131.6

Holla!!! I was happy to see 131.6 on the scale today but even more estatic to see the way my stomach is flattening out. I know it seems kinda weird but I have strictly been following clean eating guidelines for the past 2 weeks and have been lifting heavy weights. I can't believe the changes that are coming. I wanted to make a post today about how funny it is the cycles of a healthy lifestyle. Ironic really. I remember when I first did my weight loss competition last January of 2010. I had a contestant nagging at me to do posts on eating whole foods, fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein. I thought she had good intentions, but that type of lifestyle wasn't consistent with what I was ready to accomplish at the time. I needed a 100 calorie pack everyday for a snack, even if that meant I wasn't filled up or nourished, I just needed it. And ice cream. I needed it. I was willing to put in the 2 hours at the gym but I wasn't willing to clean up my eating. I wasn't ready for her wealth of knowledge I just needed to do it the weight watcher way, which made things consistent and comfortable to me. And then I ran into Take Shape for Life. I still had 10 or 15 lbs to lose. It wasn't coming off as quickly as I wanted and I researched the crap out of it. I thought if I could be succesful with the program, I could look into helping other people hop into the fast lane and get rid of unwanted weight fast. It worked, and I really believe in the program. I think it is a healthy way to drop lbs fast, but following it you have to be ready to keep making the right healthy food choices to maintain your loss. A diet does not work. I have said it a million times and I will say it again. You do not get rid of extra weight on a diet, you lose weight on a diet. And then you gain it back, if you are not willing to make the sacrifices it takes to maintain your new loss. Here I am almost 15 months later in my total health journey. Optimal health is my goal and I can truly say that I feel like I have arrived. I feel like I am capable of coaching you, you, or you... because I have been there. I know how hard it is to take this journey and I know that if I can be successful, then you can be too. If I can do it, trust me dear reader... anyone can do it. Anyway, my point is this. It is a journey. What you are ready to sacrifice today is small in comparison to what you will be able to in 6 months. Today it might be hard to get to the gym for 30 minutes 5 days a week-- but in 6 months you will have mastered that and you will more than likely be ready to stay at the gym for 45 minutes or an hour. Or to try a new class. And 6 months from then you might be ready to give up ice cream or 100 calorie packs. Our goals change over time. We can not give up because of a bad choice. We did not gain unwanted weight in one meal, one day, or one week. We gained it because of a lifestyle of bad choices that did not include healthy eating and exercise. We have to keep moving foward towards optimal health. I have had several people consulting with me in the past two weeks. I have received multiple emails asking for help on fitness routines or on nutrition plans. I am a health coach for Take Shape for Life and I love that avenue of my life. I love helping people drop weight fast using meal replacements. I am a fitness instructor and I love helping people reach fitness goals. I am those things as well as a partner to anyone and everyone in health. I would love to help you in any way that I can. And when I say that, I don't mean I want you to feel even one bit like you would ever need to pay me. I don't want your money. I want you to be your healthiest, best self ever and I want to have the satisfaction of being able to say... I helped him or her get there... to optimal health. If you ever have a question, comment or concern. I would love to hear from you. I'd love to help you get started or help you push over a helacious hill of a plateau. Let me know! And rememeber, anything worth having (like a healthy, hott body) is worth the work it takes to make it happen. You can do it!