Reflections

I find myself staring at my reflection. It's not hard to do because there are mirrors everywhere!  You know when you dye your hair a different color, or if you shave your beard? The first time you catch a glimpse at yourself it scares you because it's not what you're used to seeing. I am so excited to be getting healthy and losing weight, but it's unsettling to not recognize yourself. Of course all change takes time to cope with, and I'm thrilled with how I look...it's just weird.

I hope Lauren doesn't mind, but I'm using our pictures to illustrate my point. I spent this weekend in Philly at my friend Lauren's new apartment (which is awesome p.s and by the way). Once I got home and was looking through our pictures I realized that the last time we had our picture taken together was in May of 2010, a year and a half ago a few nights before college graduation. Lauren looks as beautiful as she's always been....but I LOOK LIKE A DIFFERENT PERSON. I'm not kidding (see picture below).

A year and a half later... Nov. 5, 2011

I know it's a different camera angle...I think this picture says a thousand words...

So while reflecting about my reflection I think I've determined my problem. My body is changing, my face looks different, my clothes don't fit right anymore. I'm not comfortable in smaller size clothes yet because I'm just not mentally there yet. I'm changing so much, but am I still the same person? Of course I am right? I know the answer is yes. I think....

In other news I successfully competed in the Battle of the Belles II at my gym! I had so much fun and really surprised myself. I finished all of the events. I didn't really know if I was going to be able to pull off any of it! I really proved to myself that I am strong, and I can do anything I set my mind to. 

I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the competition!!!

 Part of a clean and press medley...89lb log

Farmer's Walk 105lbs per hand

 Pushing the jeep 

 Deadlifts...I maxed at 275lbs! eeek! super exciting =)

 300lb tire flips (check out my calf muscle..it's so pretty!)

 Atlas stones....not my favorite...120 lbs

This picture of all us girls is my favorite...look at all the men taking our pictures =) HA! I love it.

The Life of a Rockstar

If you have not been diligently keeping up with my facebook posts, you may have missed my latest accomplishment! Punch Gym in Norwalk, CT named me "Rockstar of the Month"! Feel free to click HERE to read the article! Pretty impressive if I do say so myself! I don't mean to gloat....well really I do, but I've been working so hard, it's nice to be acknowledged. Actually it's AWESOME to be acknowledged =D

That being said, it's really hard not to slack off when you're feeling good about yourself. Right after Stef (gym owner/nutritionist) told me I was to be the ROCKSTAR, I totally took a nose dive. Not a complete failure but definitely problematic. I quickly learned that a cookie here, a missed workout there, it all adds up. I haven't gained any weight back, but not losing is kind of upsetting too.

So in order to not slack off you have to force yourself to take an active role, no one is going to do it for you. And when I say you of course I mean me.

To combat my latest plateau, I signed up for Battle of the Belles. This is an all women strength competition on Sunday Oct. 23 at Punch Gym. I feel like I am blissfully unaware of what I'm getting myself into...but oh well, as is life. The event is also a fundraiser for a local hospital's cancer center (Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center at the Stamford Hospital). What I am most excited for is the fact that my favorite (and only) little brother Andrew will be visiting that weekend, and I hope to impress him with my new found muscles =)

I'm also still in the midst of the Body Balance Challenge, a competition at Punch between members to see who can lose the most percentage of weight loss in 8 weeks. I get points every time I work out, turn in my food journal, lose a percentage of weight loss, and all sorts of healthy lifestyle type challenges... kept track by a good old fashioned sticker chart =) It's amazing how much people will do for a sticker! Oh and did I mention the $1,000 grand prize?

I hope to have lots more results to report by Christmas. I don't want to set a weight loss goal, because it's depressing if you don't reach it. What I do want to do is promise myself not to become complacent and lazy. I need to keep on keepin' on.

p.s - If you would like to make a donation for the cancer center let me know! My email is kchomas87@gmail.com

Walking the Walk

4 months....holy moly....So what started as a random thought has completely taken over my life. Not in a bad way...in a totally "wicked" awesome way. Can you tell I just got back from Boston? Words can't even describe....Fenway Park is truly amazing. I digress...

So I have been doing bootcamp for 4 months. Most people do it for one month, then join the gym. Bootcamp is kind of a jump start especially good for beginners like me. I felt like I needed the extra time, and the time of day worked perfect for me. So what has happened in the past 4 months? A lot...

4 months ago I couldn't imagine understand this crazy lingo these trainers kept using...now I know all about cleans, snatches, squats, Russian twists, bicycles, presses, Turkish get-ups, swings, planks, and all sorts of other cool things.

4 months ago I was out of breath after climbing one set of stairs in my school...this morning I climbed to the top grandstand of Fenway Park without any shortness of breath, discomfort, aches or pains.

4 months ago I couldn't go to the store and buy clothes without being upset because nothing fit right and I refused to go up a size. Now I've dropped a size and everything fits great!

4 months ago my hands were pretty - now they are rough and callused....but in a really fantastic way =)

4 months ago I was weak, and now I'm strong. Seriously - I flipped a 300 pound tire. I have a video on facebook to prove it ha ha.

4 months ago I wore extra clothes to help me feel more comfortable...like undershirts under EVERY shirt and pants all day every day...maybe the occasional capri pants. Now I own shorts, and I wear them in public....it took a lot of courage in the beginning (just ask Jay) but now i don't even flinch =)

These are just a few examples...there are so many more. The most amazing thing to me is all the everyday functional activities (can you tell I'm an OT?) that I see an improvement on. Not just walking up stairs, but carrying grocery bags, more energy throughout the day, actually sleeping throughout the night, and doing jumping jacks with the kids at school instead of just telling them to "show me". I also feel 100% more confident. I mean I've never been shy - but this is a completely new level of confidence for me. I literally strut my stuff, which I've NEVER done before.

One thing that I didn't foresee in all of this was how successful I would be. I've never been good at anything involving fitness. My poor parents made me try every different sport; soccer, swimming, softball you name it. Me and fitness just didn't get along. But kettelbells are different, or maybe it's me who is different. All I know is that I like it. I'm hooked.

I also started really taking a look at nutrition as well. I learned pretty quick that it doesn't matter how much you exercise if your still eating crap all day every day. Today I met with Stef (punch gym co-owner/nutritionist/strongwoman champ/pretty awesome person to have in your corner) and she is helping me get on the right track with my eating habits. That being said go to Marks Daily Apple to see the "primal" way of eating that is helping me shed the pounds.

Speaking of pounds I've lost 20 since starting. I've NEVER done that before either.

Today Louis (another completely fabulous Punch Gym trainer) told me he was so proud of the progress I've made and that I was really walking the walk. At the time I was gasping for breath (class had just ended LOL) but thinking back on it makes me want to cry. That is the nicest compliment a person could ever ask for. I am 24 years old and I'm changing my life. That makes me pretty happy.

So, my plan is to continue working on nutrition, and next week I will start the 45 minutes long classes. I'm not scared as much as excited (maybe a little scared). I never thought anything would come of all this...just another crazy Kerry idea. So I guess we'll just wait and see.

~Kerry~

=)

visuals =)

Here is the link to the gym...below are some pictures of stuff I've been doing =)

http://punchgym.com/norwalk/

These are kettlebells....




These are the ropes....



This is the gym in Norwalk.....



And here are some people in action....thanks google images!!!!

Kettlecorn to Kettlebells

I am in my 3rd week of Bootcamp at Punch Gym in Norwalk, CT. Punch Gym is a kettlebell gym - which I'm slowly learning about. I will post some pictures soon to give you an idea. I feel fantastic. The bootcamp is every weekday from 5:30pm-6pm...it's hard - but it's what I need right now ya know? So far I have lost about 5 pounds....10 pounds total from my heaviest weight. I am keeping this blog as a reminder of my journey. More to come soon.

Talk to you soon

K