The 2013 Heartbreaker Challenge Awards

You may have heard that about a week ago I participated in my first race ever. Needless to say I am pretty proud of that bib I received the Friday before in my race package.

Last January 1^st, clearly still drunk from the night prior’s festivities, I asked four other amazing women if they wanted to take part in the Detroit Free Press Marathon Relay this coming October. This was going to be my first race ever, and I would have the same amount of time to train for it, as most people gestate humans. That same week, my friend Gillian, who must have been hammered, got wild hair and decided the Heartbreaker Challenge would be great to add to our race schedule for the year…

Do you want to read how I waded through a 200 meter ditch, and see who won the award for best package? Head over to Axfit to read the rest of this post! http://axfit.com/the-2013-heartbreaker-challenge-awards/

Dear Axfit Boyfriends

Dear Axfit Boyfriends,

Exhibit A

It’s now been 6 months since I have been an Adrenaline Junkie, and a few of you are lucky enough to be on The List. What this list includes is a carefully selected group of my boyfriends. The List is very special and I only put my favourite people on it. I have an extraordinary list of celebrity boyfriends. They range from rock stars (See Exhibit A: He loves me too) and pop stars to country stars (even if their music makes my ears bleed). There are hockey, football and baseball players on The List. Occasionally, I will even adopt a new favourite band or team if the right boyfriend is on it. I recently broke up with Tom Brady (because his wife carries his man parts in her purse) and my Patriots to become a Detroit Lions Fan…helllllooooo Reggie Bush! The List also includes doctors, teachers and random Cubans from my recent vacation. No one is safe from my list. My husband knows of my list and even refers to my boyfriends as such. He’s a good husband.

Do you want to read the rest of this post and try to figure out which Adrenaline Junkies made The List? Head on over to Axfit.com to read it!

http://axfit.com/dear-axfit-boyfriends/

Do you think I can be in a size 2 before Sunday?

Remember a little while back, I told you how I was going to make sure that I made some time for my husband and me? Well, we are leaving this Sunday for vacation, for an entire week…without kids! Naturally I will miss them like crazy but we need to spend a little time recharging. Mike has been working between 60-70 hours a week, most days 11+ hours, and even working many Sundays since November.

Clearly I am joking about being in a size two before Sunday. Maybe a four? In all seriousness I am just thrilled that I am bringing clothes with me that I have been unable to wear for years! Even though I am still not even near my goal weight, I will wear clothes more confidently in Cuba and feel great while I am there. While the German guests in Speedos may not appreciate my physique, but I know how hard I am working so that’s all that matters!

While we were searching for resorts I had specific criteria…

Do you want to read more about where I am going and my 100th Adrenaline Class? Check it out here: http://axfit.com/do-you-think-i-can-be-in-a-size-2-by-sunday/

Harlem Shake – Axfit Style

Originally posted on Axfit.com by Danielle and Chris…our Harlem Shake choreographers! 😀

“The “Harlem Shake” has swept the internet by storm over the past few weeks and I don’t know about all of you, but I LOVE IT. Needless to say, we had to do our own “Adrenaline” version of the Harlem Shake with all of the Junkies. Thanks to everyone at tonight’s class for taking part, what a blast!

Check the Adrenaline Junkie version out below. DON’T FORGET TO SHARE!”

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, “No, no, no!”

Addiction is a powerful thing. I never really understood withdrawal until I went personally through detox. It was three days of pure hell. I had massive headaches, stomach cramps and extreme fatigue. I was literally bed ridden to the point that my mother had to take my girls for an afternoon so I could sleep it off. I was in fact, an addict.

I can’t really remember when my addiction began. I am guessing it’s been 20 or so years. At first it was just a casual thing, once or twice a week. It quickly became every day and then several times a day. I would quit on occasion for a day or so, but it kept calling me back for one more taste. My name is Angela, and I am a recovering…

Do you want to read more about my addiction and recovery? I am blogging over at axfit.com today! You can read the rest of this post, here: http://axfit.com/they-tried-to-make-me-go-to-rehab-i-said-no-no-no/

Working Through the Crap

Yesterday was the epitome of shitty days.

When I say it was a shitty day, I mean that literally.

There was actual shit on my day.

It smelled about as bad as my entire day felt.

Click on over to read about Shittageddon 2013 at axfit.com.

http://axfit.com/working-through-the-crap/

Wanna Bet?

You can also read this post here, along with a lot of other awesome posts from Axfit MOSUs!

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution this year? Contrary to years past, where I resolved to do something I would work at frantically, then quit after about 96 hours into the year (Check out Life With Ladies thoughts on Resolutions), I have decided the following for 2013:

1. I will set attainable goals for myself (and push myself to reach these goals), personally and professionally.
2. I will be the best me I can, personally and professionally.
3. I will be happy with what I have what I have while I pursue all that I want.

According to the University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology, the #1 New Year’s Resolution of 2012 was to lose weight. I am pretty sure it’s a safe to presume that it’s also the top resolution made this year. While it is not a ‘resolution’ to lose weight for me, I am on a path to health and happiness that I am nowhere near finished!

Do you have a few pounds to lose? Resolution or not, how about we make a friendly wager? I bet you I can lose 4% of my weight in just four weeks. Do you think you can do the same? I have made a Dietbet and I would like you to join me!

First, read the rules of the Dietbet carefully: http://www.dietbet.com/rules

Then, head over to my Dietbet page and sign up. It’s only a $20 bet. Just think, that’s less than a large pizza (that you likely won’t want to eat during the next 4 weeks anyhow).

Weigh in (read the rules carefully about how to do this properly) by Sunday January 6^th, 2013 and let’s do this!! Everyone who loses 4% of their weight is entitled to an equal portion* of the pot! (You can also donate your winnings to charity!) It’s easy!!

Are you in? http://www.dietbet.com/games/5627

*Dietbet does take a small portion of the pot before it is divided among those who reach their target weight

And We Have a WINNER!!

This post can also be read, here.

You may have heard of a little contest called The Fit Life Challenge?

On October 1^st of this year, I was meeting up with my card club. (Note: We do not play cards) Earlier that day I had seen a Facebook post about this competition called the Fit Life Challenge. I had heard about this crazy Danielle Chevalier chick, and her following of fitness people. I was at a good place diet wise, and working with an amazing nutritionist. I told the ladies about this contest and how I was thinking about entering. THINKING was the key word. How serious I was about applying doesn’t really matter now, because that conversation literally changed my life.

Within an hour of being home that night I received a text from my friend, Ryan (who happens to be my friend’s husband). He informed me that he had written a letter to Axfit, nominating me, and had already received a reply. PARDON ME? What the WHAT? I hadn’t even told my husband, my mother or my BFF about it! So after that, plus an additional 30 or so nominations, including one from myself, there was no turning back.

A few days later I received an email asking me to meet at the Old Town Sweet Shop in Walkerville. Yes, a sweet shop. My first thought was that they were going to lock all of the applicants in and see who caves and eats a cupcake or 12, to determine who they were going to pick! I met with Danielle and CK and they told me I had been picked. I decided at that moment, I was going to win this competition, no matter what it took.

Over the course of 66 days, I pushed myself harder than I have ever in my life. I attended 55 Adrenaline classes (yes, fifty five), several Zumba classes, did home workouts and ate clean. I got frustrated, tired and angry but didn’t quit. I cried in my car after class more than once (and once in class) I had a small injury and I broke my ass.

Click to watch Angela break her ass

I grew happier and more confident than I have been in a very, VERY long time. I took part in four Fit Tests, increasing my scores, each and every time. I became part of this little family we called The Fit Life Crew. I feel like I have known Danielle, CK, Michele, Stacey and John forever.

I am also now officially an Adrenaline Junkie! I no longer feel like I am the Fit Life chick, but on a level playing field with the rest of the Junkies. Everyone is at a different level fitness wise, no one judges each other, but rather motivates and encourages. Plus, I think that the slower runners are happy to have me on race days so that I can do all the ‘punishment’ push-ups for coming in last place. 🙂

Over the course of nine weeks, I had so much support from family and friends–from my husband going into work early, so he could leave early in order for me to get to class on time, to my mom babysitting a ton; friends encouraging me through email, Facebook and Twitter, and even coming out to classes with me! (Check out their report cards, here) I can’t thank everyone enough for the support and encouragement from start to finish!

On December 22, it was finally time to reveal the winner of the Challenge at the Adrenaline Christmas Bash. I brought a bunch of family and friends with me to celebrate. I wore a dress, with heels, for the first time since June 4^th, 2004. I was excited. It didn’t matter who was announced the winner, I was feeling fantastic. As a group we all agreed that no matter what the outcome was, we were all winners. The four of us all did fantastic!

We knew from the start however, that there was only one winner. After a few days of online voting, the decision was made. I WON! I was absolutely thrilled and honoured. I was incredibly excited, and still am. (I was equally as excited to win ‘Most Improved Adrenaline Junkie’ chosen by members of Axfit!)

When I walked out of the Old Town Sweet Shop that night in October, I told myself I was going to win, and I did. I won a two year Axfit Membership (and a bunch of other cool stuff from the Running Factory)! There’s no excuse for me not reaching my goals now. The Fit Life Challenge was truly just the beginning of my journey to health and fitness, as well as a long life of happiness. I feel no different in a class now, than I did two weeks ago. At some point it became less about being a competition, and more about being my personal best. I look forward to each day as a healthier and happier person, and not having it be a struggle just to get out of bed in the morning and doing things with my children that I didn’t have the energy for before. I look forward to LIVING!

How I plan to stay PERFECTLY on track during the holidays.

I don’t. It’s that simple. The holidays are here and I plan to celebrate with family and friends. Let’s face it. Food and drink are part of making the holidays bright, right? Trying to be perfect, all the time not only sucks, but isn’t realistic. Life happens. No one is perfect, and everyone deserves to treat themselves.

In years past, now would be the time I would have to start planning the start date of my New Year’s Resolution (which never started January 1^st), which was always the same; diet, exercise and finally lose weight. I would then take the holidays as a time to have my last hurrah, so to speak, for the umpteenth time.  No more.  I have put great thought into my plan of attack. I am now sporting a pair of jeans that I was unable to cram my ass into for 8 years. I don’t plan on blowing the button off those suckers because a (dozen) peanut butter ball(s) were irresistible. So, the next week or so is going to go something like this…

Do you want to read the rest of this post about my Holiday plans to stay healthy and happy?  I have the honour of being invited to be an Axfit MOSU, and am now writing over on the Adrenaline Extreme Fitness Blog too!! Here is the link: http://axfit.com/how-i-plan-to-stay-perfectly-on-track-during-the-holidays/