Inspired All Over Again

I believe I can do anything because my new trainer inspires me. She has been through hell and back. I’m not disclosing her situation; it’s not my story to tell. What I will say is just seeing her in action makes me want to work that much harder. She get’s the limitations, more than anyone else I know and she is exactly where I want to be in terms of fitness and mental strength. She is strong and doesn’t give up. She understands the pain; she understands the mental toughness required to push through when the odds are against you. She is not afraid to push me outside of my comfort zone. She is not afraid keep at me when I feel like I’m going die. She keeps pushing. She does this because she knows I can do it. I just need to believe I can do it.

Mind over matter.

You know how it goes. If someone tells you something long enough you begin to believe it.

For the longest time I have been told no. I have been given limitations. I have been told that my body is not physically strong enough to do what I want it to do. I’m not talking about being sidelined from your every day injuries, people come back from those all the time. I’m talking about an injury sustained years ago, that caused weakness and chronic issues.

I have adapted. I have reluctantly accepted these limitations. But, something is happening to me. I am changing. I am getting stronger both mentally and physically. The change started last year. I began blossoming into the athlete I once was. The athlete I still am.

I am starting to believe that I can do what I have been told I cannot. I am strong. I am a fierce competitor. So why not? Why can’t I do things? Why can’t I build up muscle in areas of my body that have been given up on? I used to believe in no pain, no gain. Then suddenly my world crashed around me. Pain was bad, it was not acceptable.

Today, once again I am back on board with the no pain, no gain mantra. But let me remind you, there are two types of pain. The good pain. The pain that lets you know that you worked hard. The pain that tells you that you are growing, evolving, changing, and getting stronger. Then there is the bad pain, where your body is telling you something is wrong and you have to slow down or stop. I love the good pain. I embrace it. I want the challenge. Pushing through, breathing, staying focused, mind over matter. I am stronger than I think I am.

Scared, Yet Excited

Last night I had a huge breakthrough mentally. I went to the gym about an hour and fifteen minutes earlier than planned. I just wanted to be there and hang out. I got on the treadmill and was running when Heather my personal trainer came in. She was to teach her Pilate's class then we were going to do my training session.

She talked me into going to Pilate's which is when it all started.

I had this realization in class… Normally I NEVER look at the mirror to check my form because I don't like seeing the fat girl staring back at me. But I did at one point to make sure my form was at least half way decent LOL. It was :) But when I looked into the mirror I saw everyone else in the room too. I totally blended in. That was part one of my brain starting to put 2 and 2 together.

Then when we started our session, again I made the mistake of looking into the mirror- and realized, I still blended in. I looked just like everyone else. Then on the treadmill it sunk in. Doing the sprints I realized that I'm not "that" fat girl anymore. That "fat" girl is gone. So all I could do was put my head down low and try to keep myself composed enough where I wouldn't break down and cry. It was an intense feeling realizing that after all this time. Yeah I still have more to lose, but it feels different now. Can't explain how, but it does. I feel like I'm ready to push a little harder. Even if I can't do a lot extra, I think I can push a little more.

When I left the gym I just sat in my car and cried. I couldn't stop. Even today I still feel very emotional. I feel like all this weight is being lifted off my shoulders. I feel like I'm becoming free. Free from the chains that not only society put on me but the chains I allowed to be placed there and the chains that I put on myself. No more limitations. No more chains. I'm evolving.

Reflections

I sat alone in the main cafeteria. It’s a rather large room that can hold over 800 people. Typically I eat lunch with others, but today I didn’t. As I sat there alone, in the quiet I paid attention to what I was eating for lunch. Then began reflecting on my past, remembering what made me gain so much weight. There are a lot of different pieces to the puzzle, illness, pain, poor food choices, and not getting enough exercise.

The reality is even though during the time I gained my weight I was still exercising, I was eating so much that the exercise wasn’t enough. As I drank my water I remembered when I could easily drink 24 cans of pop in a single day. Each bite of my chicken I remembered when I would eat a Big Mac and a Double Cheeseburger with fries and a large coke for lunch. Breakfast would be two breakfast sandwitches and a hashbrown with coke. Dinner again, was always large with a lot of pop. Snacks were the same way. I was eating as though I was a summo wrestler. I thought nothing of it.

I paid attention to how good the zuchinni tasted and how fresh the mushroms and carrots were. I noticed the crispyness of the celery and the juiceyness of the chicken. I paid attention to the flavor of the brown rice. Everything tasted so clean and so delicious. In the past I would have never considered this for lunch. I would want heavy carbs, a lot of red meat and some sort of sweet.

There were times where I would stop at a fast food restaurant to grab a “meal” before I’d come home for dinner. When eating dinner I’d have several platefuls. This was normal to me. Don’t even get me started on the endless amount of donuts and ice-cream. I could polish off nearly a dozen of donets and a carten of ice-cream without any assistance. I thought nothing of it. I still went for walks, I would shoot the basketball around. I played softball. I had no idea that my behavior was less than normal.

It’s hard to explain to someone that you didn’t realize that you were in trouble with your weight. It’s hard to explain it to myself. How did I not know? I didn’t. It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around.

Focus came back to my lunch, to my water. To my smaller clothes. I realized that I am happier. I realized that now I am helping other people along on their journeys just by sharing my story.

Then I realized I still got a long way to go. Yes, I’m still having success. But my God. Sometimes it feels like this is never going to end. Sometimes I wonder if I want to keep going forward. Sometimes I wonder if I am happy enough. There is the key word. I don’t want to be happy “enough”. I want to be happy. Truly happy. I want to be successful. Truly successful. I don’t want to be good “enough”. I want to be good. So, yes I do want to keep going forward. I know that happiness will only continue to grow as I continue to do good things for my body.

Then I remembered not being able to fit into a booth at restaurants, spilling over the chairs. I remember not being able to walk between cars and I remember the seatbelts being tight. Then I had a smile come over my face. I fit into booths, with plenty of room to spare. I can walk straight on inbetween cars and I have to check and doublecheck to make sure I’m belted in because I don’t feel the seatbelt. I run a mile before my cardio classes just as a warm up. I had never done that before, not since high school at least.

I have struggled a lot. This journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve fallen off the wagon several times and have gained up to 75 pounds in no time at all. I’ve struggled with eating disorders. I’ve struggled with discovering who I really am, not who people expect or want me to be. It’s a frusterating journey. It’s hard. But it really is worth it. It’s worth good health. It’s worth the freedom. There is no magic pill or shake that is going to make things better. It’s hard work mentally and physically. The whole self needs to be healed: mind, body, soul.

Don’t give up on yourself. Even if you fall. Just reflect on your journies. Be aware of where you came from. Do this for yourself and not for anyone else. You are the most important person, without you there would be no more you in this world. Think about all the different things you’d never get to see, think about the many lives you could have had a positive affect on. No one should have to die from obesity. It’s a struggle, but help is out there. There are people who care. There are people who will be your friend no matter how big or small you are. Whether you gain 50 pounds or lose 60 pounds. There will always be support.

Surround yourself with positive people. Eliminate the negative. You’ll be surprised on how much lighter you will feel. Toxic people will just pull you down. You are like a beacon, getting brighter and brighter. Let your light shine. Keep exercising, keep eating right. If you make a mistake, brush it off and go at it again.

You can do this, just as I will finish what I have started.

Let’s do this together. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, one second at a time. LiveFit Revolution says it best. Obesity is not an option. So let’s get busy!

New Year's Resolution: Breaking It Down

It is now January 4th. How many have started to fizzle with their New Year’s Resolution of weight loss? How many have yet to begin their journey? A lot of people, right? Hey! I’m here to tell you that that’s OK!!

Why? Because the New Year’s Resolution was not clearly defined, too broad of goals. Goals should be specific and realistic. It is easy to get overwhelmed in the broad statement of “I want to lose weight this year.”

Break it down for weight loss success

1. What is a good healthy weight for me?
2. How many pounds could I realistically lose in a year?
3. How many pounds could I safely lose in one month?
4. How much exercise will I do each week?
5. What kind of foods will I be eating?
6. Who will be my support team?

Each one of us lives in the real world. We are not separated from our temptations. For most of us it is not realistic to expect to drop 10 or more pounds a week. Be happy with a pound or two. Each pound brings you that much closer to a new you! Richard Simmons has a five pound a month challenge, why not challenge yourself to the same? It is a good healthy amount to lose. Let’s do the math on this one. If you lose five pounds each month would mean you would be 60 pounds lighter by the New Year! 60 pounds!!! That is amazing!!!

You have to exercise to lose weight; you have to move that body. Taking a brisk 30 min walk per day is excellent. Also make exercise fun. If a gym is not right for you, look into trying something new like ZUMBA or give kettlebells a try. Pull out your old Richard Simmons’ video’s, those are always fun. Be sure to have a good balance of cardio and toning/weight training. Our bodies need both.

The foods you chose are equally critical. If you workout everyday but continue to eat the same unhealthy foods you will not see the results that you desire. You need to feed your body with nutrient rich foods, lean meats, fruits and veggies. Your body will thank you. Not only will it help you lose weight, but you’ll also have so much more energy.

Last but not least have support. No support at home, find a buddy online. There are plenty of good people on FaceBook who are on weight loss journeys, and of course there are weight loss programs you can join some of them cost money but others are free such as LiveFit Revolution. Let no one stop you from achieving your dreams.

You have that spark, the will, the desire. Otherwise you would have never made a weight loss New Year’s Resolution. Don’t let the spark go out. Stoke it; let that flame build inside of you. Watch the fat burn, and be amazed at the emotional transformation that will soon take place. You will be healthy, fit, and confident. You can do this.

"Don't ever let your enthusiasm go away-- let it only be contagious." ~Dr. Kristin Mowry

When in Doubt

When in doubt just keep pushing
When in doubt remember how far you've come
When in doubt remember why you are here
When in doubt don't throw in the towel
When in doubt take a moment for self reflection
Don't doubt the process
Don't doubt your strength
Be strong
Be resilient
We can do this, one day at a time

Being True to Myself

I have lost my weight from watching my portions, making the right choices, and moving my body. As I kept losing the weight I realized more and more that my calling was to reach out to those who are on their own journey to lose weight.

With knowing in my heart that my purpose in life was to help people move towards their weight loss goals and to achieve their weight loss goals; I was easy prey for others. The promise to make a difference in people’s lives if I joined a specific group, the promise to coach others and to make a difference is what motivated me to sign up. It was not at all what I expected. It wasn’t what I wanted. I couldn’t get behind the workouts or the other merchandise sold. So I did nothing with it and eventually dropped it.

I want to affect everyone regardless of ability to pay and physical ability level. There is only one way to do this. That is why I became a personal trainer. I have control and am not controlled by anyone else. I have my dreams and my visions and my style, not someone else’s. I care about the people. I want to know how they are all doing. I want to know what they are thinking. I want to know how they feel. I want to be there to give them a push, to celebrate achievements, or to simply give them a kick in the rear.

When it comes to losing weight I believe in a simple philosophy: People come first. It’s a journey that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. I firmly believe that eating the right foods while watching portion sizes and exercising is the way to safely lose weight and to keep it off.

I understand that only the person who wishes to lose weight can do the work. After all, I had done all the work as has everyone else on this journey. But I will be there to offer support and guidance-even personal training.

I am going to help in my own way-not the way of someone else.

Be True to yourself

Thoughts About Cheat Days

Many folks have asked so I will answer... "Meg, do you allow yourself a cheat day".


My answer is, it depends on your definition. You see this isn't a diet for me, but a lifestyle. I do the things I do (eat well, exercise most everday) because I want to feel good. Eating junk doesn't make me feel good. It might be "good" going down, but a couple of minutes later, my tummy starts to rumble and then you know the rest of that story. I don't feel good. I don't have energy. I am tired and sluggish. And the next day after eating poorly, I have what I consider a food hangover. So, do I eat "perfectly" everday? No. Do I eat things that are a little less nutrient dense occasionally? YES. but the key is moderation. I believe in balance, nothing in excess. So if you are craving chocolate, have a nickel size piece of organic, dark chocolate. Be sure that before you "indulge" you define your portion and you determine why you want that.


So I turn the question back to you. Are you eating/cheating for an emotional reason? Are you really just thirsty? Are you really just tired and need a "pick me up"? Is it because you are with someone else who is "pigging out" and needs company?


If you answer yes to any of those questions, reconsider the choice before the food crosses your lips!


It's as simple as this. You wouldn't dump a sack of sugar into the gas tank of your car every now and then just to save money because sugar is cheaper than gasoline-- would you? Your car will shut down, right? So does your body.


Think about it.