Many of you know
that the reason I blog is to help people learn to live healthier lifestyles. I
don’t focus on weight loss because that would be narrowing the content too
much. I believe that eating whole natural foods and getting some form of daily physical
activity is less about weight loss and more about improving your health and
your quality of life. Also, losing weight is not everyone’s goal.
Many people have
other reasons for changing their lifestyle. Some may have eating disorders or health
problems. Others may need to gain weight or may be skinny fat. The point is,
everyone has different goals, so my main focus is too help people learn to eat
right and find a way to exercise that works for them.
I have never had to
lose much weight thanks to my family genetics. However, as I got older I noticed
that I was getting a pooch in my stomach, I was losing muscle tone, and I had
an overall sluggish feel in my body. So I started on my quest to lose the pooch
and find some energy. I researched and read every article, book, published
journal I could find. Then I signed up with an online coaching program, and
learned I knew less about eating healthy than I thought! Out went all the
processed foods, diet products, fat-free anything, and soda from my house. I
went cold turkey; this doesn’t work for everyone, but it is what worked for me.
After a few weeks, my body didn’t feel so sluggish and after a few months, I had
leaned out nicely; however, I didn’t have any muscle so I just looked too
skinny.
My goals then
changed; I wanted to build some muscle. I worked on my own, trying different
techniques and didn’t do too bad, I looked better than I did, but I just couldn’t
seem to build the muscle that I was looking for. I wanted shapely shoulders and
maybe some hamstrings? So – when Christy Allen, of Christy Allen Fitness and
Blue Print Body Designs, offered
me her coaching skills – oh heck yeah – I jumped! (Ok, the words may have been
a little stronger there).
I started working
with Christy in February and noticed a difference in a matter of weeks. My
workouts were tough but I liked it. I also came to realize that I push harder
when I have someone to answer to. After a few months, my progress seemed to
stall. I was getting stronger, no doubt, but my muscle gains seemed to stop. Christy
then offered to revamp my diet – turns out I’m a hardgainer – which means
because of my genetics, it makes it tough for me to build muscle. She then sent
me what turned out to be my toughest challenge – my eating program.
I eat clean on a
regular basis, it’s my lifestyle and I have no problems with doing so. However,
what Christy was telling me I needed to do was to eat more – 7 meals a day in
fact. This increased my daily calories by about 500-600 calories. No problem, I
thought, I like to eat. Holy mini meals, batgirl! Not only did I need to eat
more meals, but I had to eat more at each meal. Now I know there are going to
be some people that just don’t understand, but many will. If you are truly
eating clean, you have to eat a lot
of food to hit 1700-1800 calories a day. I have been on this eating program for
8 weeks and I am just now getting to where I am actually eating the entire day’s
worth of calories.
I am disappointed with
myself for this because I know it has hindered my progress. I have also told
myself that I need to practice what I preach and take one day at a time,
because a little progress is better than no progress. I also have to remind
myself not to compare myself with others. Everyone is different and many
factors come into play when you are working on a goal. There will be setbacks
and not all days or weeks go as planned. So today, I renew my goal and will
kick my own butt in the gym.
Please let me be
clear, no one can make you do the work. If you have a coach, they can guide you
and encourage you, but YOU have to do the work. I am very grateful for Christy
being my coach. Sometimes, even coaches need their own coach. It is easier to
coach someone else than it is to coach yourself. You’ve heard the old saying, “you
need to get out of your own way”? Sometimes I’m like that, and the coach brings
me back in line.
I hope you don’t
mind me sharing my journey. If you are looking into online training, or
personal training if you are lucky enough to live close by, hop over to Christy’s
website and check her out. You
don’t need to be trying to do a competition, she coaches anyone that has a goal
to be healthier – and I strongly recommend her! Look at her before and after
pics!
Christy has also
given me permission to share a sample of my workouts. This is what a
Shoulder/Booty day may look like.
SHOULDERS/BOOTY
Shoulders: 4 Sets, 6-10 Reps, increasing
weight with each set
Booty: 4 sets of 15 Reps done in a circuit
style
Military Press
Two Arm Rear Facing Side Lateral Raises, -
Incline Bench
Two Arm Side Lateral Raises – Super 8’s (Hold 8 seconds on the raise)
Two Arm Rear Delt Machine
One Arm Bent Over Fly’s – Dumbbells
Single Leg Press – Feet high
Cable Pull Throughs – 50lbs
Weighted Walking Lunges, 25 per leg
followed by 25 bodyweight squats followed by 15 Jump Squats
To end on a good note, I have gained 5 lbs but only .50% body fat since we started this program.
What has been your biggest challenge in your journey?
8 comments:
My biggest journey is 1) eating clean and 2) paying attention to portion size. Sometimes I eat too much and I'm working on paying more attention to the how much.
When I started Cross Fit, I had to become a clean eater. But my thing was I pretty much already was one. I did give up my sugar habit of cookies n cake. But Im human and falter ever now and then. But Im also the thin girl who has muscle but cant hold on to body weight. I struggle to stay on top of five pounds. I definitely think everyones healthy lifestyle should fit their needs, We may all be human but we are all genetically different.
I LOVE this post because I too am genetically skinny, but want to be fit. Finally I find someone else like me! Seems like all other bloggers are trying to lose weight. I'm definitely inspired by your tossing of all processed foods. I'm going to try the same!
I truly enjoyed reading this! Not eating enough is a challenge I'm all too familiar with and was shocked to see what a difference it made when I increased my calorie intake. I was asking a lot out of my body without fueling it sufficiently to sustain my level of activity. I'm slowly overcoming my irrational tendency to want to cut calories.
The progress [even slow] is one of my biggest motivators!
My biggest challenge is getting out of my own head. I really have to watch myself and not compare my journey with others. It's really hard not to want to try everything that I see on a blog or website. What works for someone, may not work for me and when that happens I get really down on myself. Thanks for sharing your story!!
Thank you for sharing your story Lori!
This is a great reminder to all that everyone has their own personal Mt. Everest to climb. For some it may be finding the motivation to start, others may be trying to gain weight while some are trying to lose.
No matter your goals, you must make them your center of focus. Accept no excuses, only results.
You are a great client Lori and I am inspired by your progress! Keep up the great work!
-Coach
I am happy that this story connected with people! I was a little hesitant about sharing......
It's crazy how every person is different- our bodies are each so different. Workouts do have to be catered specifically...thank you for sharing!
Post a Comment