Thank you for your support!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Vote for Mama Bootcamp!
Mama Bootcamp has been nominated as one of the Sacramento area's best businesses. Please help us to be number one by voting today!
Monday, March 28, 2011
And the winner is...
The winner of the free hair highlight from Melissa at Abeille Salon in Roseville has been selected via random drawing.
Congratulations to...Lara!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Success Story: Sara found her MOJO!
Sara had amazing success during her first 12 week session with Mama Bootcamp in Elk Grove. Here is her story:
I started Mama Bootcamp in late summer 2010. I had just taken my third and youngest child off to college. I was feeling OLD and my nest was empty. I complained to a friend, and she gave me a magazine with an article about the benefits of Mama Bootcamp. My friend thought it would be a good way for me to learn how to take time for myself, now that my kids were in college, and feel healthier.
My first Mama Bootcamp was Coach Marilyn’s first class in Elk Grove. Even though I had run a little before, it was definitely a challenge. But Marilyn was (and continues to be) so supportive and affirming that I just kept coming back and trying to do more each time. With her encouragement and feedback, and the camaraderie of the group, I have been challenging myself to do more physically and now I’m doing things I never thought I could do.
When I started, my first challenge was running the whole 2 mile course without walking. I ran my first timed mile at 12 minutes, 19 seconds; by February 2011 I was at 9 minutes, 52 seconds! I am feeling strong and healthy, and I continue to run a little faster. I lost 16 pounds and almost 20 inches, and my cholesterol went from 220 to 140. Most importantly, I feel so much better.
Now I am training for a triathlon this summer. I have more energy and my clothes fit better. I look forward to shopping instead of dreading it. But beyond helping me get in shape, Marilyn and Mama Bootcamp help give me a weekly boost of motivation and self-confidence!
Sara in July 2010 ("Before")
I started Mama Bootcamp in late summer 2010. I had just taken my third and youngest child off to college. I was feeling OLD and my nest was empty. I complained to a friend, and she gave me a magazine with an article about the benefits of Mama Bootcamp. My friend thought it would be a good way for me to learn how to take time for myself, now that my kids were in college, and feel healthier.
My first Mama Bootcamp was Coach Marilyn’s first class in Elk Grove. Even though I had run a little before, it was definitely a challenge. But Marilyn was (and continues to be) so supportive and affirming that I just kept coming back and trying to do more each time. With her encouragement and feedback, and the camaraderie of the group, I have been challenging myself to do more physically and now I’m doing things I never thought I could do.
When I started, my first challenge was running the whole 2 mile course without walking. I ran my first timed mile at 12 minutes, 19 seconds; by February 2011 I was at 9 minutes, 52 seconds! I am feeling strong and healthy, and I continue to run a little faster. I lost 16 pounds and almost 20 inches, and my cholesterol went from 220 to 140. Most importantly, I feel so much better.
Now I am training for a triathlon this summer. I have more energy and my clothes fit better. I look forward to shopping instead of dreading it. But beyond helping me get in shape, Marilyn and Mama Bootcamp help give me a weekly boost of motivation and self-confidence!
Sara in July 2010 ("Before")
Sara in November 2010 after 12 weeks of Mama Bootcamp!
Way to go Sara!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Week 13: Appreciate your Body (Positive self-talk)
In earlier challenges, we focused on being grateful and positive instead of negative and complaining. The whole purpose of those challenges was to realize that what you say and think makes a difference in how you act and feel. Whatever you focus on is what you feed, and what you feed grows. If all you think about is what you don't have, your dissatisfaction grows; if most of what you say comes out as a complaint, you forget to see the positive.
This week's challenge builds on that idea.
How many times in a day do you engage in negative self-talk about your BODY? I know I do it ALL.THE.TIME. "I can't wear those, my thighs are too fat." "I hate my arms." "My back is killing me." "I'm just not strong enough." Honestly, I've probably said each of these things to myself, in my head, just in the last 3 hours.
But what about the GOOD things about my body and all of the amazingly positive and wonderful things it has done for me? My legs are strong and get me where I want to go, and I can move around and play with my daughter whenever I want to. I may have stretch marks, but they came from having a baby - a wonderful gift my body gave me. My body may not be perfect, but it sure has served me well so far!
Your challenge this week: Positive Self Talk! Your Bootcamp coach will give you an index card. Give yourself a minute to think about the beauty of your body and then write down some positive things your body has done for you. As the week goes on, listen to yourself (speech and thoughts) and squash that negative body-talk. Use your card to write down something you love about your body, or something wonderful your body has done for you. Anytime you start having those negative thoughts, pull out your card and remind yourself how strong, beautiful and lucky you really are!
Have a great week!
This week's challenge builds on that idea.
How many times in a day do you engage in negative self-talk about your BODY? I know I do it ALL.THE.TIME. "I can't wear those, my thighs are too fat." "I hate my arms." "My back is killing me." "I'm just not strong enough." Honestly, I've probably said each of these things to myself, in my head, just in the last 3 hours.
But what about the GOOD things about my body and all of the amazingly positive and wonderful things it has done for me? My legs are strong and get me where I want to go, and I can move around and play with my daughter whenever I want to. I may have stretch marks, but they came from having a baby - a wonderful gift my body gave me. My body may not be perfect, but it sure has served me well so far!
Your challenge this week: Positive Self Talk! Your Bootcamp coach will give you an index card. Give yourself a minute to think about the beauty of your body and then write down some positive things your body has done for you. As the week goes on, listen to yourself (speech and thoughts) and squash that negative body-talk. Use your card to write down something you love about your body, or something wonderful your body has done for you. Anytime you start having those negative thoughts, pull out your card and remind yourself how strong, beautiful and lucky you really are!
Have a great week!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Don't forget to enter to win free highlights!
Ashley's Story: Week 1 - A Little Accountability
Three years ago, I met Lorri Ann for the first time. A friend called and said, "I just met the most amazing woman at the park and you have to do this thing with me." At the time, my daughter was six months old. I had gained 70 pounds (!) during my pregnancy and I was feeling pretty down on myself. Mama Bootcamp turned out to be just what I needed.
I'd love to say that I lost all of that weight and you can find me in the success stories, but I didn't. Instead, I lost some weight and a lot of inches, got overwhelmed with being a mom and dropped out of bootcamp. I turned back to the old habits and gained about 20 more pounds over the course of a year. After struggling on my own, I emailed Lorri Ann one day and told her that I needed to come back to bootcamp.
Becoming an Athlete
Lorri Ann welcomed me back and challenged me to do tri training. Last year, with the support of Mama Bootcamp, I completed a sprint triathlon. I never changed my eating habits though, so I competed in what I jokingly called the fat girl category. Despite the fact that I was still very overweight, I was so proud of myself for finishing the race. My whole life I thought I couldn't do things like that and, in fact, I could!
Just a week before the triathlon, I got a positive pregnancy test. I was so excited! My son is now six weeks old. I vowed that I wouldn't gain a ton of weight during the pregnancy and I did a good job of sticking to that vow. I gained about 15 pounds, all of which I've lost since his birth.
Starting Over, Again
So here I am - back where I started three years ago. Except this time, I'm about 15 pounds heavier, but a whole lot stronger and I have so much more faith in my ability to finally have the body that I want. And now, I have a whole new level of accountability that I never had before - you.
Last night, Lorri Ann did my measurements. I've thought long and hard about whether or not I would share them on this blog. I mean, who wants to put their weight and body fat percentage out there for the world to see? But it's only going to get better from here, right? So, world, here's my dirty little (okay, big) secret:
Weight: 210 pounds
Body Fat %: 49.2 (Yes, pretty much half of me is fat. Ugh.)
Clothes Size: 16/XL
My Long-term Goals
This is going to be a long journey. I have some idea of what I want my final goals to be, but I've been overweight my entire life, so I really have no idea of what's realistically possible. Here's what I'm thinking:
Weight: 140 pounds
Body Fat %: Something healthy
Clothes Size: 8/M
More than anything, I want to be healthy. I want to be a good example for my children. I want to feel good and look good. I want to end my battle with food and stop the dysfunction that's kept me overweight my entire life. This time, I will do it.
When you see me at bootcamp, please cheer me on and I'll cheer you on, too. We could all use a little accountability.
I'd love to say that I lost all of that weight and you can find me in the success stories, but I didn't. Instead, I lost some weight and a lot of inches, got overwhelmed with being a mom and dropped out of bootcamp. I turned back to the old habits and gained about 20 more pounds over the course of a year. After struggling on my own, I emailed Lorri Ann one day and told her that I needed to come back to bootcamp.
Becoming an Athlete
Lorri Ann welcomed me back and challenged me to do tri training. Last year, with the support of Mama Bootcamp, I completed a sprint triathlon. I never changed my eating habits though, so I competed in what I jokingly called the fat girl category. Despite the fact that I was still very overweight, I was so proud of myself for finishing the race. My whole life I thought I couldn't do things like that and, in fact, I could!
Just a week before the triathlon, I got a positive pregnancy test. I was so excited! My son is now six weeks old. I vowed that I wouldn't gain a ton of weight during the pregnancy and I did a good job of sticking to that vow. I gained about 15 pounds, all of which I've lost since his birth.
Starting Over, Again
So here I am - back where I started three years ago. Except this time, I'm about 15 pounds heavier, but a whole lot stronger and I have so much more faith in my ability to finally have the body that I want. And now, I have a whole new level of accountability that I never had before - you.
Last night, Lorri Ann did my measurements. I've thought long and hard about whether or not I would share them on this blog. I mean, who wants to put their weight and body fat percentage out there for the world to see? But it's only going to get better from here, right? So, world, here's my dirty little (okay, big) secret:
Weight: 210 pounds
Body Fat %: 49.2 (Yes, pretty much half of me is fat. Ugh.)
Clothes Size: 16/XL
My Long-term Goals
This is going to be a long journey. I have some idea of what I want my final goals to be, but I've been overweight my entire life, so I really have no idea of what's realistically possible. Here's what I'm thinking:
Weight: 140 pounds
Body Fat %: Something healthy
Clothes Size: 8/M
More than anything, I want to be healthy. I want to be a good example for my children. I want to feel good and look good. I want to end my battle with food and stop the dysfunction that's kept me overweight my entire life. This time, I will do it.
When you see me at bootcamp, please cheer me on and I'll cheer you on, too. We could all use a little accountability.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A special spring giveaway: free hair highlights!
Spring is a time that many of us feel inspired to freshen things up. We dust, we scrub, we clean out closets. With summer right around the corner, we are also working hard to get ready for bathing suit season.
It's time to reward yourself for your hard work! Melissa of Abeille Salon in Roseville has generously offered a free highlight to the winner of this drawing!
The fine print:
Contest ends Sunday, March 27th at 11:59pm PDT. The winner will be chosen via random drawing and announced on this blog on Monday, March 28th.
Good luck!
It's time to reward yourself for your hard work! Melissa of Abeille Salon in Roseville has generously offered a free highlight to the winner of this drawing!
To enter: Please "like" Melissa's Facebook page (here) and leave a comment on this post about spring cleaning- do you have a spring cleaning ritual?
The fine print:
Contest ends Sunday, March 27th at 11:59pm PDT. The winner will be chosen via random drawing and announced on this blog on Monday, March 28th.
Good luck!
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