me verses the tire ... victory!

Last night on Biggest Loser, 'Danny' made the comment, "I could have never done this on my own. I would never push myself this hard ever!"

I know exactly what he means. Exactly. For the past 20 years, on my own has got me nowhere.

Tim Cole and Melissa Cole Mack, they mean so much to me ..... and, as my mom says, "I love these people I have never met because of what they are helping you with."

Epiphany moment today. I knew it was rope day. When I awoke, I knew the rope was waiting. The rope knocks me around a lot, makes my heart rate soar, and causes me to NOT breathe. A rope!

Tim Cole, big-trainer-dude, has me starting with the rope. Just like last time: "Swing it this way." breathe. "Swing it that way." breathe. "Swing it up." breathe. "Swing it around.... No, like this." "Lift it off the ground and swing." breathe. "Lift it off the ground and swing this way." breathe.... 35 MINUTES of a ROPE! Yesterday was an arm strengthen day, so the rope today, is like OOUUCCHH!

While I was doing this one side-arm-rope-flingy-type-of-thing, I could not even see Tim, because I am parrellel with the rope, and I know the 'bounce' of the rope is not even getting to him waayy across the room. This is the weakest of all the rope exercises for me. So, I glance over, and HIS FOOT is on the rope, while he 'sips' on his water with vitamins ... MEN!

Anyway, after recovery, as I am gasping for air and the heart is like at 190..really it was .. here comes the tire... Tire and rope??? in the same day?? my least favorite things. Because it makes my heart soar, and when the heart soars, I am gasping. I do not like gasping! at all!

So, here I am 40 minutes into the workout and first I am pushing the tire to him while his pinky finger resist me. for like 45 seconds or something like that. The goal is for me to push against him. and move the tire to him. Through that 45 seconds or whatever amount of time it is, he is pushing against me and throwing me around. 3 sets of that .. I collapse! arms ache. breathing is desired. air, I need air!

Then it is time to FLIP the tire. Let me remind you that this is not a bicycle tire. Monster truck type of tire!! He sets the watch for one minute. "Let's see how many you can do in 1 minute," trainer-dude says.

14 - I flip it fourteen times. He counts, I flip. "Stop," he says, and I crumble. If the Polar watch beeping system was not on silent, I would be beeping so loud and clear that the hospital would have rushed over.

He leaves me there and heads to the office. In his hand is a peice of paper that has his HIGH SCHOOL GUYS' times of tire flips and whatever other torture Tim does to them. There I was, 37 year old overweight woman ... right next to the top!

"Make a new sheet Tim," I tell him, "and insert me and that I am 37 and overweight and a woman and getting stronger everyday." The teenage athlete boy ahead of me, Mr. Wrinkle, I am gunning for his flips of 15 in a minute. I want to yell at the next work out, "Bring out the tire, Tim." ...BUT, next time bring it before the rope, and before the tire fight with you ...

We still have abs to go before this workout was complete. But by this time, knowing that I am indeed stronger, Tim, the big-trainer-dude, could have asked me to do 1000 sit ups, and my emotion would have carried me ..(tim, if you read this ... please do not try this)

Strong. Fit. Lean. That has always been my goal. a 20 year goal. I thank the Lord, for my husband for support, and Tim Cole and Melissa Cole Mack for helping get to stronger. Today was a good day. I am STronger I am STROnger. I am STRONGER. Colorado Rocky Mountains, I am coming soon ....

Tomorrow ... metabolic testing day ...

Define Encouragement

So, with all the emotions that plagued me last week, I went a searching to the reason why. Wed night, I sat alone with my Bible, notebook, open heart and pencil.

Ready.. God .. Go!

What I learned was it is not encouragement that bothers me. David encouraged himself in the Lord, the Bible says. Construction workers encouraged gold smiths in building the temple. Moses encouraged Joshua. The word encouragement means ..according to Strongs #2388, to seize, be strong, strengthen, cure, help, fortify, lean upon... I let those words sink, sink real deep.

So if it not the encouragement that has my emotions upside down .... what could it be??

In my work-out with my Melissa on Friday, she helped me work myself out. I am not mad that people are clapping per say. I am more 'not-liking' the 'looking at me'. I already have shame about what I have done to my body, and what I have not done to my body. The last thing I want is more people to look at my body. I suppose I think I hide myself, when I am quick, oh so quick, to talk about the person standing before me than myself. In fact even if they ask how I am, I change the subject to talk more about them.

Unless it is Brian, a couple of friends, my mom, or my trainer team, weight issues are few and far between discussed. I would rather talk about ANYTHING in their world than the process of getting fit. strong. lean.

Do I need healing??? Looks like it ...

What I realized is that everyone needs encouragement to accomplish God's plan. Everyone needs to hear, "Keep going!" Or as Moses says, 'Be strong and courageous,' to Joshua. In the new testament, Barnabas' (Paul's side kick for awhile) name is defined as 'Son of Encouragement.'

I need to realize that I can not hide or erase what I have become. Heal and move forward. I can only replace the horrible habits I have placed in my life. I can replace. God will redeem. I will pray. God will answer. God says yes to healthy living. God says yes to treat our bodies right. God says yes to strength. And I want to love Him with all my strength... and each little bit I gain .. I give for His service. To love Him. To serve Him.

This week, on Thursday, I meet with my trainer for a metabolic test at the hospital. We are going to see what the deal is with my body. Until then, I meet everyday with my trainers, sweating, and sweating, and sweating ...

oh yeah ... thinking that I need less wheat .. or no wheat ... will share later the discovery ..

Support and Emotions

Many years ago at my heaviest weight I attempted to walk Ha Ha Tonka's 319 stairs Spring Trail to the castle. It got the best of me. Winded me. Knocked me flat.

Saturday, I climbed those stairs ... and could have done it again. My emotions overwhelmed me a bit. I was pleased. Although, my weight is not falling down scale-wise as fast I would hope, my strength is soaring. I choose strength. I want lean. fit. strong ..

My trainer, Tim, tells me I have a great support center in Brian and my girls. He is correct. I do. They inspire me and help me.

This week, a sweet friend of mine, created a 'laurie bennett team' group on her Facebook. Support from my friends caught me off guard and caused me to swell with emotion. Why, I wondered? Why, oh, why?

I have a great man, sweet girls, wonderful friends, encouraging parents, family, and yet, when the focus is on me, I do not, and I mean DO NOT, handle that well. I do not like my birthday celebrations. I would rather plan a party for someone else. I would rather buy someone's dinner than them to buy mine. I am pleased to be the giver at Christmas, and not the receiver.

Maybe that is why the weight is still hanging around?? With weight I can hide? With weight I can escape attention? No, that can not be it ... Because, I do not want to hide. I want to minster, give, love, share, teach, others. You do not do that through hiding. My mom, my friend Tammy, my friend Melissa all think I have some heart healing to do. Probably. Don't we all? Jesus is continually healing my heart, body, soul. Continually reviving my spirit. I love Jesus.

As I figure out this .... whatever emotional trigger this is ...this why...... to why I am a basket case about cheer to me .. I will let you know .. if you know why.. please comment!

Today's training session brought the rope back. YES, the rope. Heart rate soared to 188! From a rope! But, it was better this go around than last week. My trainer, Tim, is good ... great .. He is just where he needs to be. I learn sooo much from him and his sister. God led me to a great path. I am thankful.

Stronger yet...

Knowing that Melissa was going kill my legs to day, I was glad for the mile over for the week.

She works me hard, but what I realized today is that I am starting to keep up. After a series of punch combination, her eyes were thinking I needed a break, and I did not! I kept on going!

But, when we moved to leg stuff.. I felt like I was carrying logs for legs. Ya know what she had me doing ... jumping on and off some lifted board step thingy. over and over.

I have had three daughters, all natural deliveries.... jumping of any sort does not work well for the bladder. I warned her of this on the first days, when she started with jumping jacks. LEAKAGE! might occur. no matter the keigel exercise.. leakage might occur...

But jumping this time, this day, was not leakage-scary. Perhaps that muscle also is improving. YEAH! for the nightlife too!

546 calories burned according to the Polar Watch.

When I walked in the house tonight ... the cheat treat was made by my Brooke. We got online to see how many calories a chocolate chip cookie is ...

perhaps tomorrow if the legs are working, I will hike HaHa Tonka in Camdenton.

1 MILE!

It has been raining and raining here all week.

Thursday, instead of getting to walk at Harke Park, I went to the Civic Center treadmills.

I know tomorrow Melissa was instructed to 'kill the legs' ... so today I planned to run/jog for distance. Let me just see how far I can go.

I walked .25 of a mile to warm up .. and then cranked the treadmill up and jogged. and jogged. and jogged. when I got to one mile, I knew I had .25 left to jog the whole mile ... so I kept going. I jogged the whole mile....!!! One whole mile. and then walked another 1/2 mile. So the treadmill read 1.75 mile. and I was thrilled that one mile of that I was jogging. I think I could have stayed longer, but I had to pick up Faithe from class. So, I got off with a smile. and 295 calories off!

One mile down ... a 5K to go ... I am thinking the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. it is a 5K at 8 AM.

Learning to Cheat

All this time, I have been giving Tim my food diary and we tweek it. (did I tell you I was at 7 pounds OFF)

many times, I am not eating enough calories, he says. I have decided this week to give him what I am going to eat, rather than what I have already eaten. Good plan he says!

Tim is teaching me to have a cheat treat. One cheat meal a week. This is starting to come easier to me. Last week I craved a cinnamon roll for like EVER. So, the Bennett clan agreed Sunday morning before church, we would have cinnamon rolls. That was it. My only cheat. Brian and I had our Sunday, before church, coffee time and cinnamon roll.

Sunday night we had buffet night for our Worship leader's 40th birthday, and I did not graze. I ate well. God is helping me to this thing! I could have waited and used it as my cheat meal, but I really craved the cinnamon roll. So, I made a choice and did it!

At the Bennett house, we also have cut out eating out. We pack lunch and snack and it all. This has helped a lot, but takes so much time!! I just did not realize how much time it took. I am cooking healthy. Something I have wanted to learn for 20 years. I read books on how to cook well. The Bennett family is in the middle of a lifestyle change.... we are going to do it.

Today, my Faithe asked me what we should cheat with this weekend. She said she was craving chocolate chip cookies. My Brooke, 15, agreed. So, on Friday night, during a Bennett card game night, we will have chocolate chip cookies and milk!

I am telling you, we used to eat sugar, carb, junk of some sort every day. Soda. Ice cream, and it was Blue Bell ice cream! Cereals. Breads. Rolls with dinner. Fast food lunches and dinner. We were EASILY eating out 4-6 times a week. NO MORE.

I am learning. I am doing it. God is helping me to love Him with strength. I am going to climb that mountain next summer. I am going to do it.

Week 11 - Warehouse

Have lost 7 pounds!! Tim tells me the pounds will reach the weeks I have been training. Lots of people tell me they can see I am losing. The jeans are loser in the legs .. but the butt and gut are holding on ... let go already!!

Tim Cole, my trainer, is opening a bigger gym. The Warehouse, he named it.

When he told me he was opening a new bigger gym, I was nervous. Size 2 women running around in cute little outfits ... scares me ..

But I realize that all the women Tim trains now .. are real .. lean. strong. fit. My goals. The women he trains now, are focused on the same goals I have. lean. strong. fit. There are no 'Fame' leotards running around. No fear. Open your Warehouse, TIM!

In opening his new Warehouse, he is buying new 'TOYS'. Did I tell you, that last week, we went outside, and I threw an 8 pound medicine ball fore ward, side ways, granny style, over my head, and every which way he told me. 160 TIMES! 160 TIMES. Who thinks of stuff like this! Arms ached. Arms tired ...

And an iron cross sit up... ouch!

Today, he brought in the rope ... yes, THE ROPE, like the one you have seen on Biggest Loser. The rope that is long and HEAVY.

Today, Tim stretches the rope. I stand on one end. Him on the other. "Jump up, Laurie, and fling the rope to me....20 times." Breathe. "another 20." Breathe. "another 20." My heart rate soars to 187. FROM A ROPE! "Now do it like this," he says, as he flings me side ways at the other end. I try ... ouch, this is going to hurt. "20 times." Breathe. "another 20." Breathe. "another 20." I must tell you ... when I get to 12, I do not even think the rope is reaching him on the other side. Feeling weak! NOW, another way?? "Now do it like this," as he does it with one arm on the side. "20 times." Breathe. "another 20." Breathe. "another 20." then we do some ab work and some medicine ball work. I can not breathe. 627 CALORIES today!

Welcome to the rope, Laurie!

ps .. when I asked him how many times he flings it .. 50 at a time ..

I Zumba ....

My cousin Jen, has told me that she went to a Zumba class. What is Zumba? I laugh at her and tell her I want to see her wear the costume when she Zumbas. I think of the National Geographic shows of African dance. Zumba has not made it to Lebanon I tell her...

...until now.

Today at 9 AM I went to Zumba. The class was small. The leader Zumba girl was small, young and cute. I know her from a restaurant she works at in out town. This was her 3 time to lead. I like her. She is a sweet gal.

I set my Polar Watch, and say to her, 'let's see how high the heart rate jumps.'

I love dance. I have always loved dance. My fat fanny, butt and gut does not look great dancing, but I love it. So I thought I would love Zumba.

After an hour, I did not burn what I normally burn in a cario class with the Cardio Queen Melissa. I did not have the heart rate jump I have with Melissa. No intensity. I did burn 489 calories, and it was different. and I liked it. But I know I would have liked it much better if it was with more energy, louder music, more in the class, and with my cardio queen.

I took Faithe to her swimming training today. I did not swim with her, but her stroke form is so improving. You go, you little Bennett chic!

I close this week with almost 6 hours of intense workout ... Sunday is rest day!

2 a day .. week 10

I am feeling so much stronger that I ask Tim, my trainer-dude, if I can do some two a day work outs. His only hesitation is that I make it a 'want-to' work out.. not a mental .. 'have-to' work out.

So Tuesday, after I work out with Tim, I swim with Faithe. Her swimming is sooo improving. She is doing great. I swim for 35 minutes straight. I do not wear my Polar Watch, so I can not gauge work out. I hit the car .. tired and wet ...

Wednesdays are normally leg days. 612 calorie day. So there was no two-a-day. When the legs are so tired, I leave them to rest. Tim tells me to have recovery days.

But today, with Melissa, my work out was 614 calories and I was tired. We have moved our Saturdays to Fridays. So Thur and Sat are my day alone to work out. It has worked well for both of us. I am keeping up, but the heart rate is still HIGH and LONG.... I know I am getting stronger!

Saturday morning Tim tells me there is a Zumba class at another gym in town. I should try it. I have been telling them I want a class that dances. I like to dance. the music in my kick boxing class keeps me in rhythm.

So tomorrow I Zumba!