Swilson2's Blog

On a new path

swilson2 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:44:07 +0000

Before and After

I wanted to thank everyone for all their support. As of today my blog has had over 1,700 hits, your support has been truly amazing! Please leave a comment if you want me to continue this blog as I have found it has really helped me. If you want to follow and see what my progress after Season three, I would love to continue the blog. Just let me know

I have made such great friends and learned a lot from the YMCA. I wanted to say that when I first walked into the YMCA I was a bit scared. All the staff helped make me feel at home and welcome. They learn your name and are always there to help. I can now use every machine at the YMCA and if I ever want to kick it up or mix it up a bit to get better results, they love this, and will jump right into help you. Please give the YMCA a try, you have nothing to lose, except those extra pounds! Love you all

As one journey end another begins.

swilson2 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:50:19 +0000

It’s been 2 weeks since I have been able to update my blog. I am so sorry and THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me in this. I love the fact that I got about 14 e-mails this week “calling” me out about not being able to read and to see what we are doing in the Get Fit club this week.

This past week we had a “challenge” that I think really showed the difference in what each team learned. I am not complaining at all. I sooo appreciate all that WKMG, the YMCA and our sponsors have done. But I really worry about trying to continue the nutrition part of this on my own. I am being proactive and trying to set-up a plan and support system to deal with this issue.

But on to the good stuff..he-he.. We got some of our results this week and I was so happy. I lost 9% body fat since I started this program back in the beginning of August. These were the exact body changes that happened over the last 5 months:

I started with 79.41 lbs of body fat which equates to 37.11% body fat. Yep, I was carrying that much body fat around with me all day. Now I am carrying 54.73 lbs of body fat which equates to 28.18% body fat. I lost 24.68 lbs of pure body fat. I love saying that. (does that make me weird?) My total cholesterol when down 10 points from 185 to 175. I sleep better at night and I am so much stronger. When I started the Get Fit Club, I could only hold a Plank for 12 seconds. I can now hold a plank for 78 seconds before going to my knees.

I am doing things I never thought I could. My husband and I are starting to train together to run our first 5K. Our kids are going to ride their bikes as we run on the West Orange Trail for training. Hopefully we can then work towards a 10K or 1/2 marathon.

Once again thank you all so much for everything and check back next week for more information on Get Fit Club 4 coming up. The grand finale will be at the Dr Phillips YMCA next Saturday from 10:00 – 2:00. Come dressed to workout as we are all going to do a huge group workout. That day, you can get an interview/audition for Get Fit Club Season 4 and bypass the essay requirement. Please do not think you CANT do this. You can do this and the support is great! Never be afraid to try. Stop sitting and watching life go by, get up, get fit and be part of your own life.

See ya next Saturday!

Wow..almost to the end…but now begins life…

swilson2 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:02:58 +0000

Well we are all almost to the end of this part of our journey. I have met really wonderful people and made some friends. This is not the end of this for me. I have learned so much from the YMCA. I know how to workout to achieve what I need and want in my life. I will continue this with my friends and family and the next time you all see me for bathing suit season in 2010..I may venture into a 2 piece.

I will lose 20 lbs by April 15th. I can’t wait. I feel great and for the very first time in a long while… I was not fat in my dream. That may not mean a lot to some people, but to those of us trying to lose the extra weight and have struggled.. I think they will understand that this is a huge step for me. Keep moving and drinking your water See you all at the gym soon.

The Twelve pounds (days) of Christmas

swilson2 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:00:59 +0000

My goal this next week is to MAINTAIN!! – I’m down 4 more pounds since the last weight in and am freaking out. My hubby is a HUGE baker and his cookies are in high demand right now. He soaked raisins in spiced rum for 5 days and then made homemade oatmeal run raisin cookies. Next will be my all time favorite.. Almond Chocolate chip. YUMMO!!! I am also trying a new recipe, Amaretto White Chocolate sugar cookies with toasted almonds.

Good lord.. It’s the gym everyday for me this week to work off “extras”.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Hard week!!!

swilson2 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:24:22 +0000

This week has been one of the hardest yet. Time is my issue and my husband and I found ourselves shopping at midnight for Christmas. He’s too funny, he looks at me and looks at his watch and said.. “Well you know your getting older when instead of closing down a bar, we are closing down Target.” Funny sweetie!!

I will only be able to make it tothe gym 4 days this week.. But in those 4 days…I am making the workouts count.

Faith and I got a special treat this week. We met up with Renee and Nikki at the Dolphin Hotel for a Cooking lesson, (more on why later) and the check made a really great Blue Nose Base.

Now for the later” I know your asking yourself…why the cooking lesson.. well, we have to re-make this recipe in a few weeks for our whole team. I should not have any issues as this was a simple and quick recipe. Those types I can do.. BUT ..no microwave will be involved…lol

Everyone keep strong and keep moving as we are really all doing this together.

Mixing it up and bringing it!

swilson2 — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:41:36 +0000

Thursday we had our second on camera weigh in. I was disappointed that I was only down an additional 5 pounds for a grand total of 19 pounds so far. But, on the bright side.. I did get 2 areas measured, waist and hips.. I was down 4 inches in my waist and 2 1/2 in my hips. I felt good about that.

On Thursday I also took my first spinning class. It will not be my last. Trainer Melissa was great and I did not feel out-of-place at all.

It’s been hard getting to the gym 6 days a week like I used to as life is really getting in the way with the holiday’s. I’m trying my best, but still some days I really want to go to the gym, but cannot work it out with work and family time as they come first. I keep telling myself , it’s ok to take 1 hour in a day for ME, but still can’t help but feel guilty.

This next week I am committing to 5 days in the gym, then I’m at home for 2 weeks (forced furlough week and then taking the week off work). No excuses then and I will make it 6 days a week those 2 weeks.

Stay focused and hydrated as we go into the home stretch!!

WOW – stuffed like a turkey!!!

swilson2 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:33:09 +0000

I finally got my PC fixed and time to catch up on my blog. Sorry for being late with this.

Thanksgiving was such a hard week. There was not enough time and way to much to do. My stress levels were so high and I had to make priority calls on my time. Unfortunately, working out took a hit this week. I feel so guilty for not working out at least 4 times. This is the first time in 11 weeks I did not work out at least five times.

I also was not as careful as I needed to be with “side snacking”..that really adds up. I gain 3 lbs back this week.. but this Thursdays weight in..I will still be down a few pounds.

Time to really buckle down and re-commit to eating 4-5 small meals a day and working ou 5-6 times a week.

After eating pie and more junk than I had over the 11 weeks, my stomach was really messed up and I felt horrible. I never realized what all that junk really does to your body and energy!

One funny note…my hubby gained 9lbs, he ate 3 whole pies himself! He said he was “saving and helping me”..ha-ha…I bought a pumpkin pie last week for the family and he ate it all that night! But, I do love him bunches for the sacrifice.

Keeping motivated is hard work!

swilson2 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:35:47 +0000

This week has been tough. People have been bringing in pre-Thanksgiving treats at work and trying to plan for a healthy Thanksgiving meal has been tough. I did make it to the gym 5 times this week and did a good job eating better.

Life really got in the way this week. I have to keep telling myself that its ok for me to take time to take care of myself. I feel so guilty for taking time away from my kids, husband and home. It’s hard, as I am a guilt eater.

My family is very supportive and I love them so much. By taking time now to take care of me, I am hoping to give them a happier healthy mother and wife.

Keep moving and drinking your water!

512 steps to the top.

swilson2 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:46:30 +0000

Saturday we all met to climb the Bank of America Building. It was so inspiring seeing the whole team together as one. Everyone was so supportive and is was “nice” to put the competition aside for the morning.

We all started at 20 second intervals and then it was my turn. I was scared as I had never done anything like this before. I started at a steady pace, remembering to breath deep breaths. I had to stop at floor 14 and stretch my legs out as they where starting to really burn. Then I was off again.. at floor 20..I thought to myself, this has got to be the tallest building in the world. (Or it just felt like it). I thought 5 more floors, you can do it. As I passed a firefighter sitting down resting, (he had 75lbs of extra gear on), I thought, I CAN DO THIS!! At floor 24, I could hear the cheering team mates and that pushed me on.

On the 25th floor I received cheering from my team and a medal for completing this amazing challenge for the American Lung Association. Who would have thought that in the past 9 weeks I would have completed my first 5K , climbed the Bank of America Building, kepted working out 6 days a week and 3-4 of those days adding strength training to it.

I feel great! Nothing can stop me from completing this part of my goal and moving on to really LIVE the rest of my life instead of sitting on the couch, watching life go by.

Thank you to everyone supporting me and to everyone reading this, please just get moving, I did not start out running or even walking fast. I just started moving and kept on moving. We can all do this together.

Week 8 and trying to get moving.

swilson2 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:28:18 +0000

This past week has been the toughest yet. I keep pushing myself to workout 6 days a week, work 50 hours a week at work and still be a mom and wife. I need more time..and energy.

I will only be able to make it to the gym 5 days this week. But do not worry.. on Saturday guess what our teams “bonus” challenge is..ready for this…

We get to do a 25 story vertical climb. YIPPEE!! (laughing)

YES 25!!!!

We are supporting one of our sponsors, Healing Laser Clinics, Inc on November 14th, 2009 the American Lung Association of Florida, Inc. – Central Area will host the 3rd Annual “Orlando Fight for Air Climb”. Previously known as “Climbing Heights for Lung Cancer’, this Stair Climb is a vertical climb up Orlando’s 2nd tallest building, the Bank of America Center.

WOW.. this should have been on my to-do list, but never was. I can not wait to be able to add this to my list of accomplishments.

Tune in on Sundays blog to hear all about it.

Drink plenty of water and remember, planning what you eat each day will help you not overeat.