Beautiful Inside and Out

Over the years, I've seen myself go through pretty dramatic changes.  Losing over 60lbs, dropping nearly 18% body fat, going from a size 10 to 0, and everything in between.  I at times find myself a slave to the scale.  I have to remind myself that the scale only measures ONE thing.  The scale does not know me.  It does not validate whether or not I work hard.  It does not know whether or not I'm healthy, strong or happy.  The scale does not know me.

Through the weight loss challenges, I've seen many people go through dramatic changes as well.  I've had people drop serious weight, some stay the same weight challenge after challenge with no physical change but demonstrate TREMENDOUS growth in character, some stay the same weight challenge after challenge, repeatedly falling back on the same habits and rituals that lead no where. 
I've had people apologize profusely to me for their lack of progress.  I have people that fear I'm disappointed in them or that they've let me down.  I think those apologies are absurd.  Who am I to judge?  We are all on our own separate journey, merely peering in on one another; checking in; encouraging and supporting from our own paths.  I often joke, "Do you think I won't love or care for you if you don't lose weight?!"  Doesn't that sound silly?! 

My health and fitness journey has taught me a lot about who I am; inside and out.  I found that I'm stronger, more focused, more determined and more stubborn than I thought.  I've gained empathy and compassion for others.  I've learned that if I speak my fears, insecurities and doubts out loud, I'll find I'm not alone; and even better I've found that my words often give comfort and encouragement to others who thought they were alone and realize that they are not.  Being healthy is a lifestyle, a commitment that you must make to yourself, and it is NOT EASY!

I've never chastised anyone when they don't reach a goal.  We've all struggled.  We've all set goals, fallen short; we have to pick ourselves up, brush off and try again.  The beauty of growth and progress is that you love and respect yourself enough to GET BACK UP.  I'll always be a cheerleader for those who want to improve themselves. 

Week after week, people weigh in to me.  They send me a number on the scale.  They say harsh things about themselves.  They tear themselves down.  They are frustrated and scornful.  They hate the scale.  They hate what it represents.  I ask them to change their mindset.  To focus on kindness and self-care.  I ask them to do what makes them feel good, but in a healthy way.  Eat foods you love, but are GOOD for you.  Find movement and activities that you enjoy so your life is enriched and you'll stick to it!  Be a friend that holds another friend accountable and find a friend that does the same for you.  Focus on being beautiful and healthy on the INSIDE.  Love yourself. 

When I see that I'm doing something or acting in a way that I don't like, I change it.  I put my big girl panties on and I own up to my failings/mistakes.  So I've slacked.  I lacked discipline.  I've let myself go.  I'm not taking care of me.  There are no excuses.  I'm in control of how I feel and act. 

My advice to those that base their worth on what the scale says?  Get over it.  Go stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself, "Am I hard worker? Am I fighting for what I really want?  Am I kind to myself?  Am I supportive of others?  Do I lead a life that I'm proud of?" That's where you measure yourself.  That's where you need to focus.  Taking care of you and living a life that is positive and healthy...THAT is what really matters!

Positive Feedback!

This week, I've had the pleasure of chatting with many people while out and about town.  I have to chuckle when I think about when my husband jokingly teases, "We can't go ANYWHERE without you running into someone you know!"  I suppose that because I'm a local business owner as well as run the weight loss challenges that so many local people participate in, it is inevitable. 

On Thursday, I bumped into my former dog trainer.  Of course, my natural response is to chat about my obsession, yes obsession, with my English Setter.  She's sweet, but has some serious neurosis and Kim has helped us tremendously.  The good news is that Millie was trainable.  The bad news = I am not.  Unfortunately, I believe I enable her neurotic ways.  :(

Speaking with Kim though, she gave me great feedback on how she looks forward to my blog posts.  That really meant a lot to me as often times I wonder if anyone really even reads my ramblings.  Ha ha ha!  I suppose that's the insecurity peeking through, but even just the thought that somewhere out there someone is touched by something I have to say really evokes great inspiration for me.  The truth is, everything I write about is real.  These are genuine thoughts, struggles, passions and feelings that I have experienced, am experiencing and want to share with others. 

When I started the blog in 2009, it was to share my journey as I prepared for a Figure Competition.  What I learned from writing was that my end goal wasn't the competition, that was merely a focus point.  In reality, there is no end goal.  I'm training for my LIFE.  I'm training to be fit and healthy and to help others find something that works for them too.  I've been that overweight mom that's stretched to the max and feeling like my life lived me- not at all as if I was living my life.  That's a hard place to be.  With feedback from readers, I'm able to really hear and learn what others are struggling with as well.  I'm also able to share personal experiences that I feel people can relate to on some level. 

Thanks for the feedback, Kim!  I'm glad you enjoy reading and I'm thankful for your support!  Now, can we get back to talking about how I need to break some bad habits regarding my pup?  Ha ha ha! 

Pure Resolution 20 Classes in 30 Days

So my latest workout is Pure Barre.  I cannot say enough good things about this!  As you know, I've tried and continue to do many different workouts.  I cannot be classified as a weight lifter, runner, yogi, etc.  I am addicted to all exercise.  I love it.  I love high impact, I love long runs with girlfriends, I love the quiet personal time with bikram- you see, I basically love anything that empowers me to improve myself. 

In January, I participated in the Pure Resolution at Pure Barre of Annapolis (like their Facebook page Pure Barre Annapolis) 20 classes in 30 days.  Unfortunately, I was out of town the first few days of the month and then came down with the flu and really only had about 25 days to get my 20 classes in.  However, I didn't let that slow me down and I was able to complete all 20 classes before Jan. 30th.  The last few classes were hard to get through, I won't lie or sugar coat it.  Having done almost 12 classes in a row, I was definitely starting to feel fatigue.  Looking back though, staying committed for the month, completing all 20 classes, and giving my absolute all (both physically and mentally) in each class, really really paid off!  I see huge changes in my body already!  Incredible improvement in tone and definition in abs, which are the HARDEST for me to see any change, and thighs and derrière.  Let's face it ladies, those are difficult areas for most of us! 

I won't be giving up my Lift.Tone.Burn.(that's the mantra for PB) anytime soon.  I'm committed to do another 25 classes in the next 6 weeks.  I can't wait to see what kind of results I see during that time.  As a side note, although I believe just as important, the PB studio in Annapolis has been more than just a workout place for me.  I've grown quite fond of the owners and instructors.  I feel like I'm going to see girlfriends.  I love their upbeat personalities, their warm and friendly demeanor and just the downright FUN atmosphere they create.  It doesn't feel like a snobby, elitist, or cliquish environment.  The ladies are all diverse and compassionate and very connected with the community.  You feel like you're walking into one of their living rooms in their home.  To me, that makes a HUGE difference.  I look forward to the workout each day because of how they make me feel (maybe not how they make my thighs feel) but definitely how they welcome me and are genuinely interested in who I am as a person.  Part of sticking to a workout/routine is enjoying what you are doing.  Thanks to the PB-Annapolis crew, this has without a doubt become part of my lifestyle!  LOVE THOSE LADIES!

Hope I see some of you Annapolis peeps in class soon!  Message me if you have questions!

Challenge = Change

Once again, it's been a while since my last post.  Life sure does move fast!  Blythe and I are in now in week 5 of our latest challenge.  It's going incredibly well, and as I suspected, there is a tremendous amount of information and useful tools being shared/discussed amongst the group!  Adding Blythe was definitely a step in the right direction as it has brought a deeper element of the FACTS about living a healthy lifestyle rather than participating in a crash or fad diet. 

As with all challenges, I see varying fitness and health levels.  We have extreme athletes to those that struggle to get 5 minutes of activity in each day.  The good news is that with each weekly lesson there isn't a discrimination; EVERYONE CAN LEARN.  Even I, who have been working with Blythe for 5 years, find that I learn something new every time I read the weekly lessons.  Whether it be affirmation to what I'm already doing, or simply tweaking a ritual/habit and making it fit my lifestyle and allowing me to achieve maximum fat burning results!  That's very exciting and again this circles back to how this is a lifestyle- you must know yourself and understand your body to find YOUR fat loss/weight loss/fitness equation.  There's no one right answer.  Why would there be?  We are all different; different hormones, lives, genetics, emotions, the list goes on and on.  It's not as simple as calories in vs. calories out.  Sure, that's a basic rule, but I think through these challenges we are able to fine tune that and find a system that works for individuals!

Each week, challengers are also give a nutritional and physical personal challenge.  For example, this week is 100 tricep dips, 20 min walk (both daily!) and a big breakfast (approx. 1/3 of daily calories).  Notice how none of this requires a gym membership or purchase of special foods.  THIS PROGRAM IS SIMPLE.  Anyone can do it.  The cost of the challenge is $75.  $25 goes to a cash prize pot, $25 goes to Blythe and $25 goes to me.  For 12 weeks, that's $6.25 a week for coaching, team support, a friendly competition and participating in a community!  That's less than a $1 a day!  How much do people spend on their weight loss endeavors and not see any results?!?!  If you put in the work and follow the lessons, this is the DEAL OF A LIFETIME!  I don't see how anyone could afford NOT to participate! 

So as we go into week 5, I hope that things really start to click for people (if it hasn't already) and I'm excited to see how everyone does and what changes they begin to see.  If you're interested in participating in our next challenge that begins in April, message me for details!  figureitoutchallenge@gmail.com  I'd love to work with you and I'm happy to help find the equation that fits YOUR personal needs! 

Live Well.  Be YOU.