“All Star” Kathy K. of NE
Posted by buffmother in Success Stories on August 31st, 2010
Kathy of NE!
I was introduced to BuffMother by my friend and fellow chiropractor, Lisa Staudt. At that point in my fitness “career”, I had been doing Jazzercise 5-6 days a week for 6 years. I was frustrated due to the fact that I was working out hard, yet getting nowhere. I felt like I was losing muscle and shape and gaining weight. Talking with Lisa about BuffMother just made sense. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give up Jazzercise, but my true love had always been lifting weights. I liked the idea of being able to do whatever exercise program you wanted. I was also intrigued by the thought of my hormones directing how I worked out. I think everything in our body is connected in some way, shape or form. I am thrilled with my weight loss, inches lost/gained, the way I look and how my clothes fit. But I’m more excited to know that I am STRONG! It has given me the confidence that I had lost over the years. It’s very intimidating to step into a gym after 18+ years. Having the knowledge and “plan” from “Hormonal Timing” helped me ease back in.
“All Star” Julie in CA
Posted by buffmother in Success Stories on August 30th, 2010
Julie in CA
 |
 |
“All Star” Liz of NJ
Posted by buffmother in Fitness on August 29th, 2010
“All Star” Liz of NJ
Have you ever been awe inspired by the site of very pregnant woman working out? Well this story reflects just that! Liz is a true success story in that she regained a great level of fitness during the third trimester of her pregnancy. Here is Liz’s final summary for a contest we had in the Team BuffMother Rally Room starting May 2007~
at 29 weeks At 39 weeks! NOW- 4 months later!
My Reflections on The 10-Week Quest for ConsistencyBy: Liz of NJBuffMother! Since 2005
At the conclusion of this Quest for Consistency Challenge, I am about to deliver a baby any day now and I am in the best shape of my pregnancy! At the beginning of the QFCC I was at the beginning of my third trimester, not weight training or eating particularly well and had just returned to the Rally Room a couple of months earlier from a hiatus due to remodeling my home. Having been uprooted from my usual diligent routine of weight training 4-5 days a week, I had become complacent about exercise and lacked the necessary enthusiasm for this challenge. I had never participated in a challenge in the RR before and was not sure I was prepared at 7 months pregnant to do so, yet I attempted to “psyche myself up for it [QFCC].” Then fellow BuffMother!, Debra Golding, also pregnant and further along then I, posted that she was doing it and that I should too. I thought to myself, “Well if she’s doing it… how could I not?” She planted a seed and that was all it took. I decided to join in the QFCC and I am so glad I did because I accomplished more that I thought I would in 10 weeks!
My opening thoughts were (as per my blog):
Day 1: “…I’m scared. Consistency is not a strong point of mine: …any break down in my “scheduling” can frazzle or de-rail me.”
Day 2: “I can do this!!! I feel GREAT! I wish I could bottle this [the excitement & energy]! Rather than worry too much about the outcome, I am just enjoying nourishing & energizing my body.”
What changed from one day to the next was that I walked into the gym with a plan and a mission. The QFCC was so well planned out with time frames, goals, mini-challenges and PMA (positive mental attitude) that it made it easy to “just do it!” I survived the first day back at the gym. My “test times” were not what they once were but I left the gym feeling GREAT!
And so as the QFCC progressed, I picked up steam. At first I was really tired and napped a lot! But as time went on I started feeling energized from my workouts. By week 4 I was hitting “pregnancy personal bests,” some of which exceeded numbers I hit BEFORE I was pregnant. Team BuffMother! encouraged me the entire way and by Week 8 I felt invincible even given “my biggest obstacle to overcome” over the 10 weeks: Almost constant lower back pain. Given this particular obstacle, the mini-challenge that I am most proud of, which I completed 100%, was the “100 lunges each day [for a] week.” I believe that was when I really picked up momentum.
Week 8 was a monumental one during the QFCC because at that point I was gaining in strength beyond what I thought was possible and realized my body’s capabilities were tremendous. I can only relate it to having attained a “runner’s high” because I was going into the gym and stacking on weights with such ease and determination that it was blowing my mind. Then at the beginning of Week 9, I found the balance that ultimately I am always striving for in my life. I was determined to finish out the QFCC while enjoying the last few weeks before I gave birth. I intuitively knew I had achieved a powerful lesson regarding my body, its capabilities and my attitude regarding CONSISTENCY: If I could be consistent, realizing that in doing so that my goals are attainable with such a natural flow that do it any other way was an injustice to myself, I could accomplish anything! And that my body is a powerful tool designed by nature to function optimally when nourished and strengthened properly and its driving force is determination and positive mental attitude!!!
Again, what changed my initial attitude regarding this challenge was a BuffMother!, who simply planted the seed of PMA that the QFCC could be done even in our third trimesters. If one simple statement could have such an impact on me that it changed the course of my pregnancy in such a POSITIVE direction, imagine the possibilities of encouraging other women. It is that simple! Michelle Berger has always said, “The Key to your Motivation is to Encourage Others.” Well the dynamic of what occurred in the Rally Room to encourage me to follow through with this challenge clearly proved that point! I sincerely hope that my involvement in the Rally Room has had even a small positive impact on others compared to the tremendous positive impact the women of the RR have had on my life! Thank you for the 10 most energized & empowered weeks of my pregnancy!
Weekly Consistency Report Final Summary
How many weight/strength training workouts did I complete: average 4 per week
How many cardio/interval training sessions did I complete: average 2 per week
How many days of the week in total did I workout: average 4 per week
What obstacle did I overcome in order to get it done? Lower back pain
Who did I encourage? BuffMother friends
“All Star” Lisa of TN
Posted by buffmother in Success Stories on August 28th, 2010
Lisa of TN
 |
 |
I spent most of my 20′s yo yo dieting, trying the latest fads and gimmicks. In December 2004, I realized how out of control my weight had gotten, weighing in at 204lbs. I didn’t want to be fat anymore. I was depressed, had no self esteem, self conscious and hated the way I looked. So I embarked on a journey to change my life. I needed something long lasting this time. I began researching fitness and nutrition. I started changing my eating habits and exercising. I did very little weight training however, until I found Michelle and the Buffmother girls! I had always thought weight training was for guys and I didn’t want to get bulky. It changed my life. My goals and focus shifted and I ventured into a new journey, to be a BuffMother! I wouldn’t have made it this far without the inspiration and direction from Michelle and the Buffmother team. I lost a total of 76lbs and went from a size 18/20 to a 4/6. I am stronger, more confident and healthier than I have ever been. I am still a work in progress, but look forward to what the future holds! Thank you Michelle!
Natasha T.
Posted by buffmother in Fitness on August 27th, 2010
Natasha T
Children: 6 and 4
Age: 34
Date 9/14
Age: 34
Height: 5’8.5”
Weight: 137-132 (-5!!)
Bust (around the biggest part, women only): 33 – 31.75 (-1.25)
Chest 33- 32 (-1)
Waist (the smallest part): 27.5 -26.25 (-1.25)
Hips (the largest part): 36- 35 (-1)
Shoulders (around the outside of your shoulders with your arms at sides): 41-39 (-2)
Biceps (relaxed at midpoint of upper arm): 11-10 (-1)
Thigh (8” above Knee cap): 22-21 (-1)
Calf (7” below knee joint): 14 - 13 (-1)
I entered the Super Star Success contest because I was ready for a true change. I have weighed the same almost my entire life (or since high school anyway) but I have never lifted weights! I have run several half marathons, spent hours on end in cardio classes at the gym and never seen a difference in my body! It was time for a change. Michelle was so inspiring knowing she has had 4 kids including a set of twins! I love the strong lean look and I could never get there. I was always so fearful of bulking up because that is what we are taught as little girls!
The tactics I used were for starters THE RALLY ROOM! I could not have done it without that accountability! I blogged a ton and that helped me so much to stay accountable! Everyone was very helpful and encouraging through both good and bad times! The second tactic was my Buff Trainer-Deb Gray! SHE WAS AMAZING! She was very patient as she tried to explain the different things she wanted me to do and how to do them. She was truly excellent—thanks Deb! I feel like she was a great trainer but also a great friend! We got to talk and pray for each other which was such a blessing!
I feel REALLY GREAT about my success. I think images and stats show the changes I have made in my body. For someone who has been a workout freak her entire life and NEVER seen a difference—this was so huge for me! I truly feel great about my accomplishments! I worked out 5-6 every week (except my trip to NYC) and I totally changed what I ate but didn’t have to starve myself! I actually felt more full with all the protein!
I had one big obstacle and that was my breast lump. I went thru a painful biopsy but with good results!! Again, I had the RR and Deb to pray me through it and encourage me to stop and smell the roses in my life.
Buffmother is a true inspiration to me! I tell EVERYONE about Buffmother and the changes I have made in myself! It is crazy to have a friend walk up to you after not seeing you in 4 weeks and ask “What are you doing—you look amazing!” I always just say, “You have to go check out Buffmother—she is my true inspiration.” The thing that I like most about Michelle (besides the fact that she has truly discovered the secret to a great body AFTER KIDS) is the fact that she is real! She has good days and bad days…she has sick kids..she makes mistakes..but she is just so real about it all! You can tell she is close to God and very content with where He has placed her and the job he gave her to reach as many women as she can! Thanks Michelle.
Recent Comments