Importance of Goals!

"A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A WISH"



When I finally got started on my weightloss journey 3 years ago it was because I set a goal.  My starting goal: to be Fit_Not_Skinny.  Growing up all through school I wanted to look like everyone else.  I would watch movies and look at magazines and hate myself for not being skinny like everyone else.  I just wanted to fit it.  However, after reaching 226 pounds and being at risks for diebetes and several other diseases that come with being obese, I decided to do something about it.  I refused to accept my thyroid disease as an excuse.  I stopped making excuses and commited to eat properly.  I had to practice self control and discipline, and it was DIFFICULT, but I did it!  How I got to where I am... FOLLOW THROUGH.  I had to stop sabotaging myself with my poor eating habits.  My goals outweighed the taste of flavor.

This week, I wanted to feature another individual who has come a very long way.  Read her story of weight loss as well as her accomplished goal to run a 5K Race every month for all of 2012.

Amy Meyer 2010

How much weight have you lost total?  It took 18 months to lose 136 pounds, December 31, 2011, I was at my lowest weight.  The past year has been a struggle with getting the maintenance balance correct, so I have gained some weight back.  Currently, I have lost 121 pounds, my goals is to get my weight back down to the low 150’s to maintain. 

What got you started on your journey to be fit?


Amy with her trainer Joe Humiston



Genesis trainer Joe Humiston would ask me about every few weeks when “I was going to start training with him” and I would just say “I don’t know”.  Then in June 2010, he sat me down and told me if I started training with him what results I could expect.  Personal training was one think that I hadn’t tried before, so I decided to give it a try.

What 'clicked' for you?  In June 2010, I was diagnosed with depression, feeling horrible, and had no energy, I weighed in at 286 pounds.  I need to change my life.  After talking with Joe, I felt I had to try something different, the path I was on wasn’t working.  I was really skeptical at the beginning, so I purchased 12 sessions (now I buy 48 at a time).  I fully committed myself to his nutrition advice and exercise plan, the weight just started to come off and it felt great.

What is your favorite "fit" activity?  Lifting weights is my favorite activity.  In the beginning, I hating going back with all the strong guys to the dumbbells, but now I love it.  You can see your body change and it is always challenging.

What was your goal when you first started your journey?  When I first started my goal was to weigh what I weighted in high school.  I knew what size of clothes I wore but not really what my actual weight was.  But I have surpassed that and I tried on my prom dress from sophomore year and it is now too big !!!

Why did you choose to do a 5K each month? Who decided that goal?  In 2011, I completed five 5K’s with my first being the Emma Creek 5K in April.  After, finishing you feel so great that you accomplished it and I just wanted to do more.  So in November 2011, I thought it would be awesome to do one a month for 2012.  Some months were hard to find one that was close by and fit into my schedule (In July, I ran a 5 mile race since I couldn’t find a 5K, they don’t plan to many in the hot months of Kansas), but I finished with 13 runs for 2012.

What did you learn from each run?  Each race had its own challenges.  Some races I felt great, some my legs were like jello, your body can go so much further then you mind, you just have to push yourself.  A couple races when I didn’t think I could go anymore, your body just takes over and before you know it there is the finish line.
 

Darren Sproles 5K

What is your 2013 goal? 

My goal for 2013 is to get back down to the low 150’s and to run a 5K in less than 30 minutes ! ! !

Why do you find it important to have a goal? 

Goals help you to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and you have a target to strive for.  They give you a measureable sense of accomplishment and you will learn and grow thought out the process.

I share Amy Meyer's story so that you will see the importance of goal setting and FOLLOWING THROUGH.  It's so easy to give up when times get tough and it isn't 'fun'.  However, look at Amy!  She accomplished a 5K every single month!  She didn't lose sight of her goal after she got started.  She dug deep and finished.  I encourage each of you to evaluate your 2012 and prepare for 2013.  Set a reasonable goal and ask someone to hold you accountable.  Don't give in and give up on yourself.  You are worth it!  Take care of you and your health that you've been blessed with.  Don't take your life for granted, live it, and enjoy it!

Had the opportunity to run the Frosty 5K with Amy in November!

BeBlessed

A

Fit & Healthy, A Journey

As I continue to work with my clients more and more, I never lose sight of where I was because I see myself in each of them.  The individuals I relate to most are the emotional and stress eaters.  No matter how hard you work  your butt off in our training session or on your own, you have to watch what you eat to make the goals  you have for yourself.  For years I tried to eat like all my friends and found myself working out for 4-5 hours a day and made no progress.  It was once I committed to writing down what I was eating and planning out my meals was I able to lose my weight.

So when I met with a client last week who was getting frustrated with not making the goals she had for herself, I asked her about her diet.  When she handed me her food journal, she said she had done really well.  As I looked over the journal and was not happy about the lack of protein and the high amounts of chocolate, sweet treats, and refined sugars consumed each day, I thought I'd get her opinion first.  She went into explaining how even though it looks bad, it's not as bad as it used to be.  That instead of eating one Cinnamon roll, she used to have two or three.  That the couple of Hershey Kisses used to be a bag at a time.  That it used to be a pan of brownies, but now she stops after one. 

I took a deep breath as all I wanted to do was lay into her for eating what she had, she was sabotaging herself!  However, the other side of me, the side that had been in her exact spot just a few years ago could relate.  I know how hard it is to give up something that is our safety blanket when we are stressed, upset, afraid, or anxious.  As a trainer, I was happy to hear her thought process because that is how it goes for people with food addictions.  Giving up things as we are ready to give them up happens sometimes slowly or in an instant.  It was a huge light bulb moment the day I realized that I was sabotaging myself with peanut butter and almond butter.  I knew I could have a little, but I would chose to eat spoonfuls instead of my veggies and protein.  I wouldn't plan my meals because I would just buy a tub of peanut butter and eat that for a meal.  I was definitely consuming too much.  When I realized this, back in September, I have maybe had 2 table spoons total of nuts since.  It's something that is destructive to my diet and if I give in a little, I give in a lot.  So I would rather go with out.

Bottom line, to tell someone with a food addiction that we can't have this, this, and that we want it more like a 2 year old child who is told no to something.  It's a process just like working out is.  For some it just clicks, others, you have to mentally be ready to do so.  It's a step by step process not to get frustrated by.  My client is slowly winging herself off sugar, and she might have a bad day, but she is taking steps in the right direction.

Like I say, SUCCESS IN VARIOUS FORMS... PROGRESSION is definitely SUCCESS!  Wherever you fall on the spectrum, have pride in how far you've come, but also have a desire to better yourself.

Have a Very Merry Christmas FitCrew!
BeBlessed
A

YOU'RE NOT DONE YET!

Many of you saw me post this picture on facebook this last week.  Several people shared, commented, or liked the picture.  Why?  Because it's absolutely true!  I will include myself in this assumption that we see someone with a really nice body and think, "Genetics! They don't have to workout EVER!".  That is absolutely not true because most likely they are not only busting their tail in the gym, they are taking time to plan out their meals and practice discipline in WHAT they put into their mouth.

But I want to touch on a personal story from my family.  Like I've said before, I'm never going to candy coat my journey of weightloss.  It was and still is a challenge.  That's why I write about it being a journey.  The reason for my blog "Success in Various Forms".  When your on a journey to be fit, everyday of practicing self control and discipline is a success.  I wanted to introduce to you my cousin Amy.  Growing up her and I looked exactly alike.  We are several years apart, but both had/have had the same struggle of eating.  However, this 2012 year, Amy decided to do something about it. So far Amy has lost 131 pounds!

Amy at here biggest: 343 pounds

Here is her story:

"June 11th, 2012 was when I told myself that I wasn't going to be the fat girl any longer.  I texted a friend of mine and asked her if she'd help me.  I told her I wanted to lose 60lbs.  Then I made a deal with my 11 year old son.  I told him to ask me to go play ball with him if he saw me sitting down in front of the tv at like 6, 7, or 8 at night.  I haven't let him down since. I also made an appointment with my doctor and we made a plan for exercise and diet.  I also started posting my progress on facebook as a means of accountability.
I will not go backwards!  It started with a 60lb goal and lost 100lbs and now it's my goal to be within my BMI.  I need to loose 208lbs to be at the top of my BMI.

When I started at the gym I could only do the elliptical for 2 minutes.  I can now do it 60+ minutes.  I did my first 5k race before thanksgiving.  I walked more than I ran but I did it.  I love to run these days.  I'm signed up for my next 5k race on x-mas eve.  My goal is to do better then the last one.  I've changed my lifestyle and love it!  Just the other day a friend of mine asked me if when I get to the weight I want to be if I can eat like her.  I said no and she didn't quite understand why.  I told her because I eat differently these days to be healthy.  I informed her that I will exercise every day the rest of my life because it's a choice - I want to and I like how it makes me feel.  It took a while for me to stop rewarding myself with food.  Now, I understand that it's easier to just stay on a routine.  It's hard to continuously start over.  Lots of my friends will say it's okay Amy you deserve to splurge but what they don't understand is that it's a daily battle for me.  I have a goal and if I want to meet it then I have to be on my A game everyday."

This here is why I do what I do.  I don't share my personal story and encourage others on this lifestyle of fitness just because I want to brag I've lost weight.  I share because it inspires other women, like Amy to KNOW and have CONFIDENCE that they CAN do it!  Just like I gained a whole new self respect for myself, that is what Amy has gained.  When you begin to love yourself enough to discipline yourself and accomplish what she has, you are empowered!  It brings tears to my eyes to see a woman embracing who she really is. 



90 lbs down and still pushing to better myself!



My heaviest: 226lbs

Readers: be inspired, encouraged, and empowered.  We aren't on a journey to just "Look Good".  We are on a journey of learning to TRULY LOVE ourselves.  When we love ourselves, it's easier to love others!

Your Challenge: evaluate your past week and write down 1 thing you think you can improve on.  Love yourself enough to follow through...

Be Blessed



I run this race called life not to be first, but to be of an encouragement.

Philippians 3:13-14

"No Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing.  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."

As I look over these last few weeks, I'm really impressed with myself jumping in and running two 5k races all within a one week span.  The first one I ended up placing 3rd in and I thought I had done horrible.  The second race, I just wanted to beat my previous time.  And I did! 

I know I'm not an Olympian, however, I love to run!  This past week after my second race I was driving to Thanksgiving dinner and the endorphins were still rushing through my body from the AM run.  I began to remember back to my first 1/2 marathon I had prepped for.  The training was so difficult and my toes were black and blue the majority of the time.  I said I'd never run again because I hated it so much.  But the more training I've done, lost weight, and muscled up, the more fun running has become.  No matter if the race is in rain & sleet like the 1/2 marathon in Oklahoma City, OK or if it's just outside on a beautiful day, I really enjoy the time because I'm able to find peace in it.

What do I think about when I run?  EVERYTHING!

I strap on my Ipod and zone in to my past week.  I use the time running to self analyze what went well and what didn't.  I think about what I had control over and what I didn't and think of a plan to better myself and others the upcoming week.  I also use the time to pray.  It's really hard to think about my legs and hips and lungs all burning and so forth... but I tell myself to relax and breathe. My mantra is "DON'T STOP"!

Self Analyzing... WHY STOP RUNNING?  The Oklahoma City 1/2 and Full Marathon will be this spring once again.  I have decided that I need to run it.  The race took my breath away the first time (in a good way) and I desire to do it again.  I need something in front of me, a goal to push towards.  My ultimate goal in life is to be fit and healthy and inspire others to do the same.  That is why I continue like the above verse I came across in Philippians.  I run this race called life not to be first, but to be of an encouragement.  No matter if I impact 1 person or several, I live for an audience of one and I desire to please him.  Granted, I mess up a whole lot, but I don't allow that to be an excuse.  I continue to push on.

What have you given up on?  Who have you given up on?  Are you still in this race?  I present these questions because they need to be addressed.  When we live for others or ourselves, we get lost.  Take a look at your life and see what changes need to be made.

BeBlessed

A