Well it is summer time finally here and this is the first summer that I have ever been fit in WA state!!!
I won’t lie it has been a challenge to get to the gym and eat on plan but I am not doing anything crazy like my old days. Last 4 days have been on plan and I feel good about that.
The pool, walks outside, connect four with my daughter and church activities have kept me crazy busy! Life is going well but balance is something I am trying to achieve for sure.
So for most of my posts I have talked about the good changes, the actions needed to make this a long-term decision and support that is important.
Well now it is time to talk about failure and bad choices. I decided not to train tonight and justified it with my daughter not being home for 3 days and that I wanted to spend time with her. I did in fact spend time with her but then my PWO meal well I didn’t work out so I had cashews and tuna which by itself isn’t too bad but then I had some cheddar rice cakes all the while wanting my daughters reeses pieces. I just got done eating a healthy choice fudge bar and while none of these are horrible they are not on my plan at this particular meal and I made the choice to eat them…..no one even asked me to (sometimes my daughter will say come on mom can’t you have this or that?) I just made the choice to do it.
Well then I read Erik’s blog and the article from guest blogger and man did it hit me like a ton of bricks…..I just rationalized why all of that was ok tonight due to having cravings, cramps etc. In the end I just failed but because I do care and tomorrow is a new day I will be right back on plan.
So while most of my journey has been ups there have and will be some downs.
Interesting thing about Habits:
When I first started I knew I had a lot of bad habits to break in order to be successful with my new journey. To name a few:
Now at the very start creating some new good habits was not a walk in the park. I just wanted to make it through each day and then worry about the next day much less 6 months down the road.
I once read that creating a new habit is like starting with a fine piece of thread and each time you do the new habit you add another piece of thread to the pile and eventually it becomes so engrained in you that you now have a strong power cable like “thread” that nothing can break your habits (ever see those commercials where they are holding the truck with a huge cable? That is how my cable is)…..sometimes the cable may bend but it can’t be broken.
I had this happen last week. I had a lunch with a client and while I could have just asked for salad I chose not too and I enjoyed an off plan meal because I knew it was not an every day occurrence ….in fact this was the first time in 5 years I had been out to lunch with a client and there were two other co-workers with me and we ate family style. So my habit of eating on plan bended a little but it sure didn’t break and my next meal came and I ate exactly what was on my plan. Again this took a mental shift in my way of thinking of food and not everyone gets that shift but food really is just fuel.
It has taken along time for me to get to where my nutrition habits are second nature just like brushing my teeth but they are….along with my workouts. It is not a matter of IF I will work out it is a matter of WHEN and then the rest of the day falls into place. In fact it has been a little over 9 months now but my habits are strong and I have successfully kept the bad ones away and created many new positive ones.
If you are just getting started or maybe you have been in this lifestyle a while but have a few little things you would like to change then just keep in mind the thread/cable analogy and know that you can create positive habits that will lead to a much healthier lifestyle.
When I started my journey to do something about being grossly obese I knew I had to have some goals. I had read that many people talk about goals but few write them down. So I got out my note pad and wrote down quite a few goals.
In the beginning I read my goals 3-5 times a day because I needed that reassurance to know that I might meet them. Now 9 months of working with my coach and I don’t HAVE to write my goals down but I do write them at least once somewhere. I have some sticky posts at my desk with my next immediate set of goals and then I continuously add to my list of goals whether writing them down or constantly thinking about them. I am committed to my goals therefore I will reach them!!!
So I have been meeting or beating most of my goals but one or two really stand out.
The first one is running and playing with my daughter. I couldn’t run anywhere last summer much less chase her across a park and now run faster then her sometimes. This feels really good.
Another one was to ride my bike during the summer and get outside more. Well this weekend the sun peeked out and I seized the opportunity and got on my bike for the first time in probably 12 years if not more. It was fun, even if the small hills were a challenge and I plan to do that more this summer along with my daughter.
I then took a walk at a real casual pace last night just to be outside and I was fortunate enough to see the sun going down ….oh so awesome.
Meeting goals are great and I am trying to enjoy even the small ones and especially the non scale goals. While just like most people I want the scale to move the fact that I am well on my way to being healthy again (really am stronger then any other time in my life) is priceless.
So do you have your goals in writing? Do you know what you want to achieve besides just losing weight?
So recently my good friend Blondell posted about tempo in her journal and I was like hmmm tempo yah yah. Well after a thread discussing it on the forums I got in touch with Erik and he explained the deal with tempo and I though ok cool I will try this. (of course to his credit he thought I was following tempo all along)
Let me just tell ya right now ….tempo turns a good workout into a kick my A#@ workout and boy howdy does it keep you humble with your weights too. I have had two of the best workouts ever this week since watching the tempos on my exercises. I told my daughter to get out of my way going down the stairs tonight because I honestly was not sure if my legs would give out on me…..thank you Triple Threat hamstring workout (look in Erik’s blog if you haven’t seen the video yet of Noel doing these).
So from now on if I don’t understand something or not sure I will make sure to ask.
So last Wednesday I started my week off of no lifting and eating whatever I wanted. I knew I would be going to Vegas over the weekend and I had at least 2-3 birthday celebration dinners happening after I got back. So I told myself I was taking the week off. While the week off from training is always a good thing (so I been told) the week off from my nutrition plan didn’t go as I thought it might. Thursday I headed to Vegas for my weekend away to celebrate mine and about 3 other birthdays and we ended up at Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant and between the nachos, fajitas and two margaritas my stomach was not happy. The next day I toned it down some and made sure I had smaller portions but still off plan meals. By the time Sunday had rolled around I found myself looking for fruit and veggies and clean meats wherever we ate. My stomach just does not agree with fast food and junk food.
When I got back home I made a decision to eat 3/5 meals on plan for the rest of the week and start back 100% on Saturday the 31st. Well that lasted until Wednesday when I was just tired of junk food, ice cream and the like. Even two off plan meals made my energy levels drop and my stomach still didn’t feel good. I made a decision Wednesday night after having ice cream with my daughter at Cold Stone Creamery that Thursday would be my day to start eating what was on my plan.
You see all along I had been planning this trip and counting down to this “off week” and knew that I would get right back on Saturday unless I felt I might be losing control or not feeling good. So after ice cream I had 2 cookies that my daughter’s grammie had made and that was the last straw…they were too darn good so I said enough. I had had 8 of them the night before and felt like they were a trigger food that would push me into a spiraling downhill effect and I have worked to darn hard to let ANY food do that to me.
So life does happen but I feel like if you have a plan and know your limits it will make this journey a lot easier one. I have been back on plan 4 days at 100% and have my eye on my new goals!
I will warn you now if you don’t have five minutes to read this you might want to come back when you do….this will be long. All of the people I mention below are from the internet and I have met 3 of them and hope to meet many more over the next few years.
As I stated I started 8 months ago but my journey has had many failed attempts before which looking back now has been a blessing. I “met” Ileen and Cindy 5 years ago on another web site and they were always friendly to everyone and helped give advice and tried to help women (and men if they came and read in that section) understand that lifting weights is not a bad thing and that carbs are not a bad thing. They also tried to help people understand that losing fat should be your focus if you are trying to lose not just seeing the number go down (i.e. make sure you are not losing muscle). Last September when I made my decision to do SOMETHING (at the time I was not sure what) but something to start being healthy again I went back to that website and saw Ileen was working with Erik. I contacted him but was still leery once he gave me his site because most of his testimonials and clients at the time were competitors and let’s be honest at 260lbs competition was the furthest thing from my mind. That is when he pointed me to Lyn. Lyn is simply amazing she started off heavy like myself and has lost over 70lbs and that along with Cindy and Ileen having journals about their experiences with Erik sold me on the deal.
So back to my question. Do you have a support system? I do and it has helped me more then I can ever explain but I am sure going to try and explain a little of it. I will list quite a few people who have touched my lives (again I am warning you this may be long winded).
Ileen has been nothing but supportive and understanding to every single person I have ever seen her encounter. She has worked hard for I believe 6 years now and has accomplished many of her goals and keeps pushing for new and better goals. She has a work ethic I can only try and aspire to have.
Cindy is Ileen’s best friend and the bond those two have is simply amazing and I admire that. Cindy is spunky and full of life and recently took on skydiving which shows me she has courage beyond my wildest dreams and I hope to some day to do that also. She is also super supportive but will be the first to let you know if you get out of line especially if you are trying to talk bad about one of our friends in this great circle of support.
Lyn is one of the funniest people I have ever met and has determination to achieve what she sets out to. She also is a “quality over quantity” person and that shows in her loyalty to her friends when she really isn’t a baking type person but she bakes for Noel and others and sends them lil care packages and cards that shows them just how special they are. Lyn always pops in to give me the atta girl or the I went through that and you will be ok and make it through it too.
Blondell has become my rock and while she may not realize that she is. She has amazing faith and is a very grateful person who has taught me that being grateful really is important. Her and her family isn’t as well off as me and my daughter yet you would never know that because she does the best she can with what she has. She always supports me and her friendship means a lot to me as she has shown me that I can do whatever I pursuit as long as I have a belief in myself and don’t give up.
Noel is something let me tell you. She is a busy mom, competitor, personal trainer and a friend. Noel is also another one who has work ethics that are out of this world. She is very thoughtful and very determined. She doesn’t know just how much she motivates me but she does.
Ali cat (Alicrmt) is a special friend for many reasons but a main one is she has met me in person and gives me unconditional support and even through her ups and downs still finds time to come give me support in my journal. She has stayed tough through her hard times and seems to be well on her way to finding true happiness which in turn makes me happy. I feel that we have a connection because of meeting but that doesn’t mean I like any of my other friends any less it is just she kind of got to “know” me a little more. I truly can’t wait until I can go visit her in Canada. Oh and she has helped me with some fashion issues that has definitely helped out quite a bit LOL.
Cass has a passion for her friends and family that is truly amazing and if you are in her crowd you know she has your back. She has taught me many things but most importantly she helped me turn my relationship with my daughter into a great one from a decent one.
AmyP is someone who is also super busy mom but she still makes time to give out support and of course she has a talent that I lack and that is her ability to make things on plan taste and look yummy. She has been very kind about taking time out to even create videos for all of us to see so we can try and enjoy our meals more. Amy’s devotion to her family has also helped me with my daughter and for that I am forever grateful.
Neely is a firecracker and has a very good soul. We met at a competition show in Vancouver and hit it off immediately. She is super sweet and very supportive and understanding. She happens to be drop dead beautiful too! She has faced some adversity in the time that I have known her but she still pushes through and I feel she is a prime example of determination.
MaryBeth is a lady that is down right hilarious and also very supportive of me and my goals even though she is super busy with her life. She has had her fair share of things that others would let hold them back from pushing for their goals but she doesn’t and that is something I admire about her.
Jody is my little southern bell from my home state of TX (well at least she sounds like one!) She is super funny and always telling me I am like the little engine that could. She is a role model for me as she competes in Bodybuilding and I want to follow those foot steps. She always has a good job or wtg text to send me when I send her many of my accomplishments.
Kels is always always positive. She has a very contagious outlook on life and I love reading her journal and appreciate when she pops in mind because she is so busy that I know her doing this shows me her support.
Mo is her nickname and she is someone who doesn’t take anyone’s crap but she is also the first to give you high five when you do something good. She is super busy trying to get her Jewelry business going but still makes time to come in and check on me and give me the wtg girl! She has overcome many things in her life and I admire her determination and drive.
Last but not least is Erik. He is sometimes a man of very few words. Other times you will probably get more then you bargained for if you ask him a question training related LOL. He is not only super knowledgeable about the fitness industry, he really does care about his clients and helping them obtain their goals. I have seen many on his forums that have worked with him but there are also many behind the scenes that don’t post there that he has helped. He pushes me when I want to give up or when I am being stubborn he reminds me that I need to see the big picture! (This isn’t always easy when you just want to make it through your current work out) I have seen him offer advice on his boards to complete strangers and try and help many at least get started in the right direction. He has taken quite a few competitors to new levels of performance amongst helping just every day folk like me. He has never doubted me when I set a goal and is always there to give me the thumbs up when I achieve what might be minor to some but huge for me. I know that I can obtain any goal I set out to with him coaching me and I look forward to getting on stage for the first time with his help. He is more then just my coach he has become a friend.
There are many others from my trainer’s website and a few other sites I visit that touch my life through their continued support. I will list as many of them as I can and hope I don’t miss anyone.
Elizabeth, Lynn, Michelle from Canada, Michelle S, Tiffany, Paige, Matt, Ames, Petro, Hollie, Choop, DJ, Molly, Anca, Ali S., Carolyn, Molly from MN, Cara, Melissa, Jenn, Brenda, Trish, Shannon, Ana, Kat and Susan.
Thank you to each and every one of you as the support you give has helped me stay focused on my goals and pushes me to be the best me I can be.
I used to really not like having my pictures taken but certain times you just can’t get away from it. Here is me at my sisters graduation one year ago last weekend.
Now that I have taken control of my life I love pictures being taken and here is one a year later on Mother’s day.
My name is Meechel (sounds like Seashell but with M) and I have been a client of Erik’s for 8 months now….what a fun ride it has been.
A little bit about me. I am a single mom of a wonderful daughter who will be 9 in July. I am an accountant by trade and aspiring body builder for sport. I used to be 260lbs last year (it could have been more but I saw that on the scale and got sick to my stomach) and I currently weigh 189 lbs. While I am very happy with my 71 lbs so far I still have quite a few goals I want to accomplish and honestly I will always be pushing myself for something new even once I reach “goal weight”.
When I first started working with Erik I didn’t have as many goals as I do now but I just wanted to make it through the day with eating according to my plan. Then some time around January I came to the realization that food no longer controlled me that I controlled my food intake and I use it for training purposes not for boredom, stress, or other emotional reasons.
I have had fairly consistent weight and inches lost over the 8 months but I have to say I have seen more of a dramatic change these last two months when I have been “cheat” free. I normally am allowed on cheat a week but elected not to since I will be taken a week off starting next Thursday. (for new folks reading this I don’t recommend this as cheat meals are a good way to feel like you are not deprived early on.)
I am part of a 5 week challenge that ends tomorrow (I will extend it one week) and that has really kept me focused and especially since I never ate “off plan” before much it was a matter of missing 2-4 meals every two weeks. With this challenge I haven’t missed one meal so I am proud of that accomplishment and will look forward to joining another challenge come June 1st!