Next Level Weight Loss Support

Yep, finally a sunny Sunday. But looks can be deceiving! The temperature is still low……….to me anything under 80 degrees is low and it is almost 40 out there now. I long for the 90 degree warm, balmy says of summer.  It is a nice day to be domestic though. One load of laundry in the washer, one in the dryer, coupons cut out of the newspaper………..hey, I’m good! That is about as domestic as I feel anymore. I feel the need to WOD. Didn’t get much chance today so maybe get there early enough in the AM to WOD before I coach 4:30 class. I really would like to WOD outside but not for a few more months.

I’m trying to decide where to head with my training right now. After a disappointing few months of Olly training I have decided to regroup and go another way. Maybe that will help me be better focused mentally and physically.  The next few weeks will tell. I really wanted and planned to return to Savannah the end of March but that is up in the air right now.

I am excited about all the new opportunities at CrossFit Hanover. My Shape Up Hanover  weightloss group (www.shapeuphanover.com) continues to bring me so much satisfaction! Everyone in the group works so hard and they are being successful! I think I get as excited about their losses as they do! I am very proud of each one of them!

My newest project is perhaps the most awesome thing I’ve ever done. I just launched a new project called CrossFit Hanover Special Warriors. This program is targeted for special needs children. I work one on one with a special child in the gym with a program geared for their specific

needs and abilities! So  far the program has been wonderful and as word reaches the community I am hoping to see CFH Special Warriors become a huge success. To see pictures go to:

Well, as I sit here longing for a workout I guess I need to visit the laundry again. Folding towels must as least work the biceps……..right?

Till next time…………WOD like you mean it!

I’m two days away and yes, I am still calm. The nerves do not perk up until I enter the venue and feel the excitement.  I’m ready. I have my shoes…my lucky, very black and very shiny shoes. I have “the singlet” although there is some debate about whether I will or will not wear it!  I have my papers!  My IPOD is loaded with MY music and some “down, calming” tunes. 

I am ready! As in Savannah, I have my driver and personal secretary ready. Actually it is my daughter, Carrie. Having her drive and taking care of all the extras takes the pressure off me so I can better concentrate on being nervous when I arrive! 

I am ready to go and compete in the Baltimore Olympic Lifting Open on Sunday. Joel Maher, from CFH will also be competing.  I am very excited to have a large group of friends from CrossFit Hanover traveling to Baltimore to support Joel and I. That alone makes the day extra special!

 Big morning at the box tomorrow. I have my strength class for my Shape Up Hanover group at 7 and then CFH team WOD at 8 and then my newest program…….CrossFit Hanover Special Warriors. I will be seeing Kaleigh and Caleb tomorrow! Lots of excitement then groceries and home to chill and rest for Sunday!

So with that I will say Good Night!

Today, January 8th, I celebrate my 4th anniversary. Four years ago I walked into a room of overweight people and vowed to do whatever it took to get my life back! Thanks to two very young and very smart people I have done that! Dan Sell and Brandy Schuster are responsible for my success. Dan was (and still is) my trainer and Brandy was my nutritionist. Both quickly became my friends and four years later still are. I never would have made it without their constant motivation and support. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart!

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A before shot!

What a difference 4 years makes!

1-1-12

Happy New Year? Seriously?

Excuse me if I do not sound excited or optimistic about welcoming a new year but honestly………………I was still enjoying the last year and I wasn’t finished with it yet!

2011 for the most part was the best year I’ve had in many, many years. I accomplished so much and came so far. I met new people, accepted new challenges, conquered old fears. I pushed through my comfort zone time after time and am confident that I grew every time.

This year I made new friends all over the country; older, established friendships flourished! I became a CF Level 1 Trainer.  My dream came true and I became the coach of a very successful weight loss group called Shape Up Hanover.  I traveled, I flew in an airplane for the first time; I competed on a state and national level. I went rock wall climbing! I did a 100 mile bike ride. Jeeeesh, I even flipped a tractor tire for a 5K for my 60^th birthday!

I eat healthier than I have ever before and I feel good!

Maybe my desire to stay in 2011 is really fear. A new year brings the unknown. A new year, new beginning everyone says. I do not want a new beginning. I liked things just the way they were. So, I am NOT going to wish a Happy New Year! I am wishing for a continuation of 2011. I want more of that. In 2012, I want to travel more, compete more, and meet more people. I want to accept new challenges and be pushed further out of my comfort zone.

I am strong, I am happy and healthy and I am in control.

The date may change and I will be moving forward day after day but I intend to do it with excitement and with energy……………an energy for life. I intend to live life to the max no matter what year it is.

2012……….bring it!

Before you all begin sending me “hate mail” read the rest of this blog post.

On 1-11-11 I boarded a plane for the first time ever and flew to Savannah, GA. I was excited about going, both to fly and to compete.  I hired a personal secretary………okay, I asked my daughter to go along to handle all the worrisome details that I did not want to be bothered with. She booked the flights, the rental car, the motel……….yep, she did it all! I only had to fly there and lift heavy!

The flight was awesome! I was not scared, not even nervous. It was an adventure. We arrived safely and I was rested and ready!

Saturday morning arrived and we found our way to the gym for weigh in. It was there that I met my competition. Everyone was friendly and nice and I found out that they already knew who I was. It seems some of them had taken the time to look up my stats and then read my blog. I thought it odd that they would take that much interest in me but it seems that I was the newbie in the crowd and they wanted to know!

I hung out and stretched and paced and walked and talked. It was not uncomfortable. My PA friends arrived  and we began warm-ups. I was fairly calm. Much calmer than in York at my first competition.  I figured that competition at a national meet would be so strong that I would just enjoy the time and gain experience. 

Finally it was time. Everyone was introduced and the lifting began.  I was working on staying calm and just lifting heavy stuff! When it was my turn to attempt my first snatch I felt good about it. I approached the bar, squatted, set and pulled. It came up easy and it felt good.  In my delight at the sweet snatch I carelessly forgot to hold at the top for the judges signal to lower the bar! As soon as I moved I knew it and there were immediately three red lights……….no rep! How stupid I felt! I left the platform so upset with myself! How could I have been so wreck-less? Why hadn’t I been paying more attention? 

Everyone said to forget it. Mike said to think about the next lift. The others competitors said not to worry, My friends, Brandi and Cathy said to shake it off. I texted Dan and Jon and they both said to let it go and move on!

But, I didn’t, I couldn’t. I tried to relax and I tried to just brush it off, push it aside, sweep it under the rug but it didn’t happen. I paced and paced and beat myself up over one lousy mistake. I let it ruin the rest of the meet for me. I had lost my focus.

I made the last two snatches and the first two attempts at the clean and jerk were good, although I missed the third jerk!

Later that morning I stood on the podium and accepted the Gold Medal and also the “Best Lifter’s” award. Yes, I won the gold but for me there was no win. I, myself considered it a loss. I know that I could have done better. I should have done better. I blew it because I was not strong enough to get past that lousy one second  mistake!

However, it was not a total loss! I am going back to Savannah the end of March. This time I may not bring home the Gold but I plan to win. I will overcome the emotional weakness that kept me from having a good experience the first trip. This time I will hold that bar overhead all day if necessary! I will win! It may only be MY victory but it will be mine!

Yay, I am very proud to  have been featured on Brittney Russel’s blog as December’s MissFit!

Please go to this link and read the story she wrote:

The MissFit Movement: December M.A.D. MissFit

themissfitmovement.blogspot.com

I just wanted to take a moment to say a few thank yous.  I am thankful to God for all that he has given me. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for all my good friends and those that are not so good!

I am very thankful to all of those who put their life in danger to protect mine. May God watch over them and keep them safe. I am thankful for their families who are missing their loved ones today.

I am thankful for my health and so very thankful to Dan Sell and Brandy Schuster for helping me find my way back to the health that God had given me. I thank them for having faith in me when I had none and for showing me how to live again.

I am thankful for the opportunity to lead others to that renewed health! I pray that God will give me the ability to do so.

I’m hoping that you all will have a wonderful day spent with family or friends celebrating everything that you have to be thankful for.