Are you a TOUGH MUDDER?!

Hey everyone!  I have some exciting news to tell you all!  I will be participating in the TOUGH MUDDER Event in August and it is going to be an incredible challenge and experience!  If you have never heard of TOUGH MUDDER, here is a little blurb describing what they are all about:

“Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. As the leading company in the booming obstacle course industry, Tough Mudder has already challenged half a million inspiring participants worldwide and raised more than $2 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days.”

For more information, click here.

Here is a video you can watch that shows you what the event is like:

TOUGH MUDDER 2012

Now, after watching this you are probably wondering “WHYYYY ARE YOU DOING THIS KAYLA?!?!?!”, right?  Well, you all know that I am working out with Craig and the changes we’re planning for are huge!  I never really push myself and this (training with Craig) is the FIRST time I have truly pushed myself and put myself in a situation that isn’t easy for me to perfect.  TOUGH MUDDER is going to be the ultimate test of my ability; physically and emotionally.  I really feel like I NEED to do this!  After I finish my training with Craig I think I need something to “Ice the Cake” so to speak… I need to prove to myself that I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to.  What better way than pushing my body to the ABSOLUTE limit?!

Now, don’t take this the wrong way… Training with Craig has already been an incredible physical and emotional journey.  For those of you who know me, you should already know that I respect and appreciate Craig and all he has done for me/with me so far!  Training with him is the only reason I even CONSIDERED doing this event and it was only with his “blessing” I made the decision and signed up!

In addition to training with Craig 3 times a week, starting in May I will be training on Saturday’s at a gym in Hamilton with my team and we will be getting our bodies ready for this event!  I am so excited! 

If you are interested in coming to watch or if you want to participate just let me know! 

I hope you enjoyed this post and I will talk to you all very soon!

K

Let's Begin!

Welcome!

This is my first post on the new blog :)  I thought I would begin by introducing myself...  My name is Kayla and I have decided to make some big changes in my life.  I was never a skinny girl and I don't plan on becoming one.  What I DO want is to strengthen my body and have a more toned, lean physique.  I started my journey in September when I decided enough was enough.  I didnt want to have to find an outfit that looked good, I wanted to throw on a pair of jeans and a T-Shirt and run out the door without giving it any more thought.  So, my plan of action?  I cut gluten and sugar out of my diet entirely.  At first it was incredibly challenging!  I was grouchy and hungry all the time and all I wanted to do was hook myself up to a sugar IV drip and let the sugar high wash away the cravings.  I did not give in and it DID get better.  It took me about 5 days to detox and get the sugar out of my system and then I noticed some MAJOR changes in my mood and body.  It was like someone flipped a switch, I had all of this energy that I hadn't had before and I never felt bloated or uncomfortable anymore.  I loved it!  I was hitting the gym several times a week and the pounds were coming off.  It was wonderful and I had lost 25 lbs all by myself!  I was very proud :)

Then the lull hit...

All of the sudden those dietary changes and workouts weren't cutting it!  I wasn't losing anymore weight!  The stress of exams had actually caused me to put on some weight.  I wasn't feeling so happy anymore so I reached out to a friend and she suggested I train with her personal trainer.  I was skeptical at first to be honest.  I felt like there was no hope for me. 

*Weight and body image has been a big issue for me for most of my life.  If anyone is interested in hearing more about overcoming body image issues just comment below and I will go into more detail* 

Nonetheless, I took her up on her suggestion and made an appointment to see a personal trainer.  That is the day my life truly changed.  He told me that my goals were ATTAINABLE!  I could become a physically strong woman with a feminine physique.  I was not too far gone...

We picked a day, December 21, 2011 and started working out!  I was beyond nervous for my first workout.  I was worried about what to wear, would I sweat to much, would people look at me weird for being in the "guys section" of the gym?  I had all of these insecurities floating around in my head but I told them all to take a hike because nothing was going to stop me from achieving my goals!  With 5 minutes to go until the end of my first workout, I started feeling "off" and had to end it early.  I had pushed myself so hard and did not have enough food in my system so I ended up getting sick.  It was an incredibly embarrassing moment (actually 25 minutes) but I have now figured out when I need to eat my meals so I am fuelled up and ready to work out!

*More on meals in a later post*

It took me FIVE days to recover from that first workout but I wouldn't have changed a thing!  Even the barfing...  It showed me that a little sweat and a little barf won't kill me.  It's not "gross", it shows I worked my ASS off and pushed myself to the limit!  Since then I have had 4 more sessions with my trainer (I am excluding names until I get permission to use names) and I feel fantastic!

I have lost 14 lbs since Dec 21, bringing my total to 32 lbs lost since September!

I am so excited about this journey and have met some wonderful people so far that I know will be with me every step of the way. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and I will talk to you all very soon!

~ K