Here I am - Before and After for 2010

Good Morning World!!  Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!  

Personally, I am going into the new year as a new person.  This year has been a little more concentrated on myself.  I was raised in a Catholic background, and it was beat into my psyche, that a "good" person concentrates more on the needs of others than on yourself.  I have tried to live my life that way, not always successfully, but at least tried.  It is just recently that I accepted that it is OK to do things for yourself, as long as you don't lose sight of the people you love.  

With that realization, I was no longer able to "blame" anyone else for how I looked.  No more finger pointing, that it wasn't my fault that I wasn't in shape.  No more excuses for not taking care of myself.  The responsibility lies with myself.  That may sound simple to all of you, but it was a real mind shift for me.

  So here are my photos from January 2010.  This was taken at our gym.  Yes, I am co-owner of a gym with my husband.  I wasn't a very good billboard for our business.  I hit a high weight of 178 pounds.

It was time for me to take my health seriously.  Michael and I were working on the content for the SKOGG System DVD, and putting together our nutrition plan.  I decided that I would try it to see if it really could show results.  I started changing my diet, followed the SKOGG System Nutrition Plan and committed to working out 3-4 times per week.

It works folks, here are my photos from October 4th, the start of the 60 Day Challenge.

Well, at least I'm smiling now!  I was working out 3 times a week.  But I was still eating sugar....a lot of it.  I was also eating wheat.  When the 60 day challenge started, on October 4th, I totally committed to the Nutrition Plan.  My weight was at 162 pounds.  No more sugar AT ALL, and no more wheat.  I also committed to working out 4 times per week.  That is when my overall health began to improve. 

Here are my photos from December 6th, the end of the 60 Day Challenge. Weight 147.5

Quite a change from January 2010.  I am very happy with my progress, and plan to continue on.  My nutrition plan is no longer a diet, but a way of life.  I am NOT dieting, I am eating healthy.  Here are some of the positive results of my diet change and weight loss.

*  My severe sleep apnea is gone!!  No more wearing a mask to bed.

*  My arthritis has stopped flaring up.  I have no pain in my finger joints at all.

*  I'm not tired during the day.  No need for naps.

*  I'm happier.

*  I have not had a cold, flu or any illness in the past year.

I would like to share this program with anyone who is interested.  Skogg System Kettlebell Workout System is now available for pre-order.  You can do it in your home....I would love to hear about your results.

If you are not familiar with kettlebells, that's ok.  There is an instructional DVD included in the package, that shows you how to use a kettlebell.  There are also 4 workout DVDs that have four different levels of workouts.  It doesn't matter how old you are or what level of fitness you are at.  This is for everyone.  Our gym has taught children as young as 9 years old, and we have had members in their 70's, and everything in between.

Click here for a preview of the SKOGG System Kettlebell workout. 

Click here to pre-order the SKOGG System Kettlebell Workout DVDs  

I look forward to 2011!!  It is going to be a great year.

Happy New Year, and keep swinging.

You, Only Stronger

Sue

Today is the Day!

Today is the last day of the Skogg System 60 Day Challenge.  Tonight is the final weigh-in, body fat measurements, and photos.  For the first time in a long time, I am looking forward to having my picture taken with just a sports bra and tights on.  Hopefully the transformation I see in my body is not just wishful thinking, but you all will see as soon as the new photos get distributed.

Getting through today is not going to be hard.  There is so much excitement and anticipation from all of the participants, that there is a buzz in the gym today.  It will be easy to make it through the day with little water and food with all the excitement. 

Now, I am not endorsing going without food for any length of time, and that is not what I am doing today.  Instead, I am sticking to protein and vegetables in small 100 calorie per hour quantities.  

The bigger issue looming out there is "what happens tomorrow".  For me, I am going to stick to the same nutrition program until I reach my goal.  That goal is a body fat goal.  I know that I have not yet reached it, just because I can still see the areas that need improvement.  The body fat measurement tonight will tell the story.  I would still like to lose about 10 more pounds, and that is a personal goal that is based more on my need to hit that number, than it is about appearance.  However, hitting my goal weight of 137 pounds should also get me to my desired body fat number.

Here is the story of my goal weight of 137 pounds.

For many years I belonged to a country club and golfed 2 - 3 times per week.  One of my golf partners, Louise, was about 10 years older than I was, and looked great.  She just had this cute figure, and really didn't age.  One day I asked her what her weight was.  You guessed it, 137.

So there is no scientific basis for my goal weight, just a good feeling.  It seems to be a pretty good goal weight for me though, based on where I am right now.

Moving forward, I would suggest to all, to continue on your nutrition plan.  It is working.  You all look great!!  If you don't want to lose any more weight, we can adjust your program to fit your needs.  Just remember one thing....

If you go back to eating the way you did before you started the 60 Day Challenge, your body will go back to where you started.

We have all worked too hard to let that happen.

Just another thought.  The SKOGG SYSTEM DVD set will be available within the next 4 weeks. For those folks outside the gym's location, this is a good way to start the 60 Day Challenge from your home.  I will update you when the release date of the first set of DVD's is set.

Skogg System
You, Only Stronger

Sue 

The Last Five Days

Hi Folks!  I'm back to report on the last five days.

First of all, I have to comment on how overwhelming it is to see the results of the 60 day challenge.  Everyday the gym looks like it is filled with new people, and in a way, I guess it is.  I seriously don't recognize many of the members unless they are looking directly at me.  Their bodies have changed so much, that I have to look them in the face to determine who they are.  Seriously, no joke!

The weight loss is phenomenal.  We have members who are at, or very near, a 30 pound weight loss in 60 days.  But it is not just about the weight loss, as this is not a diet plan.  It is a lifestyle change.  It is about a transformation.  Weight loss and an increase in muscle mass was the objective for most, and the objective has been met.  There are also folks who wanted to increase weight and muscle mass.  Their programs have been successful as well.  I am so excited to be able to post before and after pictures of the men and women who have completed the 60 day challenge. It is amazing.  Stay tuned to see those photos.

Michael and I knew the program would work, and now we have a room full of people to prove it.

On a personal front, I am still determined to do what I can to improve my numbers before the Monday night weigh-in.  My focus has been to be conscientious in following the nutrition plan, and work out at a high level this week, increasing the weight of my kettlebells.  Today was a day off, my muscles are quite sore.  However Thursday and Friday will be heavy kettlebells.  I will reduce the intensity of my workouts on Sunday and Monday by using lighter kettlebells creating a higher cardio workout.

I am very pleased with my results.  Although I was hoping to reduce my weight by a few more pounds, I really can't complain.  There's a lot to be proud of:

*  I can see my abs....really, a six pack!  And I'm no spring chicken.  :)
*  I have reduced my weight by 10 pounds (hopefully more by Monday)
*  I have gone down two pants sizes 12 - 8
*  My body fat has been reduced.  (will be measured on Monday)
*  My sleep apnea is gone!!!
*  I feel great!  Have not gotten sick this year.  Not even the flu or a cold.

This has been such an exciting and inspiring program, we are planning on holding another 60 day challenge in January.  It has been incredibly fulfilling to be part of  this past 55 days and touch so many people's lives in such a positive way, its kind of sad to see it coming to an end.

Stay tuned for Monday's results!  Can't wait to update you.

Keep Swinging,

Sue