Emily's Journal - 2011

Week 1:
Week one of 8 Weeks To Greatness is over. This experience is amazing. A glimpse at my life before would show you how unhealthy I was living. I'd go to work, come home, grab a snack and veg on the couch. Now I am eating healthy and exercising...and I feel great! It is definitely challenging but I am determined. I did weight training for the first time in my life. Christina is an awesome teacher and such a positive role model. I was super sore this week- but a day or two later and a nice hot shower cured that. I am working on sticking with my new nutrition lifestyle. I find my biggest challenge is eating as many times as I should...it's a lot of food! I am already feeling slimmer and I have had to dig through my closet to find clothes that fit me now. I love hearing all the encouraging words from my friends and family....so thankful for the support. That's all I have for now. I'm looking forward to next week and facing the challenges that lie ahead! :)

Week 2:
Week 2 of 8 Weeks to Greatness has come to an end. It has been a really good week. Had a couple of great workouts with Christina. I feel like my body is less tight and sore...maybe I'm getting stronger :) I have found that my psoriatic arthritis pain has been reduced drastically. I think the exercise and nutrition has really decreased the inflammation in my body....love it! Another thing I am loving is looking in the mirror. I look sooo different. I'm doing better with the nutrition this week. I'm making time to eat all the meals I should and staying hydrated. That's all for now...stay tuned for the next installment :)

Week 3:
Week 3...completed. Things went smooth at the beginning of the week. One thing I realize that I really enjoy is the way Christina always changes things up and I never get bored doing the exercises she teaches me. I really get a whole body workout. The end of the week proved a little challenging...my boyfriend was admitted to the hospital so I spent a lot of time there. I made sure I got in all my cardio though. The nutrition stayed good, but I missed a couple of snacks and I didn't meet my water quota :( That is something I want to work on in the coming weeks....how to fit everything in when your schedule suddenly changes. Overall though, I'm feeling happy and confident with my progress (can't believe 8 weeks is almost half over). Time flies when you're having fun!

Week 4:
8 Weeks to Greatness is now halfway done. This has gone fast. I had a good week...got measured and lost 8 more pounds. Christina is adding a few extra calories to my diet so I don't get a blood clot or look "skinny fat" by losing so fast. On Friday I went scrub shopping for work. To my amazement I now wear a size small pant! I even made the sales lady help me pick the size because I couldn't believe it was right...I don't think I've fit into a small anything since about middle school! Seeing the results just makes me want to keep working harder. I also took a road trip for a family birthday party and I just packed all my snacks and lunch, brought along my water bottle and stuck to my nutrition plan. My family is so supportive...nobody made a big deal about me bringing my own food to lunch. Eating healthy is now just a part of my lifestyle.

Week 5:
Week 5 is done. I had a good week. Kept up with nutrition and cardio....loved my workouts this week. Christina is always changing it up and keeping things interesting. I really liked my size small scrub pants....I went back and bought some more! I also measured this week. Total weight loss since August is now 48 pounds! Woohoo! I chatted with my dad and brother this weekend and I think they want to have a consult at His & Her Fitness. That would be totally awesome. I hope I can be an inspiration to others. Next...on to week 6!

Week 6:
Week #6 came and went. Had a wonderful week....still feeling great! I helped my parents paint the inside of their house this week. It was a big job but I had all the energy I needed to do it. I know if I had done this a few months ago I would have been sore and exhausted....not now! I'm still loving all the compliments and support I'm getting. Here's a funny story-- I even loved going to the dentist this week so I could show off the new me to the people there..lol. Next week comes a big challenge--Thanksgiving. I'll let you know all about it!