90 + days...

90 days have come and gone.

I did it.  I completed Chalene Extreme.  It may be the most fun I've had on a exercise regime ever.  It's always fun, I think when you actually see results.  It's encouraging to have roommates notice the changes and to even be just fixing your hair in the bathroom and hear "Dang, Sara, your biceps!"  :o)  That's right.  I have them.  Who knew?

This non-athlete is turning a new leaf - it includes a lifestyle of movement, fun, goals, and just enjoying the journey.

When I started this 90 days ago, I had an arbitrary number in mind - I wanted to get down to a certain weight.  And while I still think it's a tangible goal, I'm not fixated on it - or the scale. In fact, this last month I only jumped on the scale once.  The scale only tells part of my story.  Though I didn't reach my "goal" weight, I reach a goal "me".   A happy, healthy, loves to move and run - me.  There she was all along.

My mindset on fitness has altered greatly after Chalene.  I used to focus on short-term goals and results to keep me motivated.  Now I find myself more motivated by a long-time journey of enjoyment.  I don't have to remake myself in a month to be satisfied.  I am enjoying the daily journey of "one-step closer."  Everyday I'm heading in a positive direction - I position myself to have fun on the journey and enjoy the benefits as they come.  My approach has birthed something quite valuable - longevity in healthy living.  I look at the rest of the year contemplating, "ooh, what will I get to do this summer or fall to keep active?"

Here's to the journey ahead.

After 90 days, here are my overall results.
Lost about 6 lbs overall.
Lost 14.5 inches off my body over all.
Lost 10% of my body fat (went from "average" to the leaner side of "ideal"!)

Here's my last round of photos...sorry the first ones were so blurry.

Day 1                                           Day 90 +

 

Day 1                        Day 90 +

Day 1                                   Day 90 +

Day 1                                                Day 90 +

 

Day 90 +

 Looking forward...

I run my half marathon in a couple of weeks.  Training has been good - hard, but good.  I did 12 miles this week and my body is still a little sore.  Looking forward to a beautiful run, though!

Scheming my next step....thinking of doing chalene again....thinking of trying out another BB workout...We shall see.  Probably won't start anything until after the halfy, so just maintanance for now!

Thank you for joining me on this journey!  Excited for my family who has joined me with Chalene, my entire household, who have also jumped on the buff bandwagon, and my ladies back in Cairo!!  Look forward to hearing YOUR stories of your fitness journey!

60 day results!

60 days into my ChaLEAN Extreme experience...
Still loving it and feeling healthier.


I sort of wish I had all kinds of BIG numbers to share.

But I don't. In some ways there was a plateau in the numberage section of my results this phase.

Just to recap...
After my first 30 days 
- I lost 6lbs.
-I lost 10 inches.
-I lost 4% of my body fat (Initially I had put 10, but that was a miscalculation on my part).


After 60 days:
-I didn't really lose any weight this phase.  Nada.  I bounced up and down a bit, but no real loss.
-I only lost 2 inches (if you squint) according to my measurements.
-BUT I lost 8% more body fat - meaning I dropped twice as much body fat during the second phase as I did the first.
-And my personal icing on the cake, I dropped a jean size. (Thank you, Jesus!)

How do I feel about that?
I feel great.  It has actually been liberating this phase to not put such an emphasis on the scale this time around.  I could tell my body was toning and changing, and in the end the results tell me that my body was busy creating muscle this round.  And I'm happy with that!  Things certainly aren't going in a bad direction, so I can't complain.  This is a journey.  It's not a quick fix.  And I'm in it for the long haul, so any progress is cause for personal celebration!  And, I'm loving my new jeans.

Onward.  Lean Phase is the final phase of ChaLEAN Extreme.  I just finished week 1.  It's intense, she ain't kidding around.  Supposedly this is where you lose the most weight, but we'll see, everybody's body is different.  I'm trying to navigate half marathon training with Chalene and making sure I eat enough, so it'll be interesting to see where I'm at in a month.

Day 1                                                                        Day 60

Day 1                                                                 Day 60

Day 1                                                                    Day 60

                                        

Day 60

                                                   Day 1                                                                      Day 60

Announcement!!!

Thanks to all for their perusal of the blog the past few days and thanks to all those who made a guess or two!

Most Creative Award goes to Rebecca for cleverly referencing Star Wars and Katie for suggesting there was an actual Star Wars half marathon in LA.

Closest Guess Award goes to Jess, Kristy, and Amanda who all in some way or another suggested I was running a half marathon.

Honorable Mention and most flattering Award goes to Melissa for guessing I was running a full marathon.

And the Grand Prize Winner is....

Phillip for phoning in the actual correct answer via my sister.

I will be running in the Avenue of the Giants half marathon on May 1st!!

This run takes you through part of the beautiful Redwood Forest in Western California.  Parts of the speeder bike chase from Star Wars were filmed in the Redwoods (according to legend...or what I like to call "hear say").

Clue two referred to the "half" part of my announcement, though it would have been very clever had I been doing a full marathon, thank you roomies and Mel.  I'll have to save it for when I do.    

And of course, clue 3 was really to key in on the announcement being about running. 

Congratulations to all.  Katie and Phillip, though I love you, are already swimming in Shakeology, so I won't be sending you samples.  The rest of you, for your sweet participation will each receive yummy samples (being shipped to me today).  If you have preferences (Chocolate vs. Greenberry), let me know, otherwise I'll give you some of each.

I'll be sharing more about my journey to doing another half marathon soon. I'm already two weeks into training and going for a 6 miler tomorrow.  My body is having to catch up quick since I only gave myself two months to train, but having new muscles (thanks, Chalene) is helping a ton!

Spotlight on Shakeology...

What is this stuff I'm giving away for free?


Check it out!

Clue # 3

Clue number 3 is a video clue...

There ya go.  Put 'em all together and what do you get?
Leave a guess here or on facebook :o).

You've been so patient so here's some freebies...

Some bloopers from "Day 60" Photo shoot.  Jess was trying to get me to give directions to the gun show, which I couldn't do with a straight face...

Results...

Announcements...

More photos...

Tomorrow.

See you then.

Clue # 2

FIRST I have to celebrate with my sister who just completed her first 30 days of ChaLEAN EXTREME and said goodbye to 9.5 lbs and 7.5 inches!!!  Did I mention she just had her second baby back in November?!  She's incredible.  Way to go, Katie!!!!  My sister is the one who introduced me to Shakeology, which she and her husband both use as well.  So yummy and nutriciously delicious.




Okay, so the first clue...just to recap was:

Clue number two (also a picture clue)....

Freebie clue.  My announcement is connected to my journey to health and fitness!!

Get guessin' peeps.  And land yourself some yum yum Shakeology!!

Clue #1....Announcement GIVE AWAY!!

Okey dokey.

So yesterday I alluded to an announcement I have to make.  I figured - why not spruce things up a bit and make it like your birthday or something. It's time. To. Give. Something. Away.

I love how dramatic I just made that sound by adding periods after every word.  Where did that grammatical nebula even come from?

I digress.

Sooo.... over the next 3 days I will be unleashing 3 clues pertaining to said announcement.

Then it's up to you to use your noggin and take a guess.  Just post a comment with a guess for what you think I might be announcing on this blog and botta-bing, botta-boom, you're in the running.

What are you in the running for?

I'm so glad you asked.

It's my favorite breakfast wonder.  Shakeology!  (check out my link on the side)

It's delicious.  It's nutritious.  The chocolate version + peanut butter is to die for.  Blend with ice for a completely guilt free, decadent chocolate ice cream treat. Yum.  I have yet to try the greenberry version, but you may have that opportunity.

A correct guess lands you a free sample of Shakeology (your choice of flavor), lovingly sent to wherever you are in the world, free of charge.  You've got nothing to lose.  So take a guess.

You may guess as many times as you want.

The samples will be awarded on a  first come, first guess basis - so as soon as you think you know my announcement, post a guess.  You can always try another guess after seeing a new clue.  I will award as many as I can to correct guesses, while supplies lasts!

I will also award a free samplage to the most creative guess.  So feel free to have fun with it, if the clues throw you for a loop.

I may throw a few of my 60 day results photos up on the blog in the mix...or I might leave them to reveal with the announcement in 3 days...

Guess you'll have to check back to see :o).

<drumroll>

Clue number uno.

It's a picture.  And that's all you get.

Ah, Star Wars.

Happy Guessing!