Hi Kristine! Please tell us about yourself.
Hi all, I was born in a small town in Washington but moved to an island here in AK in 1986. We moved to Anchorage in 1989 and I’ve been here since. I have a wonderful husband and two children, our son is 14 and our daughter is 11. I enjoy spending time with our families; game nights with all of the adults and of course my alone time – reading, writing, napping.
How long have you been working with FF, and what initially motivated you to seek us out?
I started attending FF classes in June of 2015. Initially I was intrigued by what Sydney Roth Peterson told me about her work outs, the intensity of them and frequency. Her results spoke volumes to me. I sent an email and asked to join a session. I remember my first workout; tough, intense and I felt like a fish out of water. I was hooked – I really enjoy every workout.
In that time, what kind of progress have you made?
My progress …. AKA … HARD & consistent work is REALLY paying off. Changing my lifestyle, my eating habits and figuring out how to make my physical and mental well-being a priority. I started FF in June 2015 and at that time my stats were:
June 23, 2015:
Weight: 166
Body Fat %: 27.4%
August 15, 2015:
Weight: 167
Body Fat %: 26.4%
November 10, 2015
Weight: 154.8
Body Fat %: 19.1%
Within five months I have lost 12.2 lbs., gone down 4 pant sizes, one full shirt size and three cup sizes in bras.
When I started FF, I couldn’t hold a plank for 20 seconds, wasn’t able to do a single push up and I had a mental block of having any ability to lose weight.
You recently participated in our Fall Transformation Challenge. What were your goals going into the Challenge, and how did the achievement of those goals change your life?
I had three major goals:
- Lose 4 pounds
- Lose 4% body fat
- To do 5 consecutive pushups in correct form
Folks, I ROCKED these goals. I had NO idea that I was going to be able to accomplish them. I started off thinking the goals were outlandish and unachievable. My stinkin’ thinking was so wrong.
I worked my butt off, literally ☺
I lost a total of 12.2 pounds, 7.3% body fat and 5 pushups aren’t even a question anymore.
I feel like I’m able to “keep up” at boot camp, to push myself harder than ever and achieve new goals regularly. Will I ever be at a “perfect” weight or physical condition? Probably not, this is just fine. I enjoy the maintenance of my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. I’ll always strive to be better than I was the day before.
You regularly attend Boot Camp classes each week. What are a few of your favorite things about Boot Camp?
#1 BEST thing – all of the encouragement and camaraderie within our FF family. The welcoming feeling that is extended to guests or new comers is one of a kind.
I appreciate that I can be in the middle of a workout and if I forget what form or what an exercise is anyone is willing to help, sometimes I don’t even have to ask.
What are a few of your favorite muscle groups to train? How about a few of your favorite exercises? My #1 Fav group to train is my arms and glutes.
I have a true love/hate relationship with squats. I like doing them, I LOVE the results, my husband loves the results he’s seeing and I like that. We do a lot of deadlifts, goblet squats, kettle bell swings, walking lunges – each exercise working my thighs and glutes
My arms, developing these muscles is as easy as….. Wait, it’s not but it’s worth it! I’ve found success with utilizing the TRX – that inverted row gets the job done.
What are a few of the most important diet and exercise related habits you’ve adopted over the last 7 months?
NO SODA! I haven’t had a soda in a year now & I don’t drink alcoholic beverages. Drastic food changes for me – sugar cravings. They can be treacherous at times but if I stick to my plan and grab apple slices with peanut butter or fruit I’m usually okay. Truth of the matter is that I like to snack. I’ve substituted most of my snacking for healthier options. BUT I do eat the occasional candy bar and chips. I don’t feel guilty anymore, I allow myself to indulge and I’m learning to not beat myself up emotionally and mentally for doing so.
What are a few goals that you have planned for 2016?
Physical goals – stomach six pack by August 2016, working out twice a week, outside of boot camp and running an entire half marathon by August.
Mental goal – continue being more positive with myself/about myself.
We are on our way to being nearly debt free, We’ll continue to have one car payment and then a mortgage by the end of 2016 or Summer 2017.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get in shape but may not know where to begin?
Look ahead – what do you want to see of yourself? Write down three things, for each staged goal, you want to achieve – immediate goal, short term and long term. The goals don’t have to all be specific to your fitness but should incorporate it.
Track everything, good, bad and ugly.
What has worked best for you in starting, and sticking with a healthy diet and exercise routine?
Become willing to go to any length to better myself. Also remember that you only have 24 hours in a day. No matter how hard I try I can only do so much and I have had to accept that fact.
I started little by little – signed up for My Fitness Pal (MFP) and logged everything I ate for the first week, revisited my food log for that week and then cut out one or two “unhealthy” things. I made a commitment to attending BC twice a week and then I incorporated Saturday boot camp as well. I work out at home as well and I have two accountability partners I check in with on a regular basis.
I am honest and upfront about where I’m at mentally and physically.
Do this for YOU. You are the only one who can determine what you can, will and are doing on this journey.
Oh, and get rid of the pre-programed fad diet result thoughts. This is a lifelong journey. You want results, work for them.