What Is Formerlyme?

FormerlyMe.com presents “Month Three”

WHAT IS FORMERLYME?

FormerlyMe is an online movement to motivate and inspire people to become the best version of themselves by showing them my journey and experience in trying a new workout and lifestyle regime every 30 days. Every post, update, and video is ‘formerly me’ as I endeavor to become the best version of myself and become FormerlyMe. Each month CP Magazine will showcase a part of my journey to becoming the best version of myself. I hope that in turn this inspires and motivates you to start your own journey as well. For this month’s story we will focus on the third month of my journey.

Jim West

MBack when I started in November 2019, I recalled I could barely do 8 minutes of cardio on the elliptical machine. I decided I needed something low impact for my feet as I was still suffering from gout attacks while trying to work out how much to reduce in the plant-based protein amounts. Everyday I was in the gym in the elliptical machine pushing to run further and longer time wise. There were days I was out of breath, or the pain was becoming unbearable. With persistence and determination I eventually made it up

to an hour, and then I was able to do two one-hour sessions. I maintained this daily cardio routine as I was not ready to take on a new fitness routine. As I began to run further and longer, I shared my achievements with social media and with a friend who told me, “You’re ready to run a marathon!”. Then on February 17th, 2020 (my 43rd Birthday) I ran an indoor marathon of 27.5 miles (42.195 km) in 4.5 hours. Quite a long way from the person who could only do 8 minutes just over 90 days prior.

I was now unto my second month of a modified plant-based protein nutrition plan and I was working closely with Kara Jemison who is my Arbonne consultant. Arbonne products are certified vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and cruelty-free. Arbonne maintains a list online of ingredients that it won't use in products. This list includes ingredients identified by the European Union and the USFDA as harmful, questionable, or prohibited. I was going into my second month of using their products and my results and energy levels were getting stronger and stronger.

Kara Jemison

Two important lessons I learned during the first 90 days was how much water and sleep are two crucial pieces for every plan for fitness and health. I drank between 150-200 ounces of water a day and on some days over 260 ounces if I was running 16 or more miles. I posted a video of me drinking 329 ounces of water in a day, and that was an extreme challenge to take on (one ounce of water per pound I weighed). The other lesson I learned was to get a good night’s sleep. Insomnia become a temporary issue during my first 90 days, but I was able to adjust to a sleep schedule that gave my body time to recover and heal. I cannot stress how important these two things are in the success of my journey in FormerlyMe. If you get these two factors down to a healthy habit, then that is the perfect foundation to starting your journey to becoming the best version of yourself.

I ended the third month with a total weight of 16 pounds lost (.33 kilos a day)! I attribute the loss to the plant-based nutrition plan, and the high levels of cardio I was achieving day by day. I was now burning 3-4 thousand calories a day. My first 90 days of my journey got documented both online via the website and YouTube channel, and the rest of the details of my journey got published in the first ebook online at Amazon. I was on roll with 43 pounds (19.5 kg) lost in three months. I was fast approaching my first goal of getting under 300 pounds (136 kg). You can watch my video of me and the indoor marathon on the FormerlyMe YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3_SIbfXDxg

Follow my journey online at FormerlyMe.com and on the YouTube channel. Next month I will cover my Victory Days and the other fun activities I have experienced with my journey. Until next time that has been FormerlyMe!

facebook.com/FormerlyMe twitter.com/MeFormerly instagram.com/formerlymeofficial Follow F45 College Park: facebook.com/f45trainingcollegeparkplaza Follow Derrick Byrd: instagram.com/derrickbyrdfit

since 2010

Nestled within a village eponymous of the Vaucluse region, the hotel offers guests 34 rooms and suites, comprised of 16 rooms and 18 suites, which have been refreshed for the season. The refurbishment includes a re-design of 20 rooms, showcasing a refreshed look for the summer season. The hotel reception area, public spaces and outdoor pool overlooking surrounding vineyards and picture-perfect Provençal countryside have also been exquisitely presented with the help of French designer and decorator Charles Zana.

An outstanding historical complex of stone buildings, the hotel offers magical outdoor spaces that visitors can delight in exploring. A terrace with a view here, a romantic patio there, the pétanque pitch and its trickling fountain, passageways in the ramparts, while over there, perfect little nooks for enjoying a quiet coffe while taking in the hypnotic landscape… A world apart, swathed in greenery and fragrances, that will make you feel like time has stopped still. Set in a vaulted 18th-century building, the Spa des Ecuries is completely insulated from the outside world by its honeycoloured Crillon stone walls, making for a uniquely tranquil ambiance. With three treatment rooms, including one double room, it is the ideal place to relax and savour every second of the Bamford treatments, a British brand reputed for its organic plants and its quality essential oils.

Fruits and vegetables dressed with olive oil, finely ripened cheeses, Alpilles lamb, aromatic herbs... The authentic flavours of Provence take pride of place in the hotel's two restaurants. Elegant, bistro-style cuisine is served middays and evenings at La Table du Ventoux, either on the terrace or in its magnificent dining room. Whereas La Madeleine, where chef Anissa Boulesteix magnifies flavours without adding anything artificial, offers a refined gourmet cuisine in the evenings.

Guests looking to stay active while away can make use of the hotel’s updated new gym, or for something more leisurely, wander through local markets and medieval villages, sampling the region’s best vintages. Explore the local regions on a scenic hike, kayak, bike ride or vintage car adventure!