Hey, I'm Jenn

Hey! I'm Jenn... a 38 year old single mom raising 4 young children while going to school full time.  My reasons for being here are, first; my kiddos.  I want to run and play with them and not feel exhausted.  Second; I'm determined to run an obstacle race next spring, preferably the Spartan.   And third; yes, I admit it, I want a bangin' bod... don't we all???   

Trained in ballet and modern dance for 15 years and very physically active with water skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, aerobics, mountain biking, rollerblading and morning runs along the river... all before my heart stopped in December 1999.  I was 25, the doctors couldn't explain it so I was restricted from exercise, told not to walk more than ½ a block at a time. 

By January of 2008 I'd visited the ER three more times with no answers and gained around 40-50 lbs within a matter of weeks after each episode.  I baffled the doctor's with the gain, my weight ballooning to 220 lbs at one point.  Since I was restricted from perusing weight loss it'd take months to shed the pounds each time. 

In June 2011 I was officially divorced and tried to move on.  Now, 1 ½ years later, I'm finding myself in court repeatedly.  The stress from it all is attacking my body; through weight gain, physical pain, tiredness, insomnia, skin problems, extreme anemia, low vitamin D and emotional distress.  Due to all of this I forget to eat and struggle to intake 600-800 calories a day... so why am I overweight?  That's the question I asked and am hoping to find an answer for.  In the meantime.... 

I begged my doctor to allow me to exercise.  He agreed if I took it slow!!! I began walking with my awesome friend Christine. 2 to 8 miles every morning.  I felt amazing as I began seeing a huge improvement with my physical pain, tiredness and distress.  From there we set the goal of running the Spartan in the spring... and here I am, using this blog to be accountable so I don't slack off. 

My strategy... use P90X and Insanity, continue walking with Christine and change up my diet by adding more fruits and veggies to the mix... I'll also be working with my doctor. 

PROFILE FOR RYEGUY #FATBOTTOMEDBLOGGERS

Weight - why you weigh what you do

- Why do you want to change your body

Ryeguy Weighs in at an amazing 214 lbs at only 6'0" tall. By the BMI Calculator (which you have to take the numbers with a grain of salt) totals out at 29.02. Just by that number alone it puts me into the over weight zone.

I've always been pretty active. Anytime there was a pick up b-ball game that I could make I would. I still play volleyball quite regularly and love hiking any chance I get. No matter how active I try to stay my Gut still lingers over my belt.

Obstacles -

- what has made you unsuccessful in the past * excuses, health issues etc.

A realization of how heavy I had become was on one of my runs in the morning not only could I feel my fat bouncing all around me, my feet couldn't take the abuse. My ankles have suffered greatly due to the impact of the extra weight that doesn't need to be there.

Some of the excuses I have made for not being in the physical shape that I've made include: reasoning that if I don't work out today I can always start tomorrow. If it is Thursday I'll say Monday is the day i'm going to start. Sometimes I would even say. Next month on the first day.

Goals -

Be specific - I will not eat any candy this week, or soda etc.

Weight goal - put in your mind and on paper (web) what you think your ideal weight would be

I've never had any issue with staying away from soda. It isn't something that I've ever been addicted to so I'm sorry if you were looking for ways of overcoming that addiction from me. However about 8 years ago or so I really started liking Candy. Almost anything chocolate of course I will devour So I will make a promise to quit eating the pre-packaged brownies that my wife will bring home and substitute those things with healthy treats like carrots and celery. 

I think my ideal weight right now is 195 lbs. The reason why it is that high is because I would like to have some muscle definition and bulk.  If I need to drop to 185 to view my six pack I will definitely re-assess my goals at that point. 

THIS PART IS VERY, VERY important - Write a Paragraph of how you are going to feel and the things you are going to do when you have reached your main goal. VERY IMPORTANT - Dr. Steve Baker could you enlighten us a little on this part. I know you have history in this type of motivational tool

When I am able to wake up in the morning feeling only sore from the workout that I had the day before and am able to jump out of bed not just climb, I will feel unstoppable and invincible. I will take on every day like a new adventure. In essence I will be a lean mean fighting machine!

And last but not least. What we can do as a group to help each other reach our goals. and what we will be accountable for if we do not attain our goal.

I need people to check up on me. Most reasons why people fail (myself included) at their personal goals is because they don't report their success or failures to anyone and what they can do to be better at what they do.  I will need help from each one of you and any readers we may get to this blog to keep us inspired and hold us accountable for getting our BUTTS in gear and into skinnier jeans(not to be confused with skinny jeans).

These are the promises I'm making

-Ryan Allen

BUYING TONY FROM P90X A KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT #P90X

I've been kicking around the idea for a while now to start an exercise program that would get me to the LGN stage. I have always been an active person, one that is not afraid of getting sweaty. So as I've watched my brother in law do P90X and see the results he has had with it. I figured I might as well give it a shot.

One thing I noticed as I started watching the P90X DVDs is that I found myself cursing Tony. Making comments about how I'm going to be shoving the Krispy Kreme doughnuts in his face that he keeps telling me about during my workout.

Clearly you can tell I have anger issues as those who work out with me take a more tactical approach and offer to slap the helmet off Tonys head if he tells us to bring it one more time harder than we have ever brought it before. Does he not understand how hard it is? (that's what she said)

In fact I do think that Tony From P90X does know how hard it is and he gets joy from looking through the camera into our work out room since I often see him chuckle a little after looking directly at me with those soul piercing stares.

Please Join us in our struggles as we go through our getting in shape mode. Subscribe to this blog. Comment on your workouts let us know what you struggle with and what you have found to help you through them.