IC rock stars, Ann and Mark, will be moving to San Mateo next month and we are sad to say today was their last day at the Chamber.  Combined, they have lost over 100 lbs. with us in less than one year!

Here is what Ann had to say about their journey:

“In my fat pic I was around 230; the post pic I am 165.  I think I was around 190 when I joined the IC ~ now I’m slimmer with a lot more muscle.    Pretty dramatic change that couldn’t be done without IC workouts.  In general my weight has been the most stable in my life training here.  Really gonna miss it!

How cute is baby Frank?!

Let’s be Frank, after a couple of years at the Chamber, this is what a family outing now looks like in the Walker household.

Sara is acclimating to the demands of motherhood (x2) like a true champ! Luci & Gavin are adorable beyond words — they’re strong and healthy just like their mama. Sara did a tremendous job incubating her little ones for nearly ten months while teaching every one of her IC classes up until just last week. “I would go crazy if I was just sitting at home waiting for them to arrive,” she often said.  Was anyone surprised by her superhuman stamina?  It was awesome to witness.

Sara with Luci and Gavin (in yellow)

Although we already miss Sara’s wonderful guidance in class, we are excited about this next chapter in her life.  Speaking of which, are there any special tips or words of wisdom that you think Sara Bear would benefit from as she navigates through this first week of parenthood?  Do share!

Luci and Gavin, two perfect peas in a pod

Showing off that pregnancy glow while overlooking the Acropolis

Check out Maya’s latest article featuring Sara’s prenatal training experience on Athleta Chi…

Some of you may remember Becky from 2 years ago (right before her wedding).  Well, she’s back with son Davey in arms!

Jennifer and Elijah incorporate the little ones into bootcamp regularly.

Mother of four, Rebekah V., with Team 0600

Rebekah joined the IC to lose her post-baby weight and to just get in shape after a significant hiatus from exercise… well, do four children really count as a hiatus?  Coming from someone who loves watching Star Wars as much as she loves reading Pride and Prejudice, is it any surprise that Rebekah fits right in around here?

Immediately following her first intro session, Jessica made a quick prediction about Rebekah… Jess said, “She has the right attitude to reach all of her fitness goals and then some.  I think she’ll be very successful.”  Now that Rebekah has proven Jessica right by losing close to 10 pounds, Rebekah’s got more big goals to think about this month in hopes of winning the latest IC Challenge.  In the meantime, please feel free to give her a High 5 next time you see her walking back to her car with an endorphin glow!

Thank you for the inspiration Rebekah!

Amy Ng demos great weightlifting technique – only 8 months after the birth of her first son!

Earlier this week I asked you what an ideal weight for myself might be, you were noncommittal and tried to focus me on other things instead. Do I feel good? Do I have lots of energy? Specifically, one of the things I remember you said was “If your clothes fit…” Let me finish that thought for you now.

No. They don’t.

Yesterday I started going through my closet and removing the things that were too big. This picture (in which Kaia kindly posed to establish perspective) is what I took out. And actually this isn’t everything. I had to keep a few things so I’d still have something to wear (I may work at UC Berkeley but even they draw the line at nakedness sometimes…) I am not a shopper or a clothes horse (athletic apparel accepted)– this stack represents a pretty good snapshot of what was in my closet. Now it’s full of empty hangers.

I was probably within range of my current weight in college 15 years ago, but I question whether I looked or felt this good. Sometimes I don’t even think I was this strong. My problem then was that I tended to balance out being a Division I athlete with my general all-around lazy attitude towards everything, an attitude that surfaced whenever I could get away with it– from eating and drinking habits, to dogging it in workouts. Now? Maybe I’ve learned a few things.

So I get what you were trying to say. My weight will never tell the whole story. But I think my clothes are starting to.

-Mel Dixon