Bikini Boot Camp-Swimsuit Sensational-An Update!

I wanted to give everyone a quick update on my bikini boot camp progress (yes, I know it has only been a day since I discussed this but I am a bit obsessed here). I have been doing the exercises (strength training) that Christopher Warden- a New York City fitness professional and my online personal trainer -recommended in my previous post in sets of two. Well, I must be some sort of woman (just kidding) because now I am doing them in sets of three. Christopher says that I need to challenge myself but not overdo it and I felt like I was ready to move on plus I get 48 hours in between for my body to rest so I imagine it won't be too bad (famous last words). I really want to convey here that I am just a health nut wannabe and a mom and I have not been exercising since I had my last daughter (she is two now and they aren't kidding about the terrible two's) so having someone guide me is key . I just never made time to exercise and would make up excuses. Having someone to be accountable to is a great motivator for me. I really thought that this strength training would not raise my heart rate and I would have to do it in addition to cardio but that is not the case at all (hurray for that). By the end of my sets I am almost at my challenge point, my heart rate is up and I feel like I have really worked out (keep in mind I'm just a beginner all you super exercise people). I used to (a hundred years ago it seems like) run, do aerobics and lots of cardio because I thought that was the way to go to tone up and lose weight. I can now see why this program with Christopher is much more effective-even after only a week. I really enjoy it much more than hiding in the back of an aerobics class (I can never get those moves right) with a red face, bumping into everyone. I can do these exercises at home or a gym like I said before and I can really feel the muscles being challenged (trust me-my booty can really feel it).

I am a complete newbie at strength training and this is so exciting to me! I really just wanted to pass on my excitement and results from just a week. Until I was lucky enough to find Christopher I had no idea about exactly what I needed to do to achieve the results I was looking for and was adrift in exercise oblivion. I highly recommend if you have any interest whatsoever in getting more toned, stronger or losing weight (he even helps you map out a diet-is there anything about health and nutrition this man doesn't know?) that you at the very least contact Christopher for a consultation (you can click on the widget on the right margin or here). I am still working on a more optimum diet with him since I am doing this strength training and not looking to lose weight (will do a post on that soon). I also made it very clear to Christopher that I did not want to get bigger or very muscular. I had the misconception that anything to do with weights or strength would equal a muscle woman-again I was wrong. I am amazed at how my exercise thinking and what I have been doing my entire life were really quite backwards.

In additon, I wanted to point out what changes I have made since starting this blog in March (only 2 months ago). Please see my previous posts if you have any questions on why I have done these things as it is all a direct result of the research and lifes lessons learned from this blog. It is startling and wonderful and my friends are still recovering from the shock.

** Gave up my microwave-I used to think people who did not use microwaves for health reasons were fruitcakes (okay, now I am one too and I like it).

**Quit drinking all diet sodas because of the dangerous aspartame (used to think it was jus a bunch of hype) and instead now drink, water, tea with stevia and Zevia all natural diet soda alternative that I LOVE. I used to drink 6-8 Diet Pepsi's a day (scary).

**Gave up my vitamins and take Whole Food supplements religiously and really can tell a difference.

**Try to buy as much organic as I can (even on a budget).

**Eat lots, and lots of berries, nuts, other fruits and vegetables and only whole grains.

**Really watch out for sugars (they make you age amongst other things) and processed foods.

**Made lots of great friends and read amazing blogs everyday.

**Am not too hard on myself and remember that every day is a step towards good health and know that once in awhile I am going to have that chocolate bar or cookie and that is okay.

**I am exercising again and love how I feel!

All these things (plus, I don't smoke, drink alcohol or eat animals) really equal a much happier Heidi! I feel better, I am nicer, I look better, I sleep better, I like myself more and I have more energy than I know what to do with. I just never realized what small everyday changes in my diet and life could do for me!! I want to thank all of you who read this and blog too, you inspire me.

Heidi