Time To Face The Food

I feel like that is me telling my daughter "Oh honey....those are yummy.  Mommy has had 20 already!  Do you want to share one more with me?"  It truly is ridiculous.  It is time to.....

FACE THE FOOD!

I seriously need to get this food and eating together already.  I need to focus on a leaner intake and cut down on my carbs and sugars.  I don't eat NEARLY as much as I used to or as poorly as I used to, but I still love my junk.

Hello......my name is Beth......and I am a carb-aholic.  It is awful and I hate it but I love them and they love me and you can't tell me anything otherwise!  Pizza, sandwiches, pastas.  I also am realizing that despite trying to eat better, I still have a higher sugar intake.  Ice cream!  Curse you ice cream!  Slowly but surely I am trying to tweak it without getting overwhelmed so that I stick with it instead of giving up on it.

I am dedicated this week to my fitness routine and planning on sticking with that better (YES including my PT "homework") but I have GOT to get this food thing together because I want to start seeing results faster and the only way I am going to do that is if I discipline myself more and really get to it!

My patient that referred me to my trainer had a series of three photos that she posted online.  Month one, month two and month three. HOLY CRAP!  The muscle definition and tone she has gotten has been incredible!

My friend Yurisa has been with her trainer probably a short while longer than me and has dropped 30lbs and looks amazing. 

OBVIOUSLY I am doing something wrong!  The only thing I am thinking that isn't quite in tune yet is my eating.  I am so frustrated and aggravated today!!!  I just want this all to be done and be fit and just maintain already.  I figure though it took me probably almost 20 years and 2 kids to get to the point I was at.....I know it can't happen over night.

Ugghhh....I just want the day to come where I can't really find a spot that I see on my body and say "ugghhhh I can't wait for that to be tighter/more toned/not so flabby".  I also wish I didn't think this way about my body.  One day I think I look amazing and then I see myself in a picture or just looking in the mirror the next day and think I look huge.  I mean compared to where I was, I look and feel amazing, but I am not there yet.  I have SUCH a far way to go.

HOW MUCH LONGER!?  Probably not as long if I just face the food, listen to my amazing trainer, and just get shit done already!!!!

~ <3 ~
Me

BUSTED!

I had to laugh today.  I had my PT (Personal Training) today and as it got started my trainer says "Anything hurting or sore today?"  I then say "Yes my legs, but I ran Monday and did my workout sheet you gave me last night."  He then proceeds with "I thought you didn't do your workout sheet I gave you??  That is what you said in your blog!"

BUSTED!!!!

I had to laugh because he was right!  See what happens when you share your blog with your trainer???  You get BUSTED!  But I knew I would get in trouble some day!  Maybe I sabotaged myself? HaHaHa

Today was a good day....lots of core and upper body work.  I think he tried to kill me today.  In a good way!  I always love my PT days.  I feel rejuvenated and awakened! 

I had such an amazing response to my Why I Chose A Personal Trainer blog.  Thank you all so much!  I had so many people contacting me asking me about my Trainer, Tommy, at YDM Fitness.  How often to I go, and what do I do when I go.  I was so honored for such a great response, but also proud of my trainer for helping me to inspire others to possibly seek help in their own journey. 

So I have to take a moment and mention two huge things!

1) My best friend Yurisa has been keeping with her own healthy lifestyle and has been KILLING it!  She has lost like 30lbs and is looking like one hot Mama!  Way to go girlie!  You are now MY inspiration! 

2) I have talked about a My Fitness Pal friend named BeingKevin before in my posts and how he has so inspired me in my own journey.  I realized (a month later) that after my 10k that I hadn't seen any posts from him!  I search for his name and he has been deactivated.  I panicked!!  I found a thread that stated he got overwhelmed by social connections and had to start fresh and has joined a new calorie counting site.  I am glad for his journey and that he is keeping up with it, but I will miss him!

Ok my friends....I am done for the night.  I don't have much to say but I hope you stick with me because I am planning on getting another good blog up! 

~ <3 ~
Me

Why I Chose A Personal Trainer

I hear so many different things from so many different people.

"I know what I need to do...why should I pay for it?"
"I can just do this at home"
"What can they possibly tell you that you don't already know?"
"I can just look it up online and find routines."

Here is the thing.  I tried working out at home.  I tried the DVD's.  No matter how much I research online, I feel overwhelmed.  There is SO much stuff out there.  Arms, legs, back, chest....HOOOOOOOLD on a minute.  I mean how much weight should I be using....how many times should I do it?  I will tell you what.  I can't take it!

You know what?  Go.  Right now.  Get on Google and search fitness routines or strength training routines.  How many did you find?  I found over 20,000,000.  That's MILLION in case you didn't notice.  Who has time to sift through all of that garbage?!

When I was at my old gym, I did one free training session.  You know, the usual.  "This is what this machine does....give it a try".  BLEH.  Anywho, I had dropped 20lbs by this point and knew I needed to start building up muscle to take care of my "flappy skin".  It was starting to hang on me and I needed to do something and something fast.  So, I signed up for training with a trainer (let's just call him Bob).  As I am talking to "Bob" I am trying to get to know him.

I ask him where he went to school to get his degree.  His response was "Oh I didn't go to school for this, but I went through certification."  (granted I am sure there are certified trainers who are amazing at their jobs and are very passionate, so please don't take offense) Why this didn't stop me in my tracks....I just figured that this was ok for me.  From there we went right to mainly leg machines as he talked to other members on and off the whole time.  I had training with Bob once a week.  My concern was my knee because after running I was in so much pain.  So he said we needed to strengthen my thigh and my inner thigh to protect my knee.  That was the end of that.  No weigh in.  No measurements.  I had no idea where I started and where I was headed or what my goals were.

I can honestly tell you that when I went for those training sessions....I was in SO much pain!  I couldn't sit down on a toilet without support for AT LEAST 3-4 days.  I do this routine on a weekly basis for 2 months.  No results.  Just miserable times being so sore and uncomfortable and just burnt out because I was so discouraged.

By the end of the second month a patient of mine was telling me about a man she went to school with who opened his own gym.  He was passionate and intelligent.  This was his life calling and he embraced and loved being a personal trainer and fitness/health in general.  He made it a challenge, but made it enjoyable.  She told me that he gave her a workout plan to do when she wasn't at her training session.  He took all of her beginning measurements.  He gave her a daily food plan!  Seriously!?  A food plan!?

By the end of her appointment she gave me his number and I called right away.  He was personable and not pushy at all.  You know how sometimes the trainers push you into it like a sales pitch and they are guaranteed commission when you sign on the line?  He wasn't like that at all.

He explained to me that my first visit is a free consult.  He works with you to see where your limits are and how far you can currently go so that you can aim for a future goal.  I was PETRIFIED!  But I set up my free consult figuring the worst that could happen was that NOTHING would happen.

During my appointment, I did so many different things.  He really tested me and pushed the limits.  When we were done we got my current weight and measurements from head to toe.  He asked me what my goals were and what I wanted to accomplish and he told me what the plan was!  He was so genuine and you could just feel the passion oozing out of his pores.  He loved what he did and it showed!!  It made me feel so at ease and I signed up then and there.

At my next session he had a typed up sheet of a workout routine (very detailed) to do every other day.  He also gave me an eating routine!  Super easy foods (other than the fish that my husband is allergic to).  When I felt like my weight loss was at a stand still he recommended a protein supplement which has been amazing.  He is available when I have a question and doesn't make me feel stupid with questions I have.

It's like a light bulb went off in my head and I knew this was the right thing for me to do!  I can tell you that within a month of training with Tommy I have tightened and toned so much!  Such a huge improvement!  He always jokes and says "How was that compared to 'Bob'?".  I am working on the food thing and need to get back into my PT "Homework". 

Why did I choose a personal trainer?  Accountability.  Knowing I would disappoint someone because I am not willing to try harder and fight for the body and lifestyle I deserve!  I am lazy!  History proves that.  I don't care what DVD or YouTube video is out there....I don't do it.  I have a ton of them already collecting dust on a shelf.  I need the help!  I need the guidance!

So, people say they don't need a trainer and they won't get anything out of it.  You are wrong!  If you DO have the ability to do it all on your own, congratulations.  But having that strong base and knowledge...it's priceless.

So, again I say.... why did I choose a personal trainer?  It was what was best for me and I wouldn't change it for the world.  My fitness relationship with my trainer is great and he is supportive but still a firm trainer and it is what I need in MY life.  I have progressed so much in such a small amount of time and yes I have done this, but not without my trainers help and guidance.  I can do assisted chin ups!  HELLO!?!?  I think that's amazing and I can't wait to do my first full chin up by myself....it is a goal of mine!

So thank you to my trainer Tommy at YDM Fitness!  You truly inspire and it is so evident the passion and drive you have for your career.  It isn't just a job to you and I am sure I am not the only client who appreciates your work and dedication.  My husband thanks you too ;) I am looking quite fit these days HaHaHa

I hope this helps others who have been considering working with a trainer.  Please look into them and make sure they are qualified and experienced and care about their clients and to them you are not just another number to add to their list.  Don't be just a dollar sign to them....make sure you are important!

~ <3 ~
Me

Feeling Strong

So my trainer always says "You're getting stronger" or "You're improving a lot".  I will tell you something.  I am an impatient person.  This dropping weight and toning up thing does not mesh well with my impatient personality!  HOWEVER, I am still sticking with it, and my PT (Personal Training) days are my favorite days of the week.  I have an intense 30 minute session with Tommy and then I do 6 miles on the elliptical machine....I'd love to run outside but I know as soon as I get home I will get occupied doing other things and let it slide.

I have been doing a lot of upper body stuff at my training sessions and I have to say I have impressed myself!  I am doing squatting chin ups/pull ups.  I can't wait for the day when I can do a regular one all on my own.  That is my goal because I have NEVER been able to do that!  Even when I was younger.  When I turn my arms certain ways I can see the muscle I have.....now I just have to drop the fat!  That is what I need to keep up with.

I am guilty of not doing my every other day PT homework he has given me and I know he knows I am not doing it because my results aren't as obvious.  Why I won't do it baffles me, but I have to start somewhere and that somewhere is tomorrow!!!

I have been doing pretty good with my eating lately though!  I have been doing my protein smoothies for breakfast and having spinach and chicken salads for my lunches!  My husband has been keeping up with it also, so we go through lettuce, spinach and chicken like its chocolate.  It is getting pricey but this healthy eating is just totally worth it!  You feel better and you look healthier and happier.

Slow and steady with the fitness.  I don't want to rush and then let go everything I have worked so hard for.  I also don't want to drop the weight and then get a ton of flappy hanging skin.  That started to happen last fall because I dropped my 20lbs so fast.  Now that I am strength training.....well just training in general....I have really started to tone and tighten up.  My trainer is a blessing and I am forever in debt to my patient that referred me.  It was the right time and meant to be.  Stupid "Other Gym".  I wasted way too much time there when I could have been having results ASAP.  Had I known, I would have loved to do it when I started running last year.  I bet my results would have been HUGE!  Not that they weren't on their own, but I bet it would have been incredible!

I am going to try and start posting a song of the day on my blog.  Some songs I just really push harder while I am working out or running.  I hope it helps you build your music collection everyone!

Ok my friends.....I have a lot to do today.  Stay active and go for a walk.  Enjoy the outdoors playing with your kids or your pets.....live and love life!

~ <3 ~
Me

*Song of the day: "Sail" - AWOLNATION*

A time you hate being a woman.....

I'll tell you what....when that "time of the month" is approaching I am just a big ball of bloaty blah-ness.  I have no motivation to exercise and all I want to do it eat!  And not just normal eating....junk food eating.  Chips, ice cream, chocolate.  You name it....I want to ingest it!

I have been feeling so out of sorts all week and this morning I didn't even look forward to my PT (personal training) session.  Those are the highlight of my week so that I can get back into the groove if I was slowing down.  So this morning I look at my handy little calendar and there it was.  BAM it starts next week.  I knew it.  Otherwise why the hell would I feel this way!?

Our kids have been FINALLY feeling better after being sick for almost 2 weeks.  I started giving them a Claritin every morning because our son keeps saying his head hurt and we have decided he has awful allergies and sinus issues.  It has helped him so much!  I hate taking medicine and I hate giving it to my kids, but in this instance it was worth it.

SO, now that they are starting to get better I can refocus and get back into the swing of being healthy.  I signed up for one 5k every month through september and I am so excited.  I am thrilled too because my husband has decided to train and run with me!  To be able to share this part of my life with him really makes me super happy.  We are together all the time but something like this really gives you a different connection.  To run with him will be so fun.  My heart is so full!

Our daughter graduated Pre-School since my last post and she is so excited to start kindergarten.  I am not as excited that this time has gone by so quickly, but here we are :)  Our son starts pre-school this fall as well.  Both of them starting school....where has the time gone!

This post is kind of all over the place, but I enjoy emptying my brain even if it isn't all fitness related.

Ok, I need to shove off here.  Thanks for stopping by!  My next race is June 29th in the Danny Parmertor Memorial Run to raise money for scholarships in our cousin Danny's name.  I can't wait for it in just a few short weeks!

Enjoy your day and stay active!!

~ <3 ~
Me