Throughout the course of this campaign I have learned many things about myself. I have learned that I CAN lose weight, without the assistance of a diet pill or crazy fad diet. I have learned that the key ingredients to my success have been in my hands all along, I just had to learn how to use them.
The top ten things I have learned from this campaign are:
1. I LOVE drinking water. I’m actually quenched by it. Shocking right? When I drink nothing but water, I actually find I do not crave anything else.
2. Portions can be hard to eyeball. It’s funny how I could constantly be under my calorie needs prior to this campaign, and yet, I could be overeating certain things at the same time. It was like shooting myself in the foot. Twice. I’m still measuring things out until I get better at it. And it doesn’t bother me or really add time to the cooking process.
3. Strength training is more important than I thought. I always kind of ignored it in the past. But now that I have been working on building muscle, I’m losing weight in a different way than I ever have before.
4. Planning meals is critical!
5. I need rest days.
6. I always have time to work out. Even when I think I don’t.
7. Keeping track of my steps every day has helped me make sure I am always moving.
8. Sharing my journey with those around me not only encourages others to make healthy lifestyle changes, but keeps me accountable to the changes I have made.
9. What I am eating is just as important as what I am doing to keep active. If I put garbage in, I’ll get garbage out. If I put good food in, I’ll feel great, and work out harder!
10. I am the only one who can determine if I will reach my goals.
I know I have said it before, but I think the most surprising thing I have learned is that under eating can actually stall weight loss by putting your body into starvation mode. All my life I have heard of people starving themselves and dropping weight. I’ve always heard that to lose weight you should eat under 1200 calories (wrong BTW). Learning that the amount of calories required to maintain your body each day varies depending on your size and activity level, was surprising, even though it makes a lot of sense. But the fact that I could not eat enough and not only not lose, but actually gain weight. Yeah, that was shocking! I’m very glad that I now know a little bit more about the proper way to fuel my body. I’m glad that I can teach my children the proper way to eat now when they are young, and hopefully they will never find themselves in my shoes, but will enjoy this new lifestyle of being healthy, and carry it with them as they grow.
This past week was pretty great. I had a tremendous weigh-in Sunday, dropping another 4 lbs., bringing my total for this campaign to 10.8 lbs. gone for good! I am feeling pretty awesome and hope I can keep this momentum going until I reach my goal weight! With all the wonderful support I’ve received so far, I have no doubt in my mind that I will do just that! 
Prepared to take the Wheel!
Exercise-Its a love hate relationship
Yup I am that girl that loves to hate exercise. I know that part of the reason I applied to be a Mamavation Mom was because I needed some help in the whole workout department yet I was scared of what this whole exercise and hazing business would be like.
Lets talk hazing shall we-YIKES!!!! We were randomly tweeted workouts throughout the day. In fact one day as I stated in the video we were given 340 burpees (burpees are those crazy squat, plank, squat, jump thingy-If that description doesn’t help-go to google). When I managed to make it through the hazing I was shocked and PROUD. I was proud of what I could do. The picture here is me post 340 burpees covered in sweat and passed out on my mat!
The plan that Mark has sent us is very similar to the Two Week Challenge that he set up for Mamavation a few weeks ago. I won’t bother posting them workout again if you want to know go check out Amy or Lindsay who posted it up for everyone, but I will tell you a bit about them. We alternate days between core and lower body and upper body and core. So on lower body days we are doing squats, lunges, and burpees and upper body days we are rocking push ups, triceps push ups (OMG these are hard), crunches, and some free weight work. Again sometimes I hate them (Ok most times I hate them) but they are getting resutls and are over in less than a half hour. Additionally, we are asked to make sure that we walk at least 10,000 steps.
I wish I could say that I love every minute of this exercise plan but that would be a big ole fat lie and I wasn’t picked to me a Mamavation Mom to blow smoke-this is about living life as a Mom who is taking her life back. Even if I don’t love the exercise…you know what I love? This picture-
No its not my newly painted toes silly! Its that this number is down 2.8 POUNDS BABY!!!!!!!! So as much as a dread the exercise and as hard as it is some days…its getting the job done! So I guess I will keep pissing and moaning and grunting and groaning while exercising because honestly, I want that number to go down more than I want to quit!
7 Weeks of Gratitude & Change
THIS IS IT! Week 7. WHAT???!!!??? Where on earth has the time gone?
Get Pumped!
I have been engulfed by a whirlwind of activities, and I seriously had no idea that we were ending. It is much better this way — I can focus on how truly amazing Campaign 15 has been rather than dreading any measure of “good-bye.” Never you fear – - I am NOT going anywhere; I am here to cheer on the next batch of recruits and applicants! The love continues. 
How can I describe all that I have learned and acquired from being a Mamavation Mom? There simply are not enough words in the English language to convey how grateful I am to Leah (@Bookieboo) and Mark (@MrBookieboo) for the existence of Mamavation! I found this organization just when I needed it the most, and the leadership gave me what I needed most – MY LIFE. The Mamavation Moms were basically granted All Access passes into the lives of Leah and Mark, and gained priceless mentoring and knowledge.
![IMG_4176[1]](http://www.mamavation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_41761-100x100.jpg)
I learned from Alysa (@InspiredRD) how to plan, prepare, and pair the perfect foods for my dietary needs. I never starved during this Campaign! In fact, I originally thought that she was nuts for expecting me to eat so much food. Little by little, my body adjusted, and started doing what it needed to do – - consume enough fuel to operate and burn, and use the protein to help repair and build muscle. I was the number 1 skeptic at first, but now I understand and appreciate all that Alysa and Leah sought to teach me. I not only shop and cook smarter, but I am prepping my own backyard for a garden again. Me? Really? Yes, really.
![IMG_4171[1]](http://www.mamavation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_41711-e1362644470598-100x100.jpg)
Stephanie (@fitmomtraining) got the party started with Hazing, and Mark took over with the actual Campaign workouts. All of the exercises were designed to tone and strengthen, although they often felt as though they would cause permanent damage 
I worked out 6 days per week, and saw myself grow stronger as the Campaign progressed.
Shannon (@ShannonMSander) & Shelley (Momma_Oz) kept me on track, organized, and supported throughout the application, hazing, finalist and Campaign stages. All girls need great girl talks, and funny stories to help us bond. Believe me – - the stories have been HILARIOUS, and yes, oh yes, we have bonded. We are stuck like crazy glue! Speaking of crazy – - it simply defies logic that anyone can find such amazingly deep connections in such a short amount of time, but that is precisely what happened. My sisters for life, Rebecca and Joanna, captured my heart.
I learned that I could push myself harder than ever, and even if the pain increased, I would not break. I learned that life could throw some pretty devastating curve balls, but I could persevere, and I would not shrivel up and give up. I pressed forward. I didn’t look back. I didn’t dwell on any of the challenges or setbacks of the past. I just kept going. My commitment to change my life meant that some situations and relationships had to be left behind. I didn’t just shed weight; I cleared my life and thoughts of the old way of doing things. I lost 43.8 pounds, but I gained a new life.
![IMG_4169[1]](http://www.mamavation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_41691-e1362641062949-100x100.jpg)
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Change | |
| Chest | 40 | 38 | 37 | 36.5 | 36 | 35 | 34 | -6 |
| Waist | 35 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 32.5 | 32 | -3 |
| Hips | 44 | 43 | 42 | 42 | 40.5 | 39.5 | 39 | -5 |
| Thighs | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | -3 |
| Arms | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13.5 | 12 | 12 | ——– |
My Mamavation Mom journey would not exist had Rachel (@rachhabs) not bravely shared her story. She was my inspiration, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone to complete the application video. So, THANK YOU, Rachel!!! I made that video, and never looked back. I hope to pay it forward by encouraging all those who think of applying. You CAN do this! Take a leap of faith, and you may very well find yourself on a 7 week express train to a new life. I look forward to cheering you on!
Until next time,
XOXOXOXOXO
Change Is A Good Thing
HOLLA , my fellow Mamavation Sista’s and to everyone else reading this. I for one can not believe that we are already at the end of Campaign 15. This has been the fastest 7 weeks of my life and I really thought they were going to be loooooooong. I have learned so much about myself and what I can really do. I have met great people who really want the best for me. I have figured out that my body wants to sweat it wants to move.
Leah ( @bookieboo ) has brought out the Lioness in me the woman who can raise a family, break a serious sweat and still look cute. Mark ( @MrBookieboo ) has introduced me to my new friends , burpees, push ups, foot fires and criss cross jumps. Not to mention new muscles that I now have. Alyssa ( @InspiredRD) gave me personalized food choices and ideas that aren’t a diet but a lifestyle. Shelley ( @momma_oz ) & Shannon ( @ShannonMSander ) have been my lifeline if I had a question or problem they had the answer. Then there are the Sistas of Mamavation who I could not list because there are so many you know who you are who anytime I asked they answered. That is what Sistahood and Mamavation is all about. I now know there is no excuse not to workout. I have started a mad love affair with running I thought we would never mesh but we did. Mark made lifting weights fun with Pyramids that at first I did wrong but now LOVE them and have the callouses to prove it. I now have a waistline, defined thighs and mini FLOTUS arms. I see a difference in my face I have a chin again before I had a couple of them. This is not only my journey but my families because now we are going to be fit and fabulous together. Like Taylor Swift would say ” We are never ever ever getting back together ” that is my song to fat. I would so recommend Mamavation to everyone out there who doesn’t think they can do it. But be warned you have to want it. You have to be the one to do it. Most importantly you have to be committed to doing it. Real life happens people get sick, die, feelings hurt and there is no time for excuses or whining. So a strong mind is a must have. Last but never least are my 2 Soul Sisters, my Ride or Die Chicks, My Destiny’s Child, My Supreme’s , My Bangles, Joanna (@way2gomom ) & Jeanae (@jeanae) who took this 7 week journey with me and who I can say are the most genuine real women around THANK YOU. Thank You for allowing me to go on this ride with you ladies I look forward to a long , fit and fine friendship for years to come.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Total | ||
| Weight | 200.1 | 202.8 | 198 | 190 | 187 | 183.6 | 178.8 | -25lbs | |
| Arm | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | -1 | |
| Chest | 40 | 40 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 34 | -6 | |
| Waist | 38 | 38 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | -4 | |
| Hips | 49 | 49 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 44 | 44 | -5 | |
| Thighs | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | -3 |
The Best Things in Life
Family. Friends. Health. Sound about right? I am BEYOND thankful right now because I have received the greatest gift I didn’t even think was possible. Through the past 7 weeks, I have watched in awe as the Mamavation Mom Bootcamp tools, which on the surface look pretty straightforward – specifically the eating plan and workouts, have transformed not only my weight, but also my health, my family, and given me the gift of my girls, Rebecca and Jeanae. Thank you Leah, Mark, Alysa, Shelley, and Shannon – I will never be able to thank you enough for letting me hand myself over to you for this bootcamp.
To recap Campaign 15, I will say this – absolutely amazing. With the help of Jeanae and Rebecca, we laughed and cried our way through the bootcamp. We were sleep-deprived, sweaty, gross, and still laughing our butts off. It was awesome. I would definitely, definitely recommend this program to others. I would caution you though, make sure you are ready before you apply. Make sure you are ready to learn how to balance your life completely differently, to really take on all of the requirements of the campaign before you sign on the dotted line, and to really give your life over to the campaign. If you do, you won’t have regrets, you won’t have to step down, you won’t have to watch from the sidelines. But if any part of you is not ready, it will be a struggle. I wasn’t ready the first time I applied, and I know that if I had been chosen back then, I wouldn’t have done well. But now, combined the three of us have lost over 100 pounds. If that’s not amazing, I don’t know what is…
There will definitely be some aspects of the campaign that will stick with me. For instance, the food. I do not have a single question about what I’m going to eat anymore, which is awesome. And my family is now eating the same with me – I started the campaign making separate meals, and now we are all eating the same things. Even my baby loves to eat salads now! It’s awesome. I am so, so thrilled to be setting such a strong foundation in the health of my children. It’s amazing. In fact, the food is part of the reason my husband has been dropping pounds too. Not only have I lost weight during this campaign, but my husband has as well. He’s down nearly 30 pounds also! Crazy, isn’t it? So yeah, this is definitely sticking. And then, of course, there’s Rebecca and Jeanae. They already know they can’t escape me.
BIG PUFFY HEARTS ALL AROUND. I love you guys, and not in the drunk-off-your-ass way that college students say it. But in the honest-to-goodness, mean it from the bottom of my shoes to the top of my ponytail way. <3
You Think You Know
But you really have no idea. Hey Mamavation another week has come and gone. I don’t know where the time has gone. We are already on week 6 of Campaign 15 which means we have one more to go. I know you are thinking oh no I will never see Jeanae (@jeanae) , Joanna (@way2gomom) again or me @RUtheMOMof again. Don’t you worry your pretty little heads we aren’t going anywhere.
This week it is all about what we have learned and what we thought we already knew. I have read so many books & magazines and watched so many shows that I thought I knew everything there is to know about working out and eating healthy. SURPRISE !!! I didn’t know squat and what I knew was all wrong. I always thought that you should eat less calories and limit your fruit intake because of the sugar. You should workout for a long period of time and exercise wasn’t made to be fun it was work. This campaign with the help of Alysa (@inspiredRD) , Mark (@MrBookieboo) & Leah (@bookieboo) showed me that I was dead wrong. Alysa gave us a book on what to eat on a Low Glycemic diet and it opened my eyes to all the great food choices we have. Also, how less isn’t always more when it comes to eating right.
Food should have colors
anywhere anytime no EXCUSE
Mark gave us customized workout plans that if done right didn’t take hours to do but at the end of them had you sweating bucket loads. Leah well she should as that even though we are Moms and we all know what that means real life problems there is NO EXCUSE not to workout and take care of ourselves.
Real life happens whether you want it to or not. The thing that surprised me the most is me being able to give up control of myself to complete strangers and believe that they knew what they were talking about. Once this happened and I saw the results it just showed me that it doesn’t mean you are weak or can’t do it. But be real if we all knew how to do this on our own we would all be in shape & healthy. I also learned that family isn’t just who you are born into but who has your back. In the process of losing weight I have gained 2 very special Sistas that has made this journey that much easier and better. All the Mamavation family because we have to include Mark is what makes this thing called Mamavation the best thing since apple pie a healthy version of course . Here is the results of believing , listening and doing.
Lessons Learned as a Mamavation Mom
Wow, it’s week 6 of the campaign already! Where did the time go?! I’m so not ready for this to end, but I have definitely learned quite a bit as a Mamavation Mom! Check out my brief roundup here:
So my favorite things that I’ve learned so far (in no particular order), are the low glycemic diet, that I CAN do awesome levels of exercise (including running), and that I have some totally amazing Sistas from other Mistas! Here’s the low down – I have been wanting to learn about the low glycemic index before, but it seemed like a total mystifying thing to me. Thanks to Alysa (@inspiredrd), I think I actually kind of get it now! I’ve had some awesome weight loss, but the best part wasn’t the workouts (although those are awesome). To me, having Alysa to call when I get stuck, give me ideas when I need them, and to explain the exchange stuff was totally priceless. For me, that knowledge far outweighs any swag!
I applied to the campaign back in December, and the last week of the month was when I started the Couch 2 5k running program. I had started it before then, but without much success. This time, I totally rocked it. Until I had a breakthrough one day when I was able to run even farther and SMASH the wall in front of me. It was amazing. Ever since I’ve been totally a fan of running. Which is not something I ever expected to happen in my life! The endorphin rush is just amazing. Running isn’t for everyone, but it totally is for me! And, of course, being able to say that I can do 55 pushups (on toes) in a row with no break, well that kind of makes me feel like a badass!
Last, but certainly not least, I learned more about the awesome support of my Sistas from other Mistas. Rebecca and Jeanae have been there with me from the start. We dealt with confusion, frustration, and everything in between together. We laughed, we cried, we became FAMILY. Can you imagine anything better? And, they totally don’t mind my weirdo sense of humor, which always helps! So yeah, mad props for this campaign and for Mamavation because I LOVE what I’ve received from the campaign, and the swag I didn’t even realize we were going to get was awesome, the other perks were why I really wanted to be in the campaign.
On to the details! This week I lost… 2.6 pounds! That brings me to a total loss of 28.4 pounds! HOLY CRAP!
When Real Life Gets Raw…
Sometimes life throws curve balls. Sometimes those balls are loaded with unbelievably stinky CRAP!
I recorded my video on Sunday. 24 hours later I received a phone call which literally brought me to my knees. It would be easy for me to allow the overwhelming pain of losing a loved one to completely derail everything. I’ve been shrouded in grief, disappointment, and pain, but uplifted by peace, hope, and comfort. I must go on record to say that I am not standing on my own strength, but I gratefully lean on the shoulders and prayers of my fellow Mamavation Moms – Joanna & Rebecca. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share not just my health and fitness journey, but my life, with my amazing Campaign Sistas. I made it through one of the most difficult days of my life thanks to their support. I don’t mean to brag, but this may very well be the BEST campaign that Mamavation has ever had These Sistas are simply the best!
With that in mind, please note that there’s no crying in baseball, and absolutely no whining in Mamavation. I am certain that if I asked, I would be given grace to take an early rest day, or perhaps lighten my obligations. But I didn’t ask, and I didn’t bail on any exercise or nutrition plans. Why? Simply put: there are times when real life gets messy, scary, and sometimes, downright unbearable, but we do not have to remain paralyzed by fear, pain, or even loss. Mamavation Mom isn’t a title or a fad; it is the path to a lifestyle change. My growth in this doesn’t stop in the face of tragedy. Instead, I press forward.
Thanks so much to Leah, Mark, my Campaign Sistas, and all of those who embraced my hurt, tears, & weakness this week, and allowed me to borrow their strength.
If I didn’t cheat on my workout or meals after this heartbreaking morning, no one should. #NOExcuses #Mamavation
— jeanae (@jeanae) February 13, 2013
Total loss for the Campaign -23.
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | |
| Chest | 40 | 38 | 37 | 36.5 |
| Waist | 35 | 36 | 35 | 34 |
| Hips | 44 | 43 | 42 | 42 |
| Thighs | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| Arms | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Until next week,
XOXOXOXO
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Oh NO she didn’t … Oh yes she did !!!! What’s Up Peeps this is week 4 of the Greatest Show On Earth The Mamavation Campaign and I am in the mix of it with my 2 wonderful ladies Jeanae ( Soprano) and Joanna ( MacGyver ). So far so good you won’t hear any complaints out of me. When I heard about the dreaded week 4 hump I was a little nervous. Was I going to get sick ? Would I feel like I could not do this anymore , was I going to want to quit ? Well the answer to these questions is NO.
I have more energy now then I have had in a while. I am sore in places I only heard about but have never seen. I actually go to sleep in my workout clothes so as soon as I wake up I can run downstairs and hit the GYM. I found The Beast in me my inner athlete who was MIA for a while and she is back to kick some ASS and lose some. I am not going to lie I was scared that I was going to get bored doing this. As a kid I was into softball, gymnastics, karate, dance, skating everything and I actually was very good at them. But after a while once I mastered it I got bored of it and moved to the next thing. Every week there is something new to learn or do or cook. We have gotten our new workout plans and just when you thought Mark was a genius he pulls out something new that proves it. If you want to know what they are join the Campaign … With the food choices that Alyssa has given me I have been able to come up with new and very healthy meals so I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything. My weight loss this week has been AWESOME !!!! I not only feel better but I see a big difference in my body and attitude. My new goal this week is to get this sleep thing right. I can’t sleep until 1 or 2 then I wake up at 6. I know that once that is fixed these pounds will really be rolling off.
The real reason you are reading this
I have now lost a total of 12.8 lbs
Chest 5 in Waist 4 in Hips 4 in Thighs 3 in each Arm 1 in each
To Do or Not To Do? There is NO Question!
HOLLA!
Is there a better way to start off week 4? I don’t think so! So we’re in week 4 of the campaign now, and I have to say that I did hit the week 3 wall. When we were talking about it last week, I thought for sure that wouldn’t happen to me – after all, I had such an awesome momentum going! But then I realized that I had forgotten about that lovely aunt who visits monthly and all the water weight she brings with her. And my son decided not sleeping was cool. And I felt like I might be sick. Was I sick? Wasn’t I sick? I don’t know! I didn’t have congestion or anything, I had headaches. I was coughing, but not very often. Only when I was working out, really. Today I was able to get through my workout and walking with no coughing, but today my lungs hurt. I don’t know what the deal is, but I’m hoping I wasn’t sick because if I was, I might have infected my friend’s baby and that would really make me feel like a turd. This may be weird, and is totally not founded in fact, but I used to be a smoker, and it felt to me like the same way that my lungs felt when I quit smoking – really sore and hurt and I coughed up crap. So I was wondering if with my increased workouts and running and stuff if I was maybe cleaning out more of those smoke damaged lung areas. But yeah, that’s completely just a spitball weirdo observation of mine. So anyway, here’s my video for this week!
As you can see, I totally did hit the week 3 wall. It was like a perfect storm of all these factors coming together that would normally have me settling back with some crappy processed junk food, a sad girly movie, a giant pizza, and a giant soda. But not this time. See, it kind of worked out to my advantage that EVERYTHING that usually knocks me off course happened in the same week. I was able to really nip all THAT in the bud at once. The best part was that I had my girls Rebecca and Jeanae to help me remember that I was doing all of this for a reason and to keep moving. And you know what? I did.
In week 2, I pushed myself to do more regular pushups and to run (ok, jog) for at least 5 minutes straight. I ended week 2 being able to do ALL my pushups on toes and running 6 minutes straight. Week 3 and its wall did not get me down. Not only did I keep doing an awesome job on the pushups, including working on tricep pushups on toes, but I also ran for 16 minutes straight – a whole mile. Now I know that is not the fastest mile in the world, but to me it was the most amazing mile. Now I know I totally can do it. It’s like I busted right through all the BS that I was making a big deal last week and just did it. AWESOME! I love that feeling In all, despite the difficulties and lack of sleep, it really was an awesome week. I’m just really glad it’s over. Because this week will be even more awesome.
I know what you’re really waiting for is to see the evidence of my hard work, right? So here it is – my total weight and inches lost this week. They weren’t a dramatic drop, but still a healthy drop and I’ll take it!
So there you go! I hope you have an awesome week! Make sure you stop back by later this week to see posts from Rebecca and Jeanae! They have AMAZING updates for this week!
