Size 14 is the new 10

"Size 14 is the new 10"

That was the headline I saw on CNN.com yesterday. Apparently, the article says, "in recent years, as the American population has become generally more overweight, brands from the luxury names to the mass retail chains have scaled down the size labels on their clothing. You may actually be a size 14 and, according to whatever particular store you're in, you come out a size 10."

I ruminated about that all day long. Does that mean that a few short months ago, when I was a 14, I was really an 18? Does that mean that now that I am a size 10, I am really a size 14. Does the same go for shoes? Have the shoe manufacturers decided to make us feel better by changing the shoe sizes? Are my (already big) size 9 feet actually a size 11??!! and, what have they done with bra sizes?! I don't even want to think about it! This is so scary - how many things have 'they" done this with. And who is "they" who decides to change sizes so as to make sure that we feel better about ourselves? And after the first "they" does it - how do all of the other "theys" know to get on board and do it too? So many questions, so few answers. The newest conspiracy.

I hate bear crawls

This is a bear-crawl. Or at least, this is what it is supposed to look like if its done right. Usually, my butt sticks up more in the air when I am doing them.

I hate bear-crawls - really, really hate them. I think they have surpassed all other hated exercise in terms of hatred. I am sure they are very good for your body, in terms of exercise - but they are hard and I am positive that I look ridiculous doing them!

Oh ya, and remember less #1 about not wearing thongs whilst doing squats? - Bear-crawls don't go with thongs very well either!

So, if you're going to do bear-crawls, make sure you aren't wearing thongs and make sure you keep your butt down - and don't expect to like them!!!

Zion National Park

This was taken on our vaca at Zion National Park. It was three days of hiking up lots of mountains - wonderful! The first pic is a storm that came up on us when we were hiking Angels Landing.

Great Doctor in Anthem, Arizona

Oh, I forgot that I wanted to give my new doctor a plug.
Dr. Randy Horn in Anthem is awesome. He is a very good doctor, easy to talk to and he takes his time with you. If you need a good doc in Anthem Arizona, I give Doctor Horn a big thumbs up!!

I'm baaaccckkk

Oh my gosh, I haven't blogged in sooooo long!! First I was on vacation and then I got a sinus infection last week. I am finally back working out again after taking a two week break. I signed up for SWEAT's "maintenance plan" - it is a pretty good deal. I was amazed last night how hard it was to get back into exercising. After only two weeks, my endurance was very decreased.
My official weight at the end of the 12 weeks was 157.2. I am not sure how many total inches I lost, they are still looking for my beginning measurements (couldn't find the sheet) - but I know for sure that I lost 5 inches in my waist. I haven't been a 30 inch waist for YEARS! Yaaa
On the downside, most of my pants look like clown pants, I only have about 5 pairs that actually fit me now. Will have to save some $$ to get new pants and/or alterations.
Now, on to the flu-- is anyone else concerned or do you think it is being overblown. This is how I figure it -- if it is being a bit overblown, maybe that is for the best right now when we don't know how virulent this flu is going to be. I mean, if they had instituted these kinds of measures at the beginning of the 1918 epidemic, it probably would have saved some lives, right?

 I have been trying to find a pic of myself at my largest.  This comes pretty close.  This was taken in August, 2008 at Petrified Forest in Arizona.  I'll try to get a good "after" pic of myself to post soon.  I'm now about 2 sizes smaller than this.  :)

I trained on Friday night instead of Wednesday night this week and I met some new people.   I was talking to a fellow "SWEATer" named Rick (you have to tell me if I got your name wrong) and he cracked me up and made me feel good at the same time.  We were doing lunges outside from wall to wall and I was, of course, complaining.  Rick told me that he learned from my blog not to wear thongs when doing lunges.  I had forgotten about my lunge+thong post, so it made me laugh.  And, it made me feel good that a few other people (other than my family and close friends) actually read my prattle.  Rick, I have to say that lunges+thong on a male would probably be way more uncomfortable then lunges+thong on a female, wouldn't you agree?!  LOL

The end of my 12 week challenge is approaching, I am done on Thursday, April 16.  I think (if I can find the money) I am going to do SWEAT's maintenance plan.  I can do 2 personal training sessions per week and I can go to any of their group classes.  I think its a good deal.  

I may not blog too much this week.  We are getting ready to go on a trip to Zion National Park.  I'll post pics from our trip next week.  Stay healthy!

only three weeks left, getting scared

I trained with Josh all this week. He is really pushing every one this week because (for most people) the 12 week challenge ended this week. I still have until the week of April 15th since I started late. Last night was a tough one, I nearly fell off the treadmill and I kept having to hold on. Josh told me that if I kept holding on, he would tie my hands behind my back. I am pretty sure that isn't legal, but it was funny when he said it.

I'm already freaking out about my time at SWEAT ending. I'll be done with my 12 week challenge on April 15th and I don't think we can afford to sign up again. I am very sad and really scared that I will go back to my bad ways if I can't go to SWEAT. Going there keeps me accountable and I know I will not work out as hard as I do when I am training with the SWEAT people. ARRRGGHH. I am trying to talk my husband into letting me go on the new maintenance plan that SWEAT has - keep your fingers crossed that we can find the extra money in our budget. It is definitely worth it!!

Josh and Laura, you guys have built a great business that helps lots of people, you should feel proud!