Thank God for the foam roller!

I have tight hamstrings and Monika suggested that I started using the foam roller to help increase flexibly. She posted a video for me on her page and I decided to try it out the next day. The move that involved release of the inner thigh was absolutely amazing! All the stiffness from my upper leg was released (after the initial pain). It was surprising to me how much tension was stored there. I am definitely going to try and do this on a regular basis. Try it…I’m sure you’ll like it.

You can view the video by clicking here >>> 

Sana

Team SuperWomen

Time flies when you are having fun…..

We couldn’t believe it when we finished our final bootcamp…it all went by way too fast! It just seems like yesterday that we had started. This has been an amazing journey for all of us. We had come in really not knowing what to expect…most of us had never met each other as we had assembled our team mostly through Fiona’s blog. The challenge has given us the opportunity of forging new friendships and a new found motivation for keeping fit. And of coarse, we cannot forget our amazing trainer, Monika!!! She has been absolutely instrumental in making the bootcamps enjoyable and pushing us enough to get us out of our comfort zones. I think she can make us do pretty much anything with that amazing smile of hers 🙂 – just look at that picture.

She usually taught classes all day before she met with us at 8.00 pm and we envied her energy and enthusiasm (which has hopefully rubbed off on us!). Monika, we really couldn’t have done it without you!

Team SuperWomen

Helpless Helpers: Final Bootcamp

For the first time in a month I was able to sleep soundly the night before our early morning bootcamp with Sayida.  I woke up at 5am on Thursday feeling incredibly refreshed which has not been the case during this challenge.  In fact I was the freak on our team that would have to set three alarms in order to get up in time for our early morning training sessions.  Upon arrival to Healthworks I found my team chatting anxiously in the trainer area of the fitness floor.  Sayida was just beginning our weigh-ins and measurements.  As I stood there chatting about the workday to come I realized what an amazing group of ladies I have trained with this past month.  Each is strong minded and now even more so we have become physically stronger with our drive to work together.  High fives and cheers were plentiful throughout this final day.   We set out to achieve success in this challenge, and that is exactly what we did hitting both personal and team goals.  I consider myself lucky to have had the support of Zoey, Clionagh, Julie, Courtney, Ashley, Elizabeth, Charlene, and Sayida during this challenge.  Go Helpless Helpers!

Lunch Bunch, wrapping up

A week ago, it was Team Lunch Bunch’s final Tuesday evening Bootcamp with Jake the Trainer at Healthworks Chestnut Hill! I can’t believe how quickly these four weeks have flown by. I have to say, it’s really changed by workouts (for the better, of course) Every time I work out — whether it’s at the gym, at home, or even squeezing something in at the office — I have the fundamentals that Jake has taught us in the back of my mind. I can’t thank him enough!

I know for a fact that I’ve improved in almost all areas. And, my teammates are kicking butt, too! Everyone has been so into this challenge, and I feel like it’s definately brought us closer together. Just like Lauren said in our application video, “We’re not just co-workers, we’re really good friends.” Thanks to everyone at Healthworks who made this event possible. Your hard work is much appreciated!
-Julie

Here’s the plan

I’m a proud team captain.  Proud of all that we’ve accomplished in the past month.  Proud of the commitment and sacrifices that each of my teammates have made.  A combined 21 pounds lighter, we achieved things I didn’t think were possible just 4 short weeks ago.

Cranking up the speed on the treadmills to double-digits? Check!

Almost doubling the amount of push-ups we had done the first day?  Check!

Maxing out the wall-sits and plank? Done and done.

Fiona’s Challenge might be over but our newfound passion for health and fitness is not going anywhere.  Just the day after our final assessment, Brie tried her first spin class and Casey and I were right there to cheer her on.

Emails are going around and we’re planning to do a holiday fun run as a team.  Even though an unnamed teammate is a Santa Speedo Run veteran, we’re going to save that for next year 😉  Jackie’s family does a Thanksgiving to Christmas weight loss competition they call “Hot for the Holidays” and we’re all in.  We’re determined to keep this incredible momentum going and not let the holidays derail our goals.

I speak for the whole team when I say a HUGE thank you to Healthworks for this incredible opportunity!

-Kaitlin

Run, Forrester, Run

Even though I was in Vegas  for work I had Fiona’s challenge in mind. Besides trying to replicate some of Monika’s workout at the gym, I made sure to walk everywhere and not use a cab service. I must have walked up and down the strip at least 6 times a day with a little heel-:) I enjoyed the challenge so much and am so sad I was away for the final few days but it was always on my mind.

Go supergirls go!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run, Forrester, Run Final Spotlight: Kaitlin ‘The Sweetheart” O’Malley

All thanks goes to Kaitlin, our team captain, for getting us involved in Fiona’s Challenge. Thank goodness she did; we wouldn’t have had this experience without her. Let’s get to know a little more about Kaitlin and her phenomenal attitude throughout the whole thing:

Kaitlin hanging out with Hal Higdon

Favorite Panera meal: You pick two:  Turkey sandwich & Soup

Favorite Book series: The Hunger Games

Possible TV Spotlight: Say Yes to the Dress for less

Favorite Pet: Penny her cat (the reason she’s become a crazy cat lady 🙂 )

Favorite Fiancé: Craig

Through this whole challenge Kaitlin has been our foundation, our rock, and our inspiration. Kaitlin’s dedication to fitness and healthy living – especially as she prepares for her upcoming wedding – is motivating to all of us. She is the reason we are here and working so hard. Not only is she excited about improving her own fitness, but she is genuinely invested in the wellbeing of each of her teammates as well.  Just yesterday morning in our final fitness assessment, one of our team mates (who struggles with weight loss) lost a whopping 8.8 pounds. Kaitlin had tears in her eyes. Her heart is as solid as her newly found rock hard abs.

Kaitlin has been dedicated to her weight loss and fitness goals for over a year. In that year’s time, she has balanced Weight Watchers, marathon training, (just completing her FIRST marathon, the Chicago Marathon last month!) and a new weightlifting routine. In doing so, she has lost over 15 pounds, tacking on an additional loss of 5 pounds thanks to Fiona’s fit! (WOW!)

Kaitlin had always been hesitant to join the classes at the gym, for fear she wouldn’t know what to do. This challenge has enabled her to try a variety of classes, and she has found a new love for weight lifting she never experienced before. Kaitlin has been getting to the gym before work every single morning, and motivating us all to join her there. Just yesterday, her fiancé noted how much  he misses her at breakfast, because she’s always at the gym.

Our favorite bride-to-be has been making sacrifices this whole month as she works hard to achieve her goals. With her wedding quickly approaching (September 2012 🙂 ) we know Kaitlin is going to be the happiest, healthiest and most beautiful of all brides.

–          The Run, Forrester, Run Team

Strength Training for Runners

I was lucky enough to learn at a young age that I was never going to grow up and realize my childhood dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. I turned my emphasis instead to running, and developed a habit that has stuck with me to this day. From the first timed mile in my seventh-grade gym class to the completion of my first marathon, running is now an ingrained part of me that I am really proud of. Despite my accomplishments on the race course, I was blowing off strength training; it was completely absent from my workout regimen. Even though I knew how important it was, and that it would actually make me a better runner, I avoided this aspect at all costs. I simply did not enjoy lifting weights, doing sit-ups and push-ups and all the rest of it.

I chose to take part in Fiona’s Challenge with the hopes that I might acquire a new habit in strength training. And, although my muscles have been sore since day one of this competition (thank you, Jake!), I can now say that I actually look forward to the Bootcamps and classes such as Body Defined and BURN, which combines both of my favorites, old and new.

The Lunch Bunch has also been incredibly supportive in all of my athletic endeavors. We have formed a Marathon/Runners “sub committee” that meets periodically throughout our training sessions before marathons, halfs and other races. It was great for me to hear from some of the veteran marathoners before my first marathon, which I ran the day before Fiona’s Challenge began! Allie, who ran her first (Boston!) marathon last April, went above and beyond her role as supportive co-worker and friend by joining me for the weekend in Newport, RI. She also kicked some booty running the half-marathon!

Needless to say, I probably won’t be entering any body builder competitions anytime soon, but it’s still refreshing to know that in a week when this competition is over, I’ll still be surrounded by a motivating and supportive group of women. Thanks guys, keep it up Lunch Bunch!

-Lauren

Last Bootcamp

I can’t believe we had our last Tuesday night Boot Camp with Jake last night.  I’m really going to miss these worksouts!!  Jake does an amazing job of mixing up the stations so that each week there are some new ones to learn and some old ones to groan about OR (if you’re lucky) prove how much stronger you are.

We have all been inspired by Jakes recipes and nutrition expertise.  This is a good thing because I seem to be starving when I get home from these workouts.  I have been less prone to grab for the ice cream; I hear Jake’s wise words about staying away from processed sugar!!

In a couple of hours I’m off to spin with Sharon S. and look forward to Lauren and Andrea’s company.

Go LUNCH BUNCH – keep on clapping through those wall sits and stay stong in the plank – YAH! -Laura

Run, Forrester, Run: A Typical Day at the Office

Murphy, Brie [8:30 AM]:  I. am. famished.

O’Malley, Kaitlin [8:47 AM]:  Is it lunch yet?

Richards, Leigh [9:27 AM]:  I actually can’t physically remove my butt from this chair right now…the…quads…are…not…working…

Richards, Leigh [9:28 AM]:  Thank you Regan

 Murphy, BrieAnn [10:13 AM]:  Remember, protein, protein, protein

 Gormley, Jackie [11:31 AM]:  Wanna roll to the gym at lunch? Round two for the day!?

O’Malley, Bridget [11:32 AM]:  You know it.

O’Malley, Bridget [12:15 PM]:  Let’s get crazy today…wanna double up? Tofu AND chicken on our salads for protein!?

Richards, Casey [2:48 PM]:  I have to do so much laundry tonight. I literally don’t have a clean pair of workout pants. I’ve already worn them three times. Socially inappropriate. Not ok.

Murphy, Brie [3:17 PM]:  Maybe we should just boil a dozen hard boiled eggs, and leave them in the fridge. That way, when we get hungry, we can have our hearty protein snack, just like Regan taught us? Thoughts?

Richards, Casey [3:18 PM]:  Done.

Richards, Leigh [4:47 PM]:  This has been the highlight of my social calendar this month. Thank you Fiona 🙂