Michelle Berger, BuffMother's Blog

"Time management MARCH!" will be my theme for the upcoming month. Why you ask?? Well, I am in a tish of a funk today...I think it's a combo of colder weather, a messy house and frustration with having too much work that needs to be done (namely TAXES) that I can't seem to get it done! Time is just flying by every day with "busy-ness" and before I know it another weekend is here. I love weekends but really need more productive work days! I need to focus on my time management for March! The past 2 days were crazy busy- GO, GO, GO!! I enjoyed yesterday so much, getting my hair lighter was so awesome! And then the girls had dance and the twin's muscical production for school. Tia and Layla were so cute!! I could tell Tia was nervous, she even mentioned that in the afternoon's production she was so nervous she got sweaty, lol!! Layla on the other hand is a PERFORMER- Holy Cow!! that girl lights up on stage like no one I've ever known!! I can't wait to see her shine on stage more in the future. So, yesterday I was strapped for time and skipped lifting legs (which I have not done since last Saturday) and I opted to run on the tready instead. I warmed up with 15 mins on the R-bike and then hit the tready. It was a decent run, my best in awhile- but I'd way rather run outside! I went for 20 mins- 6 intervals @ 9mph, 2 @8mph- easy minutes at 6mph total distance- 2.35 average speed: 7.2mph cals burned- 300 Today I met up with Emily (my photog) for our week #5 "workout with someone" challenge- We lifted upper body as a PUSH/PULL workout. She may join my gym :) That would be fun!!! Time to go shower, clean and get ready for the kids to be home~ Have a great FRIDAY!! -Michelle

What came first, the "Chicken or the Egg?" I believe, It's the Chicken! If you want to see change in our world; If you want childhood obesity to end; If you want diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer irraticated.... YOu must realize you are a "CHICKEN" and what YOU DO shapes the future of the world!! Mothers shape the world!! As a Mother- You hold a very unique key to the Legacy of your family. Mother’s your children are yours to mold. You are in charge of their diet and activity level. Take charge by being an example in your house. Mother’s you shape the world. What you expect from your children molds them into who they will become. How many of you want your children to be healthy and strong adults? Stupid question huh. But how many of us are not strong and healthy ourselves. How can we expect are children to be something we ourselves are not. Children learn by example. They want to eat what you eat (sometimes). They want to do what you do, like exercise . You are Not just impacting you but the future generations A legacy impacts all future generations! If you leave for instance a legacy of wealth. Think how many future gererations benfit from that. In the same regard a legacy of health and fitness passes through the generations also. Mothering MATTERS!! ....Monkey See, Monkey Do Children learn by example not by what you preach at or desire for your children. If you are not exercising and eating right Your children will not either- Monkey See, Monkey DO. If you are not setting a healty example for your children they will grow up dealing with obesity and unhealthy eating habits. There are many members of BuffMother! who’s sole motivation to get in shape is for their children. You must step out and do this for your children. Every mother that is out of shaoe and unhealthy thinks I do not want my children to end up like me but the only way to prevent that is by them leading by example. If you step up your expectations by decicing to be EXCELLENT by putting taking care of your physical body your children will look at you like you are a hero! They will appreciate all your effort and dermination and along the way they will learn such valuable lessons that will change the Legacy of your family. You are in charge of the meals and the routine of your household You are the Leader of your home You set the legacy for your family Do it for your family Be the best mother you can be and along the way get buff yourself Childhood obesity is such a huge problem in our society today. Why?? Lack of helthy example in the home We need to set the standard in our home The CHICKEN came before the egg ....You are a CHICKEN!! ~~~~~ This "Chicken" has been kicking tail on workouts, eats and being MOMMY this week!! My weight is 128 today on cycle day 14- 1 pound off of my buffing goal-3 more days left of buffing- so I'll hit my goal NO PROBLEM. Yesterday's workout was 5 min run for warm up then 5 100m sprints and tons of short sprints while practicing football passing with my son, then later we lifted chest/tri's- I was BEAT last night after all that!! Today's a busy day because of football practice tonight. I'm going to have my neices come over to sit with the kids while I go to practice. It's going to add a ton of driving to my day- but at least I won't have to bring the kids to football with me. LOVE Ya, Michelle p.s. thought I'd share some of the stuff I've been googling today: Erin Andrews- reporter for ESPN: http://www.erinandrews.com/ Allison Stokke- pole vaulter- no official website Lolo Jones: http://www.runlolorun.com/ Holly Holm: MMA fighter- http://www.hollyholm.com/biography.htm Maria Sharapova: tennis player and model- http://www.womentalksports.com/items/read/365/851657/maria-sharapovas-ba... http://www.reebok.com/women Women's Football: http://www.iwflsports.com/ and http://www.ifaf.org/

"How do you make a Hormone?" ....don't pay her... LOL!! ♥ That's my hubby's joke...but I thought it was really funny especially since I am all about HORMONES! I am still amazed by the lack of acknowledgement the average fitness trainer places on how much hormones interfere with a woman's goals to get fit. Hormone Induced Failure (HIF) is an epidemic among women...and I for one won't stand by and let it be ignored. Millions of women are overweight simply due to their hormones! We get uncontrollable cravings for junk food. We gain weight without explanation. We suddenly have no desire to exercise. The negative effects caused by our hormones are endless. The bottom line is, we are constantly sabotaged by our hormones and it happens so subtly, we don’t even realize it. It’s time we wake up understand the reason we fail on diet after diet. Our hormones have the power to make us fat and keep us fat! If you’ve struggled to reach your diet and fitness goals, you could be a victim of Hormone Induced Failure. Hormonal Timing is your solution! If you’re not happy with the way your body looks, you need to start living the Hormonal Timing LifestyleTM. o It will change your BODY. o It will change your LIFE. o It will change your LEGACY. Over the past 7 years I’ve experimented, created and successfully utilize a strategy designed for women only that OVERCOMES Hormone Induced Failure. My goal was to create the fastest possible method for women to achieve radical physical transformation. I believed the key was to capitalize on the positive effects of our hormonal fluctuations while also diminishing the negative effects. I used myself as my first test patient. I had just given birth to twins by C-section which were my 3rd and 4th babies in less than 4 years. My body was stretched out, fat, depleted in every way and just plain disgusting. At the time, I just wanted to see radical transformation in my body. I had no idea that I was on the verge of discovering something that would change the lives of thousands of women. To make a long story short, my body transformed radically by using what I now call Hormonal Timing. LET's overcome those HORMONES!! whoohoo!!! -Michelle

Just wanted you to know that I AM here :) Just been busy offline with the kids being out of school still....FYI they've had a total of 3 days of school this month, lol! And I'm going a bit BANANAs Don't get me wrong I love my kids. I just don't love the extra mess, laundry, cooking, dishes, dirt, complaning, fighting, etc...that goes with having them home so much in the middle of the winter!! I am so excited I just found out that my kids will make up a snow day this MONDAY insead of having the HOLIDAY (Pres. day)off!!! Life will finally be "normal" for about month until we have spring break. Travis' birthday was on Wed. and it was fun!! I bought him a hunting gun He was very happy!! And we also got him a pair of nice jeans from the Buckle. Wednesday workout: Back, Shoulders, Biceps, run intervals- all 1 mins recovery, last 2 hard intervals 2 mins long. Total distance in 20 mins including warm up- 2.27miles Thursday workout: Chest/Triceps Bench paired with 45x15, 85x10, 135x8x3 Triceps dips on bench 15 repx 3sets Incline Hammer press 90x10x3sets paired with tricep extension machine 55#x10x3sets Incline flys 35'sx10x3 paired with cable tricep push downs 80x10x3sets Tricep extensions with barbell 45x10x3sets abs during workout- 2 sets of each: knee ups on bench, knee ups on roman chair, decline sit ups with oblique twists Today POA: outside run in about 20 mins refuel and CLEAN My HOUSE!! Legs this late afternoon @ gym Keep up the super awesome encouragement- I just love coming to the RR and reading how amazing you are!! thanks!! -Michelle

I was so beat yesterday...It was one of those days where I kept waiting for some energy and it never came. Despite being exhausted I spent the day with my girls running errands and shopping. BUSY, BUSY!! Needless to say I decided to make yesterday a day off of workouts. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough last night, I was actually in bed early and asleep by 9:30. My sleep was a not the greatest because for a Valentines "treat" ...I was sleeping with 4 girls- 3 human ones and a puppy! HA!! The plan for the remainder of today is to go for a run outside, CLEAN my house, then at about 3 go to the store with the kids to shop for my DH's birthday. He'll be 41 tomorrow, poor guy...he's so old, lol!! Then after a bit of shopping I'll get to the gym and do a leg workout! Kids classes start at 4 so that should workout perfectly so that we can get home early in the evening. On my shopping trip yesterday I found some football pants and a helmet!! YES~! now all I need for football is a pair of cleats. I was really sore in my hip flexors and calves/back of knees yesterday from the plyos and drills we did on Sunday. It's amazing to me how when I'm there doing the drills it's so much fun and doesn't feel like a workout. But the next day I can certainly feel it!! Okay, I gotta go get my running stuff on~ It's a warm beautiful day here!! Can't wait to breath it in!! -Michelle

I am so exctied at how well this past 2 weeks of Boosting went for me.  Despite having horrible weather, I got in a ton of stellar workouts and did relatively well on my diet!!  This SSS contest has really been what I needed~ I am so inspired and energized by everyone else's effort!! WOW!! it's so fun to have such an amazing TEAM Atmosphere, thanks!!!

My poa for the week is:

Buffing!! start weight 132 on cycle day 5- goal is 127 by the end of buffing phase- I plan to stay on creatine and NOXS but clean up my eating and add in more running/cardio during the next 2 weeks.  I will keep up my goal to lift 5-6 days a week.

M- legs and abs

T- run outside, back, sh, biceps, abs

W- chest/Tris/ intervals (non running)- Travis' birthday!!!

Thurs- run

Fri-leg and abs

Sat- upper body and run

Sun- football practice

Have you made your plan of attack for the week??

Let's get after it!!!

-Michelle

P.S. Please be sure to check in with your progress by commenting on the following blog post please:

http://blog.buffmother.com/2357/how-ya-doin/

And don't foget....this week's Mini-Challenge is NO DAIRY~

Birth-Day Snow-Day~ woke up to it pouring snow- we got about 2 feet in a matter of 8 hours!  So the kids got another snow day today.  What a wonderful present for the twins to have the day off :)  WE are going to do cake, presents, etc...in just a bit!!

Weight is down a bit to 132 the past 2 days thankfully!  I am really feeling strong and recovering nicely from my workouts-- I am finally in shape enough to feel like I am truly getting in shape!

last night's workout:

Tan for warm up

Chest press 2 setsBench45x20

95X10

115X7

115X8HAMMER BENCH MACHINE

90X10X3SETSAbs between sets- knee ups on bench

25x2setsBicep curls- HS mach

45x15x3setspull ups 6.5

Hi lat pulls- HS mach-one arm at a time

45x15

70x10x3setslow lat pulls- HS mach

45x15

70x10x3sets

Haning sit ups- 20 reps

roman chair knee ups- 30 reps

Standing lateral raises 10#platesx20reps

ran intervals- 10 mins warm up all @2% incline

easy min 6mph

hard min 8mph

easy min 6.5mph

hard min 9mph

easy min 6.5mph

hard 2 mins 9mph

easy min 6.5mph

hard min 9mph

easy min 6mph

hard30 sec 10mph

easy min 6mph

100 smith lunges- 4 sets@50#

I plan to do some upper body tonight and my lunges too!  Football was canceled due to the snow again.

Have a great night!!

-Michelle

HEY!! How was your weekend? mine was busy!! And MAN am I happy to have the house to myself finally today. This SNOW DAY business is cramping my style~ Today it's time to get my house back in order and get rollin' agin before the kid's schedueld winter break comes next week! Oh the joys of year round school! So...my super bowl pick of the Steelers didn't win :( My Hubby and I bet each other a "favor"...so I now OWE HIM some "favor"...wonder what he'll choose for it?? Last week despite it's trials was a success for my workout and diet goals. I've eaten loads of fruits and veggies- LOVE THEM!! I also got in 5 workout days last week- yay! Yesterday football practice was canceled again. I went to the gym instead and ran some spints on the indoor track and did drills. I also did some knee extensions. On Saturday Travis and I worked out together. We warmed up playing catch with the football in the aerobics room and then did upper body lifting followed by a bit more football stuff- we talked about footwork as a defensive player. It was so much fun hanging with him!! My POA for week #3, my second week of Boosting is to build some muscles!! M- Legs Tue- upper body and run on teady Wed- ?? birthday day- also football practice?? It's supposed to storm tues and wed so we'll see if it gets canceled Thurs- LEGS Fri- Back, Sh, Biceps and run Saturday- Chest/Tris and intervals- not running Sun- Football + 100 lunges daily: Week #3's mini-challenge is one of my FAVORITES!! To do 100 lunges a day takes mental and physical determination~ BUT I know you and I can do it!!!! An Enormously successful boosting is caused by a good buffing "primer"...I primed nicely this month with an end of buffing photoshoot- and now I've gained weight fast!! TRUST ME it's pretty much all water weight, so it will come off just as fast as it came on...Friday I weighed 127, Saturday I weighed 131 and Sunday I weighed 134...I feel like a bloated pig, lol! Creatine, NO2, salt, more food & carbs have all helped UP my weight. NOW I just need to use it to build muscles! We have the twin's birthday this week on Wednesday. I can't believe my little tiny babies are going to be 8!! WOW! the time sure has gone by quickly~ in 10 years all my kids will be adults. CHEERS to an ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL WEEK #3!!! -Michelle FYI~ here's a couple post with buffing and boosting workout poa's: http://www.therallyroom.com/node/43402 http://www.therallyroom.com/node/43718

It's a month into 2011 and I am finally getting my new year mojo cranked up!! I've been thinking a lot about what adventure lies ahead for this year, which in turn got me thinking about some of the fun positves from last year: Took a family vacation to World's of FUN- I love roller coasters!! My little brother came to visit I got to go to AZ to visit my little sister We got a puppy- Sweet Cuji, my "angel puppy from heaven" We had our first official "BuffMother" gathering in California- thanks Julie for inviting us there!! I successfully rehabed my sciatic injury, my legs are stronger now than they've been in ages I started playing tennis and improved dramatically- what a fun way to enjoy the warm summer with my hubby!! I got to go to VEGAS as the winner of the "Train with Ava" Sweepstakes My son hit his stride as a true football player- linebacker fit him well! I became a sponsored physique model- Thanks NRG-X Labs! I could go on and on...There were a lot of positives in 2010!! Can't wait for even more in 2011~!! On tap for today is a leg workout- It'll be an at home version, but I'll do my best! Football practice was canceled last night but I do need to do some catching and drills in my living room tonight to keep my skills improving. I know I can improve on my ball skills! I ventured out for a drive to the PO today and man!! it was icy out there...School is off again tomorrow! Let's keep striving for more fun adventure in 2011~!! -Michelle

My starting stats...NOTE if you have not sent me yours DO IT NOW!! the due date is 2/2!!! send to contest@buffmother.com...a bit messed up because of my photo shoot prep/dehydration. My "REAL" weight is a bit of a mystery?? I think it's right around 127. Please be sure to take these standard 5 measurements: 1.WEIGHT*: 127 2.Bust: 36 3.Waist: 26 4.Hips: 36 5.Thigh: 19.5 *be sure to note your CYCLE DAY also!!! It makes a BIG difference! Today’s Date:__1/29/11 height:______5-7 (ruthfully 5-6.5)_______ weight:____127 _______ age:__35_____ Today’s cycle day- 15 Okay...so some starting thoughts are WOW! I am not in the best shape at the moment. Much better than were I was a month ago- so that's GREAT news!! I am excited for my new "football adventure" but that means I need to maintain my weight and energy and recovery level. Today at the start of week #2 I am officially starting to boost. For me that means eating about double the portion size I have been and getting back on CREATINE! I've been off it for 2-3 months and can totally tell by the flab on my hips and my lower energy levels. Time to get serious about being an ATHLETE! Yesterday I had my first ever in my life live tackle football practice where I actually "HIT" and got hit! I took some good blows and delivered several too. I'll take some pictures of my bruises for you tomorrow. I did manage to get in an back, shoulder, bicep and intervals+ cardio workout tonight but now I am SPENT! I can barely lift my arms, lol! Week 1 Goals: results Goal #1: workout at least 5 days/ week- Did 6!!! Goal #2: eat 2 veggies and 1 fruit every day- Did this 6/7 days- Most of which I had at least 3 greens! Goal #3: Find a scary goal. Did this- FOOTBALL!! whoohooo!! Week 2 GOALS and Plan of ATTACK! Keep up with Goal to workout 5 day's a week and eat 2 veggies and 1 fruit. Here's the breakdown of my workout goals: Lift 5 times, Run sprints at least 1, 2 football practices and 1 long steady cardio day of 45-60mins- the ones in red and crossed out account for today's workout :) Lift (1) Sprint (1) Football Practice(1) Lift (2) Long steady cardio day (2) Football Practice(2) Lift (3) Run Intervals (1) Lift (4) Lift (5) I'll post more tomorrow!! keep up the great FIRE!!!