Forgive Me…I’m a Social Butterfly

Dear Readers, so sorry I haven’t written for a bit.  My last couple of weeks at LIFE were filled with socializing with my new friends from around the world while I still had time left with them.

The past 14 days have been filled with excitement, satisfaction, accomplishments, travel, reunions, and just a little negativity.

My Last Week at LIFE

Monday I began with a BANG – literally!  During Jonathan’s Cardio Boot Camp I was on fire – sprinting like I never have before.  During my very last sprint (6.5 speed) I felt a snap in my left I-T Band – where it meets my hip. 

I had to take it easy and focus on weights, circuits and biking for the rest of the day.

Later in the week I went with Bronson on the 20-mile Manhattan Beach bike ride – my fave.  Wow!  My fitness had really improved -  I passed the 20-somethings in our group twice on the way to Manhattan Beach and twice on the way back.  Who knew I had it in me?  The 20-somethings were impressed that I was a 48-year-old obese woman and kicked their butts…lol!

Friday morning was a Cute Butt Boy circuit.  Surely by now you must know how we all dread his workouts as he pushes us beyond whatever we thought we could do.  Cute Butt Boy added a couple of new exercises I hadn’t done before.  One I was confident about; the second…I didn’t think I could do at all.  To my delight, when I got to that exercise (a full push-up plank hold while lifting each leg up and down for two minutes) it was a piece of cake.  I was simply shocked.  When I first arrived at LIFE I couldn’t hold my body up with my arms – they were too weak.  As the weeks progressed I could do some exercises that required me to hold my body weight up with my arms but they were easier, shorter exercises.  It felt great to know my strength had improved exponentially.

My Last Day

Monday, May 26^th began with a weigh-in, body measurements, VO2 test & hydrostatic bodyfat testing in the dunk tank.

Before – my 1^st day at LIFE – 3.29.10 

After – my last day at LIFE – 5.24.10

I dropped another 6 pounds for a total of 30 while at LIFE. Remember, I dropped some before I left for LA so on my last day I was down 45 pounds, 32 inches and 2% body fat since I began this blog on February 15th.  Plus, my lung capacity improved and I went up 2 categories.

The New Me

I really changed – physically, nutritionally & emotionally.  I have become the woman I was back in my 20’s when I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.  Of course, I was always able to do that, but I no longer believed I could.  Claire, the LIFE therapist, helped the former me come back to the forefront…and I’m letting the real me stay in front!

Before I left my LA life behind I had one more change to make – my hair.  I wanted to go to a fab hair expert who could improve the look of the new me.  So off I went to Linda at Art Luna Salon in Santa Monica.  I’m 90% gray in the front and my hair grows quickly – I have my roots touched up every 4 weeks, but honestly, I could do it every 2 weeks (and that can be very costly!).  Linda considered my dilemma and came up with a solution: she lightened my color by 2 shades and added tons of natural highlights to make my overall look lighter and brighter.  It works!

Since my new lifestyle includes working out everyday I’m wearing my hair curly (it’s natural!) which allows me to spend only 5 minutes on it in the morning.  Growing it out will let me get my thick mass of curls off my neck by sporting a ponytail.

A sprinkling of bronzer, a few swipes of mascara and a smear of lip gloss has me “face ready” for workouts and errands.  That’s how I’ve decided to live my new life right now.

My Trip Back Home

I had to plan for my trip back to the east coast.  The first thing I did was have Chef Seong make food for me to bring on the plane.  It was the best idea I had.  Remember, I’m gluten free so my options with airport food are quite limited and I wanted to continue eating the healthy whole foods I enjoyed at LIFE.  I had yogurt for breakfast, finished packing, & headed out to the airport.  Once the plane was in the air I opened my next meal:  a roasted veggie & cheese wrap.  I ate half, 2.5 hours later ate the second half and 2 hours later had a protein bar which I brought with me. 

My daughter had just arrived home from college so she accompanied hubby to pick me up.  She came inside to the baggage claim to find me and walked right past me.  My trimmer self and lighter hair was a great disguise!  Needless to say, she was quite shocked, but ecstatic with my transformation since she last saw me in February.

When I arrived home around 9pm the dogs went beserk and my son took one look at me and said, “Mom, is that really you?”  I ate my 2^nd wrap – Southwestern chicken with black beans & veggies – and unpacked. 

The jetlag was much worse traveling west to east, but I was glad to be home with my honey living my new life with my new stronger, trimmer body and lighter, brighter hair.  

Can you hear the smile?