Live @ Premiere Supper Club - Hollywood by Giancarlo Chersich

Live @ Premiere Supper Club - Hollywood by Giancarlo Chersich

The M Factor

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France

While I have opinions galore, I do not claim to be an expert on fitness, nutrition, and weight loss. I am not the fittest person I know. I am not the fastest person I know. I am not the strongest person I know. I am not the most perfect eater (dieter?) I know. Lately people have been saying I inspire them or I help them stay motivated. People ask me what I've done to lose weight and keep it off. They ask about eating habits, exercising, meal planning, etc. I don't profess to know all the answers, but I can tell you what I know for sure is the most important factor in the equation: YOUR MIND!

Get your mind right! You can have the best plan in the world, best trainer, best support system, all the time in the world, the best equipment, best shoes, best outfit (can a girl get some Athleta or Northface??). . .and none of it matters until you are mentally ready to change. Here's the truth: everyone wants results but very few are willing to commit to the behaviors that net results. This truth applies to every area of our lives. There are Christians who want the blessings of God without following the will of God (which is not always easy!). There are those who want six-figure lives without doing the work it takes to make those six-figures. There are those who want the benefits of an abundant life without ever changing.

You will forever battle with weight and body image (or finances or relationships, etc) until you determine in your mind that you are willing to do something different to net a different, desired result. We are so quick to make excuses or justifications for how and why we do things, and yet we want a different result. We want change to be comfortable, friendly. We want change on our terms, in our time, in our own way. Well, do we really want change? Do we really want a different result if we aren't willing to do something different to get it?

A person says, "I like group fitness classes. I can't workout by myself." There are a host of free and low-cost classes around town at all times of the day, and yet she never goes to any. Or if she goes she has to enlist other friends to go with her. And even then, she only goes a couple of times. So how badly does she really want change? What is she willing to do differently to net the desired result? Until she is willing to get out of her comfort zone she will not see change. Until she purposes in her mind that what she "likes" is not getting her anywhere, she won't get anywhere. She will look up and five years later she will be living the same cycle of behavior.

A person says, "I don't like this food or that food. It's okay to have some (insert your fav food) every now and then." But he doesn't have it every now and then; he has it just about every other day. Then he half-heartily tries healthier options, always with the predetermined mindset that he won't like it. What kind of result can he expect? It's not really about the food, is it? As time passes all those "every now and then" moments add up to clogged arteries, intestinal issues, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and a host of other preventable ailments.

Some of us don't consider ourselves worthy enough to even try to live differently. Some of us are complacent about our lives and don't strive to thrive; we merely exist. There are people out there who look in the mirror with disgust and then eat. Then they feel disgusted with themselves for eating and cut themselves down even more. They decide that the abundant life was not meant for them and that negativity spills over into other parts of their lives. How can you ever have change if you can't "see" it for yourself? We walk around living dimished lives because we have not allowed ourselves to be greater.

You may never decide to run, and that's fine. However you decide to embark on this journey, the place you must start is with your thinking and your mental fortitude. The work you put forth in clearing out the negative and self-destructive thinking and emotions will pay off tremendously. When that alarm goes off in the morning it's not your body that's unable to move (well. . .in most cases). Your body will follow what your mind tells it. When you're eating, your stomach knows it's full but there is something in your mind that keeps the food coming. When you're exercising and it starts getting tough, it is your mind that will carry your body through the workout.

If you want lasting change you have to get your mind right. Otherwise, you'll be like the children of Israel circling the same mountain for 40 years. What a waste! What could they have built in those 40 years if they had let go of the junk in their minds? What could they have experienced if they had just allowed their minds to be renewed and followed the instructions given to them? How much of your life have you wasted walking around the same problem? Are you ready to do something different?

Ramblings. . .

There are so many thoughts in my head that I'm not sure how to sum them all up in one blog, so play along with me as I get it all out.

P90X
Today is the end of Week 6 of my P90X journey--so I'm half way through the program. I can tell changes in my strength and inches lost, but I haven't had a huge weight loss. Honestly, I can't say that I'm disappointed because I haven't followed the meal plan and I'm still skipping Yoga X and Ab Ripper most of the time :( The ugly truth!! I love the weight days and both Kenpo X and Plyometrics, but I avoid yoga and abs like the plague. My goal this week is to batten down the hatches and stick to the plan.

I love the changes that I'm noticing in my arms, shoulders, back and chest. I'm really wanting to invest in a pull-up bar and more weights to complete this next half of the program.

Running
Freaking awesome! I decided not to sign up for my final fall half marathon. Instead my goal this fall/winter is to improve my speed, which includes lowering my 5k speed to sub-40. So far so good because I finished the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in 39:06. I completed another 5k today which was not timed but with the exception of a couple of detours, my pace was pretty on point. My next two races are both four-milers so we'll see if I can maintain a 12:00 min/mile (or less) over the distance.

Focusing on the shorter distances is fun and a little less daunting than training for half-marathons. I don't think people understand the time and dedication it takes to train for longer distances (when you do it the right way). As I plan out my calendar for next year I'm hesitant to commit to more than three. Not because I don't think I can do it, but because the time involved in training creates issues in my personal life. I play a very delicate balancing act when it comes to work, family, fitness, and service.

I'm still having issues with my right foot, but haven't made time to go to the doctor. I know, bad girl. Ironically, it bothers me mostly when I walk barefoot. Huh?? I find that I have to turn my foot outwards to keep my knee from hurting. . .I know, I know, I need to see a doctor.

Hum-Bug Holidays
Since I've become serious about this fitness journey I've made strides to change the focus of my holidays from food to other things or experiences. I had planned to take my three Menaces to the Gulf of Mexico for Thanksgiving, but instead we are staying put and numerous members of my family are coming. Food is really not a big deal to me. My 80-year old grandmother, on the other hand, acts like it's the center of all things. The woman has been stressing about cooking and getting all the groceries needed. We finally went shopping and I almost had a coronary episode as she was shopping. Chitterlings, hog maws (what the bleep is that??), salt pork, smoked meat, turkey necks, two turkeys, pork ribs, neckbones, dressing, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, 4 pks of butter, a bag of rolls, 2 HUGE blocks of cheese. . . Before I never thought about what was in the food. But now I'm more conscious and am not really looking forward to it.

Thankfully, I'm coming up with a couple of alternatives that I can eat and not have to worry about it. I've also signed up to run a Thanksgiving Day race. I'm sure there will be some in my family who think I'm loony or will say "one day won't hurt you." And no, it probably wouldn't. But why derail all my hard work for one day? And why not show my family that there are other alternatives? Some of them have diabetes, some have blood pressure issues, and a few are overweight. Maybe all it takes is one of us making a different choice. . .

Other Thoughts
A few people have asked me about LapBand surgery, which I had back in March 2009. While some may judge me for having had surgery or discount my weight-loss because of it, I have no regrets. However, I would caution anyone exploring this option to understand that it is not a cure-all. It still takes work and changing your life, otherwise you will be dependent on adjustments (when your doctor fills/unfills your band) to get results. The surgery is a tool and you should use it as such. For me, it has helped with portion control and practicing good habits--like eating slowly, filling up with protein and veggies before starches, recognizing when I'm full, and not eating right before bed. Some people don't need help doing these things. More power to you. When I had surgery I was not at a point to do these things on my own. I was at a point when I would try portion control but was still hungry so would eat more. . .then beat myself for eating more, so I would eat more. . .then I'd say screw it and start again the next week.

As I've stated before, no method is a cure-all for weight loss. The final equation is eating right + exercise = sustained weight loss. By eating right I include quality of food, quantity of food (calorie count), and frequency of meals. So before you make a decision just know that it will still take work on your part IF you truly want to live a healthier life.

Okay, I'm done with my rambling. Good night, fit world!!

Nine Things Successful People Do Differently - Heidi Grant Halvorson - Harvard Business Review

Nine Things Successful People Do Differently - Heidi Grant Halvorson - Harvard Business Review

Marshmallow Anyone?

 Today one of my co-workers told me about the Stanford marshmallow experiment (don't break out the hot chocolate) and I've reflected on that study a few times today. Basically each child was offered a marshmallow but was told that if they could resist eating it for 15 minutes they would receive two instead of one. The purpose of the study was to understand when the control of "deferred gratification" develops in children. The part of the study that has had me thinking all day is the follow-up analysis. In a nutshell, those who exhibited deferred gratification were more competent and had higher standardized test scores as adolescents. "A 2011 study of the same participants indicates that the characteristic remains with the person for life."

Why did this interest me? Because for the past few days people have asked me about quick fixes for weight loss and I keep coming back to the same response: there is no quick fix. Instant gratification is just that, instant. Once the instant is done, so is the gratification. What I need people to really "get" and understand is that no matter what method you use for instant weight loss, your gratification is only temporary unless you change your diet and exercise behaviors. This is coming from a woman who had weight-loss surgery. I've known persons who had liposuction and who pop B12 pills/shots and HGH shots only to gain back whatever weight they've lost. Had I not made an effort to change my behaviors I don't know that I would feel as vivacious, strong, and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way. The behavior changes didn't just effect my weight, they effected how I live my life. Friends of mine have also had surgery and have lost the weight, but their lifestyles really have not changed. The only difference is that they are smaller versions of themselves. For some, that may be enough, but for us marshmallow defferers (yes, I made up a word) that is simply not enough.

If you are serious about changing your life and becoming healthier, then don't seek the instant gratification. When you step up to the starting line for this journey I want you to understand that the "win" is not the finish line, but rather in how well you travel along. Some may sprint out ahead of you and lose 20 lbs, but look around two months later and see if they have kept that off and if they are still losing. You are winning when you learn to navigate efficiently along the course. What do I mean by that? 

You are winning when you begin to see food as fuel and not this evil/Divine thing; it is amoral and has only the value we give it. You are winning when you can put off the instant gratification in order to bring your vision to fruition. You are winning when you use the other methods (surgery, supplements, wrapping, etc) as tools rather then "fixes." You are winning when you exercise because you're worth it and not because you hate how you look. You are winning when you enjoy the journey and exhibit grace with yourself because you know that you're in this for the long haul, not just some sprint to fit into a pair of jeans.

That is not to say that we should not have goals. On the contrary. Goals are milestones that confirm that we're moving in the right direction. Reaching goals gives us the momentum to keep moving forward, to keep practicing healthy behaviors. Those behavioral changes do not happen overnight. I've been at this seriously for about 16 months and with each day I have my "Es," "Ss," and "Ps"--for you non-kindergarten parents that's "Excellent," "Satisfactory," and "Progressing." I tell my team all the time, the goal is not perfection but rather consistency. When you are consistent in delaying gratification and practicing healthy behaviors, the reward is weight loss, increased stamina, increased strength and overall health. You will then notice that you view yourself differently; you begin to understand that YOU are worth the wait. YOU are worth the journey.