!!!! My knee has been hurting and I was using that as an excuse rather than fighting through it and giving my all. I feel better already this week.  Lets keep lifting each other up and working hard TOGETHER, that's what we've done and that's what's going to get us through.

Greg

Another week on the books

Well we survived another week (not so sure about if I survived this morning's workout yet).  I am so proud of myself and the entire team.  While the scale didn't move as we all would have liked it, we got the opportunity to see how much we have changed in other ways: inches lost, BMI% decrease, increased flexibility and strength.

Myself, I know my next challenge (other than this week's workouts) will be upping my calories as I have found that I am not eating enough to give me energy throughout the day.

-Elizabeth

Week 3 weigh in 274. - 1 lb

I was very disappointed in the weigh in on Wed. night. Down 1 pound! 1 stinking pound really?? The scale really disappointed me. I feel like I'm busting my butt and eating decently and it results in 1 pound. I've never worked so hard in a work out. I was at least losing a pound a week when I was doing weight watchers and I wasn't even exercising. Dr. Dozie talked to our group Saturday and it kind of made me feel like maybe I'm not eating enough calories for as hard as we are working out. So my body is starving. So, this week I'm going to try to up my calories a little and hope that helps.

saturday afternoon we did our 2nd assessment. The 1st assessment we did on January 1st. The assessment brought my spirits up a lot and makes me feel like this is actually paying off. I'm not in this contest to win it but want to get the tools to make this a change in my life. My assessment today shows that I have lost a total of 20 inches and 13% body fat.
                                                                                                              
The body fat machine made me really happy!!! On the bottom of the ticket it says how much fat weight we have. On the 1st it said I had 132.7 pounds and now it says 92.6 pounds.  So even tho I have only lost 10 pounds since the 1st of the year on the scale, according to this I've lost 40 pounds of fat!!! My BMI went from 50.4 to 46.8. So I guess in all reality I'm doing well!!!

That's all for now!! Hope everyone has a good week!!

God is sooo Good!!!!

Well it's been a long week, and a growing week.  First I wanna start with my 5 motivation and inspiration.

             1.  The Lord Jesus Christ
             2.  My husband who rocks wanna make him proud.
             3.  Faith my oldest daughter who pushes me to go harder
             4.  Summer my middle girlie, who always asks me is this
                  healthy  mommy. Want to show them by example.
             5.  Evann my baby boy, who when I get home on Wednesdays asks
                  mommy did you win? Gotta love it!! I say no but I tried my
                   hardest and that's what matters!!
              6.  My AWESOME TEAM

Today at our workout I was totally blown away by the humility of someone on the other ( team no need for names) that apologized, for something I wouldn't of know anything about.  Really I wanted to start crying at that very moment. I was happy to be in the acquaintance of someone who put the Lord first, and did something the Lord laid on her heart.  I am sure her flesh was not wanting to do it, but she listened to the Lord!! and by that I was refreshed and renewed, realizing the Lord put this group together for a reason.
        When I first found out I was picked for this, I went to church and asked our ladies group to pray that I would glorify God through this, motivate others and just show others the Love of Christ and get myself healthy and one more important thing not to make this an idol.  Now this doesn't  mean I am not  gonna be competitive, or do everything in my power to win.(As you all know I love the competition it drives me) It just means that I believe you can do hard things and Love the Lord instead of giving into the flesh.  Now don't get  me wrong I fail, I am not perfect and I can get negative and of the flesh, but with the Lords help I can do this the right way. (Phil 4:13)" I can do all things through him who gives me strength." That s what today showed me,the love of Christ.
      If your wondering why I work out the way I do, Colossians 3:23 is my inspiration "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men(or myself)".  Also here's another awesome scripture for everyone 2Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  Lets remember that during our workouts:)!!!
      So if or when I start to get grumpy or negative, I am hoping someone on our team will hold me accountable for these words.!!!
    One more thing,  I am doing this thing for myself, it's one thing in my life I have control over. I don't think I should feel bad or ashamed that yes I am doing this for me! I want to make me a better me, and if  I can motivate others in the process  that's awesome. The Lord knew we would all be in this together, so let's make the most of it!!
God Bless, Mandy
             

Super Stoked!

I wanted to just say thanks to all my Red Dawn teammates for helping me push during workouts. If I didn't have such a great trainer and amazing team members, this journey would suck. I have some amazing news I lost 28 inches total and almost 11% body fat. I owe a lot of these great results to you guys & gals for pushing me and myself for actually doing the work. 

Thanks again and keep up the great work Red Dawn!

~Mathew Madary

A SERVING OF ENCOURAGEMENT - HOLD THE JUDGEMENT!

As A Christian, I believe one of the most difficult, but important things to do is to NOT judge another person!  You never know what motivates a person, or what void in his/her life he/she is trying to compensate. Even in the very best of us there are negative aspects. That is what makes us human and NOT Christ. That person you expend your own energy to beat down with your words or your actions, in most cases are oblivious! Therefore YOU are the only one losing! Please keep in mind - WE ARE ALL JUST TRYING TO FIND OUR WAY!

I posted this on facebook this morning but I felt it important to also include it in my blog!  For those who don't have facebook. 

Miss Mandy - you keep doing what you do best - being Mandy!  Your team has your back! 

Positive thoughts and encouragement sent from ME to you all - Red Dawn & Gray Fury!

Julie

The 4 Agreements

And the 4 agreements are:

1.  Be impeccable w/ your word.
2.  Don't take anything personally.
3.  Don't make assumptions.
4.  Always do your best!

Okay guys, I keep little inspirational quotes and such all around my cubicle and on my phone in case I have a moment.  This morning I got to my desk and I saw this posted above my monitor and I thought, "Well Jenny, you broke all but #4 this morning, shame on you".  I had a frustrating evening and I let it creep into the workout.  I know I used that energy in my workout this morning and felt so much better by the time we left the gym! So here is my promise, because I think you all saw a little bit of Old Jenny....she doesn't hang around much anymore, but when she pops up its not all that pleasant.....NO NEGATIVITY from me!

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peace and Love,
Jenny

SMILE! ANOTHER THURSDAY IN THE HISTORY BOOKS!

Jimmy Dean once said, "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/38042-effects-attitudes-positive-negative/#ixzz1jufsA3ud

 

Red Dawn is hands down collectively, THE MOST POSITIVE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS I HAVE EVER KNOWN!   I know we are deep down into it!  No turning back now!  Let us be careful to NOT let frustration and negativity creep in - little by little - and change the positive dynamic of our group!  

 

As Steve brilliantly expressed "SURVIVE AND ADVANCE"  The only way to do so is to keep positive, placing trust in your self, team mates, trainer, and the process!  

 

Remember Attitude determines Altitude!

Red Dawn - keep flying high!  

 

Julie 

Feeling good

This week has been a good challenge for me. I liked the circuit and the increase in cardio. I thought Red Dawn did well last night in the challenge. We were still standing together at the end.
I understand it is very early in this "competition" but I am please to be at the top of the leader board. I have to say though that I am not in this to win a competition or "beat" any of you, I am in this for self improvement and personal results. Your success does not take away from mine so I hope you all find the innner success you need to keep going strong.
I was proud of Red Dawn for ALL pitching in to take the weights and benches upstairs after last night's workout. I will be good karma for us and one of these days it will be rewarded.
I look forward to the new challenges and to getting closer to you all.

Survive and Advance!

Steve Dietrich

BREAK A LEG!

I’ve been doing some soul searching the past couple of days. Miss Jacque’s tumble on the ice and subsequent broken leg has been weighing heavy on my heart, mind, and conscience.   What if that was one of us on our team?  What if it was me?

My first initial thought was that IF I were to break my leg, well that would be the end of this journey for me.  I can see in my mind the way it would all play out.  After returning from the hospital, receiving the devastating news, I would begin making the dreaded calls to my family and closest friends. There would be a river of cried tears and a mountain of it’s just not fair’s.   I mean, why does bad things like this happen, right? It certainly would be credited to no fault of my own, right? Everyone would completely understand, right?  I would ONCE AGAIN have to face the cold hard realities of life: Everything happens for a reason. Despite my determination, this must not have been my time?  Right?     WRONG!

Miss Jacque slipped on the ice on Saturday and fractured a bone in her leg.  She spent Saturday night in Urgent care.   She taught a Yoga class on Sunday afternoon.  She showed up at the gym, dark and early, on Monday morning.  During our stretches that morning, she flung her crutches out of her way and got down on 2 hands and 1 knee to demonstrate a move.  Tuesday morning she hobbled up the stairs to lead our cardio and stretch.  And she will continue to teach her Friday Yoga class because “even with a broken leg I can still do 70% of the moves.”

Just HOW dedicated am I?  Honest answer: MORE dedicated than I have EVER been in my entire life!

I can say with confidence that I graciously show up each and every day, AND give it my ALL!  All that I have to give.  Not only do I eat right, but I have NO DESIRE to poison my body with bad food choices.  I gleam every bit of information I possibly can from every one of the trainers and helpers, so that I can continue this journey beyond the next 9 weeks, for the rest of my life.  I recognize the value of restful sleep. Proper breathing. Nourishing my mind and my spirit, as well as HONORING MY BODY! I am MORE DEDICATED than I have ever been in my ENTIRE LIFE! 

Dedicated enough to accept NO EXCUSES?   NOTHING STOPS ME FROM REACHING MY GOAL? 

NOTHING?  Not even a broken leg?!?!

I had to ask myself!  

Miss Jacque – I am very sorry for your injury and pain. I love you dearly with all my heart and I would never want anything bad to happen to you!  You said to me that you accept that everything happens for a reason.   Perhaps there are other reasons for what happened, more personal to you specifically.  I pray this doesn’t come across as me making this all about me. It is NOT that way at all.  But your injury, and more importantly, your reaction to it, has deeply  affected me and my life to come.   It forced me to dig deep down within me, to ask myself the hardest question I have ever asked before.  IS there really anything that would stop me from reaching my goal?  A bad weigh in? An emotional breakdown?  Icy roads?  Bad weather?  Illness?  Injury?  God forbid, even A broken leg? 

I have to say – I am SHOCKED, and oh so very PROUD of my Response!  The answer is NO- NOTHING!  But I am honest enough to admit, I came to that response only after watching, and learning, from YOU! 

I pray best of health to each of us – EVERY member of our inspiring team!  However, in the unlikely circumstance any or all of us slip on the ice and break a leg, I have only one thing to say…

Spectators, beware of flying crutches!  We have a goal to reach! 

GO RED DAWN with the most fearless leader of all!

Julie

What a workout!

Today's workout was awesome! When I saw B.J. put those 45's on the bench press I was shaking my head in disbelief. I haven't done bench like that in 12 years at least. Back in high school during football season I was able to push up around 250lbs.  I thought for sure I would struggle with the weight, but luckily with a little motivation from B.J. I was able to push myself to do the reps. Thanks B.J.! I need to stop doubting myself and at least try or I'll always wonder "what if" and not reach my goals.
I'm so looking forward to redeeming myself at tomorrow's weigh-in.

Red Dawn was kicking butt and taking names today. I saw everyone working hard which made me want to push even more. Great Job team!

See you at 5pm!

Mathew Madary (Juan)

Week 2

I am still working on my motivation post and will get that up later.  For now, I just wanted to once again thank my wonderful teammates for a job well done!  Am proud to be going through this journey with each and every one of you.  Today wasn't easy and I know we were all tired by that third round, but we pushed though it & I can't wait to see where we are a couple of weeks for now!

Elizabeth

My Motivation

My Motivation

(1)   Me – First and foremost, I am getting healthy for myself.  This is the first time in probably forever, that I am 100% committed to changing my life for the better.  Every time before, I have found any excuse not to exercise, or to cheat on the food.  Right now, I have completed almost 2 full weeks of the hardest workouts I have ever done in my life.  I am not quite up to where I want to be on the workouts, but I am giving my all, and getting through them.  I am impressing myself with what I can do. 

(2)   My husband and kids – I have been married to my husband Christopher for 17 ½ years.  He is such an amazing husband and father.  He is supporting me all the way.  He is picking up the slack with the kids, taking them to their activities, cooking dinner, cleaning up the dishes, helping with laundry.  You name it and he is helping out or doing it all.  I am so appreciative of him for all of that.  I have 3 wonderful children.  Daniel is 17, a junior at Jeff, with a 3.5 GPA, starting varsity offensive tackle for the football team, plays baseball.  His plan right now is to major in sports broadcasting in college.  Gabby will be 13 next month, she is in 7^th grade at Tecumseh, plays volleyball, basketball and softball, and is a social butterfly.  Every day she comes home with more “best” friends.  Andrew will be 11 next month, he is in 5^th grade at Sunnyside, plays baseball, basketball and football.  Daniel wants to go to Cedar Point when he graduates in June 2013, so I told him that I wanted to be able to ride the rides with him.  Last Thursday night, Gabby had her first basketball game, and I kept thinking of how many times those girls were running up and down the court (and I had visions of our cardio), and how impressed I was with them all.  Andrew was giving me a hug the other day, and said, “I can almost put my arms all the way around you”.  I told him that by the end he would be able to have his hands touch when he gave me a hug.  My family is great, and I want to be around for many years to come. 

(3)   My extended family – My extended family is wonderful.  My mom and dad have been there supporting me my whole life, and especially now.  My mom is such an amazing person. She is the role model that I strive to be as a mother and person, thank you for always being there for me. All of my siblings have been giving me encouragement as well.  I get texts / phone calls / e-mails almost daily asking how the workouts went, how am I doing, how is it going?  Thank you all for the support.  I have even motivated some of them to start their own exercise routines and healthy living.  We are supporting and encouraging each other. 

(4)   Regular size cloths – I have had to shop at the “big” or “women’s” section of stores for the past 20 years.  I would like to be able to go to the “regular” size department and shop.  I don’t really like shopping now, because I don’t like to try clothes on.  But I can’t wait to go shopping for clothes when this is done.  It has been a really long time since I have looked at myself in the mirror and thought that I looked good in any outfit.

(5)   Red Dawn – I can’t believe how much we have all come together in the very short two weeks we have known each other.  Everyone is 100% supportive of everyone else.  We all just seem to know when someone needs just that little bit of encouragement to get through whatever we are doing.  It happened very early on too.  During our first Wednesday fitness challenge, Mandy had finished 1^st in the 10 laps, but she came and walked / jogged the last 2 to 3 laps with me, encouraging / pushing me to finish strong.  During our first Saturday Group activity, during the dreaded crab walk, everyone came out to support each other.  And in every morning workout, we are all completely behind each other.  It has already been such a wonderful experience with you all.  I can’t wait to see us in 8 more weeks. 

Thank you all for everything!!!

Karen Nelson

Inspiration & motivation....

This assignment seemed easy when Lori brought it up last night, but the more thought I put into it the harder it seems.  Some of the things that have come to mind are rather simple, while others quite emotionally driven.  Keep in mind as I go through this my inspirations will be in no particular order with exception to the first as I figure it best to get it out of the way.

1. I don't want to have a pity party for myself, but I do want all of you to know the driving force behind my want/need to be a part of this program.  I have had a lot of health issues.  I have always joked that I don't have an immune system....turns out, I don't have the greatest one!  At 16 I was diagnosed w/ endometriosis (sorry guys - promise it's important to share the girly stuff)  and have struggled with that for the past 12 years, I've suffered from SI joint dysfunction, and I have had chronic migraines.  For a long time I felt out of control of that part of my life and took comfort in "good food" as many people do.  I knew that it wasn't healthy, but I wasn't healthy anyhow and figured it didn't really matter.  Over the past 10 years I have had a total of 6 surgeries and countless shots, medications, physical therapies, and whatever other options a doctor threw at me to try to deal w/ whatever symptoms I was dealing w/ at the time.  As you can imagine, living that way gets old after a while and I began to grow tired of being sick.  I changed doctors until I found ones that would take a little more time and invest a little more of themselves into finding a way to get at the root of the issue.  Turns out...........all of my other health issues stem from the endometriosis!  Who would have thought that the thing I have dealt with the longest would create so many separate problems and that none of my many doctors would be able to piece it together?  Anyhow, being that I am young and have no children I had a huge decision to make and several hoops to jump thought, but at the end of the day it was time to take control of my health and have a hysterectomy.  My surgery was at the end of September and I can honestly say that I have felt so much better pretty much since day one!  I had been dieting and exercising before surgery and I had done pretty well on my own, but this was the perfect opportunity for me to dig in and take control of my life again before those old habits really had a chance to take hold again.

2.  "Goal Jeans" - I have had this silly pair of jeans hanging up on a hook on the inside of my closet door for YEARS!  Like I said before, I have known for a long time that my actions weren't the healthiest and I knew that i wanted to change that but lacked the motivation to do what needed to be done.  The jeans are on the list, but in all reality they are but one component...jeans alone are not enough!

3.  Lori - I have a lot of people in my life that are supportive and I will get to them, but Lori has made such a wonderful impression on me in the past several months.  From the first class I attended, she has been so very open and caring.  She has been encouraging, she's been there when I needed to talk, and has had such open discussions with me about where I am vs. where I want to be.  The support that she's provided gave me the push that I needed to "take the plunge" so to speak.  I am sure many of you are reading this now and thinking the very same thing.  She's a genuine person and is most certainly an inspiration!

4.  A year ago when I began this journey to take charge of my life, I wasn't really sure where to start.  Someone on my team at work had made the decision to start running.  He would come to work talking about the Couch 2 5K program that he was doing and how it was perfect for someone that really wasn't active to learn to run over the course of a few months.  I gave it a shot!  I ran my first 5k April 16, 2011 and I was hooked.  The only problem is that being this heavy, running/jogging isn't easy.....not by a long shot!  In spite of that, I want to run a mini marathon.  I have signed up for the mini in May in Indy as I know several other people in the group have done & my major motivation is that I know that this will be so much easier with less weight to lug around with me for that 2-3 hours!

5.  Family, friends, and my team - I have the most supportive mother I could ever ask for, my guy Ryan is there for me every step of the way, and my friend Hollie is the best little cheerleader I can imagine.  I have a boss that wants to keep the team in the loop and even wants to do before/after photos.  I know I have a great support system, but I never imagined that they weren't enough until I met my team.  I realized almost immediately that having each of you around me makes me want to work harder and have more fun while doing so.  We do so much better together than as individuals.  I know we are all still getting to know each other on a personal level, but I already feel love for every single one of you.  I think it probably goes without saying, but this includes Jacqueline.  She pushes us all right to the egde, but knows where to back off so we don't go over.....I trust that she knows better than I do what I am capable of accomplishing and so long as I can breathe I will do what she says :)



Let me leave you with this....my favorite verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Jeremiah 29:11

It's something that I have referred to whenever I feel like I am climbing a hurdle.  God does have a plan and I feel so blessed that this is a part of that plan unfolding before me!  He brought us together for a reason Red Dawn, we can encourage each other to live the lives that we deserve!

Peace and Love,
Jenny

PULLING STRINGS FROM HEAVEN

I have something I would like to share with my team.   It begins with some very raw, personal information about me.  But it is NOT about ME at all. There is a relevance to each and every one of you, so I please ask you to read to the end.  Miss Lori has asked us to post  5 things that inspire and motivate us to continue on.  I will do a separate post for 5 additional things – but right now I want to talk about the 10 things that inspire and motivate me the MOST.  Each of you!

As you know my son Ben was killed in a car accident on March 27^th.   He died instantly.  I have no doubt in my heart that the first thing he said, once he figured out he was in heaven was “my poor mom”.

A couple weeks after he died, it was the night before my birthday. Up to that point, the girls and I had not spent one second apart.  It took the 3 of us together to equal any one that each of us used to be.  All that was left of us – is what had left us.   On this particular night, Mollie & Mckenna were spending the evening together.  They seemed as if they could use some time to themselves so I did not invite myself to tag along.  Leaving work for the day, I had no plan.  No idea where to go.  I couldn’t bear to go home.  I had dinner with a friend and drove around most of the night.  Finally, at 10pm, exhaustion started to set in and I remembered our poor puppies needed to go out.  So I dreadfully made my way home.   As soon as I walked in I was deafened by the silence.  At that moment, my phone rang.  It was Mckenna.  “mom, we want you with us.  Can you please come stay with us?”  I ran out the front door as fast as I could.   The three of us stayed up the rest of the night, in Mollie’s tiny apartment, crying, and praying to our lost brother and son  “Ben, please help me and your sisters.  We know we must go on but we don’t know how.  Please teach us how to live without you.”

The next day  Mckenna and I went home.  It was mid morning when we got there.  And this is what we found:   A rainbow INSIDE our house! 

I  stood there looking at it in complete disbelief.  Who is the world gets a rainbow INSIDE  their house? A calm coming over me I haven’t felt since he died. 

There is a song written by the band Perry (yes that’s right, same as our last name).  The song is called “If I die young”  The lyrics say:

If I die young, Lord make me a rainbow

I’ll shine down on my mother

She’ll know I am safe with you

When she stands under my colors.

Ben was a child of God.  He accepted him into his heart and his life when he was 13. He knew this song and played it often.  I knew, as I stood under that rainbow that my boy had found a way to send me a message from heaven.

Four days later, on April 14^th, the girls and I went into International to get a membership.  Brad took us on a tour and he asked what made us want to get a membership.  We told him the truth.  We had lost Ben 3 weeks prior.  None of the 3 of us could eat or sleep.  And me personally, I was drowning in an emotion that I had never had to deal with before:  ANGER!  We told him we needed a place that we could come, 24 hours a day, when we couldn’t sleep, eat, or go on.  A place where we could go PUNCH SOMETHING!   Brad has been our champion!  Everyone there is always great but he personally is an angel without wings.  Sometimes I would come in the front door crying so hard I could barely walk.  He just let me pass.  His rule, we talked about later, so long as I leave in better condition than I came, then we are cool.”  If NOT, we need to talk. 

By July, I was barely surviving.  My otherwise, immaculate, organized home and life had become an unmanageable mess.  I could barely dress myself properly.  My grandson, Ben’s son, wasn’t feeling well.  His mom had to work so she asked me to take him to the clinic.  While there I struck up a conversation with a gentleman who was in the lobby.  This man worked where Ben died.  He actually cleaned his flesh, blood and car parts from the scene left behind by the police.  He said he just couldn’t bare to see the way it was left. Concerned for what us mommies would see when we got there – he felt convicted to clean it up.  What are the odds?  I would run into this person in a doctor’s office?  We talked a great deal and later exchanged personal information.  Several days later he showed up at my house and spent 5 hours working on my yard.  Couple days later, started on the house.  General repairs.  Cleaning out the shed.  All the things Ben normally would have done.  He even landscaped my front yard.  Essentially, he got my home and yard back in order.  And by doing so, it allowed me to take those worries off my chest, and allowed me to rest.  Within a week I was feeling physically and mentally stronger. And the greatest gift of all, he recommended to me a church here in Lafayette, which has now become my new church family and home.   My spiritual strength was coming back full force.

I have no cable at home.   For months, I saw posters inside the gym for the contest.  My first thought was no thought at all really.  No chance I would put myself in the spotlight and be on camera FOR ANYTHING.  One week before the first deadline something came over me!  A resolve really.  I just knew I was going to be a contestant. Something inside telling ME, not asking what I thought. Something way bigger than me was leading the way! 

When you get that dreaded call that NO ONE ever wants to receive; Hearing the words on the other end of the line saying your son is dead; the WORLD goes DARK!  COMPLETE DARKNESS!  You no longer see people as people.  Instead, they are now shades of light and dark. Most are dark, as you are so far deep into your own despair the people around you are reflecting from the darkness emitting from your soul.

It is my interpretation that is a built in survival mechanism.  A gift God gives to you so that you can visibly see the way out.  Here are the people who are going to help you find your way back. You really are not capable of forming proper thoughts and rational decisions during the first stages of grief. So he sends you what I refer to as “angels without wings”, to light the way.  Each and every one of you on my team – is a bright shining ray of light!  Jacque. Lori. Brittaney.  More of the same!

Don’t get me wrong.  There are so many wonderful people that I have already, and will continue to meet throughout this journey.  What I am saying is that it is by NO ACCIDENT that we are together.  Although, I have complete faith in Miss Lori’s ability to select the people perfectly suited for this completion – I believe in my heart that God had his hand in the selection process as well!  Knowing that we will now be forever bonded for LIFE – and not just the 10 weeks.  I love each and every one of you with my whole heart!  But the greatest thing is – I know everyone one of us, even this early in – can say the same about everyone else! 

We are all in this together.  The individual steps we all took to get us to this very place…right here together.  So no matter what grief, guilt, sadness, struggle, strife, or despair we had to walk through to get here – it really is worth it in the end!  Together – we CANT FAIL – WONT FALL!  Because all of us surrounding each other provides a soft place to land! 

My 5

I don't remember exactly what we're supposed to write about tonight, but I know what my motivations are for doing what I am doing.....for putting myself through the grueling 5AM sessions....for giving up precious time with my fiance and children.....for weighing myself every week in front of people and posting my weight on the internet for all to see:

I'm going to cry before I'm done writing this, but I have been so inspired by other people on our team, and hearing some of their stories, and like Lori said tonight.....forgiving myself.

1.  I DESERVE THIS!!!!  I have been the fat funny guy for so long that I thought that was my "role". I have always been insecure so I put a lot of "padding" around me to protect myself. To protect myself from being hurt, from being ridiculed for who I am. It was easier to be picked on for being big than be picked on for being shy, or dorky, or a preacher's kid, or whatever else I thought was wrong with me. I ended up excluding myself from a lot of activities and events that I could have been involved with if I had been thinner and more "able" to do things physically.  NO MORE!!!! I am going to do things that I have always wanted to do. I am going to finish a mini triathlon, I am going to weigh less than 250 pounds for the first time since tenth grade, I am going to live a long, happy, and HEALTHY LIFE, because I DESERVE IT!!!
2. My children. I have 2 children and one soon to be step son. My children are heavy like I was as a kid. That is my fault. They followed my lead. But I am forgiving myself for that and I am going to be a better role model and example for them. We are going to eat better as a family. We are going to do fun activities(key word being ACTIVE) as a family.
3. My AMAZING fiance. I would not be doing what I am doing today if it weren't for Sasha. She is my cheer leader. She is my partner. She is my hero. She cooks for me, helps me eat better, cheers me on, she eats what I eat, she doesn't tempt me by eating things I can't, AND SHE GETS UP AND DOES WALK AWAY THE POUNDS while I am at the gym with all of you. She ROCKS!!!!
4. Spiritually. I am a Christian. I am not better than anyone. I am a sinner saved by grace. I have fallen on my face, messed up, done some BAD things, but I crawl back to God every time and He accepts me. As someone who confesses to trust God, I need to do what the Bible says. I need to treat my body the RIGHT way. It is a sin to let myself go back to the way I used to live....eating CRAP, not exercising, not taking care of myself. I didn't say any of that to offend any of you. I said it so I could here myself say it. It is what I need.
5. The other thing that keeps me going is knowing that I will be able to do a lot of things that I haven't done in a LONG time. I want to ride roller coasters again. I want to buy clothes at WHATEVER store I want. I want to be able to play with my kids and not get tired. I want to be able to play basketball or whatever sport I want to and not get tired after 5 minutes. I love my new life!!!!  I am going to love it even more through being in this competition, and continuing to do what we have been doing LONG after this competition is done. I love each and every one of you on Red Dawn, and I KNOW that one of us is going to be the big winner.

Feeling it!!!

I know we all worked hard today....I don't think by the time we finished that last set of mountain climbers that I could have gone much more. It felt GOOD to work that hard, and to see everyone else working so hard. I know we are all still getting to know each other, but you all inspire me to keep going during workouts even when I feel like I can't go on. I remember that when I get that feeling that I have really only used 60% so I know I can keep going......even though it would be SOOOOO easy to quit.  Everyone be good tonight, be good tomorrow and lets show everyone what 11 people working SUPER hard can do. See you all at 5 for weigh in.

Greg

JACQUE KICKED IT INTO HIGH GEAR - AND KICKED OUR BUTTS!

Today was BRUTAL from the word GO!  I LOVE IT!  I feel like a million dollars right now! Like I really accomplished something BIG!  And we are just getting started! 

Jacque says the stronger we get the more she is going to PUSH US!  And I say, Thank you Miss Jacque!  I'm sure at some points we all looked like a bowl of wet noodles.  lol.  But with each day we are STRONGER, SMARTER, and most important of all, STILL STANDING!

 GO Team Red Dawn!
Miss Jacque: BRING IT!

Julie

Hitting a wall

--Red Dawn

First off, I want to apologize to my teammates for missing part of the workout and not performing as well as I know I can, due to not feeling well.  I had a hard time sleeping Sunday night plus I was up using the restroom several times.  Hopefully this will not be a problem on Tuesday.  A positive spin on this problem, is that I'm probably losing more weight this way.

Second, I feel like I'm hitting a wall with my eating habits which is causing me to lose motivation.  I've been keeping track of my food, but I'm just so hungry after I eat my meals.   I think that part of the problem is I've been having cravings nonstop and other part is that I haven't felt good the last couple days.  My old eating habits when I was sick would consist of pizza, ice cream, and whatever else I could put down.  I even found myself a little irritable and almost snapped at my wife.  Luckily, I caught myself before I said something I totally regretted. I have never even considered snapping at my wife, so this scared me. I know it is probably food related but it's still scary to think about.  My wife is my rock and I would never do anything to jeopardise that.

Third, I wanted to congratulate all my teammates on their hard work and keeping positive attitudes during the workouts.  You guys are doing great. Keep up the good work!!

--Mathew Madary (Juan)

Good news -- bad news

I've had an interesting day today. On the "good news" side, all of my clothes are already looser and I'm more comfortable sitting/standing/kneeling/transitioning. All good stuff!

On the other hand, I'm catching myself being weak and playing the "I'm tired" card too often. It was playing in my head twice during workout this morning and then again tonight as I sit here waiting for my boxing class to start. There are so many reasons to avoid working out -- (I know them all so well) -- and so many better reasons to keep going, but sometimes the negative ones sound so good.

Think I'm going to go squish those little negative voices with 90 minutes of SMASH.

Accomplishments

I wanted to say how proud I was of our team on Saturday, especially during the crab walks.  We all were there encouraging everyone to get through it.  I know that it helped me get through it.  I am amazed at the accomplishments that we all have made so far.  I am impressing myself everyday with what I am able to do, especially during our ending cardio workouts in the gym.  I can't wait to see what I will be able to do at the end of the ten weeks (and after).

I wanted to say a huge thank you to my family and friends.  My husband and 3 children have been giving me encouragement every day.  I am trying to balance this new schedule with our already busy schedules.  I think it is affecting me more than them.  I sometimes feel out of the loop, but I know they are supporting me.  My extended family has also been great.  My brother sends me a text every morning to ask how I am doing, and how our workout went.  Everyone is so supportive.  It really means the world to me to have their support.  I am doing this for myself first and formost, but I am also doing it so that I can be around for many years to come to spend with them.

Thank you all again,

Karen Nelson

Second week begins

New week,new circuits. It was good to change our routine, it made the time go quicker.
Almost everybody seemed more comfortable and pushed a little harder today. Good workout!

Steve Dietrich

Week One Done!!!

Way to go team Red Dawn!  Wasn't it nice to sleep in past 4am?

Today was both fun and exhausting and I am so glad to have had all of you there for support (especially during the crab crawl/slide).  It was great so see both teams come together and if any of the Lafayette team is reading, I wish to thank them for all their support/ encouragement today as well.

I know I had it easy this week (no work after the workouts) and can't wait to see what challenges that will bring on Monday.

Elizabeth

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Good Morning Team Red Dawn!

So nice to wake up when it's daylight out.  lol.   One more workout today before we can call this a week!  One Hellish week down in the books!  Our bodies and spirits are stronger than this time last week - that's for sure! 

Just the term "cardio boot camp" is enough to strike fear into our hearts.  But I distinctly remember Miss Lori telling me during the interview process that Saturday boot camp was a way to get us all together to show us how exercise can be FUN!  Yeah, I'm a little curious how that will play out too!  But everything she has said so far has been dead on -- so lets us put our trust in our leaders and have a ton of FUN FUN FUN today! 

See you soon!

Julie

YOU WIN SOME - YOU LOSE SOME!

2 very different side effects from all my hard work this week: I got into a pair of jeans this morning I haven't been able to wear for a while BUT I've been a crying, emotional WRECK all day long!  Notice I lead with the good news so positive outlook still intact despite the tears!  IT'S ALL GOOD!

Julie

Week One almost complete

Today was the toughest day for me to get going. I was tired and stiff but with the encouragement of my teammates, was able to push through.
One more day, of Cardio and we will have week one in the books.
Looking forward to the new challenge next week will bring.
Survive and Advance!
Steve Dietrich

Red Dawn ROCKS...

First and foremost, I want to say that I am so proud of all of us!  We have all worked incredibly hard and have been so supportive of each other though out the week.  For virtual strangers to come together so quickly says a lot about our character.

I have tell you, last nights challenge was difficult.  I struggled though all of it...yes, ALL of it.  I was only able to proceed through each round because of each of you.  Your encouragement and cheering made me feel like I could push just a little bit harder, in fact, harder than I have in a very long time...maybe ever!  THANK YOU!!

Peace & Love,
~Jenny Inbody

REVELATION TONIGHT

Hey all, tonight was awesome Iam so proud of our team!!! Noone quit!!!!
  Me personally I had a revelation tonight thanks to a long time friend(who is an instructor at international Angie).  I told her about the competion and how disappointed I was, she replied that is what you do.  She was right this is what I do, I go all out busting butt, crazy workouts and eating insane good. Then I fizzly out and gain all my weight back.  This is exactly what I did tonight.  So during this competion I need to find a happy medium so I don't just kick butt during competion, but learn to have a healthy lifestyle.!!:) Thank you to my team tonight you really did push me through, sorry I didn't win I really wanted to share all the info from Dr. I was gonna get.  We'll get them next time.  Iam really happy to be a part of this team. 
God Bless Mandy

1st weigh in and challenge

My official weigh in tonight was 278!! 6 pounds less than Sunday!! 3 days ago!!!! That feels great!!! I'm excited for next weeks weigh in when I have a full week of eating healthy and working out!!!

I really struggle to get up at 4 AM, eat a small breakfast ( so i don't toss my cookies) and get my butt on a treadmill warming up by 5 AM. Jacqualine our trainer really kicks my butt, but I feel great afterwards. When I go to work I feel like I have more energy already. Sometimes a bit difficult to get up and down the stairs or up off the floor but definitely feel better!! I'm also very happy with my team. My team is very encouraging and motivational! For example this evening we had a challenge against the East team. The 1st part was to run 10 laps in the gym. It didn't matter who was in the front of the pack, middle or the end. Everyone encouraged everyone and once someone was finished with their 10 laps they would continue on with someone who had not finished!! After the first round only the 1st 10 to finish got to go to the next round and then down to 7 then to 4. I didn't make the 1st 10 but I finished strong!! Mind over body!!! My team was always moving and kept exercising while cheering on our teammates who made it to the next rounds. Just a great feeling to be part of a fantastic team!!! I'm very proud to call them my teammates!!

Ashley Kallis

Apology

Team West,

I want to take this opportunity to issue a formal apology to you.  Last night during my team's post workout huddle/break, in an effort to have a little fun for the camera and at your expense, I elected to lead us out with "Team Red Dawn sucks."  Obviously this was a poor choice of words.  Something along the line of "Crush Red Dawn" would've been more appropriate, as no one in this contest, on either team, "sucks."  I have asked that the footage not air, as it is not an accurate reflection of the character of my team.  From the communications I've read and received, it sounds like you are all crushing it!  Congrats, keep up the great work, and once again, my sincerest apologies regarding my poor choice of words.

Sincerely,
Team East Coach
Jason

HEY TEAM!

Wanted to share some words of wisdom given to me by Staff Sargeant Joseph (Jay) Magers. aka My lil bro

"I know it's hard right now but keep moving and fight your way through it.  In the end the hardest part will be finding ways to make it harder"

Julie

Inside my head

Have to say that I LOVED the Day #1 and #2 workouts - right up to the point where my mind stopped being in control of my body (after the 2nd circuit, in the middle of a cardio set). It's like I just cannot force myself to do any more high knees or even a single jumping jack. If I could only get my breath back for a second....

Jacque always seems to be looking at *me* when I feel like slacking. It's not my imagination -- at one point she shouts out from the front of our cardio-conga-line "I can see you in the back!" about 2 seconds before I was going to back off. Yeah, that's how she rolls. Thank you Jacque.

We'll see how I feel about the workouts after we finish the week. Right now I'm focused on tonight's weigh in and the competition. Of couse Saturday we're going to absolutely CRUSH the Lafayette team. They have absolutely no idea what they're up against.  Go RED DAWN!

 - Gary

Diet: 7/10
Soreness level: 6/10
Motivation: 10/10

AND I LIVED TO TELL THE TALE

Well- this is my third time starting this blog today.  Couple times before I was taken over by emotion.  I'm so glad Miss Lori took the time to explain to us the emotions would get the best of us from time to time.  Otherwise I would think I was a great big crybaby right now.  lol.  Ironic for me, as I am the one yellling at the tv when woman start crying on "What Not to Wear"  saying "this is just so hard for me"  sniff sniff!  My not so sensitive response is usually "c'mon suck it up --you poor girl crying with such an opportunity?  Feel blessed they chose you!"   Who knew?

I must be weaker than my awesome counterparts because I admit whole-heartedly a time came during the first workout when I said to myself I CANNOT DO THIS! THIS IS TOO HARD! With every intention of finishing out the day and NOT showing up the next. Every day of the last 9 months of my life has been a fight for my life. A fight to get up and face another day. Those destructive thoughts came pouring out -- "I cannot add this struggle on top of my already burdensome struggles. I'm barely getting by as it is without adding another seemingly impossible challenge to overcome!  6 days a week.

But then Jacque, with her tiny little voice said to us all "please come back tomorrow."

It reminded me that there are A LOT of people looking to me to do this thing. Top of the list, and most important of all, my 2 beautiful daughters. They NEED to see, and to believe that I am going to BE HERE! Alive. Present. Here in this life to guide them and to enjoy them and to help them overcome.  In their eyes, Me, giving up on this contest is essentially me giving up! It will take away the very little security we have at this time in our lives that there are brighter days ahead for the  3 of us.

I lost my only son at 19.  I was a person with unwaivering faith in God, in life, in the possibilities of this world.  Before March 27, 2011. Since that horribly fateful day my life has been defined by grief, anger and despair.  Why God? Why did I have to lose my only son? Why do terrible parents get to continue to be terrible parents and two mom's who loved their children more then their own lives will never see their cherished gifts from God again, in this lifetime. My energies have been depleted demanding answers to questions for which there are NO ANSWERS.  Each day I slipped further and further away. Until a day came when I KNEW the VERY next step I took would be a step towards living, OR a step down, 6 feet under to be exact.  A step towards dying. I had to make a conscious decision to get up and face each day.  To breathe in an breathe out. One foot in front of the other.

When you look at it that way, the hardest part is behind me. I took that step forward. And from that moment, no matter how tiny the step was, it was undeniably a step in the right direction. No matter how "hard" an individual workout may be, the fact I am even there is a sign that I am on my way up.

I have made a conscious decision to finish this contest to the very end.  Way I see it, the only thing I have to do to succeed is 1) show up each day,  2) give 100%.  3) Take moments each day to step back and see the blessings in a supportive team encouraging me on, an awesome trainer who is a beautiful example of "pushing through"  and 4) savor each milestone that I accomplish along the way as proof that I will not only survive - I will thrive! 

Easy enough!

Julie Perry

Day 2 - Cramps and more cramps

Thought my legs were on fire about an hour after I got to work this AM.  (2 hours after workout number 2)    Drinking tons of water and eating bananas but took a while to work the cramps out. Bet I looked funny hobbling around the office trying to work them out! Jaqueline says we're just starting to feel the effects of day one workout. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the club tommorow night!

Dave Grigsby

GREAT Start to the Week!!!

I know the "other team" thinks they're going to out do us tomorrow night, but I just want to say....."NO WAY!!!!!"  Our morning team is coming together, encouraging each other, and working harder than ANYBODY!!! I have personally worked harder than I think I even did during wrestling practice in high school. Jacqueline has us all giving our best effort. I know, for me, I keep picturing my kids and my fiance cheering me on and being proud of the effort that I am putting in. I want to be a good example for all of them....eating well, exercising, and BEING HAPPY WITH ME!!!

Keep up the good work RED DAWN.....and bring your best effort tomorrow night.

Greg

Let's do this!

I woke up this morning thinking I wasn't quite as sore as I had expected....that is, until we were about 1/2 way through our first set this morning!  I know there were moments that I was tired and ready be done already, but having all of my teammates around me kept me going! I can already tell that we have a great group to spend the next 10 weeks with and I cannot wait to see each of us transform.

"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."  ~ Thomas Edison

Let's astound ourselves!!

Peace & Love
~Jenny I.

Day #2 is done!

What an amazing day!  Jacqueline really kicked our butt today.  I woke up looking forward to getting to my workout but sometime during "mountain climbers" I realized that the workouts are not going to be quite the same and absolutely more difficult.  The whole 15 minutes of cardio seemed more like an hour.  Luckily I have a great support group at home and during my workouts that help me keep going. 

Mathew Madary

NYRR Team West Lafayette

Day two of workout, thought it might be a little easier WRONG!!!!!!!!
Can't wait for tomorrows challenge to see whats in store for us. Iam very proud of everyone on our team for never stopping and pushing through the pain.  Iam sure we will do well on our challenge, if we can walk tomorrow:)
God Bless!!!!


Remember we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Phil4:13

Day 2 done

Just finished day two workout.  Cardio kicked my butt.  I can hardly move my arms.  I am so thankful that I as choosen for this competition.  I am ready to change my life for the better.  Thank you to my fellow "Red Dawn" team mates for their encouragement and support over the past two days.  I know that we are all on the right track.

Karen Nelson