TurboFire Round 1 Complete

On Sunday, after 3 months of doing TurboFire, I had my final weigh-in and I can proudly say that I lost 11 pounds and 16.9 inches off of my body. I have gone from a size 14 to a size 10 pant and it feels awesome!!

This dress is a dress that i couldn't even zip up when i started this journey and now that i am 3 months in, it is too big for me and might have to be donated. I am sad to see it go but at the same time i know that i will find another one that is just as fabulous!

Yesterday I started Round 2 of TurboFire and this round will include the Advanced DVDs which should take me in to the beginning weeks of October. So when i finish this next round, i will have completed TurboFire in addition to ran a marathon!

It's amazing what a difference a change in attitude and goals will do for someone. So much so that others are now asking me to help them in their journey. Who would have thought that I would be helping people reach their goals of physical fitness? Not me but I will follow wherever this path is taking me.

Go Sleeveless Sometimes! It's ok!

Here are 5 arm exercises that will help to tone up that arm jiggle and send the bra strap baggage packing! Thanks to Fitness for sending these tips.

Plank Arm Row and Rotate

1. Start on floor in plank position. Move feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
2. Keeping hips level, lift left hand off floor and bend left elbow behind you to bring hand next to shoulder. 
3. Return to start.
4. Repeat, this time rotating torso to right so that left elbow points up. Return to start to complete 1 rep.
5. Do 2 sets of 10 reps, alternating sides.

 

Dip Kick

1. Sit on floor with knees bent, feet flat. Lean torso back 45 degrees and place palms on floor under shoulders, fingers facing out. Bring left knee to chest and place left foot atop right knee.
2. Bend elbows directly behind you and lift hips a few inches.
3. Straighten arms to lift hips higher, extending left leg up. With leg extended, do 8-10 pulses, bending elbows slightly and then straightening arms without locking elbows.
4. Switch legs and repeat. Do 2 sets.

Pilates Press

1. Start in plank position.
2. Bend right knee 90 degrees so that toes point up.
3. Bend elbows directly behind you keeping arms close to body, and lowering only a few inches toward the floor. Press back up.
4. Do 8-10 reps. Switch legs and repeat to complete 1 set.
5. Do 2 sets.

Strap Happy Shaper

1. Start on floor in plank position, balancing on forearms and toes. Clasp hands together.
2. Press through toes to move body forward, bending elbows until face is almost touching floor.
3. Press backward with shoulders (not from hips) to return to start position.
4. Do 2 sets of 8-10 reps.

Down Dog to Up Dog

1. Start in plank. Lift left foot a few inches off floor.
2. Press hips up and back so that body forms an inverted V, lifting left leg behind you toward ceiling.
3. Lower leg and hips toward floor, bringing them slightly lower than start position so that back is arched and chest faces forward.
4. Do 8-10 reps. Switch sides and repeat. Do 2 sets.

All of these are super easy with the exception of the last move. It takes some getting used to but take it slow and you will see the arms flab firm up in a few weeks. Happy Working Out!

Dolman Sleeve Top

Last year I saw a post from Merrick and Merricks Art with a tutorial for this top. While raiding the clearance bin at WalMart i found a purple textured fabric and thought that it might be good for this top!

Friday afternoon i went to the Gap Outlet and found this pair of trouser cut jeans for 5 dollars! This little purchase set me on a mission to create a new top to go with it.

And there we went. It took me a few hours but thanks to Netflix i was able to pass the time away and before i knew it i had this top. This is my first article of clothing that i have done with my sewing machine but i know it wont be the last.

Bess and Baines both wanted to be in the photo so they posed for you all.

Change in Running Plans

Like so many other things in life... it doesn't always go as planned.

A few weeks ago i found out that i did not make it into the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco so that sent me on a search for a new half marathon to compete in that was closer to home. My friend Anna at Red Runs is someone that runs a lot in Illinois and so i sought her out as my source for a new race. And there it was... the Chicago Rock n Rock Half Marathon!! It looks like a blast, at every mile there is a band playing so there is no need for an ipod for this race.

Then yesterday hit. I had yet to sign up for the Rock and Roll half marathon and i had been talking to another friend about doing the Color Run in Indianapolis when my boss forwarded me a email about the Chicago Marathon and running it as a part of the American Cancer Society team. It felt like it was meant to be. So I signed up and and am now training for a full marathon as well as raising $1000 for the cause. Next week i will post a link to my fundraising page as well as DIY projects that i am doing in an effort to raise this money before the end of September.

This post is so that i can share with all of you my training schedule with all of you for the marathon.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
2	Rest	3	Rest	2	Rest	4
Rest	3	Rest	2	2	Rest	5
Rest	3	Rest	2	3	Rest	6
Rest	3	Rest	2	3	Rest	3
Rest	3	Rest	2	2	Rest	5
Rest	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5
Rest	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6
Rest	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	7
Rest	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8
Rest	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10
Rest	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11
Rest	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12
Rest	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	14
Rest	4	Rest	7	4	Rest	16
Rest	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	16
Rest	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	17
Rest	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	18
Rest	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	20
Rest	5	Rest	8	5	Rest	9
Rest	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8
Rest	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	Walk 2
Marathon

I will keep you all posted on my progress.