My Wellness Profile

I'm finally back to blogging after a Malware issue took me down for a good portion of last week. I didn't want to take the risk of getting my blog blacklisted until I could figure out what were the bad links. Now that I know and have removed them, I hope it's smooth sailing from here forward. I have so much to share!!!

About a month ago, I sat down with Ken at the Energize Zone for my FREE wellness profile. (This is offered to anyone and not just members of the Zone.) I wasn't really sure what to expect and thought that I was in decent shape and just needed to shed a few extra pounds that found me over the last few years. Before signing up at the gym, I would run about once a week and that's it - never went to the gym regularly. I would watch what I ate, but indulged probably too much. I thought that was enough. 

My wellness profile clued me in to a bit of a lie that I was telling myself. Those "few" pounds were a lot more than should be on my body for my height and frame. It was hard to hear and I have always had a skewed image of my body, so this didn't help that cause. But it's the truth and I can live with that or strive for getting healthier (definitely going for the latter)!

Summer 2012 - I'm on the left!

I also have the body type that the fat likes to lie on my front side against my organs :( I was pretty shocked with myself and couldn't believe I let that happen.  I always thought of myself as a medium framed person that was pretty active. 

Mukwonago Poms circa 2000 - I'm second row middle!

Heck I danced all through high school, practicing sometimes up to five days a week. But then in college, I stopped the activity and the pounds came on. And with those pounds came other health factors I didn't consider - blood pressure, high body fat percentage, etc. 

Ken talked to me about these factors and how to get myself on a plan that would get me to where I needed to be to live a healthy life. After college, I had joined Weight Watchers a few times and knew that I needed to watch calories, fat and fiber, but I never realized how important protein was. 

Summer 2010 - one of our many grill outs w/ gluttonous foods!

I thought of protein almost as the enemy and only what "meatheads" ate to bulk up. But good protein from chicken, eggs, fish and soy are perfectly fine for you and you won't bulk up on them.

I am now following the plan that Ken and I worked out for specifically for me, starting each day with protein and doing my best to continue that plan each day. I know that after my first 8-week challenge, I am a much stronger person physically and mentally and am not afraid of workouts anymore. I also understand what my body needs for nutrition and I don't need to eat just because food tastes good! Working out can only do so much for you if you don't follow proper nutrition. I'm glad I was provided this guidance and am ready to continue my journey. Maybe in another month, I'll get my numbers checked to see what has changed. I can almost guarantee they will be much better all around.

So if you have an hour to spare in your busy week, contact Ken and get your FREE wellness profile completed. Trust me - it's totally worth it!

Compensation for this post was provided by EnergizeZone after I asked to feature the 'Zone. Opinions expressed here are my own. 

Move-It Monday: Lori's Wellness Story

UPDATED!

Sorry for the lateness of this post. I definitely had a bout with Karma today and it came back for me. I had joked about someone else not fact checking yesterday before posting their story, and well, it came back to get me. If you read this post earlier today, it wasn't Lori's story. I apologize for the falsities of it and am here to right my wrong. 

While I continue my recovery efforts from my 7k this past weekend, that I will blog about soon (completed in under an hour and totally pumped for more running!!!), I wanted to share Lori's story of wellness from the Energize Zone.

 
I met Lori a few weeks into my challenge at Energize Zone and she is truly a rockstar. She started her weight loss journey in in the Fall of 2012 and she told me that it has completely changed her life.

Lori before

Lori was facing two amazing milestones before joining the Zone - turning 50 and having her 25th wedding anniversary. She wasn't feeling like herself, and much older for her years and after following a friend's Facebook posts, she decided to check out Energize Zone.

She didn't realize how much she missed working out, except the mile run that starts each boot camp class (even that she, and I, don't mind anymore). She was hooked fast and joined multiple classes a week to get to her goal.

My first impression of Lori was that she is very motivated and determined to reach her goal. She rocks it out and helps lead in stretches at the end of class so Coach Ken can get ready for the next class. I look to her as a leader as well and know that if I'm having a down day, she will get me pumped up to crush my workout!

"I went from believing that at my age losing weight was beyond my reach to believing any goal is attainable," says Lori. She now takes boot camp, cardio kickboxing and Zumba classes at the Zone. I'm hoping to up myself to three days a week, but living outside of the city makes this a little hard for me (excuses, excuses I know!).

Lori's after photo with other ladies of the Zone

Both her and I see how well informed Coach Ken is and the way he stresses the importance of not only exercise but proper nutrition motivates us. I agree 100% with Lori and Ken and see changes in myself after my Free Wellness Profile last weekend. I make a more conscious effort to watch what I eat and what it will do to my body.

Lori feels a part of a family at the Zone and loves the positive motivation from everyone while we all try to reach our goals. "I can't wait to see what new things will be coming at "THE ZONE" this year!" says Lori."

Lori and her hubby come to the Zone together for some classes and Lori has joined the 24 Challenge at the gym. This is the next level above the Body Transformation Weight Loss Challenge (that I am a part of now).

24 Challenge at the Zone

This coming Saturday, The Energize Zone is hosting a Spring Into Fitness Event. Sign up now to try two classes and some healthy snacks for only $15. Only 50 spots are available and this is an inexpensive way to come check out the gym for yourself. RSVP early this week to guarantee yourself a spot!

Next month, Energize Zone is hosting an Energize Your Life Expo that is open to vendors to sell their products and services (some exceptions apply). See the image below for the details and call Coach Ken to reserve your spot. 

Energize Your Life Expo - April 27

Compensation for this post was provided by EnergizeZone after I asked to feature the 'Zone. Opinions expressed here are my own.  

Move-It Mondays: Karen's Energize Story

I continue my featured posts today with Karen's story of wellness from the Energize Zone. I met Karen at my first class that I took at the Zone--when I was very intimidated and unsure what to expect. In that class, I saw that the ladies of the Zone are a tight group that motivate each other and help each other get through each challenging class. I couldn't wait to be a part of that and the intimidation has gone away.

Karen before Energize Zone

Karen, like myself, has struggled with her weight and tried all the diets out there. She found the Zone from an ad in the paper for one of Coach Ken's challenges and talked a friend into doing it with her. (I found the Zone challenge very similarly, on the Waukesha Patch daily newsletters!)

She credited her weight gain to a slow metabolism and poor eating and lifestyle habits and scheduled her free Wellness Profile with Coach Ken. Her profile results showed that she had an extremely high body fat percentage and almost started to cry (I almost did the same when I got my results - more on that in a future post!). But Coach Ken, in his amazing ways of keeping us motivated and positive said to her, "Don't worry, we got this," and she holds those words close to her as her motivation to keep going.

Join the challenges in March!

Karen started out with just the boot camp weight loss challenge class each week, but before she knew it, she was coming 4-5 days a week for classes. I have recently become a two-class-a-week attender and can vouch for how addicting and motivating the classes are. Any bets as to how long until I'm up to 3?

She shared with me about meeting the wonderful ladies of the Zone and how easy they are to talk to. "We started working out together, encouraged each other, laughed together and became friends," says Karen. "There is something different and less intimidating about working out in this kind of environment than working out in a regular gym." I agree with her 100%!!! I hated working out "alone" at the gym as I couldn't help but think that everyone was looking at me or I was doing something wrong. It isn't like that at all at the Zone. Everyone is looking out for the benefit of the group and getting the group to accomplish the skills.

With the fitness classes and improved nutrition, Karen has lost 45 pounds in 7 months! She is on the Wall of Fame at the gym and seeing her progress photos is a definite motivator to me. I'm not showing the best weight loss numbers currently, but I know I have it in me to do this.

Karen now loves working out where as before she disliked even just climbing a flight of stairs because she would get winded. Her lifestyle has changed completely; she is in better health, has made many new friends and loves being active. The nutrition information that Coach Ken shares is vital in her journey.

Karen in 2013

She can't wait for the weather to change so she can go running with her daughter. This really hits home with me as my mom and I are in a challenge together now at the Zone. We are both working our butts off each week to get into great shape and hopefully run The Color Run in August together again this year. But we hope to not feel like we were going to collapse at the end like last year and be able to enjoy the triumph of our completion.

I look to Karen in my classes that we have together as someone of motivation. When I don't know what a move is or if I'm doing it right, I know that I can count on her to perform it properly. She also leads us in stretching at the end of class so Coach Ken can make the smoothies that the ladies like so much. I haven't had an Herbalife smoothie yet, but I think this week is time.

If you want to test out the Zone and see what it is all about, mark your calendars for March 23 - try two classes, tea, a smoothie and some healthy snacks for the unbelievable price of $15. Only 50 spots are available for this event, so call the Zone today to reserve your spot 262-349-9983. And if you have any questions about the Zone, call Coach Ken! 

Compensation for this post was provided by EnergizeZone after I asked to feature the 'Zone. Opinions expressed here are my own. 

Move-It Mondays: Beth's Energize Zone Story

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my blog to Coach Ken at Energize Zone and after a brief discussion, I have decided to do some featured posts about the club and share some great success stories from those that inspire me.  I can see how the club has worked for them and I cannot wait to share my own success story in the future. The new addition of the "Wall of Fame" at the club has really motivated me to keep it up!

Beth was the first person to contact me wanting to share her story. After hearing it, I am even more motivated to continue my journey and ecstatic for her loss so far!

Beth began her weight loss journey prior to joining the Zone, but wasn't happy with the way she was feeling. She was determined to lose the weight one way or another because she wants to be able to start a family of her own. Beth has PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and from what I have read and the little I know about it from a fellow blogger friend, it makes a mess of your hormones and significantly reduces the chance of having a healthy baby. Having a baby is something that Beth really wants and was willing to try anything the doctors suggested to get her healthy. I give her major kudos for sharing these extremely personal details as part of her story, but I know it's her main motivation.

Beth in the summer of 2011

Prior to joining the Zone, Beth had already fallen in love with Zumba classes and was keeping a food journal to help her stay on track. But feeling dizzy and hungry all the time and having no energy, she knew this wasn't the best way for her to get the pounds off. Although she was losing weight, she was feeling lousy while working out and trying to reach a goal. When I work out, I get an endorphin rush that continues even after the workout making me know that I want to go back and work out again.

Beth attended a Zumba party hosted by the Zone where she found out about additional class offerings - boot camps, kickboxing and yoga. The class prices and times were perfect for her and she started taking a boot camp class instead of the bi-weekly Zumba. "Everyone was so supportive and genuine," says Beth. "They understood me and my goals of losing all my excess weight and increasing my chances of actually having children of my own."

Current Weight Loss Challenge Program Info

Shortly there after, Beth joined one of the Zone's Weight Loss Challenge classes (what I am currently enrolled in) and learned life changing info from the nutrition portion of the classes (just like I am!). She learned she wasn't eating enough calories or protein which is vital to a healthy weight loss. Coach Ken helped her read labels, taught her how to handle eating out and even more importantly, determine how much water she should be drinking. Did you know that sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are possibly just thirsty? Try drinking 8 oz of water the next time you have a hunger craving and see what it does :)

Beth implemented these small (but amazing) changes into her week and she is now a total of 80 pounds down (35 were from her previous attempts of diet programs) and she is off almost all of her medications! She can do things now that she never thought she would be able to. This past summer, she participated in the Dirty Girl Mud Run and can't wait to beat last year's time by 15 minutes! (I have been debating doing one of these runs this summer and her story has just given me the push to consider it more closely!)

Beth in 2013

Beth has more energy than ever and is back to her "spunky self." In April of 2012, she became an Herbalife distributor because she believes in the products and the changes she was seeing in herself and others at the gym and wanted to be able to share her experiences with more people. She has made some great lifetime friendships from the supportive Zone members and enjoys attending classes. Beth says, "I have accomplished more mentally and physically with the Zone then I ever knew was possible."

"The Energize Zone is a true gift to the community. I would not be where I am today without its coaches. They are very knowledgeable and a true asset to the Waukesha area." ~Beth




Compensation for this post was provided by EnergizeZone after I asked to feature the 'Zone. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Fitness Journey: EnergizeZone

I usually save my fitness posting until Move-It Mondays, but I just couldn't wait and decided to post today. I have been attending the EnergizeZone in Waukesha for two months and this is the first gym/health club that I have ever been a part of that I don't dread going too. Me and fitness have been having a yo-yo relationship in the last few years, and finally I figured out something that works for me.

I am a part of the Weight Loss Challenge Boot Camp, an eight-week boot camp and nutrition class program that I found out about through the Waukesha Patch. These challenges are starting up all the time at EnergizeZone and I highly recommend them if you are looking to lose any amount of weight, or even just tone up.

The Weight Loss Challenge begins with a weigh-in and measurements on week one and weight loss results are shared each week (at your own will.) At the end of the eight weeks, a prize is given to those that lose the most weight and we all celebrate our successes (I can't wait!)

After the weekly weigh-in, the challengers head into the gym for one of Coach Ken's killer boot camp, tabata-style workouts. They are intense, but Coach Ken shows us different levels of each skill so we can do it at our own pace. The class goes by so fast and at the end my legs and arms are usually jello and I feel my workout for a day or so after (I love that!) SIDENOTE: I have never done so many lunges/squats in my life, and if I wasn't in this class, I know I wouldn't be doing as many as I am capable of now.

After the class, Ken makes smoothies for those that put in their orders and we head into the classroom for excellent nutrition information, based on Herbalife products. Although I have only had a few classes, I have learned a lot about what fuel my body needs to perform at its peak daily. I can't wait to continue learning and fine-tuning my daily regimen.

I haven't ordered a protein smoothie or any Herbalife products yet as I have a low tolerance to Vitamin C (wah-wah) and I don't want to have a reaction. My mom and I might split a smoothie next week and possibly try the green tea before making our first purchase.

In just the short time since beginning the challenge, I can already notice many changes in myself, the main one being the way I look at my nutrition and what I am putting into my body and that my running is excelling and its looking good to PR in 2013! I shared this with Ken last week during walking lunges and told him about my blog. I told him that I have written about the Zone in previous posts here and here and here and told him I will definitely continue.

I have met the nicest group of workout folks ever. The former gym I attended (to remain nameless) seemed that everyone was out for the betterment of themselves exclusively and I felt that I was in their way on the equipment. I love the support of the other challengers and other class attendees and I have even asked a few for their stories to share on my blog in the future. Stay tuned for those posts! 

Posted February, 19, 2013 on FB

Besides the weight loss challenges, The EnergizeZone also offers Boot Camp, Zumba, cardio kickboxing, wellness profiles and Herbalife products and a nutrition bar. The facility is also available for hosting events, like the upcoming Mind, Body and Sole Sisters Expo. I heard from a little birdy that Yoga classes could be coming in the near future :)

Mind, Body & Sole Sisters Expo - March 2 at EnergizeZone

Ken is a multi-talented individual and I can't wait to hear his amazing story. The bits and pieces are great so far. Besides running the EnergizeZone, he is a local distributor of the Herbalife products and he can be contacted at ken @ energizezone dot com if you would like further information about Herbalife or would like to place an order.



Compensation for this post was provided by EnergizeZone after I asked to feature the 'Zone. Opinions expressed here are my own.