A New Milestone

I used to be fat. After 4 years of university and having spent endless, soul-sucking hours in front of a computer, combined with poor eating habits, I earned my Bachelor of Design Degree...and gained 20lbs in the process. Definitely not your ideal combination.

That before picture was me back in September 2004 at 175lbs, size 12-13 and probably 25% body fat - YIKES! I knew I had to make a change and so began the journey. I joined a gym, hired a personal trainer, who i trained with for about a year and lost 10lbs. Most of my workouts consisted of using weight machines in the gym and not much cardio. Then i met Ryan Shanahan, creator of the Energy Flow Workout and trainer to the stars. He gave me one of my first major design gigs, became my new trainer, and we've been working out ever since. With innovative, forward thinking workout moves involving exercise balls, kettlebells, resistance bands, and body weight (plyometrics), his workouts are fun, challenging and guaranteed to burn the fat and keep it off. I lost 30lbs, gained muscle tone, have reached elite athlete status and feel like i'm in the best shape of my life!

Today i weighed in, got my measurements taken and was amazed by the results.

weight: 140lbs (from 135lbs) - gained 5 lbs
arms: 10.8" (from 10.5") - gained muscle here *woohoo!*
legs: 20.5" (from 21.5) - yay, smaller thighs!

The most surprising change was that my body fat went from 14% to 11.5%!

Next goals:
1. ripped abs
2. smaller thighs - 18"
3. 10% body fat

All to be done by AUGUST 1st. How am i going to achieve this feat? I'm going to continue doing my usual cardio & resistance training routine, go to Sgt Shanahan's Boot Camp and make some changes with my eating.

Watch for updates on healthy meal ideas and progress reports...

Stell's top activities

For the past few months, i've been working hard staying on top of my workouts and the pursuit of getting that ever elusive beach body i've been after for so long. Staying active and eating healthy has played an integral role in all this. I like to stay active for the most part, especially since its summer where the sun is out and all is good.

So what have i been doing, you ask?

1. I play beach volleyball once a week. Sometimes twice, if i do pick up. With the hot summer weather, that's incentive enough to tone those abs and get into beach body shape. Not only will you look good on court but you'll also move a whole lot faster, which brings me to #2...

2. Train with the best. I've been working with personal trainer Ryan Shanahan for almost 2 years now. It has helped me stay motivated and become a better athlete. Needless to say, I lost a lot of weight. His workouts utilize moves used by top celebrities and elite athletes. These fat burning workouts incorporate kettlebells, resistance bands, plyometrics, military drills, cardio, and stretching. A killer combination that will melt the fat right off, tone your muscles, and keep you feeling like a million bucks!

3. I joined Diesel Fitness 1 month ago, an urban fitness studio and yoga spa. Let's just say they gave me an offer i couldn't resist. A free, no strings attached summer membership! There, I've been doing spin classes and have really gotten into the cardio combat and boxing classes.

4. Rollerblading along the boardwalk at a fast leisurely pace. One of my personal favorites. This low impact activity is great for cardio and helps build hip, thigh, and hamstring muscles. Just throw some good music onto the ipod and your set. I like to go solo on this one.

5. I changed my mountain bike's knobbies to slicks, which has upped my speed to 30km+/hr. The speed bump is incredible, so I try to cycle to and from work whenever possible. Usually takes me under 30 mins to get there.

6. Walking in the sand. Aside from a beautiful view of the beach, it requires greater effort than walking on a hard surface. Your muscles and tendons will work harder as your foot moves around. Walking in sand requires 2.1 to 2.7 times more energy than walking on hard surfaces and likewise jogging in sand uses1.6 times more energy. The best part, you will burn up to 20-50% more calories.

There you have it, my top activities to staying fit.

Fire becomes water

These images take scenarios in which you would expect to see fire and replaces it with water. Very cool.

Shopping & Dining in NYC

Pictures from our amazing shopping expedition fueled by lots of good food and indulgences can be viewed here:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2089999152

First To Fifteen

The first cardio challenge may have ended but another one is on the horizon. Instead of being distance based, this time it's based on the number of calories burned. The goal is to be the first to burn 15lbs of fat.

Sounds like a challenge and the friendly competition definitely adds to the motivational factor, oh and so do those dreaded 'you've been passed' emails. This time i'm going for the gold. i want to be the first to finish! It won't be easy but as long as i stay focused on my workouts and push myself hard, all should go as planned.

sign up at: www.foxfitness.ca

Sgt Shanahan's Boot Camp

It's 5am. My bags are packed for a New York trip that i'm supposed to be leaving for in a few minutes and my mind is racing. I just pulled an all niter sitting on my bed, putting the finishing touches on celebrity trainer, natural bodybuilder, and athlete extraordinare Sgt Shanahan's Boot Camp website. Why the huge rush? Seeing that i'll be shopping 'til i drop in NYC this week and that internet access may be limited, I thought it'd be best to complete the job, especially since Boot Camp workouts are scheduled to begin this Saturday at 10am. Oh how I wish I could be there for the very first session...but in the spirit of it, i'll try and do some form of fat burning workout whether it's in the hotel gym or running through Times Square.

For those of you in the Toronto area, I highly recommend going. I got a preview of some of the moves during my training last week and all I can say is that this workout is not for the weak. It's a high intensity mix of body weight, resistance training moves, and cardio used by elite athletes. Whether its love handles or a protruding belly you're trying to get rid of, it will melt the fat - guaranteed. Your mind and body will thank you and you will feel a soreness that you'll learn to love.

For more info, check out www.waronbodyfat.com

The EH Workout

Saturday June 2, 2007 / 9:00am

The sun was out & I was pumped for another intense boot camp workout with Sgt. Shanahan.

I was worked hard. Needless to say, my whole upper body and abs were sore afterwards but what an amazing workout it was! Based on that workout, here are some of the best moves to tone your arms and remove that muffin top for good!

Check it out:
http://estellahom.com/ehworkout/

Vengeance & Tragedy all rolled into ONE

Hamlet has been remade several times within the last decade or so but if there was a 2007 remake of this Shakespearean classic, this would be my proposition for the poster, typography and the all-star cast and production team that would be involved.

The final 80km

It's official. I'm the 5th person to have completed the Cardio Challenge and what an amazing feeling it is! The final stretch wasn't as easy as anticipated. The last 3 days have been jam packed with activities so fitting in the cardio was a challenge. Saturday was hot & sunny. I was visiting family in Mississauga so I brought my bike along and did 20km. Sunday was overcast. 10 minutes into my bike ride it started drizzling, which gradually evolved into heavy rain. It was too late to turn back. I did 20km and was drenched, which also left me with a cough and sore throat. Then today, feeling sick, I had to forgo riding my bike to work. Determined to finish the Challenge and with lingering thoughts of possibly being beaten to the finish, i went for a 41km ride after getting home from work, thus finishing the Challenge. I can't wait for the next challenge, but for now I think i'll relax and take it easy.


















The final ride
Monday June 4 - Cycling (41km)

Cardio Challenge : Week 2

Ok, so week 2 of my intensive cardio regime went really well. Didn't pass or catch up to Brendan yet but I'm gettin' real close! Again, i alternated between rollerblading and cycling to and from work with little added detours here and there.

highlights of the week include:
• running all the red lights on queens quay to up my average cycling speed
• speeding ahead of perceived opponents when the light turned green
• racing a couple of guys with road bikes & fancy cycling shoes - one of which i passed
• a grueling rollerblading 'race' between me and a girl in turquoise pants....damn she was hard to beat! ...but i passed her a block before she turned into her apartment entrance
• rollerblading past a girl on a bike only to have her call me a 'show off' and a bunch of other curses that echoed into the distance as i raced past her

cardio stats
saturday: cycling (10km)
monday: cycling (20.3km)
wednesday: cycling (21km)
thursday: cycling (10km)
friday: rollerblading (10km) / cycling (12km) / walking (5km) -- 1073m (that's 50miles from the finish line!)

Beginning of week: 105 miles (approx 169km) from Halifax
End of week: 28.58 miles (approx 46km) from Brendan / 50 miles (approx 80.47km) from Halifax

Total cardio: 88.3km

Stell vs. Brendan
Me: 50 miles (approx 80.47km) from halifax
Brendan: 21.47miles (approx 34.55km) from halifax

Competition's getting tight and i'm determined to be the 5th person to complete the Cardio Challenge. It's going to happen this weekend.

Let the sneak attack begin....