New Year New Goals....Hello 2013

What a year... I have to say I have been more blessed than not, so for that I am thankful. Remembering this keeps me grounded, focused, and moving forward as I should and this is what my hope is for everyone. I must say this was a year of personal growth for me in several areas of my life and I am excited to see what 2013 has in store for me. As far as fitness is concerned I have definitely had the opportunity to grow as a trainer which is awesome! My clients are amazing and I look forward to working with them in the new year. It is impossible to describe the satisfaction I get in challenging others, helping them reach goals, and seeing them do things they didn't think they could! All of these qualities solidifies that this is my calling, my purpose, and I am ready to touch lives when it comes to health and fitness. I am blessed to have the ability to design and implement my training programs for my clients and I look forward to doing much more in 2013. I also feel blessed that my paths crossed with some amazing people in the fitness industry. I started the year out training at a gym and was blessed to learn so much about several aspects of fitness, not to mention was able to work with some amazing trainers and become friends with one trainer specifically. Sadly, he was taken too soon about a month ago, but I am grateful for knowing him, learning from him, and having him in my life. Brandon Jennings inspired me to be a better trainer, he was one of the best, he fueled my passion for my profession and my personal fitness and I will always be thankful that we met. Also I feel blessed to have been re-connected with an old colleague who is now very successful in the fitness competition world and solidified that 2013 is my year to finally compete. Timing truly is everything and life really can come full circle. She is now my coach and starting Jan 2 we will be training full force for a spring show. I am excited and nervous about this goal. I will be blogging about this experience regularly to inspire others and keep track of my progress. Odd years are typically my best years so I am ready for 2013. I really have no specific resolutions I just promise to make progress and to continue to be the best me I can be. My wish for everyone is a peaceful, fit, healthy, happy new year. I hope that when it comes to personal goals that each person sets and achieves goals that are best for themselves. Life is not about competing with others, its about being better today than you were yesterday. Also I pray for more acts of kindness and just living a healthier life. Happy New Year to all!!!

It is so much MORE than just physical

So I knew going into this competition that it would be physical...duh...it is all about prepping my body for stage but 65 days into it, and it is proving to be so much more. It is mental. You must have the mental focus to stay on track and have continued drive to do what I do every day whether it be meal prep, meal consumption( which I never look forward to), the workout difficulty and challenges with cardio, or just avoiding destructive behavior especially in social settings. I definitely have my highs and lows. But I am learning so much about the process as well as about myself as I go through the motions. It is challenging my patience to trust that I am heading in a direction that will end with me being stage ready, that the changes will take place, it gives me structure, focus, and a purpose. It is building my confidence daily even though I am still petrified to step on stage, it has corrected my posture, improved my workouts and just has me feeling better overall even when I am exhausted. This is definitely a learning process and so far I feel proud of how far I have come and can't wait to see how it all plays out!

60 Days Going Strong

I have officially been training for my first show for sixty days. That means 60 days on a specific diet, resistance, and cardio program. I have about 16 weeks until my first show option and I am feeling very optimistic about my prep and ability to be stage ready. I just started my second diet and exercise program about a week ago and I have to say the first three days were hell. I had a constant headache from low carbs. But my body has now adjusted and the diet is going well. My workouts are not challenging exactly but they are effective. The body part that is the most difficult would be my legs. The exercises I am currently doing are tough! I am excited to see all the changes my body will go through in the next 16 weeks because I have already seen results in the first 8 weeks!