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