I am both excited and scared for 10 week testing. Im not sure that I have made as much progess by now as I had hoped for. I really need to work on my diet, as I have fallen off the wagon a few too many times. It has been really hard with grilling season upon us. I have done much better than in years past however. I have been buying the leanest ground beef, eaten my burgers with out buns and lightened my portions. ( I have learned its also VERY hard to be good at my moms house…They always have yummy treats). Its something I am going to have to learn to deal with. I can’t avoid bad foods all the time, I just need to learn self control !!! I also have learned that if I don’t pack my small snack ( protein bar/ fruit/nuts) that it is hard to be good. With out these small snacks, I get really hungry, and then when I do have food, I tend to over-indulge. ;o(

I have been pretty active so far this spring, with Farrells, soccer and walking. I walked the Urbandale track the other day, and went for 3 miles. I felt really good afterwards, even if it was just a walk. Its kind of nice to put on some music, clear your head and get some exercize.

I am hoping that this week I stay true to my “diet” — I hate that word!! I want to also give my LEVEL 10 while at class, and I also have 2 soccer games this week, so I am hoping for a GREAT week!!! I can’t belive its week 8, and only 3 more weeks left. I have to make the most of my last few weeks!!!

The KICKoholics wore our team shirts. They are dark gray with HOT pink writing. They are SUPER cute ;o)

We met up at 6 AM for the week 5 testing, which included, weight-in, measurements, sit and reach, sit ups, push ups and then the mile run.

I had GREAT results ;o) I lost 4 lbs, lost 4 inches in my waist, 2 inches in my hips and ZERO in my boobies, thighs, and arms. 4 INCHES!! I couldn’t believe it!! I was very pleased, although, to be honest – I don’t feel like I have lost that many inches. I can see it, and I know that others have noticed my belly is getting smaller. I also increased my sit and reach by an inch, DOUBLED my push ups to 44 and also increased my sit ups by 5. I ran the mile a minute faster also. ;o) Im SUPER pleased with my results. I am very excited that there are still 5 weeks left. Everyone says that most women see more results in the last half than the first half… Its only up from here ;o) I really need to keep focusing on giving 100% in class, and keeping on the food plan. Today I was still high from my results, so I did really good in the food department. — Cereal, banana, sandwhich, peanuts, yogurt and a turkey hot dog and cottage cheese ;o)

I am excited for next week — It is bring a friend week. If anyone is interested in checking 1 or all of the classes out, just let me know, I would LOVE for you all to come with!!!! I am REALLY trying to get Brian to come to a kick boxing class with me. I know he is really proud of me already ( he still tells me all the time!!) but I really want him to see and experience what I have been doing the last 5 weeks. I think he thinks its wussy, but I think if he came with me he would be surprised how intense it really is. ;o)

Thanks for everyones support!!! It means the world!!

Nikki

I have really enjoyed farrells so far, so I am planning on buying a year membership. It’s REALLY pricey– 700 for a year. They have a special going on where you can pay half now and have in June. I’m going to take them
Up on it. I guess it’s not that bad considering I paid 500 for 10 weeks I really like the kickboxing classes, the people there are amazing and I really think it would be worth it.

I started soccer this weekend so there’s another source of exercise I felt pretty good running around the field.. I felt like I am in better shape than I was in indoor soccer I’m sure it will
Only get better !!

Well I just wanted to leAve a quick update… More will come on saturday after testing !!

Nikki

This weekend was my birthday celebration weekend, and I didn’t do to well in the food department ;o( Oh well, today I have done pretty good, and I want to keep it up all week!!! ( The weekends are SO hard!!!). I got some emails from my teammates this weekend, and it sounds like I wasn’t the only one having a hard time!

On Saturday, my coach took me aside and told me that I have a good chance of winning the 1000!!! Talk about motivation to work my buns off!! Im not going to get my hopes up, so thats the last time I will talk about it!

This weekend my team and I decided that we will run together after the bands workouts. We are going to start at half mile and work our ways up. I told them to be prepared for me taking up their whole nights since my first mile was 12 mins… oops!! Oh well, I know its good for me even if I can’t make my 7 minute mile from high school !!!

Well thats all for today — not to much exciting news, but a few updates!

I can’t belive that I will be starting week 4 in a few days — I guess time does fly when you are having fun!!! Both Monday and Wednesday this week we had very high energy kick boxing instructors. Everytime I come home drenched in sweat, Brian reminds me how proud of me he is. Its really great to hear those words!! I also moved up to green bands for most of the exercizes in both upper and lower body. Last night was upper body, and my shoulder and back muscles are pretty sore today!! Its a really good sore though ( I guess that means I am working hard!!)

This week however, I kinda slacked off in the food department. I did pretty good until my birthday. On my birthday, the instructors made a really big deal out of celebrating my 24th. “In honor of Nikki’s 24th, we are going to start the workout much different” This difference included splitting up into 2 groups, and having a partner on the other side of the gym. We each took turns doing different exercises including Crab walks, squat walks and lunges. It was definately a shake up from what we were used to. Crab walks really made me sore the next day.. I dont think I have done those since I was a kid!! On Wednesday night, Brian took me out to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. I was pretty good — I had grilled chicken breast, and a sweet potato, however we did end the meal by sharing a piece of carrot cake… (I mean it was my birthday!!!).

Tonight I am going to celebrate with some drinks — Another no, no for Farrells. I guess as long as I keep it in moderation and am better this weekend it will be okay.. Althought my mom wants me to come over for dinner & cake this weekend. I will just have to watch my portions and really get back on track this coming week.

I told the girls at class that is REALLY hard to stay on track during your birthday!!! They completly understood, and reminded me that I have never worked out 6 days a week, so that in its self is an accomplishment!!! They are so supportive and fun. We always get the giggles during class because of all the funny things we have to do while looking at the mirrors to each other. It really makes going to class easy!!

Well, I better get back to work. More to come next week!!!

I’m sure that I will be sore the next few days, because that actually leveled off using the yellow bands

I saw my friend Danie this weekend and she said she sees a difference in the way I look.. My momma swears that she does too. The only difference I can see so far is in my boobs and muscle definition in my calves. I’m pretty excited for those changes since it’s only the beginning of week 3!!!

Today is Easter and my “Sunday Fun Day” — I’m going to make a breakfast pizza for Brian and I and then this evening we are going to eat with Ashley and John ( she’s on bed rest with baby Astley) I’m making my Oreo balls, and I’m excited for some chocolate

Back to being good on Monday, which is okay too!!! I have come up with some yummy healthy foods. I will share those with you later, but now– breakfast pizza time

We got to sample all the products we wanted before we decided on our final purchase. I chose a strawberry/banana whey protein, and it was SUPER good!!! It tastes just like a normal smoothie you would buy!! I also got a box of protein bars that taste just like a candy bar. Each of these are used to replace a meal. The protein bars will really supress my chocolate cravings, because they are yummy!!!

I had a LOT of fun with the girls last night, they are pretty fun. It makes going to class that much easier ;o) Tonight is Upper body work out.. so its actually an easier day today.

 Saturday we had a good lower body resistance work out. I think I might bet getting better and lunges and squats? Maybe..? Just a little…? Ha Ha. After class, we had a 1 hour nutrition class, and a 1 hour technique class. I didn’t learn too much in the nutrition class that I didn’t know already. I did write down a few brands of food that I want to buy though. I am doing really good with my food choices. Lots of fruits.. LOTS of fruits!!! I like fruit, so Im not sure why I didn’t eat more before. I LOVE grapes, bananas and kiwis. I have also eaten a lot of yogurt, cottage cheese and milk… yummy! I need to get more creative with meat though, because I usually find myself just eating meat at dinner time ( Especially since Brian insists on meat!!).  Anyways, Im excited to go grocery shopping and get some yummy/healthy foods.

The technique class was really helpful. They really disected each punch/kick and watched us to make sure we are doing everything properly. I had a pretty good idea before the class, but it was good to slow down and make sure I was doing everything right. I didn’t wear my gloves during the class, that way I could really make sure I was punching/crossing correctly. My boxing gloves are HUGE… especially since I have little tiny hands. They get lost in those things.. (Maybe a smaller pair is in my future..)

After the classes on Saturday, I came home, showered and took a 4 hour “nap”.. Oops. I was not planning on sleeping that long. — I think the tiredness was more sickness/period related tho ;o) I was planning on making my “Free day” Sunday. I ate great all day on Saturday, but then Saturday night Brian ordered Pizza, so I caved and ate a couple of pieces of Hawaiian pizza.. YUM!! It was really good. I got right back on track on Sunday and ate really good. For dinner we made ranch turkey burgers and sweet-tator fries. It was a really good meal!!!

Tonight after class “Victorious Secret” ( Our official team name) is going to Nutri-shop to pick out our protein shakes and bars. My coach is friends with the owner, so they are keeping the store open late just for us, plus giving us a 25% discount. WOO HOO!! We also get to sample the products before hand, so that will be nice. I will let you know what I pick out ;o)

- Nikki

I still feel really stuffy today, but Im really looking forward to going to the gym tonight. I always feel really good there. Sometimes I dread going, and would much rather go home and take a nap, but I always have fun with the girls, and always feel great while I am there. I have had a crappy day at work, so I CANT WAIT to take out some agression on the bag.. watch out bag!!!!!!! We decided to have “theme weeks” to add some fun to class. Tonight is Purple night to show our spirit for the UNI Panthers Basketball team. I guess our upcoming week will be “Crazy socks week” haha. We are quite the team. We added a few more team names to the running such as !!CAUTION!! ( We made a pretty big impression with our caution tape sashes the other week). — And “Kick-aholics”. I think we will be voting this coming week to decide our final name, and come up with the shirt colors.

Tonight after class I am going home to shower ( Im sure I will be a sweaty mess after tonight!!!) Then out with my Mom to a JDRF Ladies Night.  I will probably be getting to bed early since I will be right back at it at 8:30 Saturday morning. We have our lower body resistance class, and then after that, we have a 2 hour nutrition and techniques class. Im sure I will learn a lot!!!

Well, wanted to give you all an update if you are still following me. ( Thank you SO MUCH! for the support and comments. It means the world to me!!!

More to come this weekend….

It was funny, when I got there, I was told I had to wear caution tape since Im a “newby” Our coaches handed them out to us — maybe they were afraid we would let a band fly across the room or something? ;o)

It was another great class!!! I always feel good leaving that place. We were told that our instructor in kick boxing tonight is “high energy” … hmm.  Its our first guy instructor, and Im guessing he will really push us.

Today I went and got some protein bars. ( They are really good for post work out to help your muscles ). Who would have thought that I would ever be a label reader? Its kinda fun to hunt for the perfect “meal” while searching for the right amount of carbs ( oops, when I first typed this, I typed crabs), proteins and sugars. At the beginning of class we were given a calculator where we enter our weight, BMI and it calculates how many carbs and proteins you should have a day. Very interesting!!

Well, I better get back to it.. Im thinking about a walk to stretch out my “buns of steel” .. they are really feeling it today!!!

-Nikki