YES, that is me doing a pull up – the results of 12 grueling weeks working out with the best personal trainer I know. I met Ray 10 years ago as I was embarking on shooting a wedding special. Getting married seemed so confusing the only way my husband and I knew how to navigate it was by producing a show about it! Ray trained me for 7 weeks, I lost 4% body fat and was in the best shape of my life. Watch the video here (scroll forward to 1:55). AND CHECK OUT HIS HAIR!!!!

And a decade later he has his very own boutique gym. Ray, I am proud and privileged to have you in my life. And the gift you gave me and my Mamas makes you the most generous man I know! I love you, Ray Ray!!!  Only you could push me this far:

It’s hard to believe that Bootcamp is over. Did the 12 weeks fly by or did they take forever? I can only liken it to watching your kids grow. The days can be long, but time still flies. So what did I get out of this except for the 12 pounds & 5% body fat lost?

I now know that I’m a Warrior. Let’s define the word, shall we?

war·ri·or

[wawr-ee-er, wawr-yer, wor-ee-er, wor-yer]

a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness.

Yep, that’s me!

Bootcamp got all of the Mamas into an insanely focused zone, where making our well-being was not a choice but the task at hand. And what I have realized is that I can do this while still living the rest of my life. Still loving my husband, while still loving my kids, while still taking care of the kazillion things a Mom has to do on a daily basis. And like Lisa pointed out at the onset, if the laundry does’t get done once in a while WHO CARES!!! I don’t, that’s who! Below, me attacking the “speed skate”- proves you need zero fitness equipment to get into fierce shape. Just the will.

I’ve also learned that having a support group makes all the difference. I cherished every moment of grunting through the torture with the toughest team of moms, heck, of women, I know. Their dedication to this experience was unparalleled and early morning existential chats about life and motherhood with Marina in the fly Mommy-mobile, my Traverse was just one more perk of the process. I reunited with some old buddies of mine from the club days and most of all have new friends that I will surely have forever. Alicia, Natasha, Crystal, Tiffanie, Marina and Jen: I love you all and thanks for embarking on this crazy plan I put together.

As of today, Sunday January 29, we have created a thread of 2,786 messages on facebook between Ray, Lisa, The Mamas and myself. You see, I group messaged them at the onset, and the conversation has been ongoing ever since full of waaaaaaay too much TMI!!! Too TMI to share and sill remain a family show, sorry! The generous Folks @ NYSC pitched in with free 3 month memberships for the gals and we each got a personal training session once a week. Here is me boxing mine. Thanks John!!

The good news is that The Bootcmap Mamas will live on. I have decided when my show re-debuts on a new network in April (more info to come) – I will feature a fabulous NYC fitness story and the Mamas will tag along!  First up is Brooklyn Boulders this coming Saturday where Lisa will embark on a battle of the sexes and attempt to beat this guy up the toughest climb. Hey, even Lisa needs a challenge every once in a while! LISA, MEET ALONZO, ALONZO, MEET LISA. (CAN U SAY HAAAAWT!)

Now last but certainly not least, I have to bow down to our Princess Warrior. When I came up with the plan, I was just getting to know Lisa. After her spin class one day she told me about a cool place her daughter Nicole worked at, and thought it might be a good story for the show. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese had opened up on Broadway. I covered it in this episode (scroll to 20:33).

Then I asked her to tag along with me and Marina to an outdoor art installation up in Garrison later that day. Afterwards, at my house she said she wanted to do bootcamp with us. I told her if I put her in the group and on tv as a mom who needed to get back in shape, people would hate me and they would hate her because she has NOTHING to lose. We agreed she could be our guide and assist us with nutrition.

But she has done way more than that which brings me to an interesting conclusion: Ray, Dr. Bob and Lisa all have an incredible characteristic in common. They are truly great motivators, yet they don’t judge. If you falter they are there to pick you back up, no questions asked. They are our trifecta of unconditional love. Even typing this is making me teary eyed.

Lisa, you are an incredible inspiration and have made an ever-lasting impression on my life. And…YOU ARE TOTALLY INSANE!!!! Which I love of course. Today at Renegade Insanity, my eldest son played correspondent.

Another perk of the process is that I have gotten to know so many more Mamas! Mamas who kick ass and take names! They all work out at my local gym and are as crazy as I am. Just when you thought the suburban mom next to you was a boring drone, think again. She could be just as hilariously insane as you are! These gals certainly are. My Post-Spin Renegade Botocamp Mamas!

I still have a ways to go to get back in true fighting form, but now I hold the keys in hand, the tools to make it happen. This summer I’ll be strutting my stuff in a bikini – looking just as good as I did on my wedding day and by 2013 Alicia will be wearing my wedding dress….which brings me to…..some final words from the girls.

Alicia has shooed the haters away, lost 33 pounds and at 5′3″ that makes a HUGE difference. PLUS SHE ASKED ME TO BE IN HER WEDDING PARTY!!! WOOOO!!! Can you say My-Big-I-Used-To-Be-Fat-Latino-Wedding???

Crystal has lost 36 pounds and 9 INCHES OFF HER WAIST ALONE!!!!!!

Tiffanie still feels defeated even though she has shed 11 pounds off of her tiny frame! YOU LOOK GREAT!

Marina’s empowered, realizing that working out and making good food choices isn’t such a big deal. In fact, it is easy compared to what life can throw at you.

And Natasha, well, all I can say is she is going to look FIERCE in her teensy weensie feathery costume at Carnival. During these 12 weeks she has gone from a size 14 to a SIZE 8!!!!! Plus she will be working out with Ray vis skype! LOVE IT!

C’mon join the crusade! Fight the good fight! Fight to get fit! WE DID IT AND SO CAN YOU!! xos t

And now a final note from Dr. Bob

As you conclude this phase of the pre baby bootcamp, look back over the past 12 weeks and allow yourself to feel a deep sense of pride both for making the commitment  and for all you’ve accomplished.Whether your goals were modest or ambitious the fact that you embraced challenges, worked hard, and accomplished something worthwhile is what is most important.Realize that you’ve given yourself a gift-that despite the demands of ministering to a newborn-you’ve found a way to take care of yourself as well. Taking good care of yourself -being self nurturing-allows you to take good care of others. My hope is that you will continue on this path and to continue to reap the benefits of your hard work.

Bob! WE ARE SOOOO ON IT! xo t

I’m going to continue to take classes at Pedal NYC, train with Ray, and weekends will find me heading north to Insanity with Lisa the Warrior Princess.  I’m also going to continue to pick Lisa’s brain for diet and nutrition information…who needs Google when Lisa is so much better!  In a couple weeks I’ll be doing Skype workouts with Ray from Trinidad –vacation or not, no slacking!

My body has seen some drastic changes in 12 weeks.  I’ve gone from 171 lbs to 152.5 lbs.  My clothing size has dropped from a size 14 to a size 8. I’m way stronger, I can do 20 pushups in perfect form, I can run 6 miles without stopping -the list of my physical accomplishments goes on and on.  The most important change has not been my body though.  I’ve gained confidence and resolve and been reunited with my own inner strength.

Pre Baby Body Bootcamp is over but it’s not farewell Mamas. I’m looking forward to seeing Alicia fit into that special dress. Hopefully one day Tiffany and I will run the same marathon.  I can’t wait to see Crystal hit the weight she was when I first met her eons ago.  I’ll be keeping up with and staying in touch with all my mama friends and they better do the same!

They say great change never occurs overnight or with a huge bang…r ather, we evolve and transform, almost imperceptibly, over time. And so it has been for me on this journey with the mamas. We started off and had our asses whooped pretty fiercely by Mr. Ray and Lisa. We got to know each other quickly as sisters in sweat and pain. We shed our weight, our inhibitions and our filters with one another in our quest for higher power, of the will and body.

As the final weeks of this experience have wound down I have confronted so many of my demons that it’s almost as if they knew this amazing network of mama-support was soon to be pulled away from me. As I write this last blog, I am confronting yet another challenge that is definitely on the ‘awful’ life experience list. My own mama, the original mama as it were, was the victim of a crime last night. She was mugged right outside her own home and suffered a pretty nasty head trauma. Typical of my mom, she was cracking jokes and being feisty as quickly as she regained consciousness. My mom is my hero. She has been through a lot in her life, more than any single person ever should, and she has never lost her sense of humor and fun. She is a handful and a half, stubborn, wisecracking, oh-so-inappropriate, and endlessly loving and kind.

I have seen a little bit of her in each of my bootcamp mamas, especially our fearless leader, Ms. Toni! And as if in a perfect circle, this experience ends with my own mama needing me to help her through something rough. Something I did not anticipate, plan for or particularly want. But something, quite honestly, that proved essential to my own growth and development as a mama and a person.

We are tested, each and every day. Sometimes its small, little things and other times its BIG stuff. Becoming a mama to my amazing kids, marrying my incredible husband, those go in the BIG category. Getting up and into the gym, while a few months ago I would have said it was BIG, I now realize, actually it’s one of the small, everyday things. It’s the small, everyday tests–getting the workout in, choosing the right food, staying positive–that make the difference. The BIG stuff, it’s always there around the corner, sometimes planned for, sometimes not…

So, while I may never learn to love running, I will keep myself moving and focus on choosing healthy, delicious food at every opportunity. I will share my frustrations and not get bogged down in the negative self-talk that often occurs in my head. I will keep in touch with my bootcamp mamas and celebrate their victories as if they were mine. So, whether its Carnival, a wedding, our children’s milestones or our professional successes, I’ve got your backs mamas! Love you all!!!

Well, there’s a special event happening next summer (2013) that is my long term goal. A white dress, a few gals in dresses they will probably only wear once, a few guys in tuxes and one guy standing at the front of my world waiting for me to take that mile long walk. Yes, he proposed and I accepted. Now he’s very camera shy and has asked that I not post any pictures or put his name out. So I won’t but I will say, I adore him and he adores me so my next goal is to fit into this amazing dress offered to me by none other than Toni Senecal!! She wore a beautiful haute couture dress when she married the funniest (& nicest) guy on the planet; she offered it to me for my big day. I would be honored to wear it! Now, I just have to lose a million more pounds to fit in it! Seriously, I know I can get into that dress with the help of the mamas, Lisa, and Ray.

Now to deal with my still injured foot & knee, I’ll be in a knee brace (again!!) as of next week which means modifying my workouts further. The doctor said absolutely no running or spinning and that my friends SUCKS! I can do TRX and CoreRxn, so it’s not too bad. Ray and his team at Pedal Nyc are all awesome, with their help I will be back on track in no time. I cannot wear a knee brace under a couture wedding dress!! It’s just NOT happening! I have the perfect pair of blue (yes blue) pumps to go with it! If you’re a SATC fan then you know which pretty bejeweled pumps I mean! I found them online and had to have them. I’m determined to wear them and THE dress. On to the next week of Ray’s torture and the close of Mama Boot camp….Ready, Sweat, Go!!

When I look back, I see myself coming in being almost 260 lbs back in August not feeling quite as strong, and having that “I can do anything” attitude.   I was extremely lazy and I never once thought I’d lose weight again. Trying to convince myself I was happy with the way I was because if God didn’t want me this way I ‘d be skinny again…  Lmbo at the nonsense we try and tell ourselves when we know good and well we should be in the gym everyday is the funniest thing ever.

Coming in to my first training session with a negative attitude thinking if I get tired I’ll just stop and sit down and if anyone says something I’ll just tell them off and they’ll leave me alone was so funny.  LMBO, yeah right not after meeting Ray Wallace aka The Torture Master…   When you have such a strong personality such as myself, you really need someone who’s able to do that reverse psychology on you.

After our second workout, I tried to pull the OMG, I’m too tired to run all the way up there, maybe I should just walk etc..  Ray’s response was, “well you could walk if that’s what you want to do, but you talk about how you want your body back, but you won’t run to get that body, instead you want to walk to get it?  To me that means you don’t want it as much as you say.  You need to prove to yourself how much you want this, and it all starts with you.  Let’s just say took off running with only two breaks…  Reverse Psychology works I tell you, lol.

It was hard and there were days I wanted to give up, especially after cutting out all my comfort foods but I didn’t stop.  I stuck with it because I knew if I gave up, I was giving up on myself and that’s something I said I’d never ever do..  With Toni, aka the beast, Lisa the Warrior Princess, and Ray the Torture Master even if I wanted to give up I couldn’t, they’d probably come to my house and drag me out of my bed…  No seriously, they would.

Today I feel restored and stronger than I ever have in my life.  In 12 weeks I’m down to 224 lbs and I’ve lost more than 9 inches off my waist alone. Working out has become second nature along with eating healthy and  taking the time out to read the back of  labels.  Yes, I’ve become that person.  No longer am I an emotional eater, instead I workout hard and it feels great!  Now I incorporate working out into everything I do, even games with the kids. Now my new thing is running up the library steps at Grand Army Plaza and I feel like Rocky I tell you, even when I beat them since the always use to beat me…  Lol,  I think about the times when I was so lazy I’d walk up the ramp instead of taking the steps.

The Crystal I once knew is BACK!  It doesn’t stop here, I will continue with Weight Watchers and working out everyday.  What an experience, I love you Toni, Ray, Lisa and the Mama’s, thanks for taking this hard trip with me, we haven’t finished yet…  See you once a month a Pedals NYC…   WE DID IT, and you can too!!!

Toni is a maniac at times with a low tolerance for BS and excuses; she is hard-core and I often have to remind myself that she basically just had a baby. Alicia is a warrior who managed to come to bootcamp even after a car ran over her foot. Seriously, I’m in awe of her dedication and I’m even more in awe of how much weight she has lost. Natasha is the one I always tried to compete with during our runs; every time I saw her nearby, I made myself go faster so she wouldn’t pass me. She often did pass me but she pushed me to be better, even if she didn’t know it. Crystal is funny, full of personality and tough-as-nails. She’s shrinking right before our very eyes and it’s amazing to watch. Marina is an inspiration. She’s got a twins and a full-time job yet she still somehow manages to get the workouts in. I don’t know how she juggles it all but however she’s doing it, she looks amazing. I only hope that one day, I figure out how to balance life the way Marina seems to. And finally, Ray and Lisa: our cheerleaders and sometimes-tormenters. They pushed us all to do better and be better and their constant encouragement helped us get through the times when our motivation started to lag a bit.

As for me, well…I can only say that it wasn’t easy. I struggled a lot with the dieting aspect of it and often had a hard time trying to fit the workouts in with my schedule. I wish I was able to do more but I know that this is just a beginning for me. This challenge helped me look at the way I was living my life and made me realize that a lot of things need to change. I have to start making myself a priority; I have to eat in a more mindful and healthy way and I have to make exercise a part of my daily life again because it’s really very simple: when I exercise, I feel good about myself and when I don’t exercise, I feel crappy. There’s no mystery there. So although I didn’t make the progress that all of the other mamas made, I can be proud that I lost 11 pounds and that I’m not giving up just because this bootcamp challenge is ending. In fact, I’m pretty sure that none of us is giving up and I can’t wait to see what these women do from here on out. Actually, I’m pretty sure we’re all warriors.

Firstly, please note above picture is of my belly while SITTING DOWN! We ladies know that when you stand up you can suck in it, notsomuch when seated. My jiggly bits are a little less jiggly and my flab suit is beginning to shed. Almost 4 months after the birth of this incredible creature pictured below, pregnancy pants are a thing of the past. Muffin tops are not. But I’m working on that!

This week, I had a truly shocking moment. I was on the treadmill doing uphill sprints (yes- Lisa lives in my head) when I looked over to the dreaded mirrored wall to the right. I could not believe what I saw. I did a double take as if it were a dream. My butt looked GOOD! It was the first time since we embarked on this crazy journey that I did not wince while looking at my backside (or shudder or had the urge to vomit). Now, instead I was checking myself out and Baby liked what she was seeing!

I mean, there is still a butt on top of my butt that is being requested to evacuate the premises, but the butt on the bottom…NOT BAD! I tapped my fellow Mama next to me and urged Marina to check out my butt, too! She chimed in dryly, “So, what your saying to me is that you’d do yourself.” Heck, yeah!  We then decided my native American name would be Four Cheek. Hopefully by spring, it will be She Who Has Two Cheeks.

I did not have my camera handy so I had to re-enact the moment the next day, and got some pretty interesting looks as I posed on the treadmill as if in mid-climb. The folks at NYSC already think I’m crazy, and as we all know by now, I have no shame!

And crazy is what I was after a 60 minute spin class. I have been noticing my shoulders are starting to look fly and it is only motivating me further. After Dr. Bob’s AMAZING  class (click here for words of wisdom and motivation!), I rallied a bunch of the spinners to come do planks with me. So, six Mamas and one Papa strong we hit the mats (Even if Scott, Stacey & Debbie wussed out after 3 poses!!! YES I’M CALLING YOU OUT!). Punching planks, Mountain Climbers, Elbow planks, we did 10 variations for a minute a piece. By the end my arms were shaking and my shoulders felt like they may fall off, but in a good way. Somehow if I don’t feel like I’ve been to Hell and back during a workout, I’m not satisfied. This is me with the triumphant gals who FINISHED! Kristen and some other really nice gal who spins with us…but I don’t know her name!!!!

But while we are on it, let’s get a better look at my shoulders…..Yes, I am gloating slightly, but I have earned it!!!!! Dont’ hate the player, people…..They almost look as good as when my husband and I shot our first Travel show in Baja….waaaaayyy back int he day! A time when I did not think twice about wearing a bikini on TV.

All in all it was a pretty good week. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see Ray @ PedalNYC. Between snowstorms, work obligations and a son who is experiencing some serious separation anxiety (think he has caught on that the baby is staying for good), there were no Breakfast Boy Parties with Daddy this week at my house (the pictured below is an example of what I leave for my eldest son as I sneak out of the house @ 5am with my youngest – have breast milk, will travel!).

I miss my RAY! Lisa on the other hand has been sending me pictures of her meals. This one was titled “Meal 4: before the train so I don’t kill someone”. Hilarious. Hilarious because we all know how crazy one (ok, she!) can get if one (she) is starving, but also hilarious that this is a “meal”.  She calls this “steak”. I call it nuts and and an apple! (luv ya, girl!)

I had one more personal victory this week. Even though I was pretty much on my own, I realized Hey, I can do this on my own! I know that the Mamas and me will be friends until the end, supporting each other, rooting each other on, but at the end of the day it is my responsibility and mine alone. Only I can make it happen. And knowing that I can is truly empowering. Next Saturday will be our very last Bootcamp and we hope you will join us! Here is a group photo from the week before last (last Saturday was a snow day!!)

Let’s check in with my Mamas!! I’m going to post Marina’s on my page because it made me well up. She is the one with whom I shared this crazy idea while still preggers. Hatching an utterly insane plan was the only way I was going to ensure I got off my butt to do it. She was supporter #1!

Homage
by Marina Stenou

What do you do when you’re halfway to your goal weight and counting down the days till the end of mama bootcamp? Well, if you’re me, you wrestle down a major sinus infection, take on a LOT more responsibility at work and totally fall off the workout wagon. Yup, this penultimate week of mama bootcamp has me staring down some serious bandwidth limitations. On the positive front my eating habits seem to be almost in the final state of complete reformation. Despite all the stress on the work front and insane schedule, pulling 12-14 hour days in the office, I only dipped into the M&Ms and had a Three Musketeers bar for dinner but once last week.

So, instead of lamenting the sad state of my personal limitations I’d like to talk about something that is amazing and worthy of celebrating, not only this week but every week…The other mamas!

Let’s start with the mama who started it all…Toni! We know her, we love her, she is our fearless, crazy, ready for anything leader. And thank goodness for that…because were it not for her grand ideas, lack of filters, TMI moments and absolute ‘can do’ attitude none of us would even know each other. She is the glue that keeps it all together. She is the golden frame of our ever-shrinking picture of sisterhood, mama-ness and all around kick-assing on this journey. Dang, she is the reason we all piled into the Chevy Traverse, found Mr. Ray and PedalNYC, rocked NYSC and Weight Watchers in the first place. Thank you, mama Toni! We love you…

And my other mamas in-so-much-better-looking arms, Alicia, Crystal, Jen, Natasha and Tiffanie, you are my inspiration and my rock. When one of us is down, there’s always someone there to pick up the slack, send a positive message and lend a supportive ear…sometimes even dole out some tough love. I am amazed at how quickly and easily we all became a unit. As different and strong as we each are, we have each other’s backs. You have each made this journey such a pleasure. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, encouragement, acceptance and pure mama love! You all are amazing!

Last, but certainly not least, our tribe’s leaders, Mr. Ray, Lisa and Dr. Bob. Such inspirations and role models! Thank you for keeping us honest, guiding without judging. Empowering us to do more than we thought we could. Thank you is not enough, but hey, it’s a blog post so…

The mamas have been on one serious adventure, my friends. From riding shot gun in the Traverse, to working the TRX, to eating pavement on Riverside Drive. It’s been incredible. Many have joined us, many have celebrated our small personal victories with us…but it us, the Bootcamp Mamas, who have been transformed through the incredible faith and guidance of our core team. The journey has just begun, and I for one, am so much the richer for getting to know each and everyone of the individuals who have been with me on it from the start. Thank you!!!

Marina

Now, onto other Bootcamp News….

Crystal had a similar experienced to one that I had this week. Coincidence? I think not! I had stopped eating red meat and I made the grave error of doing so this week and my body had a fit! Did not sleep a wink as the steak swished in my belly. Not pretty!

Alicia has a new long term goal. Down 25lbs, there is a certain dress of mine that I have offered to her to wear in 2013. Somebody’s sporting a major rock on her finger! And I better be invited! xo

Tiffanie is having to make the toughest choice a mother can face. Sleep or Exercise???? See how she is fairing.

Natasha – she has changed and her friends haven’t. Interesting challenge faces her as she heads to Trinidad for Carnival.

]]> http://www.tonionny.com/my-butt-looks-good/feed 0 http://www.tonionny.com/dr-bob-week-11-2 http://www.tonionny.com/dr-bob-week-11-2#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:56:24 +0000 admin http://www.tonionny.com/?p=5160 At some point, the pre baby workshop will come to an end. You can and should feel proud of the progress you’ve made and the hard work you put forth. This is a good time to pay some attention to how you can continue on your path to good health and staying fit well after the workshop concludes. To that end there are some things which you can do to maintain your momentum. First, make a daily plan specifying the type of workout you will do each time you exercise and keep a log or journal summarizing the particulars of your workout that day. In addition, try to exercise at the same time each day. Develop a routine. It will help you stay on track. In addition, try to exercise with a partner. Having a partner, someone who is depending on you to work out with, makes it less likely that you will skip the workout and provides each of you with support and motivation

So therein lies the dilemma. Do I choose sleep or do I choose exercise? Because right now, I can’t have both. I’ve always been a strict 8 1/2 – 9 hours of sleep a night kind of girl. I guess I was lucky because I worked nights for so long that I could get as much sleep as I needed without even setting the alarm and still have time to work out. Ever since becoming a parent, I consider myself lucky if I get 7 hours of sleep a night but I can’t say I feel good. How do I muster up the energy to exercise? Here’s my confession of the day: I haven’t worked out all week. Yeah, it’s week 11 and I’ve been slacking. I’ve been choosing sleep over exercise and I don’t know if it’s the right choice or not. Will exercising somehow magically give me the energy that I so desperately need? Or will that extra hour of sleep be what it takes to get me through the day? I don’t know and I gotta say that I feel pretty lousy about myself right now. This really isn’t the way I wanted to do the second-to-last week of bootcamp.

My husband says I’m having a crisis of confidence. He may be right but it’s rooted in a reality that I don’t want to face. This is my life now. My life is juggling my family, work, the home, our finances and all of the other various things that crop up throughout the day. Sometimes I have to decide what falls by the wayside; there just isn’t enough time in the day or enough of me to go around. This week what fell by the wayside was me. My exercising, my diet, my sleep. Hopefully I can finish this thing up strong but if not, I need to remember that what I hope to achieve goes beyond the 12-week bootcamp – someday my kid will sleep and my workload will lighten up and I can finally go out for a run and feel human again.