Session 4 Begins: Working Through Injury

Enjoying a birthday dinner with my sweet family!

When I signed up for my fourth session of Body Back, I was feeling great!

But, by the end of session 3, my left leg was toast!

I'm not exactly sure what happened. I think it was a combination of six months of 5-6 intense workouts a week without enough stretching, and then ramping up my running too fast.

Session 3 Results and a Paddle Boarding Disaster!

 

Celebrating this session's winner Sirisha in a "v" formation - inspired by a motivational video about geese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUiDjvrZjLg. Honk honk!

Our final assessment was Tuesday and it wasn't until Monday night that I started to get excited. As I was laying out my workout clothes I realized my stomach was full of butterflies.

I had a hard time falling asleep. And then I woke up every few hours to check the clock and make sure I didn't sleep through class.
It was also my birthday!

Week 7: Charissa's Story of Gratitude

It's been a wild ride, this third session. I gained, I lost and then gained again. I started running again, and then hurt my leg. I peed my pants and cried in class. What a roller coaster!

Now our final assessment is Tuesday - just one day away!

Session 3, Week 6: I Get to Do This

Hanging out with my little guy post-

workout.

I took my first Body Back Boost class yesterday and I left in tears.

Not from the burpees, or the planks. Or the lunges or the jumping jacks. Or the crunches.

It was the meditation at the end that got me.

Week 5: Cleaning Up the Damage From Tropical Storm Angie

I tore through Kauai like the Hungry Little Caterpillar on Saturday, eating my way through way too many delicious Hawaiian treats.

And like the caterpillar, after it was all over, I had a stomachache.

Session 3, Week 4: Chillaxin' in Paradise

Sitting on our condo's lanai in Kauai, I'm in heaven.

I'm just steps from the ocean where a family of turtles splashes around.

Week 3: Running for Sienna

Body Backers past and present showing their support for a great project.

Last weekend my family and I had the opportunity to be part of something really special.

Some of my amazing Body Back friends invited us to participate in a 5K at Mission Bay to raise money for Sienna's Play Garden. The Rancho Penasquitos playground revitalization project was started by the family of a little girl named Sienna who passed away unexpectedly in 2012 at just 16 months.

It was heart-warming to see the more than 500 people who came to show their support for the family.

Before the race started, a woman stood up to address the crowd and I heard someone whisper, "Is that the mom?"

Session 3, Week 2 + What Not to Do Between Body Back Sessions

I owe my great results from Session 2 to our instructor Ashley!

By the second-to-last week of my last Body Back session, I was within a pound of my goal weight!

So I put all of my focus into the eating plan and workouts. I kept thinking, "I don't need that <insert bad food choice here>. I just have a few more days."

I passed up desserts, avoided alcohol, planned my meals and snacks, drank my water, worked out hard. And I did it! I surpassed my goal and realized amazing overall results. I was so excited and proud!

And then I went nuts...