Success Saturday: Pam G.

Pam and I have been online running friends for a while now. Her fitness journey has been been one of determination! Her change both inside and out has been pretty awesome to watch! I’m really proud to have her as one of my coaches and on my team as well.

1. Why did you decide to lose weight/change your lifestyle? (Any and all reasons)

I decided to change my lifestyle because I wanted to make sure that I was healthy enough to play with my grandchildren as I do with my children. That was the main reason, the secondary reason was because I was hitting 30 and the weight wasn’t staying off…. I knew that it was time to change what I was doing.

2. What exercise did you do? (List everything)

I started with walking and elliptical, and then went to running. I currently still run, but have added different cross training workout programs, like Turbo Fire, Hip Hop Abs, and Brazil Butt Lift Master Series.

3. How did you change your eating?

With my eating, I have become way more conscious of portion control, and I am trying to eat less processed foods.

4. Did you use any nutritional supplements?

The only nutritional supplements I use is B12, and I drink Shakeology everyday.

5. Did you have support? (Group, friend, online community, etc.)

I have some awesome support with my coaches, and my online challenge groups. I also have a wonderful running partner that does every race with me.

6. What do you feel is the top thing you’ve gotten out of your journey?

The top thing that I have gotten out of my journey is my change of mindset. I am now more confident and I feel so much better!! I know that I can do what I want to and I will succeed.

7. What is your next goal?

My next goal is to run another marathon within my goal time of 5 hours. I also want to continue to tone and become more healthy.

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Opportunities: Do You Procrastinate?

I’m going to get deep for a minute, and I’m not talking about a deep squat or deep swan dive pose. This week, I dove into personal development…reading books and articles, watching videos, following leaders, you name it. Why? Because I desire to learn and grow. 

Today as I was reading, I realized I procrastinate on opportunities. Sometimes it’s me being stubborn or prideful, sometimes I think I have to think more about it, and sometimes it’s fear. What I am learning is opportunities come…in our personal lives, in our careers, in our families, and even in our health journeys. 

This is the question: Will you grasp your opportunity and move to the gratification of your deepest desires or will you hesitate, falter, and fall behind?

 

 

**Words paraphrased from The Richest Man In Babylon, George S. Clason

Success Saturday: Mason B.

Mason is the husband of one on my online running mom friends. Together, they joined my Insanity challenge group in May. Throughout the last 9 weeks, I’ve seen Mason blow this challenge out of the water with his main driving force keeping him inspired, his family.  I hope you are inspired by his story as I’ve been to see it unfold.

1. Why did you decide to lose weight/change your lifestyle? (Any and all reasons)

• I let myself go after having open heart surgery back in December 2009 to repair a failed aortic valve and a massive aortic aneurysm. I ended up having to get an artificial aortic root and a mechanical valve. Prior to this, I was traveling to several states competing in 100 mile ultra-endurance mountain bike races. When you compete at that level, you are CONSTANTLY training and eating thousands of calories a day. When you get sidelined and can’t exercise as hard, your body still thinks it needs all the calories you used to give it. 3 years and 30+ pounds later, I was sick of the excuses. My oldest son was 4 and my twins were 2 months old when I had my surgery. They are 8 and 3 now. I am 46 and they need me to be around and to be an active part of their lives. So I decided to challenge myself to take my fitness level up a few notches and keep it there. Insanity helped me accomplish that goal and gave me a great platform to continue training for a better life.

2. What exercise did you do? (List everything)

• Primarily Insanity. I also did some good mountain bike rides and the occasional run/ walk on the treadmill.

 3. How did you change your eating?

• I followed the Insanity meal plan as close as I could. Eating 5 small, healthier meals a day instead of 3 larger meals. I also cut out all fast-food and only drank water, coffee, no calorie sports drinks, or milk.

4. Did you use any nutritional supplements?

• I took a men’s multi-vitamin formulated for heart health, and drank protein powder after my workouts. Unfortunately, I cannot drink certain supplements because of the high level of vitamin K. Vitamin K is what the body uses to aid in clotting blood in case of injury. I am on “blood thinners” to keep me from clotting so the mechanical valve stays smooth and clot free.

5. Did you have support? (Group, friend, online community, etc.)

• I had plenty of support! My wife was my #1 inspiration, doing the Insanity program with me and helping me eat better. I also had online support from Carin Schaab on Facebook, used MyFitnessPal to keep record of my meals, and lots of self-discipline.

6. What do you feel is the top thing you’ve gotten out of your journey?

• I feel great about myself again, and am not afraid to take my shirt off at the beach! I know this is exactly what I need to do to be able to be active with my children for as long as I can.

7. What is your next goal?

• My next goal is to shed the remaining 8lbs to get to my goal weight of 180lbs. I am incorporating some light weight lifting to get lean definition, and will continue with Insanity and possibly T25.

Success Saturday: Erin B.

Erin is a long time friend of mine, and came to me a few months ago for some help to get healthy for herself, her husband, and her two adorable girls. We worked on her nutrition and she started on an exercise plan that she could also do with her girls at home, while working on her Master Thesis and her doctor approved of her doing.  Here is a little bit of her story while she is still working on meeting her goal!

 

Erin B. Nutrition + Exercise + Support = Success!!!

 

1. Why did you decide to lose weight/change your lifestyle? (Any and all reasons)

After having my second child in Dec 2011, and gaining a bunch of weight in 2012, I decided to make 2013 the year that I got healthy. It wasn’t about a size or a number on a scale, but about feeling better and being a better mom and wife as a result. Of course I want to fit back into those old skinny jeans in the back of the closet, but my focus has been on feeding my body the right fuel.

2. What exercise did you do? (List everything)

I walk 30 min a day on the treadmill.

3. How did you change your eating?

So far I have lost over 30lbs since Jan by cutting my calories and exercising. Shakeology for lunch has been critical to my success. It is quick, easy, low calorie, low carb, versatile, etc.  As a mom of two kids I don’t have time or energy to worry about my lunch!

4. Did you use any nutritional supplements?

Nope

5. Did you have support? (Group, friend, online community, etc.)

My family supports me in my efforts, as well as my fabulous Beachbody coach Carin Schaab! Carin is always there for me when I have questions or need a boost 🙂

6. What do you feel is the top thing you’ve gotten out of your journey?

 A commitment to myself. Before, I never had time or money to diet, but once I made the decision that I would MAKE time and FIND the money for ME, I have been more committed than ever to my health.

7. What is your next goal?

I would like to lose apx 30 more lbs, but the number is not as important as watching my body transform and shape up and gaining extra energy!