Back in January I did a post about my favorite workout tools to help me keep the 30 pounds I have lost in 2013 off. This year’s focus is definitely keeping the weight off. I am a great dieter and a terrible maintainer. Well this year I am committed to breaking this unhealthy yo-yo cycle in my life. I can’t tell you how paralyzed I feel when I look down on the scale only to see I have gained the weight back. So what I need is healthy PERMANENT changes. In addition to healthy eating choices, which I am implementing slowly, I have begun doing some weight training in addition to the cardio I was already doing.
Nothing like crazy heavy but more HIIT (high intensity interval training). Back In November a gal from this mom’s group I attended offered a drop-in boot camp at her house 2 days a week for $5 each. I had remembered meeting her (she is a personal trainer) at the pool last summer – her rockin’ a bikini and me hiding under the water in my grandma swimsuit.
I thought it would be a great way to enter something new into my workout routine. At that point in time I was mostly walking on an incline for my exercise. Around that time I started the 30-Day Shred with Jillian Michaels so I told Erin I would start her boot camp after that.
(Erin and I post workout being silly)
So within 28 days of the 30-Day Shred Erin followed up with me and asked when I was joining her boot camp. I started on December 15th. At first we started just Tuesday and Thursday where we would do about 30-40 minutes of circuit training with weights. The time would go by fast because of the constant change of movements. In the end, I would be sweating like a pig and burning between 300-400 calories.
(Erin thought that the fact that I had to tie my pants to keep them up was hilarious and snapped this picture after a workout)
So then Erin approached me about a trade. She is a self-professed wannabe DIYer and had several projects she wanted to do in her son’s room. She wanted my help on them. Since she charged $35/hr for her services she felt like it would be a great trade for her. While I loved her boot camps I wasn’t sure I really wanted all her services. Did I really want her to tell me that I am eating too many carbs and not enough protein, or that I need to stop obsessing over the scale and focus on body fat percentage and inches lost, or that I need to up my intensity to keep seeing results? No…most definitely not. But in that moment of weakness I said yes.
Ugh what did I get myself into…
(a whole lotta wall sits, lunges, squats, burpees and push-ups that’s what!)
So here is where we are today. I workout with Erin 3 days a week and then 3 other days a week I am running. Yes…I said it….running. You know me. The non-runner. The girl who says, “She will never run.” But Erin keeps cheering me on telling me to go faster or longer. Or she simply just says “suck it up buttercup and get on the treadmill.” And guess what? I am stronger than I think I am. Last week I ran three times, 4 miles each at a 9:13 pace. But no I am not a runner.
And in return for her expertise, coaching and cheering I am teaching her a thing or two about DIY. Truth be told she can do it herself, but I have the tools and supplies available to make it a lot easier. We are making each other stronger and better. And I like it. So this week I am going to show you a few projects I have helped Erin with.
And I will continue to share the project she is helping me with….#healthierme
Go Beckie! Way to take control and get healthy and strong. What fun trade. And FYI, you are a runner! I need to start my journey back to health and fitness. Thank you for sharing.
Go Beckie!! Thank you for the encouragement. I’ve gotten completely out of the exercise routine, you’re hard work is very inspiring
How fun!!! I wish i had more friends around to workout with 🙂 I like doing the Jillian Michaels training circuts with weights, its a nice way to switch things up from the treadmill. I still say you should try zumba sometime its so fun!
Such a great trade! And great job with the workouts!!! I have some weight that I need to work off, for good!, as well…
Thanks, Megan, although I’m not sure I am ready to call myself a runner just yet. 😉
Thanks, Amy. It is a struggle for me to maintain my weight. Having someone come along side me and hold me accountable makes a huge difference. Hopefully you can find someone do the same for you.
Thanks for the encouragement, Holly! You can do it too!
I wanted to throw my two cents in here-hi, I’m Erin, the trainer 🙂 I can say from many years of experience working with lots of different women who are all amazing in their own ways-Beckie is legit in the gym! I’m talking balls to the wall, gimme all you’ve got and then give me some more…..that’s Beckie. When she started with me in December she was scared to lift anything heavier than 8lbs-but decided to trust me and do what I said. She has grown leaps and bounds and I’m so proud! She inspires me every time she’s in my gym! Not only is she turning into a runner (5 miles at a 8:58 pace), she’s lifting 20’s, rockin out burpees, box jumps, dive bombers and all other strength building things I can dream up. I’m excited and honored to be the one encouraging and pushing her, and I can’t wait to see how much her body changes (inside and out) over the next several months. She’s a true athlete (even if she doesn’t know it yet)!
And PS-my sons room rocks. I’m learning so much through our time together! She makes projects attainable and stress free. That’s a huge deal for me! Love ya girl!