Motivation Monday!

If you're like me, you've struggled with the topic of how to lose weight effectively and keep it off. There are THOUSANDS of magazines centered on this very topic. There are televised doctors and plenty of reality TV revolving around this very concept...

Myth: "You Can Lose Weight Quickly!"

They claim misleading facts about so much of it too. I used to sit there, remote in fidgety hand, and cry about how I was unhappy with my body but didn't make any changes in the habits that made me that way - don't they say that's the mark of insanity? "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"??

Truth: It takes Effort and Time

I tried so many different things - weight watchers, counting points, and still eating pizza and beer. Following the quick "fad" diets without true exercise... Well, let me tell you there's NO quick and easy fix. You will NOT lose it in two weeks, you will not lose it in five days. True results take work!

You get out of this what you put INTO it.

A friend of mine posted this photo of himself on Instagram yesterday and it reminded me of how our journey is so different but oh so similar to one another. Each one of us faces different obstacles, but it's greatly reassuring that with each one of us, it takes time. Everything worth doing in this life takes painfully, carefully crafted patience to truly appreciate it's end. As a reformed over eater, I will continuously struggle internally with making positive and healthy choices for myself each time I'm faced with fork in-hand scenarios. I admire each and every one of you who face the same issues, and wherever you are on your timeline of progress, I'm proud of you.

This guy Zach, a 30-something 8th grade English teacher and fantastic comic-book author, undoubtedly wins the award for determination and continued motivation! Read his story about what it's been like for him for the last ten years - since his point or revelation and what jettisoned him into healthy living and learning. I've received his permission to post this here, as his Instagram is private. Read his post below:

"10 years ago, give or take a few days, I began my fitness journey. It began with trying to run to the stop sign at the end of the block. Then it was around the park. Then it was all the way back to my apartment, which would equal a mile. This continued through that year, culminating in a 5k. The next year I began going to the gym regularly, trying to lean out. I took classes, worked on the machines, and took advice from friends on how to lift. 2009 was a very productive year. I joined Weight Watchers, which, for anyone trying to lose or maintain weight, I cannot recommend enough.

One of the biggest lessons I've had to learn over the last two years is that food is what helps with your health more so than exercise. I ended up dropping 60 pounds by the time I decided I just wanted to maintain.

In September, I competed in the Volkslauf. I ran a 10k, plus obstacles. I started attending more classes at 24 hour fitness and working with the PE teacher at my school in '09 and through 2010/2011. This helped with the leaning process, but I was still relatively weak. This continued till march 2013. This is when I joined Crossfit. Through the support and guidance of my friends and coaches, I gained a lot of strength. I performed things that I never thought I was capable of. I've attended regularly for almost four years now. I've expanded my fitness regiment in the last two years to include rock climbing, boxing, and I still try to run occasionally, but have not passed the 14 mile mark.

What I've learned over these last 10 years is that every day is a possibility for failure, advancements, setbacks, improvements, learning experiences, and perseverance.

Know, that it's all up to you. You have to be hard on yourself, as well as be kind, with the knowledge that none of it will be easy, but it will be worth it."

How to Get Results:

Here are my suggestions! See more HERE

Keep Going - go to the gym, do intervals - Just get moving at least 30 minutes a day.
Lift all the weights!! Girls *cannot* "turn into men" by lifting. AT ALL.
Eat healthy, raw foods - fruits, veggies, and healthy fats (avocados! yum)
GBOMBS - Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries and Seeds!!
Protein, Protein, Protein! Turkey, Eggs, Chicken... ALL the chicken.
Don't get discouraged! Every step forward is still getting closer than you were before!