I see women all day want the "lifestyle" to kick in RIGHT NOW so that losing weight and exercising is easy for them. They spend countless hours wishing it to be easy when that is not going to happen.
In fact, I spoke with someone last week about the concept of "does it ever get easy?" Me and my most successful girls do develop an auto-pilot mode with food prep, making a healthy choice, and doing workouts; but only in terms that they aren't still learning. The motivation, the temptations, the lure of food pushers never goes away and THAT STUFF makes it a daily battle.
Scott Abel wrote...
"What is the true reality of process? It is to stop thinking in linear terms. You need to be mentally and emotionally prepared to do the hard work required – and yet still be mature enough to accept there maybe frustration and disappointment along the way as well. There is nothing “real” to be gained from claiming victory over walking a well-paved road that has no obstacles."
Why do you read my blog? Why do you join www.phit-n-phat.com? Why do you want me to be your Beachbody Coach? What makes YOU feel like I can help you?
I can tell you this...it ain't because I come on here telling you how easy I had it. I was 250lbs and started with walking when I was so embarrased to even be in the gym.
You like me because I had to get knocked on my ass a lot but figured out a way to get back up. You follow me in therapy, read my struggles with self-acceptance, watch me portion out food and keep peanut butter out of the house because six years later I still want to eat like the "old me."
Face it! What makes me real to you is I AM YOU!
Most races the first few YEARS of my weightloss journey I was in last place. DEAD LAST PLACE with women in their 50's, 60's and 70's kicking my butt. I competed in figure with loose skin so bad I had to tape it down inside the suit, try to cover scar lines from body lift surgery, and do it knowing there were only a few people in the audience who knew my story. Everyone else probably thought I forgot to diet.
Without all these things I wouldn't be who I am today. Most importantly, if things came easy I wouldn't try to keep reaching higher and reaching out further to you.
I thought about my journey and how far I have come a lot this weekend. It's taught me to look for the tough spots and face them versus hide from them. I learned it's OK to cut things out of your life that are toxic to your body. You'll survive and probably be better for it. It showed me how to prepare and plan because you never know what life will throw at you. Without years of knowing how food can kill and heal, I doubt I would have the appreciation to know how much a healthy diet can help/heal my little Logan.
And, then this weekend I had a monumental moment for me. When I started with my simple walks and trying to get healthy, my dear friend Laurie who was a lifetime runner got me to do some races. My first 5K took me 52 minutes while she was well under 30. We walked a half marathon together when she could easily run one.
We did so many races and training sessions "together" meaning we met up, chatted, and start our runs. I always was way behind but we called each other at the end to say "we're done and a psycho didn't get us!" At races, she would wait around at the finish for at least an hour so I always had someone there smiling and cheering for me. Many times when the crowds were gone and the finish line being torn down.
I've blogged it in the past, but without her I know I wouldn't be here. My self-esteem didn't have it at the time to go out on my own. I had to have someone believing in me when I didn't. My husband covered the home base of self-esteem, but Laurie got me believing I was an athlete when I looked and performed like anything but. I KNOW now athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages but back then I just felt fat, slow, and like everyone was looking at me thinking "why are you here?"
This weekend, for the first time ever, we met for a long run of 7 miles. We ran TOGETHER and mean the whole way. I even was able to talk. A couple of hills I had to say I'll finish at the top but I was so proud and amazed at far I've come. My heart rate on one hill WAS THE SAME as it was when we would walk for my first half-marathon. No kidding! It was high but I was running with my oldest and dearest friend!!! She's still faster but now I feel like I can give something back to her with company, accountability for the runs, and just laughs.
It never escapes me each time I run that route with Laurie, my husband, or by myself all the times I was out there the last six years at different stages. I am still not the fastest and barely just average , but there's such a sense of pride in knowing I had to claw my way every step.
When it comes to workouts I've had to do every modification in the book like lift only my arms when others had weights or do pushups against a wall because it hurt to get on my knees. I've walked/jogged, started races early to make sure I can finish, and refused to eat out for months when I knew I would blow it and scared it would be the ONE time I couldn't get back on track.
Losing weight, keeping it off, and finding the desire to workout is tough. Still is. Many days I want to eat crap and take a nap. Most of the time I don't; sometimes I do. I've learned that it's OK to not be your best at any point in the journey. When you aren't your best you truly learn how to get better the next time if you stop long enough to appreciate the chance.
And, that's one reason I also do the Beachbody coaching now, along with my near and dear PNP community. BB believes you inspire others MORE when you have a story to tell and can work WITH people - side by side. I've been fortunate enough to take my struggles, keep working on them with dear friends, family, and clients, and then have PNP and Beachbody to reach the next Corinne. Regardless of where you are take the time to know you have it in you just like I did to change your life and others. Embrace those mistakes and obstacles and make them a part of your story. And if you decide you want influence the next person I'll be here to help.
