2012 Transformation: March Update

We finally have weight loss! Overall in March I've lost around 6lbs! I'm totally over the moon because I've shown myself that I can do it. What was my secret? Booty Calls. Twice a Day workouts. If you want results you've got to work for them! 

Then came injury and a week of chaos. In the first two weeks of March I lost 6lbs, in the second two weeks I gained back four. I had a back injury and my first race coming up so whereas I normally would have pushed through, I didn't workout that week and the scale reflected that. Then last week was the last week of the Winter Term at College and there was a load of work, a load of timed essays and a lot of friendship issues that distracted from any workout time. I'm now on a two week break and it's my goal to work out HARD (as I've got no time constraints) for at least 12 days out of 14. 

I RAN A RACE!!! On the 25th March I ran in the Sport Relief 3 Mile Run in 28 minutes, raising £125 for the charity. I knew I could run a 5k, but actually doing it in race conditions was a massive achievement and I'm thrilled. 

This month I am extremely happy with the fact I have lost weight and shown I can do it. So I've got no excuses for April not to lose. I'm hoping for 8lbs. Fingers crossed!! 

The Tone It Up Bikini Challenge also starts this month!! EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK! I'm so excited! I'm also really excited about the launch of the Tone It Up Ambassador program. I'd love to be a part of it and hope I can be lucky enough to be!

Although I am slightly dissapointed with some aspects of the month, there are still 9 months of the year left and I'm not going to be discouraged. I will be beach ready - I have a holiday booked now!!

How is YOUR 2012 going?

Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat ♥

Tone It Up Anniversary Post!

It's hereeeeeeeeeee!!! I have officially been following Tone It Up for a year! (Although my actual diet plan anniversary is in October but that doesn't matter hehe; I'll have another annniversary then) And oh my gosh, what a difference a year can make. 

The Women Who Have Changed My Life

This time last year I was fed up, frumpy and depressed with the way I looked. I was classed as overweight and had no self confidence at all. I would try on a million different outfits in the morning and see which one would 'hide the bulge'. I'd get so frustrated with myself I'd break down and start crying. 

I was a member of the gym but had no direction or guidance. I would go 3 times a week but never see any results. I felt so alone and so disgusted in myself, and given my history with eating disorders, I felt trapped. I felt like I was going to look the way I did forever. 

This was Summer 2010. I'm amazed I had the confidence to stand there like that. I look at that now and see a totally different girl. I'm not ashamed of how I looked because I can say I've earned my body and I'm proud of it today. At the time, although evidently not in this photo, I felt so 'fat', embarrassed and different; I always had 'skinny' friends. 

This is one of the photos that made me so drastically want to change. This was actually taken a month in to my TIU journey. I'd lost some weight already.

Then Tone It Up came along. I was scouring YouTube to find some Motivation to get some results in the gym and stumbled across one of Sarah Dussault's videos. On the sidebar was a video from Tone It Up. That was the moment my life changed for the better, for good. 

This is a happy post so I'm not going to dwell too much on the past but instead share what has happened and what I've learnt. 

Officially I'm down 20lbs. (Exactly- crazy right!), my hips are (as of the beginning of March) 6 inches smaller and my waist is 4 inches smaller. I'm down two to three dress sizes and have the confidence to wear things I never would have dreamed of wearing before.

Overall I'd say that the biggest change is in my confidence levels. I've been told now that my smile is cs infectious! I've got a new found love for myself which is something that I didn't think was possible.

One of my proudest achievements I think has got to be that my stomach is flat now without me having to breathe in!! I'm aiming to tone up now in time for Summer :)

Through Tone It Up I have met some incredible women and it is here that I would like to begin with some Thank You's. 

Of course my first 'Thanks' has to go to, Karena and Katrina at Tone It Up. You girls have truly changed the way that I look at my life, my diet, my lifestyle in general. Thank you for acepting me into the team the way you have. Thank you for showing me a way of life that I never even dreamed possible. To you I owe so much and I will forever be grateful for how you've made me feel.

Secondly, to my boyfriend Charlie who has supported me throughout the entire journey. Every single morning he's told me "You look gorgeous," his nickname for me is "Flatty" (after my stomach although sometimes I mishear and think he's said Fattie hehe) and he's done more for me than I think he's realised so THANKS CHAR <3

Thirdly to Miss Bridget Nicole! This girl is my 'big' (as in sorority terms hehe) and she's looked after me from day 1. I know I can turn to her any time and ask her advice. She's there for motivation, she's there for a sing a long (hehe) and she's always, always willing to help. Thank you Bridget for being a key player in the way that my life has turned around. I can't wait to meet you soon! (I WILL get over there I promise!)

Lastly but by absolutely no means least there are four women that have made this journey a joy and I will be forever thankful for. To Emma Christie, Promise Joy DuBose, Liz Trewhitt-Schultz and Kari Burghardt I would like to say I love you. Thank you for your constand support and motivation. 

With so much of my journey left to come I know that with the above people I can achieve what was only my wildest dream before.

To everybody reading this blog post I say thanks. Thank you for your support and ongoing well-wishes. There are some really really exciting things happening here at Camp Beach Babe and I can't wait to share them with you.

I'll leave you with this :)

The Naked Truth

Baths. We all have them. Personally I prefer them to showers; I like submerging just so my ears are under the water so I can shut out all of the outside noise (darn you extractor fan!) and relax. When we've got bubbles I, of course, use them but always get my bathroom to look like something out of a cartoon (aka bubbles all over the floor) so my Mother has stopped buying them!

Anyway the point of this post is that there was a time not that long ago when I hated having a bath. I couldn't bare the thought of clothes not hiding what I hated and I didn't want to look at what I had created. My thighs would get stuck to the side of the bath and they'd make that awful rubbing noise and I even really had to pull to get out. I was ashamed and fed up. There's a mirror in my bathroom which at the time of installation seemed like a good idea; it stretches the entire width of the biggest wall and goes down about half way; sort of like a window. Every time I walked in to my bathroom I was reminded of the way I looked and I hated myself. I really did. I'd even use the toilet with my eyes closed as not to look at myself; crazy I know. 

Taken in the mirror in my bathroom - you can kind of get a feel of how big it is

I've just gotten out of the bath and  this is where I do a lot of my thinking. Today, I am a totally different girl to the one I just described. I'm a good 20lbs lighter. I guessed that my thighs are three inches smaller at least on both sides - there is no rubbing against the sides of my bath anymore! I can look down at my stomach and instead of thinking "I can't believe I did this" I can think "Wow! I did this!" I'm finally achieving my dream body.


It hasn't been easy. It's been a year in the making but I am getting there. I'm slowly transforming into something I've wanted to be for years. My stomach is flat, my legs are getting slimmer and I am so much happier. I've worked hard for my body and I don't regret a thing. I'm proud of what I've achieved. 


Stick with it. It will come. Persevere. It's so worth it.


Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat ♥

2012 Transformation: February in Review

I can't believe it's March already! My 2012 transformation is well underway! Although it's just a short month I've come on leaps and bounds!

Best moment of the month! Yes I'm crying!

Weight wise there was no big change. I'm down 1.4lbs from my end of January weight but I'm happy with that all things considered. The start of February marked the begining of my trip to Disneyland with my boyfriend. We had an absolutely amazing time and on average I burnt 400+ calories a day due to all of the walking but the  meals we were eating were not the healthiest so there was no real weight lost there. But in saying this I have no regrets because I had the most fantastic holiday and when I'm at a loss of things to blog I will blog about it but I try to keep things fitness related!

Me and my guy in front of the Castle

So I'm only down 1.4 lbs but I'm so relieved to finally break through the plateau thats been taking over for weeks!! I haven't checked my measurements yet so I'm not entirely sure if there's been any change but I'll tell you this. I feel fan-freaking-tastic. I've never been more confident in my body, I feel as if my waist is shrinking before my eyes and my stomach is finally flat after all these years of wishing for it! I'm down a jean size and I also got in a UK size 10 top last Friday and that was the most amazing feeling. It was my sister's top and she's always been the 'skinny one' in the family so the joy on my face was contagious! I've never felt so comfortable in my own skin and I've not got dresseed one day and thought "Ugh you don't look good" which is an unbelievable achievement for me!

In the Size 10 top! Proud of how my booty looks too =P

Another change in February was my hair! Trivial I know but there is no more ombré! I was inspired by Karena and got it dyed dark brown. I've always loved my hair dark and was happy to go back. It's getting really long now so I'm one step closer to my Kardashian hair! (obsessed!)

New hair - it's darker in real life =)

I'm looking forward to March! (It already is March but who's counting hehe) I'm running my first race! It's just a 5k so I know I can do it but I want to experience the conditions of a run without being worried about completing it. It's for Sport Relief ( a UK Charity which supplies sports equipment for schools in the UK and in Africa) so it's for an amazing cause. That will be an incredible feeling! 

I also get the results of the exams I took in January which will determine whether or not I get to go to my University of choice on the 8th of March so I am very much looking forward to getting that out of the way! 

I'm also very much looking forward to finidng out more about the Tone It Up Ambassador scheme as it is something I'm really interested in! Tone It Up has changed my life so it would be a dream come true to pass their message onto others too! March is also my Tone It Up-aversary which will celebrate my first year of following TIU so to become an ambassador in the same month would be amazing!

My targets for March include running a 10k (it's about time), and majorly toning up my abs now I can see them (hehe) and getting rid of my love handles!!

I'll leave you with some of my picture highlights of the month!

Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat

Georgie ♥

I had a wardrobe clear out at the end of Feb and I threw away this skirt. Can't believe I ever got in it!

Did you make the extra day count?

Valentines Day! Felt amazing and looked even better ;-)

These shorts were too tight last summer! 

Skinny waist! This is a Hollister Medium shirt. (Sorry about the messy room and the dressing table hehe!)

Same outfit from the side. Who is this girl! Can't believe it's me!!!

Haha yes I'm in a onesie! Flat TUMMYYYYYY (Sorry my beds a mess haha)

Just got out of bed - excuse my hair ;)

Try It Tuesday - Boxercise Class!

Hello! I'm in the midst of cooking my boyfriend's Valentines surprise but I'm taking a well deserved break (I've been cooking for four hours!!) to tell you how Boxercise was yesterday! As you may know I've called this week Try-It Week as I'm looking to try a ton of new stuff in order to switch up my routine. Yesterday's try it was Boxercise :)

Marisa Miller Boxing

I was really looking forward to it as around the time of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, all of the Angels posted about what they do to get in 'runway shape' and a frequent occurance was Kickboxing or Boxing or Boxercise and if it's good enough for the VS Angels then it's good enough for me!! I'd also hedge a bet to say I'm not the only one who feels like that hehe!

 

 

Erin Heatherton modelling the infamous boxing look for the 2010 VS Fashion Show

I got to the gym and sat in the lobby waiting for the class in the studio before us to exit so I  could go in and I was greeted by the instructor straight away. He was Scottish and I can really guiltily admit I have a problem understanding Scottish people so I thought "Oh no...this isn't a good sign". The next bad sign was that the lobby was filling up with men, not just any kind of men either; big, bulky, tattoed men. The next thought I had was "I'm going to die". 

As we got into the studio I was laughing a lot at the instructor. He was dancing in a typical Dad dancing style (or think Ross from 'Friends' drunk) and singing to Rizzle Kick's 'Mama Do the Hump' but totally out of time and tune and I found myself feeling a little bit more relaxed about the whole thing.

We launched into the warm up and as it was Valentines Day the instructor, James, had devised a semi-related workout to the holiday. It was actually really similair to a warm up I'd have during PE in High School. We were running around the space and when James shouted "1", we'd touch the floor with our left hand, "2" was our right, "3" was both and "4" was jumping up in the air as high as we could. Then there were the Valenties related commands which were "Barn Dance" and "Ballroom" - don't ask, it was manic. This went on for about 15 minutes and I'm a lot fitter than I used to be but I was definitely out of breath by the end! 

The main body of the class went really quickly. It worked by the whole class splitting into pairs. James had asked to work with me as it was my first class which I was more than happy to oblige to - if I was going to do it I wanted to do it right. I was taught how to 'jab', 'hook', 'cross' and 'body' which are all different style of hits. As I was with the instructor and everyone else was in pairs I had to do everything twice so I got a real workout. Inbetween each 'set' of cross, jab, left body, right body' or another sequence of hits, which each lasted two minutes, there would be a fitness element, for example a minute of squat jacks or a minute of tummy tucks. I was exhausted as I was doing double time! Towards the end we all came together and people with the pads formed a circle and all the people with the gloves were in the middle. We'd rotate one by one and be instructed to perform one move before moving on to the next person.

In the last 5 minutes of the main body of the class there were sprint intervals up and down the width of the studio. Each partner had 2 and a half minutes to run to their parter, do 4 quick jabs and run back and repeat. I however did this for the whole five minutes. Yes. Sprinted. For five minutes. I'm so proud of myself for getting through it! 

The class finished with a cool down and stretches. 

I had so much fun! There was something so empowering about wearing boxing gloves, hitting, and feeling in control. My body definitely ached this morning. The music was fun, the energy was fantastic and everyone in the class was really friendly and approachable. I think the way that James looked after me throughout the class really encouraged and helped me too and I'm really grateful for it. I'd thoroughly reccomend Boxercise and so long as I'm not working I'll be going along next week too! I'll be on the VS Runway before you know it!


Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat  ♥

My Top 5 Tips to Get out of a Fitness Rut

Have you ever gone through a phase of not having any motivation to work out? Were you so sick of the thought of going to the gym that you'd rather shake up your routine by going straight home to the sofa instead of the gym?

If so, that's ok. I've been there. I was there this week in fact. The last two weeks even. I'm here to tell you it gets better - your journey is not over. You CAN do this. 

The last three weeks have been a whirlwind for me. First I had exams so a lot of my time was taken up by studying. The week after that I was on vacation (don't get me wrong I walked EVERYWHERE but didn't hit the gym) and this week snow hit so I have been unable to get to the gym or run as people in the UK are totally inept when it comes to dealing with snow. As a result I've not worked out really at all for the last 3 weeks. Sound familiar?

What have I done to get myself remotivated?

However I am 150% convinced that my fitness journey is not over - despite the fact I'm feeling great and my  new Hollister jeans (which are a smaller size) are fitting unbelievably well. I'm not done yet and neither are you.

"It's a Lifestyle - not a Diet"

The change we so badly want is not going to happen overnight. So to stay motivated and on track here is what I do when I'm feeling fed up or 'stuck in a rut'.

1. Remind Yourself of Your Goals

My 'Ultimate Body' Goal
Reminding yourself of why you started this all in the first place is likely to bring you back to the frame of mind you were in when you were at your most dedicated. Read old blog posts, look at your 'ultimate body' picture, read that article that prompted you to get a gym membership. We all think we've got all the drive in the world when we first start out - we can get it back.

2. Check the Tone It Up Website or the Tone It Up Youtube Page

My Beautiful Trainers - Karena and Katrina
If you're reading this blog, it's more than likely that you found me and my story through Tone It Up. These girls have changed my life for the better. They have a ton of fitness and diet tips and over 200 videos on YouTube ranging from follow-along workouts to quick 30 second checkins; holding you accountable. What I like to do is grab my headphones, log onto YouTube and watch videos for hours. I'll find by that point I'm so motivated to hit the gym it's like I'm starting all over again. These girls are incredible and if you haven't ever watched their videos or visited their website please do!
Tone It Up | Tone It Up.tv

3. Pin!

Pinterest is FULL of Motivation and Fitness Tips and Tricks
Pinterest is a relatively new site on the web which basically is a virtual pinboard. You have to request an account but it takes no more than 3 days to come through. Pinterest have a dedicated subsection to Fitness 'pins' taken from various sites on the web uploaded by users. I've found workouts, challenges, inspirational images, recipes and all sorts on Pinterest and I've often found after five minutes browsing the Fitness section I'm ready to go workout.
Pinterest

4. Take Some Time Out

"Just Chilling"

Sometimes taking a break is the best thing to do. It gives you the time to sit back and re-evaluate your goals. Maybe you set too high a weight loss aim or it was never realistic to expect to be in the gym 6 days a week. Taking time out to think about why you really want this can sometimes be the best thing for everyone involved. It doesn't have to be too long, or it can be weeks at a time. Remember that old saying; you don't know what you've got until it's gone. You'll probably find you really miss working out and there is where your journey picks up.

5. Check in on Twitter and Facebook

Finally, if like me, you are part of the Tone It Up Team you will have met hundreds of inspiring women who, just like you, are on a mission to improve their life and live the best and most healthy way they can. Just by posting on your Facebook page or sending a quick tweet can open the airwaves to a hoarde of replies intent on picking you up when you're down or just to check in with you that you're ok. This team is full of caring women so take advantage of them!

So there you have it! 5 tips to help you get back to the grind. Remember I'm here for you just as you're here for me!


Share, LOVE, Inspire, Sweat ♥

January Review: Life at Camp Beach Babe

January Blues...a common collocation often uttered by us all in the first month of the year, however you may remember I was determined to make 2012 the best year yet, and although I'm not entirely happy (for reasons which I'll talk about very soon) I'm feeling optimistic and looking forward to the next 11 months! I'm aiming to keep these montly reviews quite short and sweet as not to bore you all so if you have any questions let me know =D

I started my 'journey' on the first Monday of January. Christmas was well and truly out of the way, the tree was gone, we were back at work and college and I was motivated by new challenge. Week 1 was a huge success - I lost 3 lbs in total. I can't remember the last time I'd lost that much weight so I was ecstatic and raring to go for week 2. I was lucky enough to get the same results - 6lbs in two weeks! I felt amazing and upped my intensity,  feeling stronger and fitter. 

Featured as one of Shape Mag's Success Stories - 2nd week in Jan

Then the big P came and I gained 1lb. I was mortified and really upset (not to mention completley hormonal)  but I didn't let that get to me. I carried on like a trooper and in the final week of January I gained again. I don't know what it is but I wasn't happy. I was then reminded that it is likely to be muscle mass but  either way I want to see the scales move.


Next up is Disney and we know my weight is going to sky rocket there despite how hard I'll try! As a result, for me, February will start on Monday the 6th (late I know) but I'm also giving myself Superbowl Weekend (Pats FTW!) as one of the highlights of my year - it is all about balance!


How are you doing with your resolutions?


xoxo Georgie

Weigh In Day - I Will Not be Demotivated

Today was weigh in day. To be brutally honest - I got what I deserved. Admittedly it was 4+ weeks since I'd last weighed in (I'm not really one for scales) but given the time period since I'd properly worked out and what I've eaten over the past few weeks I'd say I got off lightly.


The figure on the scales this morning was 161 lbs. I'm almost happy with it given that it's going to be a massive motivator to get back to where I was and then even further. Yes I was slightly annoyed but I expected it. I've not worked out more than once a week since the 7 Day Slim Down so I can't expect anything else. On top of this was my alcohol intake (the legal drinking age in the UK is 18) over Christmas and food over Christmas in general. I have decided to cut out alcohol completley through January. 


Today was the big start to my 2012 Transformation as it's a Monday - it made more sense to me to start today rather than yesterday. The tree is down, Christmas is officially over and I can get back to normal with my health and fitness routine.


I started today with a jog and it felt so great to run again! I've not really done a proper run since September so I was little bit worried about stamina issues but I'm pleased to report I ran 4.2km in 30mins. It was mainly running but there was a little bit of walking too. I'm glad I did walk for some of it (probably 3-4 minutes of the whole workout) because I think I would've stopped otherwise.


I woke up so late this morning! I couldn't believe it. Without an alarm I normally wake up at around 8 to 8.30am. Today it was 11am! I was so shocked! Because of my normal wake-up time I didn't bother to set an alarm as my plan was M1: Protein Pancake, Run, M2: Special K Bar. I had to drastically modify my plan so it ended up being Run: M1.5: Greek Yogurt and Cereal. I know next time to set an alarm thats for sure!


As it's also Music Monday I've decided to post the 'song of the workout'. When this song came on during my run, not only did it make me smile, it made me feel strong and raring to go and not stop!!! The song was Glee's mash up of 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor and 'Survivor' by Destiny's Child. 

As I said, I'm not going to let 161 demotivate me - I'm going to let it inspire me to kick butt for the first week in 2012! Here's to a fantastic week beauties!


Share, Love, Inspire, Sweat
Georgie x