Archives for 2010

I Did 19 Pull-ups — Just 1 Short of My Goal

February 16, 2010 by Shelli

This is POST 22 of my “fitness journey.” For backstory, see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3 , Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12 Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, and Post 17,Post 18, Post 19,Post 20,and Post 21.

If you’ve been following my fitness blogging, you’ll recall one of my goals is to be able to do 20 pull-ups.

Me, trying to muster enough gumption to do one more pull up. (MeiRatz.com photo)

I tested this morning at Elemental Gym, and did 19. I’m excited. To be honest, I’m ecstatic! However, what this means, and I’m sure my coach/trainer, Steve Bechtel, will agree, is that I’ve got more work to do. Not quite there yet.

I’m also preparing for a 25k skate ski race in West Yellowstone coming up on March 6, and am registered for the Tahoe 50k Trail Run in July, so I have plenty of reasons to keep up the fitness, in addition to getting that 20th pull-up!

The photo with this post was taken by Mei Ratz, of Lander, during one of my recent training sessions. Mei is a phenomenal photographer and I encourage you to check out her site!

Elemental Gym has a fantastic gym, some terrific programs and classes that will help you achieve better fitness. And, I might add, some great personal trainers: Steve Bechtel, Ellen Bechtel, Jagoe Reid, Sophie Mosemann and Lee Brown.

Cowgirl Tuff Jeans or a 1,200-foot Parasail? That is the Question.

February 5, 2010 by Shelli

This is POST 21 of my “fitness journey.” For backstory, see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3 , Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12 Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, and Post 17,Post 18, Post 19 and Post 20.]

Those of you who have been following my fitness blogging are aware that I’ve been working hard and have lost 26 pounds and a bunch of body fat during the last 10 months. I have been on this journey for several reasons, but mostly so I could have more energy to keep up with our three young sons and the demands of our adventurous lifestyle, and to be healthier and therefore, happier.

But I’ve discovered another benefit of my weight loss. Jeans. As in, now I can comfortably wear them. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there are some really hip jeans out these days. I didn’t used to get excited about jeans. Well, recently, a colleague and friend of mine, Bill Garrels, group publisher of American Cowboy and National Parks Interactive, hooked me up with some Cowgirl Tuff Jeans.

This is not my butt, unfortunately. But these are pretty neato Tuff Girl jeans, no?

To be honest, never in a million years would I have thought I could wear these, or that I’d even like them. But now, that’s all changed. I have a pair of 28×31 Tuff Girl jeans in my possession, and frankly, I can’t wait to wear them, blingy pockets and all. At the same time we’re booking our spring break trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I hope to do a 1,200-foot parasail.

Parasailing 1,200 feet over the ocean near Big Island, Hawaii. Flickr photo by rjones0856.

Problem is, there’s a weight requirement: single riders must weigh at least 130 pounds. Right now I’m at 132, but I’ve increased my workout volume in preparation for an upcoming 25k skate ski race in West Yellowstone so could be approaching that weight. The parasail company is adamant that, unless I can talk one or both of our older sons into joining me on the adventure, I will only get to fly if I weigh 130 pounds. And yet to be able to wear my Tuff Girl Jeans comfortably, given my body and frame, I probably need to weigh not much more than 130 pounds. I feel like a wrestler.

Hence my dilemma. But I’m not complaining. I never thought I’d not be heavy enough for something, or that I’d consider wearing designer jeans. Thankfully, my very smart coach and trainer, Steve Bechtel, at Elemental Gym says no problem. Just schedule the parasail at the end of the (leisure) vacation. Smart coach, that guy is.

Obviously, though, the best yet would be for our 7-year-old and 9-year-old to go with me as a triple tandemand for me to be able to wear my Tuff Girl jeans. (No, not during the parasail, silly.) Wish me luck on making this happen. : >

(I should state that my husband, Jerry, would normally be on the parasail adventure, but given his spine operation rehab, he’ll be building sandcastles with our 2-year-old while me, and hopefully our two older sons, will be 1,200 feet above them.)

Deciding & Committing are Different Things

January 30, 2010 by Shelli

This is POST 20 of my “fitness journey.” For backstory, see Post 1,
Post 2, Post 3 , Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7,Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, Post 12 Post 13,Post 14, Post 15, Post 16, and Post 17,Post 18 and Post 19.]

For more than three years, I decided — every single night — that the next day I was going to get out of the rut I was in and start exercising regularly and eating and living a much healthier life. But I never kept it up. It never lasted.

Here is a video blog where I discuss what I think finally made me keep it up.

Thanks to my family, friends and trainer for all of the wonderful support, love and guidance. It would be a lot more difficult to remain committed without all of you.

Thanks, also, to friend and fellow Elemental Gym athlete, Sharon Terhune, for conducting this interview. : >

“Check the lunchbox for $1 million notification”

January 26, 2010 by Shelli

The boys and I taking a cocoa break while sledding.

I learn from our three young sons every day. Not only of the various new strategies in their math homework, but in the most important ways.

Like how to look at something we take for granted and see its wonder. (A rock found by the trail on a hike, the way a leaf hangs from a tree, and so on)

But there are other things that my kids do that make me marvel.

The other morning I was making cold lunches for school for our 7-year-old and 9-year-old sons. While they were eating breakfast, Wolf, our 9-year-old, informed me that he always checks the bottom of the yogurt seal to see if he won the $1 million prize. He said, “So far, I haven’t won, but if I do, that’s where I’ll put the seal. So please check it before you clean out my lunchbox at night.”

Okay, I said. But, I told him, if he should get a winner, he should notify the lunchroom supervisor, or instruct his teacher, or the principal, to call me.

“And heck, we may even go out for pizza to celebrate,” I said.

We also have a 2-year-old son. I love being a mom. The aforementioned moment is just one of the million reasons I do.

Matt Sissman talks about his training for the Leadville 100, and the experience

January 17, 2010 by Shelli

Typically I use this “fitness” space to share my progress, challenges and goals.
This time I have a special treat, though: A video blog of a conversation I just had with Elemental Training athlete Matt Sissman, of Lander, WY, who last August completed the Leadville 100, a 100-mile, high altitude trail race. He was kind enough to share his thoughts with me about the experience – not only the event, but the training that led to it, and the instrumental and meaningful role his family and friends played in it. The video is 42 minutes long. I find Matt’s experience is inspiring, and hope you enjoy listening in on the conversation.

Matt Sissman shares his Leadville 100 Trail Run Experience from Shelli Johnson on Vimeo.