Week 4 (4-16-13)

Athena Webb-Baxley, Team BLACK

Is it Friday yet? No?! Okay, then that means two more workouts to go this week! I can do this. Next Monday is another weigh-in and challenge. Am I ready? Not yet, but I am getting there. I can say with absolute certainty that the number “100” has taken on a new meaning for me as I push through workouts. Can I get an “Amen!”? I have also found that some of the equipment we work out on seems to be more evil than others – but that’s okay – they are just more challenges to be conquered. Sometimes, it’s hard to do what I know is right concerning food choices, but I am doing my best and reminding myself that “no food tastes as good as being healthy will feel.” My awesome trainer, AD told me that when I get tired I need to focus on a mini-goal. So I have set one and whenever I am struggling through part of a workout (especially the elliptical – hurting and feel ready to fall off), I just say a little prayer, and conjure a mental image of accomplishing that mini-goal. I made it 20 minutes on that machine the other day – yea me! This journey is a process that shows progress and with the Lord on my side I can do anything I set my mind to. We all can!

Week 3 (4-12-13)

Krystol Johnson, Team PURPLE

NERVOUS, weigh in was Monday! First one since the beginning two weeks ago! I took the batteries out of the scale at the house. (hehehe) I saw my husband get on and look down and say ‘Krystol what is wrong with this thing.’ I said I took the batteries out! I knew I would drive myself crazy! I’m happy about a loss of 4 lbs. That’s 2 lbs. a week so can’t beat that. The challenge was rough. Had a fall and a little strain on my knee as the day progressed but Natalie took good care of me, I feel awesome. Didn’t win the challenge but feel like we are wining some of our health back day by day. Only got beat by 24 seconds and Purple came in second. The green team did awesome defiantly giving us competition. So proud of all of us we all did an awesome job Monday and we ALL have worked so hard in these first two weeks. Can’t wait to see where the next two weeks takes us! I’m thinking we need to get our trainers in on a challenge (lol). They are all so encouraging and awesome to be around and work with! One more thing, I thought these workouts were going to get easier, well let me tell you I had to pray my way thru to make my whole time on the treadmill Thursday, ‘Lord help Lord I can do this,’ so thankful for His help, I made it!

Athena Webb-Baxley, Team BLACK

Happy Friday! What a week! The weigh-in and challenge were Monday. Congrats to all for great successes so far! Black team didn’t win the challenge – but that’s okay. We did our best and now we know some areas to train in for improvement. Congrats to the green team for knocking the ball out of the park! Soreness continues, but that means muscles are being worked, strengthened, and improved. Several mantras keep repeating like a broken record in my head with “No pain No gain” being one of the most prominent ones. Gotta work really hard all next week on food choices and workouts before the next weigh-in on the 22nd. Be sure to support us with prayers, words of encouragement, and coming to cheer us on if possible!

Tawanna Andrews, Team GREEN

‘Nuff said!

Week 4 (4-19-13)

It is week number four of this year’s challenge and it reminds me of week four of spring football. The spring is when all the new players come in and are introduced to the team. Most of them don’t know what they have gotten themselves into but will soon find out. I remember it so well, by this time, I’m in my third year and know what to expect. I also have had to help the guys with the transition. What I recall most is that looking at people and knowing that it didn’t matter how good they looked physicaly but how well they respond when things got hard. This and only this mattered when we got in the trenches (the defensive line). We pretty much fight each play to try to establish your dominance over the other team. It takes a certain type of personality to do this well over the course of a game, not to mention a season. The coaches looked for players with this type of drive to build a championship team. Well… looks like I got two champions in Athena and Megan! Without question they will fight throughout this entire competition, and not stop.

AD Abston, Black Team

Megan making her way back.

Athena starting weighted ball toss challenge.