Ugh, Monday? It's hard enough to get back into the office after a regular weekend, but after a weekend that followed a week in London? Boo hoo!
Ok, Ok, I know. Badasses don't whine. So let me just toughen up here and get back in the saddle -- at work for my day job and in the Spinning bike and gym for my fitness job(s). I actually missed teaching my Spin classes, as much as I loved exploring London. And I missed all of you Badasses! But many of you kept in touch via comments on daily Badass Fitness posts or with e-mails asking about my Badass Boot Camps or just with general fitness questions.
I heard from Amanda in Central Florida, with an e-mail that really got to me with one simple line: "Help me not to fail this year." She read the blog story about Badass Jenn Bertsch's successful weight loss, and she is determined to find her own success but is frustrated at the cost of gyms and trainers. She also wishes she had friends with similar fitness goals:
"I am like Jennifer. My weight is 179 and I told myself this is all about me this year, so I joined a boot camp this January and February and lost 4 inches in the waist and so far 6 lbs, but this can get expensive. I enjoy being around people for support and making sure that I am doing the exercises correctly. Also, saw your boot camp photos and excercises that you can do, which I will use. I have a treadmill, recumbent stationary bike, Bowflex, and hand weights of 5 & 8 lbs, with a high school not far from me. None of my friends are into fitness, little support, and not having someone with you while doing your workout is
difficult for me because I like the interaction. I do not want to fail, but need some guidance. My question is do you really need to join a gym or a boot camp to get really a great body? Help me not to fail this year. All suggestions are welcome."
Wow. "Help me not to fail this year." I replied right away to Amanda, telling her that she can absolutely do her own boot camp and her own workouts, hopefully using this blog as a guide and daily inspiration. This Badass Army is about working toward our individual goals, but also about helping each other on the Badass Journey. Amanda is already on her way, having lost 6 pounds and having found the inner mojo to say to herself "this is all about me this year." But she's right - it is not easy to do that on a limited income, or without a buddy right there to meet her every day to work out. So I am asking all of you to reply in the comments below with props and encouragement and advice for Amanda. Let's be her Badass buddies from afar, pushing her toward her success. I know she will get there, and then I hope I can officially introduce her to you all with her before-and-after "Real Badass" story here on Badass Fitness. Keep at it, Amanda! We're cheering you on!
I also heard from Jesse in Asheville, N.C. He wrote in a belated Confessional after having resisted the call these past few weeks. He was happy he did. Check it out:
I've been following your badass fitness blog for a few months now ... When you first made the confessional call I disregarded it, thinking that I have plenty of self control, am in decent shape, am within 5lbs of my ideal weight and a motivated person in general. This week I signed up for a free account with DailyBurn.com and set up my goal of losing those 5lbs of fat before heading into spring and a handful of races. Suddenly having a documented goal out there changed things. I became immediately emotionally attached to the outcome of achieving that goal but found it hard to make choices that would ultimately lead to its completion.
There was much love for Badass Foodie's post about the glories of oatmeal and awesome ways to add flavor and nutrition to a hot creamy bowl. Badass Fitness reader Jennifer sent me this recipe for overnight oats using a slow cooker -- one more reason why the slow cooker might just be the best kitchen gadget ever invented!
http://www.food52.com/recipes/3062_overnight_steelcut_oats_with_almond_butter_honey
A few thoughts on this recipe: I would boost it with a tablespoon each of cinnamon and ground flax seed added when you put the ingredients into the slow cooker, and serve it with berries or sliced bananas on top. This is a delicious, easy way to get yourself started on these chilly mornings. And I'm gonna go ahead and guess this recipe is Badass Foodie approved!
OK, now get out there and have a great week, Badasses! I've got lots of good stuff planned, including: A killer indoor cycling routine with music, dissecting those Girl Scout Cookies, and another awesome delivery from the Badass Foodie!