Transformation Tuesday... My Story

If you've only met me in the past few years, you've watched my obsession with my weight, and possibly thought, although she has had periods where has a little heavier, she doesn't really know what it's like to truly be obese.  There are very few pictures of my from my pre-teen and teen years out there - and often when I'm tagged, I un-tag myself because I'm embarrassed of what I looked like years before.  So for those of you who have my as your Beachbody coach, and wonder if I really know what it's like to have to lose a large amount of weight - let me tell you, the answer is astoundingly YES!.  These two pictures of me were taken about 10 years apart.  The picture on the left shows me after I had dropped a good 15 or so pounds to squeeze into that size 18 dress.  On the right, I'm rocking a pair of size 6 pants!  

See, I've been on every healthy (and unhealthy) "diet" plan that there is out there.  I can probably recite the rules to most of them to you still to this very day.  From the Cabbage Soup Diet, to South Beach, to 6 Week, to Atkins... I've done it all, and that's just in the "healthy" range.  My obsession for perfection (along with some other factors) lead me to a battle with bulimia I wouldn't wish I my worst enemy, and bouts of depression I've dealt with in my past (both postpartum and non) left me in moments where my hatred towards myself and my body got to absurd levels.

But I have to tell you, it's once you learn to stop "obsessing" about the number on the scale, and start focusing on getting HEALTHY that the real work can begin.  If you are hungry, EAT.  Just choose wisely.  Hunger is your body telling you that it needs fuel, but it's not telling you that you need cupcakes.  Exercise is a great for your health - endorphins help boost your mood, and helps keep your heart healthy.  But if your filling your body with junk it doesn't really mean anything. 

If you're looking for someone to help get you to the place of being "stick thin" then I'm sorry, but I am not the coach for you.  Unless that is your body's natural body type and your body has an incredibly low set weight point you're going to be fighting an intensely difficult battle all your life to stay there.  BUT, if you're looking for someone to help you become your best self, healthy, strong, and happy - then I'm your gal.  Strong is the NEW Skinny."

To sign up to have me as your coach click on the Free Membership HERE.  Or message me on Facebook HERE and I'll help you move forward on your Health Journey!

And if your ready to take that first step - I'll be starting my NEXT Challenge Group on November 25th.  This will be a virtual Facebook Group (a secret group where nobody but participants can see) where we will talk daily about our workouts, food choices, and general ups and downs in our day to day lives as we tackle Shaun T's Focus T25.  Time is not an excuse in this workout - everyone can find 25 minutes to workout!

Until Next Time...

The Ultimate Reset - Here I Go...

So we all know that the summer is filled with fun and sun - and with that lots of "reasons" why our health and wellness may take a backseat to the Summer Freedom.  Although I was pretty good throughout the summer the amount of BBQs, vacations, parties, and other things that came up has left me feeling less then where I want to be.  So I decided that I was going to do the 21 Day Beachbody Ultimate Reset program.  And, since I want to be able to give my readers & customers the most accurate information regarding the Beachbody products I've used I've decided that I'm going to share what is happening with me while I partake in this journey.  Yesterday, Sunday, was my Day 1.  So, as I do with any new program I'm beginning, I've taken some before pictures that I'm sharing with you all. 

 

Now onto the important stuff.  Whenever I hear "Reset" or "Cleanse" I automatically think "uh-oh... here comes the starvation diet."  See, when I was drowning in my bulimia I'd look to "cleanse" by doing severe restriction diets.  However, as you can see in the pictures , that is NOT the case in this Reset. 

Each one of my meals was very filling and satisfying.  And honestly, I can't remember the last time I ate bread or potatoes!  I also have the option of a snack in the afternoon everyday.  And I did have that snack, but ate it before I remembered I wanted to take a picture... oops!  My snack was cut veggies and humus, YUM!

There are 3 phases in the Ultimate Reset beginning with Phase 1: Reclaim, followed by Release, and Restore.   Each phase lasts 7 days and brings your body one step closer to the ultimate goal of rebooting your system!  Reclaim focuses on slowly starting to remove the stress on your digestive system and getting you pH balance back on track.  Release focuses on removing those harmful toxins from your body - the ones clogging your intestinal track and blocking proper nutrient absorption.  Phase 3, or Restore, introduces essential enzymes and probiotics into your body.  Through this last phase you are bringing your body back to maximum efficiency.

I will keep everyone updated with my progress as I continue through my 21 days - probably posting on this subject once a week or so.  And for more details about this particular program you can click in the link above in this post or the link on the right hand side of my page.


***And don't forget, it's not too late to get in on my "Any Beachbody Workout" Facebook Challenge Group that is starting on September 16th.  If you'd like more details about that you can leave me a comment here.

Until Next Time...

 

Welcome to My Life...

There comes a time in everyone's life when they decide it's time to make some major decisions in his or her life.  For me, I've come to a point where I've decided I want to start sharing my knowledge about getting healthy and fit (not necessarily "skinny" but healthy) with those who are interested in learning from me and my life.  

Why should you listen to me?  Well honestly, I can't promise you a quick fix - but I can promise you that you'll learn more and have a better understanding of REAL solutions, not quick fixes like crash diets, diet pills, or worse.  I've dealt with my weight fluctuating in huge swings both up and down.  I was a big kid and later obese through my teenage years (weighing more then 230 pounds at age 18).

I later wound up developing an eating disorder that I suffered with for more then 10 years before getting the help that I needed to get myself healthy and in check.  After getting myself into a good place in my recovery from Bulimia, I was even featured on the Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts Website to talk about how I've gotten myself together.

I'm also a real person.  I am a 31 year old married woman.  I have two wonderful (though incredibly loud and energetic) boys ages 5 & 6.  I am also a co-director at a preschool.  I am lucky that my husband is willing to be with the boys in the evenings so that I can train in MMA most evenings.  However, in order to workout at any other time in the day I've had to learn to be creative.  I wake up at 5 am in order to get my run in before my family is even awake for the day.  Then any workout programs I'm doing during the day (right now I'm using the Beachbody T25 program) is done in the house while the children are engaged in other activities around the house - often a craft I've set up for them, or "reading time" or something of the like.

As a result of my dedication and desire to be happier with what I see in the mirror I've been able to really get myself in better shape.  In less then four months I've been able to perform the following transformation (of course I've been a big fan of the tanning bed obviously as well...).

And so I hope you will follow me on my journey - and share yours as well.  I look forward to all the wonderful adventures that are about to come my way, and yours.

Until Next Time...