First visit to Indra

Yesterday afternoon I met with April and Jose from Indra Salon, as well as their aesthetician Nicole. April and Jose determined how they would cut my hair for the reveal party. Nicole determined the best type of facial for me and we'll be starting a regime every few weeks. They gave me a bag full of Aveda hair and skin products---Billy just laughed at how excited I got pulling all of them out of the bag and trying them out when I got home!
Lisa worked out an intensive workout schedule for Cherish and I to follow for the next few weeks---I'm looking forward to changing up the training sessions. We'll also be starting some high intensity cardio intervals.

Time to Zoom

I visited with the always awesome Dr. Nahata today. We're going to Zoom my teeth next Thursday. If you've ever seen the TV Extreme Makeover, that's the treatment where they have the light on your teeth for about an hour.

Dr. Nahata is also giving me an awesome birthday gift this year, as he scheduled my new veneers to be done the day after my 37th birthday!

Cherish went for her first facial at Indra yesterday and raved about it---I can hardly wait to get there myself tomorrow!

Down a Pant Size!

Yahoo---the pants I wore "pre-FT" are just huge now. My "tight pants" are pretty loose too! The belt buckle is a good 3-4 notches over.
I've decided to pack up the clothes as they no longer fit and give to charity. I don't intend to be those sizes ever again, and it's just psychological torture to have bins of clothes that are too big taking up closet space.
The only stinky thing (but worth it) is that I really need some winter clothes. There isn't really any point in buying anything now, because I'm just going to get smaller and not fit into them! Maybe I'll just buy shoes :)

Cute

My four year old Will got home from school and the first thing he asked was "Mommy, are you going to the gym tonight?" to which I replied yes. I expected his usual frown and explaination of why I really should stick around. Instead he told me I had a nice shirt on today, and that he loved me. I asked if he knew why I was going to the gym and he said it was to get healthy. I asked him why I was eating Ezekiel bread with almond butter and he said because it's good for me and will help me live a long time. He then told me that it was important that I live a long time because he still needs me to help him get dressed.
I love the way kids think :)

5K time!

Today my hamstrings feel back to normal and I can run again. I am signing up for my 1st 5K road race in 7 years---the Trot for Special Tots whic raises money for the Professional Center for Child Development in Andover (http://www.theprofessionalcenter.org/). I checked out the course today and it looks pretty do-able. I increased my running time on the treadmill today to a total of 20 minutes. Anna, my wonderful trainer, offered to run the race me. It would be sort of a cool down for her, after doing a half marathon the weekend before. So sweet of her to offer to join me---FT is really great in that way---the trainers are so personally involved in your success.
If anyone is interested in making a road race pledge, to support theProfessional Center's early intervention and special needs programs, you may send check to me payable to PCCD.

A Little Fun This Week

I'm thrilled to get a little fun in this crazy week. Saturday I used a gift certificate toward a manicure and pedicure. Will loved that I had my toes painted the color of his choice (sparkly royal blue). It was nice to get in a little pampering, especially my feet, which have become rough and blistered from all the cardio.
Tomorrow I visit Dr Nahata for a teeth check. It's always fun to visit there....they make us feel like celebrities! Friday (finally!!!) I get the pleasure of meeting April and Jose and the crew at Indra, where they will determine how hair, skin, and makeup will all go.
Sorry I haven't posted in the last few days (or Vitabotted for that matter) our computer was down for a few days.

Thank you!

Just wanted to send out a quick thank you to all my friends, family, and fellow FT'ers who have been encouraging me---your support means so much!

Hamstrings are KILLING ME!!!

Brian, I know you read my blog, so I have to tell you all those hamstring exercises you had me do on Friday got the best of me---I literally could not run one full lap tonight! :)

10 & 10

Last night was our first re-test. We're a month in now, and I'm proud to say I'm down 10 pounds and 10 inches! There's still lots of work to do, but it's very motivating to be seeing results. And my pants are getting so much looser :)

Congrats to my EM partner Cherish for her amazing results too----you're doing awesome girlie!

A Love/Hate Thing

The thing with FT is that you can't cheat----someone is watching over your form constantly. It can be so annoying, but when you walk out that door, you know that you worked out hard and properly (thanks Brain for not letting me get away with any "swinging")

Welcome new trainer Billy!

Assessment Week!

This week Cherish and I will have our first assessment since the inital one. We'll be able to see how body fat, ensurance, weight, flexibility, strength,e tc. have increased. I'm excited----hopefully it will be very positive and motivating!

Indra Salon

My initial consultation with April and Jose at Indra is two weeks from tomorrow. Apparently a "team of three" will be evaluating our options and deciding what skin care and hair care regimens I will follow, and what hair and makeup look we'll go with for the big reveal party. It's nice to have these fun little appointments---hair, massage, clothing, teeth---a nice diversion from all the fitness and nutrition sessions!

Help Wanted!

I've set some lofty goals for myself over the next few months. One of them is to run a 5K, which I haven't done since the Tampa Bay Komen Race for the Cure in 2001.
One of the best ways to train yourself to increase the length of time you can run is to interval train---alternating walks and runs/jogs. Sunday and tonight, I did just that, walking to one song on my Nano, jogging to the next for a total of 3.1 miles (5K). However, I've only programmed a few songs in the Nano, so I'd love some recommendations for music that will be motivating both in words and best. Kayne West's "Stronger" is one of my favorites to run to---perfect beat and the repeated "that that don't kill you, can only make you stronger" makes me keep going when I want to stop.
So, if any of you out there have some recommendations I would be so thankful---I enjoy all kinds of music---80's, country, rock, pop, new age, you name it! Thanks everyone!!!

9/11/01

It's so hard to believe that the WTC crashes were 7 years ago. I remember finding out about it at work at Premier Title at Isla Del Sol in St Pete, Florida. My friends Jeannine, Janet and I just sat at our desks stunned reading about it on the internet, taking turns going to Larry's Ice Cream next door to watch it in disbelief on TV. I called my friend Eric in NYC to make sure he was okay. I couldn't reach my (then boyfriend) Bill on the phone at his job in Boston---his cell phone service had gone out that morning. I was so thankful when he finally called me and told me he was fine. What a horrible day.
I pray every day that a tragedy like that will never again happen and that we can all live together in peace. My siblings-in-law Scott and Julie are both serving in the Air Force. Our entire family is so proud of them.
Thanks to everyone out there serving our country in the armed forces and helping to ensure our safety.

Natural White vs. Dazzling White

I checked in with the dentist's office today---they tell me that in just a couple short weeks, my teeth are as white as they should be---a "natural" white. They said that when you whiten teeth, you want them to be white, but not too flashy, so that people notice something is different, but aren't focused on your teeth.
I have the option to whiten them a little more, so I've decided to do so, just a couple more times. After all, it is an extreme makeover, right? The veneers will be done two weeks after I'm done with whitening so that they can match the veneers to the whiteness of my teeth (veneers do not whiten). They just said to call whenever I'm ready! I can't get over how nice everyone in that office is---they are wonderful.

Welcome Sam!

Sam is my new Tuesday trainer. He is helping out the Andover site, but works primarily out of Beverly. To all my friends from Beverly and Hamilton---you should pay him a visit and try it out. He really kicks your butt (but he's nice about it!!!)
We did all lower extremity work together---creative lunges, Bosu work, and my personal favorite, "mountain climbers". I feel those every time I walk up a step!!!

Whew!

What a workout tonight! They switched workouts up on us, so that 2 nights are entirely upper body and 2 nights lower body. My arms feel like rubber right now. I honestly don't know how I'm going to use them tomorrow!!! The really cool thing is that I am noticing changes---areas are thinner, starting to feel a little more defined, and the numbers on the scale are falling. I'm started to get the hang of the nutrition part---it's just so entirely different that my former way of eating. We're starting the cycle the macronutritents so it will be interesting to see what happens.
Here is is almost 9 p.m. I just got out of the shower after working out and I'm supposed to eat a high protein meal, complete my online food journal, and put in the teeth whitening trays. I'm so tired!!! Goodnight! :)

Visualizing Success

Between Will's school starting, everyday life, and juggling FT sessions, nutritional counseling, learning Vitabot, trying to keep the carb/protein/fat ratios right, whitening my teeth, and upcoming appointments with Dr. Nahata, Dresscode, and Indra, I am feeling like life is non-stop right now---and I love it!
I do know myself though, and I know that I need to take some time to get centered and clear my mind so that I can accomplish all the goals set for me in this extreme makeover while still being a good mom, wife, friend, volunteer, etc. When I got the call that I was one of the makeover finalists, I wanted to win so much; I started visualizing myself winning before I went to bed each night. I plan to start visualizing success in this makeover as well. Lisa recommends positive affirmations, which I've begun to write and recite daily...the premise is that if you write it and say it your mind will believe it to be true and then it will become true. Kind of like the Little Train that Could: "I think I can, I think I can" he said as he, a very small engine, tried to get up the big hill. I need to find my copy of Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. My cousin's husband Will first gave me a copy and I've since given copies to several friends. It's a quick read, and one I recommend. The basis of the book has nothing to do with growing rich financially. It's more about whatever you dream you can acheive. Your acheivements will never be any bigger than what you dream, so dream BIG!

I hope you're having a great weekend :)

Good week!

We're nearing the end of another tough week, and it's ending positively. I worked out with trainer Dorothy for the first time. She had an excellent obliques exercise. It was so hard, but like they say, that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger :) Cherish and I will train with her again tomorrow morning. I really tried to ramp up cardio this week with some interval run/walks on the treadmill as well as some high incline walking. I'm happy to report that I am starting to see the changes, especially in my face and upper body.
Lisa set us both up on this online food analysis program. We enter every meal and snack into the program and it calculates every micro and macronutrient and grades you on everything. It's a very cool tool that I'm sure will help us out alot.
The teeth whitening is starting to take effect, and people are noticing a whiter, brighter smile! It makes it worthwhile, as the whitening gel isn't the most pleasant tasting stuff.
My son Will has begun to assume Mommy's going to the gym when Dad gets home. "You going to the gym to get healthy now, Mommy?" he asks me as Bill walks in the door. I'm thankful that I'm able to get away to do this, and happy that my children are able to witness their mom taking care of herself. I know I'm a better mom when I'm taking good care of myself.
Bill is coming on board too, sharing higher protein meals with me and trying to eat healthier. We're actually watching a little TV and eating carrot sticks together, when normally we'd snack on something like crackers or ice cream. I appreciate his support through this process.

Bye Bye Carbs...

After a little too much fun in the sun with the boys and friends on Friday, followed by a fabulous 5th anniversary dinner in town with my husband, I walked into FT today with my head hung low. I knew fully well that they would review my food journal (which I'd already dissected)---those glasses of wine turned me into a weekend carbo-junkie.
I'll have to work extra hard this week to make up for it! :)