Category — change

Here it is, the last day of Kraze Boot Camps class for M.O.M. This is the last day of the session, then it’s a week off and when the new camp starts up, I’ll be knee-deep in back to school schedules. This means no more 6 am classes for me.

I feel mixed emotions! I’m SO excited and proud that I did it! I DID it! I stopped making excuses and left some old, bad habits behind. I gained so much from these 8 weeks of classes. Seriously, I’m totally surprised! I gained confidence, better eating knowledge, lost weight/inches and showed my kiddos that it’s important to take care of our bodies. But I’m also feeling scared that I’ll lose my motivation! It’s now up to me to keep going. I have to go find a time that’s going to fit into my back to school/work schedule and commit myself to a daily workout that’s challenging and keep myself at it. I knew that going to Kraze Boot Camps was a good fit for me because of the daily motivation of a group. I feel like a baby bird that’s being pushed from the nest. I have to decide to fly!

I want to say thank you to Aaron Escobedo, for putting together such a great program with awesome people! Your dedication to your people is great and we all feel it! You let us know that we are part of something that you care about and not just a nameless body showing up to your classes. You keep the classes moving quickly and you mix it up EVERY day! I was NEVER bored with the routine, was ALWAYS challenged and learned to let go of not knowing what was coming. In the end I have to say that it was better to not know because I couldn’t dread, I could just move to the next thing. Thanks to your insistence that we could all do it, I have gained more stamina and a greater confidence for what my body can do. I no longer feel like the number of children I’ve given birth to has anything at all to do with where my fitness ability should or can be. Thank you!

So, to sum it up, in 8 weeks I’ve lost about 8 lbs, 2 1/2 inches from my chest/back, 3 inches from my waist and 3 inches from my hips. Not bad! I can run…well it really doesn’t matter how far I can run, the fact is that I can ACTUALLY run. This in and of itself is a feat! I can tackle a great number of stairs, remembered that I know how to jump rope, can do lunges and squats in a great variety of ways, found out that there are still muscles in my abs and core and no longer have to tie a sweatshirt around my waist if doing jumping jacks (this took a little knowledge of when and how much to drink and a quick trip to the bathroom before each morning’s workout ). Yea!

I may not be able join the next session, but YOU CAN! New locations are being opened up and you can take advantage of some great discounts. Message Aaron, let him know you want to get out there to give a class a try and tell him I sent you! All you have to lose is your fear, bad habits and extra weight!

A big thank you to everyone who followed along through this journey and encouraged me in so many ways! Don’t leave! I’m gonna need your encouragement through my next journey!

Today’s Kraze Boot Camps class was abs/Core/Cardio-my favorite day!

Seriously! I think it’s because I get to lay on my mat to do a lot of the exercises. Not that there isn’t plenty of running happening, but I DO like the more stationary exercises (lazy me!). Plus you can really feel your abs working and I like that!

Only 1 more day in this session! I’m really looking forward to being measured tomorrow to see my results! No matter what they are, I feel GREAT and that definitely counts as a success.

Tomorrow-Total body workout.

This session may be ending, but that just means there’s another starting in about a week. Become a part of the fastest growing outdoor fitness program in San Diego! Message Aaron to find out about great deals, dates and times and become part of the Kraze!

Today’s lesson-
Sometimes life gets in the way of your best intentions and well-laid plans.

I knew I wasn’t going to be able to make this morning’s 6am Kraze Boot Camps class, so I had let Aaron know I’d be trying out the evening class. By 1pm, everything had changed. Mariah got called into work and Arianna needed a ride home from tryouts. So, M.O.M. had to put my plans on hold and make sure that everyone got to and from where they needed.

But the lesson in it is to not get discouraged and to start right back into it again tomorrow. Starting this program meant breaking old habits and starting new/healthier ones and in the past, if I got out of a routine, it was always hard for me to jump back into it. I’d feel like I might as well expect for things to come up and just not plan time for myself. So, in keeping with my better/healthier attitude, I need to wake up tomorrow morning and jump right back in.

Tomorrow, I do believe it’s abs/core & cardio. Gettin’ ready!

The focus of today’s Kraze Boot Camp class was upper body.

Kristi guided today’s class, while Aaron walked amongst us, checking form and encouraging us through the exercises. Her style is definitely different than his, but it kept it interesting and new, which seems to keep us going. I felt like we ran more than usual, but I could be wrong. What I know for sure is that I was beginning to feel stubborn and was gearing up for some foot-stomping if I had to run one more lap! My inner child likes to let me know when it’s feeling challenged.

My arms aren’t feeling sore, which I’m grateful for. We’ll see how they feel in the morn. Though, my body’s surprising me in little ways over these last few weeks. After last week’s leg work out, I didn’t feel any soreness! I was happy about it, but then wondered if I’d worked hard enough. Hmmm…

So, this was day 2 of drinking the after work out shake. I can’t say that I can FEEL anything different, but maybe it’s not about a feeling as much as what it’s doing for my body. So I’ll continue to drink it and trust that it’s doing it’s job.

I’m still looking forward to being remeasured at the end of this week. I’m being diligent about writing down my foods and even the shorts I bought 3 weeks ago are feeling looser in the waist. Now THAT is a good FEELING!

I’ll take it!

It’s the last week of this session and the thing I was most looking forward to today was FINALLY trying out my post workout shake! I went to the Kraze Boot Camps/GNC Happy Hour event on Friday and finally found out exactly what I needed AND got a great discount on it! If you missed out on this great event, there’s another Happy Hour tomorrow evening.

Today was a total body work out, complete with running zig zags up and down the Convention Center back stairs, jumping rope (hey Dawn-I counted my jumps, but I really didn’t get very far before having to start over again. I can’t jump like I could when I was 8!), an obstacle course, lunges, push-ups, burpies, inch worms (Yea for me, I can actually do these now!) and several other exercises that I either don’t remember or have blocked out

I’m actually really excited for this week to be over because I want to be remeasured. Yep! I WANT to be remeasured! Can’t wait! But even with my enthusiasm to see what my results are, I had a tough time getting out the door this morn. I sure had a million excuses for why I couldn’t possibly go. I bickered with myself over each excuse and found a solution for each “reason”. I hope I don’t have to fight with myself tomorrow!

Whoo hoo! Session 2 is almost done. I’m feeling proud!

My camera was MIA all weekend. I missed taking pics of Kateri leaving to go back to school and snapping pics of the 3 different St. Greg’s boys that we’ve encountered since Friday. We had 2 boys overnight on Friday and one is staying until Wednesday and we met up with another at church on Sunday. I can’t believe that they are all visiting while JJ is away!

But I found the camera again and decided to snap a pic of the project I was working on. Gabi brought home this “Beautiful Butterfly” a few days ago and promptly dropped it on the ground, while trying to show it to one of her sisters. I scooped up the pieces and told her I’d buy some Super Glue and get it put back together. I should’ve known better! I’m classically clumsy-it’s just a fact! And why I thought I could take on anything that had to do with broken glass AND a super-strength glue, I simply don’t know. After successfully gluing the first piece of the wing on, I was feeling pretty confident. Then I cut the tip of my finger on a sharp piece, dripped the glue all over my hand and the other pieces, effectively glueing them (let me rephrase-SUPER GLUING) them to the bowl and having to throw the entire thing away, bowl and all. Of course I hid it all under other trash and had it taken out. Not sure what my explanation is going to be.

How this house has stayed intact and these kiddos have thrived under my butter-fingered guidance, I’ll never know.

~sigh~

So…it’s the week before my high schoolers go back to school. This means sports tryouts. Arianna is trying out for tennis and volleyball. Her first passion is volleyball, but she wants a back-up plan to keep her moving. I give her a TON of credit! She hasn’t played tennis since 4th grade! I LOVE her drive and self-confidence. I wish I would have had it at her age. She tries new things all the time, gives them her all and is largely successful! I’m so proud of her!

My lil kiddos head back to school in a couple of weeks and that means back-to-work for M.O.M. I’ll be aiding in the preschool again. I really enjoyed my time there last year and can’t wait to get to know a new group of preschoolers! Of course this means I’ve got to get used to the crazy schedule of crockpotting every dinner and having everyone (myself included) dressed and ready for the day before 7:30 am. Whew! Doing the Dance for sure!

So, I’m going to try to enjoy my last couple weeks of morning Boot Camp and the “Lazy Days of Summer” (anyone seen those?) and then jump into the whole routine like a pro double-dutcher.

Wish me luck!

Today marked the end of week 3. I’m super excited about the end of this week because it means that tomorrow is the special event at GNC for all Kraze Boot Camp-ers and those who are thinking of becoming Kraze Boot Camp-ers. I’m finally going to get the RIGHT protein powder so that I can start making those post-work out shakes! And the BEST part is that I’ll be getting a great discount on it!

If you want to find out what products to use and how to use them or if you already have a favorite product, come out tomorrow from 10-12, do a little sampling, meet other Boot Campers and let the GNC staff know you’re part of Kraze Boot Camps (even if you’re thinking about trying a class out) to get in on this great deal!

I’m going to repost Aaron’s invite so that you can have all the correct info!

Time
Tomorrow · 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location GNC in Hillcrest,
658 University Ave SD, CA 92103
San Diego, CA

“I am PROUD to announce that KRAZE Boot Camps has officially partnered up with 7, GNC (General Nutrition Center) stores throughout San Diego!

That being said, we will be having our FIRST, promotional event with the store off of University Ave, THIS Saturday, August 14th, from 10am-12pm, IMMEDIATELY following Beach Boot Camp!!!

Please come and support your BOOTCAMP Program, and stop by for some FREE samples of products, and the opportunity to LEARN about the benefits of proper supplementation! TAKE ADVANTAGE!!!”

So, there you have it! Come on out! Hope to see you there!

Only one more day left in Week 3 of this session of Kraze Boot Camps classes.

I was thinking back to the first session and that around this time, my body was really fighting with me to give up. It’s good to look back, know I pushed through it and that I’m not having the same problem this time around.

Last session the changes I noticed were that my energy level went up. I had less desire or “need” for coffee or caffeine and that I gained a stamina for the exercises. This session I’m starting to notice the physical changes. Suddenly my stomach is changing. My waist is smaller. My pants are all fitting better. I don’t feel the need to hide my arms. Yea!

I know that it’s the combination of becoming more aware of what I’m eating and when I’m eating it, in conjunction with the exercise, that’s bringing on the noticeable changes. I know I have to develop healthier eating habits and not just eat better but have the desire to eat better. I’m learning a lot! The stand out thing I learned today is that I should be eating protein before I go to bed. I’ve always believed I shouldn’t eat ANYTHING before I go to bed. So tonight I’m choosing edamame.

Alright, time to grab my snack and read a little before bed.

Wanna join me in learning how to better care for our bodies? How to gain energy and not be so reliant on caffeine? Wanna look and feel better? Message Aaron and tell him you’d like to give a class a try! Become part of the fastest growing outdoor fitness Kraze in San Diego!

3 things about today-

1) Upper body/shaky arms/sore shoulder/new kinds of push-ups that I would NEVER have thought of!

2) My notebook is missing! This can only mean that the kiddos took it for lack of coloring paper. I will be purchasing a new notebook tomorrow. Seriously-I can’t find it!

3) Kraze Boot Camps and GNC! That’s right! Kraze Boot Camps has partnered with 7 local GNC locations to bring all Boot Campers some GREAT deals! To get it all rockin’ they’re hosting a “Happy Hour” at the Hillcrest location on Saturday from 10-12. Wanna learn about and sample great products? Come on out, join the Kraze Boot Campers and enjoy some great discounts! Congrats to Aaron on this awesome, new partnership! We will all be benefiting by learning what products to look for.

Whoo Hoo! Kraze Boot Camp just keeps getting better and better! Good Stuff all around! Come join the fastest growing outdoor boot camp in San Diego! Wanna try a class? Send Aaron a message and let him know you’re coming. I hope to see you there!

Today was the first time that there was something that kept me from getting to my 6am Kraze Boot Camp class. But even though I didn’t get to work out this morning, I still had healthy eating on my mind.

While I cooked dinner (potstickers, brown rice and edamame), I was eating some of the edamame and I suddenly had to think, “Uh…it’s 6pm. Can I eat edamame at 6pm? If I eat them with the rice, is this something good? I’ve always heard that soy and rice together make a complete protein. Is this true? They’re soy beans. Should I be eating them? And if so, is there a time of day I should or should not be eating them?”

Yep, all that went through my head.

So, tonight I’d like to ask;

Hey Aaron,

Tell me about edamame. Good? Bad? Particular time of day to eat them? What about the rice + soy = a complete protein equation?

I must say-no matter what I’m learning about how to eat, I’m sure putting plenty of thought into it!

Back to the regular morning work out routine tomorrow!

Abs and Core

That was the theme of today’s Kraze Boot Camp workout. Though my rear end and legs are still demanding attention from yesterday’s class! OUCH!

I’m finding it difficult to write about today’s class because I’m preoccupied with my itchy eyes, throat, back and arms. Aaron had us run over to a grassy area, form a large circle, get down on the grass and do all the abs and core exercises right on the grass. Uh…I’m allergic! I’ve taken meds to combat the effects of the grass on my eyes and throat since I was a small child. But who am I to say anything?! One of the top rules of Boot Camp is, “no complaining”. So there you go! I hope I can show up for tomorrow’s 6am class Claritin Clear!

After an abs workout, I always feel cheated. I worked hard, got all sweaty, breathed hard and can feel all those muscles feeling nice and tight…UNDER THE FLAB. It just seems unfair that to the everyday, naked eye, my stomach just looks like any ol’ stomach, because underneath it feels so good!

Notebook update-As I’ve mentioned, we’ve been asked to keep track of our daily foods by writing down all that we consume. This has been a good thing…really! But it’s a chore and a lot of head work;

Me-”Sure, I’ll make Mexican Lasagna for all of you guys! Yep, invite everyone you’d like, over to eat.”
My Brain-”GREAT! What am I supposed to do?! I feed so many people each night and I have to make meals that are inexpensive, good and go far enough that whomever walks through the door can be fed. Mexican Lasagna definitely fits all that criteria but I need to serve it with tortilla chips and guac if it’s going to fill everyone. There ARE black beans, fresh tomatoes, fresh onions, avocados and cheese involved, but there’s also, flour tortillas, refried beans (but the vegetarian kind, so there’s no animal fats involved) and corn. I feel stuck between cooking a certain way that fits my budget and feeds the masses and eating in a way that I don’t wince when I write it down!”

So there you have it. Yep, I’ve been writing everything down and I’ve gotten lots of helpful tips without being chastised, but I still feel very sensitive about the whole thing.

Tomorrow is the end of this week. 2 more weeks to go in this session. I know I’m stronger. I know I have better endurance and I know I need to be conscience about what I eat. Joining Boot Camp and taking on the challenge of going daily and working the best I can each day IS paying off in better habits, a better attitude and a leaner, healthier me. I just have to find a good balance for the whole meal issue.

It’s never too late to come out and give a class a try! I’d love to see you! Message Aaron and let him know you’d like to see what all the hype is about. Be a part of the Fastest Growing Outdoor Boot Camp in San Diego!

Dear Aaron

My knees are sore. My butt is sore. My legs are wobbly. If my children drop something on the ground I must tell them to pick it up themselves. I can not bend down because I will not be able to get back up. When I sit down (such as now), I pray that I can sit for a good, long time because it is much to painful to stand back up. I pretended to sit my butt in a chair so many times today that it is actually rebelling against the idea. I’m not sure I will actually be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning to join the 6am Kraze Boot Camp class, but you can bet I’ll give it my best.

Wow!

On the up side-in the past 2 weeks, I’ve worn 2 pair of jeans that could not be coerced onto my body before Boot Camp. Not only did I wear them, I wore them quiet comfortably. THIS is success! THIS is a healthier M.O.M. THIS is the beginning of new and better, healthier habits, with tangible rewards. THIS is something that I figured was NOT going to happen after giving birth to 9 children and spending 21 years paying attention to everyone else’s needs.

My sore glutes thank you and my cute jeans thank you.

You rock!

I may be hobbling, but I’ll see you in the morn~

Back home. Back to the daily Dance. Back to Kraze Boot Camp classes.

I missed the first week of this session, but I’m jumping back in with both feet. Thank goodness I kept moving while I was on vacation! I’m thankful to Aaron for sending a suggested daily workout to keep me from getting totally out of routine.

There are 2 new additions to this round of Boot Camp-1) Kristi Krajsa has joined the team. She’s helping Aaron to keep us motivated and to make sure each of our exercises are done correctly. You can read her interview by a fellow Boot Camp blogger here. 2) Notebooks! These lil notebooks were handed out to encourage us to keep track of all we eat each day. If we care to keep track, we can bring the notebooks to Aaron each morning before our work out and he can review and suggest. I started today and it’s amazing what you keep from eating if you know you’re going to have to write it down! I was in Sees Candy with JJ today (we were picking up a box for him to bring to France with him) and not only did I NOT pick out a piece to purchase, I didn’t even accept the free sample that was offered to me. No WAY I was writing THAT down! Same thing happened in Costco. Seriously, I’m not going there!

Since I got into the routine of having a recovery shake after each work out  on my vacation, I decided to add all the ingredients to today’s shopping list. I found a protein powder, sent a pic and description to Aaron, got the approval and was excited to get started making my own shakes tomorrow morning. After I was home, I read the fine print and it’s a 50/50 mixture of whey and soy. DANG! I’ll have to return it tomorrow and try again.

I’m looking forward to being back in the daily routine! I admit that I don’t like getting up and getting dressed and going, but I’m always happy that I’ve done it. Thanks for all the encouragement I’ve received! It’s really made all the difference. The BEST perk I’ve come across so far is that the jeans that I COULD NOT get on, but stashed into the closet, were worn-quite comfortably, on this vacation. YEA!

Good night~

Here I am at the first of 2 make-up days, then I will have officially completed everyday of the 4 week Kraze Boot Camp! Yea!

Today’s trail was my right shoulder and forearm. Seems I’ve overworked it a little. I had it massaged and it hurt like crazy! But it will get the rest it needs over the next couple of weeks, before I’m back for the next round of classes. That’s right! I’m planning on continuing on!

Something else that’s become painful is the fact that Kateri keeps threatening to “tell Aaron” anytime she thinks I make a poor food or exercise choice. GREAT! I’m being policed! Today when I said that the little kids could have Nutella sandwiches, She said, “I’m going to tell Aaron that you’re fostering fatness in the little kids by letting them have Nutella”. And even worse-He texted her to say “thank you for being the eyes and ears of better choices in the Lang house”. What the heck?! I wasn’t aware that by signing up for this round of classes that I’d be watched constantly. I was told to offer them graham crackers with crunchy peanut butter and almond milk as an alternative.

Though I must say that being policed a little has it’s upside too-After I got home, Aaron texted to ask if I’d remembered to ice my elbow and arm. When I said that I hadn’t and that I’d have to do it later when there was some time for M.O.M., I was scolded and told, “MOM needs to take a few minutes, delegate tasks to everyone to help you out so you can take care of yourself and be a healthy, happy Momma!” I share this only to illustrate the kind of trainer this man is. I’m most certainly not the only one of his Boot Campers that receives a little boost and reminder to take the time needed for better health.

Thanks Aaron! It’s your dedication to what you do and to your clients that’s made your program grow as it has and keeps those that have found Kraze Boot Camps, coming back session after session.

Here’s to one more day!

Have a great night~

It was another beautiful morning and it was great to start the day off with a great workout! JJ joined us this morning. It was nice to have him there. I know he works out and plays sports. He’ll leave the house to go running or biking, but I never get to see him actually do those things, so it was nice to see him “in action”.

Today we did some partner exercises. It was the first time we’d done that and I really liked working directly with someone else. It kept me motivated. After-all, if she sat up to grab the weight from me and I was still lying on my back, it wouldn’t really work.

Today’s success was jumping rope. I truly can’t remember the last time I grabbed a rope and started jumping. But apparently it’s like riding a bicycle-you don’t forget.

Today’s challenge was blogging. I just had lazy-writer’s brain. I just didn’t feel motivated to put any words to today’s experience. But here they are anyway (I guess that makes it another one of today’s successes).

Even though tomorrow is the last day of Week 4 of this round of Kraze Boot Camp classes, I can’t call it the end because we have a couple of make up classes next week. So…I’m committed! Hear me out until, at least, next Tuesday!