It was about 5 months ago that a friend of mine told me about a woman who was interested in in-home training. Since I really didn’t do in-home training anymore because of such a busy schedule, I wanted to get her to try MamaTone or Fit Fun Bootcamps. After speaking with her and hearing about the horror she has gone through the past few years and the severe limitations she had, I knew it was either in-home training or nothing.
I feel very blessed for being able to work with this woman named Becky. She has defied the odds and has let nothing get in her way of reaching success. Becky has lost all this weight with NO cardio (she can’t bend her knees much) and NO lower body weight training except for straight legged dead lifts. When I met her she was quite overweight an in very poor condition, now she has dropped huge amounts of weight, but more importantly, she has built lean muscle that has toned her up, and helped her keep losing fat. Becky started out by only owning 5-10-15 lbs dumbbells, but each month she has to buy a new set. She now is the proud owner of 20-25-30 lb dumbells. She has even got her mom weight training!
So here is Becky’s story in her own words. I want to thank her for her openness. If you ever feel like there are obstacles in your way, be reminded of her story!
Becky after already losing 20 lbs
I’m a perfect example of a person who kept waiting to lose weight and workout because I thought things in my life, especially health-wise, would settle down – I’d do it then when it was more manageable. After all, I was barely managing the day-to-day at many times, how could I handle changing my diet not to mention find the time and energy to add exercise into my life? My full health history would take forever, so I’ll give an abbreviated version of my story two years ago after I had my second child. I still hadn’t lost the weight from my first, and I had a postpartum lupus flare. I had to go on steroids which aren’t the most diet friendly drugs out there. I was also put on an immune suppressant which meant that I got viruses and infections more often too. I also began having problems with migraines again that would last for 2-3 days and happen quite frequently. In addition to this, I suffered from postpartum depression. My baby also had a bad case of reflux which included projectile vomiting and colic, and my first born has an overactive bladder, but I didn’t realize this and every attempt at potty training was a complete failure. So instead of losing weight after having my second, I used all the excuses in the books with everything that was happening in my life and ended up gaining weight. The highest I weighed myself was 174, but I’m sure I weighed more than that.
I joined the YMCA in May 2007 and started working with a personal trainer there and doing some deepwater running not only to try to lose some of the weight and get in shape but to combat the postpartum depression. In fact, when I was able to get in with the psychiatrist, she suggested I see a psychologist/counselor to talk about the postpartum depression issues. I asked her if I only had time to do one thing – either see the counselor or continue to exercise – which I should do. She said I should continue to exercise. It had really helped the depression a lot. At the end of June 2007, I decided I needed to do something to retrain my mind and overcome some of my eating issues – portion control, emotional eating, and unconscious eating. I joined Jenny Craig because I wanted some accountability and since there were so many issues going on in my life I was afraid I wouldn’t always take the time to make the healthy meals. I lost 10 pounds, but wasn’t as committed as I thought I was. I stopped going to both the Y and Jenny Craig when everyone started getting sick come fall. I did, however, keep the weight off and had conquered the unconscious eating and was doing pretty well with the emotional eating also.
Mid-July 2008 was the real turning point for me.
I restarted Jenny Craig and totally changed my eating habits. I got down to around 150 when I really wanted to add working out to the mix. I wasn’t sure what to do though because I have problems with my right knee. When I was working with the trainer at the Y, I could use the recumbent bikes and do some leg work. My knee had gotten worse though and I could no longer do those things. Dustin had talked to the Mom’s Club that I’m in and I contacted him about personal training at home in October 2008. I was shocked at our first session because I couldn’t even do a single sit-up, yet he was having me do crunches on the ball while holding a dumbbell! His workouts were so intense!! But they WORKED!! I was amazed how fast I progressed. I was also very impressed with how great he was at avoiding exercises that could cause additional injury or stress to my knee.
I ended up in the hospital with a bad infection for a few days in November and had to take over month off. I was surprised how much I missed working out. I was so happy when I got the approval to start again. I’m now up to using 30 pound dumbbells. I couldn’t do a single push-up before, and I can easily do 30. I even did 20 pushups with my feet on a chair (much harder than regular pushups). I couldn’t do a single sit-up before and can easily do 3 sets of 20 controlled ones.
Unless I’m running a fever or literally on the floor because of my low pressure and can’t move around at all without getting dizzy, I never cancel a workout because I’m not feeling well since they always end up making me feel better in the end. I’ve had a migraine starting with numbness in the side of my face and nausea and the piercing pain beginning. I worked out with Dustin and the endorphins from the workout must have kept it at bay. It never got full blown. Just last week I had a temp of 99.9, hadn’t been sleeping, and was in severe pain from endometriosis. Although we had to take longer breaks in between some things, Dustin actually increased the weights on some things – it wasn’t an easy workout by any means (I had to run up to the bathroom and vomit in the middle of the workout during the oblique crunches). However, a couple hours afterwards, I got more energy and was able to make it through the rest of the day and evening so much better since I had exercised.
The before picture was taken AFTER I had already lost about 20 pounds shortly before I started working with Dustin. In the first 3 months working with Dustin, my weight went down to 124 and my bodyfat percentage went down from 27% to 18.4%. Plus my cholesterol was borderline high and I was going to have to go on medication for it. It is now completely normal from the weight-loss and exercise. Now for one of the biggest changes — I just went shopping for new jeans. What a difference it was to go shopping for clothes. Last year I would have been in a size 16. I’m now a size 4! I have lost over 12.5 inches in my waist, and this summer instead of being embarrassed about how big my arms are, they will actually have some definition.
If you are waiting for a good time to lose the weight and start exercising because your life is just too crazy now – know that time will probably never come. In fact, I’m extra grateful for taking charge of my life when I did for many reasons. I have 50 less pounds that I’m carrying around which has to help my knee. Plus I just started a chemical induced menopause to treat my endometriosis. I’m not sure how this is going to affect my weight, but at least I’m at a great starting point and can work with Dustin to adjust my workouts and diet during this period. Most parts of my life are crazy, but I have taken control of this part of my life, and I plan on continuing to do so.”
Becky, mother of 2 kids
For more amazing transfortmations click the links below:
Jody, mom of 5 kids lost 42 lbs!
Marsue went from a size 18 to size 4 and dropped 65 lbs!
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If you were inspired by Becky’s story please send this along to someone who would benefit from it. Also, please post a question or comment in the box below!
This weeks exercise is a great one that I just learned recently while visiting John Hall’s studio in Chicago. The great thing about this exercise is that it doesn’t take any equipment and very little space. I have been experimenting with this exercise with my clients and they are loving it! (well they love the results, the exercise is very painful!
Try to do it for one minute with no breaks!
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Try this exercise out for yourself and post a comment about how it felt!
I can’t sing or dance, so I have had to come up with other talents to entertain people with! The blowing up the ball and standing on it is one of those talents. The ball that the cruise provided me with was extremely difficult, because the hole was so small and required very high pressure air to get inside. This ball I can normally blow up in 45 seconds, but this took 76 seconds and still was a little flat! During the performance I ruptured quite a few blood vessels below both of my eyes! But it was worth it!
The balancing on the ball was made tougher by the swaying of the ship in rough seas!
Here is footage from my fitness cruise that I hosted in the Caribbean.
Enjoy.
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I normally don’t promote rapid weight loss, but because everyone is looking to lose those last couple pounds before spring break, I thought I would share my answers. It is very difficult to lose more than 1-2 lbs of fat a week, so any weight you might lose above that is mostly water weight.
These tips I share on NBC news with Sarah Carlson are tips for both burning fat and also helping you retain less water.
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To learn more about MamaTone or Fit Fun Bootcamps click here.
This week I asked my mom to share with you a couple of recipes for quinoa. I am amazed when I talk about quinoa, how few people know what it is, let alone eat it on a regular basis! I love quinoa! It is easy to make, tastes good, and is one of the few complete grain proteins! I look forward to hearing some of your other favorite quinoa recipes.
Here is my mom’s post!
Back again…..even though SOME of us did not go cruising, we ALL took a break from cooking, it seems 
.
A few minutes ago I watched Dustin’s video of his and Abby’s “talent” for the talent show on the cruise–impressive, eh?! I don’t know about you, but perseverance comes to mind, watching him keep climbing back on that ball; that, and I’m ready for a hearty recipe for a cruise-sized appetite!
I have just started using quinoa (keen-wa) this past year; when I read about it being a complete protein, it seemed like a grain not to be ignored!
I find mine at Coburns (here in Minnesota) and Trader Joes (where else!); my 14 oz. bag of organic quinoa cost around $3.50 and 1 c. makes 3 c. of cooked grain. I’ll be sharing a couple of very basic recipes, using cooked quinoa; simply following the package instructions for cooking-after rinsing the grain, it cooks up in about 15 min. and is ready for the next step.
Quinoa Pilaf:
3 c. cooked quinoa
1 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. seasalt
1/2 c. toasted sunflower seeds
1 T. flaxseeds
1 c. finely minced spinach
Mix this all together and serve either warm or chilled.
Like I said, very basic, but this is the first one I tried and it sold me on the grain; one note of caution, it does have a very distinctive flavor that may take some getting used to. The next recipe has some garlic for added flavor.
Quinoa plant
Quinoa with Garlic and Feta Cheese:
1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 c. fresh spinach
1 oz. Feta cheese, crumbled
Saute the garlic in the oil just ’til soft. The recipe didn’t say to mince the spinach, but I did. Mix all together in the frying pan, except the cheese. Extra oil and salt may be used at this stage. Add the Feta cheese just before serving.
One cup of cooked quinoa has 160 calories, 2.5 g. of fat, 30 carbs., 3 g. of fiber, and 6 g. of protein.
This grain can also be substituted in your couscous recipes-I really like it as a salad with fresh lemon juice and diced cukes and tomatoes, etc.
Well, that’s a little jumpstart….I went to www.edenfoods.com and copied a few of their recipes, like: Baked Squash Stuffed with Quinoa & Dried Fruit, Black Bean & Tomato Quinoa, and Mediterranean Quinoa. YUM!!
I look forward to hearing if many of you are into this ancient grain from the Incas….it actually means “the mother grain”.
Okay now Dustin, I’m trying to wait patiently, but when do we get to see those dolphin pictures?? I heard that someone’s life long dream came true, swimming with those babies!
Keep Eating Healthy,
Dustin’s Mom: Joy
For more great healthy recipes, click the links below:
30 Healthy Snacks, 21 Healthy Snacks, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Tofu Pie, Pureed Vegetables, Roasted Veggies, Quinoa, Chicken, Omelet, Pizza, Guacamole, Hummus, Carrot Soup
I have been receiving many emails and comments saying that you are really enjoying these videos John and I have done. Most people say they love watching me suffer.
Here is a brutal exercise that is tough, but also very rewarding. Kids love to do this exercise as well. I hope these videos show that there are so many different ways to get in shape as long as you are creative.
Creativity and variety is one of the main reasons why Fit Fun Bootcamp and MamaTone are so popular!
Last week ABC came to MamaTone to do a story for the evening and morning news. Kim Sveum, did an awesome job reporting the story. Kim is a mother of two, and just as passionate as I am, at helping moms and families succeed in life. She produces the bi-weekly “Parenting Project,” from channel 27 news, in Madison, Wisconsin. Be sure to check out her blog.
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This story does a great job at showing why I created MamaTone, and the underlying inspiration behind it. Sure, it is an exercise and nutritional program that will help moms shed inches and tone muscle. But, it is more about the community aspect and teaching moms that if they don’t take care of themselves, nobody else will, and all other relationships will suffer because of it.
I am SO proud of every mom in MamaTone, every bootcamper in Fit Fun Bootcamps, and every small group client I have. For those of you who haven’t trained with me, it is hard to know exactly how difficult it is, and how hard the workouts are, but for those who stick with it, great rewards come!
So thank you everyone for inspiring me to work harder and be a better person!
The exercise of the week is one that I had never tried before I met John. After doing it, I really enjoyed it and will do it more often in my own workouts. This type of exercise is a perfect example of what exercise experts call “functional training.” Functional training means training the body for real life movement. Machines don’t do that, which is why I really only use functional training when training myself and my clients.
I am still working on developing explosiveness, pay attention to how much more explosion John is able to generate by how the ball bounces off the wall much further for him. Explosive development will not only create lean muscle, but also burn more fat than lower intensity weight training.
This exercise will not only work the butt, thighs and hamstrings, but also the core, chest, shoulders, and arms.
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More on Total Body Fat Burning Exercise: Burpee W/Med Ball Chest Press
The post is a response to the post made soon after 2009 started asking everyone to write down their goals for the first 3 months of 2009. Please go back to that post and check out what everyone said. I want to congratulate all those who posted, it takes some guts to do that, even though it is still pretty anonymous. It was neat looking back at some of the successes of the past 3 months.
One of my physical goals was to bench press 250 lbs. This has been a goal of mine for some time now and it has always eluded me! So here is the video of me trying!
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So, I unfortunately didn’t make it. I had benched 240 lb the week before. But there are many lessons that we can take away from this. More on 2009 Goals Revisited
Whenever I look over a bootcamper’s or mamatoner’s food journal, one of the most common comments I make is, “Eat more veggies!” Our society has gotten away from fresh veggies and instead gone to processed quick microwavable meals. Veggies are the perfect food… low calories, high nutrient level, and high satiety factor.
Today, my mom shares with you a great way to get a lot of veggies in you in a short amount of time!
Here is her post!
Well, sure has been inspiring reading all of the goals that you have met, exceeded, or are still striving towards!! I checked mine from last January and have actually met some! ~ still have to blog them.
So, this week we’re featuring something that can be a staple in the “healthy kitchen”, is fairly quick to prepare, and can be added to many meals during the week….providing you make a big potful and the whole family isn’t turned on to them! What an awful dilemma, eh?! Roasted veggies……can sound boring, but those of you who are doing these know how tasty and versatile they are.
I’ve been online with www.foodnetwork.com, they have over 2,000 roasted vegetable recipes!………but will just share what I have been doing and see what all of you can add for some variety! I just begin gathering what I have on hand and start chopping; measurements are really unnecessary.
