10.26.10

I have taken this journey so serious from day 1 and even though my challenge with Tonya was over on 10.10.10, my journey is far from over. I NOW have new goals, more workouts, gearing up for more races, losing more pounds and inches and everyday will find the strength to make better choices, get up early in the cold and inspire other women to do the same. As I said back on June 15th, my first workout with Tonya, "As Tonya and I were standing at the top of the hill she told me look down and know that I deserve to be on top of the world. I need to have control over my weight, my food and any negative people holding me back. As tears were running down my face I knew this journey was going to be long and tough, but it was definitely MY TIME to be on top of the world!" When times get tough I will pull my journal out and remember that moment standing on top of the hill shaking, about to fall down and realize I CAN do this......Get control, Put myself first and help inspire others! That is exactly what this video of our Prairie Fire Marathon reflects - inspiration and determination. Thank you Tonya and Rachel for putting this video together - it is Awesome!!! I cry every time I watch it AND what an Amazing experience it was and to see all the support from our family and friends - All of this together helped me Finish! I've waited for this day for a VERY long time...................with a lot of hard work and effort...........I Definitely Feel On Top Of The World!

Krista
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I know I have said it before but I have to say it again- I am so proud of Krista!

Thank you to Rachel for putting her video together.  It is awesome!  It made me cry to watch her journey through the 26.2 miles!

This marathon was very special to me.  It was great to be able to document Krista's first marathon.  It was wonderful to see all the emotions Krista went through.  The reason I say it was wonderful is because these are all the emotions we go through during "LIFE."  I've started to think about LIFE as a marathon.

Think about it.  When Krista first started the race she was fresh, happy, pain free.  This is how most of us were as kids- carefree and no worries.  Just happy!

Then when we approached mile 7 (1/4 of the way done) Krista's knee started hurting.  Worry and doubt started...just like in life.  As we kept running Krista's attitude started to drop then she saw her family and it lifted her spirits.  Again just like in LIFE we go through ups and downs.  But just like Krista we keep going...running through the pain, disappointments, happiness, what we call LIFE!  We make it and we do it because we are MOMS!

We all should be proud of ourselves for going through this marathon we call LIFE.

Happy Viewing,

Tonya

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10.19.10


I STILL can't believe that I ran/walked the Full Marathon. In fact, my husband asked me each day, for three days after, if I could believe that I did it. As many of you know, I went into that day not knowing if I was going to be able to do a few miles, the half or the full. My IT Band injury made it impossible for me to know what to expect. However, I did feel my right knee (IT Band) hurting by mile 2, but I had taken 4 advil before starting and took aleeve during so I think it helped with my pain. We jogged very slow but I was able to keep going.


The race was Awesome! The weather was beautiful, the adults and kids out on their front lawns cheering us on was Amazing, and of course my cheerleader Tonya (which I tease about this because I'm so mad by the end that she's so happy and I'm about to die) was with me the whole time keeping me going - AND, I do mean keeping me going - Without her I would have quit at mile 17. My family (Thank you for your support!) was at mile 12 cheering me on. They were in the street giving us high five's and carrying signs that say....My Mom Rocks (thanks to Aunt Heather for Rylee's glittered sign - I love it and so did she!) That was Awesome and I knew then that I was going to finish this no matter what happened! I was determined.


I was having some pretty sharp pains around mile 5 & 6 so, a little later we stopped off at Kerri's house (a P.T.) and she gave me a massage on my IT Band - Thank you Kerri - you helped me a ton! As we approached mile 16 we saw some very close friends of mine and at mile 17 Tonya's family was there for support. Thank you all! It helped a ton. Thank you to my family & Tonya's family who appeared again at mile 20 and kept in close contact to the end. I will never forget this experience - Now, a week later I look back and just think WOW! I'm so lucky and thankful that Tonya came along when I was ready to make a change - cause without her I would never have completed this Marathon. Thank you Tonya!!!!


By the end, I was limping/running and walking and eventhough I came in last place and it took me 7 hours I can honestly say that I have completed a full marathon and I am soooo PROUD of myself! It took a TON of work to get here and the rewards of living a healthy life just keep getting better!


Krista

I am so proud of Krista!  Today she finished her first Full Marathon 26.2 miles! 

She has taken 3 weeks totally off of running due to an IT Band injury. 

Today started out great at 7am!  We started out running with another lady from momsinmotion!  We stayed with her till about mile 6 then Krista's IT Band (knee) started tightening up and we had to slow down so Rebecca went on without us!

At mile 7 we ran into Kerri's house (another one of my moms who is a P.T.) and she massaged it for Krista and gave us more BioFreeze!  We were there for about 15 min.!

After that it went down hill for her knee.  She did pretty much the whole race with a straight leg!  At mile 16 she pretty much wanted to be done!  But she kept pushing through to the end! 

She had great support during the whole course!:) 

We crossed the finish line a little after 2pm (right when they were tearing down the race)! 

I can't wait to get all the pictures from today!   There are a lot on my phone (I was journaling the whole race by pictures- they are so awesome), some on Krista's phone, my mom did some video, and Emily has some pics!  That blog is going to be awesome!

Krista's 4 months are up but she is still continuing on her weight loss and healthy lifestyle change!  I am so proud of everything she has accomplished!

WAY TO GO KRISTA!!!

In Health,

Tonya

I just want to say how proud I am of Krista!  She has been on a very exciting and tough journey for 4 months!  First of all she has had to put up with me!!!  Calling, texting, emailing, facebook, etc.  I have to tell you she has been a trooper.

We are going to get one more weigh in this week (hopefully).  She is extremely busy getting her booth ready for Holiday Gallaria this week.  I have to say if Krista can do this (with her VERY busy schedule) ANYBODY can do it! 

Walking in Krista's shoes just this week:
1.  Getting her whole store (Rylee and Reece) totally ready for Holiday Gallaria
2.  Taking care of her two children who are only 1 year apart while her husband went out of town for a business trip
3.  Then her youngest got sick
4.  Staying on track on her healthy eating
5.  Getting ready for her FULL marathon on Sunday (after she works Holiday Gallaria for 12 hours on Sat.- the day before).

NOW THIS IS A BUSY SCHEDULE!  But in just 4 short months she has lost weight, many inches, has become educated on healthy eating, started her family on a healthy lifestyle change!  She is such an inspiration to me and everyone around her! 

She has truely changed her life forever!  But she is not done with her journey yet.  She has set new goals and will continue to lose weight and inches as the months go on!  She has come so far and doesn't want to stop!

Good luck Krista this weekend in your first full marathon!!!

In Health,

Tonya

I just want to say how GREAT Krista is doing!  She is still losing and looking fantastic!

Of course she has gone through some stress in her life (which as we are all aware- we ALL have)!  But she is learning how to get through her stress in a healthy way!  That is why she has been able to keep losing inches and weight even though she her life may not always go as she has planned!

We are at a little bit of a plateau stage right now because of the full marathon and her knee injury.  She is not able to do any cardio this week (so her knee can rest) so it is stressing her out a little.  I keep reminding her that resistance training is just as (if not more so) important when it comes to your body changing.  But, the hard thing is we can't do any lower body (a few hamstring exercises-that is it)!

09.29.10

Sorry, Sorry to all for not blogging lately!!! Life, as you can probably relate, is just CRAZY!!! However, to bring you up to date I am focusing on our Marathon on 10.10.10 - I have had a recent knee or IT band injury that has kept me from running. I am giving my knee/body all the rest, ice, stretching etc. that it needs, hoping.....I will be great on marathon day! As for me personally - I'm very, very stressed right now with work, kids, family and regular life! I'm trying really hard to concentrate on my eating, exercising and keeping positive thoughts. I'm proud of myself for keeping me first on the list during a very busy time of year. I'm not perfect and have had some slip-ups but I'm far from the person I was 3.5 months ago - I love the new me eventhough every day it is a tough battle to have meals prepared, snacks prepared, blender packed with me on the go, getting up early for workouts, sore muscles, writing in my journal etc. - AND it is all worth it for me to be Healthy and Happy!

Krista

I know it has been awhile since I have blogged and I apolgize for that. 

Our bodies react to stress like you wouldn't believe!  And our bodies don't know the difference between stress from home, work, kids, working out too much, etc.  I feel like I have been getting this question a lot lately...I am just so stressed, etc and I don't understand why I'm not losing weight.  Well, I can tell you.  Your body doesn't like stress but there are ways to help reduce stress which will then help you lose the weight. 

Stress and weight gain (or lack of weight loss) go hand in hand. Though you may not be aware of it, being under constant stress can increase production of the hormone cortisol which can cause an increase in appetite as well as extra fat storage around the abdominal region--a big no-no since abdominal fat is linked to diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.

Everyone is different.  As a personal trainer I would of course say exercise is the best way to reduce stress.
One way to take control of the stress in your life is through physical activity. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. - According to the Mayo Clinic.

But some stress their body out BY exercising so they may need a different approach.

Here are some things to try to reduce stress.  Again it is all up to you- I am just giving you some suggestions!

1.  Laughter
2.  Rest/sleep
3.  Keep a journal
4.  Exercise
5.  Eat healthy
6.  Get a hobby
7.  Plan out your day/week
8.  Go out on a date or with friends
9.  Get a massage
10.  Cut back on work hours

Just like how I preach you will not see the weight come off or the inches go down if you are not CONSISTENT in living a healthier lifestyle (working out/eating healthy) you will need to be consistent with whatever works for you in reducing your stress!  It probably won 't work if you just do it every now and then. 

It doesn't hurt to try something on the list.  You may have to try more than one- who knows???

In Health,

Tonya