I DID IT!

For about two years now I've been thinking "what am I going to name my post when..." well, this is it!   For the first time since I started my journey, the head of MEPS (military entrance processing station)...not just a recruiter, no the HEAD of MEPS said that I, Cara Ann Berg Rainey, am eligible to enlist!!!

Let me start at the beginning. We have a good family friend that's a Colonel. He called me the other day when I was out with my family and told me to call a certain captain. However, before I called, the Colonel warned me, I had to ask Colin what a Silver Star was. Fortunately I knew. A Silver Star is one award below the Medal of Honor.  It's a rare and very important award to receive. Well, this Captain who I was supposed to just "give a buzz to" is a Silver Star recipient!!!! Talk about a man to be honored to know. Anyway, so I jingled this Captain, and he asked me what my body fat percentage was.  I told him, and I said, "I know it'll turn at 27, so I'm where I need to be at the age of 27!" Well, when he said "unfortunatly the age doesn't change until 28," my heart SANK! Then, he tossed in the word "HOWEVER!" and my heart was enlightened once more. He said "HOWEVER, you are eligible, due to MEPS allowing 2% over the Army Regulated body Fat."

Okay folks, I do not cry, when I hung up the phone I CRIED! For the first time since I started this journey, I AM ABLE TO ENLIST!!!!!

Ideally, he said, I should lose about 1% more just to be safe, so I am.  I'm going to do the 28 day takedown then get my arse into that recruiting station!!

I cannot begin to explain HOW excited I am.  You guys have certainly been reading this through my ups and my downs and now, thanks to all your love, support and encouragement, I'm finally going to be making my dreams come true!!  So, with all that said, what more can I say but..."I DID IT!"

Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they act their dream with eyes wide open and make it possible.  - T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)

Karma...you're a b**ch

While things go right sometimes, karma has not been on my side lately. Losing my job added stress beyond comparison. Trying to pack and organize for moving is always a monster headache, plus this economy sucks and constant rejection is something that none of us like. Hey, while we're at it, let's add gas prices, war, famine, natural disasters and Ryan Secreast....the world would be a better place without all of them!

Fortunately for me I always try to find the good out of every situation. I've come to see in the last two weeks, I have friends and family who would try to move Heaven and Earth for me. When I need to talk, when I need a place to stay, when I need to get away for a night, someone is ALWAYS there for me.

Two days ago, the weather was HOT. And not just "oh I'm from Minnesoooota, and it's 70 out" hot. No it was "step out and piles of sweat start forming at your feet, 108 plus humidity, hot!"  Genius me, I decided, what a perfect day for a run!! I started out on my little trip, and I got about a mile and half, running in the pure heat, no shade, just me and the blacktop.  I turned a corner and there was a tree, casting a welcoming patch of sun relief upon the sidewalk.  Gladly, I stopped.  As I was standing there catching my breath, attempting to de-cotton my cotton mouth, I got to thinking where I was a couple years ago.  Not 100% sure anymore where I came from, I went back to my first post on my blog.

I've lost over 60 inches and 75 pounds! Not only that, when I started running, I was able to run LESS than a quarter of a mile! Now here I am, running 5ks like they're nothing, boxing and doing muay-thai five or six days a week, wearing clothing I never thought I would be able to! I should feel really good, right?  I'm not a big fan of Jillian Michaels, honestly, she scares me. However, as I was looking at things to inspire me again, I ran across this quote: "When friends tell you how awesome you look, drop the "I still have more to go" crap.  You worked hard and you deserve the compliment! "

Well I'm going to learn to do that. I HAVE worked hard to get where I am today, and whether karma wants to play nice or not, it's MY choice as to, not whether or not I'm going to succeed, but WHEN I'm going to succeed! So back off karma, you're either with me or against me. Whichever you choose, I'm gonna get my way!

Random Thoughts

In the last week or so I've had about a million thoughts going through my head.  So rather than keeping them all bottled up inside, I would share them with you here.  After all isn't that the point of this thing?

First, I've developed a new pet peeve...when you help someone out with something and they don't say "hey thanks!" I think that's all anyone every really wants when helping out. I mean how difficult is it really? Especially when it's a favor that does take time can you please just be like "ya know, I appreciate it!" It makes people feel good, and it makes them feel like they did something right in the day.

I have a kanker sore, and it hurts. I want it to go away. Now.

Loud, rude children annoy the heck out of me.  Parents need to learn to control their mutts in public places.

I'm starting my individual boxing lessons soon. In about 3 month I get my first bout. I gotta find some really groovy wraps...I'm thinking some camo wraps.  Yes.  Camo.

I need to get my dogs flee and tick stuff.  We've found about 6 ticks already this Spring, between Tony and Spike.

I got a mosquito bite! The first one of the summer...it has arrived!

Summer is coming and I am really hoping and praying that I'm gonna get these last three inches off of me.  They're hanging on like a bad cold holds on in winter.  SOOOO dang close and I think that's my problem.  If I stay exactly where I am I'll be able to enlist in December.  Do you know how frustrating it is??!! UGH!

Basically, who are we kidding, those three inches are what's on my mind all the time.  As much as children who are rude, as well as people who are ungrateful have been driving me nuts, I feel like my life is consumed by the number three.  Am I under eating? Am I over eating? Am I exercising too much?  Should I run more? Should I focus on my core?  Should I listen to this person or that person? All these things running through my head.  Time will tell, as will the summer, but man it's frustrating.

Well, those are my random thoughts of the week.  Thanks for reading! :)

One month strong

Well, as you all know I just completed my 28 day diet. The results were awesome and I felt SO good when I was done.  I was feeling SO good about what I had done that somehow my wonderful husband convinced me to stop into a recruiter's office to just have a "chit-chat."  Little did I know that, what I thought was going to be a five minute conversation turned into a 45 minute dialogue.  When I got done talking with SFC Frantz, I felt SO good, better than usual, about where I'm standing.

Being that he's the Army's equivalent to a nutritionist he reassured me that what I was doing on the diet was what I NEEDED to enlist.  While we were talking he had me measure myself (being that he was a male, he wasn't able to.) according to the measurements, I only have three more inches to lose! (Yeah, I thought I was one, but that's a whole other story, heehee!)  Never the less, last month on the 28 day I lost a total of 5 inches, 3 of which were in my waist (where I needed to actually lose!)

Here's my game plan: after consulting Kelly, I got the okay to do a modified version of the 28 day diet. Being that I need to integrate the fats back into my body, I am going to do three days on the weeks 1-3 plan, then one day of the week 4 plan.  Not only that, I'm back to full health so I'm heading back to muay-thai tonight after my bootcamp this morning!

I am SO close I can taste it! If I stick to this plan folks, I could possibly be where I need by June!!! However, I'm not counting my chickens this go round, my goal is three inches by the end of the summer. That gives me about 3 and a half months! Of course I want to get there before that, but I have to be realistic, too!

Oh, and the other news about me joining, I decided to go enlisted for three years first. As nice as the money would be to get OCS pay right away, if I can "be in the trenches" for a while first, I'll be a better Officer and soldier in the future.  The other benefit, which makes a lot of sense, is simply, enlisted have more fun! If I go in right as an officer, I won't get to have the fun the enlisteds do! The competition for OCS enlistment is hard! You have to be the best of the best, right off the bat. To be honest, I just want to get my foot in that darn door!

So anywho, that's what's happening. I have one month to be strong, and as I keep telling myself: what's one month to the rest of my life?!

OH, P.S. I did my first 5k yesterday and it went GREAT!!! When I finished I felt like I could go farther!

28 days and the start of Lt. Rainey

Wow! I can't believe it! Another 28 day diet has come to an end! Like the first one, I would call it a total success!! The results are in:

Total weight loss: 11 pounds (exactly the same as last time)
Total inches lost: 5 inches, 3 of which were around my belly!!!

You know what that means folks??!! I'M ONLY ABOUT 1 INCH AWAY FROM GETTING TO ENLIST!!!!! I never, ever thought I would get this close to my goals. When Kelly took my measurements on Monday I didn't know what to expect. I was thinking maybe one or two total. But no...I lost FIVE!! I can tell after this that my pants are fitting better, my energy is getting back up and my outlook is just generally better! I don't think there are enough words to explain how grateful I am to have found this "Body-fit Bootcamp!" All the people there, especially Kelly, keeps me motivated and they all truly believe I CAN reach my goals and that I will!! I'm reaching new heights that I never thought I would!!

One of my big accomplishments this diet go round happened on Sunday. I ran a good 7 mile run, with under a 10 minute mile! What makes this more exciting, is that it's only my third run of the season! :) I'm running my first official 5k on Sunday, mother's day, for the breast cancer walk!  From here on, I'm signed up for one 5k a month during the summer, starting the training for the half marathon!

One of my favorite things during my runs, is not listening to great music, but it's getting a lot of time to think.  Through this last jaunt, I thought a lot about my past. I really started to think about where I was two years ago. Two years ago I was at 250 pounds and a size 14 to 16 pant! If someone suggested running, I merely laughed and asked to which malt shop we were running to?? Now I'm down to 175 with a lot of muscle! I'm at a size 6 pant, which is already getting loose!! On my trek I ran by what was once Golds Gym. I thought about how, walking in there one day and Norman saying "Welcome to our dysfunctional family," changed my whole life!!! When I went in there, I wanted to lose a few pounds! NEVER did I think I'd be joining the military, boxing people in the ring and now helping other people reach their goals!!! It really goes to show you, that they journey of a thousand miles, really does begin with a single step!

What else is new you ask? Well I have an interview on Thursday for a "Wellness Coach" position. Basically I would help encourage people in their weightloss/gain (yeah, there are some who want to gain!) and nutrition goals! How wonderful!! I love helping people and now I get to help many!!

All in all, among the ups and downs, I'd say these last weeks were very successful! Help me out folks...I only have ONE MORE INCH then I get to live my dreams and FINALLY, after two years, become Lt. Rainey...yeah, it has a great ring to it!!

Almost there

Yes, the 28 day diet is almost over!! I can't believe it! Only three more days and I'll have completed this diet two times!  Ya know, it seems to be getting easier and easier. I think if I keep going on for a week or two beyond, this will actually become a habit!

Well, let me tell you a couple of the things I'm going to change during these summer months! First, I'm going to continue to eat five meals a day, totaling 2000 calories per day. Since I've started boxing and muay-thai four days a week, I've realized my body isn't getting the nutrition it needs!  Second, I'm going to continue on the lack of preservatives. Okay, I'm going to have some,  I can't give up my cereal, but for example, I'm going to start baking bread once a week versus going to the store and buying it. Third, I'm going to be much more careful on my portions. I know I say this a lot, but I've realized it just doesn't take that long. Yeah, I'm going to enjoy going out to eat again, I'm not gonna lie. And you know what else? I'm going to enjoy the occasional slice of pizza!

It's funny how a mere 28 days can transform you physically and mentally.  Within this time, I've found myself shopping for "women" style t-shirts, which is something I never even thought would happen. The thought of my trip to Florida is really making me want to look really good!! My arms are getting toned, and my body is getting strong!

So, I'm not really sure what else I have to say. The weather is getting beautiful, my outlook is ever changing, and while I know I will have some more downs, I know I'll have people to pick me up once more!!

Stinging like a bee

It's been awhile again, my bad! So much has been going on sometimes I forget to write it all down! Well, where do I begin??

First I should say, I'm back on my 28 day diet and I'm about half way through. So far I'm down 7 pounds! Which is a great start!! This time it seems to be so much easier than the first! I discovered a way to make super yummy spaghetti!! Not only that, but I found bunny shaped brown rice noodle pasta!! I think the thing I am learning this time, other than how to properly eat, is that to lose weight, I still need to eat ENOUGH.  Even when I was doing Weight Watchers, I don't think I was eating enough points! So, I'm going to stay on this type of eating, even after the 28 days! Add a few things back in like fats and fruits, but good fats, like avocados and olive oils. (Maybe toss in some dairy too!)  Anyway, I think I'm learning more of a life lesson this go round, than a temporary lesson.

As for the fitness aspect, well that has gone down at all, rather bumped it up a couple levels. I started boxing and muay-thai! It's at a gym called Gorilla Fitness. I LOVE IT!! It's so awesome to know that I get to punch the living daylights out of something for an hour everyday if I want!  Not since my workouts with Norman have I come home with so many glory bruises!  I was talking to a couple folks from my bootcamp class (which I still love!!) and I realized that, since Golds closed, haven't I felt like I had another workout family, now I love going again!  When Golds closed one year ago now, I bounced from gym to gym. It wasn't until I found these two places where I feel like I'm really being challenged again and where I have a group of people who encourage me everyday!! That's what I've been missing, and to tell ya the truth, it sucked!!!  Oh, and I should be having my first match in a couple months, so I'll keep you updated on that one!

Well, things are turning around...again! :) Summer is coming up too, which will allow me to get out and get back to running!!  Time to train for that half marathon!!