I can’t believe that I’ve finished my second week already… 

Actually, let me rephrase:  I can’t believe I’ve finished my second week…period.  Every step I took on every run was pain.  My calves are knotted up and my knees feel like brittle branches one pinecone away from breaking.  I feel like the pace of these workouts is increasing too rapidly.  It cast doubt as to whether or not I can finish into every corner of my mind as I laced up for each day’s gauntlet.  I say gauntlet, because it truly feels like every molehill, gust of wind, ray of sunshine, skinny girl in spandex and pebble that lay before me was conspiring to stop me.  I’m sure I was a sight to see, wincing in pain with that bitter-beer face scrunched up, as I made my way though the run.

The cool part about my week though was that I heard from several people in the company about their own struggles to be consistent…  whether that was in workouts or diets or what-have-you.  It was actually encouraging for me to see that I was not alone in my increasing desire to quit or to go easy.  I think I was under the impression that it was a cakewalk for them- like somehow they had it all together because they seemed better off than me.  The real interesting part is how different we all are- how we are in such different spots in our health and fitness (and in life) and yet, somehow, we can still relate.

There are a group of women from my work that can literally run circles around me…  one actually did because I was plodding along so slowly (I was harnessing my inner turtle!).  They are in such better shape than I am, but are still challenged daily with eating right and exercising to the standards they’ve set for themselves.  In that sense we are very much in the same boat- in a constant state of construction to erect discipline and devotion in our lives.  Since they made themselves vulnerable, I benefitted and became empowered to forge ahead knowing new challenges await me!

It makes me think about my life outside of training and how when I’m going through a difficult time, I may be reluctant to share in that with someone. There may be fear of sounding weak or like a drama-king… or it could be that I just don’t want to burden anyone with my problems.  The crazy thing is that sharing hardships isn’t just about you dumping on someone else about your life.  It can help the other person (or people) to gain perspective- to see that their situation is better off than yours!  It can also foster an environment where the person you’re unloading on feels safe to discuss their own challenges.  Finally, it gives someone else the opportunity to pour love and compassion into you which can do wonders for their own self-apathy.  Nothing works better to pull you out of your mud-hole like doing something for someone else!

The parallels between running or working out and real life is staggering to me.  I was always a sucker for a good sports analogy, but living it out and seeing fruit has been quite the maturation process.  I have definitely reaped more than I bargained for in accepting this 5k challenge.  The encouragement and advice I get from my support system at Designer Whey is profound.  Someday I will be on the other end of this and that gets me excited.

I’m curious to hear what workout epiphanies you’ve realized?  Leave a comment and I look forward to doing this again next week…  why don’t you have your people call my people and we’ll do Facebook.

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Alright- week one is complete.  I ran a 33:36 for my baseline 5k (yah, I’ve run 10ks in less time).  I was happy enough to complete it and actually ran the first six and a half minutes.  I’ve been drinking Designer Whey’s new shakes three times a day along with a pee-load of water!  I’ve found that my body needs it though- craves it actually. It’s been one of the harder things I’ve done in life- getting back into shape, but I am thankful for the support I’m getting here at Designer Whey headquarters and from my family & friends… even from a couple of you.

Boy, did I have ideas of grandeur for this blog.  I was expecting epic tragedy, drama galore…  and perhaps a little gore.

Well, I completed the first of eight weeks without any of that (not even a skinned knee to put one of my wife’s Hello! Kitty band-aids on!).  I mean, stick the mic in my face in the middle of one of my workouts last week and you may have gotten a different story. Check that, you absolutely would have. 

If I could have even uttered words between my labored breathing, a mouse-like wheeze, and the incessant spitting- it would have sounded something like: “ohmygosh… whow- this…   whew- sucks…  whow- killmenowplease…”  And if I could have somehow texted while jogging (that’s not against the law in California, I checked)- it would have read something like: “omg! tskmnp!” (see above for translation). 

I’m a few days removed now… I am writing this after the fact- after the math of 5 days x 3 miles a day = 15 miles for my first week!  I can talk about it as a good experience at this point because that week is over- I have distance and time from it…  I’ve had healing.  It’s kind of like life and relationships actually.  When in the midst of a trial we are standing so close to it that it’s difficult to see purpose, reward or meaning.  Yet, after we’ve passed through the fire, usually what are left are little gold nuggets- knowledge, wisdom, confidence and resiliency.  These items are ours for the taking- we earned them!  They can be used to shape future experiences.  I will go into week two armed with this revelation.

So, I suppose that’s my lesson for this week.  Remember what it is to come out the other side while in the middle of my struggle.  Trust that a reward is waiting for me at week’s end- another chapter ran in my autobiographical blog.  The cool thing is that, unlike a typical autobiography, I’m actually writing this as I go.  I don’t know what the final chapter holds, but as I live and breathe, I will decide how it ends. 

I would love to hear your encouragement and any advice on our Designer Whey Facebook page.   See you next week.

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On May 10 (last month) I received the most wonderful and exciting news! Designer Whey/Biggest Loser Protein had decided to bestow upon me the most wonderful gift ever! It was my birthday, so the timing couldn’t have been anymore perfect!  Biggest Loser Protein was sending me to the May 24th Biggest Loser season 11 live finale in Los Angeles, California!

My good friend Jessica Martin Peterson came with me. She knew the riggers of vying for one of the sought after spots on the Biggest Loser Ranch so I knew she would be thrilled to join me in what would surely be a life changing adventure!

What we experienced was both real and surreal! One moment we were standing in the Los Angeles airport and the next we were surrounded by ‘Reality Royalty’! We hadn’t expected to be greeted by the owners of ‘Shut Up and Sweat’ Athletic Gear, Mike and Nancy Dudley, in the Hotel lobby! They welcomed us with a bountiful array of t-shirts and hoody jackets!, they are amazing folks!, we loved getting to know them!

With in hours we found ourselves being ‘bear hugged’ by O’Neal Hampton (BL9), and Jessie Wornum (BL11)! We were chatting up Austin and Ken Andrews (BL11), Courtney and Marci Crozier (BL11), Tracy Yukich (BL8), Sarah Nitta and her Mom Denise ‘Deni‘ Hill, (BL11)… and the list goes on! All were such inspiring folks, warm and friendly! Ali Vincent, First Female Biggest Loser and Biggest Loser Protein looked beyond amazing! ….and all this happened the day before the finale! Needless to say we were in Biggest Loser heaven!!

Stephenie with Brett Hoebel

The day of the Finale, Jessica and I opted for a morning walk and healthy breakfast at Subway, on our way back we met Biggest Loser trainer Brett Hoebel! He was by far one of the most memorable folks we met! He has the most gentle spirit, very kind and genuine. He is the ‘real deal’! I hope to see him on the Ranch for seasons to come!

The Live finale was spectacular! Biggest Loser Olivia Ward was crowned the season 11 winner and every contestant was transformed and looked glowing and healthy! The evening was truly magical! After the Live Finale Jessica and I attended the ‘After Party’! Family, friends, fans, Biggest Loser current and past contestants, Biggest Loser Trainers, Biggest Loser Host Alison Sweeney, Casting Directors and more all gathered to celebrate!

On the night of the Finale I chose to wear a bright yellow dress, I opted to not wear even a stitch of black because for once I didn’t want to ‘hide’ myself….it felt good to be bright and cheery and I was proud of the 65 lbs I had lost so far! I still have at least 100 lbs to go but at the Finale and all during my Finale trip I, for once, didn’t feel judged for my weight, instead I felt supported and encouraged…I felt like a ray of sunshine and I felt beautiful ! I wanted to sample what life might feel like when I reach my healthy goal weight…and I know it’s gonna feel great!

I took this opportunity to seek some wisdom from the Biggest Loser contestants. A familiar theme rang true amongst them all. Time and time again each person I spoke with told me this; “you don’t need to go to the Biggest Loser Ranch to do this..you can do this on your own” They also said “let the show inspire and motivate you, start your journey now and on your own…the prize it getting your life back!”

Needless to say I was totally inspired and revitalized by each and every person I spoke with! I am ready to continue on my weight loss journey. I am re-fueled, humbled and ready for what ever is next! It’s one foot in front of the other…there is no magic pill, every minute is a test and a challenge and as Hannah Curlee (BL11) said “My best is good enough!”

Now that I have returned home with a new zest for life I decided to set myself a ‘goal’, a little something to focus on and train for…I’ve never done anything like this before but for me life is all about taking chances and believing in yourself…with that said I will be competing in the 2011 ‘Warrior Dash’ event in September…it’s a 3.18 ml. race located on a course filled with 10 treacherous obstacles including repelling down a mountain, climbing under barb wire through mud, jumping over fire, swimming through a lake and more…to me it’s going to be’ Survivor’ meets ‘Biggest Loser’!… I believe we all have a ‘warrior’ with in us! If you would like to participate in one of the Warrior Dash Events go to http://www.warriordash.com/

I have been getting lots of great tips on how to train for my run reading the DesignerWhey blog ‘Training for a for a 5k‘…check it out..it is filled with important information on how to get started and be successful! http://www.designerwhey.com/blog/author/5k/

Happy ‘beginning of summer’ everyone!! See you back here in July!
Stephenie

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If you’re like us, you’re probably amazed at the transformations The Biggest Loser Contestants undergo by season’s end.  Just how do past BL contestants keep the weight off once they leave the ranch? They run marathons…the BOSTON marathon that is!

Ask anyone who’s ever run a 5K, let alone a full marathon, and they’ll tell you how important it is to have a good training program in place.  A combination of cross-training, stretching and of course, long runs will get even a beginning runner across the finish line. What runners might not tell you is how important protein is when training for an endurance event.  Protein is needed for the repair of broken down muscle caused during high endurance events like marathons. The Biggest Loser Protein is loaded with the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) the key amino acids which fuel intense training and are vital to recovery.

With the help of The Biggest Loser Protein, Patrick House and Adam Hurtado crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon like the true champions they are. We recently caught up with Patrick and Adam, who just so happen to be among our favorite The Biggest Losers from Season 10.  Here’s how they trained, fueled up with Biggest Loser Protein and completed one of the toughest marathons in the country:

1.  A year ago, would you have ever imagined you would be running a marathon?  

Patrick:  No way.  If you would have told me a year ago I would be running the 2011 Boston Marathon, I would have pulled a stomach muscle laughing.

Adam: Never in my wildest dreams!

2.  Which did you find more physically challenging:  A typical training session on the Ranch or running the  Boston Marathon?

Patrick: I would say the Boston Marathon simply because of the time frame of doing the marathon as compared to a Ranch workout.  Ranch workouts were usually about 3 hours.  The marathon is 4-5 hours or more.

Adam:  Tough question but my hat is off to the Boston Marathon. It was a true mental challenge.

3.  How did you prepare for the Boston Marathon?

Patrick:  I prepared for the Boston Marathon by running 3 days a week, different distances and paces, and doing one long run a week, building up gradually to a 18 mile run 2 weeks before the marathon.  Then I tapered down my training to get ready for the run.

Adam:  I prepared for Boston with a combination of running, spinning, weight training & yoga/stretching.

4.  What role did The Biggest Loser Protein play in your preparation for the marathon?

Patrick:  The Biggest loser Protein was really important to my training schedule.  I always ate a protein bar or made a shake after my runs to help refuel my body.

Adam:  I used The Biggest Loser Protein pre & post workout to stay fueled for my workouts as well as to repair my muscles after training.

5.   What was your time?  Where you satisfied with your time?

Patrick:  My time was 5:12:38, which is not blazing by any means, but it is 33 minutes faster than my Biggest Loser marathon time.  I improved and I am proud of that.  I am scheduled to run Boston again next year, with about 3 or 4 marathons between now and then.  Hopefully I will put up a better time next year and keep improving.

Adam:  My time was 6hrs & 42 seconds. I was extremely satisfied to have finished! It was a very humbling experience. I was honored to be able to run for the American Liver Foundation’s Run for Research Team.

6.  What advice would you give someone who is struggling with his/her weight and wants to make a change, but doesn’t know how?

Patrick:  I always say that you have to start small.  Make and set small goals for yourself and as you achieve them, your self confidence and self esteem will improve also.  Anyone can do what I have done.  They just have to draw their line in the dirt and say they are not going to live the same lifestyle they have been living. 

Adam:  I would recommend the resources that I turned to when returning home from The Biggest Loser Ranch. I relied on the support of my family, friends, and decided it was my time to change. Food journaling, no fast foods, no soda, and the addition of The Biggest Loser Protein to my diet kick started my weight loss journey.

7.  What was the best advice you’ve ever received with regards to your Biggest Loser Journey?

Patrick:  I remember Bob telling me early on that I didn’t gain 200 lbs overnight, and in the same sense, I am not going to lose 200 lbs overnight.  I knew losing weight was going to be hard, so I prepared myself mentally for that going into the journey.  I feel like I really made the most of my time.

Adam:  The best advice I’ve received was from my brother Ryan. He said, “To never stop believing in myself. Rest assured that your whole family is behind you & that we love you no matter what the outcome may be.” Ryan was my inspiration and motivation to get healthy like he had himself. 

8.   What fun and challenging events do you have planned in the near future?

Patrick:  I have a couple more marathons planned.  I want to run NYC Marathon.  I also am planning on trying to run the Cayman Island marathon in December.  My brother lives down there, so that should be a lot of fun. 

Adam:  I am cycling 100 miles this Sunday May 1st in LA to raise money for the American Diabetes Assoc. Also, I just signed up for the 2011 NYC Marathon! I’m hooked. Thank you The Biggest Loser Protein for properly fueling my demanding nutritional needs! I appreciate all of your support.

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Just as a car runs best with a full tank of gas, your body needs the right kind of “nutritional fuel” for peak performance. Training for a race? Make sure you’re refueling your muscles with protein. Everyday!

Protein, and only protein, provides your body with the amino acids it needs to build and repair muscle tissue. Protein also provides the necessary components to keep your immune system healthy and make hormones, enzymes, skin, hair, nails, organs and blood.

Ask any athlete, bodybuilder or fitness junkie what their most important source of protein is and you’ll get the same answer: Whey Protein. It is the one protein source that consistently lives up to the hype and delivers every time! Studies back-up the claim of how valuable pure whey protein is. Hands down, it produces the best results for beginning athletes all the way to the pro’s.

Protein Pre-Race? You bet!
Around 30-45 minutes before your run, have a pre-workout meal. The first component of this meal – you guessed it – is protein. Protein will keep your body in an anabolic state throughout your workout and will help to prevent muscle breakdown as you train.

How much protein you ask? 30-40 grams of whey protein should do the trick. Short on time? Mix two scoops Designer Whey Protein Powder, 1 cup skim milk and a handful of ice cubes in a blender. You’re off and running.

Whey protein makes for a great pre-workout choice because it is naturally high in BCAA’s, which help to prevent muscle catabolism (muscle loss & fat gain) during your workout. Mixing your whey with milk is a good idea because this will slow down the release of the protein and provide your body with a steady stream of amino acids throughout your workout.

Your Run’s Over. Time to Refuel
After exercise is when your body needs protein the most—when your tank is on “empty.” You have a 30-minute window, post-workout, where your body is most receptive to refueling. That’s why protein is most effective when taken immediately following a workout (within 30 minutes). University studies have confirmed that the faster protein enters the body, the quicker and more thorough your recovery. Next time you work out, your body will feel the difference.

So after your workout, make sure you refuel your body and build your muscles with your favorite Designer Whey products. You can find delicious shake recipes at www.designerwhey.com.

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Here are five reasons why cross training needs to be part of your 5K training schedule:

1. You’ll improve your cardiovascular fitness, your chance of injury, balance out all of your muscle groups, while improving athletic performance

2. Ask runners to name one benefit of cross-training, most of them will tell you injury prevention. Injury prevention is by far the most widely recognized benefit of cross-training among runners, but it’s hardly the only one

3. Cross training can enhance a runner’s ability. By increasing a runner’s power, you can  lengthen of your run without getting fatigued 

4. Cross training creates a balance within our muscle groups and gives us stability and flexibility that can enhance our overall performance and training.

5. Cross training helps you avoid running burnout

CROSS TRAINING IS FUN!
No matter how much passion you have for running, if you do it often enough or run the same route, it will become boring.

 Most humans crave variety and get turned off by monotonous exercise routines. Cross-training helps you maintain your enthusiasm for running, making it possible to train harder and more consistently and ultimately to perform better in races.

WHAT IS CROSS TRAINING?

Cross training includes cycling, spinning classes, weight lifting, swimming, elliptical machines and yoga, just to name a few.

Cycling – It’s easy on the joints, strengthens your legs, & builds endurance

Weight lifting – Builds strength, develops legs muscles so they perform better for running

Swimming – It’s a great overall muscle toner, and strengthens your lungs

Elliptical – great for taking stress off the joints and getting your cardio in

 TWO HOT WAYS TO CROSS TRAIN:

If you’re looking to challenge yourself with something new, try TRX (www.fitnessanywhere.com).  Designed by a Navy SEAL as a go-anywhere workout, TRX is a complete total-body training tool that helps athletes and fitness enthusiasts take their performance to the next level. The TRX Suspension Trainer is built around a set of nylon straps that create resistance from two sources: your body weight and gravity.

Need another great cross-training option? Take a Kettle Bell Class (www.kettlebelltraining.net), now offered at many gyms across the country. Kettle Bell workouts are the ultimate in cutting edge strength training. Cast iron bells are used to develop the correct blend of strength with flexibility for maximum fat burning and muscular endurance. Kettle Bells will shred your mid section, tone your legs and strengthen your back while pushing your cardio capacity to the limit. 

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Run on a soft surface, if and whenever possible. Running is such a convenient form of exercise because you can run on just about any surface, anywhere you like. But not all surfaces are created equal – some have a greater impact on your body and can cause stresses which can ultimately affect your knees and other joints. Studies show that if you run on softer surfaces, your running career will last longer. Ideal surfaces include grass, trails, a track, a treadmill and sand, as long as they’re flat and even. Concrete and asphalt, although the most common, are toughest on your joints.

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It doesn’t matter whether or not you can run a mile at all. Just training to walk or run a 5K is a great way to get in shape. Join Designer Whey and Biggest Loser Protein on our quest to get into great shape. So here we go…lace up your running shoes and let’s get going!

Week One Training Tip: Get good running shoes and clothing that fits properly

If you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing or if your shoes don’t fit right, running is not going to be an enjoyable experience and you probably won’t stick with it. Let’s start with your running shoes – they are a runner’s most important piece of equipment. Buying the right running shoes is important, both for comfort while running and to prevent injury. Wearing the wrong shoes can cause back, leg, hip and foot pain. Good running shoes also may help your running gait be more efficient.

Go to a reputable sports shoe retailer and ask a qualified salesperson to help you pick out a shoe for your purposes (running or walking). Next, walk around for a while in the store with the shoes on (and run if you can) to make sure they fit right while you are moving.

To help you get the best shoe for you, here are some tips that will help:

• shop in the later part of the day – feet get bigger during the day and they will get bigger when running
• wear the socks that you would normally wear during running
• a number of other factors should be taken into account when deciding which shoe is best for you – such as how much you run; how heavy you are and whether or not you have any specific foot problems
• if possible bring an old pair of shoes with you so the salesperson can see where your shoes tend to wear the most

We recently went to Road Runner Sports for a custom fitting on a good quality running shoe. If you’ve got one in your area, we highly recommend getting a foot analysis to determine which shoe is best for you.

The clothes you wear are also important. You want to make sure the clothes you wear don’t chaff, rub or cause blistering. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Remember you will build up body heat as you run so make sure the clothes you wear pull the sweat away from you. Once you stop running your sweat will cool and cause muscles to tighten and cramp.

And last but not least, a good jogging bra is an absolute must! Breast movement during jogging can be uncomfortable and painful. You can eliminate this altogether with a good quality, snug-fitting sports bra. 

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Maintenance. That has been quite a scary word since my finale last December. Everyone warned me about it, but I would always think to myself that it would be a whiz. Peace of cake! Truth be told, the daily struggles of maintenance are something that I believe I will deal with for the rest of my life. 

Like I’ve stated before, I went back to lifting weights soon after my finale. I hit the weights hard and put myself on a muscle building program with the help of ProteinBlitz’s 60g of protein per serving. I figured I would need all the calories I could get while building, so my eating got a little out of control. Now, it is nearly physiologically impossible to pack on a bunch of muscle without adding on a little fat as well. So for three months I bulked and bulked and bulked. I was working out a lot so I felt as though I needed those calories to add muscle, but I took in more than I could handle, so my weight jumped up more than I expected. It was kind of like a slap in the face when I stepped on the scale. 

I needed to change things up. For the last two months I have been in the cut phase of my program. I had to trim a little more than expected, but I knew it had to be done. I increased my cardio and actually added more protein shakes with the Protein Blitz while dropping my overall caloric intake. I’m proud to say I’ve actually dropped more than 15 pounds, but more importantly, I’ve packed on even more muscle than before. I’m two notches in on my belt, my pants are a lot looser, and I’m actually starting to see abs again! Who knew they would come back. 

I feel unbelievable right now. There are two weeks left until the next Biggest Loser finale and I will be the on stage correspondent for DietsInReview.com. I was almost dreading doing it in the shape I was in a couple months ago, but look forward to doing it in the shape that I am in now. I can’t wait to wow everyone with my new muscular frame. I pick things up and put them down! 

Note: Mark Pinhasovich received free product in exchange for his blog. 

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For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a Mom.  So when it came time for me to have my own children, it was very important to me to ensure that I had healthy pregnancies. As the newest contributor to the Designer Whey blog, I’m excited to share my personal experiences and a few tricks I have learned along the way for raising a health conscience family. For all of the Moms out there, you know this is no easy task!

Pregnancy can be filled with aversions, cravings, dos and don’ts, you name it! Not to mention well- meaning family and friends who encourage you to “eat for two” at every turn.  It’s very easy to get caught up in all of this, put on excess weight and not maintain a healthy diet.  Not only is that frustrating, but it can also create problems for you and your little one.  The way I see it, YOU are responsible to give your children the best start in life that you can. It’s only nine months, right?  (Only?!?)

One of my biggest challenges with this pregnancy has been eating a healthy breakfast. I know I need to, but when I first get up in the morning the LAST thing I have wanted to do is eat something good for me. Being a mom of two already, mornings can be rushed and hectic. Get the Hubby out the door with his coffee, my oldest off to school WITH her lunchbox and keep my toddler from melting down if things don’t go exactly as planned. (And I’m doing this again why? 

Protein is a vital nutrient in pregnancy. Not only is it the basic building block of your body’s cells, in turn it forms the building blocks of your baby’s body, too. The recommended daily amount for a pregnant woman is 70 grams per day, that’s 25 grams more than usual. When you are supposed to only add 300 calories a day to your diet, this can be tough.  Using Designer Whey has been a godsend for me! I can make one big batch of smoothies in the morning, feel good about what I am putting into my children and ensure that I am making a healthy (and yummy) choice for my baby. Not to mention my kids think I’m a hero when they get to drink a Chocolate Berry Cheesecake “shake” first thing in the morning!

My morning protein smoothie “habit” (I say habit, because now I can’t go without one!) is helping me to maintain a healthy weight gain for this pregnancy. As of 35 weeks, I have gained 27 pounds and I feel really good about that.  Keeping a healthy balance (amidst the chaos of everyday life) often seems to be a full time job in itself.  So to all my fellow Moms out there (pregnant or not), hopefully my journey can help to make your day a little easier.

Until next time!

Andrea

 Chocolate Berry Cheesecake Smoothie:

1 scoop Designer Whey Double Chocolate Protein Powder
½ cup low fat cottage cheese
2 TBSP ground flax (optional)
½ cup frozen mixed berries
½ cup almond milk

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy!

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