Day #30 - TAM: The Results, Part One
Clutch the pearls. Shut the door. Someone pinch me. Could today REALLY be day #30? When I began TAM boot camp thirty days seemed like an eternity. I had NO clue if I'd be able to survive boot camp and live to talk about, nevertheless complete it successfully. But here it is, clear as day on my calendar(s) (I checked a few to make sure I wasn't hallucinating)...HOLY CRAP, I did it! Like totally, literally, figuratively did it. I took my once monstrous scale, ghastly truffle shuffle, low body confidence and made them all my BITCH! Take that! Now I am excited to get on the scale every morning and see my progress, walk around the house like the queen of a nudist colony (of one) and feel better about myself than I have in quite some time. Tracy Anderson knows what she is talking about people, I am living proof! I have tried (and failed miserably) at every diet fad, exercise trend, etc in the hopes of gaining more energy, shedding a few pounds and toning up. I am not going to lie to you, this journey was rough. Like 10 of those Great Walls of China lined with barbed wire, surrounded by piranha's, times 10! Every emotion, curse word, prayer, tear, and ounce of willpower I've not only used ad nauseum, but reached my quota. For LIFE. I've laughed (at the sight of myself flailing like a nut job to cardio), cried (with joy, exhaustion, and frustration), got angry (mainly at "The Chip Lady"), and had serious doubts EVERY single day. But it was SO worth it. I looked back on my TAM journal last night, letting all the fond/not so fond memories wash over me with nostalgia. It CAN be done, and best of all, I can do it. No excuses, peer pressure (to cheat or not to continue because "you don't need to"), or negative thoughts got in my way. All the meals made, sore muscles, weak moments of "I can't do this anymore" were worth EVERY single late night and early morning. I'm tearing up (again) just thinking about it...
The big day was jam packed with work, errands, a hair appointment and TAM. I woke up alarmingly late AGAIN, so I worked out once I got home for the evening (after 9). My final workout was AWFUL. I had such high hopes it would be a relief each time I completed an exercise cheering to myself that is was almost done, but I was so tired all I wanted was a pillow and blanket. A dear friend (who just began BC) kept me going with support and encouraging words, even when at one point I had laid down on the couch (in my PJ's nonetheless) and refused to budge. Those thoughtful words helped me get my rear up and back at it. Even though it took way longer than it should have, and I started BAWLING at the thought I would not/could not finish my workout tonight, on day #30 for heaven's sake, I got through 50 reps of sequence 3 (minus 37,39,40,41 and cardio) before midnight. It wasn't my best performance, but considering how late it was and my severe opposition and emotion, I'm so proud of myself. We are SO hard on ourselves (my OCD is a hot mess!), demanding perfection at every moment, but I've learned that willpower and determination are not perfection ,but it gets you damn close. And the feeling of accomplish is worth every minute of the fight. Enough babble, time for my results!
BEFORE (day #1) AFTER (day #30)
Weight: 127.4 117.4 = 10 lbs lost!
Bust: 34 1/2 33 = 1 1/2 inches lost!
Waist: 30 @ belly button 28 = 2 inches lost!
29 above belly button 27 = 2 inches lost!
Hips: 37 36 = 1 inch lost!
Thighs: 22 1/2 21 = 1 1/2 inches lost in EACH thigh!
Arms: 12 11 = 1 inch lost in EACH arm!
That brings me to a GRAND total of 10 lbs, and 11 1/2 inches gone baby!!!!!! I've yet to figure out how to crop my photos side by side like I've seen on other blogs, so I'll post those in a different blog.
Food - final day of the cleanse. I do not want to see protein soup, pudding, applesauce, kiwi, or gazpacho for a LONG time. Don't get me wrong they are all delicious, but too much of a good thing is simply too much. For dinner did not follow the cleanse (because I REALLY wanted kiwi and ran out) so opted for a few mango slices instead. And some hamburger pickles. SO not on the menu anywhere, but I was DYING for salty pickle goodness and had zero intention of staying up till 12 to devour them, so I celebrated early. with pickles :) BTW, it totally made me stomach ill from all the salt...oops.
I am thrilled with the results from boot camp and will continue with TAM for life, I am officially hooked! I'm going on vacation for Turkey Day, so I finished at the perfect time! Can we say bikini?!
My goals post boot camp are pretty simple right now. Figure out someway to get in some TAM while on vacation (though I won't lie I may take this time off as my break), and once home start the PD series and Beginner Dance Cardio 4-6 times a week. I'm going to experiment to figure out how many days I need to workout in order to obtain my post BC goals (continue to tone - fully ridding my truffle shuffle, stay under 120lbs), along with eating following the 80/20 rule. I'm also going to continue blogging to hold myself accountable, plus its so cathartic...
For those thinking about TAM, it is NOT a diet, it truly is a lifestyle change (I can't tell you how many times I've explained this to people). It is the most rewarding fitness journey I've been on in my 28 years, and has transformed not only my body, but lifted my spirit (and booty!). I can be the first to attest I did not follow every single recipe to a T (there is only so much chopping and pureeing a girl can handle), and had SERIOUS aversion to some menus items, it is STILL doable. Use the vegetarian menu, mix things up and just go for it, you will not be disappointed.
Well, I'm off to shop my heart out, all while admiring my new booty and mini baby abdominals in the dressing room mirror, I won't lie :)
30 days down, zero to go;
-Marcia
The big day was jam packed with work, errands, a hair appointment and TAM. I woke up alarmingly late AGAIN, so I worked out once I got home for the evening (after 9). My final workout was AWFUL. I had such high hopes it would be a relief each time I completed an exercise cheering to myself that is was almost done, but I was so tired all I wanted was a pillow and blanket. A dear friend (who just began BC) kept me going with support and encouraging words, even when at one point I had laid down on the couch (in my PJ's nonetheless) and refused to budge. Those thoughtful words helped me get my rear up and back at it. Even though it took way longer than it should have, and I started BAWLING at the thought I would not/could not finish my workout tonight, on day #30 for heaven's sake, I got through 50 reps of sequence 3 (minus 37,39,40,41 and cardio) before midnight. It wasn't my best performance, but considering how late it was and my severe opposition and emotion, I'm so proud of myself. We are SO hard on ourselves (my OCD is a hot mess!), demanding perfection at every moment, but I've learned that willpower and determination are not perfection ,but it gets you damn close. And the feeling of accomplish is worth every minute of the fight. Enough babble, time for my results!
BEFORE (day #1) AFTER (day #30)
Weight: 127.4 117.4 = 10 lbs lost!
Bust: 34 1/2 33 = 1 1/2 inches lost!
Waist: 30 @ belly button 28 = 2 inches lost!
29 above belly button 27 = 2 inches lost!
Hips: 37 36 = 1 inch lost!
Thighs: 22 1/2 21 = 1 1/2 inches lost in EACH thigh!
Arms: 12 11 = 1 inch lost in EACH arm!
That brings me to a GRAND total of 10 lbs, and 11 1/2 inches gone baby!!!!!! I've yet to figure out how to crop my photos side by side like I've seen on other blogs, so I'll post those in a different blog.
Food - final day of the cleanse. I do not want to see protein soup, pudding, applesauce, kiwi, or gazpacho for a LONG time. Don't get me wrong they are all delicious, but too much of a good thing is simply too much. For dinner did not follow the cleanse (because I REALLY wanted kiwi and ran out) so opted for a few mango slices instead. And some hamburger pickles. SO not on the menu anywhere, but I was DYING for salty pickle goodness and had zero intention of staying up till 12 to devour them, so I celebrated early. with pickles :) BTW, it totally made me stomach ill from all the salt...oops.
I am thrilled with the results from boot camp and will continue with TAM for life, I am officially hooked! I'm going on vacation for Turkey Day, so I finished at the perfect time! Can we say bikini?!
My goals post boot camp are pretty simple right now. Figure out someway to get in some TAM while on vacation (though I won't lie I may take this time off as my break), and once home start the PD series and Beginner Dance Cardio 4-6 times a week. I'm going to experiment to figure out how many days I need to workout in order to obtain my post BC goals (continue to tone - fully ridding my truffle shuffle, stay under 120lbs), along with eating following the 80/20 rule. I'm also going to continue blogging to hold myself accountable, plus its so cathartic...
For those thinking about TAM, it is NOT a diet, it truly is a lifestyle change (I can't tell you how many times I've explained this to people). It is the most rewarding fitness journey I've been on in my 28 years, and has transformed not only my body, but lifted my spirit (and booty!). I can be the first to attest I did not follow every single recipe to a T (there is only so much chopping and pureeing a girl can handle), and had SERIOUS aversion to some menus items, it is STILL doable. Use the vegetarian menu, mix things up and just go for it, you will not be disappointed.
Well, I'm off to shop my heart out, all while admiring my new booty and mini baby abdominals in the dressing room mirror, I won't lie :)
30 days down, zero to go;
-Marcia