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).

Getting Faster, Next Race, & Weight-Loss!

One of my goals for the year is to get back to my running best, which means I need to complete a 5K in better than 28:30.  I also want to set a PR (personal record) in a 10K (need to beat 64:20)!!  I’ve been putting forth more effort when it comes to training, and last Friday I had an amazing 5K (3.1 mile) run on the treadmill…I beat any recent times by at least 30 seconds.  I’m an interval runner, and I completed Friday’s run in 33:26, an average pace of 10:47/mile.  (I would run 6 minutes at 5.8ish mph, and then walk for 1 minunte at 4 mph, repeating these intervals for 3.1 miles.)  Not sure I ran a 5K that “fast” in all of 2013!

My next race is The Chi-TownBig Game 5K on Super Bowl Sunday (2/2/14) at Soldier Field in Chicago.  Last year was the inaugural event, which I participated in, and it was AWESOME!  The pre- and post- race events were held in the posh United Club in the stadium!!  Taking some family with me this time… the sis, bro-in-law, and maybe even my cousin!

SHAKEOLOGY UPDATE:  I’ve now been replacing at least one meal per day with Shakeology for 7 weeks, and am down 13.5 pounds!  If you’re new here, please scroll back through some of my other recent posts to learn more about me… one key point you’ll find is that I had hit a weight-loss plateau long ago and Shakeology has helped me start losing weight again!

I read or heard somewhere that when your body is getting the nutrients it really needs, that you don’t crave the “bad” stuff (the greasy, sugary, yummy bad stuff).  I’m beginning to think this is true.  The longer I’ve been incorporating Shakeology into my routine, the less I crave those things, which further helps my overall efforts!

For more on my Shakeology experiences, check out the following two recent blog posts:

12/26/13:  -7 Pounds in 3 Weeks
1/6/14:  I'll Give it a 10

1/14/14:  That’s Just Dopey

If you’re ready to make a positive change in your health and wellness, contact me (there's a contact form on the right side of my blog, or find me on Twitter or Facebook).  We’ll build you a Beachbody Challenge Pack with Shakeology and a fitness program that suits your needs (whether it be the all-new 30-minute workouts of P90X3, Tony Horton’s 10-Minute Trainer, Insanity, T25, or one of many more great workouts)… a complete nutritional and exercise package!  And we can even get you plugged into an online Facebook support group of other like-minded people to help hold you accountable and challenge you to work hard to reach your goals!  (Learn more about the Beachbody Challenge at www.beachbodycoach.com/joangrott.)

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!

Got Chocolate Milk?

My sister & I refueling with chocolate milk after
the June 2013 Lincoln Park Zoo Run 5K in Chicago, IL.

Did you know that lowfat chocolate milk has 9 essential nutrients that an athlete needs, including some not found in many recovery drinks?  Take a closer look at chocolate milk: 

• A natural source of high-quality protein to build lean muscle.
• The right carb-to-protein ratio scientifically shown to refuel and rebuild exhausted muscles.
• Vitamin A to support a healthy immune system and good vision.
• Electrolytes including calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium to help replenish what’s lost in sweat.
• B vitamins for energy.
• Fluids to rehydrate.
• Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, protein and potassium to build and maintain strong bones and reduce the risk for stress fractures.

Source: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/

I’ve always enjoyed an icy cold chocolate milk, but it was in the fall of 2011 when I first learned just how good it is as a recovery drink.  I was on Facebook when I saw the opportunity to apply for a grant from Chocolate Milk to help support athletic goals.  Turns out, I received that grant, which helped fund my trip to my first half marathon, the Disney Princess Half in the spring of 2012!  And ever since I learned of the benefits, I’ve been trying to spread the word and let others know that chocolate milk is not only delicious, but nutritious.  Learn all about it at: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/science.

Chocolate milk is on my mind as I write this, as I’ve just updated my profile with Team Chocolate Milk for 2014. (Click here for my 2013 profile.).  In my 2014 profile, I’ve declared that 2014 is going to be the best year yet since I began my fitness journey. I’ve struggled a bit in 2013, but am leaving 2013 on an upswing and plan to dominate 2014!! I WILL return to my 5K personal best and I WILL set a new personal record at the 10K distance.  And chocolate milk WILL play an important part in my post-exercise regimen, to help keep me fueled and healthy and ready for that next workout!

Follow me at:

Joan's Fitness Journey on Facebook

Joan on Twitter

Joan on Instagram

Follow Got Chocolate Milk at:

Got Chocolate Milk on Facebook

Got Chocolate Milk on Twitter

Got Chocolate Milk on Instagram

Running in a Winter Wonderland!

Time to rekindle the blog!

Today my sister and I braved the winter wonderland of Chicago to run the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run 10K in Lincoln Park, along the Lake Michigan shoreline!  The run started at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, ran north through the park for 3ish miles, looped around, and returned to the museum.  And it was a classic, snowy winter day in Chicago (which consequently resulted in poor traction, which we figured helped burn extra calories)!  Here’s a collage that showcases some of our pics from today:

Jingle Bell Run 10K - Chicago, IL - 12/14/13

Perhaps since I haven’t blogged in a while, I will gradually bring the blog up-to-date with my latest races, as I continue to attempt to run at least one event per month.  With that in mind, my November 2013 race was the Turkey Trot 10K in Valparaiso, Indiana.  It was a bitter cold Thursday morning, but I was super-proud of my time of 1:12:51 (a pace of 11:45/mile), as I was consistent through all 6.2 miles, and I haven’t been running much lately.  I’ve gotten to a point where I was just running my monthly races and not much in between.  Now, I’m committed to running at LEAST twice per week, and am working to get back to my best times!

Turkey Trot 10K - Valparaiso, IN - 11/28/13

In other news, I recently became an Independent Team Beachbody Coach, which means I want to be your cheerleader in you fitness journey!  It also means that if you are in the market for Beachbody products (including, but not limited to: P90X3, Insanity, T25, Shakeology, and more! Learn more at www.beachbodycoach.com/JoanGrott.)  Currently, I’m working on becoming a product of the product through replacing my breakfast with Shakeology daily… so far, I’m enjoying the shakes, and after week 1, I was down a pound (after having previously hit a weight-loss plateau which I could not break through).  Stay tuned as I continue my fitness journey and keep you updated on how improved nutrition with the help of Shakeology is helping me!

For daily motivational thoughts and more regular updates about my fitness and nutrition journey, like my new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JoanGrottFitness!