Friday, September 14, 2012

Free Fallin'...Never Again


Me before the jump. All smiles and a bag of nerves!
Boyfriend was getting strapped in behind me.
This summer completed something and can now cross it off my bucket list! It was terrifying, exhilarating, stupid and fun all at the same time and I will never (ok most likely never) do it again. I went skydiving with my parents, my brothers, my boyfriend, his sister and 4 other friends. We went to Skydive Midwest in Sturtevant, WI and they were awesome. The first time we tried was my 24th birthday weekend, it was too windy so we showed up 2 weeks later on June 9th early in the morning. We had all flown up, jumped, fallen, and landed safely by 8:15 a.m. What were you doing? I'm glad I did it, but like I said, never again...


My little brother walking to the plane and my mom behind him. You can see me coming down:
I'm the tiny dot above the corner of the building in the center of the photo!
My mom jumping/falling.

I don't have pictures of my jump but since I look so much like my mom,
I imagine this is what I looked like except much more scared and more like this.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Surf's Up

I almost forgot about learning to surf--another bucket list item! We went on a family vacation this year over spring break to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We went with a large group of families from our local high school and had about 20 people learning how to surf at this tiny beach in PC. It was a little awkward at first because the instructors and helpers for the class hardly spoke English, were all male and we had a good amount of female high schoolers with us. But by the end everyone was becoming friends and swapping Facebook info! I wasn't as skilled as I thought I'd be and I ended up getting in a fight with my board and a wave and losing. I was better off as the photographer anyway! Here are some amusing images from the trip.

Yes, I know it's not "real" surfing but I don't plan on moving to the coast and becoming a beach bunny in my lifetime so this counts! ;)


That's the best I've got! Shortly after this, I lost the fight with my surfboard!






Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Took Steps for Crohn's and Colitis

I thought I'd give you a quick update to my post from May about the Crohn's and Colitis walk in June. Boyfriend and I walked with family to help raise money for Crohn's and Colitis research. There were maracas, food, friends, family--young and old, dogs galore but mostly just support and love! I raised $155 of the $150 goal I set for myself so THANK YOU to everyone who donated! I appreciate it! I wish I knew the final total that the Milwaukee walk raised but I can't find it listed. We had a great time and I felt good helping a charity that helps our family members.

Monday, September 10, 2012

It was indeed happy, colorful and fun!

As an update to my Color Run post a few months ago, my family got to sign up for the Milwaukee run! I put together a video to summarize our experience :) Enjoy!


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Things I Would Like to Do Before I Kick the Bucket


After browsing the blogs Twinkles and Winks and Pursuit of Hippieness, I decided to make my own bucket list! I will post as these happen and I will add to this as I think of more things I want to do! If you can help me accomplish anything on this list please contact me :)

BUCKET LIST
  • Become a certified aerobics instructor
  • Get a puppy
  • Learn to surf
  • Go on a Eurotrip
  • Go hiking and/or camping in a foreign country
  • Go on a silent retreat
  • Run a half-marathon
  • Run a marathon
  • Take a pole dancing class
  • Ride in a hot air balloon
  • Cook an amazing meal for my family
  • Become a mother
  • Adopt a child and/or be a foster parent
  • Go skydiving
  • Go on a brewery tour or 3
  • Become a wine connoisseur
  • Be on the jumbotron/TV at a Packer game
  • Go to a drive-in movie

Take Steps to Be Heard!

UPDATE

My new cousin-in-law was diagnosed with Crohn's this past summer. He and my cousins are my reasons for wanting to get involved and raise awareness. Please support him and everyone else who is fighting this chronic illness! I have a few friends who also have Crohn's and I understand the obstacles that come along with it.

This year on June 24th, I will be walking in the Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis Walk. Take Steps is CCFA's national evening walk and celebration and the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. It is a casual 2-3 mile stroll to raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Over 1.4 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases. While many suffer in silence, Take Steps brings together this community in a fun and energetic atmosphere, encouraging them to make noise and be heard.


A lot of this group will be walking with us!

Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects. This cause is very important to me and I appreciate your help as we fight for a cure! In addition to donating, you can join me at the event. There will be food, music and kid's activities. The more money we raise, the closer we will be to making life more manageable for patients who live with these diseases every day.

Please join me or donate to my efforts to support CCFA in finding a cure!

Thank you for your support! :)

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The craziest, colorful, 5k of your life




I registered to run in The Color Run on June 2nd in Chicago with some of my amazing family members! I'm really excited to do this. It's a 5k where they throw "color" at you (a.k.a. color treated powder) as you run the course. It's not a timed 5k but it looks amazing! By the end of it you look like you jumped in a vat of candy-dye at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Check out http://www.thecolorrun.com/ for more details!

Haven't run a 5k since Bastille Days in July 2011 so I should probably make sure I'm able to keep up with my super fit cousins!

 
UPDATE: I'm bummed out because I can do the Color Run anymore. It's my little brother's graduation from high school and that's more important to me. Hopefully I can sign up for one of the new locations that the Color Run is adding though!

Monday, February 20, 2012

If you gots the poison, I gots the remedy

05/24/12: Just an update: This brilliant plan lasted about 2 weeks before I didn't notice any difference and got bored and gave up. Whoops! Boyfriend's still into it though and he's basically the healthiest guy I know. The coconut oil does make for an excellent moisturizer though!
Trying a new thing starting today. The boyfriend has been doing this for a few months and I decided to join the club. I started oil pulling this morning and drinking Apple Cider Vinegar.

What is oil pulling and Apple Cider Vinegar you ask?

They're two different things, actually. Oil pulling is a natural remedy for a LOT of sicknesses and diseases. People have sworn that they've been cured of blood diseases, colds, organ-disorders, skin diseases and a bunch of other things. It's supposed to help you have a "fresh, relaxed feeling on waking up, disappearing dark pouches below the eyes, anew appetite and energy, better memory and deep sleep." Coconut oil is also a natural teeth whitener! I've used whitening strips before but they make my teeth super sensitive. My guy has tried them too and since he's been oil pulling he said he's noticed his back teeth (where the strips don't reach) are a lot whiter too.

How do you do you oil pull?

You put coconut oil (you can use different kinds of pure oils) in your mouth and swish it around for 15-30 minutes. The idea is that it pulls out bad bacterias from your teeth, throat and bloodstream. Don't swallow the liquid that forms in your mouth - It's poisonous to your body. I tried to do the oil pulling a few months ago but it starts off as a solid and made me gag. It felt like I was chewing coconut flavored wax. Bleh. But the coconut oil melts at like 70 degrees so it melts in your mouth. I just let it sit in there until it melted. I swished whiled I was showering and getting ready for work. You're supposed to do it before you eat or drink anything for the day. Check out http://www.oilpulling.com/ for more info on this process.

Here are my BEFORE oil pulling pictures! (Say CHEESE! lol)











Now what about ACV?

Apple Cider Vinegar reportedly cures a multitude of problems including "allergies (including pet, food and environmental), sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout." I mixed about a Tablespoon of ACV with water, a little honey and baking soda and chugged fast! Definitely not the best taste but I figured I've got nothing to lose.

I'm not worried that I have some kind of disease. I'm in good health overall but who doesn't want to clear up acne, allergies and sore throats?! We'll see how she goes! Perfect timing too because I've been breaking out like crazy lately.

Check out http://www.earthclinic.com/ for more non-traditional cures and remedies for pretty much everything you can think of. I'll keep you updated on what happens with these experiments!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

I - I - I - I work out!

33:00 minutes in to hear that joke!
My dear, dear boyfriend is crazy about health and exercise. He got me into integrating weights into my workouts to create better results. I thought it was ridiculous at first because when I think of women lifting weights, I think of those freaky bodybuilder chicks who are like Madonna, a weird bucket of mussels.

But then I realized for the real women of the world, it can get you closer to the bodacious bods of J. Lo, Anna Kournikova, and Gisele.

My man graciously put together some beginner weight routines for me to use 3 days a week with light warm-ups beforehand. I love cardio so I'd do 30-90 minutes of cardio on opposite days.

I've decided to share these workouts with you all. Click on the days of the week to jump to the relating posts. (Working on Friday, use Monday/Wednesday to get started)

MONDAY: Backs & Biceps
WEDNESDAY: Triceps & Chest
FRIDAY: Legs, Abs & Shoulders

If you're feeling ambitious, try these for two weeks to get the hang of it. You will seriously be amazed with the results. For every work out, start with a low weight but something that will still make you work for the sweat. You'll do 3 sets, decreasing the reps and increasing the weight for every set. For example:
SETS  REPS  WT
1          10        60
2          8          65
3          6          70
This was me at one point...I SWEAR!!
Feel free to adjust the weight from these work outs to your needs and ability. Every week, increase your starting weight by 5 lbs. You'll be curling 45 pounders in no time!!

Monday is back/biceps day with lat pulldown, back row and dumbbell curls. Wednesday is triceps/chest day with rope pulldown, machine triceps, dumbbell bench press and machine flye. Friday is leg/abs/shoulders day with leg press, lunges, cable kickback, hip abductors, dumbbell lat raises, dumbbell military and ab crunch.

Good luck with everything and let me know how it goes! I can't wait to hear from you! :)

Wednesday: Triceps & Chest

For every work out, start with a low weight but something that will still make you work for the sweat. You'll do 3 sets, decreasing the reps and increasing the weight for every set.
For example:
SETS  REPS  WT
1          10        60
2          8          65
3          6          70

Feel free to adjust the weight from these work outs to your needs and ability. Every week, increase your starting weight by 5 lbs.

Wednesday is triceps/chest day with rope pulldown, machine triceps, dumbbell bench press and machine flye. 

These descriptions and images are taken from various websites. I want to make sure you are all being directed on the correct form. It would be a great idea if you consult your gym's experts or bring your own muscleman or woman to the gym with you for the first week!

WEDNESDAY
Boyfriend's Tip: "Work all the muscle groups to boost metabolism."


Rope Pull Down

Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           14         35
2           12         40

3           10         45
Week 2 start weight at 40 lbs.

The picture shows a bar instead of a rope. The ropes look like this. Grab the rope with an overhand grip. Your grip can be altered to work different muscles. Concentrate on standing tall with your shoulders back, feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent and elbows tucked to your sides. Inhale slowly, then exhale and extend your arms at the elbow until they are straight. Don't snap your arms down and lock your elbows. Keep control! Inhale as you bring your arms back to the starting position.

Machine Triceps

Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           14         25
2           12         30
3           10         35
Week 2 start weight at 30 lbs.

Make sure the machine is adjusted to your body so you can comfortably reach the handles with your back straight and feet flat on the raise platform. Grip the handles with your palms facing each other. Keep your shoulders down and your arms parallel to each other. Push the handles down and away from you while exhaling until your arms are straight. Return to the start position with controlled form.


Dumbbell Bench Press

Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           16         10
2           14         15
3           12         20
Week 2 start weight at 15 lbs.

Lie back on bench with dumbbells at your shoulders. Press them up until your arms are extended above you. Lower the weights to the sides of your chest until you feel a slight stretch. Your elbows shouldn't go much further than your shoulders but be sure to get that stretch in there. After your last rep bring the dumbbells to your shoulders and sit up slowly.


Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           16         30
2           14         35
3           12         40
Week 2 start weight at 35 lbs.

Adjust the seat on the machine so that your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Grip the handles so your palms are facing forward. Keep your back straight and tall with your feet flat on the ground. Bring your arms together in front of your chest until your hands or the pads meet. Hold it for a second and slowly return to the start position with controlled motion.

Monday: Back & Biceps

For every work out, start with a low weight but something that will still make you work for the sweat. You'll do 3 sets, decreasing the reps and increasing the weight for every set.
For example:
SETS  REPS  WT
1          10        60
2          8          65
3          6          70


Feel free to adjust the weight from these work outs to your needs and ability. Every week, increase your starting weight by 5 lbs.


Monday is back/biceps day with lat pulldown, back row and dumbbell curls. As you get more comfortable going from machine to machine and increasing the weight stack, try to keep rest between sets under 2 minutes.

These descriptions and images are taken from various websites. I want to make sure you are all being directed on the correct form. It would be a great idea if you consult your gym's experts or bring your own muscleman or woman to the gym with you for the first week!

MONDAY
Boyfriend's Tip: "Focus on good form, slow negatives."
Lat Pulldown


Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           10         60
2           8           65
3           6           70
Week 2 start weight at 65 lbs.

Grip the bar like you're grabbing bike handlebars (pronated grip) with your hands shoulder width apart. Pull down your shoulders while keeping your arms straight, then pull the bar using your back and arms. You're working your armpit muscles, a.k.a. your lats. Pull your elbows back to touch the bar to your chest. Bring the bar back up to the start position, keeping it controlled.

Back Row
Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           10         40
2           8           45
3           6           50
Week 2 start weight at 45 lbs.

Make sure the machine is adjusted to your height so you can comfortably grip the handles while keeping your back straight and your feet flat on the ground. Grip the handles in a pronated grip. Without moving anything but your arms, slowly pull the handles up to the sides of your chest. Hold for a second, and lower the weight back down.

Dumbbell Curls
Week 1
SETS   REPS   WT
1           10         10
2           8           15
3           6           20
Week 2 start weight at 15 lbs.

Start with your palms facing out and your arms straight. With your elbows close to your sides raise one (or both) dumbbell(s) to your shoulder. Lower to the original position and repeat (on the other side). Feel free to move them together or alternate. Concentrate on raising and lowering your dumbbells directly in front of your body, don't let your arms stray to the side--this could hurt your elbows and shoulders.

Monday, January 30, 2012

You are what you eat...

My story is not super inspirational but I am proud of myself and hope that maybe it'll spark some motivation to someone in a similar situation! I'm hoping this blog will turn into some kind of health/fitness/diet kind of theme but we'll see where my creative mind takes it!
That's me in front... dang! Don't
think I can do that anymore!

I graduated high school in 2006 at 125 lbs. I was on Varsity Poms with vigorous 2.5 hour practices 5 days a week and could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

I graduated college in May 2010 with 158 lbs. on my 5'3" frame. Just goes to show what beer, pasta, lack of sleep and a busy campus lifestyle will do to your body. I tried to stay active but the social scene was way more attractive at the time!


After moving home, my parents encouraged me to get back into shape. I admit, I was stubborn and in denial at first. Once, when my mom suggested I start being more active again and pointed out my clothes weren't exactly fitting right I proclaimed "Well, maybe this is the way God made me, mom!" Happy to say that was not the case. Let me make it clear that my family never once called me fat or discouraged me. They're part of the reason I can write this with confidence. I am thankful I have a family that has my best interests at heart, especially when I don't.
Day after graduation. When I realized I had fat armpits. Embarrassing...
The benefits of a home gym:
Corny poses on the treadmill.
I realized that I hated the way I was feeling--emotionally and physically. That was the push I needed. I started getting active again by walking outside with friends and working out in my parents' basement. I began counting calories on my MyFitnessPal app. I was teased by the other interns at my internship for bringing salads and healthy foods to work for lunch while they were munching on fast food and chips. I just shot it right back at them that they can make fun all they want but they'll see it's worth it soon! (Since then several of them started their own workout regimens! Way to go guys!)

Bastille Days 5k in July
2011, beat my 2010 PR!
I started dating a man who is so motivating when it comes to diet, health and fitness and he only helped me more! I joined Anytime Fitness in September 2010. My man explained the importance of weight exercises and wrote out a few routines to follow weekly. By November I was stronger and felt 100x better. I remember telling my mom in December that I had not felt that good...ever!

Using Anytime Fitness, counting calories and following recipes and exercises from Women's Health Magazine I was able to get back in shape. It took a lot of dedication, focus, and encouragement from friends and family but in 15 months I got down to my goal weight of 128. It's amazing how losing 30 lbs. can make you feel. I feel my healthiest, even better than in high school, because I'm not only exercising regularly, but I live a healthier lifestyle in terms of diet. I learned that diet is a major part of weight loss. If you're not fueling your body with the proper foods, you may see results initially but you won't see much long-term progress.

I have a huge sense of pride when I tell people how much I've lost. Most people don't realize I even weighed that much to begin with. It makes me happy when others are encouraged when they hear about my accomplishment. I've learned a lot from this experience and try to educate my friends who are in similar situations and be that positive voice in their head when they're striving for their goal!

Before: May 2010 - and - After: August 2011