My New Wellness Story
I don't know about you, but ever since I started writing New Year's Resolutions, setting goals or creating intentions, I've had some version of "lose weight, exercise more, get fit, get healthy" on my list. Last year I decided that this was the last time I was putting this on my list--I was tired of writing it year after year without any results. Wherever I ended in 2012, it was going to be maintenance from here on out! As soon as I made that decision, all kinds of products and programs came out of the word work. Because I travel a lot, the liquid programs wouldn't work, I don't like to take pills, didn't want to give myself shots, didn't want to count calories or journal if I didn't have to, and I didn't want to be hungry all the time-at least I'm not picky! Additionally, I decided that I wasn't going to struggle anymore! I've been struggling with my weight since I was 11 or 12 years old and decided that I wanted this to be easy-no more struggling! After a little Internet research and a few phone calls, I landed on the Take Shape For Life Program. This program provides coaching, uses Medifast meal replacements, and offers numerous support opportunities. Most importantly for me-it was EASY!!! Since I started on February 15, 2012, I've dropped nearly 80 pounds!!! Seventy pounds in the first seven months and I've been working on these last 20 since then. I've go about 10 more to go to hit my weight goal (getting to a normal BMI.)
I've lost and gained weight many times before, but this time, it has definitely been different. Here are a number of things I've learned over the last few months...
1. Visualizing Works!
I use (and ask my coaching clients) to use visualization to clearly identify and see what they would love. Two years ago, I got a really clear picture that I was going to be a size 6. For those of you who've known me for a while know that I've never been a size 6 in my life. That number came from my visualization process to determine what I would love! A 10 was more practical (and the smallest size I'd ever been.) It was actually hard for me to visualize because I had no idea of what I would/could look like as a size 6, but I spent time picturing what a person who is a size 6 eats, what they do and how they act and made that person me! So... guess what? Two years later-I'm a size 6! And actually even have a few things that are size 4!!
2. Following a Program Works!
I have tried multiple diet programs throughout my lifetime and one thing I've learned is that if you follow a program, it usually works...at least for a while. The difference for me this time is that the Take Shape for Life Program has been really easy to follow and I've been able to stay on it for almost a year with very few exceptions. There was enough variety in the food options, I was able to eat 'real' food right away and my coach was available whenever I had questions or needed encouragement. When I follow this program, I lose weight and more importantly, it takes me through a transition and maintenance phase too so that I can easily stay this size for the rest of my life!
3. Loving Myself Works!
When I would take a look at my weight gains and losses over the years, it seemed that my weight used to fluctuate based on whether I was in love or not. Since I haven't been in love all that many times, it seemed that the fluctuation tended to lean toward the heavy side!!! Historically, when I would lose weight, I would get more attention from men (that deserves an entire dissertation on its own!) This time around, I didn't get any more or any less attention from men as I dropped pounds. This may sound odd for me to say but this is a huge victory!!! At the risk of sounding a bit Oprah'ish-I am finally getting the love and attention I need from myself vs. an external someone! Now I can be in love ALL the time!!!
4. Exercise Works!
I didn't spend a lot of time the first few months exercising. I did start meeting with a trainer, but it took me nearly seven months to use up my 12-session package, so you can see my commitment wasn't that strong! As I mentioned earlier, I dropped about 70 pounds in seven months and one of the down-sides of that was what I fondly call my 'loosey goosey' skin. I was irritated by it, so in September I told my Mom that I was going to give myself a year of committed exercise and if I didn't have any results, I would go under the knife! She knows me well enough to know that I would never do that due to my intense dislike of pain! But it was incentive to start taking my exercise more seriously. I now use up my 12-session packages in four or five weeks, I'm hiking regularly, and just started Bikram Yoga. I am noticing a lot of changes in my body and my 'loosey goosey' skin is firming up!! I've said for years that I didn't have time to exercise, but interestingly, I have the same amount of time now that I've had in years past. Prioritization of my time has been the biggest difference... exercise is important... I am important enough to make the time for me! I'm working out at the hotel fitness centers or in my room when I travel, I'm trying different types of exercise, and I'm even whining and stalling less when I meet with my trainer!!! I plan to hike the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim this year and also have a couple of other big fitness goals for 2013!!!
This journey has been exciting, emotional, challenging, and rewarding! It has confirmed and reinforced my commitment to coaching and to helping people live a life they love. It all started with a decision. If you are ready to make a decision and are ready to start YOUR new Wellness Story, take action now and give me a call!
