The End

I know I know.. It's late!! It's Sunday night at 11pm and I am just NOW posting our final blog post for this summer's Bootcamp! My bad!!! :)

Today was a very exciting day!! We took Sacha's final progress picture:

These are her old skinny jeans.. Size 13!

She is now in a size 9, weighs 134, and has lost 16 pounds total. 

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of her! She is doing great. But, her story doesn't end here. We have decided  to start a new program (this time I'm not in charge!) It is called the Jamie Eason LiveFit 12 week program!! We are super excited about it. She gives you a meal guide, fitness plan, and suggests supplementation!

We start this program bright and early tomorrow! So, tonight we meal prepped! It was actually kind of fun!

We're going to be eating a lot of veggies!! Plus some lean meats. I can't lie, I'm pretty excited to get started!! We'll see how it goes :)

I may or may not blog through most of this process!! We'll see!! Goodnight y'all.

Week 13

I am literally out of town every single day this week! I left for Levelland, Texas at 6am on Monday morning to help Alyssa and her family move her fiancé and their stuff to their new house! Today we'll be driving home for 12 hours. And tomorrow, I'll leave for the beach at 5am!

So, needless to say, I have not and will not be making a workout plan for Sacha this week. However, that does NOT mean that she's not going to be working out!

I sent her a text this morning to check on her and make sure that she was still working out, and she was! I sent her the picture at the top of this post and told her that she has worked too hard to give up now! But, she's got this under control. She's doing so great! I couldn't be more proud! :)

If you're still planning to workout this week, check one of the past couple of weeks for a workout plan! Keep up the good work y'all. 

Oh, annnnnd it's Alyssa's 21st Birthday y'all! Just thought you should know!

Week 10 Day 3 (legs)

Another great morning for Cardio in South Dakota and Arkansas! Alyssa and I woke up and went back to the river walk trail that we have been running each morning. Except today, we appreciated it just a little bit more. We discovered yesterday that the spot we have started at each morning was actually the geographical center of the nation! No wonder there was a flag for each of the 50 states! We were pretty oblivious for the first few days!

This morning, we decided to do hill sprints to change things up just a little bit. And, in Arkansas, Sacha ran a mile on her treadmill. She texted me this morning and told me she was lonely and ready for us to come home!

When Alyssa and I finished cardio, we walked to the coffee shop again. And when Sacha finished, she did Bootcamp!

Here are her exercises:

Jumping Jacks

Squat Kicks

Lunges

Wall Sits

Here's how it works:

10 Jumping Jacks

10 Squat Kicks per leg

10 Lunges per leg

100 second Wall Sits

9 Jumping Jacks

9 Squat Kicks per leg

9 Lunges per leg

90 second Wall Sits

8 Jumping Jacks

8 Squat Kicks per leg

8 Lunges per leg

80 second Wall Sits

7 Jumping Jacks

7 Squat Kicks per leg

7 Lunges per leg

70 second Wall Sits

And so on, down to one. Once you're down to one, go back up to 10! 

Good Luck! Y'all have a wonderful day! We are heading to Sturgis to prepare for tonight's block party! Pray for us! We are all tired, but excited to see God work!

Week 10 Day 2

It's Tuesday!!! In Glenwood that means its rest day. But, here in Belle Fourche, we don't rest! 

Alyssa and I have been searching for a coffee shop all week that we could stop at in the morning after our morning run. But, it wasn't until last night that we discovered there was one not even 2 blocks away! Apparently we kept running right past it without noticing it. So, this morning although technically it was rest day, we decided to get up and go anyway! We walked the same path that we've been running the past few days and this time we went into the coffee shop. We were so excited and that little coffee house was so cute!

We were so glad we found it! It was such a wonderful idea! Now, we are beyond ready to start canvassing again! Pray for us as we start reaching the people of Belle Fourche! Y'all have a wonderful day!! :)

South Dakota Sunday

Happy Sunday!!!!

For the first time in FOREVER, I was not home for Sunday Morning Breakfast! I know.. I can't believe it either! But, I have to admit, I have had such a great Sunday! 

Alyssa and I actually woke up at 5:30am for a morning run in Belle Fourche! Bryce (her fiancé) went with us to make sure we didn't get lost!

It was a beautiful run.. Much different scenery than we are used to. But, let me tell you.. It was early and we were tired!

After our run, we went back and got ready for church! We went to the connection church's 8:30 service in Spearfish, which is the town we spent most of our time in last year!

Then, when church was over and we had all grabbed a bite to eat, we headed to Devil's Tower in Wyoming!

Joce and Abbi were by my side the entire time! They're previous!! :)

Mom and I at Devil's Tower!

Here a picture of Alyssa and I last year, compared to this year!! We've changed quite a bit!

And here's the view from the trail! It was incredible!

We had a great time exploring today! Now, everyone is taking a nap and getting ready for tonight's church service in Belle Fourche! 

Hope you guys are having a wonderful Sunday as well!! :)

South Dakota Bound (Day 2)

Only one more day of traveling before we arrive in Belle Fourche, South Dakota!

Yesterday was an experience!! We managed to get separated from the group once which turned out to be an adventure. We stopped about 20 times and we saw 628421 corn fields! But, we made it to Omaha safely!

And look at us choosing a healthy snack!! Who says you can't eat clean while driving across country?! We can!

We also played a miniature game of Apples to Apples! And yes.. I lost! 

Here is a picture of the church we stayed in last night! The people there were just wonderful. Their hospitality was incredible! They made us hamburgers, lots of delicious desserts, prepared lots of veggies, and provided us with breakfast! We could not have been more blessed for a place to stay on our way to South Dakota!

Please pray for us as we continue on our trip north! And pray that God does some wonderful things in the lives of the people we will encounter!

Have a wonderful day!! :)

South Dakota Bound

Good Morning and Happy Friday!!!

We got up at 4am today to meet our group at the church! Let me tell you... I just thought 6:30 was early.. It's NOTHING compared to 4am. But, hey... It's for a good cause. So, who could complain!

We got our group together, loaded up, and we are now heading to South Dakota! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am. Our trip to SD last year was probably one of my favorite trips I have ever been on! It's just incredible to see the work God is doing in that place! I am nothing but blessed to get the opportunity to be part of this experience. And on top of everything else, my momma is going with me! 

Today is a wonderful day! :) Oh, and don't forget about Sacha... She got up at 6:30(without me) and did her Fun Friday activity! She did Just Dance on the Wii this morning! I'm so proud of her. I just know she'll do great this week. She doesn't need me! She's got this!! 

Week 9 Day 8

Today was rest day... For Sacha!! Her schedule is crazy on Tuesdays. So, I let her rest! Me.. I got up and did my independent cardio! Yet another day of Hill Sprints! Wooooo! If we have several people at Bootcamp tomorrow we may make it into some kind of relay before we start our workout. That could be fun!

Today has been a pretty successful day. After cardio I got dressed and took off to Arkadelphia to run some errands for the South Dakota trip. (Me, Mom, and Alyssa are leaving Friday for our South Dakota Mission Trip with several other people from our church!) You know I'll be posting lots of pictures next week!

Anyhow.. When I got back from Arkadelphia, I dropped everything off at the house.

Then, I headed to work!! This is my 9th shift in 1 week! I have worked every single day!!!

Tonight I couldn't decide what to have for dinner. So, I had a naked smoothie and a clif bar! Good choice, I know!

Now, I better get back to work! Y'all have a wonderful evening! Bootcamp starts back up bright and early! Get ready to work those abs!! :)

Week 8 Day 5 (Fun Friday)

I honestly don't remember the last time I got to sleep past 6:30 in the morning. But, today, for some reason, Sacha and I decided to sleep in just a little bit.  I couldn't complain... I was totally okay with catching up on some sleep.

I mean, yesterday was a big day!! After spending the morning with Jackson, Ashley, and Royce, I worked at the video store until 10pm. So I was pretty tired when I finally made it home. And Sacha, well.. I'm pretty sure she didn't make it home until after midnight!

Check out our cute little 4th of July collage. The BOYS made that fruit pizza all by themselves. They are so creative! 

When we woke up, we started Fun Friday! Today, we chose to do Wii Fit Yoga! It was pretty entertaining if you ask me! But, we had a good time with it. So, that's all that counts.

Now that we are done with our workout its time to get ready for yet another night at work! I can't tell you how ready I am for everyone to get back from Vacation! I really like just working 18hrs per week. This whole 36hrs per week thing is killing me! Yes, I know.. it could be worse... But, it summer!!!! Bahhh.

Ya'll have a wonderful day!! :)

-E

Week 8 Day 2 (Freshman Orientation)

It's Tuesday again. Which means Sacha and I get to rest from our exercise program. Which is good because we have been at her Freshman Orientation for the past 2 days and we are EXHAUSTED!! 

Last night we made a trip to Walmart to get some groceries for our little sleepover in Arkadelphia. We actually managed to make a few "healthier" choices! We bought plain greek yogurt and cottage cheese to go with our oatmeal pancakes that I made for breakfast today. And we also bought some fruit for breakfast and some multigrain chips with avocados for our snack with the movie we watched last night. 

Then.... We went and layed out by the pool for a little while!

I am serving as her "Mom" in this experience and its actually quiet funny! I would make a terrible mother right now. I need a few years before I'm ready for all that responsibility!

Anyhow, we have a lot of important stuff we need to take care of this morning. So, I've got to get going!

Y'all have a wonderful day!!

-E

Super Sunny Sunday

Before I start telling you all about my Super Intense Sunday... I just want to brag for a few minutes!

LOOK at my sister!!! The first 2 pictures are her 3 months ago. And the last 2 are from this morning. She has lost 17 of the 30 pounds that she is planning to lose. She is only 13 pounds away from her goal weight. I couldn't tell you just how proud I am of her. It has been a tough 7 weeks of bootcamp and I know that each day has been a new struggle. But, she has worked hard and she is over halfway there. 

You go Sacha!!! :)

Okay, so as usual, I woke up to Sunday Morning Breakfast!! Eggs, Bacon, Toast with Jelly, and potatoes!! Yup, it was yummy!!! :)

Then, I got ready for church!

After church, I got headed to Arkadelphia to meet Jackson. He took me to Little Rock to climb Pinnacle Mountain. It was a first for both of us. We loved it! 

We hiked the Ouachita Trail up the East Summit. I don't know if you can read the sign. But, it says:

Blaze Color: Red/White

Distance: 1 1/2 Mile Roundtrip

Difficulty: VERY DIFFICULT STEEP TERRAIN

Approx. Hike Time: 2 hours

It was the most intense hike I have EVER done. 

We basically climbed a giant cliff of boulders.

Here's a collage of some of the pictures we took on the way up the mountain. I took about 5,000 so, I figured I would save you some time and put several pictures into one.

Notice we still look pretty happy trying to climb up this crazy mountain...

Once we got to the top, we had to take a load off and enjoy the view for a while. We were exhausted!!!

Annnnnd... our chacos matched! :)

Then we took about a billion more pictures at the top of the mountain!

I mean... It was beautiful. You can never have too many pictures of a beautiful experience!

Just look at that view!! I could have stayed up there all day! Mainly because I was exhausted from climbing up the mountain... But, also because I couldn't have imagined a more beautiful view. God really was showing off up there! Amazing!!!

And here we are back down at the bottom.... As you can see, we were so tired!! It was a rough climb. But, I am so glad we did it. It was an incredible experience. 

Then, when I got home... I was rewarded with homemade tacos! Yup... I'm spoiled ;)

Yall have a wonderful night! 

I've gotta get some sleep. 

Goodnight!! :)

-E

Super Saturday

Normally I really dread Saturdays! It's always the same thing.. I spend 12 hours holding down the fort at the video store and planning the following week's workout schedule. But, today has been a little different!

I woke up and forced myself to get out of bed and do something active! (Even though I really wanted to sleep in just a little bit longer today!)

 After I stretched, I ran Hill Sprints behind my house. Down to the river and back up to the house! It was rough. But, I did it for about 30 minutes before I felt like my legs were literally going to fall off my body!

Then, I went inside, took a shower and got ready for work. Dad made Sunday morning breakfast (On a SATURDAY!!) I wonder if he knows... I'm not complaining though! :)

And, now I'm at work... About to start planning the workout schedule!

Y'all have a great Saturday!

Week 7 Day 4 (Abs)

Sacha and I were both out pretty late last night. So, before we went to bed we decided we would sleep in until 7:45 this morning and start our bootcamp by 8am. 

Although we were well rested, getting up and going for a run at 8am was a bad idea. It was ALREADY about 85 degrees outside and that is just way too hot for me. I was seriously melting out there. But, we were determined to finish our run. So, regardless of the blazing heat.. we ran our little hearts out!

After our morning run, we started Ab Day! It seems like we are always doing abs. But, ya know... whatever works I guess.

Exercise 1: Jumping Jacks

Yes, 100 jumping jacks to start.

(we'll probably do this forever)

Exercise 2: "Alyssa's Booty Exercise"

Alyssa sent me a video to watch last week and these booty exercises are intense. I keep meaning to incorporate them into the workout plan, but I kept forgetting. So, we threw it in today! (While Alyssa was out of town. LUCKY!)

We did these for 1 minute on each side. It was intense.

Exercise 3: Bicycle Crunches

3 sets of 20 crunches to each side.

Exercise 4: Russian Twists

3 sets of 20 twists

Exercise 5: Burpees

3 sets of 5 Burpees

Exercise 6: Butterfly Crunches

3 sets of 10 crunches

Exercise 7: Flutter Kicks

3 sets of 20 flutters- Alternating

(bring each leg up and back down 20 times)

Exercise 8: Jumping Jacks

100 more jumping jacks!

And that was our morning workout! Sacha did a great job pushing through the pain. She kept going even though she wanted to quit. I'm definitely super proud of her.

I hope you're doing great as well. Keep up the good work!!

-E

Week 7 Day 2 (Rest Day/Bridal Portraits)

Since its Tuesday, we got to rest today! And while we were resting, we took Alyssa's Bridal portraits!

After breakfast, we went to Kita's Kurlz to get all fixed up! Sacha did such a great job.

Then, we spent the next few hours taking pictures!! :)

I really want to post a picture because she look absolutely beautiful... But, Alyssa would kill me. So, you're just gunna have to wait until September to see for yourself!

Bridesmaid Day (Nalley Wedding)

After morning workout, I went to Alyssa's house for breakfast!!

She made biscuits, gravy, eggs, turkey bacon, and we also had cantaloupe! It was yummy!

After breakfast we headed to hot springs to pick up one of the bridesmaids and also to stop for some cupcakes!

We each tried a different flavor! And, boy were they yummy!! :)

Then, we took off toward little rock!

And we found bridesmaid dresses!!!

We had so much fun! And our dresses were perfect :)

Oh, and don't forget about all the food we ate today...

On the left: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. And on the right: snacks! 

We may have gone a little crazy. But it was delicious!

All in all, it was a wonderful day!! :)

Goodnight!!