Tales from Biggest Winners: Sandy Cook

Celebrating accomplishments is a huge part of transforming your life.

Transformations are evident here at BDHQ, and who doesn’t love hearing an awesome success story to keep us going into a new year.  At the end of December we celebrated yet another end to a Biggest Winners session.  You ask, who came out on top?  Meet Sandy Cook. She recently joined in our last session of Biggest Winners which ran from October to December 2012.  At her heaviest weight Sandy was 277.4 pounds and she lost 32 pounds in 12 weeks!

This is Sandy now:

Here is what Sandy had to say about her transformation...

How many times have you tried to lose weight?

I remember being on a "diet" when I was 15 and although it was not as much I had to lose compared to where I am this time it was the start of my dieting roller coaster of gaining then losing then gaining more then losing. With all the different ways of losing weight, be it "food programs" or the 30 minute workouts, or other gyms and diets, well I am sure you get the picture.

Why is this time different?

This time when I stepped on that scale I knew what the next middle digit would be and never wanted to see that figure. I knew my knees and heart could not handle the added weight. My husband and I had just been on a motorcycle trip and I found it more difficult to get on and off the bike. Also my jacket and boots where getting harder to put on.

What is your biggest accomplishment since joining Biggest Winners?

I cannot pin point one accomplishment, but an accumulation of them. My big goal was to be able to get on and off the floor by myself. I can do that now although it takes my brain and body to get in sync and may not be graceful, I can do it! Also, this past month my husband and I went for a ride on the motorcycle and when it was time for me to get off I stood up without having to use my hands and I did not even have to think about it. All those squats and sit stands are paying off!

What are you proudest of yourself for?

I am proudest that I was at every Biggest Winner workout and wrote in my book every day for the 3 months. This is something that I was not able to do with any other programs I have been involved in in the past.

What are your goals going into 2013?

I would like to see my blood pressure down enough that I can get off my medication. Also to be close if not at my goal weight that my doctor and I agree with.

Any closing remarks?

I would like to thank everyone at Biggest Winners from the trainers to the BW'ers for your encouragement and support. I feel it is going to be a great year.

Sandy, BDHQ is very proud of everything you have done to take on your health and your life.  Can't wait to see you transform and exceed your goals in 2013.

Hockey Dryland Training

Since September 2012, BDHQ has had the privilege of leading dryland team training to players on the Ice Hawks of the Victoria Minor Hockey Association.  

 

From hockey specific drills, such as plyometrics, quick feet drills and sprint work, to using classic BDHQ butt-kicking tools like the TRX, kettlebells and battle ropes – all exercises used have been performed with one thing in mind – making them stronger, quicker and more resistant to injury when they hit the ice.

The younger Atom team won their Christmas tournament, so they’re hard work is paying off.

BDHQ appreciates the commitment that all the players have shown over the past 4 months, and we look forward to seeing their progress thru their upcoming playoff season!

If you’re part of a team, at any age, or have kids on a team, the importance and success of cross training to improve your game is evident.  Contact us for more info (see link) on how you can get your team, or just yourself, better prepared for your sport.   

Where are they now? BDHQ trainers...

We are so happy for former BDHQ trainer, Brittney Tannock, who just completed her Professional Firefighter Program at ESA (Emergency Services Academy) in Sherwood Park, Alberta. 

Britt on the far right with her crew

She was in a class of 24, with four other girls, with people from all over Canada, including the Northwest Territories, Halifax, BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  It was a 12 week course running from August - November.  She recieved her NFPA 1001 and 1002's, as well as a certificate in Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials Operations and a Certificate in Pumping.

From Brittney herself:  "It was without a doubt the most physically and mentally challenging thing that I have ever done and I loved every minute of it.  What a roller coaster!"



Britt holding the ladder



Now Britt waits patiently to get hired on at a fire department.  Any of them would be lucky to have this fit chic on their team.  I personally have her on speed dial for any such emergencies.  It's in her blood too - her dad was a fire Captain in Nanaimo until he retired.  He must be so proud of you, and so are we Britt!!  Hopefully we can get her out to teach some fire fighting worthy Bootcamp workouts this winter... 

Intro to BDHQ classes

As trainers, day to day conversations with people we meet usually end up revolving around working out and what we do.  We invite them to come try a class at BDHQ, and too frequently the response is, "I feel like I need to get in shape before I come down there."  Anyone who's been to BDHQ knows this is ridiculous.  Yes, there are really fit people there, but there are also newbies who bravely come try out classes everyday of all ages, sizes and fitness levels.   

We've decided it's time for a class for anyone nervous or curious out there to come try out both styles of BDHQ workouts - indoor and outdoor.  Try one workout or both.  Invite all your friends and family who you've told about our fun workouts. 

Classes are by donation to BDHQ trainer Alex's Movember fund (minimum $5 donation). We have morning and evening options...

Friday, November 23:

7:00 - 7:45am, Intro to Bootcamp, meet at BDHQ and we'll head into Market Square
7:45 - 8:30am, Intro to BDHQ, you'll try a little bit of everything from kettlebells, TRX, tires, spin, etc...

5:00 - 5:45pm, Intro to Bootcamp, meet at BDHQ and we'll head off to the Songhees
5:45 - 6:30pm, Intro to BDHQ, you'll try a little bit of everything from kettlebells, TRX, tires, spin, etc...

These classes are for first timers only, unless you are a BDHQ-er bringing a nervous first time friend.  We will be giving away Victoria Royals Hockey tickets to the hardest working participants!

Please RSVP to bdhq@telus.net

BDHQ-overs: Where are the now?

Jacquelin post Royal Vic 8km

Jes workin' it

We're 10 months into our BDHQ-over transformations.  We couldn't have picked three better peeps to work with and have part of our BDHQ family.  People have been asking how they're doing, so here's an update.  Chef John's update will be posted soon, so ladies first...

1. Take a look at your 'before' photo.  How do you feel about where you are now when you look at that picture?  Internally and externally?
   
   Jacquelin:  I look so unhappy in the before picture, and so unhealthy.  Both those things were true - I was very unhealthy and very unhappy and really in a stuck place.  I feel much different now - I am happier, definitely more healthy, and I have more confidence both in my body and in my ability to face and overcome challenges.  I also have gone from a size 24 to a size 18!
   
   Jessica:  When I look at my before picture, I was definitely a different person.  A girl that thought she couldn't try new things, was scared of all the "what ifs" and someone that really didn't know herself very well.  This past 10 months I have learned more about myself than I have in 27 years, which I think is a major, major accomplishment. Maybe my greatest accomplishment in this process.  I am now someone who is willing to try something new and willing to fail, but most importantly, believing that I might succeed at something.  Who knew I could swing a purple kettle bell?!  All in all when I look at my first picture in this process I recognize what's happened inside.  Yes, toning up has been wonderful too and so is fitting into smaller jeans.  What girl isn't gonna love that?!
   
   
2. Are you where you thought you'd be by this point, 10 months later?
   
   Jacquelin: No.  I thought I would be at a lower weight.  And that is tough to face.  Maintaining momentum over time has been really challenging.  But I also never thought I would swing a yellow kettlebell (36lbs) or enjoy working out or have a 10k and an 8k race under my belt, or even keep committed to this process for longer than a couple of months.
   
   Jessica: The short answer is no.  But when I started this process I thought that once I'm thinner, I'll be happy.  Once I'm thinner, people will like me.  Once I'm thinner.....well, you get the point.  I think it's a thought that a lot of people have when they are on a journey to losing weight.  No, I haven't lost as much weight as I thought, but like I said before, my inner journey has surpassed anything I could have thought.  That's where I step back and learn to appreciate this journey for the wonderful experience it is.  I think that the weight will continue to come off, as I continue to work on myself.  And having the wonderful peeps at BDHQ continue to support me in this, makes it all the more reason to keep pushing and losing the weight!
   
   
3. Jacquelin - your goal was to be under 200 by the end of October. Are you on track to do that? Jes - Your goal was to be at 225 by September 30.  Did you make that goal?
   
   Jacquelin: No :(  it remains my goal and is achievable with some really hard work and focus over the next couple of months.
   
   Jessica: I am not down to my goal of 225 lbs, but I am still losing.  My goal for the rest of the year is to continue to lose and to be down 25lbs.  I think that is more than realistic and I've got the support to do it!
   
   
4. What is your fitness goal for the end of November?  How are you going to achieve that?  What can BDHQ do to get you there?
   
   Jacquelin:  To use the yellow kettlebell all the time for everything, a 1 min plank and be running 15km a week.  I'll achieve that with my regular personal training and classes, running three times a week, focus and hard work.  BDHQ can kick my ass when I am just being lazy and be kind and encouraging when I feel like I can't do it.
   
   Jessica: My fitness goal for the end of November is to clean and press the yellow kettlebell 10 times on either side and.....got any other ideas?
   
5. Has it been harder to have people watch your journey or has it helped to keep you accountable?
   
   Jacquelin: Both - It is so good for the accountability, and the support from the BDHQ community is amazing!  But hard when I feel like I am not meeting the expectations others have for me, or the ones I have for myself.  We are so accustomed to the quick fix, when really this is a sometimes slow process of real change.  Ultimately, it is a permanent transition to a healthy lifestyle that includes fitness, healthy eating and the emotional work necessary to address the root of how I got to be the 270 pounds I started out at in  January.  Hard, scary and good - everyday.  I am so grateful for this process.
   
   Jessica: Difficult albeit, since I've had my struggles throughout the year.  At times, I've questioned if what I'm doing is right when I'm not losing the weight that another person is.  I then give my head a shake and remember what yoga instructors always seem to tell their classes....don't compare yourself to others, it's your own practice (aka weight loss journey).  On the other hand these folks totally amaze me.  I seriously love the determination and dedication these people have.  When I'm feeling down I really do look to them for advice, guidance and support.  Let me tell you, they've never let me down.  So thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you Biggest Winners and beyond.