Friday, February 25

February 25, 2011 - Tabata Tod in the Newspaper

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago The Biggest Loser is having auditions in Shelbyville. Well, today in the Indy Star is an article about the casting call and Tabata Tod and his Indy Boot Camps and Indy's Biggest Loser competitions are mentioned. 

Seriously, check out the article at http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011102250336

First Dr. Pita on the Dr. Oz show, now Tabata Tod is quoted in the Indy paper.  What is the common denominator here?  ME!

LOL!!!

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 23

February 23, 2011 - Punishment and Revenge

Well, my smart mouth got me in a teeny weeny bit of trouble today at Indy Boot Camps. Therefore, I was tormented by Tabata Tod. 

Whenever I get in trouble with PT Bruiser I just say; "You're so pretty!" and all is forgiven. I doubted seriously that Tabata Tod would enjoy being told he was pretty so I had to take the punishment.

The punishment?  He was my partner for the two-person exercises.  Therefore, I came up with names for the partner exercises we did today. 

Supplication - Named such, as I was begging for forgiveness. Everyone else was working their biceps and triceps.

Revenge - Tried as hard as I could to pull him over. No such luck. Everyone else was either bracing or performing rows.

Flogging - I knew there was no way I was going to knock Tabata Tod off the rope he was performing squats on, so I just had to imagine smacking him upside the head with the rope.  Everyone else was working their forearms and other arm parts.




Question is: Did I learn my lesson?  Nope. I remembered; "the pen is mightier than the sword."


Note: The first two photos show the Lebert Buddy System.  The last photo is from Iron Company


Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Sunday, February 20

February 20, 2011 - Binging and Exercise

One of the main reasons I started this blog was for accountability. Over time the blog also became a place for people to relate. I am not the only one struggling to do what is necessary to live a healthy lifestyle. Since many of you share the same struggles I wanted to throw this problem out into cyber space - binging.

Some people just naturally (whether nature or nurture) do what is right for their body, mind and spirit. For me, there are a few healthy habits that are now ingrained in my being, but others that continue to allude me.  The switch that turns off my mouth is faulty and needs a fix.

I am at the end of a week-long food binge. All day today I have either slept or ate. I am totally aware of what is going on, but am struggling to stop it. On the flip side, I have worked out rigorously every day as well.  I guess, it is better that I am exercising, but still frustrating.

For those of you that suffer from binge eating, the only advice I have is to be aware of it. While I have not figured out what triggered this particular binge (although I have a good idea), being aware of it and writing about it will probably put an end to it much quicker.

So, next time any of you have a binge, feel free to let me know (no judgements) it might just help to let someone else know.

Take Care Everyone!
Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 17

February 17, 2011 - Why I Love my Personal Trainer

Well, now I have done it. I made PT Bruiser feel unloved. My previous post did not appropriately thank or include love for my Personal Trainer.  It was not an intended oversight on my part, but you do have to balance love across all posse members.  So, without further groveling I present to you the top reasons I love my Personal Trainer.

1) She teaches me how to breathe properly when exercising.
2) She has been there through my crazy life including illnesses and injuries.
3) She always has a plan if I cannot exercise hard for some reason that day.
4) She keeps me within my skill level when I try to do something that might just get me hurt.
5) She makes me laugh and makes exercise fun!
6) When Dr. Pita was still here she could help make fun of him.
7) She helps me shop!
8) She holds me accountable.
9) She thinks I am funny.  Sometimes.  LOL!
10) She is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet!

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 16

February 16, 2011 - Visible Results from Boot Camp

Hello All,

Today at Indy Boot Camps I wanted to quit. It was very, very difficult for me. Whether I was having trouble because I am in a bit of a funk or because I am fighting a cold I do not know, but everything seemed way out of my skill and comfort zone.

You see, I pride myself on solving problems. Give me a math problem and I will find the answer. If there is something at work that needs creative solutions I can do that, too. Boot Camp is different. You have to just plain work hard at it. It does not require solutions just tenacity. Today this determination was missing.

And then....

I was getting my stuff ready to leave after the workout when a fellow Boot Camper said to me; "You can tell you are losing weight."

So now, I can't wait for Boot Camp tomorrow!

Take Care Everyone,
Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Saturday, February 12

February 12, 2011 - My First Video Blog!!!!

Hi All!

I decided to do a video blog for my readers who do not want to exercise. It is my hope that by watching how only 6 weeks can create drastic changes in my body a few more of you will get up off the couch!

I also created this blog as a motivation for myself. I "put it out there" that there will be improvements, so I better get to work.

Enjoy!



Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 9

February 9, 2011 - Half Marathon Training Begins

Hi All,

Well, I started training for the Nashville Half Marathon this week. I am following a 12-week program off of Dave McGovern’s racewalking web site (and in his books). I am taking the Bricks to Bricks class again to learn more about training, but decided to follow Dave McGovern’s plan this time since I took his seminar last spring.


I have already decided that boot camp (have I mentioned I am attending boot camp at Indy Boot Camps? LOL) has improved my form and pacing quite a bit. I did a check of my resting heart rate and in 6 weeks I have dropped my resting rate 4 beats! In addition, PT Bruiser is quite impressed with my push-ups and pull-ups. Woot! Woot!

If all goes according to plan, I will walk 5 half marathons this year to keep me on track in my training and then walk a marathon next January. Currently, I am hoping to do the following events.

April 30 - Nashville Country Music Half Marathon
June 11 – Carmel Half Marathon
August 14 – Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon
September 3 – Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon
October 23 – Rock n Roll St. Louis Half Marathon
January 2012 – Phoenix Marathon

I have several family members and friends that are very concerned about me doing so many half marathons in one year. To them I say talk to the sock! The half marathons are to keep me walking to see if I can walk the marathon.

Seriously though, my friends and family have a point. With this screwy knee of mine I could seriously get hurt. However, I believe (as well as my Sports Medicine doctor) that if I train properly I should not have a problem. Will it hurt sometimes? Absolutely! However, a lot of the people that walk or run have pain when they do it.

Personally, I will be able to handle the disappointment of not being able to do the marathon if the reason is physical. The reason I like to do the walks, and set these challenges for myself, is entirely mental. If you have never walked or run a half marathon you might not understand that the challenge is more mental than physical, especially for non-athletes.

Getting to and maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves not just going through the motions (the easier part), but beating the demons that keep you from it when it gets rough. It is extremely hard to change. Whether you are trying to quit smoking, lose weight, or some other bad habit compliance is tough work. As my friend Laura said to me in an e-mail; “….dedication and discipline.” Yes, it requires dedication and discipline.

For me, it is not about the physical feat of completing a marathon that makes me strive for this goal. I am seeking to show myself that I can win the mental battle. This accomplishment will remind me that I can beat any challenges that come further down the road. The token medal will always be a remembrance.


Thanks for reading,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Monday, February 7

NBC's Biggest Loser Coming to Indy!

All,

The Casting Director for The Biggest Loser sent me an e-mail with the following information regarding a casting call right here in the Indianapolis area! So, for all of you that write me to say that you are ready to lose weight and change your lives...check this out!  YOU could be the next Biggest Loser!

NBC's Biggest Loser is searching the country looking for outgoing and charismatic individuals who have the personality, want desire and drive to to vie for this once in a lifetime opportunity to shed those pounds once and for all! If you are ready to be a part of the most incredible transformation of your life and make your weight loss dream a reality then come on down to the casting call on 2/26/11 in Indianapolis!



Please send ALL emails to bldesireecasting@gmail.com
CASTING CALL
2/26/11
10am-6pm
Indiana Live! Casino
4200 North Michigan Road
Shelbyville, IN 46176


Note: If TV is not for you, do not forget about Tabata Tod's Indy's Biggest Loser competitions. More at http://www.indysbiggestloser.com/.

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

February 7, 2011 - Deep Thoughts

4:45 AM - Alarm Chimes
4:50 AM - "Ugh! I gotta get up to go to Boot Camp! "
5:20 AM - Driving on I-65
5:30 AM - Alarm Chimes
5:31 AM - I read; "Training Week 1"
5:32 AM - "Ugh! I gotta start training for the Nashville Half Marathon."
5:45 AM - I arrive at Indy Boot Camps.
5:45:10 AM - "Ugh!"
6:00 AM - "Ugh! Warm Ups!"
6:05 AM - "Ugh! Ropes!"
6:06 AM - Tabata Tod points an imaginary gun to my head.
6:06:10 AM - "Go ahead and shoot, dude!"
6:10 AM - Some other stupid exercise.
6:10:33 - "How did I get myself into this?"
6:20:05 AM - "Seriously, push ups?!?! It's Monday."
6:30 AM - Some other stupid exercise.
6:30:20 AM - "I'm about done with Tabata Tod for the day!"
6:40 AM - Some other stupid exercise.
6:45:10 AM - Singing a made up song in my head; "I hate Tabatas, a whole lotta."
6:50 AM - Last Exercise!
6:50:20 AM - "Hallelujah! Cue the Tabernacle Choir!"
7:00 AM - Done!
7:00 AM - "Sure glad I got up and attended boot camp!"
7:00:10 AM - "WHAT?!?!?!?! I've got serious mental issues."


Have a great day everyone,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 3

February 3, 2011 - Do Not Skip Out On Boot Camp!

Hello All,

So...today my sister gets on her Wii to exercise and the faceless Personal Trainer asks how I am doing. Apparently, the Personal Trainer accusingly and snottily said; "How is Mini Mii?"  (note: Mini Mii is my name on the Wii...Get it?!?  LOL!) I think this is rather self righteous from a Personal Trainer that has lips that do not move!

Later tonight, I am going to get on the Wii and show it that I have lost 8 more pounds without it's help at all!  Ha!  Of course, I may have to present an indignant note from Tabata Tod and PT Bruiser that I have been working out. 

I know what you are thinking; "Well I would rather go to Boot Camp or workout with a Personal Trainer if the Wii is going to be that rude." Ha! 

In my opinion, all Personal Trainers are just like mothers. They guilt you into showing up for sessions.  For example, PT Bruiser will just sigh at me or keep hounding me with text messages on my phone.  Tabata Tod takes it one step further and calls you out on Facebook.  I present the following evidence from another troop members Facebook wall.

 

I just do what the Personal Trainers say. It is just easier that way.  It also works. I have lost the pounds to prove it. Ha!

Have a great weekend!
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

Wednesday, February 2

February 2, 2011 - A Shout Out!

Happy Groundhog Day Everyone!

After getting up every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning by 5:00 AM for a month I realize that I deserve a pat on the back.  So...yea for me!  I would never have accomplished this a year ago, let alone, 3 years ago!

My friends and faithful blog readers know that it has been a struggle not only to lose weight, but to do everything to get healthier. Getting healthier not only involves eating the right things and exercising, but also to determine the root cause of the problem. None of us like to feel bad, do we?

It is time I thank those individuals that have seen me through the evolution that is Kristi today. Recently, I sent out e-mails to several folks thanking them for the help they have given. Ultimately, anyone who knows me deserves a thank you.

I primarily am most thankful for those that helped me realize why I gained weight in the first place and what to do about it. I am grateful for the resolution to what might be considered a "mood problem" (their words not mine). I have not had any major funks in over 2 months. My joy in this development is through the roof! I appreciate this more than any weight loss I have achieved to date.

If you have never had the issue I am referring to in your life, let me explain so that you might understand just a little. Some days the world seems better if it would end, but ultimately after a period of time the world is better again. Once the world gets better again you do everything that you missed getting done during the funk, such as working longer hours. Repeat.

Now I find the world is decent most of the time. Sleep is not too much...not too little. Work is easier with not too much and not too little. Getting healthier is easier.  Now I care how I feel because I know what it is like to feel good most of the time.

I thank God every day for bringing the following into my life and give each of them a SHOUT OUT!

Note: These are in no particular order except of course my Sister better be first!

My Sister-She suffers the most when things are bad, but knows exactly what to do during those times.
Dr. Pita (aka Dr. DeadtoMeNow) - He is a royal pain in the butt, but figured out what buttons to push to get me to do the right thing.
Miss Tappity Tap - She listens and gets me to realize what is the true problem even when I do not want to face it.
Clinic Social Worker - She double-teamed me with Dr. Pita and eventually I understood and took their advice.
Dr. Pill Pusher - He kept trying and found the solution.
PT Bruiser - For keeping me on track through it all.
Portia - Takes no crap and tells me to "suck it up" when necessary. She also puts challenges out there for me to reach knowing that I can be competitive.
Food Nazi and May - They listen and do not judge when things are rough,
tAMmy - She is a good healthy-living role model.
Fans - My half marathon fans that come see, when possible, to cheer me on during the race. All of these friends I have known for 20 years and glad that I have them.
Blog Readers and those I have inspired-You mean the world to me, because you force me to stay on track.
5K Friends-Those that occasionally walk 5Ks with me to offer support are priceless.
Co-Workers-For hearing about all of it when I "over share." LOL!
Various Other Friends-Thanks for the kind words of support.
Tabata Tod-For asking me to write about Indy Boot Camps, for without you I would not known how much better I am today.

Til Next Week or Something Funny,
Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com