Are you starting to feel it yet?
That twinge of angst when you think about summer clothes and (gulp) swimsuits. For us northerners, we’re counting about 3+ months out until Memorial Day weekend. Can you believe it?!
If I’m being completely honest, the thought of my pasty white and dimpled thighs (not the cute kinda dimples) emerging into the daylight has crossed my mind. Nothing that I’m stressing about, but those thoughts are back there wanting some attention (and self tanner). The wheels are turning.
One of my favorite sayings is “To Change, You have to Change”.
In this context, for my body to change – to get to a place where I feel and function optimally AND feel comfy in my skin and summer clothes – something has to change – just a bit.
There’s a fine line between denial and reality – and nothing like an unflattering photo, growing belly pudge or squeezing into once baggy skinnies to bring you back to reality. For me, I’m noticing more jiggle when I jump and I don’t like that feeling.
But wait, isn’t my message all about loving and accepting myself and helping people find their food flow? …without obsessing and hating ourselves?
Yes, it is. I work on this all day – everyday. BUT…
I’m also about becoming who I’m meant to be – inside and out. And helping you do the same.
I’m about being super duper honest with myself and looking through some of the excuses, self manipulation and limiting beliefs I’ve created that prevent me from growing and evolving.
Letting go and shedding what no longer serves my soul – and my body.
And that might involve physically shedding some of that protective layer, that self imposed “weight of the world” I take on and releasing the stuck-ness that’s literally weighing me down.
And let me be clear, this isn’t about beating myself/ourselves up and hating on my/our bodies or having body dysmorphia – nor is it about being “perfect”. It’s that fine line again of being 100% truthful while loving and appreciating myself/ourselves at the same time.
I am fit and strong. I have a nice shape. I’m glad butts are in because I have a “booty”. I have curvy hips and thighs. Broad shoulders. I have a defined waist and a smedium chest which thankfully keeps the ‘girls’ perky and up where they were when I was a teenager. I’m very grateful for my body and I take good care of it.
A few weeks ago, I posted one of my very few selfies as I headed to a personal training session. I felt empowered and strong and ready to transform (I still do).
I’ve been going to Columbia Crossfit for over 5 years, yet I’m super frustrated that I can’t do a pull up (yet). So that’s one of my first goals.
In order to change, something has to change.
(‘Cuz nothing’s changed in 5 years on this pull up thing. I’ve half-assedly worked on it by myself, but not enough for any progress.)
I realized I need expert help. (That help happens to be from a regional Crossfit competitor and Beast of the East winner. Hi Zach! 🙂 )
I need to reset both my body mechanics and mindset and get back to the basics, consistently DO the foundational movements, VISUALIZE and BELIEVE I can do pull ups in order to integrate and accomplish my goal.
And after that – I have many more goals – so that I keep progressing. That’s part of being human and growing. It’s a big part of my DNA.
Enter the moderator’s paradox.
How do we change so that our bodies change without being obsessive, extreme, overly restrictive and really boring and miserable?
How do we reach our balanced, ideal goals without kidding ourselves that we can eat or drink whatever we want? It’s only by being consistent with eating and exercise (and all the other important lifestyle factors) that we can achieve body change results.
In other words, if our body isn’t where we want it to be, we can’t eat or drink whatever we want (if we want our body to change)…BUT we can perhaps find a more moderate approach that’s steeped in acceptance, reality – that’s consistently focused, but gives us some space to let loose a little bit so that we don’t feel overly restricted. (Except for triggering foods, which should probably be abstained for certain personality types.)
Just like with my pull up goal, I’m doing the exercises Zach prescribed about 4 days a week and working on my core and lat engagement at rest. It’s hardly an inconvenience or obsession. I’m trusting the process, my body and his guidance. I’m not pushing myself to do it. I just remind myself to do it.
I accept that this goal is more important to me than not doing it.
To test this approach out, I’m piloting a 3 month body comp program starting in March with myself and a client (n=2+?). We’re following evidence based, proven templates gathered from several fat loss programs that I’ve studied and used. My goal on this journey is to make the strict/macho/obsessive approaches that are out there more moderate and metabolically supportive while still achieving the body changes we desire.
I’ll also be incorporating functional and lifestyle assessments, a personality quiz and metabolic typing to personalize the food and exercise approach to best suit your unique profile.
Will we be bikini models by Memorial Day? Doubtful – but that’s not the goal. We’ll be leaner and feel better in our skin. We’ll be developing new habits so that we don’t boomerang back to where we were in February. We’ll be more connected to our bodies and food. Those are the goals.
I’ll be posting updates via our Nourished Path Community emails, so be sure to subscribe and stay tuned.
If you’d like to join us, I’m offering the entire 3 months of 1:1 coaching, daily check ins with eating templates as part of the Nutrition Session 5 Pack Package on the Work With Me page found here under “View Products/Packages”. We’ll also have a private Facebook page to safely post questions and share wins, progress pics and recipes. I’m so excited!
(NOTE: Even though the package description specifies 5 sessions, there will be way more support for this pilot program – there’ll be weekly sessions available over the 12 weeks from March through May – which works out to be under $30 per session (a savings of $600 based on normal rates!!)! This is a great opportunity to save $$, work together and get incredible support while getting the results you want – Plus I LOVE this stuff!!! Your success is my success. All I ask is for any feedback and a testimonial if you benefit from the pilot program – which you will.)
Please reach out if you have any questions or comments!
