Proudly Athena

I think it sounds pretty bad-ass to be able to say I’m an “Athena” runner.  Calling a running guy a “Clydesdale” however, is something I can’t do with a straight face.  If you haven’t heard these terms before, you’ll occasionaly encounter Athena and Clydesdale divisions in running events.  Athenas are females more than 150 pounds, and Clydesdales are males more than 190.  Competing in these divisions takes you out of competition with your age group and pits you against other big-boned people!

Whenever I see the option to compete as an Athena in a race I sure do!  In my opinion, it’s the only chance I have to compete for a medal, and competition is what drives me (In my running club, I’m happy that they offer Athena and Clydesdale divisions for their Gold Cup Series!).  Sure, competition with my own personal best is great, but you can’t tell me that competition against others isn’t motivating!  And you can’t tell me you wouldn’t want a little bling hanging around your neck as you leave a race!

Unfortunately, oftentimes when these divisions are offered, not too many Athenas seem to sign up.  I’m not sure if it’s because they don’t know what it is or perhaps more likely, they don’t have the self-confidence to proudly declare that they weigh more than 150 pounds (I honestly haven’t weighed that little since 5^th grade!).  Personally, I think it should be more like 175 or so, but that’s just this proud 197-pound big girl talking! (That’s right, 197! I’ve lost 20 pounds since my Shakeology journey began in December. #WeighInWednesday)

If you fit the criteria, go ahead and proudly sign up for the Athena or Clydesdale division next time you see it offered!

Now, onto what’s happening in the Beachbody world… I don’t want you to miss out on some great specials available through the end of the month… The MMA-inspired Les Mills Combat, the rapid weight-loss & accelerated strength-training of Les Mills Pump, or the detox and tune-up of the Ultimate Reset are on special through March. Contact me for details: joan@joangrottfitness.com or connect through Facebook at www.facebook.com/joangrottfitness.

And one last thing… Those who know me know that I tell it as it is, and I want you to know that I truly believe in the power of Beachbody to make a difference in lives, I mean in my first few months in the biz, I lost nearly 20 pounds and made enough money to pay for me recent all-inclusive five-night Caribbean vacation (airfare too!)  And now I want to share this opportunity with you and I’m looking for a few team members.  Requirements for team members:  must love to help others, be interested in working from home, and would like to make $500 a month or even a week! If you know of anyone, could you please send them my way?!  And I'd be happy to give YOU a gift if the prospective team member you send my way works out! (joan@joangrottfitness.com, www.facebook.com/joangrottfitness).

Lighter & Faster!

It’s been awhile since I blogged, but I’M BACK!!! February was a rough month for me, but I ended it on an upswing with a “spring break” to Riviera Maya, Mexico with my childhood best friend!*

I didn’t see much weight loss in February, but despite all that I was facing, I DIDN’T GAIN weight, so that was awesome! And following my spring break, I got back to business with my workouts and my Shakeology nutrition, and the scale is moving downward again… my first post-vacation weigh-in was last Wednesday, and I finally broke into the 100s! 198.6 pounds!

To recap, since I began including Shakeology in my daily routine back in December, I’ve lost 18 pounds so far! As I’ve shared before here, I truly believe it’s corrected the nutritional piece of my health/fitness puzzle...and it keeps my energy up, keeps me feeling full longer than my old breakfast did, and I just feel healthier!

One of my goals for 2014 is to get back to my best running shape, and so far I’m on the right track!  This past Saturday I ran my first Gold Cup Series race for my local running club, the Calumet Region Striders.  My best recent training 5K was a shade faster than 34 minutes, so I set my goal at 33 minutes and promised myself a new pair of running shoes if I beat 33.  I found myself fairly-comfortably running at a 10:00ish minute/mile pace and managed to finish in 32:00.5!! The Athena division of the Cal Striders better look out, ‘cause I’m gonna kick some tail this year!!  And I can’t wait to visit my local running store, Extra Mile, this week for some new kicks!

*I earned enough money in 3 months as a Beachbody coach to cover the cost of airfare and 5-nights at a beautiful Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort.  If you’re looking for a fun way to earn some extra fun money, pay down debt, etc., contact me to learn more about being a Beachbody coach!

Proud to be an Athena!

I ran my first 5K back in 2010, and finally in 2013 I decided to join my local running club, the Calumet Region Striders.  Last Saturday, the Striders held their annual banquet, which provided me the opportunity to reflect on my 2013 participation in the Striders “Gold Cup Series”. 

In hindsight, 2013 was rough!  I gained weight and plateaued, and I really slacked on my running.  Ever since my first 5K in 2010, my aim has been to run at least one event per month.  In 2013, I got to the point that I wasn’t really running in between my events (I was still doing other workouts, but not running regularly).  I got slower.  But I knew I could get it done.  If it weren’t for the friendly competition presented by the Striders Gold Cup Series (I had to run at least 10 races from the Gold Cup “menu”.), I may have abandoned running.

5th Place Athena* for the 2013
Gold Cup Season!

I had previously set some running related goals for 2014 anyhow, primarily getting down to a 28:30 5K, and setting a 10K PR (personal record).  Saturday night inspired me to really get more serious about those goals, and really work hard to be the best me I can be, and really compete in the Athena* Division of the Gold Cup this year!  I’d like to see myself finish no less than 2^nd place in the division for the 2014 season!  And if I stick to my plans for 2014, I know I can do it!

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who provide leadership to the Calumet Striders!  You truly make a difference for so many of us! THANKS!

*For those who are unfamiliar with the term “Athena” as it relates to running, it’s what I call “the big girl division” for females who weigh more than 150 pounds.  There is also the “Clydesdale” division for males who weigh more than 190.  (I struggle to say the Clydesdale one with a straight face, because I just picture my brother-in-law galloping like a draft horse.)  When you sign up for Athena or Clydesdale it takes you out of competing with your age group, and pits you against other big people.  Quite frankly, I’d love to see those weights be a touch higher.  I’m built like a brick outhouse, not a runner, I probably haven’t weighed 150 since junior high (or maybe even elementary).

I’ll Give it a 10!

It’s a snow day here in northwest Indiana…the best true blizzard we’ve had since I was a wee little one! Everything is closed, even the interstates, we’re under a state of emergency, and I’m looking at a 4-foot drift on my patio! (Oh, and it’s cold, -15*F with a wind chill that makes it feel like -38.)

Despite all that I’m having a 10-star day…

It’s Monday, which is my weigh-in day. After a long-held weight-loss plateau, I’m down 10 pounds in the past five weeks! And in an effort to keep it real with you…my starting weight was 217, and I’m down to 207! The thought of getting into the 100s is quite exciting, as it’s been a loooooong time since I was there (despite what my driver’s license may say). I’m just super-excited about this recent weight-loss trend, as I was stalled out for sooooo long. (See more about this in this blog post.)

Who needs a bullet blender?! The bottom
of your blender pitcher fits a mason jar!

After five weeks, I’m now confident in saying that Shakeology is helping me correct the nutritional piece of the health and fitness puzzle! It’s my insurance… it is one easy thing I can do right EVERY single day! It is the healthiest meal of my day, EVERY DAY! It’s way more than a protein shake; it’s a nutrient-dense and all-natural super food shake! Learn more here.

So, I dropped 10 pounds. And then, as I scrolled through my Facebook timeline today I learned that I was selected to be a Social Media Ambassador for Bondi Band! I first encountered Bondi Band at my first-ever 10K…the Sunburst Races in South Bend, IN back in June 2011. They offer a variety of hats, headbands, and compression socks, and in most of my race pictures you’ll see me sporting one of their headbands! Stay tuned for more information about my ambassadorship with Bondi Band!

Me in my fav Bondi Band at the April 2013
Dyngus Day Dash 5K - 2nd place Athena!

Running Through 2013

I ran through 2013 with my sister Anne, my friend Lindsey, Got Chocolate Milk's Team Refuel, and the Calumet Region Striders running club! I ran in 19 races and volunteered at the one and only Chicago Marathon! Check it out in 15 seconds in the video below. And follow me at Joan's Fitness Journey for regular updates and your daily dose of motivation!

Happy New YOU!

Do you set goals or make resolutions? I go for goals. To me, resolutions have a negative connotation…fixing something you do wrong; whereas I feel goals are a way to shoot for the stars without necessarily dwelling on a negative! 

And I’ve already started working toward my 2014 goals…I didn’t need to wait until January 1^st to begin working toward being the best me I can be! I’m refocusing on my running, and have big plans to crush my 5K personal record (PR) time in 2014…I’m shooting for 28:30! It’s scary, but I figure if your goals aren’t scary, you’re not shooting high enough!  (I also want to set a new 10K PR and get myself below 200 pounds and keep myself there…lost 8 in December, after being stalled out for a LONG time…entering 2014 at 209!)

So what are you doing to be the best YOU that you can be? Facebook or Tweet me and let me know!