Biography:
Why and When you got involved with PnP: In November of 2007 I signed up for free emails to the PnP site. I noticed Corinne’s advice in the Weight Watchers forums when I was a member of Weight Watchers. I have always loved to exercise and not many people that I was involved with me in WW did.
I finally joined the site as a real member in March 2008. I lurked and didn’t feel too involved until I joined the Fast and Furious Eight challenge. I was going strong but did not complete it because I thought my life was to hectic. I began taking online classes through University of Phoenix and Alyssa is always in so many different sports and then there are her school activities. Money was (and always is) tight.
I kept finding excuses. I even gained some weight from when I started PnP. Then I actually canceled my membership. CRAZY! I felt lost knowing that I had done that so two days later I frantically emailed Corinne to get me back in.
Then I stepped it up. I joined the Eight Pounds or Bust challenge and went to work. I found the time to do my workouts which is ideally in the mornings before work. I found my true fitness goals, and am working at losing the fat and gaining the muscle. I am still heavier by weight than when I started in March but I am slowly getting smaller by inches. Patience, commitment, and dedication are the keys. Losing the excuses and realizing no matter what is going on in life, I can always find the time for some exercise. And if I think I don’t, I ask myself “How bad do I want this?”
What types of workouts you do? I do fasted cardio and follow it with my ST in my basement which I have made into a not so fancy home gym. I also do 30 – 35 minutes of cardio over my lunch hour at the gym at my work Monday through Friday. I am currently doing the Gift of Health challenge and the new schedule that came out with it with a few modifications from Corinne.
What keeps you motivated? There are several things that keep me motivated. One is knowing what my goals are. After I completed my storyboard and realized what I really was working for, it really helped me stay focused. I don’t like to fail at anything I do so completing the challenge of looking like the fitness competitors (in there off season) gets me out of bed in the morning at 5 am.
Another motivation is my daughter. I grew up with my mom always talking about how she wanted to lose weight but she always looked the same. I want Alyssa to grow up remembering her mom working out and eating the right foods to be healthy as well as look like a supermom. I want her to know that when you say you are going to do something, you do it and you stay committed.
Lastly, workout time is my time. I get to workout when Alyssa is still in bed. I get to do cardio at lunch rather than go out and eat at a restaurant. It makes me feel good to workout and eat healthy and then eventually see results.
Eating plan: I follow plans laid out for me by Trish through Phit Nutrition. Without her guidance, I was lost. Now, I am learning what is needed to fuel my body for my tough training workouts and cardio workouts. She helps me stay focused and reassures me that even if my calories seem high, I need that fuel for my muscles. She helps me remember I must eat to get results, not starve like I used to think before joining PnP and PN.
Favorite exercise: This is tough. I love anything strength training move for my shoulders and arms. There really is no one favorite, all of them.
Something you never thought you'd be able to do and either can do or have tried doing: I did side shuffles and jogged backwards on the treadmill at the gym. I knew I could do it physically but mentally I was scared of what people would think. Once I did it, I realized how great of a workout it is, how it passes the time by because you are changing it up, and that everyone wishes they could do it.
How has PnP affected your life? PnP and everyone on the site have given me so much support. Seeing Corinne go through her training for the competition made me realize that with dedication and hard work, it can be done. I don’t plan to compete, but you never know, it might be fun to give it a try once I get that far in my fat loss journey to leanness.
What do you think of the PnP Site and what suggestions would you have for us? I think it is great and have no idea how it could be any better.
Any other Comments:
Thank you Trish and Corinne for all you do for me. I say it time and time again, I couldn’t do it without your support and knowledge.