….And I’ve Reached Week 4 of OBC…Who Would’ve Thought???… June 1, 2009

Current Goal: To have perfect attendance at OBC next week

Current Struggle: My own self-confidence…hard to believe, huh?

Current Weight: Not the number I want it to be…but nonetheless PROGRESS with some inches lost!!!

Current Mood: EXCITED, EXCITED, EXCITED!!!!

So I know I have not blogged in a while, but I have reached the 4th week of Operation Boot Camp…and this has been such a journey. Rain or shine, I have been out there EVERYDAY, 5:45 AM SHARP with homework in between, kicking some serious butt. And I have also decided, thanks to my instructor Marshall, that I should invest in a website: WWW.MARYISTHEBOMB.COM!!!! I must say that I have NEVER, EVER pushed myself out of my own personal comfort zone, and OBC has done just that (with a lot of sweat and tears along the way).

So over the last couple of weeks I have played soccer…BOOT CAMP style…hundreds of lunges, sit-ups, push-ups, dips, ran miles (cumulatively), back pedals up steep hills, and increased my strength. And I will be 10000% honest with you. I AM SEEING RESULTS. I don’t get as tired bringing in groceries, or taking stairs, and I have more energy than I have had in a loooongggg time. As a matter of fact today, there is a large triangle in Piedmont Park, and I ran around the whole triangle without stopping (what a major accomplishment for me…you don’t understand). I really am becoming a whole NEW MARY!!! And I am also seeing some physical changes such as clothes being loser and also weight loss in my face and neck areas. This is crazy!!!!

I have also experienced a huge amount of support from my friends and fellow challengers over the last month that I have been brought to tears. Gary and Kimmie have been super, extra supportive and have become my rocks in a sense…and I cannot wait to train with them for the Peachtree Road Race soon. Also, last week during boot camp, we had a special “Bring a Friend to Boot Camp” and I was sooooo excited to have the support of Kimmie, Vicki and her family, and my best friends Johnathan and Grant, who all showed up at 6AM to come hang out with me, and also get a good workout in.  My best friend Johnathan even told me that he has “a new found respect for me”,  for being able to workout like that everyday, and still be able to go to work. I was really overwhelmed with the turnout and we had alot of fun and a tremendous work out!!!! And also Ouida has been kicking butt with me at Piedmont on Saturdays…and I promise you that girl is getting smaller every time I see her.

So I have 4 days left until the end of Boot Camp, and I will be training with some of the other challengers for the Peachtree Road Race. I am thinking of joining another boot camp in August, and I have also considered joining a kickboxing program…which definitely sounds fun. I am just so excited that I have almost reached my goals for Boot Camp this session. I will know on Friday if I have actually reached those goals…and I am 100% confident in myself that I will. Those goals are:

1. To complete my mile run in shorter time than I did on my first day, at least by 1:00 minute.
2. To have perfect attendance, and to come to boot camp with a positive attitude, rain or shine.
3. To learn to control my breathing during my workouts and keep my head up.

So I am so VERY VERY VERY excited about this…as you can probably tell, and honestly its all that I can think about and talk about, at least until Friday!!!!. I am so ready for graduation and ready to celebrate. I definitely will blog this weekend with the results of my goals. Thanks sooooooo much for following my journey. Until next blog…..

♥  Mary Rashelle  ♥

…I REACHED THE END OF WEEK 1!!!… May 17, 2009

Current Goal: To have perfect attendance at OBC next week

Current Struggle: My breathing (2 count inhale thru the nose, 5 count exhale out the mouth) during my cardio workouts

Current Weight: I’m choosing not to weigh myself. I’m scared I haven’t loss any weight, but I think I have lost an inch or two

Current Mood: A little nervous, but nonetheless, motivated!!!

I must start this blog by saying that I feel as though I have come so far in the last 2 weeks. From being down, to no physical activity, to almost giving up, to being a 2009 Operation Boot Camper, to completing my 1st week with perfect attendance and great meal plan….I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF…that I would like to give myself some credit and a nice PAT ON THE BACK!!!!! Okay, so now that we have gotten that out of the way…LoL…yesterday was officially the end of my first week of Operation Boot Camp!!!! And it could not have ended better…I was at Piedmont Park with my girl Kimmie B. and her awesome husband, Ouida B., and Virginia L. and we had a super workout—sweat, tears, and all!!!!!! They all did great and I am soooooo very proud of them. Now, I’m trying to keep up with them. It takes a lot to take on that much physical activity, especially on a Saturday morning, with 50 other people, and in wet Piedmont Park grass and dirt…LoL!!!!

So I must tell you about my week and experience with OBC thus far. Monday morning was my first day. We met at 5:30 AM at Atlanta Kick on Miami Circle. When I got there, it was so much energy in the building, and all the instructors were full of smiles. I was soooooo nervous. Just from first glance, I could tell that I was the most out of shape person there, and I was a little intimidated. I kept thinking to myself, “What the hell was I thinking????” After orientation, we started out PT test, and let me tell you, I was NOT AT ALL prepared. I was most disappointed in my run time of one mile. I felt like I had failed, especially running and seeing the other people pass me, and also coming in last. But at the end of the workout, my embarrassment had left, and was replaced by a sense of accomplishment. 

I will admit, throughout the week (and even now), I continue to have small anxiety before each workout because I know I’m not at the same physical level as the other boot campers. It’s hard jogging, and seeing everyone leave you behind and always coming in last. I cannot tell you how much this week I have been brought to tears, and felt like quitting!!! But I keep hearing this voice in my head saying, “Remember…this is your workout” coming from my fellow challenger Gary, who has been so instrumental and inspirational to me this past week, even calling to check on me…(I told Gary I will meet him in the TOP 5!!!).  I have ran, done push ups, lunges, planks, and even things I can’t remember, rain or shine, and so much other physical activity that I would never have thought of a million years ago. I must admit, I am still falling a little behind, but I’m working harder everyday, and my number one goal is to make it to each boot camp with an even more POSITIVE ATTITUDE than the day before. Shout out to all my fellow boot campers…GO TEAM GRADY!!!  HOO-AAAHHH!!!!  And special thanks and appreciation to Marshall, my OBC instructor who is always by my side, Elizabeth, our instructor who emails us everyday with ideas and encouragement, Gary and Kim, who have done nothing but support me and who are my new heroes, and to EVERYONE in the world who has had enough heart, drive, and determination to step out of their comfort zone to complete a goal that meant the world to them, regardless of what anyone else said or thought. Tomorrow begins week 2 of my OBC, and although I’m nervous, I’m gonna work hard and give it 10000000%, rain or shine BOOT CAMP STYLE!!! Until next blog…

-Mary J.

…I HAVE EXCELLENT NEWS!!!… May 7, 2009

Current Goal: Increasing physical activity (…which I have been doing for the last couple of days!!!!)

Current Struggle: Overcoming my state of mind…

Current Weight: I’m scared to see the number….

Current Mood: Optimistic!!!!!! 

Let me start off by saying that as you can read from my earlier blogs, things have not been so well with my goals as far as exercise and overall wellness. And earlier this week, I felt as though I had hit the lowest of the low, and felt like a true failure!!!! All I could think about was is how I am not reaching all the goals I have set, and I have only lost 14 pounds (and probably gained some of it back) since this challenge started. On Monday, I felt really alone, and I remember something my dietician Jessica told me during my visit with her. She said, “Mary, you are not alone in this, and you have many people supporting you, such as your fellow challengers, and also there are hundreds of people who are looking up to you at this very moment because they see themselves in you”. And when I hit my breaking point emotionally, I did something that I have NEVER done before. I have always been a private person, and if I needed something, I would never tell you or let you know because I never want to appear weak or incapable. But I am proud to say that I reached out to my fellow challengers, and they have supported me and let me know that its okay, and that I AM NOT ALONE, and some of them are feeling the same as I. I received phone calls, text messages, emails, and just a lot of love and support that I am sooooooooo very grateful for…and I am sure they will never understand how much their support has meant at this very moment. Everyone has been so nice and understanding, and I am really appreciative to everyone, especially Gary S., Kimmie B., Tiffani C., Jennifer G., Monica H., Vicki H., Virginia L., and Robin H. I really do thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and you guys have made me realize that its okay to need help. At the end of the day, we are a TEAM and in this together….and we want to make each other proud…so on with my excellent news……

I have also made a decision to turn things around for the better and jump start my new life in a way that I never thought I have. Thanks to help from one of our sponsors, and with a lot of positivity and encouragement from my fellow challenger Gary S., I have decided to officially join Operation Boot Camp’s 30 day fitness program….and I start on Monday at 6:00AM….OMG….what was I thinking???? I’m just kidding, but I am so excited about this new journey and decision that I have made, and soon, I hope to be that same encouragement as I needed just sometime ago. Can’t wait for my next workout this Saturday at the Forum, and I am excited to see all the challengers….I just know they look FABULOUS!!!!! Until next blog….

…and I Feel Like I Have Hit a Road Block… April 29, 2009

Current Goal: To Exercise Daily

Current Struggle: Did You Read Above????…LoL

Current Mood: Disappointed (in myself)

….So let me start by saying that April has not been such a great month for me. My main goal was to work out at least 5 times a week, and even though I am exercising some…its not nearly as much as I should. I still am on a healthy food track though, and I will give myself more than enough credit for that. What I have seriously learned this month is that weight loss and a healthy lifestyle is definitely MIND over MATTER. This month, I was asked about some of the things that I have struggled with before I was a part of the Get Fit Challenge…and this question really made me admit some things to myself that I have never expressed…but I know putting this in my blog is going to not only help myself, but help someone else who knows what its like to walk in the same shoes I have been in for soooooo long, and this will help people who can relate to my struggles as well. I must say the biggest challenge I have struggled with is FEAR. FEAR of the unknown. FEAR of failure. FEAR of pushing myself to limits I have never tested. FEAR of changing. And I must say that all of these FEARS have kept me FAT. I am seeing that I did things one way, and see where it has gotten me???? Now, I’m doing things a much better way…and I am more than excited to see where that takes me.

The second biggest thing that I have struggled with was PROCRASTINATION. I put things off…and off….and off again, until things have spiraled out of control. It’s like, “I’ll start eating healthy next week” and “I’ll start exercising next month” until its 5 years and an extra 100 pounds later, and the only options left are to continue living this unhealthy lifestyle, or make a sudden change that will enhance your life.  In this challenge, I have learned so much about myself and others, and I know my challengers probably feel the same as I do, especially when they have hit a road block. I think that procrastination is a huge problem that most of us face in a lot of tasks that we do, whether its managing our money and saving, getting healthier, or studying for exams, but it is crucial to understand that our INACTIONS more than likely are reflections of our feelings. Procrastination stems from only fear. And through this journey, I am beginning to understand some of the fears that have been holding me back from being who I want to be.

So for the rest of this month, and going into May….I HAVE TO AND I WILL GET MY MIND BACK INTO GEAR and BACK ON TRACK. Until next blog…..

Mary Rashelle

…My Eating Has Definitely Changed For the Better!!! April 16, 2009

Current Goal: To lose at least 5 pounds in April

Current Struggle: Daily exercise…

Current Weight: 225.4 Pounds

Current Mood: Ecstatic 

We are well into the Get Fit Challenge, and it has been over a month since we both started. I am so excited that I have lost a total of 14.6 pounds, and even though while looking in the mirror, its hard to notice a change, I can definitely tell I have lost some weight in wearing some of my clothes. I will say that its kind of a good feeling to have to pull your pants up throughout the day…LoL!!!

I have been eating Subway regularly and try to eat a variety of things every time I go. My favorite of course is the chicken teriyaki sub…but it has to be on honey oat wheat bread, with lettuce, pickles, jalapeño, bell, and banana peppers, and a splash of oil and vinegar. It’s the greatest sub ever!!! The turkey subs are really good, as well as the roasted chicken breasts subs. I am very proud of myself that I have my eating under control. I have about 5 to 6 meals a day. I have breakfast which consists of just fruit and maybe light apple juice. For snack, I will have some caramel or apple cinnamon rice cakes or a strawberry protein bar. Lunch will generally be a 6 inch subway sandwich or something like baked chicken and rice. I will definitely eat another snack which would be raisins or nuts, or a bag of plain baked Lays. For dinner, I will eat  fish, chicken, or a pork chop (baked), with a vegetable and a starch (i.e. corn, mashed potatoes, etc.). If I am not full, which most of the time I will be, I will have another piece of fruit.

I  just wanted to give a general idea of what my eating habits are currently, and if you have any other ideas, please share them with me.  I am always looking for new, and healthy foods and recipes to try!!! I haven’t had my meeting yet with the nutritionists just yet, and I’m sure once I have that meeting on April 22, I will so much more to blog about!!! Until next blog….

So Far… March 29, 2009

…things are going well. Yesterday was our debut on WSB-TV and it was awesome to see my fellow challengers, and hear them share their stories. I’m so happy and so proud of everyone. Last weekend was our first activity with Operation Boot Camp…and that really kicked my butt!!!! But over all I enjoyed it, and honestly, I did a lot better than I thought I would have. The most challenging part of last Saturday was completing the mile run. It was so funny at first, because when they told us we were running a mile, we all laughed…but we sucked it up and gave it all we had. AND EVERYONE COMPLETED IT!!!! It is definitely amazing to experience that kind of accomplishment, and I wouldn’t trade that feeling for the world.

So far, my exercise activity has been moderate. I have been going through some personal things that have kind of been lingering in my mind, and have caused me to take the focus off of me (which I have been guilty of doing all my life). This week however, I have decided, with the advice of some of my challengers, that I am going to wake up each morning at 7:00AM and work out for 45 minutes to 1 hour to jump start my day. It is really hard to get the exercise you need in after you get in for the day. Its easier to do it when you get up in the morning, and that workout will provide you with the energy you need for the rest of the day. While my physical activity has lacked in the last week, my eating habits have not changed, so I have still be able to lose some weight!!! I’m still eating breakfast, and snacks, and meals, and drinking plenty of water. As a matter of fact, last night was a huge test for me. I went out to eat with a friend for the first time since being in the challenge, and I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I had grilled shrimp, steamed vegetables, water and cranberry juice. The funny thing is I didn’t even feel as though I was missing out on anything, even if I didn’t have a huge steak and potatoes. That lets me know that my thinking is headed in the right direction, and makes me even more excited to meet with our nutritionists in April!!! Well, until next blog……

-Mary J.

WHAT A WORK OUT!!!! March 14, 2009

So today was our first meeting at the Forum Athletic gym at Lenox…and let me tell you, I did not know what I was getting myself into. Now, I have been working out over the past week, 20 minutes here, and 15 minutes there, mostly cardio, but that was nothing compared to the Fast Twitch class we did today. One of the owners of the gym, who just happens to be a former NFL player, was our instructor. I have to be honest here…walking into the gym and seeing him for the first time is so intimidating. He is so tall, with great muscles, and you can tell he works out all the time…and the only thing I could think was, “Please have mercy on us!!!” We did several different exercises, and worked out every part of our body..legs, shoulders, arms, you name it, we did it. I started out really pumped, but by the fifth exercise or so…I thought I was going to just fall out. For a second, I couldn’t remember who I was or what I was doing. I never have pushed my body so hard. Our trainer was so GREAT though. He would come around and show us the proper way to do the exercise, and pump us up too, you know, giving us bursts of energy. We had great music too…and that always helps…it sort of distracts you from the pain you are feeling (GOOD PAIN…THE BURNING CALORIES PAIN). I must admit…I am so PROUD of myself, and my fellow challengers. WE DID IT!!! We didn’t quit, and we pushed through. This is one of the biggest accomplishments I have made in a long time. Our trainer also showed us how to use our workout bands at home. He let us know that what’s going to be important is changing up our workout. Do cardio and strength training…that is what’s going to get our bodies where we want them to be. And if we thought this was a challenge…just wait, because we have BOOT CAMP next Saturday…I’ll be thinking about that ALL WEEK LONG…LoL…until next blog…

Mary J.

And We’re Off….!!!!! March 12, 2009

So the Subway Get Fit Challenge, Season III 2009 is underway, and I am so thankful to have been chosen to be apart of this wonderful opportunity.  I know in my heart that this would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors: Subway, WSB-TV, The Forum Athletic, Emory Healthcare, Operation Boot Camp, and Natural Body…Wow, there are a lot of people pulling for us!!! This is going to be such a huge part of my life, and I am just so glad that now I can do something that focuses on me, my spirit and my well being. Something tells me that this is going to be an uphill battle, but with my motivation, support of my friends and fellow challengers, and the tools we have been provided, nothing is standing in my way because THIS IS MY YEAR!!!!

Today was a huge eye opener for me. We had our goal setting session, and listening to others tell their stories and expressing their struggles really hit home. All evening, I sat there thinking, “ME TOO…” and “I didn’t know anyone else felt that way”.  You see, what I realized tonight was that the story is the same. The feelings are the same. The ideals are the same. No matter how we may feel, there are others who share our same feelings, struggles, and day to day challenges. At the end of the day, we just want to love ourselves, and be happy with who we are. And you can’t be happy if you dwell so much on the negative aspects of your life, without even considering the positive. For example, last year, for the first time, I participated in the Peachtree Road Race. For those unfamiliar, its a 10k race held every year in Atlanta down Peachtree Street every 4th of July. Now, lets be honest here….the goal is to run…for goodness sake it is a race…LoL…but many people don’t run, they may run and then jog the rest, or simply walk. Tonight, I dwelled so much on the fact that I walked (which I considered a failure/negative), without even acknowledging the fact that I completed it!!! And how many people can say that they have done that???  I didn’t give myself enough, if at all, any credit. And how many of us do that every single day??? Many of us have not loved ourselves or been unhappy for so long that the only things we see are the negative. And because we see ourselves in that negative light, we believe that others perceive us in the same manner. Most of the time, that is not the case. So tonight, I have made a choice. The choice to set my goals, monitor my progress, give myself credit for the things that I have done,  and also give myself credit for the things I may have began but did not finish…because as the saying goes…you either see the glass half empty, or half full…AND I CHOOSE TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL…OR COMPLETELY FULL…depends on how I’m feeling at the time…LoL…until next blog….

Mary Rashelle