Monday, June 25, 2012

A New Goal

When I started my Journey over three years ago, Ben (my trainer) and I sat down and wrote down some goals that I wanted to achieve.  We talked about how I wanted to be healthier and thinner, and we talked about how I wanted to be happy.  While I have worked extremely hard at achieving these, they will always be an ongoing work in progress. 

I have set a new goal for myself.  I don't want to obsess about my weight anymore.  To be honest...it's really getting to me.  I will lose 10 pounds, then I'm up three...then I will lose three and be up two...

Get my drift?

Back in the fall of 2009, Ben introduced me to deadlifting.  It was by far one of the exercises/drills he would have me do, and to be honest, I ROCKED at it.  I ended up lifting as heavy as 265 lbs.  My goal at that time was 300 lbs, but I never did it.  I let my head crap get the best of me.  Ben told me back then that he felt I could compete if I wanted to.  At that point in my journey, I had so much garbage going on in my head - that I decided I couldn't do it.  I had an obstacle in front of me - telling me that I couldn't do it.  The obstacle was myself.  So...I let it all go - decided I couldn't do it anymore and just tried to forget about it.

Until this past Saturday.  Brian and I were at the YMCA working out and I decided I wanted to try to deadlift again.  I have deadlifted from time to time since 2009, but have never really taken it seriously.  Saturday, for some reason, I did.  I did sets of five, each time going heavier and heavier.  Then when I was taking a break, I looked to my left and saw this woman doing the exact same thing I was doing...I watched her out of the corner of my eye - she was doing snatches and cleans with heavy weight - I was amazed...we both looked at each other at the same time and so I complimented her.  She came up to me and we started talking - I told her I had lifted as heavy as 265 lbs - and that I was wanting to work towards that again.  She told me that I should be competing, if I wanted to lift that heavy.  She told me I had great form and all I needed were some minor tweaks and to work on my breathing techniques.  That's when she told me she had been a Women's Olympic Weight Lifting Coach.  She gave me her name - which is Lynn - and she gave me her number and email address.  The we went for a walk around the track and she gave me a "pep talk."  She said if I needed ANY help at all, that she would help me get into competition "mode."  We also talked a little bit about diet and things like that.  I have already sent her an email and hope to hear back from her soon. 

I now feel I have the confidence to do this.  I want to be healthier and more fit of course, but I also want to be stronger than I ever had been in my life - and I am well on my way.  I know with the proper coaching, and perseverance and hard work on my part, I can do it.  I've always had the outer strength to do this - now I need to work harder on my inner strength!

I'm excited...I have a new goal to work towards...Weightlifting competition...HERE I COME!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Finding Balance...

I love my therapist.  Plain and simple.  She gets me.  We had a great session on Tuesday - we mostly talked about my sleeping habits - which are slowly getting better btw - but a lot of the session we talked about finding balance in my life.  For the last three years, it's been almost all about my exercise and eating plan.  I haven't really had a lot of time to do other things that make me happy.  This may sound silly, but I used to get anxious when I couldn't work out - I was worried I was going to get fatter again.  We discussed how I can still be dedicated to my lifestyle, but STILL have a life.  I have started to change things up a bit with my exercise program - I've been doing more strength training and I feel pretty good.  I still stick to my cardio three times a week, because it's important.  I'm also trying out the new yoga class which I've been meaning to go to, but haven't found a gap in my schedule.  This Sunday I will be doing that.  So, the point to all of this, is to find a happy-medium - to be happy with what I'm doing - and to have fun.  This will be a work in progress!


On Tuesday, I celebrated my 3 year "Healthy Birthday."  Three years ago, I walked into Alive Personal Training - not knowing what to expect - I was scared, mad, sad and out of control.  I am so glad I made the decision to get healthy. Through all of that, I was selected to receive my lap-band.  It's been such a whirlwind for me, but I'm happy.  Here is How It All Began! 

So if you are someone who is just interested in starting out on a Weight Loss Journey, kudos to you!  Just remember, it's a life-long journey...there is no end point.  Take each day as it comes and don't look back!

K