Monday- Hubby is home!

 Well I woke and found out the hubby did not have to work today because of Martin Luther King Day.   Sorry.  No sitting around sipping coffee with him this morning though.  I've got to get my workout early to do a warm-up for 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. (I know Tracie is always going to beat me to the gym.  Either a little competitor or just an early bird.)  I had a dream too that this is going to get easy one day!  This truly will be a life habit.

You know that our routines always start with cardio, so off to the track.  Run, run, run, stop, power walk, get my breath, run, run, run.  As you know, this is my biggest challenge.  The running.  I won't give up.  Laurie really pushed me on the track today. Charles you were smoking!  Kim, helping push me once again. On our last lap today, at the one mile mark, I heard Joe pass me say "Our father, who art in......".  I had to laugh because I know how it feels when you need a prayer to help you finish.  Laurie ran a marathon and made her fitness goal, and I was actually happy to see her sore along with us today. (just kidding.)  She said we really helped her achieve her goals.  We all clapped for her success and were all extremely proud of her.

We did free weights, the ball, and burppee's (not sure if this is how you spell this exercise, but I would like to rename them.  Who made that name up anyway?)   I feel like I am starting to know Laurie.  I knew we were going to have to do them. She said in her positive voice, you know like drill sergeant, "I am happy I get to do them today".  (She even had the army shirt on today.  I said to myself here we go!)  So we just learned an important mindset. We must learn to love this. This is what they are talking about.  Making life changes. We have to have a positive mindset!   I will have to get back to you when I discover that I love it, though.  I am working on that.  Someone said, "it's hot in here can we have the fans on?"  Well I know she might be reading my blog so I won't say what the answer to that request was. Just remember the word "sweat".   All I can say is that Laurie is one tough cookie. Opps I said cookie.  I LOVE and miss cookies.  (This is a bad word for us because sugar is our enemy!  Cookie=bad!) I was so proud of our team today because we were all in attendance!  Go Team Mughelli!!!

Stick around long enough and you just might run into Janis and get some advice on food choices.  I am going to (have to) try oatmeal.  I have not had oak meal since I was a kid in Ohio.  Mom made us eat it all the time.  Guess what!  Once again, mom was right.  I wish she could see me now.  She passed away a little over a year ago now, and I still hear her screaming at the top of her lungs, "Gina!" whenever I was in trouble or not listening.  I miss her so much.  I want to fit into one of her ballroom dresses and one day take  ballroom dance class.  I think her dresses are 7/8.  This was my size all the way up and into my 30's.  My forties...   ...well...  ...too long of a story.  No more excuses.  Tell me your dreams as far as HCC is concerned, because if we stick with the habits and life changes that we are developing, then our dreams will come true. Spend time talking to the mentors who have been successful.  So share your fitness dreams today in comments!

By the way, since hubby is off today for the holiday, we are going to walk on the bridge,. Yes me, no longer afraid!

I had some requests of a full picture of the bridge, which I will post later.

By the way, Laurie wants us to add on an half hour to our workout goal this week.  Thought I'd save the best for last...

So It Begins

Oh! By the way, our team name is TEAM MUGHELLI. Ovie Mughelli, a Charleston native, is probably the top paid halfback in the NFL   I went to his website (http://www.oviemughelli34.com/community.htm) and was impressed that he is helping many youths with educational goals and football clinics.
If you are listening thanks for sponsoring our winning team.  

My First Day of the Charleston Healthy Challenge

I was a nervous wreck at our first meeting. So many people, like myself wanting to healthy, lose those extra pounds and make this a lifetime change.

I met the other members of my team for the first time. I immediately knew that I was fortunate to be placed with what struck me as the best team in the program. One by one, they all describe themselves the same way: "I am very competitive by nature" they repeat. Yahoo! I asked my trainer if she was anything like Jillian on the Biggest Loser and she just smiled slyly. I knew right then that we were in trouble. One of my old dear friends shared her name, Laurie. I don't know if I am going to think of her as my friend every while she's "motivating" us every day, though. She seems so sweet now, but I just have a feeling that this won't last too long.

I can remember watching The Biggest Loser on TV thinking, "Boy! Those folks are big!" as I scarf down pizza, ice cream and cake. Oh yeah! And don't forget about the 2 glasses of wine. What denial I was in, but no more! I can remember thinking that those work outs on TV were not bad enough to have all that crying that was going on. Guess what! It was me fighting back the tears today as I listened to personal story from one of the male competitors who was literaly fighting for his life, which made me feel right away that I could relate to his story. Now who's crying every week watching the show. I look forward to this show week after week. When it was off I felt like I was missing something on Tuesday. What are your thoughts of the show?

First Workout

One on one with Laurie asking me bluntly " Why are you here?" I had to stop myself because once I thought about it, I realized that it was more that about shedding weight.

I could tell that Laurie, as kind as she is, wanted me to shut up and get to the workout. TMI!

We have to run. One mile, minus a lap. WHAT?!? I am 53 years old, I thought to myself. I have not ran since I was in my twenties. With much effort, I ran and walk. Toward the end of this ordeal, one of my team members held out her hand saying "Gina you can do this! Grab my hand!" I wanted to cry, but I made it to her outstretched hand and realized that she is a true team-player.(I still trying to get everyone's name) A moment that gave me the confidence to say "Gina you can do this", it's going to be tough weeks ahead but you can do it."

Stay tuned for photos and much more.......