Crunch Time!

Final count points in green.

[for those who did their final weigh in last week]

Top 3 in red.

[still to add in this next 1/2 week and weigh in]

We still have a few days in this week...

and the weigh in.

Hang in there...

ya'll are an inspiration!!

Week 1 and 2 Points

Here they are...points for the first 2 weeks of our 3.5 week challenge...

Looking awesome!

Remember...the most points are yet to be rewarded:

25 big ones for maintaining weight through the holiday season.

YOU can do this!!

spotlight on!

This month's Featured Forever Fitter is Cassie Nelson. 

What you may already know about Cassie is that she has been working with Deanne for over three years. Not only is she a regular at bootcamps, but she has also been doing individual sessions for quite awhile..this translated=excellent form:) Cassie is one of the nicest campers ever. She doesn't have to be first but instead is always looking out for those around her. She is also very observant. (She once noticed a minor hair color change of mine even under my hat...who does that?)...All of this information you could have already known...so now I will tell you the rest of the story...

When Cassie reflects back on her life and fitness she thinks of high school and how she was even 20#s lighter than she is today (if you can believe that). She was super skinny, a dancer, could eat anything she wanted but wasn't very strong. Looking back she doesn't like the way she looked or ate but does appreciate the fact that she didn't have to worry about gaining weight at all.

A few years down the road and after Cassie was married things began to change for her. She started to gain weight due to medication she was taking and eventually found herself 40 pounds heavier. After giving birth to her first baby she found that she lost the weight easily but then soon saw it all start to come back. She remembers what food she loved back then.... Fettuccine Alfredo and Cheesecake. She knew she was eating poorly but felt she "deserved desserts". 

After Cassie's second baby was born (2005) she found herself at an all time high as far as weight gain. She didn't make drastic lifestyle changes until she went to her doctor (2006) and found out that her cholesterol was high and that she was looking at a possible life-long medication while still in her 30s. This was her wake up call.

In 2007 she started working with Deanne. Initially she hoped that she would be able to lose 30 pounds but really wanted to lose 40...she never thought she would be able to lose it. She told me that she started with Deanne as a size 12..she was hoping to get to a 10 or possibly an 8. Today she is easily a size 6!  

Cassie told me that this has definitely been a journey for her. She used Deanne's menus as her food plan but especially in the beginning she felt she was STARVING! She didn't think she could stick to it but then she discovered that if she was good about getting in all of her scheduled snacks, and stuck to the menus, that she began feeling more satisfied. It took her body about 2 months to adjust to her new schedule of eating. She said that it was a good six months before she noticed a big change in her body. Once she started to lose weight, it seemed to come off pretty quickly especially after she added 3 strength days/week to her training. She would also do fitness classes at the gym and regular workouts with her husband, Greg. [Holy Cow!...this deserves a moment of appreciation...do you know Greg??...Cassie is not only married to the man...she works out with him...'nuff said!]

Finally in 2009, she felt healthy and strong. She was/is comfortable with how she looks and feels. Now as far as food and eating...she says that she really listens to her body. She will not eat more or less than what she needs to feel satisfied. If she feels like a second helping then she will take it but sometimes half a helping is enough. Cassie said that she realizes that before forever fit she used to use food to medicate herself; whether she was bored, sad, mad...whatever. She would "fix it" with food. Now, she finds out why she is experiencing  the emotions and and then finds a true solution rather than turning to food.

She said that although she has learned a lot, she has not done any of it perfectly. Cassie said that now if she has an eating set back, she really doesn't physically feel well. In fact, she can always tell when she has been eating too much sugar. Eating healthy and working out daily has really improved her energy level.

For those of you interested in stats...Cassie lost 25% of her body weight from the time she started with Deanne and when she reached her 2009 levels. She is not sure on the body fat change...I will update this after I get it from "D", but she did go down four pant sizes! She appreciates the improved muscle tone and what it feels like to be strong. She can hardly believe the food that she used to like to eat...the thought of it makes her gag now. She is a great example of someone that not only changed her habits but completely changed her lifestyle. (and her state of mind...)

Cassie is pretty set on what has worked for her...I have detailed a few points that have helped to ensure her fitness success:

1) Do strength training 3x/week. 
       Right now for Cassie this means: boot camp once/week, individual workout with Deanne, and working out at the gym with...GREG! Cassie also does fitness classes and runs on the other days.


2) Get all unhealthy food out of your house! If you don't have it,  you won't eat it!


3) Identify your trigger foods and stay clear of them. 
     For example...some people can't eat any chocolate or they can not stop. Or...baked goods or for some it is salty foods.


4) Find a healthy alternative to emotional eating. 
      This may take some work, but you will be successful if you take the time to figure out what  you are really needing and actually filling the need rather than filling your mouth.


Thanks for the interview, Cassie...you R O C K!!

Cassie in her favorite vacation location,

 Varenna (Lake Como).

2010