Don't Wait

by Cara

210. 

Yep right now if you look at the scale I am standing on, it says 210 lbs. FREAK OUT. That is only 70 lbs away from my starting weight. ONLY 70lbs?! Cara, get your shit together. You will never be 280 lbs again or 315 lbs again. You got this. 

Ok now that the honesty is out of the way. I need to share here (my unused source of accountability) that I did allow the summer to lack routine. I allowed a little too much alcohol and way too many potato chips. But there is a difference. I allowed those things after I got my workout in, and that is the BIGGEST difference between the 210 lb. Cara and 280 lb. Cara. The old me ate like that and sat on the couch, or napped. I also am probably changing my mass, instead of fat mass I am muscle mass and YES, there is a difference in what those look like. (Read that again, NOT ass, MASS)

So here is my plan, because if you FAIL TO PLAN, PLAN TO FAIL. I have 12 weeks until I hit my 3 year mark. Yep, if you have been reading about our journey, we have been doing this for THREE years. OK back to my plan of action, 12 weeks and 20 lbs. That is 1.6 lbs per week. SUPER HEALTHY way to lose. I also have 2 more half marathons October 5th and November 2nd. 

OK let's recap...

12 weeks
20 lbs 
RUNNING
Meal Planning/Prep
And FOCUS

I am really lucky to have a Coach that is supporting not only my plan but also my personal development. John Hebison pushes me to be a better person not only in my own goals but in helping as many people I can with theirs. I am looking forward to these next 3 months, as I prepare to be my very BEST self for my 3 year weight loss a-versary. Because statistics say keeping weight off is harder than losing it. 

I am looking forward to helping as many people as I can because it pushes me harder than I will ever push myself on my own. I love sharing this journey with anyone willing to trust me. And if that is you, I can't wait to hear from you. 
Biggest lesson I have ever learned, DON'T WAIT. 

Coach Cara Garcia

Inspire to be Inspired.

by Cara

I am surrounded by inspiration. I have this amazing family. Truly loving and encouraging friends. And complete strangers rooting me on. My accoutability has been this blog. But with it I am truly encouraged and inspired by my sister Brianne. She is changing her life so much I feel so lucky to be on this journey with her. This journey we are on is never ending. I will be enjoying fruits and veggies and "healthy" options the rest of my life. And I have a new found addiction to running half marathons (a full will happen in there somewhere) and I really really like to sweat. What a difference from where I was a year ago.

Today is my 31st birthday.

One year ago, my husband and I had set out to a nice date night. Our first stop was a surprise trip to See Jane Run, a women's athletic store on 24th Street. See the last 6 birthdays I have been saying that I want to run a half marathon. Not once had I met that goal, and each year the birthday would pass and I would stay the same and I was be getting bigger and less motivated. Last year, as I was hitting a big year, Ryan took me to the athletic store and told me to pick out some running shoes. There were also clothes that fit my size 22 body. That same night I had a surprise party with my family and my closest friends. It was there that Ryan also gave me the gift that truly has changed me... a two week stay at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu. Ryan wrote in the card that he wanted to support me in all of my goals and that as I was moving to a milestone birthday he wanted to make sure I did it right. 

Last year on my birthday I weighed 280 lbs. I am not happy about that. I was struggling to play with my kids, I struggled to find clothes and I was struggling to feel the happiness I always have on the inside on the outside. But truth is I was happy. It wasn't until I recently saw pictures from our trip to the Resort that I realized something I didn't know. That whole time....I didn't know I was FAT. I just didn't know, I didn't see it. Honestly, I was blind to it. 

Over the last year, I have shared my goals. My weekly goals, my calorie intake goals, my fitness goals, half marathon finishes. These are major. The number on the scale is important to me, I don't make it my primary goal, but watching that number go down makes me feel GREAT. 

Four weeks ago I set the goal that by today, my 31st birthday, I would be in ONEderland. ONEderland is when there is a 1 infront of your weight. I think the last time I remember having a 1 was in 2000, I remember weighing 193 when I first met Ryan at San Jose State.  Today, I weighed in at 197.6. WHAT?????

I only have 17.6 pounds to go to reach my ULTIMATE weight loss goal of 100 lbs. See setting goals that are achievable is all part of the process. And once I meet that goal I set the next one and then the next. To keep myself on track and on the journey I must have a goal that I am working toward. It will not always be a number on the scale, but there will always be a goal. 

To hold myself accountable here are my next goals:

-100 lb. loss by December 10, 2012 (one year anniversary)

-U.S. Half Marathon November 4, 2012

-Spartan Sprint at BLR Malibu December 2, 2012 

-Find a new SPIN class to take once a week

-INSPIRE others by sharing my story and my new found LOVE for health and fitness

FOOD.

by Brianne & Cara

We have been getting a lot of requests on our "GO TO" foods. Let's be honest our weight gain was almost entirely made up of over eating and eating the wrong things at the wrong times. Lately we have been on point with our food. And as we have shared before we are currently using Shakeology. So with several requestes we decided to unveil our usual "GO TO" food.

Also as we have shared before, Cara is a calorie counter (MyFitnessPal app) Brianne is not, but she does focus on good food that she portion controls.

BREAKFAST

Cara:
-Quaker Low Sugar Oatmeal (any flavor) with 1 Trader Joe's Just-A-Handful Omega Mix added in, 1 cup coffee with Sugar-free Vanilla Creamer, 1 hard boiled egg (372 calories)
-Quick breakfast sandwich: 100 calorie English Muffin, 1 slice 2% American Cheese, 1 whole egg cooked with PAM only (220 calories)
-Protein Shake: Almond Milk or No Sugar added Flax Milk, frozen peaches and ARIA Womens Protein Powder, 1 hard boiled egg (190 calories)

Brianne:
-Egg whites with spinach, mushrooms, green onion and hot sauce. Quick and easy. I like to eat my grains/carbs early in the day so I will sometimes put it in a whole wheat 100 cal wrap or have a half a whole wheat english muffin or a sando thin with it. Depending on how hungry I am, I also have a turkey sausage patty or fruit.
-Oatmeal (original, unflavored), Non-fat milk, berries and truvia
-Cherrios, Non-fat milk, banana

       

LUNCH

Cara:
-Garden Burger Chipotle Black Bean Flavor, sandwich thin and small mixed green salad with Newman's Lite Balasmic Dressing, apple (330 calories)
-4 oz baked or grilled boneless skinless chicken breast (usually from the night before) with Green Giant Frozen Antioxidant Blend veggies, apple (300 calories)
-Whole Foods Jalepeno Hummus, whole wheat pita or mini pretzels, carrots and apple (270 calories)

Brianne:
-Leftovers from dinner are always the easiest. Plan to make a little extra at dinner for the next day.
-Whole wheat sando thin OR whole wheat 100 calorie wrap with low sodium turkey, lettuce, and mustard with a piece of fruit or carrots
-Salad with chicken, carrots, red cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, and Newmans Lite Balsamic Dressing with a piece of fruit

DINNER

Cara:
-Zucchini Bake: think Baked Zitti, pasta replaced with zucchini, marinara sauce and either chicken breast or Jenni-O Spicy Italian Sausage, mixed green salad with garbanzo beans and Newmas Lite Balsamic dressing (285 calories)
-Tofu, veggie and chicken breast stirfry with 1/2 cup brown rice (250 calories)
-Turkey Burger on a sandwich thin, reduced fat cheese and sweet potato and kale "hash" and mixed green salad with Newmans Lite Balsamic dressing (484 calories)

Brianne:
- Extra lean ground turkey with steamed spinach is my go to. It’s quick and always fills me. I dip the turkey in mustard usually and when feeling like a chef, I will throw some onion in with the turkey. I will switch up the veggie choice as much as I can. Usually broccoli, brussell sprouts or zucchini.
-Taco salad. Again, extra lean ground turkey with low sodium taco seasoning over lettuce, black beans, onion, tomato, 1/3 avocado and hot sauce.
-Tofu/veggie stir fry. I steam broccoli, carrots, green beans and mushrooms and throw them in a pan with cubed extra firm tofu and low sugar teriyaki. If you can't find low sugar be sure you measure out the real stuff because the calories can add up quickly. I let the whole thing cook together and add red pepper flake because I like everything HOT. You can serve this with brown rice.

SNACKS

Cara:
I break my snacks into morning and afternoon//savory and sweet.
Morning:
-hard boiled egg--70 calories (if I want 2 I have just the whites--34 calories) 
-FAGE 0% greek yogurt (THE BEST) Peach or Honey--120 calories
-Banana--100 calories
Afternoon:
-1/2 serving nuts almonds or cashews and a 1/2 serving (about 8 crackers) wheat thins--147 calories
-2 light swiss laughing cow wedges with 5 Ak-Mak crackers--180 calories
-Apple--70 calories

Brianne:
-Greek yogurt. My fav is Fage with the fruit mix in. Peach and blueberry are the bomb.
-Low-fat string cheese and a piece of fruit or carrots and raw green beans
-Brown Rice Cake with natural peanut butter
-Wasa or Ak-Mak crackers with salsa
-Hard-boiled egg

For the last month and a half we have been replacing one meal with Shakeology. Cara usually replaces breakfast or lunch, Brianne will replace any meal. What we have learned to be the most important is NEVER leave home without a healthy option. Throw an apple, granola bar, KIND bar, handful of nuts, something in your bag. You will also see that we ALWAYS have water with us. Other than water, Brianne likes sparkling water and decaf coffee. Cara will drink water, Zevia Sodas, and Vitamin Water ZERO lemonade.

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Pound by Pound

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Shake What Yo Momma Gave Ya!

Shakeology Review
by Cara

What is Shakeology? Well after about 20 days on it (Betty has been doing it now just over 30 days) I want to share more info for all of you that might be interested or just want to know what we have added to our routine. Here is some information direct from their website.

Shakeology Connection

I will say this, I was skeptical. I am re-learning how to eat real food and this wants me to replace a meal with a drink. Hmmmm. Not really sure I like that. However, I find myself being more conscious of what I am eating when I am incorporating the shake. Mindfulness is the key to success. So I am giving it a try. If you follow me on Facebook you read that after ONE WEEK, yes, ONE WEEK of following the Shakeology Plan, adding some intensity to my workouts and replacing one meal a day with Shakeology, I broke my 8 week plateau. I dropped 4.8 lbs in my first week of Shakeology. Betty is having even more success, as she is using Shakeology and working out 6-7 days a week. Shakeology changed her game plan and IT IS WORKING!!! She is on the verge of losing 100 lbs. And about 30 of those pounds with Shakeology. 

See the picture. Can you imagine eating all of these fruits and veggies in a day, could you do it in one meal? Shakeology carries all the nutrients, fiber and protein you see here. I know I can't eat all of this in one day! But I get it in one shake. Its true, eat all of this or drink it, you will be regular. But it is also building your immunity and giving you micronutrients you don't usually get. 

Here was my lunch today and yesterday. I like to call it the Peanut Butter Cup. Yes, there are some recipes to make this shake taste like you are cheating. 

My favorite ingredients:

-FLAX or Almond Milk

-Ice

-Banana

-Reduced Fat Peanut Butter

-Fresh or Frozen Strawberries

There are a million options including only using water. To make it a meal replacement you should add some additional ingredients. Alone the powder is only 150 calories. Today I added 1 tablespoon reduced fat PB and Almond Milk which brought me to 280 calories. I also think an important key is to use a blender, I have a new found LOVE for my Magic Bullet. 

Shakeology is also part of the Beachbody Series. This includes Shakeology, Turbo Fire, Insanity, p90x, and Coaches to guide you through your weight loss goals. Betty and I are not "coaches" but we do use John Hebison as our Beachbody coach. You can access his Coach Site with the link above. Or on the Beachbody site it is: http://www.teambeachbody.com/johnhebison

Shout Out:
Beth and Juliet: I sure do miss you 2. I hope this gives you the info you were looking for. I also love that you are following this journey. Thank you for being avid readers. 

Motivate & Perspirate

Feeling good. 


Mentally and physically I feel on top of the world. I know that I have more to do, I am no where near maintenance (40 lbs to go). However, the habits and the life I am living is what I hope maintenance looks like for me. I love meeting with my trainer and friend, Michael, once a week. His spin classes are AMAZING and I am trying to run 3 miles as many days a week as possible. My husband, Ryan, is also killing it in the gym and I have decided that getting one workout a week with him at the gym is important to our journey together. 


This past week was by far one of my best in a while. I ate really really well, but I have to say putting a variety in my workout was awesome. 


Tuesday: Training session with Michael and 90 minutes of cardio with Ryan at 24 hour
Wednesday: I was late for spin (Michael's secret is out, so there were NO bikes) I did 40 minutes of cardio on the stationary bike and stair climber, then took the boys to my aunt's pool and swam/played for 90 minutes
Thursday: 3 mile run which included a 10:27 minute mile!!!! and swimming for 2 hours
Sunday: 90 minutes of Mike Messina and John Hebison's Boot Camp in the HOT HOT sun*


I loved this week! LOVED! And although the scale is not moving much (because my workouts have not looked like this) I had some fun and I am seeing that I am stronger and faster. I also love doing this with friends and family. Ryan and Betty were at the Boot Camp with Mike Messina and John Hebison, we encourage each other and check in on each other and that to me is support!! 


Things I am learning: you MUST have clothes you look and feel good in as you lose. I have been wearing clothes that are too big and just not cute. I am not buying whole wardrobes, just a few items that I can mix and match and luckily I can give some to Betty as she moves into the sizes too. I just ought a size 14 bathing suit. The bathing suit I have worn for the last 3 years has been a XXL maternity suit! Seriously I feel GREAT!


MOTIVATION: I have been grabbing quotes off Facebook and Pinterest that keep me thinking and keep me going. I think about them or re-read them a million times over the course of the day. 

Motivate and perspirate!

*Mike Messina was Biggest Loser Season 13's at Home WINNER! John Hebison was one of his trainers while he was home training and losing. Together they have created a weekend Boot Camp. 1-2 hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings in the East Bay Area. We are lucky to be able to work out with them. Awesome work out indeed. If you are interested in coming, please let us know and we can send you the details!

7 Month Check Up

It has been 7 months...7 months. We arrived at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu on November 27, 2011. I will never forget how scared and yet how excited I was to be there. I had left my two sons and my husband, to make a change...FOREVER. I knew that it was not going to be a miracle. But I did actually think I could set a goal, 20 lbs in 2 weeks. Boy was I wrong on that one. It wasn't going to be a miracle and after 2 weeks I had lost 9.6 lbs and just over 5 inches. Not a bad start, but my journey was just in its baby steps. 


This past week I finally reached some new goals. I PR'd on the treadmill at 10.5 for about 25 seconds, I am so close to officially hitting the 60 lb mark. Michael, my trainer, also remeasured me, in 2 months I have lost another 10 inches from my body, 2.25 from my ass!!! (Total since the resort approximately 20+/-). But my biggest success is jumping back on this wagon. Back in January, I had officially fallen off. I didn't gain anything, but I wasn't losing. It happened again in March and every single time I went back to my basic goals that I had set at the resort. 3--1 hour workouts a week and 1600 calories a day tracked with MyFitnessPal, oh and I wear my Body Media Fit armband EVERYDAY. 


So it was time to look at pictures again, I remembered that my wonderful BLR friend Heather  (check out her blog here) had some pictures from BLR on our very first hike. I needed to know what I looked like. So she sent me the photos and I have to say I am shocked. Shocked not because I look so much different, but because I didn't know that I looked that unhealthy, let's be honest...I didn't know I was FAT! How did I not know it. Maybe I did, but clearly didn't care, or maybe I didn't want to believe it, but now here I am looking and comparing my before to my now. I am not done. My first major goal is to hit 199. I have about 24 lbs. until that goal is a reality. I will keep doing what I have been doing, I will be running my second half marathon on July 29, the SF Marathon. And I will continue to see Michael once a week and take his spin class every Wednesday. When I reach my final goal, not exactly sure what that is maybe 180, I want to spend one more week at Fitness Ridge. I want  to go back to where I began. I want to remind myself that there is officially an athlete inside of me and that making these changes in my life are the most important thing I can do for myself. Along with the support of my trainer and my family and my friends, I know I can do this. 


And to my partner in crime, Betty, I cannot wait for you to run your first half together in November!

Are you ready...I sure wasn't, but here I am in all my glory.

Today and 7 months ago, wearing the EXACT same clothes.

Thanks Ryan for the side-by-side edit!

EVEN BETTER

So much to share.
Good.
Great.
And even better.

Last week, Brianne myself and our younger sister, Nicole traveled to SoCal. We returned to the place and the people that saved our lives. Our BLR (Biggest Loser Resort) Reunion was perfect.

A little history, when we began our goodbyes and departure from BLR five and a half months ago, we made a decision with our "group" to reunite at the Biggest Loser Season 13 Finale. The reminder and the invite went out to everyone and although everyone tried to get away for a few days our small group consisted of Keith (Jersey), Heather, Meg, Amanda, Haley (Doc), Betty and myself. We also invited our sister Nicole as this was something we felt that she would have a blast with and she is an important piece for Brianne and I. Luckily, we also had friends that were part of our BL trip including Courtney Crozier (Season 11), Sione Fa (Season 7) as well as our new friends, our trainer and Biggest Loser At-Home Winner Trainer Michael Friedman and of course Season 13 At-Home winner Mike Messina!

All of these people are intricate to our journey. And so is the place.

Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu and all of the staff there go above and beyond their call of duty. Trainers John and Tonia, nutritionist Jessica, life coach Essara and front desk staff Mimi and Sarah welcomed us with open arms, jaw drops and smiles.  We were also extremely lucky to plan a guided hike, our group and 3 hiking guides from the resort, TJ, Amanda, and Alicia were exceptional! Our hike to Sandstone Peak (which was Keith's request and maybe the best hiking experience of my life) was beautiful and challenging. Sandstone Peak is the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains at an elevation of 3,111 feet. Wearing our brand new Shut Up & Sweat t-shirts we took that hike head on. There were tears, and laughter and more tears and nerves, but all of us with our varying abilities FINISHED! Van 3 for Life! V34L!

This trip was planned around the NBC Biggest Loser Season Finale, so we had to go to that too! We were lucky to get a few tickets through our new friend and spinning buddy Mike Messina and through Seatfillers.com. We arrived to the Sony Studios around 3pm and the 5pm LIVE! show was all that I had imagined and more. The best part was that our support for our fellow Loser, Mike, paid off...he won, which ment we made it on TV. Congratulations, Mike! We are so excited to watch you pay it forward!

So here we are a week later (almost 2 weeks later). The reunion lingers, the strength of our BLR family feels stronger and the journey continues.

We have about a million photos and a little more to share on our amazing trip. Look for a slideshow of photos coming soon!

A Good Pair of Shoes

Today, I say goodbye to a pair of shoes that changed my life.


My Brooks Glycerin Shoes....

• took me to Fitness Ridge Malibu
• hiked next to Biggest Losers 
• trained with amazing trainers
• met my trainer and friend Michael
• helped me lose 50 lbs over 4 months
• and ran the US HALF MARATHON

All I can say is thank you for the start of something wonderful.

FINISH

by Cara


I haven't checked in for 3 weeks. I need to check in more, this is where I feel I can hold myself the most accountable. I share my goals, my successes, but I also can share my struggles. Because when it comes down to it, this is a life long journey, so life has to happen while changing.


In the last 3 weeks I have made some amazing strides.


Monday, March 26: I officially felt like I could call myself a runner. Michael, my trainer, called me in early to our training session "We're going to do something different!" I arrived at 10:40 and we left the gym. From 24 Hour on Van Ness and Post to San Francisco's own Coit Tower. If you need visual, think uphill BOTH ways! 4.47 miles in a little over 1 hour. I felt so good.

It was that day that I realized, I love being outside. It was a reminder of how much I enjoyed the hikes in Malibu at Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge. Later that week Ryan and I went for the Twin Peaks hike and actually found an even better trail just behind our house. I also really like working out with my husband, Ryan. Who has been kicking ass in the health and fitness department. I am so lucky to have his support and partnership on this journey. I love him very much and as we get stronger physically our love is stronger too. (Awe, cheesy, I know!)


Brianne and I were working very hard on a project at work. We would work for a few hours, see Michael, then work for a few more hours. That project was a true test. We were down to the wire, I was still working 3 days at Stanford and I really wanted to be with my kids. My workouts and my food were still my focus. And luckily we survived and  got our workouts in too.


About a week and a half ago, Michael asked what I thought about running the US Half Marathon "The Other Half" on Sunday, April 8. I looked at him and said well thats Easter, really what else would I be doing on Easter, but eating chocolate. So I started training. One week to the event I started training, really!  On Sunday, April 1st I ran. My goal was to run a 5k all the way through, so I ran outside in my neighborhood, hills and all, I ran 5.33 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. I felt great and was more surprised in my time and ability. This past week I ran on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. I was battling my own mind as I tried to imagine running 13.1 miles, but also my mind was completely somewhere else.  I have spent the last 2 weeks struggling with who I am mentally. I have not felt strong enough mentally to get through the day to day. I have felt like I am letting people down, especially my one true partner, my husband. My own struggles really do hurt him and I had to get past what I was feeling to make sure we were OK. I might be physically stronger, but my mind has not caught up. I am also trying to give everything I do 100% of me and well that is nearly impossible. But when I think about it, "Someone busier than me is running RIGHT NOW!" 

Yesterday, was the day. Sunday, April 8th! The Resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of my inner athlete. I could not have asked for a better day, it was cool, sun shinning and clear. In my city by the bay I started and ended at Aquatic Park, AND I ran... through the Presidio, and Marina Green and across the Golden Gate Bridge! I ran about 90% of it, and my goal was to FINISH. I finished in 2:47:38!!! Under 3 hours...HOLY SHIT! I just did that. My knees and hips are stiff today, but today I can say my head is in this. I am stronger and I believe in myself. When we hit mile 12, Michael (who stayed with me and coached me the whole way) said that when I crossed that finish line all the things holding me back would be gone and that I would only be moving forward and upward from here. It is true. Nothing can hold me back anymore.I left those insecurities and doubts at mile 12 yesterday. I am stronger because of this and so thankful to my trainer, my amazing husband, and my family for being my support and for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. And lastly a final thank you to Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu and to all of my amazing friends I met there. I thought of each of you as I ran, the power we created at the resort fuels my journey and I am so lucky to have your support.

p.s I have officially lost 52 lbs. in 4 months! 

Believe in yourself. Trust the process. Change forever.

Let's Get Serious

by Cara


What a struggle it has been! The last 3 weeks have not been my best, I will admit that. I might have already even mentioned that I am not doing well, just maintaining. Which is something right?


I need some accountability. I need to get back to setting weekly goals. I need action. I am feeling that lazy creeping on me. Today, was my first shift back in dispatch at AMR in about 2 months. I forgot how painful sitting for 12 hours feels. Sure I am sitting at my new job too, but for some reason at AMR there is pain, maybe its the pain of not being there full time that actually hurts my heart and soul but my legs and back were killing me today. So just when I started to feel the aches, I stood up and did a few minutes of squats and side lunges then some tricep-dip toe touches. Anyway. I will remind everyone reading and I will remind myself, NO ONE SAID THIS WAS EASY...if it was I would have already tackled it. 


With that said, using that as an excuse is no longer viable. If it is hard then deal with it. Last week, I only got 2 workouts in. I tracked food only 1 day. And only had one good night of sleep. I did wear my Body Media Fit CORE armband everyday. And I thought about working out...NOT GOOD ENOUGH.


Back to Basics, Weekly Goals:


*4 workouts: Monday w/ Michael. Thursday Treading at 24. Friday w/ Michael. Sunday Twin Peaks Hike. (work Tues. Wed. & Sat.)


*Track all food intake w/ MyFitnessPal--1600 calories per day


*Drink 3 Nalgeen bottles of H2O everyday


*(new goal)Find a spin class to add into the workout rotation 


There are a lot of things coming up. Tomorrow is never any better than today. So as I prepare for this week ahead and the month ahead my goals continue to grow. To everyone looking for inspiration, or that spark to get going or to keep going, its here, its there, it is within anyone who wants it.


Shout Outs: 
My husband, Ryan, is getting his butt in gear too. He is hitting the gym 2-3 nights (or more) every week. He is using the NIKE FUEL Band, and he is my support. I am so proud of him for all the hard work he is putting in. 


Betty: I really cherish our double sessions with Michael. Such a smart way to get fit together.


Nicole: thank you for taking care of my babies. It is hard for me to leave them and I feel guilt leaving them with you and guilt in taking your time. You know how important this is to me, and I really truly appreciate it.


Menne & Angie Bee: I am actually a little jealous of your runs. I am not kidding I really want in.


Fongster and Amanda: I love chatting about what works and getting fit. Thank you for talking with me and fueling my fire for health and fitness.


Michael: thank you for believing in me. 

Dog Days Are Over

"Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive"

-Florence And The Machine "Dog Days Are Over"

By Cara

This song takes me right back to The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu. Hard to believe that it was over 3 months ago that I was there. Hard to believe how hard I have worked and how far I have come since then. Forty pounds later and I can see such an amazing difference in my entire life.

Today, Brianne and I met with Michael Friedman our personal trainer. We spent 50 minutes in the 24 hour Fitness Spin room. I have never in my life done a spin class. I did today. Just the 3 of us, an empty room of bikes and an awesome play list. Michael is currently training for an Iron Man, which is amazing in itself, but he clearly knows how to plan music to workout to. He taught us how to pedal to the music, allowing the beats to determine the speed of the pedals. Michael got us about 3 quarters of the way through our workout and asked us to focus on the bike and for the next 3 minutes we would close our eyes and listen to his cues. First, think of someone who you know cannot pedal a bike, someone who might have a disability or just is not able to be on a bike. Next, think about who we were 3 months ago, on our first day at the resort. We were pedaling for that person that we were. And lastly, 1 minute pedaling for who we are now, for the strong and the able and for who we are striving to be. WOW!!! What an amazing class we had today. I am so thankful for the chance to train with a trainer, but Michael takes us to another level. I feel like I am pushed hard and I am so thankful for that. 

As I get stronger both physically and mentally I can feel myself push harder, sweat more and feel more accomplished with each workout. I have been getting down on myself, because I have stalled a little in my weight loss. I want to say it was working night shifts for two weeks, or maybe the freaking girl scout cookie season, but there are no excuses. For me it is about tracking my food and getting in 3-4 workouts per week. In the end when I feel like I am failing,  I remind myself that I still have lost 40 lbs...40 POUNDS. That's some good work. I look forward to where I will be even 6 months from now. And to all of you: keep up the hard work. It's not easy, but no one said it would be.

This is my favorite outside workout. One hour hike to Twin Peaks. I am also really liking planking. So Ryan took these pictures of me on Twin Peaks on Sunday. He's a great workout partner too!

Fuel for the Fire

This journey started for Brianne and I on Sunday, November 27, 2011. We have been doing this now for 3 months (which is 14 weeks or 98 days). When we began we had each other. We went to the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu with each other as our support because we knew that in order to do this well we would need each other once we returned home. Those two weeks were the best money and time that we have spent on ourselves. And when we returned we returned on a lasting high of weight loss and energy and excitement. We did well, we pushed ourselves harder than we ever had, and we had time to invest in our well being. Being "Survivors" of the Fitness Ridge program was enough to help make what we learned stick and last through the first month home.

I have to say that the people that we met at the resort have made the experience that much more amazing. We are surrounded by people who dedicated time to themselves and invested in themselves the way we did. We have so much support from the other guests that were there, but we also now have an amazing network of trainers, a life coach, and former Biggest Loser NBC Contestants that we can access with questions ALL the time. 

Week 1 at BLR. We thought we would die, but survived to tackle a second week. The people in these photos continue to inspire us.

As we get further and further away from our stay at the resort that empowered and successful feeling is getting smaller and smaller. We came home feeling so accomplished and feeling like we were unstoppable. As we started tackling it on our own, trying to make real life schedules work with our plans of weight loss and training, it was clear that this was not going to be as easy as it was for the two weeks we were at the resort. 

For the past month this journey has seemed to take a turn for me. I am not tracking my food the way I was and I am not as strict on my workouts. Yes, we took a huge step of introducing a personal trainer to the mix. And I have to say that Michael has made an impact, if I didn't have him I might not be where I am right now. He pushes me harder than I can push myself and he can even see when I question my ability and he helps me believe. It might be the most important part of my journey right now...believing that I can keep doing this.

And lastly the journey comes full circle because I am now giving eating and fitness tips to other people. Really, I have a long journey ahead (about 60 more pounds to lose). Last night I had the chance to talk to an old co-worker and friend who has just started this tough journey. We talked food, mental ques to help get through the tough moments, and working out. I sat there and was talking about what my life has become and I realized that in sharing this with someone else that spark from the resort is smoldering and when I can give someone else advice or just tell them what works for me it throws a little fuel on my fire, and I am reminded I still have it. I might have moments or weeks that aren't my best but I do have a tried and true routine and process that I can go back to because I know how to do it and I know it works. So I close this post with thanks to my friends and family and encourage anyone reading to ask questions or ask for advice because helping you means I am also helping myself!

Dropping Emotional Weight

"Its all so real. These are real emotions that are going on. Some of these people have held all their emotions in. Now they have to get them out there, fess up and acknowledge their emotions." -Bob Harper

This week on the NBC Biggest Loser Show emotions got the best of them. And I share this quote from Bob Harper because emotions are a huge part of losing weight, but your support system is even more  important. You need to trust those around you and you need to believe that they will support you along this journey. I was extremely disappointed in this weeks episode, although I have been disappointed with this seasons show in general, I can see myself in them and I know where they are coming from right now. No one said this was easy.

As the weight continues to drop I am realizing that there is a huge emotional weight that comes off too. For the last few weeks as I plateaued a little and as I started my new job I found myself in a very emotional place. I have been feeling great physically as I started meeting with our trainer Michael Friedman. But with so many changes to my life both schedule wise and weight wise I started feeling overwhelmed. That was about 4 weeks ago. Since then I have changed my thinking. I am doing so much better. I also went back to where I was when I felt in control of my weight loss. I realized that for a few weeks I had not been tracking my food in and I was not committed to my 3 workouts. So last week I focused on those two things. I worked out twice with Michael and twice on my own doing 40 minutes on the treadmill. I also tracked all my food in MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone. These are the 2 things that I need to keep up on and I know that I am on track. The four weeks that I was not doing these things I was losing 1-2 pounds. Last week when I focused on these 2 things I went back to what I was losing the first 2 months of my weight loss, I lost 4.7 pounds!

Update: I have officially lost 40.3 pounds! 

Since November 27, 2011. (12 weeks)

When I posted this information on Facebook I was surprised that people actually asked how I was doing it. Hello, I have this blog...this abundance of information and tips and tricks...use it! So I thought I would post exactly what it is that I am doing, using and believing in. 

1. I spent 2 weeks and learned all of this at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Malibu, CA. If you can go. If you can afford missing work for a week or 2 or more and afford the stay...GO! It honestly was the best time and money I have ever spent on myself. And I know that I want to go back at some point. 

2. I eat 1600 calories a day. I am loving all kinds of fruit, salads and our whole family is trying new things, like more fresh fish and grains like quinoa. Lots of greek yogurt and WATER.

3. Working out 3 times a week. I now am working out twice a week for 50 minutes with our trainer, Michael Friedman at 24 hour fitness. I love those workouts, they kick my but my arms my legs and my mental game. Yesterday I PB'd (personal best, not peanut butter) at 8.0 sprint on the treadmill. In the end even if you think you are working out well on your own, you cannot push yourself the way someone else can. I also get in 1-2 additional cardio workouts on my treadmill at home, a walk through the neighborhood or the gym with Ryan. 

4.  I wear a BodyMedia Fit CORE armband. It tracks my calories out, my steps taken, the time I spend working out and how hard I workout. I use it to make sure that I am burning more than I am eating. And it holds me accountable so that I know when I need an extra workout or if I need more sleep. 

5. Subway. Eat Fresh. This is a treat for me, but it is also good for me. I eat a 6 inch sub no cheese no mayo, and loaded with veggies and the low fat honey mustard. I feel like when I get at least 1 subway a week I am not actually denying myself of anything. 

There are no gimmicks, pills, powders or tricks up my sleeve. It is what we all know how to do. Self control, making mindful eating part of every bite you take.  I know and you know that a grilled chicken breast on a salad with dressing on the side is a better choice than a whopper or a pasta dish. I know that I was gaining weight because I sat around instead of getting up and moving. 

EAT LESS. MOVE MORE. 

It's that simple.

 

 

Reality of LIFE

by Cara

Where the heck have I been?

The reality of life is taking over. Although I would like to think I am super busy, someone busier than I am is running or blogging! My regular life has changed a lot in the last 3 weeks and for the better. Here is my update:

New Beginings:

1. Started working out with Michael Friedman, trainer at 24 hr Fitness (1-2 days a week, 1 with Betty and 1 on my own)

2. Started my new job/training at Stanford Hospital & Clinics as a Communications Specialist in the Patient Transfer Center (this includes Life Flight, so cool!)

Lost, never to find again:

Starting weight: 280lbs
Current: 244.2 lbs
Total lost to date: 36.8 lbs
(12 weeks, since November 27, 2011)

I have to say that I have not been motivated. I have been struggling. This is where life is so much more different than the Biggest Loser Show or even life at Biggest Loser Resort. On the show and at the resort calories are limited with nothing beyond the 1000-1200 allowance even in sight. And 6-8 hours of pure cardio is a reality. Not now. Not in my REAL world. And that is where I am struggling. But I have an amazing support system of people, family, friends and now my trainer Michael. I am very lucky to say that for a real world scenario, I have everything I need (including a gifted treadmill in my living room, thanks Maureen). There is no room for excuses. Even Ryan, my husband, pushes me, the other night I was so tired; with the commute, my days at Stanford are about 15 hours. I wanted to go to bed so badly, but I told Ryan I needed to get 30 minutes in on the treadmill, he encouraged me to get out of my comfy bed, put my shoes on and hit the treadmill.

I am also tagged daily in inspirational photos from an old co-worker who kicks ass regularly with Crossfit. Delanie works hard as a 911 dispatcher here in SF and I haven't told her this, but she really is making my daily mental game improve. Knowing that someone is so commited to supporting me the way that she is makes me feel like I need to support myself a little more. And as they say the mental game is probably the most important.

And lastly I need to thank a friend I haven't seen in a while. Jessica Johnson, is seriously my twin. We have a lot in common, but she needs to know how much I adore her and HOPE to know her for life.  Long history to how I know her simplified, Brianne and Jessica's husband, Dave, were partners at AMR for a long time. Dave and Jess have always been so supportive and caring to everyone they meet. They are funny and even funnier together, they are high school sweethearts and a match made in heaven. I am so inspired by Jess, simply by her ability to be a super mom to 2 amazing girls, but also as a wife, so supportive with her heart and her mind. Brianne and I received a very unexpected gift in the mail yesterday, Jess sent us Lisa Leonard Designs necklaces. Perfect in every way, and  exactly the sentiment that I needed at this unmotivated part of my weight loss journey.

Here are a few of the inspirations that help me along the way. Thank you all for your continued support on this journey. I feel so blessed in every way. I hope that this blog for our readers and friends can continue to be a link to inspiration and motivation. We continue to work hard in hopes that someone reading will also be working hard. Keep it up!

{Life by Personal Trainer}

by Brianne

My goal this year is to lose 100 pounds. Plain and not so simple. I see my weight loss journey from 2 extremely different sides. Plain: It is a day to day task. Mindful awareness of my food choices and calorie intake and to sweat during a workout for at least 2 hours a day 6 days a week. Very easy when you just write it out. Eat less. Move more. Easy. However….not simple: the other part of me sees it as F’in impossible and I’m not sure it’s actually going to happen. One hundred pounds isn’t an easy goal. It’s 100 freakin pounds. Have you held 100 pounds recently? A small horse weighs 100 pounds. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to carry a baby horse around all day anymore. I knew this weight loss journey was going to be different the first day I woke up at the Biggest Loser Resort. In order, to succeed on this journey, I recognize that I need help. I may have put the weight on all by myself, but to get it off, I need support, tools and direction. In my last blog “Feel Proud”, I posted that I signed up for my first personal training appointment. Well, I am several sessions in and it is the most significant part of my journey right now. I was terrified to sign up, let alone go to my first appointment. I am being trained by the one and only Michael Friedman, Jennifer Rumple’s (BL12) trainer. Every workout with him is like no other workout I have ever done and has me aching before the end of the day. He pushes me, sees me just as a girl trying to save her life. There is no judgment. He structures our 50 minutes so that I leave sweating, nauseous and shaky. It’s the best decision I have made for myself in my entire life. Having a personal trainer holds me accountable. It’s not just my time I have to consider. Michael is in demand and chooses me as a client. I can’t let him down. But more than that, I can’t let myself down. I arrive at the workouts dreading what he has planned on his clipboard, but I leave proud of myself and almost down 1000 calories for the day. I feel myself getting stronger, but the workouts are hard. I tweeted today: “Death by personal trainer” and Michael replied “Life by personal trainer”. He is right. I have made the choice. I choose life. (Even if I feel like death during the workout). I can’t thank Michael enough for believing in me and giving me the time and tools I need to save my life.

Update: I am still eating 1400 calories a day. And I shut up and sweat 6 days a week. I lost 5 pounds last week. I live in my workout clothes and drink tons of water. If you are reading this and are in a different place, please know it is not easy and I don’t ever want anyone to think I don’t struggle with it. I fear everyday that something will put me over the edge that takes me back to my sad, miserable life. Know that I am trying my best to keep myself on this journey and if you are having trouble, know that tomorrow is a new day. I hate when people say “if I can do this, you can do this”. SHUT UP! We all have our own journeys and everyone feels differently about it. However, I will remind you that not so long ago…I was ready to just allow myself to die young. It doesn’t get much worse than that. I have made changes in my life because I refuse to allow anything, let alone my weight to stop me from living the life I want. Nothing tells me what to do. Make the change. Believe in yourself.

Shout outs:

Heather Acheson…by BLR boo…thank you for being in my life and allowing me to be in yours. Seeing you for dinner (and 10%) reminded me of how lucky I feel to have had my Biggest Loser Resort experience. It has changed my life. You are such an inspiration to me and I can’t wait to get to where you are. So strong. So fit. So gorgeous. I admire you and learn from you. When tempted, pour beer on it. Thank you.

Teri Parry (yes, that is her married name)…I have felt such guilt for not reconnecting with you. You are one of my dearest friends and I have always felt such support from you. Seeing you the other night was something I really needed. Thank you for forgiving me and loving me so unconditionally. I adore you and vow to always keep you close.

Nan…(aka Monica)…thank you for being so patient with me the last several weeks. I am not quite sure how I would do this without you. In your honor I quote: “A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind”-Yoda

Tips:

When you know you can’t get a good workout in, make changes to allow yourself a few more calories burned. I run up the stairs to my house every day. I park further away. I try to stand instead of always sit. The small things count.

The best 10% is with friends. I eat 1 meal a week that is a treat. Nothing crazy, but I realized that I haven’t really used many 10%’s and last week, Cara and I met Heather for dinner and I enjoyed my 10% so much more. Food will always be a social part of my life. I don’t want to fear it, but rather embrace it and enjoy it. Dinner with Heather was such a treat.

Book an appointment with a personal trainer. 

Stop carrying your horse. 

 

We love Rob and Big and their real life Mini Horse.