This opportunity came at the perfect time in our lives.  We had just gotten married 5 months before the competition started and had started to settle comfortably into our happy domestic life.  We were discussing starting a family, and becoming a father was something that had always been important to me.  When we had our goal and fitness assessment for this contest, the freight train hit me:  if I wanted to live long enough to see my children grow up and have enough energy to keep up with them, I had to find a way to get healthier.  From that day forward, I dedicated myself to improving my health with the ultimate goal of having children in mind and living a long and happy time with the love of my life.

It is not easy.  As anybody who has lost weight can attest, there are no magic potions and quick-fix solutions to losing weight.  There were times where the thought of going to another training session made me physically ill.  The idea of choosing another healthy salad over that juicy cheeseburger drove me crazy.  But, I will admit, as the days passed and the routine settled in, the process of living healthier was easier to accept.  I just want everybody that reads this to understand there will be doubts and regrets and misgivings, but the way you feel once your body adjusts is unbelievable.  I feel strong, I feel healthy, I feel like I am 21 years old again.

Luckily, Miramont provided us with some amazing resources including a nutritionist (Amy Lemesiz) and two exceptional trainers that I would highly recommend to anyone (Jenny Gibb and Ethan Townsend).  They kicked my butt a million times over but I kept coming back for more.  Their encouragement and expertise cannot be understated.

Now, I stand here 30 pounds lighter with a skip in my step and a few more muscles poking through – and I’m not satisfied.  This has brought out the hunger I needed to continue on this journey, not just for myself but for the family I want to be a part of for a long time.

Eleven weeks ago I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of the Dare to Lose Challenge and it has been an incredible journey.  It was an answer to what I had been searching for because I just couldn’t find the motivation within myself that I desperately needed in order to get out of the rut that I had been in for so long.  I had zero energy and zero motivation to exercise.  I was eating whatever I wanted and didn’t think twice about what results or consequences it would bring because I truly did not care about myself and I was sad because infertility had taken over my spirit.   I was feeling extremely uncomfortable in my clothes and my surroundings, I became so self-conscious about how I looked and felt at 255 pounds.  I had really let myself go too far.  I knew that I needed to find something to change my attitude towards my body and my future.  That’s when I heard about Dare to Lose challenge.  What a blessing it was to be chosen and to have this opportunity to make a difference in my life.  Innately, I knew once I got back into the habit I would be right back on track and I am on fire!  I love the feeling that I have every time that I step into the gym and the feeling I get when I leave having accomplished what I had set out to do for that day.

I now make fitness a part of almost every day of the week, giving myself a break once a week.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve worked out six days a week.  It’s not a hassle, it’s a habit.  It is hard work, but you know what?  It feels so natural to me now and it’s not that difficult once I make up my mind and give myself the push that I need to just do it.  I look forward to and have a plan for each day so that I am prepared.  It’s making sure that I have no excuse not to get to the gym.

I have changed the way that I eat and view food as a source of power and nutrients to keep me going and giving me the energy I need to feel alive.  Before the challenge, typically my first meal of the day was a late lunch and by that time I would eat anything that had substance, healthy or not.  I would start my day with a soda instead of a good breakfast.  I am logging my food and making sure that I’m sticking to a consistent caloric intake.  When I really start to look at the food options around me, I definitely see food and what we get from it in with a new perspective.  It takes effort, discipline and creativity.

Looking back on how I let myself get to the point before the competition, I know and realize that I had let the emotional stress of infertility and the sadness of not fulfilling my dreams of having children destroy who I am and who I want to be.  It is very difficult to be open about where I’ve been for the past four years but it is a part of who I am now and it is my story.  I can never and will never give up on myself again because I am stronger than my disease.

Everyone who knows me and loves me has noticed the change.  They have said that since I started this competition I am happier, I smile more, I am less stressed and my countenance is brighter.  I am less focused on my inabilities and more focused on what I can accomplish.  I am focused on being the wife that my husband is proud of because not matter what, I have to live for myself and for him regardless of how big our family is.  All I know is that the results are showing and my hard work is paying off.  When it comes down to it, I realize that I’ve worked so hard but on the other hand, a little effort has gone a long way.  With one more week to go in the Dare to Lose challenge, I’m not even close to being done.  I’m just getting my feet wet…

Since then, two months have passed and I have lost over 20 pounds. We have put in hour after hour of hard work and sweaty workouts. We have learned we are much stronger than we ever thought we were. We plan out our weekly menus to ensure that we have the control over calories, sodium, fat and nutrition vs. eating out. Our workouts have become a habit that we actually crave on a daily basis. It’s all about finding the right fit for a healthy lifestyle that has longevity. Since the program, I have had people stop me and tell me they notice the change and ask what I have done. Some ask what magic pill or diet I am trying. My response is always hard, consistent work and healthy, nutritional eating. The weight I have gained over the past 10 years wasn’t put on over night, and its not going to come off over night. It will be something that I will have to consciously maintain even after “Dare to Lose” is over.

I want to thank Miramont for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome program! Our trainer Ethan has been so great at helping us push beyond what we thought we could do while providing great know-how and education behind each workout. I always leave proud of myself and excited for our next session together. We have also been attending Triple Threat Small Group Personal Training with Jenny on Tuesday and Thursdays. I will never forget the first workout we had with her and how far we have come since that first day. She is so sweet and encouraging. I love the time we get with her, and the class always flies by. Amy, the nutritionist, has been a wonderful resource to help us ensure that we are committing to a lifestyle of healthy eating and I have loved tracking our food in the MyFitness Pal app on my phone.

Overall, even if I don’t win first place in this competition, I have to look back on all the success I have had these last few months. The weight I have lost, strength I have gained, and knowledge I have acquired are all worth the time, energy, and commitment I have put in!

Overall Plan
Frequency: 5x a week (M, T, W, Tr, F, Sa)
Breakdown: Alternate upper body, and lower body lifting

Week 1 = M: Upper, T: Lower, W: Cardio, Tr: Upper, F: Lower, Sa: Rest, Su: Rest

Weight Lifting: use in conjunction with cardio and speed to gain muscle endurance and strength

• Frequency: 2x a week (ex. 2x upper, 2x lower)
• Sets:  3
• Reps: 8-12
• Rest: 30 – 90 seconds in between sets, 2-3 days in between doing the same workout
• Change exercises  that you are doing every 4 wks to prevent plateau

Cardio: use cardio in between lifting days and speed days

• Frequency: 1-2x a week
• Breakdown: 60–90 min sustained
• Intensity: start where you can comfortably exercise for 30 min and gradually increase intensity
• Heart Rate Range = 50-60% max HR
• Total Cardio workout = 500-1000 cal

Example:  Basic Lifting
Monday                                      Tuesday
Bench (8-12/3)                        Squat (8-12/3)
Pull-ups (8-12/3)                  Crunches (8-12/3)
Incline Bench (8-12/3)        Lunges (8-12/3)
Cable Row (8-12/3)               Back Ext (8-12/3)

Example:  Basic Cardio – progress to burning 1,000 calories in an hour

Note:
Use this as a template and focus on doing what you can when you begin your program.
It is best to keep the same layout but change exercises every 4 weeks.
This is INTENSE, don’t try to do everything the first time, work up to it.

Unfortunately that seemed to be just the warm up. Soon after I got back from the trip  I managed to get the flu; the kind of flu where you don’t move or eat for days. This has caused me to miss a few more of my small group classes and effectively ended any attempts at additional exercise. In essence, it threw off my groove. I can tell you that I am not ready for the upcoming week. However, I know that my trainer Michelle will work me just enough and that if I continue to make an effort, this week won’t be a total loss and I’ll be back on track soon.

The good news is that the results are now being seen by my friends and family. I’m starting to get complements and that has been a nice boon for the times life comes at you. I’m excited to make the last few weeks of this program count. All I can say is that the other contestants better not sleep on me! And, GO TEAM BEAST MODE!

Adam Cerullo completed 500 miles of running in 2012 as part of his New Year’s resolution from last year. With his accomplishment, he’s heard the question, “how does it feel to reach your goal?” Adam shares,  “I can honestly say that the act of running and completing this goal has be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Nothing compares to it. No exercise I have done previously has had as much impact on my life.  Granted I did go through 3 pairs of shoes this year, it was worth the expense.”

Adam shared a couple of ways running has impacted him:

STRESS

“From raising children to the job and money and dealing with people that you’d rather not have to deal with, running has provided an extraordinary release.  People always say how exercise is a great stress relief. Well, running provides something a little bit more than that. With the right music and mindset, running is hypnotic. Consistent breathing and the steady pace, I drifted off in thought to remedy my daily struggles.  “

APPRECIATION OF NATURE

“Running also allows a person to observe nature at a slow pace. Whether it is at a park or in the mountains, outdoor running has shown me so much. For example, I have witnessed a very large geese migration in northern Colorado. The sky was thunderous with geese calls and black with thousands of flapping bird bodies flying overhead. I was lucky though….I didn’t get crapped on.”

“I have watched the fields change from brown to light green. I have seen the trees bud leafs and the tulips rise out of the ground to greet the sun. I have heard the quaking aspen rustle in the fall and drop its leafs on me.  I have seen trees snap like a leg from the weight of the first snow of the year.  I have run in mud, in snow, on snow, on ice, on rocks, on green grass and up hills and down them.”

MY FAMILY

“Running has become a family past time as it is something that we can all do together.”

I CAN INSPIRE

Throughout his adventure, Adam’s goal was to run 500 miles and maybe shed some pounds. People would ask him what he was training for. Adam always answered, “life.” Moreover, he shares that, “the older I get, I am starting to see how fragile life can be and how beautiful it is. I am also seeing that it is resilient but it requires respect by its possessor. I fear a lot of things and I don’t want to miss anything, so if I can somehow give myself a chance to see a little bit more of the gift of life, then that is what I am going to do.”

What does that have to do with inspiration? Amanda, Miramont’s Centerra General Manager, noticed Adam had been running a lot, and she asked him about it. Adam shared his goal, and Amanda wanted to feature Adam because he could help inspire other people. Until that point, Adam never saw it like that. Adam explains, “it was a selfish goal. Now, the goal has transformed and I look around me and I see that not only has this had a positive effect on me but on everyone around me. AND it may give people the edge and inspiration that they need to set a goal and reach it. I don’t feel extraordinary in any sense and I know I am a regular person and because that’s the case, anyone can do what I have done.”

Thanks for sharing, Adam! You are amazing!

SOUTH
9:15 am – Optimal Alignment 2
9:15 am – Group Power
10:15 am – Cycling

CENTRAL
9:15 am – Group Kick
9:15 am – Optimal Alignment 2

NORTH
9:15 am – Group Step

CENTERRA
CLOSED.

These will be the ONLY class offerings on Easter Sunday.  All other classes are cancelled. Childcare and membership will be closed all day.

Warmup – 15 minutes on the row machine
Burpees – 10 reps
Step Ups – 15 each leg
Squat and Row – 20 reps
Opposite Toe Touchers – 3 sets of 20 reps
Hurricanes – 15 each side (punch/pull on cable machine)
Squat and Press – 15 (using hack squat machine)

Some of these are repeats. I want you to increase your weight on them because I know you can do more this time!!! Same reps.
30 minutes of intervals on the Precor AMT. 1 min hard, 1 min easy. Change resistance for the intervals to increase and decrease intensity.
This workout is to get your metabolism higher, gain strength and burn calories.

This workout has been provided by Certified Personal Trainer, Bryce Bowman. If you are new to exercise, please consult your physician before beginning any regimen.