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Cindy and I got ready for our dinner tonight at Truffles with Team Bluffton. I slid into a new pair of slacks that I had to purchase. The first belt I tried on was so loose that I had to put it back and find a different one that had a sliding buckle. It is hard to believe 12-weeks has passed so quickly and I am now missing a spare tire. We all arrived and had a wonderful meal except for Michelle who was home sick. We all missed her and her quick wit.

John Campbell, the owner of Breakthrough Fitness Center, and Josh Jordan, of Matrix Training Center on HHI, talked about our accomplishments and combined weight loss. Next came the separate accomplishments of each team member. Josh stated that in over 16 years he had never seen a group put forth so much effort and to lose 185 pounds was phenomenal. It all came down to Big Bill and myself for the running of who was to take home the first title of Bluffton Biggest Looser. Josh said the Island Packet set up the rules and it came down to 0.02% difference between the two of us in total weight loss per each individual. Over a 12-week program that seemed pretty un-real.

Today was the last workout together and weight in for Team Bluffton. It was bitter sweet to wake up this morning and know today was the last time Team Bluffton would be working out together with at Jennifer Boot Camp. Jennifer started us off with a fast walk or slow jog. We noticed right off with our Energizer Bunny Michelle, she was not feeling well and said; “she was running a temperature all night.

Well it two weeks and I lost another 2-pounds this week for a grand total of 38-Pounds.
I some times look in the mirror and look at the difference that 12-weeks can make in someone’s face. The jowls are almost gone and I can see my neck again. When I smile now my dimples show and not my triple chins. I have been so Blessed to have been selected to this competition by the Island Packet. Next is the staff of Breakthrough Fitness Center and Matetrick training, the whole team wishes the program was for a couple more months to allow us to all reach our goals.
Later HT

I was down in the dumps after Saturday’s workout with Team Bluffton. Here is the real reason I did not write for the last two weeks. I have only lost 2 ½ pounds in two weeks. And I am having a small pity party over it. I got off the scales with Josh and went from being on a high to a kick in the gut within 5 seconds. I thought I had been doing the same things for the last 6 weeks and had even worked out harder in the 8th week on both Tuesday and Thursday during the AM’s while spinning. The family did not go out to eat that week, so I was feeling pretty good about my results. So all I can say is I now understand how the ladies are feeling when they only lose one pound during the week and a friend at the gym said; “he even gained one week while staying on the same regimen and then lost 4-pounds the next week.

Boot Camp BTF Style

This week was almost as routine as it would have been for an Active duty military member, up at 0500 work out @ 0545 with weights and cardio Monday – Thursday. Friday I slept till 0610 and felt like a 6-toed sleuth since I knew my teammates were not slacking off. I got in 30-min. on the Elliptical and went to work. Moral of the story is don’t let the 6-toed sleuth talk you into staying in bed.

Now to the Saturday morning work out with Jennifer, the Matrix Training Instructor. Jen started us out with a ¾ to 1-mile jog. Michelle beat us all, must be the age thing. We all met back at the grassy area behind Sonic for a little competitive workout. Jen had us running 30-yards, doing 10-push-ups, 30-yards, doing 10- squats, running 30 more yards and then picking-up a 10 lb. ball and running 30-yards to the finish line. We all competed and raced against our selves and time. I started off 1st and posted a 48 second run. Mike posted a 44 second round on his 1st attempt. Bill, Jessie and Michelle all worked hard. It is great to see Bill knocking out push-ups when he struggled during the 1st Saturday session. The Bluffton ladies do not do ladies push-ups. On my second run I turned in my best time of 40-seconds and tried to regain my breath to push on my teammates. Mike picked it up and turned in a 41-second time, which was humping it. We kept on with tossing a 6-lbs ball between two teammates while side stepping it for 30-yards. We then all went up stairs for set-ups and a dumbbell workout. After finishing the last task with Jennifer we all went down to weigh in with Josh. Check out our video to see if you want any part of Matrix Boot camp with Jennifer and Josh.

Spinning with Jennifer on Tuesday morning at 0545 is a piece of cake compared to the Saturday morning Boot Camp she runs. The Bluffton Team started out with a short brisk run around BTF a couple times. Jennifer set up a short obstacle course downstairs at BTF. The team started with step over, jump on, step on & off, etc. She had us doing exercises that I have not done since two-day football camp. We all joined Jennifer up-stairs for floor work, push-ups, sit-ups, small ball exercises and then we topped it all off with Pilates. All of this in 45-minutes from this soft-spoken, sweet personal trainer who can out bike, run or swim 95% of the folks I know.

NOT, Let's see, Rollllling out of bed at 0515 to be at the BTF by 0545 is the easiest part of the workout. I slid the spinning bike in place, stretched, put on my gel seat and climbed aboard. Nick is the Thurs. morning instructor (Jennifer is Tue.)and he will wake you uuuppp. The instructors play all types of music to get you pumped and keep you going. Today Nick wanted to do cardio and kept the beat quick so you would have to pedal faster to keep up with it. I stayed in the seat for 90% of the ride, but Nick had the rest of the class up & down. I tried to get up and get-it but could only pedal for less than a minute. All the time the lactic acid was entering my quads just above my knee caps. I made it through the class again, but my quads were kicking. I went straight to an early morning meeting and got stiff sitting there for hour. I could hardly get out of the chair, I stretched all day long and still dread getting up in the AM. I already know it's going to hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did not want to get out of bed at 0500 this morning or on Monday, but I made a commitment to meet Steve Cobb, my trainer. Monday we worked the whole body like normal, but today he had me doing three exercises at once. We started out with incline dumb-bell presses, cable bicep pulls sitting on the ball, and sit-ups catching and tossing the 8lbs. ball. And that was the easy one. I was bushed but need to get in some cardio so I hit the elliptical for 20-mins. Showers and off to work. I have to agree with Mike stretching is a key to not hurting as bad. Steve has showed me a few stretches that keep biceps and forearms from hurting.

Man, the Olympic work out was tough! The ladies put us through everything from skating to pushing the bob sled. We stretched out and did a little yoga. I am so sore today, especially my hamstrings. The Bluffton team is really pulling together and is close to 70 lbs total. I personally lost another 3 lbs for a combined total of 16 lbs. I guess I need to get back to my day off. I will be back to at it with Steve at 5:45 AM if anybody wants to join me. Josie--happy birthday, hope the new job will provide you new opportunites for your family. Michelle--keep up the good work and meet you for spinning soon. Mike, I hope you got plenty of sleep and feel better. You sure are a team player for even showing!!!! My hat is off to you. Big Bill keep after it, I know you lost another 5 lbs. You are going to have to tell me your secret. See ya in the AM buddy.

Hollis 4th Blog 2-8-06

Sunday was a nice day off: church, haircut & I had ½ a cantaloupe for the Super Bowl party. The Steelers won a good game. It was a great day!

Monday I meet with Steve at 0545 for our 1st morning workout. Steve coached me through an upper body workout. I then worked out on the elliptical for 30-min. My knee feels better than it did when I was walking on the treadmill.

Tuesday was back to the 0600 work out with Bill. I then worked out on the elliptical for 45-min.

Wednesday, I meet Steve @ 0545 and he put me through another upper body workout. Steve made me do super sets on each exercise. I was WHOOOOOPED. I tried the bike, since all of the ellipticals were full. I made it for 10-min. and then headed to the showers. I headed to work with a cup of coffee in hand. I made it to CCMC with 15-min. to spare, I kicked back in my seat and fell a-sleep for 10-min. catnap. I needed that bad.