Speaking of amazing people who inspire me. Happy Birthday, Dad!

  
http://blog.changemyselfchangetheworld.com/MyDad

Thanks for the birthday wishes yesterday, everyone! I had a great day! First of all, I didn’t wake up and workout. What a treat! Todd and I went to breakfast at Lucille’s in Boulder. The beignets were delicious! Then we headed to Black Hawk to play some Black Jack. I would love to say we won a bunch of money but… we played for three hours and ended up losing $50 a piece. But hey, we came home with half of what we went with so… cannot complain. Next we went shopping and bought what I had planned to since January. A brand new pair of Lucky Jeans! I had to try on five pairs before I knew what size I am now. I am a 27/28. That is roughly a size 6! Finally, we intended to see Clash of the Titans but the ticket line out the door! FORGET IT! We went home and curled up in our newly finished basement for a movie instead. And we ate WAY too much junk food and candy. Blech! I feel so gross! I need some fruit and vegetables! I had planned to take the whole weekend off from healthy eating but the way I feel after all that candy… I don’t even want another day off. I think I am going to go for a run. But first I am going back to bed.

Yesterday was surreal. After my final hike I got my nails done at a place that had been totally remodeled and fitted with a row of new massage chairs. I fell asleep. That was the best massage chair I have ever sat in. Oh man, where can I get one…

By noon I was at the studio where I met an adorable woman named Amanda who was assigned to spray tan me. Spray tanning was a very strange experience. I stood naked in a pop up tent and she spray painted me like a car. I was not sure I wanted this done at all since it is so out of style to be really dark these days. Super dark tans no longer make people think of relaxing on the beach but of skin cancer. However I was very pleased with the result, just a shade or two past my normal color and not a hint of orange. She did a fantastic job. (No, that’s not me in the picture! That is a model.)

Next was make up and hair done by the lovely and talented Jen Murphy. Such a professional! In a very short time she transformed me from Plain Jane with no make up and wild hair to ‘Whoa!’ I told Todd I would probably look like a 13 year old in dance recital with a bunch of make up on me. Either that or a hooker. Far from it! Jen was truly an artist and took really good care of me. This is Jen:

Finally there was the photos. Before yesterday, I could think of nothing more uncomfortable than putting on a bikini and high heels, standing in a cold room, and having someone bark orders and snap photos. I had dreaded this day since the beginning of the challenge.

Yet when the time came, Rob Hawthorne made it seem like a piece… of… cake – like something I had done a dozen times before. He had to provide a lot of direction but did not let on for one second that it was anything but fun for him. I felt totally relaxed. In the middle of the photo shoot, a group of business men walked in and Rob ran over to show them my before photos. Their reaction to how far I had come boosted my confidence even more. One of them said, “Ok, seriously. What are you trying to sell me?” like he almost couldn’t believe it. That got a BIG smile from me.

Rob made it so much fun that I could have easily kept changing outfits and taking pictures except for one thing. After five hours I realized I was REALLY hungry and I could FINALLY fall off the wagon for a day or two and eat whatever I want! Last night it was Chinese Food. Fried crab cheese wontons, egg rolls, sesame chicken, and vegetable fried rice with ice cream for dessert. I almost cried I was so happy not to be eating steamed beef and vegetables for once. GREAT dinner!

Oh, about the photos. Challenge rules state that I cannot post them until I find out for sure whether or not I am in the running. Once you submit them, they own them. I am going to call on Monday though. I might be able to post one I took in a sports bra and shorts since I am not submitting those. We’ll see. Even if they say yes I still have to build up the courage to actually post it. That is pretty… I don’t know… PUBLIC. Eek!  Either way, on Monday I will let you guys know how the competition works from here on out.

By the way, if you need a spray tan, make up, hair, or pictures an event I highly recommend this wonderful group of talented and experienced people:

Photography:   Rob Hawthorne – http://www.robhawthorne.com/
Hair and Make Up:   Jen Murphy – http://www.thejenmurphy.com/
Spray Tanning OR Personal Training: Amanda Berthod – amanda.berthod@gmail.com

Ya know, I think I won’t go get my pictures taken today after all. I am really tired. I think I will stay home and eat McDonald’s and watch movies instead…

*big grin*… 

I did it! I cannot believe I finished! The photo shoot is going to take all day so I took off work. And since tomorrow is my birthday I took that off too! This morning I feel ambitious so I am going to do one last pre-photo hike. Then I am getting my nails done. After that begins a long session at a studio in Denver. I somehow managed to find a photographer who specialized in taking photos of fitness models so hopefully he can provide some guidance. The session includes a whole ordeal including make up and hair and everything. I am so excited and nervous I couldn’t sleep! I am going to be treated like a model for a day! (And I mean that in a good way. He he he.) What a great birthday present! And best of all…

FINAL WEEKLY WEIGH-IN:
Starting: 157
Original Goal: 137
Revised Goal: 135
Final Weight: 130

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: J anuary 7
Days Left: 1 – Today

I cannot believe I have finally made it to the last day of the challenge! Unlike February, I had absolutely no set backs in March. I quite literally worked my butt off. These lips did not meet a single bit of junk food and I did not miss one workout. Yesterday was a close call though. The place I play volleyball clouded up with thick dust on Sunday and Monday I woke up with a sore throat. Yesterday it burned so bad I thought for sure I was really sick. I laid in bed furious that I had come so far and was getting sick right before the end. I finally took some ibuprofen for the sore throat and it perked me up enough to get back up there late in the afternoon, just in time.

I have to say, morning hikes are better. It is so peaceful. And I don’t have to hike with other people’s dogs running up behind me, back and forth, back and forth, crashing into my legs. It is cooler, quieter, and best of all I can choose my own pace without having to stop to pass someone or be passed. Yesterday afternoon I might as well have been on the escalator at a busy mall. One more hike today and you can bet I am going to catch the sunrise again. It is 5:00am and already almost 55 degrees out already!

Some pictures of yesterday’s hike…

I was at the Mount Sanitas trailhead at 6:10am. The sunrise started at about 6:45 and I wanted to be part way up the trail for before it started.

I walked along the ridge a little slower than the day before to enjoy the scenery.

 
There is still snow but it wasn’t too cold.

 
It helped that I was bundled up.

Once the sun came up it was plenty warm and the sky was clear.

Before I knew it I had reached the top.

On the way down I ran into some friends…

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: January 7
Days Left: 2

With only 3 days left I still have a lot to do. On Saturday I decided I am going to go hike Mount Sanitas every morning for the last five mornings. I need to get as many more good workouts in as I can handle before the photo shoot on Thursday. Today will be hike number 3. It is still dark out so I should be hiking while the sun is rising and will get home before breakfast. In the meantime I also have a TON of work to get done since I am taking Thursday and Friday off. We only have April to test our current release and I want my test plans in top shape. The less I have to work nights and weekends the happier I will be but I am prepared to do whatever is necessary so… could be a rough month.

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: January 7
Days Left: 3

For my Week 12 featured inspiring person – my sister Kim. A moral compass for me and a constant source of inspiration in my life. Love you, Kim!

http://blog.changemyselfchangetheworld.com/?page_id=2285

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: January 7
Days Left: 4

Last night I made Low Carb Chili which was a nice change from chicken and fish. Todd enjoyed it even more than I did. Of course, he had his with a bunch of Fritos. Mmm. I could smell those salty Fritos. Actually, I found just the smell of them pretty satisfying. I wasn’t tempted though. I have worked too hard. Anyway, here is the recipe. It is even better the day after it is made:

1. Saute a large onion, chopped and a large garlic clove, minced
2. Add 2 lb extra lean beef and 1 lb mild italian sausage and brown just a bit*
3. Stir in all of the following ingredients, bring to a boil, and then lower heat and let simmer half hour to an hour stirring frequently:

2 x 28oz cans Hunts diced tomatoes well-drained **
1 x 6oz can of tomato paste
1 x can Rotel mild tomatoes and chilies 
1 x 4oz can Hatches mild green chilies
1/8 C brown sugar (can omit)
1/4 C chopped fresh parsley
1 T chopped fresh oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 T salt
2-3 T cumin (to taste)
Dash of cinnamon

*Replace the sausage with another lb of beef for a lower fat content
*Also the more you brown the meat the more dry it may end up, particularly if you omit the sausage.
**If you don’t drain the canned veggies really well you will end up with chili soup.

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: January 7
Days Left: 5

I was so right yesterday. This morning was the most difficult CrossFit workout we have done in a long time. It might have been the first time I had serious thoughts of giving up during the middle of it. He mixed 55 Clean and Jerks into a workout called “Cindy” which is several rounds of 5 pull ups, 10 push ups, and 15 air squats for time.

This is a Clean and Jerk:

The workout is timed (meaning you are racing):

1 Clean and Jerk @ 100# (girls)  155# (boys)
One round of “Cindy”
2 Clean and Jerks
One round of “"Cindy”
3 Clean and Jerks … cont.
Repeat cycle until you reach 10 followed by the last round of “Cindy”

It was so brutal. It took 35 minutes. Ugh! Not my best performance. I am so tired.

Start Date of Body For Life Challenge: January 7
Days Left: 6