CONTRIBUTED BY JEN PRESTON
Hubby biking from Kadena to Torii - Don't let the fancy gear fool you.
[Taking a break from travel for a week. Havin' fun right here in the island!]
Fitness, for me, is an all or nothing proposition (like most everything else in my life). For 6 years now, (dating curiously back to when I met my lovebug of a husband) we've been relatively lax about fitness. He was in law school, so he had an excuse. My excuse was that it was just exhausting looking at him study like that. Suffice to say, it's been a while since I've seen the inside of a gym. Now, hubby is in the Air Force and has thrice weekly PT. He's looking good. He's got all this energy and I'm stranded in Lethargia. Something really had to be done.
I went a lookin' for inspiration and found our contributer, Marathon Man Paul. His 26-mile accomplishment is as inspiring to me as someone who walks on the moon. A marathon and a moonwalk seem equally as elusive to me.
I really needed to start form the beginning. As I mentioned last week, I enrolled in the Extreme Fitness Challenge over at Risner on Kadena. 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, 8 weeks OF BACK BREAKING PAIN. No, I'm being a wimp, but it IS serious stuff. For someone lacking motivation, it is a no-nonsense program. You don't miss class, and if you absolutely can't make it, there are 2 other classes that day you can attend. Our team's instructor is very encouraging and quite committed to our progress over the 8 weeks. At first I was concerned that I was going to be in the company of all military guys and gals who were just brushing up on their fitness, but this turned out to be only partially the case. My group also consists of housewives who are stepping out for the first time in a while, and people like me, who fancy themselves athletic, but have slipped into inactivity. It's a good mix and should not discourage even the least athletic out there.
Week one consisted of a weigh-in, measurements taken, and timed trials. We were tested to see how many push-ups and sit-ups we could do in a minute (not many), and how fast we could run a 1.5 miles. I have never been a runner - for some reason, the movement just seems unnatural to me. Most of us were happy to make it around the track 6 times without stopping. We've done spinning, weight training, and circuit training. I believe there were only two people in my group who had ever done spinning before, and not a one fell off the bike (although most can report some sore tushies). On one hand, it's discouraging to see just how hard each day has been for me. How did I get so out of shape? On the other hand, I'm encouraged by the fact that I am making real life changes and never again will I be the girl who sits out athletic activities for fear of getting winded.
They do this Extreme Fitness Challenge several times a year, so I would highly recommend it to adults of all fitness levels. Risner Gym has several activities you can participate in all year long. Foster's Gunner Gym has great classes for FREE! (I believe Risner's cost $2 per class) If you are daunted by the idea of just jumping right in by yourself, perhaps team up with a friend who is equally goal oriented and motivate each other to go 3 times a week (peer pressure is a wonderful thing). Some of the women in the EFC trade off watching each other's kids during their group's hour so that they don't have to pay for a babysitter. If the gym is too intimidating to you (understandably) there are lots of ways to get in shape while the weather is nice. Heck, I'd be up for a 45 minute walking buddy every morning - I live in Sunabe by the seawall...any takers?
Part of the Challenge has to do with diet. Our instructor is very adamant that our diet complements our exercise plan, or the results will be limited. We have to turn in food logs to her every monday (at weigh-in) so that we are constantly learning how to eat properly. There are some really great, FREE, online services with which you can set up an account, log in what you eat every day, and find the right balance of protein, fat, carbs, etc. so that you can stay healthy. I chose Spark People, but I hear that The Daily Plate is a great option too. It takes some time to put in your entries everyday, but it is a highly valuable tool. I really thought I was eating healthily all this time, but turns out I was consuming far more than I should have. I'm glad that I figured this out before 8 weeks of pain turned in to very few results. I also was getting miniscule amounts of protein in my regular diet, so Spark People helps with lots of recipes to add protein into my diet. I'm now cooking a lot healthier for both Hubby and myself. The best thing I am getting from using the nutrient trackers is a much needed wake-up call.
One other tool that is useful is Calorie-Count, a site that shows you the nutritional content of foods at chain restaurants like Macaroni Grill and Chili's. I was pretty shocked that a seemingly healthy choice like Penne Rustica has 1540 calories, or that my favorite delicious healthy choice, the Scallop Salad, has a whopping 1320 calories! No wonder I can't fit into my jeans. There are definitely choices at our base restaurants that are healthy in moderation. The chili's Chicken Fajitas (without tortillas) clock in at a very reasonable 330 calories and 40 grams of protein!
Now, I certainly don't think that obsession with food is healthy. However, I think I'd strayed so far from a healthy lifestyle that I needed a kick in the pants, and nothing cleanses a wound like a little sunlight. We go to so many lengths to keep our families safe, and yet the biggest culprit sometimes is what we do and don't do for our bodies. When I was young, my mom was a bit heavy (7 kids will do that to you) and it kept her from the beach with us, from playing outside with us. Once she did get healthier, she was much more actively engaged in our day to day world. I don't want to fall into that trap with my family.
So, I say onward! What are we going to do to up our fitness levels? How many of you take advantage of our fitness facilities? They are free, after all. (In LA, I was paying $80/month for a gym I NEVER WENT TO. how embarrassing.) Do you work out with buddies, or looking to team up with someone? Maybe we can make some connections here. Enjoy your beautiful day!
I try to work out twice a day…it doesn’t always happen. I like to walk outside somewhere at least 2 miles…I usually do some lunges to work those leg muscles out. Then later on, I go to the gym if I can. I use the facilities on post. When it is nice, it is very hard for me to work out inside so I have to force myself sometimes. Usually once I get going, I am good…it is just the getting going that is hard.
I keep track of my food on my fitness blog that my sister, my mom and a friend all contribute to. We also use it as a place to talk about cool things we have discovered in fitness and to log our exercise and try to motivate each other.
Logging your food is so important when you are trying to lose weight.
I use these two sites for calorie counting too…one is for basic stuff but it lets you change the serving size and the other has a lot of the restaurant chains that you might not find doing a search of the restaurant itself.
http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
http://www.foodanddiet.com/NewFiles/fastfood.html
I use this site to figure out how much I have burned….it is on the Discovery Health website.
http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/activity/activity.html
Note that there are some other great tools on the Discovery Health website. If you want to check out my fitness blog, there is a link to it on my regular blog that is linked here….it is called Finding My Happy Medium.
I just started yoga and love everything about it. I fell muscles I never knew I had.
Then I also started my running again.
Good for you to start back up again. I used to do aerobics classes daily. Now I like to be my myself and have turned into somewhat of a loner when it comes to working out.
As for food; almost everything in my house is made from scratch. If the child wants a cookie, we have to bake cookies. Risotto, potatoes, salads nothing comes out of a box anymore.
No more chicken that is pre-anything.
Tonight is a treat though. We were busy cooking all day at Kadena with our Weber demo and neither the husband nor me feels like cooking.
It’s pizza time!!!!I haven’t had pizza in a month. Yeah, I was good all day and layed low on the lunch so I’ll have me 2 slices.
YES!
Daniela
Mishka,
Thanks for the great info…I will check out your fitness blog. I agree it is super hard to exercise indoors and why would you when it’s so beautiful outside!
I’ll have to put a plug in for Stroller Strides here. I started in October and it’s been so nice to get a good workout a couple times a week. I get to bring my daughter with me and not worry about a sitter or a coop. There are moms of all fitness levels, and everyone encourages each other to do their best, no matter what their fitness level. Classes are offered on Kadena and Camp Mctureous.
Thank you Jennifer I was going to ask about Stroller Strides as I plan on joining up when we arrive on the island. I am so glad to hear it is a good group. I just need motivation at this point and the “excuse” that I have to find a sitter works so well for me right now!
Jen,
Loved the post, We fly in June 6th. I have hit that point when I realized I am going to live on an island and I will take my kids to the beach and have fun. NOW do I want to feel and look my best out there or have 3 yers of slightly scary and not flattering beach pics. YIKES I also have three girls that need to see a mom who wants to live a healthy life. It is nice to look good but it is so much better to feel good. To have the energy to practice soccer with my son. Live the life I have been blessed with. Cannot wait to run into you ladies in the gyms there. Loved the links. I am all over the next 8 week fitness thing.
Thanks again.
In the states I used to go Curves. The cheesy music there about drove me nuts, but I lost about 20 pounds and that’s just 30 min. three times a week. So I’m a big fan. They have one here on Rte. 23. When I got on island I wanted something a little more hardcore and did something like the Risner fitness challenge, but it was off base and we’d go run on the beach and stuff. You had to pay a couple hundred bucks for that though. I don’t think the lady who lead that is doing it anymore, but there is an off-base bootcamp that is lead by a guy who does meal plans and also has a childcare aspect to it. The people I know who were in that program lost massive amounts of weight. Anyone know what I’m talking about? Also, there is this FANTASTIC belly dancing class off base near Camp Foster. The teacher is I think Okinawan/Argentinian, speaks English, Spanish and Japanese. I loved that it combined a great workout/dance class w/ an opportunity to do something out in the community. (My friend and I were the only Americans there.) Finally, my husband leads a Muay Thai kickboxing workout at 6am at Foster Field House out on Camp Foster. It’s free for anyone who wants to drop in. That workout is intense, but folks of any fitness level are welcomed. Drop me an e-mail if you are interested in more information about the belly dancing or the muay thai.
Hello! Glad to hear about all the exercise opportunities because we arrive at Kadena at the end of August. Does anyone know if there is a circuit class offered on any of the bases? I’m doing one here in England and I’ve never felt so strong. Thanks, Amy
I love this post, Jen. You’re amazing. And you make me feel un-alone in my lack of exercise but constant desire to BE that in-shape person! I’m with you, I want to make the change. I want to take Muay Thai kickboxing – but not at 6am.
I want to walk! I live by the sea wall! The kid leaves for school at 8- I’m in for any time after that, before the sun is really beating.
Kellerace…what day of the week is the Muay thai on? My husband would really dig it. Also, I think I know the bootcamp you’re talking about. I’m seriously thinking about trying it out. It’s called 1 Moore Rep Fitness Studio and is taught by a man named John Moore. I think this is his email…[email protected]. Here are his phone numbers if anyone is interested…
090-9786-0090(John) 933-9393(Office). I have no idea what the prices are but I hear he offers specials and the packages include child care. This is the one that I’ll be checking into after baby #2 makes her debut:)
Another stroller strider here…been doing it since October and I LOVE it. I thought it would be this easy going walking/chatting class. It’s a serious workout (resistance bands/hills on Kadena) give you an all around cross training. You can push yourself ( there’s always a few runners)- or walk…and monthly we do a 5K..I sometimes even go without kid and really “treat myself” (not having to push 50+ in stroller and kid)…great community of people!!
John Moore’s Bootcamp is fabulous. I’m in my 10th week (12 weeks total) and I love it. I have so much more energy, have lost weight and body fat, and continue to work on losing those habits (i.e. eating cheetos after going to the workout at the gym). He has frequent deals and you can join at any time. The price includes the Bootcamp class (5 days/week), his other classes (i.e. cardiofunk, awesome abs, toning, yoga, nutrition), and daycare. The program is a combination of high intensity work-outs and clean eating (i.e. no processed foods, lots of water, eating every 2-3 hours etc. ) The Bootcamp classes are at 4am, 5am, 9am, and 6pm. You sign up for one time, but are allowed to attend other classes if there are conflicts in your schedule. Thursdays are friends and family days, so if you’re interested, it’s a great time to try out a class before you commit. That’s how I got started.
Suzy,
I usually Teach the Muay Thai Kickboxing classes Wed and Fri from 0600-0700 at the Foster Field House boxing ring. I’m currently taking a break b/c of baby duties, but plan on being back in a few weeks. If you want to give your hubby my email address, I’ll let him know when we start back up. [email protected] It’s a free class by the way.
Joe
Hi-
If you are intrested in Belly Dance but are too afraid to venture off base. I teach on kadena at the USO on wednesdays 6:00 pm and the Schilling Thursdays at 6:00pm
E mail me if you are intrested.
can someone post the info about the off-base belly dancing class? sounds fun!!
Does anyone have any info on the next Kadena Extreme fitness challenge? I’ve called the gym, but the receptionist did’t seem to know about it. Any info would be awesome!!
Stroller striders for young moms sounds great. Does anyone know of a walking group for us “older types” or a BEGINNING yoga for the uninitiated and not so flexible??
(don’t say Yoga Flow…could NOT follow that
Thanks
First I would like to say all of the postings have been great. I am to the point where I need to get fit and feel great. I have three young children ages 7, 6 and 2 and I want them to see a their Mom fit and feeling great. I am interested in the group fitness or the bootcamp that so many have described. I have emailed and called Mr. John Moore however I havent received a response.
Does anyone know any other way I can reach him?
Thanks for your help!!!
Hi Nina,
John can be hard to get ahold of-and his office staff is pretty skeletal at this point. The best thing to do it to go and talk to him before a class, or go to bootcamp with someone. My hubby is going to start back up in a few weeks, I know he’d be happy to have you tag along to friends and family night. Feel free to send me an email.
We didn’t have classes yesterday and the cardiofunk class (my favorite) was canceled for today – I think John might have went out of town. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays Bootcamp is held at his studio on 330. On Wednesday and Friday, we run on the Blue Line behind the Risner Gym. I usually go to 5 am, but I have friends at the 4 am and 9 am classes if you want tag along. During the summer, new people can come; however, most newcomers still show up on Thursday. It’s a great program – I just finished my 2nd bootcamp and maintained my weight while adding in processed foods. John really jumpstarts your metabolism – it’s amazing. He’ll tell you that it’s not about the weight – it’s a lifestyle, but it’s nice to fit into cute clothes again! I really love his program.
Kay – the next EFC is starting on September 8th. There is information about it on kadenaservices.com in the Fitness section. The registrations are September 3rd-5th.
Does anyone have the number or email for John Moore? Or know where it is located. I am interested in doing his bootcamp and any contact information would be great! Thanks!
Just wanted to let anyone that is interested know that John Moore’s bootcamp started this week and it’s terrific! I’m on my second time and I can’t tell you how much my fitness has improved. I highly encourage anyone who is serious about getting into shape (or losing weight) to look into this program!
Anybody have contact info for John Moore?
He shut down business and took money from lots of us-many of us are still trying to track him down to get refunds, which vary from less than $100 all the way to over $1000…
i saw him walking into the commissary last week…so he is still around! i would definately contact the legal office…a friend had some luck using them.
Last I heard John Moore is in atlanta, Georgia. He’s been posting tuturiol videos on youtube. What a scammer!!
Does anyone know any info about belly dance class (on base of off base)? thank you