My Beauty Boot Camp

A One - Two Punch -Cheryl

THE ONE-TWO PUNCH

BBC is coming to a close and we all trying to take advantage of the last week of feeling like pampered princesses!  We’re finishing up those last few endermology appointments, skin and hair treatments and trying desperately to crank out a few more sit-ups, pull-ups and push-ups.  With this in mind, I wanted to knock-out those last appointments at Noland Suttles Salon and Institut’ DERMed with a one-two punch.  ..MORE

The Jump Factor - Cheryl

Last Thursday, Kim and I got the attention of the entire gym.  First I gave out the loud “WAHAAHWAHAHWAH” and then Kim followed with a “YESSSSS”.  We both sounded like malfunctioning cheerleaders!  It was a proclamation of elation and of accomplishment that made everyone’s head turn to see what all the yelling was about!  It’s not that we were able to do 2000 push-ups or 400 pull-ups but rather we were able to jump up on a 3 foot stool.  I know that sounds lame and undeserving of a gym-attention-getting scream, but I’ll explain the history and then you’ll understand why we were both so thrilled.

Last Monday morning Kim and I met Amy for Boot Camp.  It was Amy’s first day back  in the gym after being sick so Kim and I were really excited to work out with her.  First thing she did was put the 3 foot stool in front of us, jumped on it to demonstrate and then said, “your turn”.  Looks easy enough until you are face to face with it.  Suddenly 3 feet became 3 miles.  There was just so way we were getting up on that thing.  Kim gave it a try first and then it was my turn.  We both stood there with this ridiculous nervous laugh trying to find the courage to surmount our fear of the stool.  After many attempts and lots more nervous laughter, both Kim and I called it quits – we failed, we just couldn’t get over the fear.  Amy was really sweet about it and told us we’d try it again later but we were disappointed in ourselves. 

The next 2 days we’d walk past the stool without looking at it.  It was the elephant in the room; the thorn on the rose.  Then on Thursday we were working out with Fitz he had us do a bunch of low jumping exercises.  When we finished with these we looked over, and there it was, staring at us in the face.  The fear had been eating at me for days.  I don’t entirely understand why I was so anxious about jumping onto that stool.  Fitz suggested that I was scared to be embarrassed – that wasn’t it.  After all my “Before” are on the internet – not sure it gets more embarrassing than that.  It must be a lack of confidence, “can I really clear it without landing on my tush?” 

I’m not sure what prompted me, but I walked up to that 3 mile stool and with a little coaxing from Kim, I revved up, pumped my arms, hoped for the best, jumped – AND MADE IT!!  I got up on that stool and gave out the loudest holler which was the reason for the gym attention-getting- scream.  (not my intention to get the attention!!)  Kim walked up to the stool next, gave it the same jump-prep and also landed safely on top of that stool!  Again, another gym attention-getting- scream! 

We were both able to jump on top of that stool we were so afraid of on Monday.  It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment!  We were both on such a high after that.  I know it’s just a little thing, but it felt like we overcame such a huge hurdle, especially after being so wimpy on Monday!  We were both capable of jumping on the stool that Monday, we had the strength and agility, it just took some confidence and determination to get over the fear-factor – and we finally did.

Workout Snap Shots

  A Tired Group after a Saturday Workout

Ladies performing Kettlebell swings. Kettlebell swings are one exercise that accomplishes many goals!  Kettlebell swings bring into action practically every group of muscles on the back of your body.  Legs, hips, glutes, back and the core.  Kettlebell swings are used to increase power, explosiveness, flexibility and the cardiovascular  system.

Why a Trainer? - by Cheryl

In search of style…

Amy is sick this week and we really miss her.  We’ve had some great substitute trainers in her absence, but I really miss Amy.  It’s interesting because all of the various trainers we’ve worked with have different training styles.  Maybe this is obvious to you, but since I hadn’t worked out with a trainer before I just assumed they all basically did the same thing.  Jennifer, for instance likes using the free weights and equipment, Maile liked more boot camp style training with constant motion and Fitz had us working with a bar using low weight and high reps. He even had us doing some tricky lunge, kettle ball thing that had me laughing hysterically because I looked like a buffoon with a concentrating contorted face (you know the look), I just couldn’t get it.  They are all great, just different.

Well, my point is, if you are interested in working out with a trainer, first ask yourself what you enjoy the most… do you like boot camps, working with the equipment, prefer to do a million lunges and squats… whatever the case may be, figure out what YOU like to do and then find a trainer who will train you in that fashion.  Hey, whatever it takes to keep you motivated and in the gym.  Personally, I like it all.  I like to constantly change it up.  Amy and her trainers never let it get routine which keeps any number of different muscles sore at any one time – and I love it!

Cheryl is Back From the Beach

Missed you!!
After being away from the gym for a week, it sure felt good to get back at it.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED hanging out on the beach and taking some time to get away, but it’s funny how this working-out stuff gets into your blood.  You have all felt it before when you get on a roll and get in shape – it’s like an addition, you just want to keep it up and keep the pounds off.  I did work out at the hotel gym, but it’s just not the same.

Anyway, it was so nice to see Kim, Deena, Phyllis and Heather again.  It’s truly amazing how just being away for a week, I can tell that everyone lost some weight while I was gone.  When I told Heather I could tell she lost weight she was shocked because she couldn’t tell… well, I certainly could.  That was true for everyone! In return, they told me my legs looked tan… ha ha, thanks guys.

Nervous Beach Bum -by Cheryl

I’m very nervous right now… very nervous. Our spring break started this week and I’m taking the boys to the beach on Tuesday. We’ve had this plan since October and all of my husband’s family is going to be there so I just couldn’t wiggle my way out of it. Generally I LOVE visiting with his family. They are tons of fun and very active so we always have a blast together. But this week is different - this week, this year, I’m in Beauty Boot Camp. I’m going to be on my own with exercising and diet and cocktail hour. His family is very active, but they also like to eat and drink when they get together. Last time I spent time with his family I came back 7 pounds heavier! From now on I’m going to have to be extremely diligent and stay away from the chocolate trail mix, white bread sandwiches, and vacation margaritas and stick to my healthy eating plan.

The true test of my will-power will come when faced with late night key lime pie. Not only that, I’m a bit anxious about going to the beach with my new baby skin. Yesterday I bought one of those floppy grandma hats for some big-time protection. I don’t care if I’ll look like I’m wearing an umbrella on my head, there’s no way I’m going to sabotage my progress with sun exposure. I didn’t go through lizard-lady peeling skin for nothing! Sincerely, I’m looking forward to some time on the beach, but I’m really going to miss the workouts, and microderm treatments and what Deena and I lovingly refer to as the “massage-y thingy” or our endermologie sessions.

Amy is so awesome – she designed a workout for me to do while I’m there and I am absolutely resolved to do it. I’ll try my best to really crank up my workouts on my own, but I’m going to greatly miss the camaraderie of the group. So, if you happened to be going to Hilton Head this week and see a random woman on the beach with a embarrassingly big floppy hat doing lunges and squats by the ocean, please come join me! -Cheryl

Just call me Crinkle Face, by Cheryl

CLICK TO READ How To Go From Crinkle Face To A Porcelain Doll by Kristen, Institute DERMed (Kristen's explanation and professional commentary)

April 12, 2008
Please do not be afraid if you see me in the grocery store or on the soccer field.  I promise, I am harmless - really!  However I may scare small children so you might want to shield their eyes.  You see, last Tuesday when I walked in to Institute DerMed I was all smiles.  It was a pretty day, the boys were either at school or on a playdate and I had just come from an intense workout and was looking forward to seeing Kristen (my cute esthetician) for my second round of Jezner flash chemical peel and microderm. 

Honestly, the first one wasn’t that bad.  I had some flaking and a small amount of peeling, but overall it wasn’t too shocking.  So this week Kristen says, “let’s crank it up a notch, last time we only did one layer of the Jezner, let’s do 2 layers this time.”  No problem I thought, bring it on!!

Bring it on!?!!?  What was I thinking?!?! 

Whew, that stuff is tingly!  Not for very long at all, but still!   Next Kristen tells me, “In the next 24 hours, your skin is going to feel tight and then start to flake and peel.” Ok, I thought, it can’t be that bad!  Well, when Kristen says peel, she really did mean PEEL!!  I’m 48 hours out now and I look like I’m molting.  Just call me the lizard lady.  I’m seriously considering investing in one of those Michael Jackson type face shields or resurrecting my wedding veil!  Although I’m not sure which looks worst, wearing my veil around town or lizard lady skin?  Hummm, probably a toss-up.

But, I’m already beginning to see the upside of the process.  The parts of my face where the old skin has peeled off and the new skin is visible look GREAT!  Like baby-skin pretty.  I can’t wait until I’m finished with the molting period and can see the overall effects of the treatment.  But, already I can tell sections of my face look so much better.  Kristen says we’re going to do a 5 layer leave on, full-on chemical peel towards the end of BBC.  OK girlfriend, I’m going to start grocery shopping now to stock up because I don’t want to scare anyone once I start shedding from THAT!!  Do I recommend the treatment?  Absolutely 100% worth the flakey peely-ness of it all!   -Cheryl

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CLICK TO READ How To Go From Crinkle Face To A Porcelain Doll by Kristen, Institute DERMed (Kristen's explanation and professional commentary)

Cheryl Weighs In, Amy's Tip for loosing that last 10

Read Amy's comments and advice to women with a slower metabolism who only have that "last 10 pounds" to lose

Who Says Exercise Can't Be Fun?

Cheryl Throws Away her "Fat Pants" for good

Pants –

I had to change my pants today.  First the first time in a LONG time I had to change them not because one of my kids spilled on me, threw-up on me, got paint on my pants or stepped on me with their extremely dirty shoes… nope.  This time I had to change them because they were too big!!! YEAH! 

OK, I’ll admit I was wearing my “fat” pants, the ones I wear when I’ve been on a food bender for 2 months, or its post-holiday season.  But still, that’s something!  I have a bunch of those “fat” pants which have pushed aside the “not-as-fat-as-the-fat-pants” pants.  And my skinny pants, well those don’t even get space in the closet anymore.  They are in a container under the bed.  But, in the next few weeks I am going to bring those out again –put them on the hangers and aim to get into those cute little black capri’s I bought way back when.  I don’t even care if they are not in style anymore – I just hope they fit!

All of my girlfriends laugh about our “fat” pants.  We traded them around when we were 4 months pregnant and then again after we had the babies.  But, it’s not really funny when you’re still wearing them 3 years post-baby.  Well, I’m sick of wearing the fat pants and yo-yoing back and forth into those pants.  I’m taking a stand… No More Fat-Pants!!!  Now that I’m out of them, I’m not going back!

Easier said than done – I know.  But, eating small healthy meals (protein at every meal) 6 times a day is really working for me.  And better yet, it’s becoming a habit.  It’s like my stomach has become an alarm clock that growls at me every 3 hours – and it’s pretty reliable too.  It growls, I look at the clock, it’s been 3 hours, I eat.  It’s definitely been a transition from my old habits but if it keeps me out of my fat pants then I’m sticking to it!