Priscilla and the Duke

I am a John Wayne girl. I always have been. Something about the swagger, the voice and those hands just makes me swoon. Fall over, head over heels, knees to mush SWOON.
I was reminded of my JW this morning. This was the first sunny morning we have had in a while. I knew we would be going outside by Rick's cryptic facebook status.
Upon arriving to the gym, my deductions proved to be correct, we were going outside. Nice, I thought.
Then I found out where we were going. The Indian Mounds. Which is totally far away!
I thought of the many field trips the kids had out there and how I always got out of going. For some reason walking up a big mound has never been my bag. Now here I was,not only going but walking there! Double Yikes!

Then I started thinking about Indians and of course those thoughts naturally segued into the Duke.
Ok, maybe this wouldn't be such a bad walk. I thought of The Searchers, Ethan Edwards, and of course Debbie. I always wanted to be Debbie. Before I knew it we had gotten to the Mounds. Don't ask me how, I don't pay attention where I am going...I just follow. About the time we passed the "sleeping puppy" my legs began to feel that this was in fact becoming a work out. Suddenly my swoony thoughts of John Wayne left my head. I began to focus on the burning sensation in my thighs as we walked up a hill. And then there was another, and yet another hill before me. Before you knew it we had trekked around the entire place and I knew my decisions all those years ago NOT to go on those field trips were the right ones.

Walking back, my thoughts went back to JW. Not to The Searchers though, but to The Quiet Man, my all time favorite movie. In particular the line where Mary Kate tells Sean they are walking the 5 miles into town.

"Just a good stretch of the legs." she says.



Just a good stretch of the legs...indeed. Now all this girl needs is for Jimmy Leg to grab and kiss me like that when he comes in the door. SWOON

Things Kim has learned this week

The cold that wasn't so contagious was, in fact, contagious.

Trying to do situps when you have sinus drainage is not smart.

Having the cold that only rest and time cures is hard to remedy when you have a four and a two year old.

Aforementioned children get sick only when the parent finally starts to feel well.

Running with a sore throat and an achy body is quite unpleasant.

A major upside of having no sense of taste is that I can drink all of the protein shakes without prolonging it.


:)

Katy- has been absent, but is still in it!

OK, the real world has dumped all kinds of mess that's screwing with my workout schedule, so I'm not going to be able to get my 3 sessions in this week!?!!? BUT, I've been working at home (gotta tell you, though, doing tapes, walking, etc. is not as fulfilling as sweating with all of my new buddies!!!). I'm really missing my accountability this week from all the skinny peeps!! I did do a "Dancing With The Stars Workout Tape" last night (yes, Dancing with the Stars has a workout tape, and yes, I bought it) and have to say that my legs are in AGONY today after an hour of the Jive and Samba!! That's gotta count for something, right? I can't wait for Saturday when I can get back with the groove of sweating together, though!

Priscilla's Ears Are Bleeding

Week 4-

What I dislike most about these workouts, aside from the stairs (that is a given) is the awful music we must listen to. I don't like like metal, rap or anything remotely close to those genres. Insane Clown Posse is not my bag. Clowns in general are not my bag. My guess is that Rick plays "music" that will get us moving. It does make me want to move, right out the door into the warm embrace of Chet, Stan, Ella, or Freddy. I not only leave class feeling the burn of a workout but with my eardrums singed as well. Yet listening to that is the price I must pay to be able to crack a walnut with my glutes.

Katy- running is in my future!!

Woo hoo!! After Saturday's intense workout session, I decided to try a little experiment. My parents live in a wonderful "run/walk-friendly" neighborhood, so I started out on a light jog- just to see how far I could go. The bad news is I'm not ready for any 5K's just yet... the good news is that I didn't quit at the first stop sign! I'm guessing I ran maybe 1/2 mile and walked the other 1 mile of my mini-journey, but this is a big leap for me! I don't like to run AT ALL. But I thought since we were through with 3 weeks of the skinny challenge, let's just see where my endurance is...
So what do we think? Is this good after 3 weeks? Pathetic? I'm not sure myself, but I'm ready to "test" myself often to bump the distance up a bit.

What Priscilla Learned Today

A 26 station workout circuit is not very fun.

Dumb bells have the combined weight on them. They are not that number on the end each. (who knew?)

My scale at home is wrong...VERY wrong. This is highly upsetting to me.

Saturday board meetings are worse than a 26 station workout circuit.

I love a friend TONS to run back up 6 flights of stairs to take a photo of a paint splotch which looks like a heart.

A 15 year old girl NEVER wants to be asked if she and her mother are sisters.

And perhaps the most important thing...



Do not stick a wire coat hanger down the drain of a 100 year old sink.
It will get stuck.
I have a only a few hours until "Jimmy Leg" returns to try and correct this situation. I can hear it now....

Luuuucy!

Raquetball calls

Charlie here - Years ago, I played racquetball several times a week; then, I got so outtashape that I quit playing. Last night I played hard-core racquetball for two hours; what a workout! I used some muscles even Rick hasn't tortured yet. Seriously, had I not been involved in the Gateway/11th Hour training, I could not have stood my ground on the court. Thanks Rick! See everyone Saturday.
Charlie

sometimes all you can do is laugh. - Kim

Rick Pain (Cain) is a wonderful, loving, kind-spirited person. And his workouts are suprisingly easy. I stared at him and thought only good things. The plank is the greatest workout move ever, and it causes absolutely no gut-wrenching pain.

Now, take everything I've said and plug in the antonym of each adverb, and the opposite of each statement.

It's all in good fun, right?

Priscilla- Mmmmmm Stew!

stew
1   /stu, styu/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [stoo, styoo]
–verb (used with object)
1. to meld a mixture of things by simmering or slow boiling.
–verb (used without object)
2. to undergo cooking by simmering or slow boiling.
3. to fret or worry.
4. to feel uncomfortable due to a hot, humid, stuffy atmosphere, as in a closed room; swelter.
–noun
5. a preparation of meat, fish, or other food cooked by stewing, esp. a mixture of meat and vegetables.
6. Informal. a state of agitation, uneasiness, or worry.
7. a brothel; whorehouse.


Origin:
1350–1400; ME stewen, stuwen to take a sweat bath < MF estuver, v. deriv. of estuve sweat room of a bath
French estuver, possibly from Vulgar Latin *extūpāre, *extūfāre

Take your pick of any of the above definitions. That would describe tonight's class.
How, you may ask? I'll tell you.

I went to class this evening already wondering if I was going to be able to make myself workout hard, given the fact that I was so sore, achy, and stiff from the week. (stew definition 3 & 6)

We were informed at the very onset to be ready for a hodgepodge. A veritable olio of exercises.The rational being that since our entire bodies were already sore, we should make them sorer. So with trepidation I grabbed my mat, my step, my jump rope, AND my weights. This recipe called for a pinch of cardio, a dash of abs, some arms and a whole lot of leg work. (stew definition 1 & 5)

As we started, and the doors were closed, and it became very warm in the room. The air conditioner was not set at it's usual frigid temperature due to the chilly days we had been having. My ears began to burn. My ears have a tendency to get beet red and become uncomfortably hot. I began to swelter.(stew definition 2 & 4)

As the workout continued and I soldiered on, I began to notice the sounds coming from around the room. Grunting, panting, and moaning sounds. Heavy breathing and pained sounds. I lay on my mat and started giggling. It sounded like...

stew definition 7

Priscilla- Busted Chops

This morning started out much like the past two Wednesdays. The alarm going off at 5 AM. Today had a slight variation though. My best friend "Hair" was meeting me to work out. For the past two weeks he has read my blogs, heard my tales, and has been busting my chops. Calling me on those early morning workout days asking me "Are you up yet?". Mind you, this is at 9 AM, when he knows all too well I have been up for the past four hours.

So this morning I was hoping for a hard class, to punish Hair for his taunting and chop busting. Hoping he would come to recognize my efforts and give me the props I deserve for enduring so much. To my chagrin, class wasn't as difficult as I had wanted it to be. It was challenging but not painful. Not that I am complaining at all! Despite that, I know that Hair had a taste of the pain that is Cain.

Tonight Hair and I had a dinner meeting scheduled. While we waited for our meal we talked about the morning and how our legs still ached. I showed him how I could barely do a squat (yes we were in the middle of a restaurant and I was in a pencil skirt and 3 inch heels). We talked business and friend stuff.

Then dinner came, the waiter placed our entrees before us. I looked at my salmon, Hair at his ribeye, then we looked across the table at each other,that knowing look in our eyes. Reading each others thoughts as best friends do. It was obvious what we were thinking. If we thought this morning started out tough, it was nothing compared to Hair's steak.

I'm feeling the burn!

So first off, I have to tell all of you thank you for your show of support to me tonight. Your words of encouragement and just letting me vent helped me more than you would begin to think. Rick; thanks.

Tonights workout was fantastic. I upped my weight to six pounds, and even though I was seriously feeling the burn, I lasted through all of the exercises (yeah, me!) and didn't moan and groan. Until the abs.. oh, the abs. Even though we did some hard exercises today, we did not do The Plank (from hell) or The Grapevine (sounds harmless, right? hardly). Not only did I try every single exercise, I did them all for the most part. We had alot of laughs, alot of "oy"'s from my corner, and I left the workout quite happy.

Tomorrow my goal is to stick it out through both sessions. Try? Most definitely. Succeed? It may very well happen.

The stairway to hell

Charlie here - A few weeks ago when Rick first told us to walk up the stairs, I said silently to myself, "Self, that's a piece of cake. Stairs I can do." Little did I know what I was up against. But you know, compared to some of the other tortures Rick has devised for us, give me the stairs anytime. Even the the 550 stair steps (yes, I counted) we did last night is still easier than jumping that stupid friggin' rope. The stairs are indeed a piece of cake.....and getting easier. Where does Rick get these moves he prescribes? He's got me trying to put my limbs in positions they were never designed to go. In all my 63 years, I have never been required to move like this and the only reason I do it now is because the rest of the class is doing it. I mean like Rick says "touch your toes"...Ha! I can barely see my toes much less touch them...but I try. And, the tempo? Geeze Louize! Some of my classmates move like the speed of light; I try to catch up and sometimes I do catch them but then, they leave me again. Rick, how long did you study the methods employed during the Spanish Inquisition? Not so bad though; I'll be back.
Charlie

Katy- week 3

I love the stairs...I love the stairs... that's what I chanted (panted) last night as we made our way for the 16th (ok 3rd) time up. I love the stairs...I love the stairs...
Still, got through the stairs which I'm starting to see as a major accomplishment, AND I was even able to run (what!??! I ran some too?!??!) the last 45 secords of relays. So I feel great!!! Not addicted to working out yet (sorry, Rick!!), BUT I think I'm catching on to what he talks about with pushing yourself at the right times. I saved some energy to be able to deal with the awful stairs but pushed at the end with some jogging!!!
So, today, I think I've hit a mini-milestone, and that is really exciting! And I won't even complain (at least out loud) if stairs are on the agenda again tonight (please let it be upper body!!!!).

Now if only I could get my food under control... HELP! Someone send me some recipes quick! I'm tired of Special K bars and plain chicken!!!

Priscilla- Confessions

I've had this ever growing suspicion for the past 2 weeks. It started innocently enough, a little small talk, a few pleasantries, some joking around. Suddenly the mood shifted, he became a little more demanding every time I saw him. I gave in and did what he wanted.
It bordered on the obscene and masochistic. But it was new and exciting for me and he left me in a state of exhausted invigoration.
Tonight though, he was completely different. He had even shaved off the beard that I was so accustomed to seeing. There was a glint in his eyes. One I hadn't seen before. It made me a little afraid of what he would be asking me to do for him tonight.
When our session was through, after all the pain I endured, after 22 flights of stairs, he stood there grinning. It all became clear to me.


Rick Cain is trying to kill me.

The tenth time is the charm. - Kim

I woke up this morning with the determination to write something for you all. I wanted to write something funny and light-hearted, but I just can't seem to. You see, my brother is in the hospital with a blood clot in his lungs, on blood thinners, and unable to move from the hospital bed.

Last night, during our workout I just kept thinking of him. I kept thinking that even though I am exhausted because I haven't slept in two days, and worry and stress are abounding, I am so thankful that I can get up and move. I am so thankful that I havent had to have two open heart surgeries in the space of two weeks. Also, I am soo sad that it has come to this for him.

The irony in the situation lies in that he is thin, in good shape, and has no heart blockages. In fact, despite the history of obesity in our family, we have no history of heart attack or stroke below the age of 60. He has been diagnosed with Marfan's Syndrome (the condition that olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has) which caused his aorta to swell and thrombose into a large aneurysm. He had to have his aortic root replaced and as a result of the surgery and all of the blood he lost afterwards, now has a pulmonary embolism.



So where am I taking this? I am taking this blog to show that I've discovered that working out this week will be more of an outlet for me. Instead of freaking out and not leaving his side, I am stepping away for time to myself. I am going to let these classes be my chance to blow off steam, and really put all of my worry and stress into this.

Charlie-

Charlie here...Omigosh! Another session with Rick tonight....it is getting better...the exercises are all good except this ole man cannot do some of them....I mean my abs cannot even hold up my belly much less lift my entire torso. "entire" is same as "massive, enormous, flabby, weak". But as the sign says..."gotta try". And try I do. I never thought anything could be as bad as the "stairways to hell" but I was wrong. Who is the world even could have imagined I could jump rope? Well, I cannot but I'll keep trying. But, believe it or not, I'd rather do the stairways thing than jump. And, I know the rest of you will agree, Wow! I feel terrific. See y'all tonight.
Charlie

Priscilla- 25 Things

25 things I have learned since working out.


1. A four point push up is the devil.
2. Green juice starts to taste good after a week.
3. My toes go numb mid way through a workout.
4. I can't keep my legs 6 inches off the ground very well.
5. Hip bones don't reappear after two weeks.
6. Muffin tops don't go away either.
7. There are no cute work out clothes.
8. Doing side squats up stairs looks retarded.
9. Medicine balls are still around.
10. I have forgotten how to jump rope.
11. That "plank" move should be deemed criminal.
12. Rick is not Satan.
13. Sports bras give you a uni-boob.
14. Leg lifts and squats make some people fart.
15. Some exercises are actually fun.
16. Most are not.
17. Going up 6 flights of stairs with a weighted ball over your head is scary.
18. Giving up wine with dinner is hard.
19. A Roma tomato has 17 calories.
20. Noodle arms and legs is not a good feeling, especially when driving.
21. My shoes weigh 1 pound, my fat does not.
22. Getting up at 5 AM is not any easier after 2 weeks.
23. V8 juice only tastes good with vodka in it.
24. I am not as big of a ninny as I thought.
25. No matter what, going up those stairs is NEVER easy.

Gym Class Heroes

Opening the door this morning felt like a slap in the face. A cold hard slap in the face! I went through my mental checklist. Water-check, ankle brace-check, car warmed- check, Facebook status updated-check. Having everything important done, I bundled up and headed to class, excited to be going after a 2 day absence.

Class reminded me of ninth grade gym without the kid that always smelled like BO. We were given a number and matched up with the person having the same number. Who doesn't remember having to do that as a kid? I always got stuck with Richard Thomason Jr. (see photo posted) Let me tell you, I got the raw end of the deal in ninth grade. After having to endure a year of PE with Richard, the Gym Gods smiled upon me and gave me the BEST partner today! Class was fun yet we were still challenged. Stairs were limited to ONLY one trip up! Albeit whilst holding a medicine ball over your head. And the best news was given to us at the end! Next week is bring a friend to class week! Now comes the hard part, having to pick who gets to come with me!

Debbie: Bootcamp Ain't for Sissies (from Jan 9)

Boot camp ain't for sissies so why am I going to one? Therein lies the rub - I'm trying to do something I'm totally under qualified for. I've been three times now and it isn't getting easier - yet. The first night was awful. I was having a terrible time trying to keep up with the trainer. Trainer, that's Latin for Evil Spawn of Satan.

The first night I'm thinking we would be doing this stuff at a level appropriate to our abilities - not so much. ESS had us up and down the step things, doing crunches, then up 6 flights of stairs, then stretches, push ups, step things again, crunches, push ups, and again with the six flights of stairs! Only one or two "water breaks" - 2 minutes which he timed! Oh yeah, and no smoke breaks - not a single one!

The second night wasn't quite as bad, by then Chris had told him about my previously broken bones and related injuries from the car wreck, so he modified what I had to do so it wouldn't hurt so badly. Mind you, it still hurt - just not as badly! We had to do lunges, weighs, more lunges, more weights, skipping rope, lunges, squats, crunches, push ups, and again with the six flights of stairs. Yeah we were feeling the burn!

The third night was freakin ridiculous - which is ridiculous squared. This time we had a bit of stuff from the previous nights, weights, lunges, stepping things, jumping ropes, crunches, throwing a heavy ball back and forth to a "fitness partner" (broke 2 nails on that one),
running relays up and down the hallway and of course those damn 6 flights of stairs!

There was a difference the third night - ESS came over to me and modified things that may hurt my previously broken bones, told me to slow down on a couple of exercises so I don't hurt myself "too much" and complimented me for sticking it out so well. He was actually very nice to me, quite compassionate in fact. It made me sort of bad about pushing all those long hat pins in that Rick doll I have. I pulled out a few of them when I got home - I can be compassionate too.

I've learned a lot of things since beginning this boot camp. Things I never knew before, like you have muscles in your arm pits, sports bra come in low, medium and high impact, and even your ear lobes can sweat. Anyway, that's how its been going. Thanks for all the support, encouragement and kind words. Its meant a lot and guilted me into trying a little harder and sticking with it a little longer.

Goldbricking

Noun: goldbricking 'gówld`bri-king
Usage: N. Amer

1. The evasion of work or duty
- shirking, slacking, soldiering, goofing off [N. Amer]


I don't believe in making excuses. The second I hear one coming on from someone I stop listening. Now mind you, I realize some are valid. But most of what I hear is goldbricking.

In all the years of watching my boys play sports, I found there is one on every team. A "goldbricker".
One in particular comes to mind. A boy on my "little guy's" wrestling team. This kid would always go out on the mat and eventually just give up early into the first period. He would then storm off the mat gesturing and throwing a tantrum making comments like "I almost had him". I would sit there and think what baloney I was watching and it would just get me mad. If this kid put a little more effort into wrestling and less in the after show he might have gotten a pin. One thing I have always told my kids is don't EVER be a goldbricker.

Careful what you say because it might come back and bite you.

When I started this Skinny Challenge and was filling out the required paper work, I mentioned to Rick that I was just coming off having a cast on my ankle for six weeks. Torn ligaments are no picnic. The thing that irritates my ankle most...steps. So here we are approaching week three and let me tell you those steps seriously kill me. When I feel like I want to make an excuse, I think of that kid on Stein's wrestling team. I won't be that kid. Ever.

Who new Commodore lyrics could be so prolific?

She's a brick----house
Mighty might just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick----house
The lady's stacked and that's a fact,
ain't holding nothing back.

This brick house isn't made of gold.

Kim's update to Chris. (also, what happens when she gives herself 100%)

Morning, Chris!

So far things are going quite well. I have not been eyeing my measurements yet because I don't want to get discouraged if I haven't lost any inches (or centimeters, for that matter). However, I will tell you that my energy level has shot up over the past week, and I'm doing things that I wouldn't have dreamed I could push myself to do (EG: six floor parking deck). Even though I haven't measured myself, I can tell you I have lost two pounds and I have more curve in my waist than I did two weeks ago! All of this combined has me incredibly pumped.

I have to give serious kudos to Rick, who is being incredibly encouraging. I don't think that normally I would be nearly as positive about this; but because he is, it is truly rubbing off on me and instead of dreading my workouts, I actually showed up 15 minutes early yesterday, which is something I would not normally do. Fashionably late, who me? Not now.

I cannot thank you guys enough for this, even though the second week is supposed to be the hardest, it is definitely the most exciting.

- Kim


As an aside from the email, I want to also state that last night was a serious turning point for me. I was sore from Tuesday nights workout, and we did the six floor parking deck. Rick gave us this opportunity to push ourselves as little or as much as we wanted to. I ended up pushing myself more than I thought I would, and as a result I had a serious reckoning with my abs. I tried so hard to do the exercises, and accomplished some, but my body betrayed me on some of the more challenging moves. As I lay panting on the mat, I realized that this is not a permanent condition. My body will tone, my pain will lessen, and I will see more results.

They say the second week is the hardest. If that's the case, I can't wait for week three.

Priscilla- Six Inches Is More Than I Can Take!

My morning after...a two hour workout from the night before brought me much more huffing and puffing than I anticipated.
It brought an hour of cardio. But packed in those little sixty minutes was an hour of step, a step twice as high as I had been using. Yipee, I had graduated! It also included the ultimate gift, a whopping 15 flights up (and eventually) down those stairs. All done on little bird legs that aren't used to such rigors. Walking on cobblestone in 4 inch stilettos, no problem! The workout mentioned above, "Houston, we definitely have a problem"!

The cherry on the little pain cupcake was the final cool down. "Cool down" in Rick Cain's vocabulary means ab work. Who knew I would learn a new language on top of losing pounds? (Don't forget "Water break=6 flights") I am well on my way to being quadrilingual!
But I digress, back to the refreshing sounding cool down. Ah, nothing says relax like lying on your back and keeping your legs elevated 6 inches off the ground for 1 minute. Excruciating! My legs however, were a bit higher than the required six inches. I had this pointed out to me by my trainer crawling underneath them saying "That's the biggest six inches I've ever seen". (Insert joke here)

Debbie: WTFO - that's Air Force for WTF - Over!

So now I've completed, a term I use loosely, 2 more sessions and I'm rethinking going for a third. In the meantime, I did hear back from the Geneva Convention folks and they turned down my request for a review - apparently if you are free to leave its not really their definition of torture, details!

Monday night was all about the cardio. I had forgotten to pack my sports bra (high impact) so I was trying to squeeze one more hour out of my 18 Hour bra. We did the nothing but cardio which means non stop motion with varying degrees on intensity sprinkled in just often enough
to keep you from EVER catching your freakin' breath! During the thing called mountain climbers, when you're down on all fours as you alternate which leg is in back - my left shoulder seized up and died. It knocked me to the floor for a nano-second or five. First I just sat there in
the sitting fetal position, rocking back and forth, fighting the stars in my eyes, sirens in my ears, the room spinning, the lights going on and off for no apparent reason and trying not to puke on anyone I like.

(Chris was in front of me and Pat was on my right side which left the stranger on my left as my only possible target). That's a lot to grasp all at once! Pat had to help me up, my body just wasn't responding to my commands but I think I mentally shot about 5 more pins in my Rick
doll. ESS came to check on me, and again he was being nice, even compassionate. But I digress - long story short - the rest of the session ESS told me to go easy so I slacked off a bit. When it was finally, mercifully over I went home, took drugs, a hot shower and crawled into bed, to sleep perchance to dream. . .

Tuesday I started feeling bad for having slacked off on Monday so, after finding out that Pat was going to the 5:30 session, I suited up (including my high impact sports bra) and went on down there. ESS seemed surprised to see me, inquired about my shoulder and said he'd modify his planned session so as not to hurt my shoulder. His weirdly timed compassion is really starting to grate on my nerves! The guilt over the Rick doll and the long pins passed quickly though. We worked on legs and abs. Squats, lunges, crunches, leg lifts, walking lunges, stair climbing squats, stretches, squatting stretches while you lunge - the pain was magnificent, I know he was proud! He was bouncing around with that big ol' smile of his, talking about how much this is helping
us, how its gonna improve our health, our looks, blah, blah, blah - made me want to slap that smile right into next week! When my arms don't hurt so bad I may just do it too!

Katy- Steps, Squats & Jump Ropes & Stairs, Oh My!

Wow. This morning was a killer. And by killer, I mean that when I was climbing the 6 flights for the 3RD TIME, I truly wondered if I was going to pass out and die in the stairwell between the 3rd and 4th floor only to be discovered tonight by fellow "skinnys." I don't know what I was thinking leaving the warm comforts of my Ikea bedding to die in the stairwell at 6:00 in the morning. Wait! Good health, better lifestyle, that's right, back on track. The road to wellness has it's hills, valleys and plateaus, and this morning was a most definite "valley" in my journey. But I will stay on course, for I've now found that not only do I want to succeed for myself, I don't want to dissapoint my other "skinny challengers" who are in it to win it.

Kim - Good morning, sunshine! (Or, is coffee with real cream truly cheating?)

Last nights workout was alot of fun for me, we concentrated on the upper body and since that is my strongest spot, I started out with 5 lb weights. I knew that as my muscles fatigued that the weights would get heavier, but I figured that 5 lbs would be just fine. Once again, my ego got me into a situation that I completely regretted by the end of it. We worked muscles that I had forgotten I have, but now I'm pretty sure I remember clearly...

And then the circuit training started. The circuit training with medicine balls that went up to 25 lbs. The circuit training that included throwing a medicine ball and balancing at the same god-damned time. As I told Rick, "This? Is the equivalent of a blonde trying to chew gum and walk at the same time. If you haven't noticed, I'm blonde." (I know, I know, I'm hilarious. ) I left the workout with limp noodles for arms.

Other things that I'm noticing since I've begun working out are that I'm sleeping better and now that I'm getting more energy I don't feel like a drained battery every morning that I wake up. Sure, I still need my morning coffee, but I can actually get up and do what needs to be done even after being up a good piece of the night with my yongest daughter, "Lydda". I think this more than anything gives me good reason to keep going.

Priscilla- Did You Hear That?

Day 10-

Yesterday was a long day. Between meetings, and dealing with a not so pleasant person, it put me in a mood.
A hunger induced bitchy mood. A head bashing, trash talking, I am jonesing for some pate, crabby kind of mood. Green juice just doesn't replace the loveliness that is a crusty baguette smeared with some fromage du chevre and a beautiful glass of port.

On the bright side it was also my baby boy's birthday. By "baby boy" I mean he is twenty three. My baby opted to go out with his little lady as opposed to spending the evening with mother. He's normal that way. So I found myself free for the evening class. Why not, I thought. Plus knowing that "Jimmy Leg" and I already had plans to attend a little cocktail soiree Thursday night it would make up for missing Thursday night's class.

Being the glutton, I prepared myself to stay for both sessions. The first hour kicked my ass literally. Glute kicks will do that to you. Squats and lunges up stairs will really do that to you. The second hour was a "cake walk". We were going around in a circle and performing the torturous exercises Rick had laid out for us. Needless to say I didn't win a cake yet I still walked away with a muffin top (not my idea of a prize). But I did manage to get some of that anger out by visualizing the aforementioned not so pleasant person's head in place of the 25 lb medicine ball we were hurling at the ground. Eek! That hunger rage was really kicking in!

Back in the welcome respite of home, nestled in my lovely bed, talking over the day's events with "JL", facing complete exhaustion, it happened. The following words rolled off of my precious husband's lips..."Do you want me to massage your inner thighs?"
It was the scream heard all over Macon. A resounding "NOooooooo.....!!!!!".

Priscilla- Week 2 is better than 2 Weak

What a difference a week makes-

Last Monday morning was filled with dread. The anticipation of the unknown coupled with having to depart my little warm cocoon at 5 AM was such a terrible feeling.
This Monday morning I still hated leaving my warm bed. As I lay there, I was mentally preparing myself for starting the morning off by running up the 6 flights of stairs. (The gods above must have heard the collective pleas of all us Fit Campers and took pity upon us. We did not ascend nary a stair in any way shape or form!) I was also reluctant to get up simply because I knew the bathroom tiles would be like tiny ice cubes under my bare feet. But I hopped up and was almost dare I say, looking forward to what pain Cain would bring.

As class progressed and we did some of the same things as the previous Monday and I reflected back. Last week, I was thinking "WTF am I doing here!". Today as I lay on that mat still in pain, I thought "I can do this". Mind you I don't enjoy that awful burning feeling I get in my little noodle arms and in my still non existent abs. But it does feel good to actually get out and DO something! Maybe my "milf" isn't turning sour after all.

Chris: Addicted to weights that are too heavy for me

It's ego. I know it is. Whenever Rick tells us to grab some weights, I go for the ones that I think will make me look like I'm stronger than I am.

But that's not my only problem. It's that I'd really rather be asleep... or watching a movie... or eating dinner... or having my skin buffed with a sand-blaster and dipped in a pool of alcohol that's filled with electric eels. Well, that's just part one of my problem. Part two is that I can't pace myself when I'm doing the workouts, so I go a little overboard. By the end of the hour, I'm drained.

I read all these comments from my fellow bootcampers and I hear it during the torture we endure, and I think, "Why did I ever start doing this?" But just like their stories inspired me to get back on the fitness wagon, their reasons for doing this keep me going.

If it weren't for the mother of two doing this as a way to do things for herself... or my own mother gutting it out every class... if it wasn't for the couples doing it for each other and their health... or the cancer survivor of six years... or any one else in there, I'd have put down those heavy ass 15lb dumbbells, which are way heavier than they look after an hour of use, and walked away. When, at the end of 11 weeks, I look and feel better than I ever have, I'll probably have a lot of nice things to say about these folks.

But for now, I'm cussing you under my breath as hard as I am Rick since it's your "inspiration" that got me into this painful mess in the first place.

(Seriously though, thanks.)

Classifieds

Lost-

1 set of abs and 1 pair of jutting hip bones
If found please return to Priscilla Esser. Family heirlooms!

Big REWARD offered!

My name is Katy...

...and I'm a couchaholic. I love sitting on my couch in my cozy apartment watching PBS specials and West Wing reruns and munching on popcorn. Buttered popcorn. This lazy habit has become too much to bear, so when I heard about this "11-step program" to a better well-being, I hopped off the couch and ran to the gym. I was also a few days behind in the schedule, being in NYC and Philly for the first few sessions, so I'm playing a fast game of catch up . It's been one week, and my legs are killing me. My arms are killing me, and the thought of those 6 flights of stairs with the 5 lb. weights in my hands makes me break out in a nervous sweat. Still, I'm almost one week into it, and know I have to stay strong. My trip to Kroger last night did NOT include the PopSecret Movie Theater Butter box I normally enjoy- and that is a victory in my corner!

As I mentally prep for the Saturday morning session, I can't help but feel very grateful for all the other "aholics" who are in the trenches with me. Whether it's the couch, the food, or just normal life that has put us where we are, I'm glad we can make this new journey together.

Priscilla is just wondering...

Day 4

Today was my first evening session. I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew the STAIRS would be waiting. Taunting me with their cementiness. They didn't disappoint! But just like women put the pain of childbirth out of their heads, I am doing the same tonight when it comes to the stairs.

Earlier this afternoon I had decided I would commit to both sessions. I did this despite having a gallery cocktail party to attend with OPEN BAR and FOOD! That is HUGE for me! I am a bit of a "party girl". Not in a Crazy Brit Brit or La Lohan way though. I was told by my fab friend Terrell that I was SoChi's "Holly Golightly". A title I covet! But I prefer to add without the crazy and not married to a Buddy Ebson type. "Jimmy Leg" is no yokel!

I made it through the exhausting 2 hours. I only swore mildly (I was in too much pain to hurl profanities), and I didn't see Satan whenever Rick spoke.

Upon returning home I thought brown rice and fish NEVER looked so good. But then I really do like brown rice and fish.
Then as I was standing in the shower for a VERY long time, scalding water soothing my achy muscles, I thought to myself...

"I wonder if the 11th Hour is going to pay our water and gas bill these next 3 months?" and
"Can I get a stair epidural ?"

Kim - road block number one.

I think that the major reason that people have problems keeping their New Years resolutions is that life tends to get in the way of us keeping ourselves healthy. Family, work, activities of all sorts get thrown at us and tend to fall into our laps. We are then faced with either working out or doing what is necessary to other people and not necessarily ourselves.

I had this happen today. My brother has finally returned home from a long stay in a hospital out of state, and a day early. I took the day off of the boot camp yesterday because I wanted to go jogging at The Riverwalk, and I found out earlier that my brother is returning home and wants me there.

So, what choice is there to make? The empathetic part of me says that there isn't one. The cold, hard, logical part of me that doesn't want to be fat anymore is screaming at me to get my butt into camp. The only problem is that I won't be able to even get the full workout in. When I'm torn, I go to the advice guru who is also my spouse. He told me that we could go running at The Riverwalk again to at least get cardio in after I get back into Macon tonight, and a trainer at Gateway concurred with the opinion. So, back there again tonight. (Did you know that it's three miles from beginning to end?) (I can't believe I jog/walked that last night!)

I'm holding steady on my diet, and even though my husband came home with Zaxby's for lunch today, I chose a baked sweet potato and a seared chicken breast. Even though life is getting in the way right now, I'm learning that there will be time to keep it up later. Good for me.

Priscilla-Purgatory is 6 flights of stairs

Day 3

I awoke at 5 AM Wednesday without the trepidation I carried on Monday. Still sore, but feeling optimistic especially since "Jimmy Leg" was relatively quiet the previous night.
I had survived 2 whole days without my limbs snapping off. An accomplishment for anyone!

Walking into the work out room I took my place and then was told to pick out some hand weights. Mind you, I am not strong at all.
The heaviest thing I lift is a shopping bag and a cocktail. So with that in mind I did the only sensible thing, I chose 2 pound weights.
We started out with the usual warm ups and then lifting the weights over our heads and up and out...you get the drill.
I grinned to myself thinking how clever of me to get 2 pound weights. No sooner than the grin left my face, Rick (our trainer, drill master, and tormentor) called me out!
He asked "Wouldn't you like to get heavier weights?".
I politely replied "No thank you".

Then there was a blur of circuit training, a 20 lb medicine ball (I hadn't seen one of those since PE class 1976), waving weights over my head, and 3 trips up those damn stairs.
Damn those stairs. I'll be the one with the jimmy leg tonight.

Kim - Cake is not a stop in the Game of Life

So Monday and Tuesday were absolutely grueling, and I realized that the Grim Reaper's alter-ego is actually Rick Cain, or vice versa. The major diet changes that I've made so far have been giving up soda (Coca-Cola, I mourn thee) and re-introducing whole grain substitutes instead of regular bleachy carbohydrates. These types of carbs burn more slowly, thus keeping my blood sugar on an even playing field, which prevents the munchy attacks.

Yesterday I realized that being late to Rick's class, no matter HOW late (3 minutes my watch, 5 his) earns either a locked door or six flights of steps. Seriously, ya'll. I've never been more winded in my life. During the third trip up at the end of our workout when I was seeing the Pearly Gates, Rick was right there with me. This has taught me two valuable lessons: 1. to never, ever, be late again; and 2. that I've really gotta concentrate on the cardio.

Today I didn't have time to get to the class so I went to the riverwalk and ran (jogged) and walked the entire way. I'm really feeling it, and knowing that even on a day when I couldn't make it to class I was still able to get a workout in makes me feel all the more positive.

Post again soon!

Priscilla is Home Schooled

After walking around like the Tin Man on Tuesday morning I figured I needed to keep my non existent muscles loose. So I did what any glutton for pain would do, I hopped on the elliptical machine. It seemed like a good idea at the time. After 3 minutes my legs were burning as if I was approaching the gates of Hades. I stuck with it though thanks to a repeat episodes of The City and Bromance (who doesn't love Whitney and Brody?)

I was swelling with pride for my accomplishment and gloated about it to anyone that came near. Not many did though because I stunk!

Priscilla says "My PHAT is turning into FAT!"

Sleep deprivation can lead you to do strange things. For example the presence of a hacking holiday cough and a 200 lb man snoring next to me who also is cursed with a "jimmy leg" must have caused me to respond to the Fat Camp Challenge in the 11th Hour.

I was thrilled when heard I would be one of the participants. But as I lay in bed this morning waiting for that 5 AM alarm to ring, I found making excuses not to get out of bed. I decided I would go to the evening class instead. Then the "jimmy leg" next to me kicked in, making the departure from memory foam and down all the easier. Driving in the foggy darkness I knew this would be no "piece of cake", or in my case, it's a hunk of cheese. But I wasn't prepared for the serious ass kicking I would receive. I found myself wondering why I thought this public humiliation would be a good idea?

As I lay on the gym floor, doing all kinds of crazy "scissor" motions with my legs, the reality of these next eleven weeks hit me, much like the searing pain I was feeling in my abs.
So after muttering a barrage of obscenities, I tried to focus on how it would all get easier over time. That, and thinking about the banging bod I would hopefully come away with didn't hurt either.

Public Humiliation is a great motivator, and Vanity is a bigger bitch than me!

Pat: the Early Bird

Session 1 down! cardio and abs for an hour, brutal. Can barely lift my arms above my head and don’t know how I’m going to hold my fork tonite at dinner. Rick says it gets better, good. I’m in for the long haul. Oh yea, the ‘water break.’ Didn’t know you had to climb 6 flights of stairs to get your water. Cruel.