Future ME

Future ME
"THE MORE DEFINITION SHE ACHIEVES IN HER MUSCLES THE MORE DEFINED SHE BECOMES AS A PERSON" -American Sporting Goods Corp copyright 1999

Awesome Ends with ME

I have been a wife to a wonderful supportive husband for the last 12 yrs. A mother of 3 FABulous kids for the past 10 yrs. I am privileged to be able to stay home with them. Though I stay home I am VERY busy between life, family & church. And LOVING (almost) every minute :oD

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I've Learned....


I’ve Learned…..

ANY exercise routine can be modified to your limitations or injury (granted *consult your doctor before starting any exercise routine)

People need to understand that NOT ALL weight gain comes from sitting on the couch eating bon-bons. I think there are many professionals who have yet to realize this. There are medications and hormones in which cause weight gain. Though it can be slowed considerably it will still creep on. But there IS hope. When I thought I would never be able to lose weight because of my situation I was able to do it. It IS possible (once the medication is outta your system.)

Losing weight IS possible the ‘right way’. All you need are the right tools, information and then to APPLY them.

I’m buff! Haha. I’m stronger than many other people! I knew my legs were strong but so is everything else. Sweet!

Support is the #1 key to success.

Little kid minions are the best way to keep on track. “Mom, can you eat that?.. Spit it out?… 20 pushups!!”

My body feels so much better when I eat healthy and on a regular schedule.

That supplements and protein shake are an AWESOME friend. I never wanted to be one of those weight loss shake drinkers… what dorks!…. Ummm, that is now my best friend. :oD haha

To enjoy the small and simple things. The small changes no matter how simple they seem, they are WONDERFUL.

My body responds better to weight loss when I do weights regularly.

I actually inspired people. Wow! Really?

I want everyone to feel the awesome way I do. Want to share this feeling with everyone!

Everyone says you have more energy and a new pep in your step but I don’t always feel that when I first get up or even throughout ALL day. This does not mean that it’s not working... Because I sure love the way I feel when I go to chase a kid and it doesn’t even wind me!!! That is when I feel the awesome feeling of exercising. Not only does it not wind me but I want to do MORE. I truly understand how people feel when they say they have more energy to play with their kids. Not only they have the energy but they WANT to play more. :oD

New clothes are awesome. Especially when they are smaller sizes.

The feeling of old jewelry fitting like new is like going shopping and buying something new and exciting. So fun.

When the scale is not moving significantly… it doesn’t mean you are not changing inwardly.

Smaller clothes don’t lie.

I love teaching a new generation about being healthy.

My husband actually likes smaller boobs. Sweet!

Exercising is a pain reliever. When my back flared up and I was in pain constantly the only time I had relief was while working out.

How to enjoy my journey, rather than waiting for it to be over.

How my body works with different types of food it’s given and the type of exercises it works best with.

Balance is a huge key in life. Though you may push extra hard, for say a competition, it should only be for a short time. It is not sustainable for a healthy lifestyle. Balance.

You may train like an athlete but you must eat like one too. (okay a ‘cheat’ meal once a week is acceptable)

Plan, plan, plan your meals. Be prepared! Prepare your food at the beginning of the week. (I’m still working on this one)

Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter questions about their food. More people are concious about health now days. The majority of people are not going to look at you funny. You MUST take control if you want to be in control

“Don’t settle.” Be selfish. Just because everyone else is going to McD’s doesn’t mean you have to. You can pick up Cafe Rio grilled chicken salad.

Don’t be afraid to make requests at restaurants. Steamed veggies instead of rice.. Oh AND make sure they don’t put the glob of butter on top.

You don’t have to explain yourself. Simply ask for the waiter not to bring the basket of bread out. No need to tell them you CAN’T have it or anything. No one is going to question you. If they do just ask for the manager and tell them how much you have lost. That will shut them up, ha.

Contestants in figure and bodybuilding competitions are not in them because of their genetics. It is some MAJOR hard work and dedication they put in. Anyone who says they can’t do something like that because they don’t have the right genes will be immediately corrected. :oD “Many of those contestants probably started out where you are today.” You could do it!

I CAN finish something. One of my major goals was to finish this competition out. I tend to almost accomplish something but then give up, saying that was good enough. Why? I have yet to figure that out, but I’m that much closer to understanding. I HAVE FINISH this one!!!

NEVER GIVE UP!!!!! No matter how much you want to DONT do it. Just keep going. Just think about having to start all over again. Just finish it NOW and get the hardest part over with. :oD Push your self.

HAVE FUN!!!! You must have fun with whatever you do!

FAMILY & Friends are the BEST!!!

#1 thing: When you want to give up and nothing is working and you just can’t bare to go on. Ask for help! Ask family, ask friends, ask strangers and most importantly your Father in Heaven.

ASK MAX MUSCLE! They can give you ALL the help and support you need to succeed!!!! :oD

  • By Alex dali RIZO on July 01, 2011 3:56am

    Very interesting your journal, I also like the part when you say "Plan, plan, plan your meals. Be prepared! Prepare your food at the beginning of the week." That is so important, Helped me a lot during this contest. Thanks for sharing Rachel

  • By Sandy Kaunisto on June 30, 2011 7:42pm

    Thanks for all the positive comments you made on my blogs. Success is a decision and you have made the right choices. I plan on staying on this site until I am 15% BF or less. Join me and finish this journey together.
    take care
    sk

  • By mikecalhoun on June 30, 2011 6:44pm

    never give up, never give in!!

  • By Eric Coronado on June 30, 2011 6:07pm

    That's rite dnt ever give up
Posted by Rachel at 4:54:00 PM 0 comments

My Story


I have loved reading everyone’s stories! It always brings such perspective that we are all coming from so many different back grounds. It gives new respect for what everyone has gone through and what they have accomplished. I guess it is now my turn.

I actually found this journal which I started in 2003…
I have struggled with the frustrations of the effects of a hormonal birth control shot, Depro Provera. I wish I knew then what I know now. My hope and wish is for all women looking into this method of medication and birth control to know the changes and struggles that may occur (and often do) as results from this shot.
I have had a history of ovarian cysts that I have struggled with most of my life (since 5th grade). Just over four years ago I was preparing for my wedding when I started having problems again. With already having 3 emergency surgeries due to the same problem I knew what was coming next. The pain had become so intense that during my next cycle I would have to have the cyst removed or run the risk of it rupturing. This was to land on the week of my wedding. I obviously could not have surgery that week. We did not want to postpone the wedding any further and sure were not ready for it to be earlier. So with the invitations already printed we decided to keep our wedding date and look into birth control.
I had taken pill forms of birth control in high school to help with cysts and knew that I would get the depression that came with it. The doctors decided that the 3 month shot, Depro Prover, was the best for me. After long talks with my now husband, and some hesitation on my part, we decided to go through with it. Knowing that it was for three months and there was no turning back. That I was going to get depressed and it was to be a challenge.
Of course no one ever told me how bad it could be. I have always been chemically sensitive so I always look at the side effects on any drug; unfortunately, expecting to have most of them to occur. Provera mentioned: depression, hair loss, weight gain (maybe only about five pounds per month), and spotting.
In my opinion it’s the shot from heck! I have hated it and seemed not to be able to let go of my angry/frustration. I have learned a tremendous amount through all of this (which I could have lived without but am grateful to have experienced and learned) but can not quite let it go without knowing that I have done something to let women know the ‘real’ side effects.

… Now I will continue. Yes the shot was horrible. I look back at this and can honestly say I have let the frustration and angry go. I have come so far and learned so much. I am grateful for the experience. If I had not taken it I would have never been able to help women thus far who have had the same issues. I would have never met Danny and thus none of you! :oD I am so glad I did.
Long story short, the shot screwed with my body. Not only did it cause horrible mood swings, but the cyst returned two months after our wedding. While in surgery to remove it, the doctors discovered trace amounts of endometriosis (which had to have come from Provera). Thankfully, only a few pounds were gained during those three months and I still fit into my wedding dress for our wedding, Yea!
Two weeks later, while on our honeymoon I noticed my pants were fitting very snug. Coincidentally, it would have been the same time I would have taken another dose of Provera (as if!). Within that week and a half I gained 16 lbs!!!!! Within three months was 50lbs!! And within a year was probably closer to 80lbs.
I have always been a clean healthy eater and VERY active. However, when the weight started coming on nothing was helping. Obviously, married food of Rice-a-roni and mac and cheese didn’t help. But I was really trying all that I knew at the time and nothing was slowing the gain.
I struggled emotionally because I never wanted to be one who “let myself go” after marriage. I never wanted to seem as though I “caught my man” and now would just sit at home watching soaps while eating bonbons. I was mortified to have become the image of that person!
After facing many emotional issues with friends and with myself (see journal entry Groups and Stars), I slowly moved forward. We had our children and more health issue arose over time. I was pregnant, nursing or hemorrhaging (do to the issues) and was never quite in a position or felt well enough to work extra hard to lose the weight.
Once we knew we were done having our kids I had a hysterectomy. Once recovered, there were no excuses not work out.
I was still angry and still felt that through no fault of my own this weight was put on so why the heck did I have to be the one to take it off??! I knew this was wrong thinking but that’s how I felt. I knew that my next challenge in life was to learn how to over-come this, lose the weight and share my experience with others. As one of my favorite quotes states:
"Master."
"Yes Eragon?"

"Why must I endure this torture? You could use magic to give me the skills I need, to shape my body as you do the trees and plants."
"I could, but if I did, you would not understand how you got the body you had, your own abilities, nor how to maintain them. No shortcuts exist for the path you walk, Eragon."

There IS no easy path. I had to do this. I HAD to do this for myself as well as others. No one else should have to go through what I went thru. People would know!
I joined the gym and went almost every day but there were still not many changes to my body.
February 2010, I was vacuuming out the car when my back took the last straw and gave out (that’s a story in of its’ self). I found I had a torn and bulging disc. I was scared to do anything. Thus we sought out a personal trainer. Two different people referred Danny-J to me so I looked into it. It was the best thing I could have done!!!
I started with Danny last year in July. I was concerned that I would not be able to lose weight after the chemical had screwed with my body but with the right tools she guided me and I started losing rapidly. I COULD lose weight. I was so excited.
Come Sept my husband and I went on a 3 week vacation followed by Danny taking a 3 week vacation as well. Though I didn’t gain any weight, I didn’t lose much either. By the time she returned, I had lost my motivation.
When the middle of December came, Danny informed and incouraged me to join the Max Muscle competition. After a week of thinking about it I decided it was the motivation I needed. And the rest is history (or rather in my journals).

"Master."
"Yes Eragon?"

"Why must I endure this torture? You could use magic to give me the skills I need, to shape my body as you do the trees and plants."
"I could, but if I did, you would not understand how you got the body you had, your own abilities, nor how to maintain them. No shortcuts exist for the path you walk, Eragon."


I KNOW that through the experiences I have had thus far I will be able to maintain this lifestyle. I have struggled MANY times throughout this competition but I have learned so much. I am grateful that through those struggled I “understand how I got this body, my own abilities & how to maintain them.”
I have been able to share with those around me the tools needed to regain their life and control their bodies. I have taught my own children, to a farther extent, not only the importance of living healthy but HOW to live a well balanced healthy life.
I look forward to continuing to share with EVERYone: the struggles and trials I have faced. That women (& men) need to understand more fully the effects that drugs and hormones can have on their body. That not ALL weight gain is because of laziness. That with the correct tools weight loss and health is not only a hope but a REALITY!! We are making our reality! Never, NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

  • By mikecalhoun on June 30, 2011 7:20pm

    very good info, glad you did this too, you are not a quitter, like Eric said champio dont quit, they dont give up, you stayed the course and proved yourself very worthy!! I salute you, keep up the great work!!

  • By Eric Coronado on June 30, 2011 5:18pm

    Keep going champs dnt quit

  • By Mary Rohde on June 30, 2011 5:13pm

    Depo was NOT my friend either! (especially considering I still got pg!) Glad to hear your story and Im glad you are never going back!
Posted by Rachel at 4:52:00 PM 0 comments

Photos are Up! & MFWF Videos

Photos are up!
Love the fat pants picture. These weren't even my fat pants. They were tight on me in Sept.
This was taken at the middle of the month (too lazy to take another one but I should). haha

Also did some videos for My Fight with Fat w/ Danny


 Posture (these ones are not up as of yet -check in a couple weeks)
 triceps

  • By mikecalhoun on June 30, 2011 8:58pm

    you did have fun with these didnt you?? you look fantastic!

  • By Matt on June 30, 2011 4:59pm

    Dope! What a wonderful transformation!

  • By Tanya on June 30, 2011 3:35pm

    RACHEL! You look amazing! Way to go! :)

  • By Charles W. on June 30, 2011 3:09pm

    Looks like you had a blast with your photo shoot. I am very proud of your transformation. Loved your pics.

  • By Alex dali RIZO on June 30, 2011 2:34pm

    Great job, you definetely did it, congratulations girl

  • By thall24 on June 30, 2011 2:20pm

    When you click on the links is says the videos are private? Other then that you pictures look great and even more you look like you had a great time doing them :). Great job RL....you look wonderful my friend.

  • By Rachel Little on June 30, 2011 2:26pm

    Fixed! :oD Thanks for the heads up Troy

  • By DrDiva on June 30, 2011 2:18pm

    Fantastic job, keep rockin it!
Posted by Rachel at 4:45:00 PM 0 comments

Measurements




I know this will get all jumbled up when I post it so here are the basics:

Total lbs Lost since July 65lbs!!!
Since Jan 35.8lbs

Total inches lost since July 42.75"
Since Jan 25"
Size 18 pants to size 12!!! Woohoo.

Total Percent Body Fat lost since July 16.61%
Since Jan 14.41%

 July ’10       Dec ’10      June ’11     Total since Jan    Grand Total

Weight          
245 lbs       215.8 lbs      180 lbs               -35.8 lbs                  -65 lb

Neck
15.5            14.25            13                        -1.25                     -2.5
Chest            
46.75          44                 40.25                    -3.75                    -6.5
Waist            
41.5           36.5              30.75                    -5.75                    -10.75
Hips              
50.25          45.75            41.75                    -4                         -8.5
Upper Arm
17               14.5              12.5                      -2                         -4.5
Lower Arm
13               12                 10.5                      -1.5                      -2.5
Thigh            
30               27.5               24.75                   -2.75                    -5.25
Calf              
18.5           17.5               16.25                   -1.25                     -2.25

Grand Total inches lost                             -25”                    -42.75”

Skin Fold
Bicep            
29            15                   5.5                       -9.5                       -23.5
Tricep            
44            21                   11                        -10                        -33
Suprailiac      
31            18                   13                         -5                         -18
Subscap.      
23            13                     6                         -7                          -17

Total Body Fat    
40.6%     38.4%         23.99%                -14.41%               -16.61%

Crazy how I only lost about 2% body fat in the first half but half the weight then. So excited to where I am now.

  • By mikecalhoun on June 30, 2011 9:22pm

    way to go Rachel, totally awesome!

  • By Karen Van Dehy on June 30, 2011 2:06pm

    Absolutely amazing! Don't it feel grand!

  • By Sandy Kaunisto on June 30, 2011 12:31pm

    Rachel I'm having trouble reading the charts sorry. Just the measurements Yes 18 to 12 you rock!

  • By thall24 on June 30, 2011 10:36am

    Incredible!!!!!

  • By deannaperry on June 30, 2011 10:32am

    Great job!

  • By Charles W. on June 30, 2011 10:30am

    Not crazy at all. The second half I know you had Max Muscle helping you ;-) Congrats once again.
Posted by Rachel at 4:32:00 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Changes to Profile


WOW! I just reread this, which was from the beginning of the Maxformation. Holy moly I wish I could change it because I am so different now. It's crazy!

Reason for participating I recently started with a trainer who introduced me to this challenge and suggested I participate. I love having a to do list and crossing it off. I want something to work towards. I like breaking out of my comfort zone; this is NOT in my comfort zone. :oD

Goals
Heal my back and my mind by losing the extra weight I am carrying around as well as gain muscle. "I want to run and not be weary". As weird as it sounds, I want to be able to take care of my family if there was ever a major emergency and not have them take care of me. As corny as it sounds, I wanted my wedding ring to fall off like when I first got it. It ALMOST does now. WooHoo!!!

Activity level I train with my trainer 1hr twice a week as well as 1hr cardio 5 times a week.
Wow, now I train with Danny 2x 1hr a week, up to ~1hr+ cardio 6 days a week and weights, 40+min, 4 days a week.

Meal planning I don't plan. That's my problem. I usually do what I feel like right then. I do generally follow: Breakfast: carb, protein fat; Snack: carb protein; Lunch: carb protein fat & veggies; Snack: carb protein (started a fat as well); Dinner: protein, fat, veggie (sometime a small carb); Snack: protein, fat
Getto statement, ha! I still struggle with planning but have gotten much better at it. I found I have to eat every 2hrs now and have been put thru challenges to over-come my fight with food.
I have grown so much in 6months! So cool. :oD

  • By thall24 on June 30, 2011 7:26am

    Isn't it eye opening when you go back and read your "stuff" from when you first started. We have all come so far!

  • By Christina B. on June 30, 2011 7:09am

    It's amazing how much we've all grown these past 6 months!!!!!!!
Posted by Rachel at 4:31:00 PM 0 comments

Max Supplements Review


I wanted to share my feelings on the Max Muscle Supplements since this is one reason we did this competition… I won’t brown-nose and tell you that I LOVED and couldn’t live without any of the them. :oD but I will be honest in my review….

Liquid-CarnI DO feel the difference with this. I did some testing over the months. I would stop taking it here or there just to see how it effected me. It seems to give me a little pep in my step and does get me through a tuff work-out. I did find though that the 1Tbs was not enough for me. I did not feel that kick unless I took about 2 Tbs. And honestly I didn’t feel it every single time I took it but that may have just been on personally harder days. However, even though I may not have felt the kick I sure did feel it after the workout when I wouldn’t be nearly as tired as when I didn’t take it. Most times, I would rest for 5-10min and be ready to do another workout. Crazy cool feeling! I will always have L-Carn in my house.

Protein ShakeI honestly couldn’t take this much because of the artificial sweetener in it. I, like my dad, am (for lack of a better word) allergic to artificial sweeteners. I can taste the sweetener (which I don’t care for) as well as get migraine headaches. But the few times I did get to take it, it did the trick. It mixed well, and didn’t taste too bad (probably would have been great if I couldn’t taste the sweetener.) I would give it two thumbs up for everyone else.

Cleanse & LeanI started this one the beginning of the month.
I didn’t notice too much the first time I took it. I followed the directions and only took one pill, 24hrs later took 2 pills, 24hr later took 3. I believe I started noticing the difference then. Shortly after this I got sick and had to stop for a bit. Next, I will have to try the 4 pills and see what happens. I haven’t taken this supp long enough to give it a complete review.

Omega-3 PlusMy Max store owner said that this one was the better of the two (Omega vs Fish Oil) but had a stronger fishy taste. I only tasted the fishy taste twice in 6months of taking it. I would eat something and be just fine. There’s not much I can say about this supplement as it didn’t have a direct noticeable effect on my body so I don’t know how I could review it any better.

GlutamineI really have noticed the difference this has made in my body within the last few weeks. I thought I could tell before but I have really tried to make mental notes the last while and have felt the change. I stopped taking everything for the week or so that I was sick (seeing I couldn’t keep anything down). During that time, I ended up being so sore after workouts, I couldn’t believe it. Even now that I’m feeling normal again, I have played around and tested the product out by purposefully skipping it after workouts and seeing what happens. Then there have been some days in which I planned on skipping it but have been too sore and had to take it anyway haha. It really did make a difference. In fact I need to go take some right now.. My shoulders are so sore. :oD


In conclusion, I can honestly say I have tried and tested these products. I have played around with them, purposefully, skipping days and seeing how my body feels. I can now more-fully share the results and benefits of the Max Muscle products with my friends and others. I full heartedly promote the ones I have taken and tell others of the Max Muscle difference by body feels.


PS. I would like to review the Max site as well. I love the support and journaling part of the site. It has been very beneficial and very easy to find others and share my own personal journey.
I do suggest to the site developers (after talking with other site members) that more features be added to the social aspect. Two items that would be very beneficial to your members would be a notification of when someone posts a comment after you on someone else’s journal/wall. (i.e. I post a comment on Jane’s wall/journal. I would then be notified if Jane, Frank or someone else posted a reply to that comment). This would not only help in convenience but help members find answers and help to their issues without having to remember who or where you posted the question. Many times I have posted a question yet later forget which journal entry of, say Sam’s, it was on. Much benefit would come from this added feature.

Many members have joined up on Facebook because of the live chat feature. That would be a bonus as well for the Max site. That way members can discuss their issue quickly and effectively.

I would also like to see more tools on the site, such as: body fat calculator, food journaling, exercise logs, example exercises, etc… They may already be on there but they are not easily searchable. (That or I really am blind)

All in all the site has been very beneficial to me and many thousands of others. I have drawn greatly on the advice and support of others on there. Thank you for all you do to help all of us achieve our very best!!!

  • By Jasmin Ford aka Transcendtoo on June 29, 2011 8:31pm

    and I suggest boosting the bandwidth for this site! The home page is soo slow to load during heavy traffic times... as well as make it easier to load a profile photo

  • By Rachel Little on June 29, 2011 8:47pm

    Agreed! It can be VERY slow many times

  • By BritLin on June 29, 2011 8:30pm

    My favorites are Max Lean Chocolate mousse protein shake (add a frozen banana its heaven!)
    I took vitacell before I even heard about maxformation and think it is wonderful.
    I also like the IGF - it's expensive but it seems to give me strength and stamina.
    I could not live without ARM - I push myself in every training session but my muscle discomfort is minimal compared to if I don't take it.
    I also like the Iso Extreme - that really helps with my training too.

  • By thall24 on June 29, 2011 8:17pm

    I love the liqui carn and my high 5 all day long!!!

  • By mikecalhoun on June 29, 2011 8:04pm

    nice reviews!! have you tried other sweetners?? im allergic to nutrsweet/aspartame/truvia, but can have all the rest. i too like te L-carn, its great, also the omega essentials, efa's, etc. but love the protein shake

  • By Rachel Little on June 29, 2011 8:49pm

    I can have stevia (though I don't like the after taste) or my favorite is xylitol. It's the bomb.... Oh my gosh what just happened?! The 90's sprung up lol

  • By PolarBear on June 29, 2011 8:02pm

    Great review..I take my LiqiCarn in a shot glass. hehe

  • By Rachel Little on June 29, 2011 8:47pm

    I drink mine outta the bottle haha

  • By Christina B. on June 29, 2011 7:53pm

    Great product review and I agree totally on the site recommendations. I would add areas of interest where you could post say, only recipies under the recipies section, product reviews under the product review section, catch my drift. This way there would be any easy way to find specific topics rather than having to remember, 'was it Christina B. that posted the Turkey Muffins receipe and when the heck did she do that!".

  • By Christina B. on July 03, 2011 10:02am

    Yup, Tanya, your are right, I never would have seen this if I had a life and didn't go back to see journals where I've posted!!!!!!!

  • By Tanya on June 29, 2011 8:10pm

    I totally agree with both of you...case in point...christina will not see this comment unless she comes back to this post. Love ur product review Rachel! :)
Posted by Rachel at 4:30:00 PM 0 comments
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