Resolving to Finish Strong

Hi everyone!  Happy almost New Year!!

Resolving to Finish Strong is a cool article I found that is perfect for this time of year with goal setting and New Year's Resolutions. Enjoy!

Motivational Monday: Kim's Own Words and New Year's Story


Kim was kind enough to share her story. I received this before Christmas, but with New Year's resolutions right around the corner, felt this could be very helpful for people now. Thanks Kim!

Kim Young today

My journey began January 1, 2010. I walked into an Anytime Fitness overweight, lost and heading down a bad road. I had not only over indulged in food but I was a functional alcoholic who was struggling through life. I used food and beer as a bandage to hide my insecurities and not feeling good enough. I met Jesse who talked about the gym and what it was all about and took my measurements. I knew my weight was 205 but I got the shocker of my situation...my fat percent was 41. I couldn't believe that my body was almost half fat! That was the point in my life that I knew something had to change.  I thought that if I could only lose the weight things in my life would be better and in my head at the time said the faster the better because I had only put the weight on me overnight...overnight right. 

I met Jeannie two weeks later. She did a basic workout and I wish I had a camera for the face she gave me when I told her that I couldn't do a push up, not even a girl push up.



Kim's push ups today

 I knew she had her work cut out for her but I also knew I had the heart to complete half of what she expected of me because at the time mentally that's all I allowed myself to give. I look at that statement now and think I only thought of myself to be only half as good as I really could have been. That makes me sad  today that I spent so much of my life with that attitude. During the workouts with Jeannie I started at the bottom, no probably below the bottom of a basic workout and worked my way up. Each week hurt but I learned that everything is hard at first but keeping working on it and I promise it does get better. Little by little I shed not only the pounds but gained a new sense of self. I never thought in my dreams I could do the things that I did and am doing with my workouts. The biggest lessons that I have learned in my journey is that everyone is good enough to look their best and that exercise is 99% mental.  

Never tell yourself that you can't do it or make excuses. Every time you do that or eat something in excess you're telling yourself that you are not good enough and I assure you THAT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH AND YOU ARE WORTH IT! If you miss a workout or eat something not healthy, don't beat yourself  up over it. Remember every minute is new and don't dwell on the past because it is the biggest enemy. My biggest piece of advice is don't ever give up. You are the only person who can change your situation and don't listen to the people in your life that don't support your health. There are people that just don't get it or they don't want you to succeed so they are not alone. With that said, my journey is not over. Every day I find new obstacles and strength.

With the holiday season approaching my only wish for you is to give yourself the biggest gift of all....a new you.


















Merry Motivational Monday! What is Christmas All About?

It's five days until Christmas.  Some of you may still have shopping, wrapping, Christmas cards to send or other details that "Make the Season Bright."

But sometimes it can be a bit stressful. ( Okay, I confess I did have a moment at Target Sunday and luckily my daughters and a Starbuck's 1/2 decaf pulled me back.) 

Anyway, while it is all part of  "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" I thought we could just stop and remember:

What is Christmas all about?

Well, who says it better than Linus?  Enjoy.

Merry Christmas every one!

Putting the puzzle pieces together

Meet Karey.

My friend, client and today's guest blogger.

I've known Karey for a few years now. She's one of my favorite people.

Strong Christian, hilarious, willing to do anything for anyone and one AMAZING hair stylist. She did my hair for the contest and photo shoot. (Check out the photo in the header.)

Thank you Karey and Transformations!

So, after the show back in June, I started training Karey. We talked about and appllied the three puzzle pieces of sucess for weight loss: resistance training, nutrition and cardio.

(BTW, the girl ROCKED with tire flips!! 3 sets of 15 out back of Anytime Fitness.)

Some things went well, others were a challenge...

But now, as Paul Harvey used to say, (well...sort of...) here's Karey with "The Rest of the Story."

 

My journey of weight gain started five years ago after I cancelled my wedding. 

My weight went up and down.

Sometimes I didn't care. Sometimes I didn't try.

I started training with Jeannie since June. But it was not fair to be training when not eating right.

Six weeks ago I had an "aha" moment. I took a really good book on vacation and started eating a lot of clean food. Much less sugar and more fresh vegetables and lean meats.

but I couldn't get back into my cardio.

I am lucky to have two trainers. Jeannie for the resistance training and my friend Sherry for other training and support.  Sherry has lost a bunch of weight and has kept it off through running.

So, I decided to run the Mini Marathon on May 7, 2011. I can't believe I am going to do this!!

As I continue with this journey, I will be stopping in to Jeannie's blog to tell you how it's going. 

Wish me luck!

Merry Motivational Monday!

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's a Merry Christmas time of year Motivational Monday!

This Motivational Monday suggestion was provided by Ann of the blog Butterflies Gourds and More. It is an especially good motivation and reminder with all the hustle and bustle of this thime of year.

Be still and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

If you have a suggestion for Motivational Monday, please leave a comment to let me know!

It's Motivational Monday!!

 This following Motivational Monday quote comes from Micah Matlock.  Micah is the Indiana FFA State Sentinel and I have been working him and the other FFA state officers on their blog: FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture at my regular job. (check it out - cool stuff !)

Anyway, he had this at the bottom of his last email and I really liked it:

"What people need is not a motto to say, but a model to see."

-John C. Maxwell