Finding THE One

The one who is supportive. Who inspires you. Who motivates you. Who teaches you. Who guides you. Who helps you to be your best. Who can help you change your life.

No I'm not linking with Match.com. I'm talking about finding someone who will help you make that lifestyle change that you need or want to make.

It's hard to change--you may not know where to start--what to do--how to proceed. You might not even want to change though you know it's necessary for your health and well being.

You should know that you don't have to go it alone.

I was lucky to meet the "one" when I joined The Fitness Loft two years ago. A friend had gently persuaded me (thank you Laura) to visit the gym. She knew that I was trying to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle but needed motivation and social interaction in order to do so--and she was right. I knew from the first day that I walked into the gym that it was different from the ones I had belonged to in my early 20's (many years ago). It definitely wasn't a "muscle-head" gym and when I met the owner, Cody Foss, he made me feel comfortable and put me right at ease. Little did I know that he would be the one to help me to change my life--both physically, confidence-wise, and career-wise.

Had I joined any other gym I can guarantee you that I wouldn't be where I am today. I know that I wouldn't be as fit and I know that I wouldn't be a personal trainer. His support and motivation and knowledge helped me to discover my passion--strength training--which in turn led to a new healthier body and a new career. In fact he was the one that suggested that I become a personal trainer--I can't thank him enough.

How do you find the one? You can be lucky and meet them by chance--or you can actively search them out. Ask around, talk to anyone and everyone that you think might lead you in the right direction. Want to get fit?--consider hiring a personal trainer. Each trainer has a different style and knowledge-base so be sure to talk to a few and make sure it's a good "fit" before signing any contracts. Do you want to improve your diet?--consider a few visits to a nutritionist. They can work with you to come up with a food plan (not a diet) that will fit with your lifestyle and provide the nutrients you need to improve your health.

Once you find the right person be sure to listen to their advice. But don't just listen to their words, pay attention and follow through on their suggestions. Ask questions and take full advantage of their knowledge. Expect to receive a lot from your relationship but be sure that they are realistic expectations. Know that even with their guidance--you are the one that is going to have to do the work. No one else can physically do the work for you. But know that if you work hard you will see results.

There is someone out there to help you...I wish you well in your search.

Be strong. Be fit. Be confident. Be your best.

Hugs,

Joanne

I give up

Recently it feels like all I've been doing is giving up. I've given up...

Desserts & most simple sugars, (over 2 years)
Beer (my favorite) & wine (over a month)
Milk products (doctor instructed--one week and counting)
Caffeine (not totally but I'm down to one cup of 1/2 caff a day and the rest of the day decaf)

Free time--many hours going to a slew of doctor's visits, many hours in the gym, many hours in physical therapy.

Money--lots and lots of it for the slew of doctor's visits, hours in the gym, physical therapy. Add to that the prescription medication and supplements (I've counted--I now take 28 pills a day between prescription meds and supplements!--all taken under the care of doctors) and my wallet is just about empty.

To be honest the last couple years have been a struggle for me. Physically and mentally it's been a tough road. The reason I've been giving up all of the above is to find answers to my struggles. Yes, I've been depriving myself of certain things but--what I'm finding is--it hasn't been so bad.

I don't really miss the sugar/desserts because I don't miss the addiction and the physical crashes and lack of concentration that came from eating too much of them (I was THE BIGGEST SUGARHOLIC EVER!). And not having any at all--honestly and truthfully--has made the cravings go away.

The beer and wine? kindof sortof miss it when I'm socializing...but I know I don't miss the depressive crashes that come from having as little as a beer or two.

The milk? It's only been a short time and milk and cheese are ingredients in sooooo many recipes and store products (and I ate and drank ALOT OF BOTH). But do I miss it? Not really.

Because I'm finding that--slowly but surely--I'm feeling better.

I'm feeling stronger--mentally & physically
I'm feeling more confident
I'm feeling happier
I'm feeling more content
I'm feeling that there is a light at the end of the tunnel

I'm finding that sometimes you have to give up to receive.
And keep fighting. And that it's not so bad to give up--what wasn't good for you in the first place.

Which brings me to a...

Baby Step: Think of something that you know...you just know is bad for you and see if you can take a break from it--if only for a couple of weeks. It will be hard in the beginning--trust me. But maybe you'll find that you don't miss it so much. And maybe you'll find, like I did, that after a while it's not so hard anymore. And maybe you'll find that it's worth--giving up. Because you feel better without it.

Be strong. Be Fit. Be Confident. Be your Best.

Hugs,

Joanne