A Mother's Love

I was recently reminded about this blog by a friend. I had a distant memory of it. I am almost 30. I am getting older, did I even remember the website? Was it lost in the world wide web? I started searching and here it is. As I read through the posts the cobwebs started to clear. All these memories started flooding back. See this blog started when a I was going through a huge life change. I was getting healthy and happy. I was living in CT. When I left CT back home to PA I left it behind. I think I left a part of my soul behind too. I am happy where I am now, but I will never forget the amazing things I did while living in CT. I found my inner and outer strength that I never knew existed.

Life sure has changed. If you would have asked me back then what I would be doing 4 years later, I don't know what I would have said. I guess that's life though. You can never predict the future. You can only live in the present and appreciate the memories and lessons you learned in the past.

When I got married a friend of the family told me to never stop writing. I should have listened. Writing this blog was such a release, it made me happy. It helped me cope with all the changes in life.

I have been so consumed with life lately. It's not a bad thing, contrary I have had a fantastic reason to be consumed. On September 13, 2014 I completed my most amazing feat of strength. Rivaling anything I ever did in CT. At 2:05 am I gave birth to the most perfect baby in the entire world. Lucas Ryan Sandly was not planned. He was a big ol' oops. I didn't want children yet, I had a 10 year plan. Well, God has different plans.

The first year was the hardest. 12 weeks of maternity leave isn't enough. Breastfeeding is hard. You don't think you just do. When he turned a year I thought, wow... I'm finally getting a handle on this. Nope, guess what...The time between his first and second birthday is a blur. Just like Dory in Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."

My son is now 2 years old. With his new found language and independence I have been able to step back and reevaluate my life. I stepped on a scale for the first time in years and had a panic attack. How did I let myself go? I had worked so hard....I felt like a failure. Well, if I learned anything in CT it is that when the going gets tough, buck up. Move heavy shit. Do something.

Well, that's easier said than done. I won't list my excuses. I promise you I have tons. I am finally remembering a huge part of the puzzle. It's not all about losing weight, or exercising, or eating right. You have to do what makes you happy. I've lost myself while giving all of me to my son. I don't think it's a problem. I think it's a part of life. A quote from the Giving Tree by Shell Silverstein comes to mind "... and she loved a boy very, very much-- even more than she loved herself."

I am finally at a point in my life that I am able to start writing again. I need to, it's been too long. I love being a mother. I love my son. I am ready to start loving myself again as much as I love my son.

I lay here propped up on a pillow with him on my chest. I had just drawn a bath and poured a glass of wine when he woke up crying. Nothing soothed him. I'm OK that the bath water is cold,  and my wine can go in the fridge. I know he won't be this little for long. I will blink and he will be in school. Moments like these give me time to reflect. Today I decided I'm ready. I'm ready to write again. I love my son with all of my heart, but I'm no good to him if I don't love myself. 

Cheers to you all for reading. Thank you for sharing this moment with me. I'll get to my wine tomorrow.

Mr. Smiles

A few weeks ago my landlord gave us the heads up that he was going to have the house painted. I was annoyed when he told me this. I have a lot going on in my life, but that's a whole 'nother blog post! Dealing with painters is not on my list of things I want to deal with right at this particular moment in my life. You see, when I think of painters I think of a big mess and strange men running around getting my yard dirty and looking in my windows. I quickly shoved the thought to the back of my mind until yesterday. 

I came home yesterday to find a ladder propped up against my house with a person standing on it. Here we go, the freaking painters are here. So I parked in my drive way...walked up to my porch and stopped in my tracks. 

The man on the ladder was old, and when I say old I mean....like Grandpa old. He saw me, and starts to climb down the ladder. My first instinct was to grab the ladder and help him down; I mean...he's really old. He nimbly climbed down before I could make the first move. 

I am not usually lost for words, however I've been a little discombobulated and absent minded lately (I call it Wedding Brain...seriously I let steak burn on the stove while typing this blog post *sigh*). I mustered a polite "Hello, I'm Kerry"...but that's all I could manage. What in the hell was this old man doing painting my house?! Could my landlord really not afford to pay a REAL painter to come? Should I be calling the police for elder abuse? 

"I'm Mr. S, I'll be painting your house" as he took off his work glove and shook my hand. Mr. S was much taller than I thought and not as feeble as I first assumed. He quickly moved his ladder and let me in the house. He started apologizing profusely for being in my way. I was still in stupid-shock so I just told him no problem and walked inside.

After collecting myself and calling my Mother (my go-to person in times of....well I call her at least 10 times a day) I went back outside  through the back door. I walked around and watched him for a while. He was not what I expected. He had 1 bucket of paint and one paint brush and was stroke by stroke back and forth painting the whole damn house. It was maddening. I wanted to tell him there are bigger paint brushes at Home Depot! They have these machines that spray a square foot of paint at a time! 

When he saw me watching him he got off his ladder again. I asked if he needed anything, water, bathroom (a walker?) He says "no I have my thermos and my wife packed me food". Ok well good, at least he's prepared I thought. He asked me if he was going to be in my way! I said no of course not, he also asked me if it was ok that he came throughout the weekend. I told him he could paint whenever he wanted, it was no problem. Then he starts talking, and talking, and talking. I learned that he is 79, he is friend's with the landlord's parents, he pays A LOT in taxes and thinks CT is too expensive, and that his son used to work on Wall Street but joined the Marines after 9/11, got "blown up" in Iraq but recuperated at a hospital in Germany and just completed a bicycle fundraiser from CA to NYC for Marines and those affected by 9/11). 

That's a lot of information to digest. He then mentioned that he lives up the road and notices I'm never home. I laughed and told him I work 20 miles away and because of traffic I leave early and come home late. Then (as I was carrying in bags from AC Moore) I explained that I was getting married in June. He was happy to hear my very briefly about my wedding plans etc. (again another blog post for another time). Then he says, well I'll get back to work now, it was nice meeting you. Whew! This nice old guy is a talker, but very endearing I thought as I walked inside. 

So this morning, I wake up to Mr. S. waving at me through my kitchen window. I waved back and went outside to say hello. He was all smiles. "My wife says to tell you CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming wedding". How freaking sweet. I smiled and thanked him. He asked if he was going to be in my way...I assured him that he wasn't. 

He is still out there painting. He seriously is a breath of fresh air in my life right now. I went out to the grocery store and he smiled when I left and said "Welcome Home" when I returned. I want to keep him, he is so positive and friendly and genuinely happy. He has a story like everyone has a story. He has a life, has a past, and has stuff going on in his life too. But here he is painting my house, congratulating me on my wedding. I have not been sleeping well, I've been obsessing over wedding, work and other things happening in my life. This little old man has reminded me to stop, breathe, and enjoy life. I think it is so easy to get consumed with your life, and forget to "stop and smell the roses" so they say. Today,I was reminded that the world doesn't revolve around me and the stresses in my life are no different than other people's stresses. Being miserable and overly stressed doesn't fix anything. I've slightly spun out of control emotionally and mentally lately. Sometimes all you need is a smiling stranger painting your house to help bring you back into orbit. Now I need to go be a smiling stranger to someone else....and check on Mr. S, who I have fondly nicknamed Mr. Smiles. Last time I peaked out he was half way up the roof *eeek!*

Until next time,

<3 Kerry

so there's this muscle...

So there's this muscle called the illeotibial band a.k.a the IT band....well it's really a band of thick fibers that connects a whole lot of important muscles in your leg. Just talking about it brings back terrible memories of functional anatomy in college!! Apparently soreness and tightness is relatively normal for runners. Especially new/beginner runners. Well, my IT band and muscles around my IT band are TIGHT! Last week I started limping around the day after my long run because my muscles were just seized up. I finally called a chiropractor who I trust 100% and I'm getting better. I'm not hurt, my muscles are just rebelling. Not that I blame them, I've been putting my leg muscles through a ton of stress in the past few weeks. I've also become intimate with this thing I called a foam roller. I used to think foam rollers were a nice way to loosen up muscles, which is true...until you have really tight muscles...and then a foam roller becomes a torture machine. So you roll your body over a cylindrical dense foam roller, it looks almost like a giant rolling pin but without the handles. Your body weight massages tight muscles. Which is the point, but &#^!##@* I've never uttered so many swear words in such a short amount of time. 

But it helps! Foam rolling, ice and some good 'ole E-Stimm and I'll be back to running soon! Speaking of soon, my race is coming up QUICK! Have you been meaning to donate? Don't worry...there is still time...but not much!!! Fundraising deadline is March 8! Don't wait until the last minute, donate today! http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/halfnyc13/kerrychomas

So this race is apparently a big deal. I just read an article that over 15,000 runners are expected. Let me repeat...OVER 15,000 RUNNERS ARE EXPECTED AT THE RACE. Let me put this into perspective. I grew up in Watsontown, PA....a quite sleepy little town with a population of 2,351. I will be running with all the people in my town....times 6. That's ALOT of people. Hard to visualize? According to Google....this is what 15,000 people look like.....

That's insane. 

I also was ready about all of the elite athletes and Olympians that will be racing with me as a tune up run for numerous Marathons. It cracks me up that what will be one of my biggest life accomplishments is a tune-up for some people. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I am so excited to be a part of something so big. Not just the amount of people, but in my efforts to help cure cancer and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Sometimes it's easy to think...how can I help...out of 15,000 people what does it matter if I run or not? How can $1 do anything?! I believe that the positive energy you emit from giving of your time and energy has just as much impact as the money itself. So thank you all who have cared enough to donate, you make a difference and I personally appreciate you more than you will ever know. 

Hope you all are having a great week! Spring is right around the corner...I hope!

<3 Kerry

p.s here is the awesome article I was reading! http://www.nyrr.org/newsroom/nyrr-news-service/2012-us-olympians-set-for-nyc-half

Strongman Competition

photo courtesy of David Salthouse

To start through my New Years Resolution "Year of Fitness" I participated in the Bigg Dogg Strongg Strongman Competition at Gold's Gym in Whippany, NJ. The Punch Belles as we like to call ourselves the are a bunch of us girls from my gym Punch Ketllebell Gym Norwalk, CT. The gym co/owner and trainer Stefanie Tropea does a lot of Strongman competitions, and she encouraged us to go. 

photo courtesy of David Salthouse

The Punch Belles are ready to go!

                                    photo courtesy of David Salthouse


We all competed in the Novice devision - because we are newbies and don't do this often. There were 4 events for us. First was the 120lb log press. Second was the 300lb Farmer's Carry. Third was 350lb deadlift. Fourth was 120lb Atlas Stones. My goal was to be able to complete 1 event, just one measly event. Surprisingly, I was able to do 2!! I almost got the log above my head, but not quite. When I went to lift the weight for the Farmer's Walk I couldn't budge it off the ground. It was HEAVY! When it was time for the deadlift (which was 50lbs heavier) I seriously asked Stef "how long do I have to try, cause I'm not gonna be able to get it". That's when the miracle of all miracles happened. It took 45 seconds of trial and error but I finally got that thing off the ground! It was an intense moment to say the least. The fourth event was the Atlas Stones. You pick it up, throw it over and repeat. I did 3 in one minute.

120lb Atlas Stones                                          

350lb Dead-lift

120lb Log Cl ean and Press

 

photos courtesy of David Salthouse

I had such a great time with the Punch Belles this weekend. Strongmen and Strongwomen competitors are wonderful people. Not only are they strong and good friends to have, but they are so positive and helpful too. Of course it is a competitive sport, but if you are struggling with your event there are a handful of people at all time willing to help you get the job done. I don't know of any other "sport" where your competition will lend you a belt, or wrist straps - or talk you through the right form. I had such a good time that I almost forgot about my 7 mile run with Team in Training the next morning!

I woke up sore and ready to just say forget it. If it wasn't for Jay  (my wonderful fiancee), I would have skipped out on the Team in Training run. He bought me a heatpack, and agreed to run with me! I was so glad that I went, there were over 20 people in attendance! I was supposed to run 7 miles, but I went slow and just allowed myself to see how far my body would allow. When everyone else was done with 7 miles, I was just about to 6 - pretty good for what I had been through the day before! 
                                     5.7 mile run Walnut Beach Milford, CT

photo courtesy of Jason Sandly

This weekend I learned how incredibly important it is to not give up on yourself. I had 100% given up on finishing any of the events at the competition - but somehow I pulled through. I also learned a lot about people, you cannot judge a book by its cover. No one would ever picture me hanging out at a Strongmen competition, let alone competing in one, and yet I did! Before focusing on getting healthy I never would have even thought I could do anything like that. That leads me to my third life lesson of the month - always always ALWAYS try new things, and never ever give up. You never know what could happen =)

<3 Kerry

TNT Fundraising Letter!!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/halfnyc13/kerrychomas

Happy New Year!!!

 Happy New Year!!! Have you been planning and fun any exciting resolutions? This comic cracks me up, because it is SO TRUE! My resolution this year is a little different. I am going to complete a 12 month fitness challenge. By committing to these 12 activities, I'll be able to keep myself in check and active throughout the year. Let me know if you would like to join me in any of these events.  Also, if there are any events you want to participate in and need a friend, let me know!!

January 12 - Strongman Competition NJ

February 9 - Cupids 5k Hartford, CT

March 17 - Half Marathon NYC

April 27 - Color Me Rad 5k Hartford, CT

May 5 - Five Boro Bike Tour NYC (pending me buying a bike)

June 1 - JesVic5k Watsontown, PA

June 15 - *My Wedding* - sure to be a marathon in and of itself =)

July 26 - Sunset Run 5k Trumbull, CT

August 4 - Walnut Beach Ice Cream 5k Milford, CT

September 8 - Run Around The Block 15k Block Island, RI

October 13 - Steamtown Marathon Scranton, PA

November 28 - Turkey Trot Punch Gym Norwalk, CT

December - TBD (it will be a surprise!)

It's almost midnight...this will officially be my last post of 2012!!

Love,
Kerry

p.s I'm watching CNN and I can't get enough of Anderson Cooper giggling...love him!

falling down, getting up, and lots of prayers

Saturday December 15, 2012

Today was rough. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. In the wake of the awful shootings in Newtown, I didn't want to do anything today. I wanted to curl up on the couch, watch CNN, and cry.
 

But that wasn't going to fix anything. So I went on my run with Team in Training. This weekend I went to a new meeting place, at Walnut Beach in Milford, CT. There I met the event coach Cindy, and lots of new running friends. Jill, another coach, ran/walked with me. I was super nervous because today was a planned 5 mile course, and I had serious doubts that I could finish it.
 

I quickly learned that finishing wasn't going to be my biggest hurdle today. Not 5 minutes into the run I tripped and fell on the sidewalk. Not a dainty fall either, I felt myself going down, tried to recover, couldn't, fell onto my palms and drop rolled onto my back feet flailing in the air. It was definetly some double-o-seven moves. Thinking back it would have made a GREAT video...seriously funny stuff. After explaining to my running partner (and the poor concerned citizen walking on the other side of the street) that I was ok and I am no stranger to falling...I got up and just kept going. I am seriously one of the clumsiest people alive. I blame by big feet. I can't wait to tell my Mom about my fall, we love to reaccount all of my clumsy adventures growing up, numerous bicycle accidents, skinned knees, falling down stairs in college (completely sober inbetween classes), it's almost fitting that I would wipe out on my run too.
 

So besides that little "Snafu" the run went really well! Coach Cindy was awesome, she met us throughout the run with water and even let me try "power gel". I guess it's best to try out those sort of things before you do a real race to see what works with your stomach, I tried the chocolate power gel, which tasted sorta like raw brownie batter. I did intervals again, jogging 3 minutes, walking one minute. At around mile 4, we went to 2 minutes, 1 minute, but by the end we finished at 3:1 again. I felt great when the GPS showed us that we had gone 5.44 miles! Coach Cindy was waiting with chocolate milk and bananas and we took a picture by the beach.

 

 

I feel very grateful that I found such a wonderful and positive group of people to run with through Team in Training. We dedicated todays run to the victims of yesterdays shooting. I hope in the coming days the families of victims can find some peace admist the chaos.
 

Thanks again to all my friends and family for checking in on me throughout the past 48 hours. Keep praying, this area needs it.
 

Kerry

 

TNT Day 1...check!

They say starting is the hardest part. I think that's true. When I joined Punch Gym the hardest part was finding the courage to walk through the front door. Today, getting out of the car to meet these runners was an intense moment for me. Not just the scary fog, but just that moment of pure panic. Can I do this? Should I do this? What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not a runner...why am I here?! These people don't know me, I could drive away and they would never know the difference.

Except for Rachel. Thank God for Rachel, seriously having a friendly face expecting you makes all the difference in the world. Rachel goes to the gym with me, but I didn't meet her until the Fairfield 5k when she graciously let me run/walk with her the whole way.

So after pushing away all those negative thoughts, and seeing Rachel, I finally got out of my car. After introductions were made, we just started running. We ran 3 min, walk 1 minute for the majority of the 3 miles. The other runners in our group were "real" runners. I started to immediately get worried about holding them back because I'm slow...but again my pre conceived notions were wrong. At one point the coach Brian started running back towards us. I said are we turning around? Rachel says "no silly, he is just running with us". For the entire 3 miles the whole group ran together, the faster people would run head, then loop back around to make sure we were ok and so we all stuck together. I was super impressed.

Everyone was so nice too! No judging and so incredibly helpful and pleasent. I thought these experienced runners would get annoyed at me being so slow, bur again I was proved wrong.

When we were done and back at the cars the coach Brian gave Rachel and I purple Team In Training shirts. I was definetly sucking wind, and happy to be done, but this was a nice little surprise. And then the best part...."so you guys coming to the diner?!"

Hell Yes!!! I love diners and food!! They go every Sunday, which is incentive enough for me!! While eating I found out these runners were experienced beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Numerous half marathons, marathons, triatholons, and ironmans for all of them! I was sitting there with my bacon and eggs and all I could think about was how these are the people I need more of in my life.

I am so very excited about this new journey. I am still not very good at running, but I'm getting there. Surrounding myself with aTeam in Training people is exactly what I needed to do to start this next adventure :)

Thank for reading and taking an interest in my life :) Please consider donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society here --->  http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/halfnyc13/kerrychomas

It's not what you are...it's what you're willing to become

This crazy thought has been running through my head for a few months now...and I've finally decided to do something about it. It all started when I joined Punch Gym, ever since I've had this need to one up myself in my fitness endeavors. First it was joining the gym, then it was participating in Battle of the Bells, then the push-up challenge, then a few 5ks, but now it's time for me to go big or go home.

On March 17, 2013 I will run the NYC Half Marathon. Reading over what I just typed is scary as hell. A half marathon is 13.1 miles....what am I nuts?! Yes, I am...but that was true even before I made this decision. What makes this less scary is the support I have through Team in Training. I've signed up with this organization because they will train and support me for free, and in return I will raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Now, I am still scared because well...we all know I'm not a runner. But I didn't used to be a fan of fitness let alone a strongwoman competitor, 5k runner, tire flipping, push-uping, bacon loving, paleo preaching, kettlebell fanatic either...and now I am. So I figure it really doesn't matter if I am a runner or not, right now...it's what I'm willing to become.

This blog has been an outlet for my thoughts and feelings since I joined the gym and started losing weight, now it is morphing with me and will become an outlet for my half marathon training. I plan to keep you all updated with my progress. I want to keep track of my progress, and more importantly be an inspiration to others. If I can do this, so can everyone else.

Please consider donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is such an amazing organization. You can simply click on the "Donate Now" widget below, or by visiting my fundraising page for more information.

Thanks for reading and sticking with me through my ever changing journey,

Kerry <3

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/halfnyc13/kerrychomas

Learn to Dance in the Rain

 Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain. Live life to the fullest. Seize the day. Just do it. All of these catchy quotes mean basically the same thing, and they all are increasingly meaningful to me as I continue on my journey through this crazy thing called life.

Nothing makes you think about life more than death. My Great-Grandmother Helen passed away a few weeks ago. She was 104 years old. I am so lucky, I can't remember life without her. This picture to the right is Great Grandma at age 80 when I was only a few months old. She taught me so many things. My brother and I learned how to play poker at Great Grandma's house, and to my parent's embarrassment we proudly made that announcement at children's word during the next Sunday morning's church service. Once, Great Grandma came to visit and taught us how to make homemade pierogi's. She had an amazing sense of humor. One time we visited her in the nursing home; we woke her up after she had fallen asleep to tell her we had arrived in TX. She opened her eyes, looked around at all of us and said "Well...I guess I'm not dead yet!" my immediate response was "Well, I sure hope not!". She and the rest of the family burst out laughing. Great-Grandma knew exactly what I was doing with my life, she is probably the only person who knows that I'm an Occupational Therapist(not a physical therapist, nurse, or a teacher), and she knew exactly what that meant. I brought my fiance (boyfriend at the time) to meet her one summer, and the next time I went to visit before even saying hello she demanded to know where that "nice young man" was. My father kept her up on all our lives in his weekly letters to her, but she also truly cared about her family and friends. My Great Grandma has always been a source of inspiration and motivation in my life, and as I continue on this fitness and weight loss journey she is my ever present source of strength. She was the strongest person I know, and if she could make it through 104 years of life then I can do this. 

So what have I been doing? My little baby brother graduated from college in May. He is now attending graduate school in Boulder, CO for his Ph.D in Physical Chemistry. Go to youtube, watch a clip of "The Big Bang Theory". I think my brother Sheldon, I mean Andrew's life is quite similar =)

In June, I ran a 5k race with my awesome gym friends. I made a new friend and surprised myself by being able to jog intervals with her and finish the race without feeling awful. So now I bought myself a fancy Nike Sportwatch which  helps me keep track of 3 minute run, 1 minute walk intervals. So far this week I have ran 3 times. The nice thing about being a beginner runner is that every time you run, you make some kind of improvement.

I haven't weighed myself lately. The scale can be a source of motivation - but can also be a huge source of anxiety. The number on the scale is not as important as how your clothes fit, or how you feel. When I eat right and exercise consistently I feel amazing. Now that I am running more frequently, I hope to increase my cardio endurance and stamina. I keep surprising myself at the gym by being able to use heavier and heavier kettlebells. As I get stronger, I get leaner. My arms are getting smaller, and my body shape is morphing. I love what is happening to my body. It's not always about your looks, but the thought of wedding dress shopping in the not so distant future sure can get you through some tough workouts =) The picture to the left is me trying on my very first LBD (little black dress). I am not a dress person, probably because they never looked good on me....but I love this picture, I think I look as good as I feel for the first time ever. And yes, I bought the dress and received many compliments while wearing it =)

In other news, Jay and I are moving soon! We found a house to rent in Monroe, CT in a very residential area. We will be across the street from a golf course, less than a mile from a winery, and have a big yard for Bear. I am excited, but stressed at the thought of moving again - this will be my 4th move in 2 years. I should be good at moving by now! Hope everyone is enjoying life, and thanks for reading! <3

Push ups, Races and Flashbacks...Oh My!

My dear friend Molly reminded me just now that I haven't updated my blog in awhile...oops! Thanks for the reminder Boo, and just because I love you here is a fabulous picture of us from forever and ages ago =) 

FLASHBACK! ------------->

So what have I been up to? 

In March I participated in St. Jude Children's Hospital push-up challenge. I asked friends and family to donate 50 cents or $1 for every push up that I could complete in 90 seconds. I ended up with a grand total of 36 push ups! I raised over $600 towards Punch Gym's grand total of $4,000. A huge THANK YOU to all my friends and family who supported me for this event!!!

(push ups) 

On April 1st I ran my very first 5k race! I finished in about 43 minutes which I think is a pretty good starting place. I certainly have room for improvement...but I am extremely proud of myself that I even finished! I jog/walked it, maybe one of these days I'll be able to run the entire time.

(5k race)

This is the Punch Gym crew "Team Punch" that ran the 5k....2 other people ran but didn't make the picture because they were too busy running a half marathon *eek!* 

Here is Jay and I at the finish line...I think it would make a GREAT engagement picture....poster size....in Dad's office. HA! Just kidding!!!

In other news the school year is almost over! With the final stretch comes last minute reports, stressful meetings, and lots of paperwork. I've been trying very hard to stay diligent to my Primal/Paleo lifestyle...but life just gets in the way sometimes. I'm not making excuses! I'm just being honest. My biggest temptations are pizza and ice cream *sigh* I am also lazy, so I have to be very careful to keep healthy food in the house at all times, or I am much more likely to cheat.  I look forward to the summer when I only work half days and can put more time into planning meals and go to the gym every day. That being said I continue to steadily lose weight (not nearly as much as I did last summer) but that gives me even more reason to be excited about this summer! I feel stronger than ever...even though I whine and roll my eyes a lot in class...I really enjoy using heavier and heavier weights. I even think being physically stronger has made me mentally stronger and more assertive in my professional life. 


Oh p.s and by the way......I am officially a size 14 pant size, bordering on a size 12. That in and of itself is AWESOME! =D 
(oh my!)


Hope everyone is doing well and thanks for reading! 

Love Always,
Kerry & Bear (my 4-legged editor)

How far will you go?

     I don't really have a bucket list - but if I did hiking the Phoneline Trail in Tuscon, AZ would be near the top. Let me explain. My cousins (on Dad's side) live in Tuscon, AZ. For as long as I can remember we have been going to AZ to visit family. The last time I went was in 2008. The one and only hike I did,  I remember being miserable. Looking back it probably was because I was incredibly overweight and completely out of shape. Anyway - my brother and Dad did the 9 mile  Phoneline Trail, which is a hike into and out of Sabino Canyon in Tuscon, AZ....I stayed "with the girls" and went shopping instead. At the time it didn't think it bothered me, but looking back it bothered me immensely. I just wouldn't (maybe couldn't?) admit it to myself. 

     After seeing my weight loss success, Bob & Vicki invited me to AZ specifically to hike the Phoneline Trail. I immediately started making plans, that's when I started realizing how much starting and finishing that hike would mean to me. It was something that wasn't even an option a few years ago because of my health. Completing this hike through the desert has been my goal ever since.

     I have to admit that I was nervous I wouldn't be able to finish it. First of all I am not a quiet person, I've told EVERYONE my goal, and what if I let everyone down? Most importantly I was scared I would let myself down. However, *dramatic drum roll please* I DID IT!! We finished the 9 mile hike in about 6 hours. I proved so much to myself, I don't know if it has even all sunk in yet. 

     So here we go, things I have learned by hiking 6 hours through the desert...

1. I am in no way shape or form the same girl I used to be...and that's ok.

2. All those hours at Punch Gym have really paid off!!!

3. I can do anything I set my mind to.

4. As long as you keep putting one step in front of the other you will eventually reach your goal.

5. Band-aids are super important to remember on long hikes!

6. Nature is beautiful. 

7. Drink water, and then drink more water.

8. Nothing is as humbling as having a 70s-ish year old couple blow by you on the trail.

9. I need to really work on my cardio endurance.

10. Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.

     One amazing unexpected gift was a disc of pictures that Bob has taken over the years (THANKS BOB!!).  Looking back to the last time I was in AZ I literally started crying. I don't remember ever looking like I do in the pictures. I went through such a broad range of emotions from shock, anger and disbelief eventually to happiness and pride at how far I've come.

     I've come such a long way, but I will be the first to admit I have a long way to go. I think this vacation has given me the inspiration and breath of fresh air that I needed to re-charge and remind myself to keep pluggin along. Reflecting on the past has always been the best motivation for me. 

     Hope everyone has been enjoying the mild winter, and I'm personally praying that spring/summer/sunshine comes sooner rather than later =)

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." 
-- T.S. Eliot

20 seconds of insane courage

Happy New Year!

     It is now 2012, my wedding is still more than a year away.....17 months and 12 days to be exact (Thanks Jay, my hunky human calculator!) The resolution I made last year was the same as every other year: lose weight. I joined a gym but slowly stopped going (as usual) and kind of gave up (as usual). Then I joined Punch Gym in May...not because of a resolution, but because I finally became so disgusted with myself I needed to take drastic measures. I am an excellent procrastinator and an even better excuse maker.  Finding Punch Gym in Norwalk, CT was the best discovery I have ever made. Punch Gym has really given me the support I need to make the changes I desperately needed to make in my life. The trainers are the most amazing people I've ever met. They should hate me for all the whining and complaining I do in class, but instead they push me hard, and stay positive 24/7... I am so lucky and blessed to have found them. 

     Since joining (May, 2010) I became a "Rockstar" of the month in October, competed in a Strongwomen competition later that month, won the gym's Body Balance Challenge in November, and an essay contest about what Art of Strength (the type and theory of exercises we do at Punch) over Thanksgiving. I feel overwhelmed looking back at it all. I don't know what I thought was going to happen....but I did not for-see any events of the last few months.  My latest discovery is that since May I have lost 50 pounds. Here is my very first "before and after" picture.

     I can't talk about my success without mentioning my new Primal lifestyle. The key to my success has been nutritional counseling from Stef Tropea and following the "Primal Blueprint". It's not a diet, it's eating in a nutritious and natural way that your body craves. By eating more meat, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats and cutting out processed foods, grains, starchy foods and sugar I have seen HUGE results compared to just exercising. When I do eat  processed foods (like I did over the holidays) I feel sluggish and crappy. The past week I've gone back to purely primal and I feel amazing. I have enough energy to work 10 hours and throw in a 45 minute workout at Punch before heading home to cook dinner, take care of the dog and  finish writing reports (and updating this blog LOL). When I'm not eating primal I simply can't do it. When you stuff yourself full of chemicals and fake processed food your body naturally rebels and shuts down. Optimally fueling your body turns losing 10-20 pounds into 50 pounds.

     So it's a new year, meaning new resolutions correct? I never made a goal of how much weight I wanted to lose because in the past when I've reached that certain I think "Yeah! I can cheat now!" and I don't want to give myself that temptation. I think the most important resolution for me is to keep showing up for workouts. If I show up I have all the faith in the world that my trainers will push me for results...there is no slacking off at my gym, you show up and you are guaranteed an intense workout. You just have to take a deep breath and walk through the doors. I just saw "We Bought a Zoo" and my new favorite quote is...


" Yου know, sometimes аll уου need іѕ twenty seconds οf insane courage. Jυѕt literally twenty seconds οf јυѕt embarrassing bravery. And I promise уου, something grеаt wіll come οf іt."


Enough said.

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~

=)