Last post I talked about the "why" and today I'm going to talk about the "how".
How do you stay motivated to hit your goals and keep a steady routine of exercise and eating healthy?
Well I can't speak for everyone else, so I'm going to tell you how I got started and how I always kick myself in the butt when I'm slacking.
The simple answer is vanity.
There is no reason to sugarcoat it and in fact it's being honest about vanity that makes going to the gym that much easier.
I'm going to be very open and honest about this because I think people get the wrong side of a lot of these "transformation" stories. I wasn't obese. I was far from healthy, but I never got to that point where a doctor was telling me if I didn't loose weight I'd develop diabetes. I did have high blood pressure problems from stress, but my doctors never told me cardio alone could elevate that. It was all a talk about bad genetics.
The reason I started on my path to fitness was because I thought it would make my boyfriend at the time love me more. This is as plain as I can be on the matter.
I didn't feel good about myself, I was crazy self conscience and hated how I looked in everything I wore. I was ashamed to be with such a cute guy and feel so frumpy next to him. He NEVER said a word about my weight, never criticized me or told me I could lose a few pounds, but I felt he didn't love me as much because I wasn't as beautiful as I could be.
When I started my training with Terri Walsh she made me do something really important and that was admitting why I was there to train.
"To get healthy!" is what I spouted out and to a point that was very true, but it really wasn't the reason I was there.
I remember Terri looking at me and saying "Yeah ok, but why are you really here."
I didn't understand, wasn't wanting to be healthy enough? She forced me to think about it, she forced me to admit it and it was the most freeing thing that happened in my body breakthrough.
"You want to look cute in a pair of skinny jeans, that's why you're here." Terri said.
She was completely and totally right. I wanted to go into a clothing store and love everything I put on. I wanted to look in the mirror at a naked me and not completely cringe. I wanted to look good!
Terri taught me that vanity is probably the greatest motivator for keeping true to your fitness and eating. Mostly importantly that it's okay, vanity with discipline is not a bad thing!
Vanity is a large part of how my decisions are made. Do I want to binge eat or look amazing in a bathing suit? The answer isn't hard to come to when you look at things that way. I WANT a cute butt, I can forgo pizza for that and do a serious leg workout twice a week. That's why sticking to a plan is easy for me. I'm vain and open about it with myself.
Now health is a big part, but it's almost like the extra awesome bonus. I can't see my heart or my cholesterol. Someone can measure them with a machine and take my blood, but I can't look in the mirror and say "Damn my arteries are fantastic today!"
I can however look in the mirror at how flat my stomach is and how defined my shoulders are getting. Why do you think there are always so many mirrors at the gym? Don't kid yourself, those are not all for form... those are to gawk at progress to pump yourself up!
I don't have the highest self-esteem and that's how I've fallen unto scary places with making food a security blanket, but I've learned from that and now force myself to answer questions about my looks before I slip.
The sooner you admit to wanting to look awesome the easier it will be to stay looking awesome.
Take pictures of yourself often, it will force you to keep yourself in check and accountable!
Next stop for me is a full length mirror, it's been long enough I think I'm over my fear now.
Showing posts with label terri walsh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terri walsh. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
My 1st A.R.T Bootcamp Class with Terri Walsh
While I've already showered, dressed and my heart rate is back to it's normal hum, my bum & legs are still on fire!
Today was my first A.R.T Bootcamp class with Terri Walsh and it did not disappoint. Now I know bootcamp might first draw visions of a hard as nails grizzled drill sergeant and lacklustre faced participants but this was quite the opposite.
The small group is filled with super friendly people of all ages and skill levels, which just goes to show anyone can participate in this class and work at their level for a kick butt session. I really felt that in itself was a great motivator. You get really pumped when you see someone performing not giving up and it helps push you to keep going.
The instructor Terri Walsh is funny and upbeat without being cheerleader annoying. She's very encouraging and helps you push yourself rather then being commanding. This is such a wonderful atmosphere for quite a challenging class! Resistance training, aerobics, weightlifting & stretching all in one. The hour flew by, my super sweaty clothing the proof of a hard worked hour.
For all you crazy counters out there, just as a test I wore my heart rate monitor to class, an easy 600 cals burned in no time!
Terri runs the class on a month schedule, 3 classes a week (Tues, Thurs & Sat) - every time something different. This is perfect for people who find themselves easily bored with attending a class with the same moves in the same rotation. There is also a great network through facebook, with everyone posting results, questions and pics. The community Terri has built really has a supportive group of people who all really care about helping one another and driving each other.
I really encourage anyone in the NYC area to participate and give the A.R.T Bootcamp class a try. Spaces are limited to keep the groups smaller so everyone gets equal attention, but there are always announcements being posted toward the beginning of each month as the new classes start.
I'm really looking forward to the next class and it's already making my week day mornings more fun. Switching up your training routine keeps it interesting and keeps your body guessing :)
I'm ready to tackle the day and probably pamper myself with a nice hot bath tonight, my glutes and quads are cooked!
Today was my first A.R.T Bootcamp class with Terri Walsh and it did not disappoint. Now I know bootcamp might first draw visions of a hard as nails grizzled drill sergeant and lacklustre faced participants but this was quite the opposite.
The small group is filled with super friendly people of all ages and skill levels, which just goes to show anyone can participate in this class and work at their level for a kick butt session. I really felt that in itself was a great motivator. You get really pumped when you see someone performing not giving up and it helps push you to keep going.
The instructor Terri Walsh is funny and upbeat without being cheerleader annoying. She's very encouraging and helps you push yourself rather then being commanding. This is such a wonderful atmosphere for quite a challenging class! Resistance training, aerobics, weightlifting & stretching all in one. The hour flew by, my super sweaty clothing the proof of a hard worked hour.
For all you crazy counters out there, just as a test I wore my heart rate monitor to class, an easy 600 cals burned in no time!
Terri runs the class on a month schedule, 3 classes a week (Tues, Thurs & Sat) - every time something different. This is perfect for people who find themselves easily bored with attending a class with the same moves in the same rotation. There is also a great network through facebook, with everyone posting results, questions and pics. The community Terri has built really has a supportive group of people who all really care about helping one another and driving each other.
I really encourage anyone in the NYC area to participate and give the A.R.T Bootcamp class a try. Spaces are limited to keep the groups smaller so everyone gets equal attention, but there are always announcements being posted toward the beginning of each month as the new classes start.
I'm really looking forward to the next class and it's already making my week day mornings more fun. Switching up your training routine keeps it interesting and keeps your body guessing :)
I'm ready to tackle the day and probably pamper myself with a nice hot bath tonight, my glutes and quads are cooked!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Prologue
From my short intro you know what to expect, but you don't know how I got here.
"If this is the second chapter, what happened in the first?"
It's worth going into a bit of a back story so it doesn't seem like magic or plastic surgery was involved in the progression from then till right now.
In July of 2010 I had hit what most people would consider "rock bottom" in a body sense. I was tired all the time, depressed and irritable. I hated shopping for clothes or looking in a mirror. I was paranoid that my boyfriend wasn't attracted to me anymore and absolutely would never ever walk in around in a bathing suit without covering up.
I had to do something, but I was really unsure what. I went through all the emotions one might expect, but anger was really a turning point. I was terribly angry at myself for letting my health and body be in such a state. I got to the point of actually considering plastic surgery, something I'm really against. I had money saved and said to myself "I can use this to do things the easy way or the hard way."
Plastic surgery seems like the easy way until you read about it. The pain and the amount of recovery really didn't seem worth it to me. I also knew that having a lipo procedure done wasn't going to give me muscle. I still wouldn't be healthy or tone.
With all my research online I actually started looking up personal training. I was never a gym junkie and I knew very little about form or technique. The whole thought of working out by myself was completely overwhelming. I had tried before with little success and felt I probably could really benefit from sitting down with someone who could set me straight.
After hours of reading and googling, I found a trainer by the name of Terri Walsh. She wasn't far from where I worked in the city and said that she worked not just on training but the teaching of proper nutrition. I was really excited to find someone practicing both of these things in tandem so I decided to call her and go in for a consultation.
Mentally for me, this was very brutal. You really are forced to face yourself and your situation when someone else is laying it all out before you. You can't turn away or hide, you're asking this person for help. In actuality I was begging for Terri's help. I could feel the lump in my throat talking to her about how unhappy I was with my body and how I felt.
She looked at me and said "I don't know if I can help you, you have to be willing to change."
This strong beautiful woman sitting across from me was giving me an ultimatum. I wanted to change, I was ready. I was scared, but I knew I had to jump in full force or thing were only going to get worse for me.
"I want to change, I'll do whatever it takes. I swear I'll work very hard and do everything you say."
The look on her face told me she didn't entirely trust me. Like she had tried very hard to help others who had lamented to her in the same way I just had and didn't have the drive to follow through. People looking for quick fixes who were easily discouraged.
She asked me if I was willing to commit and told me I was out of shape, but not a lost cause. "I can help you, you will feel and look amazing, you just have to want it."
Hearing that filled me with something, this total stranger was telling me it was possible to reach the goal I had set for myself (which by the way was getting down from 161 to 130lbs).
She then proposed a question I had never been asked.
"How long did it take you to get like this?"
I was stunned, I actually never thought about how long it took me to not be the cute and chipper 120lb I was in college.
"About 5 years I think?" was all I could mutter.
"It won't take you nearly that long to lose what you want if you stay focused," she said.
I was blow away and crazy relieved all at the same time. Terri and I agreed to start my training the very next week.
It was hard starting a routine, but I knew I had made a promise to myself and also I wanted to prove to Terri I wasn't going to give up. She started teaching me form and basic exercises. We talked constantly about food and keeping a diary. I started to gain confidence in myself and started working out in my building's small gym on the day's I didn't work with Terri. I asked a million questions and she answered them all with very concise and thoughtful explanation. We built on moved up and started setting small goals.
It's really these little goals that was kept me so motivate. Losing weight is beyond elating, but it was proving my strength that became intoxicating. The first time I did 30 push-ups I jumped up and down in excitement. The first time I did 50 I felt upstoppable and what pushed me to do 100 was Terri's promise that she would let me hit a punching bag and start real kickboxing.
The more weight I lost the less it became about pounds and more about definition and strength. I'd bring in magazines of amazing toned and ripped women and say "I want to look like this some day!" The more I talked the more Terri worked out routines to tailor to my goals. I started working with her an her apprentice as the money I has once saved was slowly starting to dwindle. She never once gave up on me even when I'd email her crying on how I spent a week eating nothing but chocolate and pizza on a depressed hormonal binge.
She's been there every step from July of 2010 when I promised to change.
Here are the stats:
From July 2010 to January 20th 2011
I'm getting measured again tomorrow and starting Terri's group boot-camp class instead of private personal training hence the start of chapter 2.
I hope this prologue helps better illustrate where I was and where I'm going and any other questions you may have I'm always willing to answer the best I can.
"If this is the second chapter, what happened in the first?"
It's worth going into a bit of a back story so it doesn't seem like magic or plastic surgery was involved in the progression from then till right now.
In July of 2010 I had hit what most people would consider "rock bottom" in a body sense. I was tired all the time, depressed and irritable. I hated shopping for clothes or looking in a mirror. I was paranoid that my boyfriend wasn't attracted to me anymore and absolutely would never ever walk in around in a bathing suit without covering up.
I had to do something, but I was really unsure what. I went through all the emotions one might expect, but anger was really a turning point. I was terribly angry at myself for letting my health and body be in such a state. I got to the point of actually considering plastic surgery, something I'm really against. I had money saved and said to myself "I can use this to do things the easy way or the hard way."
Plastic surgery seems like the easy way until you read about it. The pain and the amount of recovery really didn't seem worth it to me. I also knew that having a lipo procedure done wasn't going to give me muscle. I still wouldn't be healthy or tone.
With all my research online I actually started looking up personal training. I was never a gym junkie and I knew very little about form or technique. The whole thought of working out by myself was completely overwhelming. I had tried before with little success and felt I probably could really benefit from sitting down with someone who could set me straight.
After hours of reading and googling, I found a trainer by the name of Terri Walsh. She wasn't far from where I worked in the city and said that she worked not just on training but the teaching of proper nutrition. I was really excited to find someone practicing both of these things in tandem so I decided to call her and go in for a consultation.
Mentally for me, this was very brutal. You really are forced to face yourself and your situation when someone else is laying it all out before you. You can't turn away or hide, you're asking this person for help. In actuality I was begging for Terri's help. I could feel the lump in my throat talking to her about how unhappy I was with my body and how I felt.
She looked at me and said "I don't know if I can help you, you have to be willing to change."
This strong beautiful woman sitting across from me was giving me an ultimatum. I wanted to change, I was ready. I was scared, but I knew I had to jump in full force or thing were only going to get worse for me.
"I want to change, I'll do whatever it takes. I swear I'll work very hard and do everything you say."
The look on her face told me she didn't entirely trust me. Like she had tried very hard to help others who had lamented to her in the same way I just had and didn't have the drive to follow through. People looking for quick fixes who were easily discouraged.
She asked me if I was willing to commit and told me I was out of shape, but not a lost cause. "I can help you, you will feel and look amazing, you just have to want it."
Hearing that filled me with something, this total stranger was telling me it was possible to reach the goal I had set for myself (which by the way was getting down from 161 to 130lbs).
She then proposed a question I had never been asked.
"How long did it take you to get like this?"
I was stunned, I actually never thought about how long it took me to not be the cute and chipper 120lb I was in college.
"About 5 years I think?" was all I could mutter.
"It won't take you nearly that long to lose what you want if you stay focused," she said.
I was blow away and crazy relieved all at the same time. Terri and I agreed to start my training the very next week.
It was hard starting a routine, but I knew I had made a promise to myself and also I wanted to prove to Terri I wasn't going to give up. She started teaching me form and basic exercises. We talked constantly about food and keeping a diary. I started to gain confidence in myself and started working out in my building's small gym on the day's I didn't work with Terri. I asked a million questions and she answered them all with very concise and thoughtful explanation. We built on moved up and started setting small goals.
It's really these little goals that was kept me so motivate. Losing weight is beyond elating, but it was proving my strength that became intoxicating. The first time I did 30 push-ups I jumped up and down in excitement. The first time I did 50 I felt upstoppable and what pushed me to do 100 was Terri's promise that she would let me hit a punching bag and start real kickboxing.
The more weight I lost the less it became about pounds and more about definition and strength. I'd bring in magazines of amazing toned and ripped women and say "I want to look like this some day!" The more I talked the more Terri worked out routines to tailor to my goals. I started working with her an her apprentice as the money I has once saved was slowly starting to dwindle. She never once gave up on me even when I'd email her crying on how I spent a week eating nothing but chocolate and pizza on a depressed hormonal binge.
She's been there every step from July of 2010 when I promised to change.
Here are the stats:
From July 2010 to January 20th 2011
- Weight from: 160.75 to 141
- Body Fat from: 34% to 22.65%
- Chest from: 38.5" to 35"
- Waist from: 33.75" to 28.75"
- Hips from: 43" to 37.75"
- Thigh from: 26" to 21"
- Calf from: 16" to 14"
- Arm from: 11.5" to 11"
- Forearm from: 9" to 9.25"
I'm getting measured again tomorrow and starting Terri's group boot-camp class instead of private personal training hence the start of chapter 2.
I hope this prologue helps better illustrate where I was and where I'm going and any other questions you may have I'm always willing to answer the best I can.
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