Six Weeks Down...Six to go...

I completed my first six weeks of Yardie Fitness Boot Camp. It didn't go without out incident but I made it and came out 9 inches slimmer but only 3.8 pounds lighter. I much toner than I was when I started...but I don't think that was measured but I noticed and so has others. I'm excited and disappointed at the same time.

During this 6 weeks I saw my weight fluctuate greatly and I'm not really sure why. Could it be that piece of chocolate I ate a few times during the six weeks? Or could it be not pushing myself harder during the boot camp workouts? Could it be that I didn't consistently workout on the 2 days off? Am I not buring enough calories and not balancing my meals? All of these questions deserve valid answers but not too much analysis. I'm moving on because its now time for the next 6 weeks.

My plan for the next 6 weeks is to increase my calories out through exercises and mobility. I am taking every opportunity to increase the amount of planned and unplanned exercises during the week. One example of this is that I joined a kick-ball league and we are 3 and 4 and its so much fun. Also, I have encouraged a few ladies at one my clients to walk with me in the evenings. They all accepted my invitation and we've started walking on Tuesday and Wednesday - the days I'm at their offices. Its going well, we walk the streets of downtown Norcross for one hour. One of the girls has asked that we increase our time by adding some strength training with weights and mats.

It is true healthy living can be contagious.

Week 6th End of 1st Session Wow

Well I finish my first 6 weeks. Week 6 was great. I was happy and couldn't wait to see what all I have accomplish. Well for starting I ran my quarter mile at 2.19 if I remember right, but now at the end I'm at 1.29, Yeah Yeah Yeah for me. I lost my 12lbs and I was so excited. I lost inches in all my measurements and that made me happy and ready for the next 6 weeks. I still can't so push ups but I'm not to worried about that. I can do sit-ups so my next 6 weeks I'm going to try and work hard on my push-ups. The next 6 weeks I'm looking forward to.

c. christopher

End of 1st session...Beginning of Week 7 WOO HOO!!!!

OK. OK. OK It's time to do it again! I got a little discouraged in the 1st 6 weeks because I didn't see the drastic weight loss some others have seen. But nontheless at the final weigh in on Saturday I lost 7 lbs and I know my times improved on the 1/4 mile and the # of situps and push ups improved. I am very proud of myself.

Now it's time.... time to make that change. Goal: 12 lbs this 6 weeks! Yep I want to get a 12 lb certificate. No quitting, no cheating, no breaks! I'm gonna do it! I feel so much better after these 1st 6 weeks that I know if I continue to push I can make it happen. Hopefully my body feels the same way as my head and my heart... motivated! :o)

I've decided to do the evening session on Monday and Tuesday and morning on Wednesday since I have resumed evening classses. And of course I'll be there on Saturday mornings!

Let's do it!!!!!

N. Whitehead

Week Six with Yardie---I won an Award? Me?

My, how things have changed in six weeks. I finished dinner a short while ago. It was delicious and better yet--prepared by me! I can’t believe how much I’m cooking. Dinner tonight was chicken breast seasoned with a tequila lime dry rub, cup of raw kale with lemon juice, olive oil and cranberries, and a baked sweet potato. Before dinner, I prepared my meals for the next three days. Happy to have that out of the way! Just finished my "homework": 2 sets of 25 bicycles, 1 set of 25 v-ups, 2 sets of full sit-ups, 1 set of 25 crunches, 2 sets of alternating lunges, and 2 sets of 25 squats. Ok, I hope I can get to sleep in a few, because my heart is racing. I feel great, I feel healthy, and I feel like I’ve really accomplished something. I’m wearing my size 6's again, and aiming for 4's, which I haven't seen for a couple of years.

I find myself admiring my flat stomach (well, it's pretty flat when I'm standing). I'm hoping to burn any extra fat on my abs during the second session---Not trying to have my ab definition covered up! Funny, when I first started boot-camp, I believed I would be happy with a flat stomach, no need for a six pack. At this point, I'm like why not?? Let's go all the way!

So we took our final fit tests this past week. My unofficial numbers are as follows (as accurately as I can remember): sit-ups within 60 seconds improved from 21 to 42, push ups within sixty seconds improved from 6 (I sucked) to 21, my 1/4 mile run improved from 2.77 mins to 1.53 minutes. And I lost between 6-7 lbs-- I think. I’m very happy with my results because my fitness level was a mess when I began. Edited to add: I was presented with certificates for most improvement on my sit-ups and push ups! I don't believe I've ever won an award for anything related to fitness, so I'm ecstatic! Wooohoo! These little encouragements really mean alot. *tear* *sniff*

Tomorrow starts the 7th week of boot-camp, and I'm a little nervous. After a few days off, will I be able to run my laps ok? I heard that we can't do any walking anymore?? Oh boy. Well anyway, I'm excited about the potential of the next several weeks, and excited to meet the new boot-campers. Goals for the second session: Lose 10 lbs., build endurance, run without stopping so much, and bring the body fat down, down, down.


Week Five with Yardie: Trading the monkey on my back for Jillian!
Winding it down! I'm still enjoying the program and motivated by my results. We weighed in Saturday, and I FINALLY got the monkey off my back and lost another 2 lbs. It's coming off very, very slowly, but I try not to think of the numbers and focus on the way my clothes fit.

Saturday's session was actually pretty fun. One exercise involved carrying each other on our backs! Now, I haven't carried anyone on my back except my almost 3-year old nephew in quite a while. And guess who I had to carry? One of the trainers, Jillian! Jillian came out to work out with us that day, and she has a great body and attitude to boot! But Jillian is very solid and has muscle--I was a little concerned when I asked, "Jillian, how much do you weigh???" She replied, "135." Okaaay. Well, one thing that has continually improved each week is my stance on trying to do my best, so I took it in stride and she hopped on my back and off we went down the field and back! That was the fun part. The not-so fun part was the five laps (or was it six??) we had to run at the end. AND it started raining. Ugggh. My stance was wavering. Made it through and that's that. Let's finish this thing strong.
---raschelle

End of my 6 weeks

I have completed my six weeks with Yardie Fitness and I am so proud that I was able to make it through. I completed my fitness test Friday, since I was going to be out of town for the week. From 6 weeks ago I could not do one push up or a sit up, far less run up a hill. My results showed an improvement in my time and ability to do push ups and sit ups.
The added bonus was I have achieved the most weight loss in these first 6 weeks with Yardie Fitness than I have in all my efforts on my own. Wow, support from my fellow team mates, my instructors and determination helped me loose 23lbs. I am happy. The lessons I have learned are vital to my journey to a healthier happier me. Thank you Yardie Fitness for this opportunity. I can't wait for my next 6 weeks.

Week 5... He noticed!

The other day it was raining as me and my boyfriend were on our way to the grocery store. We had to park quite a distance from the store. I hopped out the car and bolted into the store as not to get drenched in the process. What seemed like forever had gone by when my boyfriend joins me in the store. He had this look on his face like he'd just seen a superhero. LMBO. He said, "I've never seen you move that fast. I must say, that Yardie has done great things". Since then he has been preaching the Yardie program to anyone who will listen as if he was in the program. That to me is the highest praise coming from someone who is a gym rat and has fitness on the brain 24/7. He notices the changes and applauds the dedication... and that's both a motivation and an inspiration to me.

Totally Missed Wk 5 But Insteresting...

I totally missed week 5, but it was interesting nonetheless. I had to go home to Louisiana for a week and some change. Luckily, I didn't gain any weight while I was there. Didn't lose either since my eating schedule was thrown a monkey wrench with all I had to do there. But the interesting thing is I tried to sneak a fried crab cake (always loved crab cakes) and I fried shrimp, but I could literally taste the oil. It was overwhelming and everyone else looked at me like I was crazy b/c they didn't get what I was saying. It felt like my mouth had been coated with Crisco. I popped so many Alka-Seltzers just to calm my turning stomach. Never did get to finish that crab cake. My fried food days are officially behind me. I kinda told myself that after the 12 weeks was over, I'd treat myself to some Popeyes which I smell on my way home every day, but now that's not gonna happen. When the advisers told us how our taste would change once we alter our eating habits and that we wouldn't want the old stuff anymore, I just assume they'd never really had good food. But now I think about that fried chicken and biscuit and my stomach starts to scream for Alka Seltzer. Amazing how in 5 short weeks, my taste and habits have changed. Things I enjoyed so I now can't stomach thinking of eating them. I've officially crossed over to a healthier eating lifestyle. AMAZING!