Transformation Tuesday!

I am excited to bring TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY to Miles, Muscles & Mommyhood!! 

Having shared my own story of weight loss has brought so many people into my life that have had similar struggles and successes with overcoming obesity and reaching their health goals. I love the diversity of HOW and WHY and I am so  happy to share these stories with YOU. 

Let me introduce my friend, Jennifer. 

From Jennifer-Today, I got to live my version of a Cinderella story.  I got to tell the girl on the left that her goals of finally being healthy and running a marathon were achieved. I am now at peace with my past so I can live in the now.  All of your dreams can come true if you have the courage to peruse them. ~Walt Disney. 

Jaw dropping, right!!?? Jennifer has lost a staggering 160lbs. This beautiful Mom and Wife is just as pretty on the inside as well. I have been blessed to get to know Jennifer though mutual friends and the power of social media. I am HONORED to share her story!

In her own words:

My challenges with my weight started at a very early age. I can remember being on a diet as early as second grade. I was active as a child however so that slowed down the inevitable weight gain to a degree. By the time I graduated high school however my weight was in the 200's. When high school was done so were the sports and dance. The weight came on even faster. I tried every diet there was, TWICE. That was before I realized that diets don't work. I rode that roller coaster for years. Taking off ten or fifteen pounds and putting back on twenty or more. I did not have any health issues at this point but I dreamed of more. I desperately wanted to run and feel good. I also longed to wear the beautiful clothes that my counter parts were wearing in management for a professional hair care company. At the age of 28 I had enough. I was just over three hundred pounds and fed up. Was this really living I asked myself?! I had found my breaking point...

This is when it all clicked. If I wanted what I had never had, then I had to do what I had never done. I broke up with fast food as well as Ben and Jerry's. I started eating vegetables and fruit. (The joke at the salon that I had worked at was that I hated salad.Turns out it's delicious. Who knew?!) I started making some swaps (lean chicken or egg beaters vs pizza or cereal) and I also started walking. The walking turned to a run/walk and then a very slow jog. In about six months I had taken off fifty pounds. By the end of a year I had taken off one hundred pounds. In eleven years I have taken off and kept off, a little over one hundred and sixty pounds. I enjoy eating clean and running. It was not always easy. I have had many times that I had to remind myself why this was important to me. Now that I am here at a healthier me and I look back, I can truly see that every tear shed and every moment of frustration was not for nothing. Those times of my life built me. They made me strong enough to dare to run that marathon and to not back down when the going gets tough. It is so true that anything is possible when you just believe.

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1. What would be your biggest piece of advice to give someone who wants to get started on their own journey?

Surround yourself with like minded people and lots of motivation. You will need a good support system which other healthy people in your life will provide. Someone to get you active on the day that it's a challenge or to share a new healthy recipe they just tried. 

The other piece of advice is motivation. SURROUND yourself with it! A Pinterst page, Facebook pages, follow blogs and make a vision board. A vision board is photos and words of what "healthy" means to you. Mine is inside a kitchen cupboard door with motivation and goals. Thinking of snacking, just look in that cupboard. 😊 All of this will keep you inspired when the going gets tough and that will be huge in your success.

2. What is your favorite moment in your journey?

Actually that would be the moment captured in the photo. When I was overweight as a child two of my teachers were running marathons. I always ached inside to someday be healthy enough to run one. I am so thankful for the photographer that captured the moment that I made that dream come true. I am crying happy tears there.It is still surreal to me.

3. If you could go back in time to the "old Jenn" and say just ONE sentence to her, what would it be?

"Your tears of despair will be 

replaced by tears of triumph."

4. What is your favorite workout?

This is tough for me to pick! I love Boot Camp and it has brought my life and fitness to a level I never thought possible but I have to go with running. That dream is what kept me going along the journey. Starting as a run/walk, running that first mile then my first 5k, 10k, half marathon and then the Dopey Challenge in January. Running puts me in the right head space. To remember how far I've come and to dream about what's next. Running saved me.

5. What is your favorite meal?

Almond flax chicken (marinated in olive oil, almond butter, lemon and spices) and roasted brussel sprouts. Yummy!!!!

One Bite at a Time

there is an old saying-

how do you eat an elephant?
one bite at a time

this is simple
and true
with many things in our lives.

i am lucky enough to have several people i coach for weight loss so there has been lots of discussion lately about my own journey.

one point always rang true for me. i never looked it as "oh my god, i have 100lbs to lose"...it was always about the now and that immediate goal. for example, this week i will lose 3lbs. or this week i will exercise 4 days. or i will make healthy choices today.

it can be so overwhelming to focus on the big numbers and when you shift your perspective and focus to the immediate task at hand, it makes it some much more manageable. and motivating!


the same it true for racing. while the distance you tackle is always part of the equation, staying in the moment, in the NOW of the race. in an ironman distance race, when you are at mile 56 of the bike, you are not thinking about mile 10 of the run (but you should be nailing your nutrition on the bike FOR the run...but I digress). you are there, in the moment.

yes, you are preparing for what's ahead but your focus is on the NOW>

____________________

another way that i "ate my elephant" was with small goals.

i want to run 15 seconds without stopping.
i want to run a mile without stopping.
i want to run a 5k.

i did not start out wanting to run a marathon on my first day running.
triathlon was not even a glimmer in my eye.
did i think someday i want to do >>>xxx<<< ? of course i did
but i stayed in the moment. eating the chunk of elephant that was the now.

it was the achievement of those small goals ALONG the way that kept me wanting more, that light the fire for more/faster/better along the way.

so set yourself up for success. plan. make goals. big and small. but keep in the moment. focus on the now.
how what you are doing today is getting you one step closer to tomorrow.

so how are you going to eat your elephant?

what are some ways you keep motivated to reach a big goal?

*TriBling* {a chance to win & a discount!}

This September while I was at the Rev 3 Cedar Point race, I took notice of a vendor set up across from the Timing Tent where I was working. What initially caught my eye was a cool-snazzy aero-wheel mirror (oh yeah!) so on a quick break, I had to check it out. 

The company that was set up there was TriBling. So what is TriBling?I love the story behind the brand and considering my own personal journey into the world of triathlon, I can appreciate the history.

THE TRIBLING STORY

In 2007, I made changes in my life to find balance, purpose and happiness.  That's when my journey with triathlon began. I signed up for 2008 Ironman Wisconsin.  I'd never completed a triathlon, didn't own a bike and hadn't truly swam since my Red Cross swim lessons as a youth.  I fell in love with the sport, my fellow triathletes and the way of life.  Tri it's what I do, it's who I am.

Triathlon comes down to the small decisions you make each day, the courage to chase your dreams and the support of those you love.  

I created the TriBling designs to represent the elements of triathlon and the raw connection with each discipline.  

Gliding through the water, 

Spinning the gears of the bike; and 

Pounding the tread of the shoes.  

It's subtle, it's raw and it's strong.

...and it was downright beautiful! I loved the design immediately and thought of my dearest friend, Dawn and the upcoming Holidays. Dawn has one of those Pandora bracelets and I am always on the lookout for unique beads for her (hopefully she is not reading this blog post!) and I thought this would be perfect for her! 

I was also very drawn to the T1 necklace! I wear a set of miniature "dog tags" with the words BELIEVE, I WAS BORN TO DO THIS and I AM NOT AFRAID that have very special meaning to me. So to find a piece of jewelry that "speaks to me" like my tags do, it has to be special. 

and this was special...

getting sweaty in Tribling

Want a chance to WIN some TriBling of your own. 
Go see my awesome Rev3 Team Mate, Ryan HERE. 
He is giving away a piece of TriBling!! 

TriBling is generous enough to give my readers a discount too!

Use coupon code REV3 at check out and save $10 off your purchase.

 

Swift Kick

LADIES!!

Do you know GOTRIbal?

If yes, awesome.

If no, what's stopping you? Check it out...

GOTRIbal is a community of women empowering one another through sport. 

I discovered the GOTRIbal community when I started triathlon and I am happy to be an Ambassador for such a great (and growing) community. 

GOTRIbal isn't about a race.

Or a training program.

It's about transforming a person. A family. A society. A world

Forever.

It's about paying forward the gift of health, adventurous living and strength.

I just love the positive message that GOTRIbal is sharing with the WORLD!!

As someone who has turned her own life around and discovered passion in endurance sports, GOTRIbal's mission is one close to my heart!

Last year the gals at GOTRIbal did a little Q&A with me you can check that out here

GOTRIbal empowers, engages and excites women through the journey of endurance sports, and offers members the connections, mentorships and resources to realize their toughest goals. Whether those be ON or OFF the race course, in or out of the gym -- it doesn't matter.

GOTRIbal's members will collectively impact the health epidemic of obesity in America and through their healthy, active lifestyles turn the tide on deaths resulting from low cardiac fitness.

Now GOTRIbal is launching a program that I really get a kick out of...

GOTRIbal announces their newest offering for women:

Swift Kick!

The Kick in the pants you need, with the tools you require, and meaningful connections you crave,  to rock the Commitment Day 5K,  in 35 cities in the U.S. on January 1, 2013.   

This is YOUR community. Your support system. Your new BFF's that will become part of your journey to a healthier, fitter, stronger YOU in 2013.

Besides, what else will you be doing over the Holidays that will be better for you?

(Drinking another sugar-laden cocktail at the office party?)

In The Swift Kick [in the ass!] 8-week program, you will receive:

•  A formal training program, beginning Oct 29, that is designed to help you commit to doing something you’ve never done – Run/Walk 3 miles, or run the whole 5K!  This program will get you there with our Expert Coach, Wendy Mader!

•  Access to a GOTRIbal Expert Coach to get your questions answered during the first week, middle week and last week of the program.

•  A 24/7 exclusive online Tribe where you can meet and communicate with other women in the program; including your Coach!

• Weekly Tips and inspirational notes from elite athletes like ultra-runner Dean Karnazes GOTRIbal Ambassadors, and women just like YOU.

• Special surprise gear for you to wear during the 5K event on January 1!

Check out the GOTRIbal website for details on joining this awesome adventure!!

Chrissie Wellington-A Life Without Limits {2 chances to WIN & CHAT with her!)

I rarely mention this but 
4x Ironman World Champion, Chrissie Wellington and I are BFF's.
ok, BFF might be a slight exaggeration BUT I did meet her last year at a Make-A-Wish Foundation event, I got my finishers medal from her at Timberman AND she tweeted pics of us hanging out. 
Oh, she also wrote on my Facebook page...
Do I really need to drag out ALL of the pictures of us again?? :)


The amazingly tough Chrissie has taken this year off from racing Ironman to pursue other interests, which include promoting her new book, A Life Without Limits.

About the book-

In 2007, Chrissie Wellington shocked the triathlon world by winning the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. As a newcomer to the sport and a complete unknown to the press, Chrissie's win shook up the sport. A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS is the story of her rise to the top, a journey that has taken her around the world, from a childhood in England, to the mountains of Nepal, to the oceans of New Zealand, and the trails of Argentina, and first across the finish line.


Wellington's first-hand, inspiring story includes all the incredible challenges she has faced-- from anorexia to near-drowning to training with a controversial coach. But to Wellington, the drama of the sports also presents an opportunity to use sports to improve people's lives.


A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS reveals the heart behind Wellington's success, along with the diet, training and motivational techniques that keep her going through one of the world's most grueling events.


I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for this book to come out and found out through her publisher, Center Street, that she would be coming to Boston this month to  do a book signing event!! So I decided to wait until the book signing to get my copy. I have been watching the Center Street website waiting for them to release the location but nothing. So I tweeted them wondering when the info would be posted. They tweeted me back.

NO GO FOR ME :(  BOSTON stop cancelled.
But, all is not lost. 




On Saturday, May 12th (so this Saturday) THE Chrissie Wellington will be doing a live Q&A with GOTRIBal on their Facebook page! Not only can you dish with my BFF, Chrissie

You will also have a chance to win an autographed copy of the book! 
This event will take place at 2pm PST (5pm EST) on the GOTRIbal Wall (not their event page) and ALL are welcome to attend (this means you too, fellas!) 

ALSO (yes!! there is more)

Go check out Iron Texas Mommy's blog! She is also giving away a copy of the book (this contest ends May 11th at midnight CST so hurry!!)

I'll leave you with one of the happiest moments I have experienced, finishing my first 70.3 and getting a hug & my medal from one of my biggest inspirations~Chrissie!!

More Motivation: Eye Candy Edition Part II for the MEN!

Yesterday the post was awesome and all, but I want to be a fair blogger to the male readership

So here are some shots of my friend, Jessi Stensland in all her hotness.
(yes, total girl crush on her)

Crazy, she is as nice as she is gorgeous too.

how hot is that??

super talented athlete too.

Ladies, admit it.
You enjoyed this too :)

Happy Thursday.
___________________________________________________________

In other news:
The QR arrived yesterday. I am off to get her all built and fit.
Tomorrow? Road trip to Quassy to ride/run the race route.
WOOO HOOOO

13 months

Did you know that I missed my very first Bloggerversary?

Yeah...July 20th of 2010 was my first blog post!! Go read the end of that post--then come back.

The goal of doing an Ironman someday was just a little seed that had been planted and I was not ready to share it quite yet. For some reason, I held this little "secret" very close to my heart and felt that if I shared it, somehow it would end up tainted or damaged.
Sometimes, saying it out loud or putting it out into cyberspace makes it just too real.
Maybe I was not ready for that little dream to be reality so I kept in protected.
Or perhaps, other more experienced athletes would laugh and say
"no, YOU cannot be an IRONMAN"
or maybe was it actually ME questioning if I was IRONMAN strong??

Of course, I am no longer afraid to share that goal and we all know that I have 140.6 on the horizon  But let's get thru my first 70.3 first, kay?

I also have seen first hand what I can do -- mentally and physically -- and I have been able to surround myself with like minded individuals. It's amazing what this little blog has done for me-I have been able to connect with others all over the world.

People who inspire me, motivate me, make me smile and keep me on reaching for the stars!
I am so lucky to have been able to meet some of the fantastic bloggers in "real life" and there those of you I have yet to meet but I WILL (even if it means a road trip to Texas and Arizona!!)

So now 13 months and one day after my first blog post (hmmmm a different kind of 13.1?)
I will be at Timberman doing my first half Ironman

70.3

It's been an amazing year and I thank you for being a part of it.
So many of you have touched my life in ways you may never know or even understand, but please know that on Sunday, August 21st while I am swimming, biking and running through the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire, there will be a piece of you with me!!

and I will smile

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was brought to tears this winter when someone came up to me at the gym while I was working and said that they had read my blog. This person did not realize that I used to be fat.
They then opened up to me about some of the "demons" they were fighting when it came to their own well being. I have been able to connect with this person and help then recharge their own fitness goals and become a much healthier person in the process.

I started writing this blog as a way to document how I was progressing on my own journey. I thought that if I could reach just ONE PERSON and inspire them to make a healthier change with their own life, my goal would be accomplished.

So lets celebrate my "Bakers Dozen" Bloggerversary-
Happy 13 Months Miles Muscles & Mommyhood!!

I look forward to the next 13 months and cannot wait to see where the road is going to lead!!

If you are a new reader, or even if you have been here since Post #1, here are some fun early MM&M posts to revisit!!

Beach Babe Belly Flops

Yoda's Wisdom

My F*UGLY Feet

Lessons from Lola

Fat A$$ Friday

And the You Freaking Rock Award goes to...

I know you have been waiting very patiently for me to announce the second winner of the YRFA-you know, the coveted You Freaking Rock Award.


Oh, you have no clue what I'm talking about??
If you are a new reader or just need a friendly reminder, the very first You Freaking Rock Award was given out on December 14th to the one and only EMZ. You can read all about it here.


I know, I know. It appears that I totally skipped over the Month of January and did not select a winner for the next award BUT actually, this blogger deserves TWO months SO without further ado, I will now tell you who is being honored!

It's Jason
(formerly of Life of an Aspiring Triathlete) 
which has now grown into the updated and sleek site 
Cook Train Eat Race.

If you do not follow this blog already, you are missing out. Even if you have no interest in endurance sports, you will find SOMETHING that will make your day a little better :)
This New Yorker turned Texan talks about motivation, being real, making change, and inspiration-

He creates an entire day of healthy eats in his feature, The Athlete's Plate.


The one thing that really stands out about Jason is his positive energy. No matter what kind of day you are having, he can find a way to make you laugh, smile or even feel good about a not-so-good day. He is there with an uplifting comment or words of encouragement to so many!!


Jason started dipping his toes into the endurance waters in 2007 completing several half marathons before his discovery of triathlon. He has since completed marathons, triathlons and currently he is training for Ironman 70.3 California in April.


It is only natural that with his contagious energy, smashing personality and love of endurance sports that he is also a Team Leader for Marathon Makeover in North Dallas.
What is Marathon Makeover? Marathon Makeover is a 40-week, marathon-training, wellness program and is helping ordinary people do the extraordinary — train for and finish a marathon! Now, we are ready to transform the couch potatoes of North Dallas.

You don't have to live in the Dallas area to take advantage of their training plans, online training plan and support is also available.

Jason and his wife, Karen recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary. They met through running and continue to run together. I think that is just super awesome. OUR family is wishing you both many happy miles on the road of life!!

Thanks Jason for bringing inspiration, motivation and positivity into SO many lives. I see big things in your future!

There are many more things you can learn about him and from him but I will let you make those discoveries on your own. Go ahead, go read his blog--

On yesterday's post I discussed the word BELIEVE and talked about how my journey had impacted my INNER me far more than the outer physical changes. I will leave you with these words (from his website) that I could not echo more.


I believe in the power of endurance sports to provide us with strength, confidence, health, wellness and tons of other adjectives. It is a lifestyle that will lead you to the tops of mountains because no matter how fast you are when you cross the finish line you are a doer, a finisher and unique. We are the few that look at a race and think to themselves this is going to be fun. Others run away and we run to.

My Secret Weapons

Love.Hate.Sex.Pain.
This is a song by Godsmack. I love it. It's angry. It's raw. It gets me moving.
It's one of those songs I strategically put on my play list for speed work, racing or the end of a long run so I can kick it up a bit. I find that there are just certain songs that tap into my primal side and bring out the fire in my soul. This is one of those songs.
Love. I love running and I love a good run that just leaves me feeling sooooo good when I am done.
Hate. I hate running on the TM but it is a necessary evil.
Sex. A good run is right up there on the list-some runs, well see Love.
Pain. I am learning to deal with the pain. Some days, I welcome it with open arms.

Last weeks speed work run was on the treadmill-the plan was a tempo run, 1 mile warm-up, 3 miles in the 7's and then a 1 mile cool down. I like doing speed work on the TM because it really allows me to control the pace. I can forget about staring at my Garmin and just focus on my breathing, my form and my thoughts (training the mind!). I am sure as I become a better athlete and runner, I will be able to do this more effectively on a track but for now, the TM is my tool of choice.

Even though I was really tough on my legs last week, I felt really really good for that run-I felt strong physically and mentally. I know now that it was because of the awesomely awesome PUNK ROCK RACING tech tee I was wearing-

Happy Me post tempo run with Lola



Swining Lola-her tee says "if you think IM cute, you should see my Daddy"

 Yup. The tee shirt gave me superpowers. I felt so badass in that tee shirt I felt that my run should reflect that! I mean, I am no EMZ by any stretch of the imagination (on the TM or otherwise) but I'm working on it *wink*wink*
So my tempo run went better than planned and I ended the last mile in the 6's-which for ME, is a good day. It was one of those Love.Hate.Sex.Pain. runs and it was awesome.
So combine a little good music with a hot Punk Rock Racing tee and you got a great run folks! That is the secret combo to get my legs moving on the TM. Shhhhh. Let's keep it our little secret.

What is motivating me this week?
Sonja Weick's performance at IMAZ. Seriously, this gal is just a rockstar!! You can read all about it here-The Prequel, The Swim, The Bike, The Run.  Congrats Sonja-you are such an inspiration!

Michelle Ford's amazing legs! I don't wanna "lift" a pic of her without her permission but oh-my-oh-my, she has got some awesome legs (you can check 'em out yourself here). Oh, did I mention that she just qualified for KONA at her first 140.6? Yeah, another rockstar!

Random side note: So yeah-now I have two new people to stalk goals to achieve! With Emz abs of steel, Michelle's chiseled legs, Sonja's guts...I am building myself a little FrankenJen triathlete/runner monster! he he he

I had really great quality workouts last week since hubby was on home on vacation. I was able to sweat out all that pie and gravy. I am hoping to keep the quality up there this week now that he is back to work.

The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge! I got in 30 miles of running, 32 miles of biking and 3.5 hours of iron time. This makes me happy--I want to be even happier this week. I am happy to get my nutrition on track and eating good quality clean foods always makes me feel amazing.

I'm putting together a fun giveaway to celebrate 100+ followers! Will have many more details to come...

What is motivating YOU this week??