Bootcamp with Sandra Compton

Hey everyone!

Wow, what an incredible week!  Everything from my toes to my eyelashes hurt from bootcamp, but I love it!  Initially I wasn’t going to write about my experience until after the 6 weeks were over, but there is just too much to say.  I would end up writing a novel if I waited! 

So I guess I should begin with how I decided to do Sandra’s bootcamp.  She has been telling me about it for a very long time.  It always sounded so nice, but for other people.  I was too scared to join!  I thought I had to be fit to do a bootcamp.  I didn’t think I would be able to do it, so why bother signing up for something if you already “know” you are going to fail?  Right?  WRONG!

Sandra and I went for coffee and had a major gab session which ended in me telling her I would do her bootcamp :)  I was still scared out of my mind, but I decided I needed her help to achieve my fitness goals.  Then Sylvia shared that poster (Bootcamp Poster) on Facebook and she asked “Who is coming with me?!” and I decided to make the commitment (you know, Facebook Official LOL) and I commented saying that I would see her there!  Immediately I went out and bought some tops and new socks.  What can I say, I love shopping, for any reason.  Going to bootcamp?  You need some new socks, girl.  Yup, I said it!

I paid the fees and then started bootcamp on March 4^th!

When I walked in the doors, I was certain that I wouldn’t know anyone but there was Jennifer and she gave me a hug and welcomed me.  It was so nice to see a familiar face as soon as I walked in!  I ended up knowing quite a few ladies, so that was really nice!  Although it doesn’t much matter, in case you are a newbie considering coming to the next session of bootcamp, and don’t know anyone, you are so busy doing your own thing, that you don’t have a chance to feel like a loaner :P

Our first task was to run 5 laps and I thought ok let’s go balls to the wall!  Bad idea lol.  I was toast after 2 laps.  I brought myself back to reality and reminded myself that I needed to ease into things.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Sandra offered many encouraging words throughout the evening – one of my favourites being: “Do not cheat yourself; this is YOUR workout, not mine!”  It made me push myself that extra bit further.  She was right; I shouldn’t cheat myself out of a great workout and the results that will inevitably follow, by half-assing it.  I needed to find my comfort zone and safely push past it.  I won’t get the results I want, unless I FIGHT for it!  I ended that first night of bootcamp in happy tears.  It was really hard but there I was; I finished!  I didn’t sit anything out, I didn’t let my insecurities get in the way of my goals and my dreams.  I made a promise to myself and I was sticking with it.  It felt so good :)

I had two bubble baths between Tuesday night and Thursday night; wow I was so sore!  But I LOVED it!  It was a reminder of the effort I put into my workout and it made me feel proud!

Then we had our second night, just this past Thursday and I was pumped.  Aside from the stinky boxing gloves (inner germaphobe FREAKING OUT here!) it was an incredible night.  We worked together and pushed each other to succeed.  It truly is a team of incredible women in there who are all working toward the same goal.  We ended the night with some yoga and this is where it hit me.  I had a new found respect for my coach.  I absolutely love Sandra and truly believe that she was put in my life for a reason.  And on Thursday night it clicked and I realized I hadn’t seen her in her element before.  I had only heard her talk about it.  It was beautiful and I could feel how passionate she is about her calling in life.  At that moment, during yoga, the tears began to silently fall and I was just overcome with emotion, adoration, and respect for my friend.  I am blessed to call her my friend and grateful to call her my coach.  I wouldn’t want anyone other than her beside me through this journey – love you girl!

Then there is Peaches ;) Girl, you make me laugh and make me feel SO comfortable, THANK YOU!  I told you that I think I can learn a lot from you, and I meant it.  Even though we haven’t known each other that long, I feel like you are the big sister I never had and that you are going to teach me how to be more sure of myself and be a little crazy – not so sweet and quiet all the time lol!  On the first night of bootcamp, I was one of the last to finish my walking lunges and even though you were done with your 3 laps, you came back and did them with me to the finish line so I didn’t finish alone.  You will never know how much that meant to me.  I truly appreciate your friendship, and I hope it lasts a lifetime!

Ladies, if any of you reading this are looking for a way to get out there and get healthy – I highly recommend that you join the next session of bootcamp.  I know I have only been at it for one week, but I guarantee if you sign up, you won’t regret it.  I don't need 5 more weeks to be confident in that statement.  This is a team of women who are here to support each other and work on their goals.  There is no drama, no BS.  It is hard, but if you come in ready to give it your all, you will have an entire room filled with women who will help you achieve your goals – you never finish alone.

To all of the ladies attending this session of camp, I really look forward to getting to know you better :)

xoxox

K

Blast from the Past

Hey everyone!

I was at the mall picking up a few things that I had forgotten to grab yesterday and all of the sudden I felt something in the pit of my stomach, saying STOP.  I slowed down and turned to my right and I saw someone I haven’t seen in many, many years.  I will leave out names, connections, etc. as I don’t want any privacy issues – I might share a lot of my life, but that’s just me.

Anyway, I wanted to just keep walking but I couldn’t, I literally felt a pull toward her.  She was talking to someone and I interrupted and I immediately regretted it but I also wouldn’t have changed a thing.  I feel like I interrupted that conversation for a reason.  It was just sketchy.

We walked for a bit and all I could think of is OMG I just want to hug her and tell her it’s going to be okay… Perhaps I should preface this by saying that I am INCREDIBLY in touch with emotion.  When I see someone hurting, it rips my heart in half.  Sometimes I can feel how much they are hurting even if they don’t show it on their face – that was what happened here.  I have known this person for so long and seeing her today and remembering what she was like before, broke my heart.

I will never know for certain what that conversation I interrupted was about, or what is really going on in her life – but man… I am so glad I made certain decisions in my life that led me down an entirely different path.

It got me thinking how close I was to living the same type of life as her – having her reality be my own.  It shook me to my core.  We are ALL one decision away from changing our lives – for better or worse.

That is pretty scary when you think of it! 

I truly believe that things happen for a reason, and I believe that the universe just aligned and I was destined to see her.  Because to be honest, I couldn’t find a parking spot at the mall to save my life so I was just going to leave and come back later in the week.  I decided to make one more loop around and there was a spot.  I almost didn’t go in there.  This opportunity was almost missed.

Decisions are hard and they are scary sometimes, but I think it should be that way, for some things.  Decisions should require time, thought, and consideration.  You are painting the picture of your life, one brush stroke at a time.  Be conscious of that.  Making the decision to go back to school is hard, expensive, and means you will have to sacrifice a lot – but if you give it enough time and thought, you will be able to decide if it is the best choice for you.  Maybe it will open more doors for you!  Same goes for deciding to live a healthier lifestyle – it is hard but it is worth it.  It also requires daily decisions to stay healthy.  It doesn’t just happen after you “decide to be healthy” – it is a work in progress!

My point in sharing this with you is just to remind you that we are in charge of our lives.  Things may happen that are out of our control, but you can always change the situation you are in.

Anyway, I hope that she got something from seeing me today, however brief it was, and that it will help her somehow.  That is all I can hope for :)  If by any chance she sees this, know that it isn’t written with judgement at all – just straight from the heart.

“You're more beautiful than you know, more talented than you think, and more loved than you can imagine.”  ― Kandee Johnson

So, I did a juice cleanse

It’s review time!

 So, I did a juice cleanse.

 I have heard so much about juice cleanses – how amazing they are and then some talk about how horrible they are.  If you know me, you know I had to find out for myself.  I can never just take someone’s word for it.  So I did some research to find a local Juicer – I wanted my first juice cleanse to be excuse free, so I wanted someone else to do the juicing.  I came across Total Cleanse out of Toronto and they had a 14% off New Year deal so I jumped at the opportunity. 

I am going to review the experience as well as a quick review of Total Cleanse.

Juicing Experience:

I ordered the following juices for 5 days – Green Energy, Very Berry, Red Energy, & Lemon Rush.

Green Energy - Includes: Fresh cucumber, celery, kale, lettuces, parsley, lemon, apple, romaine lettuce

Very Berry - Includes: Strawberry, pineapple, blueberry, apple, lemon

Red Energy - Includes: Beet, carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon, ginger

Lemon Rush - Includes: Lemon, cayenne, maple syrup, filtered water

The juices were pretty tasty, but I have definitely created better juices at home.  The Green Energy was very green.  For me it was just too much – I would’ve really appreciated more apple and less cucumber.  The Very Berry was FANTASTIC!  It tasted like pink Starburst.  However, after day 2 – it became WAY too sweet!  Red Energy was pretty hard to get through – the beets tasted like dirt.  Ick!  Finally, the Lemon Rush was very refreshing but way too spicy.  I really enjoyed the maple syrup – it was a really nice aftertaste. 

Day One – I was very excited to get started.  Green Energy #1 – down the hatch!  Lemon Rush #1 – OMG SPICY!  Very Berry – Delicious!  Lemon Rush #2 – Still REALLY spicy!  Green Energy #2 – I miss hot food…

When I started the day I was very excited to do this!  Totally pumped and ready to go!  By the end of the day the withdrawal symptoms began to set in and it was horrible.  I don’t mean “wahhh I want chocolate…”  It was BAD!  I had a nasty headache, bad mood, intense cravings for anything and everything, and I wanted to give up.  I knew that it was going to be hard but I had no idea I would go through sugar withdrawals.  I had the sweats and I looked like I belonged in a detox room at rehab next to Lindsay Lohan.  I pushed through and made it to day two.

Day Two – Ugh.  I am the type of person who loves (temperature) hot food.  I hate cold food.  So waking up to a cold glass of grass juice was not my idea of fun, but I had a goal and I was determined not to give up.  I powered down my first juice and made it through to the third juice, Very Berry.  After that one, I just didn’t want to eat/drink at all.  It wasn’t fun and exciting and I didn’t feel like the benefits would outweigh the challenges.  I kept pushing through!

Day Three – Meh.  I didn’t really want to juice, so I just didn’t eat or drink anything.  I had a few sips here and there.  That was it.  It immediately brought back those familiar demons… “Don’t eat food, it will make you fat”, “As soon as you start eating again you are going to gain 50 lbs… better get used to feeling hungry”… Thankfully I was able to recognize that slippery slope and I cut the cleanse off after that.  Saturday morning I woke up and had breakfast – real, hot, delicious healthy food :)

Now – I know that all sounds really negative… but I did learn/experience a few things that made it worth it for me.

1)      Foods that my body doesn’t respond well to

a.       Gluten sucks.  That is all.

 

 

b.      Dairy – we aren’t full out enemies, but I really dislike you.

c.       Sugar – It’s over!  I’m sorry, it’s not me.  It’s you.

2)      Mental Strength

a.       Even though I wanted to throw in the towel, I kept pushing and I showed myself that I can take myself as far as I want to!

b.      On the flip side, I also recognized that I can stop myself from going down a slippery slope.  I don’t need to give in to those food issues – I am stronger than that.

3)      10 pounds GONE!

a.       I thought for sure this would come back as soon as I started eating solid food again, but I have managed to keep it off!  It’s a pretty sweet way to end a pretty tough challenge!

 

Days After the Cleanse – Pumped.  I’m glad that I did the cleanse but I don’t think I would recommend it.  It is almost more of a mental challenge than physical and I don’t think it is a healthy choice for women who are on their journey to a healthier body.  I DO, however, highly recommend including juicing into your everyday lifestyle.  Juicing (or making smoothies) is a fantastic way to get in a lot of nutrients that can be a bit of a challenge to do when eating them whole.  Plus I love having juice with my breakfast and I can do it guilt-free when I make it all myself.  I don’t have to worry about added sugars and/or concentrated juices from the grocery store.  I know exactly what is going into my juice :)

Total Cleanse:

I wasn’t blown away by Total Cleanse.  Without getting into all of the nit-picky details, I would suggest looking into all of your options (if you are interested in trying a cleanse) and asking a lot of questions.  Make your own informed decisions :)

Bottom Line:

I would not recommend a juice-only cleanse, but I would recommend including juicing/smoothies into your daily routine!

Blog Update!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to address my NEW blog name and URL! 

I feel like my blog is about much more than fitness.  It is about life and everything that comes along with it!  So I felt it was important to update the blog name and description.

I started this blog so I could share my experiences with the world!  I love telling stories and helping others by sharing bits of my life.  Whether you are here because you want to know about the latest arrivals at Sephora or because you need some motivation to stay on track with your health and fitness goals or perhaps you stumbled onto my blog because you were looking for some advice... You have come to the right place.

This is the kind of blog that reads like a conversation with your girlfriends - it's relaxed and I hope that after you've read a few posts, you leave feeling inspired.
 
Grab a cup of tea and settle in, we have a lot to cover :)

Until next time,
Kayla