As hard as this is to acknowledge, Dec. 14th is just a week away and I do not feel that I reached my goal. UGH! I actually came to this realization while in FL, specifically while meeting with Blythe. I just haven't been able to vocalize/write it until now. I'm not someone that likes to admit that I didn't reach my original goal. I know, I know, "practice what you preach, AA". I will tell you that I WAS disappointed, I was beating down on myself, frustrated, a little blue and even a little angry. All for about a day.
Blythe and I discussed how in the back of my mind I had told myself that I wasn't really going to walk the stage on Dec. 14th. That took a tremendous amount of pressure off of me and it removed the "urgency", therefore, I never felt the "pressure of the commitment". My heart wasn't in it. I knew in the back of my mind that there wasn't a deadline. I'm the type of person that needs a deadline. I need the pressure, I need the focus and the commitment. I don't know what makes me tick that way, but it is what it is and I have to recognize that about myself.
So, I've committed to going back to FL in March and seeing Blythe, running a 5K with her (in 24 minutes or less...HOLY GUACAMOLE!) and showing her the physical progress I've made. I'm devoting the next 12 weeks to eating Paleo as much as possible, lifting heavy and consistently, and running (sprinting and pick ups) 3 days a week. This gives me a date. March 2nd, I see BLYTHE. That's pressure, but in a good way. I want to show myself and her that I can work hard (of course I can, I've done it before- while heavier, and less experienced!) and I want to reach my goal. The "illusuion" of walking a stage wasn't a solid goal but now I've got a new sight and I'm ready!
Whew! I feel better having finally expressed that. I didn't fail, I just needed to find a better motivation.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Blythe...No words to express my gratitude to this woman!
While in Florida on vacation I was able to connect with Blythe, my friend and personal trainer of the last 4+ years. I could barely contain my tears when I saw her. My relationship with Blythe can be thought of as unusual because although we chat and talk every single day, it's all via text and email. Occasionally we talk on the phone, but we haven't seen each other since the day I walked the stage in 2010!
Currently, Blythe and I are collaborating to create an amazing weight loss program and support group. It will be similar to what my Weight Loss Challenges are, but we're adding an informational/educational element that will give challengers the tools and knowledge necessary to make LIFE CHANGES! I'm so excited about what we are working on that I could BURST!
When I met with Blythe yesterday, we discussed the weekly lesson plans and program that we will introduce in January. I think that this is another pivotal moment in my career and health and fitness journey. With Blythe's experience in the fitness industry, her title as a Professional Women's Figure and Bikini Competitor and her passion and drive for health, I feel that she brings an invaluable element to the program! Combine that with both with personal weight loss journey and the weight loss challenges I've hosted for the last 4 years and my own passion to lead others to a healthier lifestyle, we really have a great thing in the making! I cannot wait to share it!
Here's a little blurb from Blythe, but I'm sure you'll learn more about her in the VERY near future! Don't forget to check out her podcasts with Dr. Ray at www.cutthefatpodcast.com
I am a 38 year old mother of 3, with the youngest now being 5 years old and my eldest is 18. I am in the best shape of my life and continue to raise the bar as new times and events in life continue to challenge me and keep the journey exciting!
I am a professional figure athlete and have competed (and won) in both bodybuilding and bikini competitions. I began competing back in 1999 as an amateur figure competitor and enjoyed it so much that I opted to promote a bodybuilding/figure/fitness competition of my own. After years of prepping athletes for competition, i decided to broaden my horizons and reach out into 'REAL LIFE' and work with anyone wanting to get into shape. I became a certified Personal Trainer, a Nutritionist, a Podcaster (doing tons of research into the science of health and fitness) and I have enjoyed every minute.
I am a firm believer that EVERYONE is an athlete, but some of us need a little help focusing on that aspect of ourselves. Being a mother, i fully understand the issues with putting yourself first. My main goal is to each individual find their balance.
With over seventeen years of personal experience and now over ten years of experience working with others, I have gained a wealth of knowledge on getting rid of body fat efficiently and effectively within the confines of a busy life and I am ready to share it all.
There are many not-so-secret ‘secrets’ I’m able to share with others that can motivate, balance, kick start and push past the point you at today. Keep in mind: It is not uncommon for men and women to reach peak fitness and health in their 20′s, 30′s AND beyond… why not start today? Everyone can get better as the years go on!
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding your health and fitness plan.
Blythe Alberg
email: blythe.alberg@gmail.com
Feeding the Soul
This week my family spent the week with one of my best friends and her husband on vacation in Florida. Heather and I could not agree more that we definitely needed the time to connect and "feed the soul". It was such a pleasant week and I miss having her in Annapolis. Every time I'm with her, I love her even more and I'm so unbelievably thankful for her in my life!
I met Heather years ago as we were in the Junior League of Annapolis,Inc. together. We had always been pleasant with one another, but I had this preconceived notion that someone like Heather, wouldn't need someone like me in their life. In my eyes, she was the epitomy of health and wellness. She was/is always put together, surrounded by friends and very busy in life. I've always known that Heather was a runner, she's in incredible shape and she had invited me before to run with her. I was telling her this week about a pivotal moment in our friendship.
It was 2011 and Heather had casually asked me if I was going to an annual JLA Tea event. I never miss it, so I told that I would be there. She said, "Save me a seat". I thought, "Isn't that sweet? She's trying to be nice to me." Well, the event day came and I met with my friends from my Provisional class and we had been seated at a table together. I did not save Heather a seat because I honestly thought she was just "being nice". Why on earth would she ask ME to save her seat?!? She has a million friends in the JLA. Right? Well, she showed up to the event and there I was with my friends at our table and she came over to me and said, "I thought you were going to save me a seat?" She smiled so brightly and was so polite, sounding as if she was almost joking about it, but I could see in her eyes she was truly disappointed. I felt like the biggest asshole ever.
2012 she asked me again if I was going to the Tea, and I said, "Yes! I'll save you a seat!" and this time, I made sure to get there early, save a seat and her and I had the BEST conversation through the entire event. I learned that she's super sincere, very friendly, takes 100% interest in what you have to say and not for one moment did I feel like she was "just being nice" she was REAL. My father had just passed away, and I had mentioned it to her at the event. It had been a very sensitive time in my life, many didn't recognize the complicity of his passing and I think people didn't know how to give comfort and/or support, so they did nothing. She recognized that despite the relationship and whatever turmoil or animosity that was between my father and I, a loss of a parent is devastating and the aftermath of his passing wasn't going to be easy for me or my family. She invited me to join her for a run that week to just talk and get my mind clear, and I had enjoyed her company so much at the tea, that despite the fact that I was NOT a runner (at least not like she was) I just couldn't pass on the opporunity to spend more time with her.
So, I met her for what she called an "easy" run. 27 degrees outside, ice on the ground and 6 miles later, I thought I was going to collapse! I couldn't walk without pain for several days, but I was completely hooked! I never missed an opportunity to run with Heather after that. We ran together several times a week for over 6 months. She and our friend Kathy trained me to run a 1/2 marathon together. She came into my life at a time I needed a friend the most and she proved to be just about the best friend anyone could ask for. I'm so thankful that I realized my mistake that first Tea and made the point to sit with her the following year. I'm only sad that it took me so long to connect with her and build this friendship.
I've never known anyone to love so openly and without reservation. She's the friend that walks in when the rest of the world walks out. She gives it to you straight, but also respects your perspective and feelings. She's a sister in every sense of the word, other than by birth.
Best friends are family you get to choose and I'm so thankful that God placed her in my life. I honestly don't know what or where I'd be without her!
The Relationship between Fitness and Business Success
On Monday I was invited by a dear friend, Monica Alvarado, to be a guest on her new podcast: REAL Successful Women. I was so nervous to be part of this, but I was more excited to share my story and give advice to those struggling to make fitness a part of their life.
The podcast discussion was very organic. We spoke as if we were just a couple ladies meeting for coffee and talking about life. The conversation was natural and I felt 100 times more comfortable than I had anticipated. Once the words started coming out of my mouth, my brain turned off and my heart spoke. As I spoke, more and more of my heart poured out and I felt that I could have gone on forever- I was so eager to share my experiences and offer support and hope to others! Unfortunately, the podcast is only 20 minutes or so long. Obviously, not enough time to share it all. I hope you'll take a moment to listen to it, share it and contact me if you have questions. I told Monica that I'd love to come back and answer any questions. It was a lot of fun, and I completely enjoyed the format. Thanks, Monica! I'm so happy and honored to be part of your amazing journey!
While thinking about the podcast, I do want to delve deeper into my journey for those that don't know me well, or even for those that do know me and didn't realize the magnitude of my transformation. My story isn't a tale of a woman who struggled with her weight her entire life. I had always been small. In highschool I was the tiniest thing; always the smallest of my friends. When I got married, I was small; after my first child, I went right back to my size 0/2 pants. It wasn't until after my second child, I found myself really struggling. The weight didn't just stay on, I continued to gain!
Interestingly, the weight gain directly correlated with my daily struggles and unhappiness in other areas of my life. My marriage was struggling, my business was on the brink of failure, I was feeling frustrated as a mother, a friend, and just about every other aspect of my life. I was truly unhappy. My outter appearance was a complete representation of how I felt on the inside.
I lied to myself daily, lied to my friends and family and built myself a cocoon made of a facade that my life was exactly how I wanted it to be. To the outside world, I was just busy. In reality, I WAS busy being everywhere other than where I needed to be. I neglected my family, poured myself into social activities (masked as community involvement) and gave every ounce of energy I had in creating an illusion that my life was wonderful and that everything around me was going just has planned. Inside, I was spiraling out of control. I was a miserable person that could not find comfort in anything. I was tired, felt unappreciated, over worked, stressed, jealous, insecure and to be 100% honest and real here...my life was not my own. I was living as an imposter that allowed myself to fall victim to my own excuses and misery.
I've struggled with depression and in 2009 I found myself at my lowest low. There were many factors that led to the tipping point. Seeing a picture of myself and unable to recognize what I had become, a sales clerk asking me when my baby was due (I was NOT pregnant) facing the possibility of divorce, the list goes on and on. We all have our battles, I won't try to persuade anyone that my life was any more or less difficult than anyone else's. We each have our battles, wounds and scars; those experiences either break us or force us to stand taller and rise above. Fortunately, for me, I had an incredible support system and I was able to claw myself out of the dark trenches.
When I finally regained control of myself, my health and my fitness, EVERYTHING else just sort of fell into place. My marriage grew stronger, my business flourished and went on to win awards, expand and be noted as one of the top programs in the county and state, and my relationships were deeper, more meaningful and well, healthier. All my success was possible because I was finally focusing on my health and i was FINALLY able to give my best me!
When I hear people say that they can't afford to take the time to take care of themselves (eat well, exercise, etc) well, my question is how can you afford NOT to make the time!?!?! You cannot take care of anyone or anything if you cannot take care of yourself.
I could go on and on forever about how my positive health changes affected the positive changes in other areas of my life, but all one would have to do is look at my life. I live it the changes. I'm going to meet with Monica again soon and answer specifiic questions, but my advice to all: Health begets health. When you feel strong, happy and in control of yourself, you cannot help but feel strong, happy and healthy and completely in control of all areas of your life.
I'm sure I'll talk more about this in the future. :)
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