Priscilla-Fit Camp Social Club

For a while now fellow FCers have wanted to have a little get together. Given my "Holly Golightly" ways I am always one to jump at the chance to entertain. So of course I offered to host. It took a while to narrow down a date given my crazy schedule of late. Following the MaGa Film Festival seemed like the perfect time to get together, relax, and enjoy talking with one another. Talking without the threat of being subjugated to the "Talking Step"!



So last night we gathered. How lovely seeing everyone in real clothes, the kind without the underwear sewn in. We ate some wonderful food, drank plenty of wine, and saw a "lighter" side of everyone...including Rick and Michelle.
I for one am delighted to be a part of such camaraderie and look forward to hosting our little group again.

Katy- Bye Bye IVP, Chick-fil-a and Mac & Cheese

After a week of nonstop eating (and it's funny how I think of it as nonstop eating when just 2 months ago, these were my regular habits), I was plenty nervous stepping on the scale at today's Weight Watchers meeting... I mean, I had a week of MAGA after parties, Happy Valentine's, Happy Anniversery & Happy Birthday celebrations nonstop- thanks to the BF who was in town for one week! Surely the scales were NOT going to be in my favor... there's nothing like a weekly weigh in to make you question your food choices. I was heavily regretting the garlic knots I enjoyed last Friday at Ingleside Village Pizza, AND the Chick-fil-a biscuit (10 points to fellow Weight Watchers!!!!) Adam suprised me with Monday morning at work.... so I wore my lightest clothes (leggings and a cotton T) and stepped on the scale...

.6 down!! I can't believe it! Even with the heavy indulgences, I'm 1/2 pound down this week...whew!! This makes 6.6 lbs since joining WW one month ago. I was sure this week was going to be a downer, and am now even more convinced than ever that these happy little foods are NOT worth the sweat and worry over a 30 minute Thursday meeting that includes the scales which have not been my friend for a LONG time. So, it's with gladness that I say goodbye to the biscuits and garlic knots (and the mac and cheese I scarfed down yesterday).... it's not worth the heart attack of nerves waiting for my time on the scale!! Thanks to Fit Camp, and FINALLY taking a serious look at food, I think I've found a balance of healthy living that is working for me!! The road is still uphill, but these little weekly victories have done wonders!

Priscilla- Spring

It has been a long winter. As the weather slowly warms, the first sure signs of the changing season have begun to emerge. Like flower bulbs buried deep underground, pushing through the cold earth towards sunlight, my burgeoning hip bones are beginning to peek out from under the layer of FAT that they had been nestled under.

Aahh, Spring has finally sprung!

Priscilla- She Ain't Heavy...It's Just Her Head

It is really very frustrating not to be able to lose weight. Especially when one is working out like crazy and existing on green juice,tomato,and cottage cheese. My trainer tells me not to look at the scale. Ha! He obviously doesn't fully know me, so that is easy for him to say! He also doesn't know how obsessive I can be with those numbers. I hear others in class around me saying how much weight they have lost and it makes me crazy. Oh, I know the drill... muscle weighs more than fat. I've heard it a million times before. But what I want to know is why can't MY muscle be weightless and why can't I subtract the weight of my head from my body weight?

Priscilla- Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm Syndrome is a strong psychological response sometimes seen in abducted hostages, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger or risk in which they have been placed. I am almost certain I have developed this. Simply because in the past 7 weeks I have endured such physical pain at the hands of one man, yet I keep coming back for more. Now I even consider him a friend!
Being at the midpoint is even harder for me than when I first started this challenge. As "my captor" tells us, we must push ourselves if we are to see any results. Being highly competitive (with myself)I find myself reaching for heavier weights and am almost embarrassed to think of the day I grabbed those two pound dumbells. I have not reached the point of hitting two a days (yet). However it is crossing my mind more and more. Once my schedule lightens a bit, I am sure I will at least attempt them. So while I am no Patty Hearst, I am definitely hooked.

So as we pass over the hump - From Rick

Notes from the Badger!


As most of you guys know by now, I have decided to leave the blog alone and just sit back and read and watch each of your stories develop on the way to fitness. I thought if I chimed in all the time that it would seem that I was trying to control the flow of information and perhaps make some of you feel like you couldn't be honest on here without retribution from me. While I am not going to say that some blog post haven't found a way into our workouts, I will say that it is so interesting to go back and read the post and see the changes in attitudes as time passes. Keep up the good work and remember this is just a little over half way, don't quit on me now!

Here are some results after seeing most of you for measurements -

Attendance - I know that this is a horrible thing to take into account but the relationship between success and showing up is undeniable. Being consistent and taking this seriously is something you have to do if you want to see results. I think it is obvious the ones that see they have been given a $250 gift and understand the sacrifice that is for a small business and in return you have brought more than money can buy into each class.

Pricilla Esser - 27 classes
Ginny Cooke - 19
Maureen McCullough - 17
Pat Topping - 17
Deborah Horne - 17
Pat Judd - 15
Charles McCullough - 14
Mary Saltz- 12 - dropped out
Kim Wold - 12
Katy Thompson - 12
Chris Horne - 9
Amina Brown - 2 - dropped out

Results so far -

Down 35 pounds!
Down 8.6% Body Fat
Down 7.5 of collective Body Mass
Total loss of 20 inches!

These results are looking great and I can't wait to see what will happen over the next 4 weeks! I am so impressed with those of you that are seizing this opportunity to really change and improve your lives and I am so lucky to be a part of it!

Stay Strong we are only half way to the end of a never ending climb of well being!

Rick

Kudos from Ginny

I've had so many successes over the last six weeks watching my fitness improve by leaps and bounds (actually by stairs, planks, squats, etc.)! What a feeling! To climb all the way to the sixth floor and down four times in 15 minutes—I could barely make it to the 6th floor once during the first week. Awesome! I can feel my body getting stronger, my energy increasing and see my tummy shrinking—three inches as a matter of fact! (Rick measured and weighed me this morning). What an incredible experience! I'm so very thankful to Chris/11th Hour and Rick Cain/Gateway Fitness Studio who made this all possible, and to my fellow skinny challengers and boot camp participants who have lifted me up with encouraging words, enthusiasm and friendship. The tune playing in my head right now is a song from the movie "Flashdance" — WHAT A FEELING!

Katy- I love you, Rick Cain!!

Thank you Rick! Thanks for being there and pushing us so we can take our workouts to the next level. Last night's class was an hour of sweat, steps and cardio, and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! Don't get me wrong, I'm not addicted to working out (yet), but there was a point in last night's class as I was trying to do the knee kicks quickly that I realized I was the one pushing myself- not just you. I couldn't believe it- I was jogging in the parking garage, and my stepping inside was in tune to the music- sometimes even faster- and when you said push, I actually pushed! I look at some of the fitness people who have obviously been at it a while, and they have the right thing going- they are working their bodies at 100%, and I'm excited about doing that too. For the first few weeks, it just seemed like if I could get through class without passing out, that was a victory. Last night I realized it's time to up the ante, and I feel great about my new goals. So, THANKS RICK CAIN! Your encouragement and persistance has rubbed off on me, and I'm ready to go to the next level!

Priscilla- Classifieds

Muffin Top, free to good home.

Owner has physically moved on and won't feed it anymore.
Relatively well behaved. House broken. Needs some discipline.
Does well in social environment. Consumes cocktails and French food.
Has been known to growl. Does not like to be confined in jeans.

Please consider adopting before it must be taken to the "pound"

Kim-Wanted:

One new (or slightly used) immune system. Must have ability to fight off simple infections and colds.

I swear, put me in a bubble! I absolutely refuse to miss another week because of being ill. See you all there today with kleenex in hand.

Priscilla- Mush (but not on my thighs)

Week 5

Normally I try and write something a little funny. A little wise crack here and there is just who I am. This blog is about as heartfelt as I get. I don't like mush, especially on my thighs.

Lately I have been snowed under with projects and events. The months of January through March have always proven to be swamped for me. These past few weeks have been crazy busy. Aside from all my regular SoChi duties and being a mom of four, I have managed to take on a few extra responsibilities.
MaGa being one. (By the way, a giant thank you all my Fit Camp volunteers!) Being an "agent" yet another (grrr...gp), and hosting a French family of 3 for one month is the icing on the cake. But somewhere in all the crazy that is my booked calendar, I have managed to find the time AND energy to make it to the gym 5 days a week. What has really kept me focused,aside from my upcoming beach trip, is the progress everyone has made. I really am so proud of you! (Kim you rock!)

I must say that after 5 weeks the stairs are not as daunting, especially when Ashley is pushing me on. What a doll she is!
And last night Coco my 17 year old daughter said, "Turn around Mom, I think you are getting a donk". HUGE!

This really has been a great experience. I am so glad to be a part of it. I am especially grateful for the friends (and donk) that have resulted.




This is the last bit of mush you will get from this girl.

Katy- loving week 5!!

I agree with Kim! Last night was a breakthrough for me! After missing class the week before and just trying the "home" workouts (by the way, Jane Fonda has nothing on Rick Cain!!!) I was nervous about this week. Lo and behold, last night was a revelation. After climbing the levels in the parking garage, squatting, kicking, etc. I was able to JOG all the way back to Gateway! WHAT?!!? JOG?!?! I can't believe it! That got me so excited I barely noticed the minute mark on the jumping jacks, and even the plank did not cause the anxiety that it normally does. Seeing the newbies start week one, it reminded me where I was and where I am now. So, now it's time for me to seriously look at what else I can do. I bought a (gulp) calorie counter and am going to do a full examination of food intake... if I can conquer the plank, I KNOW I can conquer my food. Is there anyway Rick could record his voice telling me "NO" every time I open the refrigerator???

Kim's 5th week = success

Tonight I did jumping Jacks for a full minute with no stops. I held The Plank, as well as both versions of the side plank, no stops there. I Glute kicked my way up the third floor of the parking deck and kept up with Rick and Amy, and I lead the way on the 6 flights of stairs, at which time I almost stopped, but didn't (thanks to Amy).

Endorphins have nothing on this rush. Honestly, after tonight, I don't care about my measurements as long as I keep this up.

Last week when I couldn't work out I really missed it, and I was so anxious when I started back this week. I didn't eat well last week, and my self-confidence was bust. I just knew that I would start back from scratch. Now I know that it's like riding a bike, and I'm not nearly as anxious.

It's about the go, not the show. Right? Right.

San Diego and back

Charlie here….sorry for tardiness on the reply; work has been calling...

Hanging in there….in San Diego all last week but Maureen and I walked the hills big time…..pretty intense for three days plus all the other strolling. Perfect weather. We burnt our candles at both ends doing everything Southern California had to offer. Ever get a chance to do San Diego, don’t miss it! After exhibiting at a trade show and playing all week, we returned late Sunday exhausted but resumed our sessions with Rick Tuesday. In fact, Maureen stayed for the second hour. A few injuries…wonder why? Maybe our bodies aren’t what they were 50 years ago…
But, have never felt better – twice the energy. Pretty good comments from a couple of old folks.
Last night was good; crunches are so tough for me but can you believe it, I can actually jump that stupid rope a little bit. I think I figured it out : it is all about rhythm. Can I purchase some stamina anywhere? Maureen’s knee has seen better days so she rode the bike machine for three miles while, you guessed it, we did the stairways to hell. The “yahoo” wall sitting and kicking screams were a nice addition by Rick. I cannot imagine what Rick has in store for us tonight.

Chris, now that the “Dooley Chat” edition is done, you have no excuse. Maybe try to limit the beer to only 8 a day.

Charlie

Priscilla-Stairway to Heaven

I woke at 4:45 AM still "Grrr...y" from the previous night.
A little physical exertion was sure to get my anger out. So off to the gym I went. Where I was greeted with 18 spots on a circuit, 2 of those being stairs. It never fails though. No matter where I start out on a circuit, it ALWAYS seems that I come back around to the stairs one time more. Today however instead of swearing like a sailor as I ascended them I said a rosary. Granted it was a little huffy and puffy, but I managed to get through a good bit of it. I don't think God minded the heavy breathing. Who knew 24 flights of stairs would actually bring me some much needed peace of mind.




I guess this must be what Led Zeppelin was singing about.