We have an "inner-thigh" issue...

Good evening everyone! Monday and Tuesday of last week were the “demonstration” classes for the Brazil Butt Lift test group. The purpose of the classes were to learn all of Leandro’s signature moves, meet the girls in the group and scope out the gym! I was so pumped. I arrived to a TV crew setting up equipment in the workout studio. Once all the girls arrived (there are 25 of us) we learned about the food we would be eating for the next 60 days as well as the rules of engagement. Our food is to be delivered to the gym every morning. Each of us will get a cooler pack containing 5 small meals. We must eat all the food that is given to us, and nothing else. They suggest we eat the meals at the same time every day, leaving a couple hours in between each meal so that we never go too long without eating and so our blood sugar levels never get too low. The first 6 days of the program is Leandro’s super model diet where the meals will only contain lean protein and green vegetables. Additionally, the first week of workouts will be cardio based, so we will be fat burning machines!!!

They expect 20 girls to survive to the end, and they made it very clear that any unscheduled missed classes would result in getting booted from the program. There is one girl in class who won the last BBL test group (she won a trip to Brazil)! That being said, I’m definitely up against some stiff competition. Just more fuel for the fire!!!

Leandro also shared some tips with us. For sore mussels, he suggested to take a bar of coconut soap, rub the soap on the sore areas, let it dry then repeat. Do that for a total of 3 times, then rinse and voila! Soothed muscles!! He gave us each a bar of soap, straight from Brazil. I am saving mine for later in the program, when things really get intense!

Leandro giving out his gifts from Brazil!

Before we started the class, Leandro selected 4 girls from the audience to "review their body types for everyone". He informed us that the class had an "inner thigh problem", meaning most of the girls in class has excess fat on their inner thighs. I'm one of these girls! But not for long!!! He then showed us how he expects the 4 girls to look like after the program is over: No saddlebags, no "inner thigh problem" and a round, tight bum!!! Sign me up!!

The demo session was great. We did about 15 minutes of cardio (a lot of dancing!) and then started going through some of the signature moves of Leandro's program. When I woke on Tuesday morning I was slightly sore, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Then after Tuesday's class, where all we did for almost an hour and a half was Leandro's signature moves, I could not move. Most of the moves require the body to be in a deep squatting position.My legs burned…BURNED the entire time. And after, my legs, my bum and my core were in such pain. It was a rude awakening to how I have slacked in my strength and resistance training over the past year.

So Leandro was in Las Vegas this past week/weekend (which is why we are starting the program tomorrow) for a Beach Body conference. But don’t worry, he gave us plenty of homework to do, which included yoga class this past Saturday morning. I decided to enlist Alex in the assignment. So Saturday morning we went up to midtown and took a 1.5 hour class. I’ve done yoga before, but it was nothing like this. The instructor was very intense. We spent about 30 minutes of the class in the “corpse” position, which involves laying on your back with your arms, spine, mouth and head in certain positions. It was certainly relaxing and some of the moves were very difficult. I may look to incorporate it on the weekends as it really helped to to relax and clear my mind.

There has been such a build up to the program these last 3 weeks and I am mentally exhausted thinking about (and talking about) the changes and challenges that are a head of me. But the time has come! Tomorrow I start a new chapter and am ready to kick some Brazilian Bootie!!!!

The weigh- in and "Before" photo shoot

What I looked like in the boy shorts...

Early Thursday morning I attended the weigh-in and “before” photo shoot for the Brazil Butt Lift program! I was so pumped for it! I walked in and it was me and another girl (who pretty much looked like what I want to look like in the“after” shots)!

First was wardrobe. Now, I brought all of my own items, as instructed, but didn’t end up wearing anything of mine. Instead, they had a wide variety of bras, underwear and jeans for my selection. The idea was to squeeze me into clothing 2 sizes to small in order to create the "ooze" effect. The clothing that was approved for use (by wardrobe) was to be worn again in 30 days and then in 60 days to show my progress. So for the first photo shoot I was "clothed" in a sports bra and a pair of banana yellow boy shorts that were WAY too small on me. This allowed for my rear to "hang out" and for a dramatic "before" and "after" effect (please see the above photo). Then came the jeans. First, they wanted me in white jeans (all cotton, no lycra). After 5 attempts, 3 of which would not go past my knees, they decided on blue jeans instead. The first pair I tried were "perfect"...and my "perfect" they meant "jeans you are unable to buttom".  I wore those and a sports bra (a blue one to be exact). For a visual, please see the photo below:



 

Two words: Muffin Top

 The photo shoot consisted of 360 degree views of my body in these 2 outfits. Keep in mind, there are about 50 people on set; photographers, camera men, lighting people, etc and there I am parading around in what I wouldn't be caught dead in all for the sake of the Brazilian Bootie!!!
Next it was off to the video shoot. There, I stood (one outfit at a time) on a turntable that rotated 360 degrees. They took video images of me as they turned me around in circles. After this, they interviewed me on camera, from the turntable. They asked questions like "what don't you like about you body" and "what does the perfect butt look like to you". I pumped up the charm and kept a smile on the whole time! Luckily, I usually tell it like it is, so it's not hard for me to be blunt about what I want to improve on.
Next was the weigh in, body measurements and body fat percentage. I have decided not to reveal the numbers until my 30 day weigh in(and then again at the 60 day weigh in). After all, I have to give people a reason to keep following my progress!!
So what are the next steps? Well, the classes and food program do not start until Tuesday, June 26th. On Monday and Tuesday of this coming week, I have to go to a fancy shmancy gym in midtown for "demonstration" classes (this is also where all of our classes will take place). Here, the program and diet will be detailed to us and all questions we may have will be answered. I will also get to meet all of the girls in the group!!! Very excited for that. By the way, we get a membership to the gym during these 60 days so I will be sure to take advantage of working out before class each morning. I intend on being the the best in class!!!

That's all I have for now. I can't wait for Monday morning...I'm looking forward to sending a blog update early next week. Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's out there!!!

 

I'm in!!!

Running the 2007 Marathon

2008 NYC Marathon

Anyone who knows me would probably qualify me as "athletic" or "fit"... Maybe even slightly accomplished because of the number of marathons I have run(7 and counting). I am very humble about my abilities, as I am a firm believer of the montra "anything is possible". Anything is possible, if you prioritize it, if you work at it and make sacrifices for it. I find that when I tell people about the marathons I run and the physical challenges I have attempted over the past 8 years I am usually met with "you are crazy" or " I could never do that". And with that attitude, nothing is possible. When I told people about the Brazil Butt Lift test group I was selected for, most people said " no alcohol for 60 days"?!?!?! Hahaha... A small sacrifice for the results that are in store for me... Just so everyone is aware, I was selected to participate in Leandro Carvahlo's Brazilian Butt Lift test group. It is a 60 day program during which I will go to Leandro's class at his private studio in midtown 1 hour a day and eat food that is delivered to me on a daily basis. No booze, no sweets , no cheating. Weekly weigh- in's and absolutely no missing classes. To give you a taste of the program, let me tell you what the audition was like. I was the first of 50 girls to go in front of the "panel". I was told to wear or bring a bikini for photos, but was not aware the "interview" would also take place in the bikini. Because of time constraints with work ( yes, I am doing this while working ) I was the first one there in the morning in hopes to be in and out quickly. When I was called in, I de-robed and walked across the dance studio. Thank God I was the first person to go. I was asked what I didn't like about my body and then Leandro pointed out all of my problem areas, including my " butt that does not fill out my bathing suit" my under arm flab and my "soft" back. They said they thought I would be a great candidate, and how I did not seem to mind the constructive criticism. And they were right. Everything they said Confirmed what I knew was flawed before I walked into that studio. But I knew they could fix it , and that's why I didn't give a damn. I write this, in anticipation of what this week holds for me. 7:30am tomorrow morning I am due, at a production studio, for a 2 hour " weigh in". I have been told I am to bring three things with me: 1) a bikini 2) a pair of my favorite jeans, which don't fit to my liking, and 3) a pair of form fitting spandex shorts along with a sports bra. I am told that these items will not be returned to be until I complete the program. Fine with me. I picked the shortest, tightest most unforgiving bootie workout shorts I own and a pair of white jeans that are so tight, they mine-as-well be see through. I won't miss either of them over the course of 60 days. In preparation for Thursday, Alex and I have been hitting up all of our favorite places to eat ( and drink) in NYC! But the anticipation of beginning this journey is painstaking at this point!!! I'm ready to begin and look and feel my best. I'm looking forward to Thursday's weigh in. Stay tuned for details!