That time of year…

The holidays are here and if you’re anything like me (and millions of others), you’re confronted with temptations daily.  It is also the time of year that most people start thinking about what they have accomplished in the past 11 months and begin making resolutions for the next year.   And though I tend to focus on health, fitness, and weight loss a majority of the time, we obviously focus on a lot of different aspects when it comes to accomplishments and resolutions.  But not being happy with the skin you’re in can bring a lot of stress, negative feelings, and poor decisions that can make it even harder to reach your goals and achieve your accomplishments, whether they are health related or not!

There are a lot of people that have approached me for support lately, and I am more than happy to help!  It’s why I got into coaching in the first place – because I saw success and had a lot to share with others.   But a lot of times I’m reminded that everyone is on their own journey and approaches things differently.  Each person has different things on his/her plate – stress, time management, planning, activity, family, etc.  There are a few quotes I feel are very important to remember at this time of year and every other day, as well:

1. “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
I love to share my results and the success stories of others, but many of us have been on this journey for awhile.  I have been working on my 47+ pound and 32+ inch loss since February 24th.  Others have been working longer, others less…and we all have different goals and are reaching different milestones.  When I started I wanted to lose 10 pounds.  When I got to that point, I made that goal 25, then 30, then 40, now 50.  I realized that I had the potential to do something more, but I didn’t want to set myself up for failure, since I knew that it was up to ME and no one else to get me where I wanted to be.  I saw the success of others and used it as inspiration and motivation to start my own journey to success.  I shared my frustrations, asked questions, tried new things, and let go of old practices.  It was only through carving my own path that I was able to learn anything, not by comparing myself to someone else.   And it might not be weight loss you’re trying to achieve.  You may be struggling with anorexia and want to know proper nutrition to get healthier, or you may already be thin but want to add muscle to your physique.  Set your goals and know what it takes to achieve them.  And understanding that there are no quick fixes (that last in the longterm) is essential.  For example, if you think of it as a diet, that puts an expiration date on your timeline.  Or if doing cardio makes you sick to your stomach, try yoga!  Make it a lifestyle change and strive to do better than yesterday, every day.

This was just shared with me today, by some fellow coaches, and I LOVE it!
2. “Your WHY needs to be stronger than your addictions.”

While we don’t want to call them addictions, there are a lot of things done daily that can be considered as such.  Trips to Starbucks or Tim Horton’s, Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme, fast food chains, and even sit-down convenience restaurants.  For me it was sugary breakfast cereal and convenience foods for lunches like cinnamon applesauce, microwaveable diet meals, and snack bars.  Be stronger than those addictions (WANTS) and focus on your NEEDS.  And know what you need to do to reach your goals by focusing on a WHY.  WHY are you trying to (lose weight, get healthy, get fit)?  What propels you?  What motivates you?  What is going to help make this stick THIS TIME?  While I’m working to lose my excess weight before I get pregnant with my first child, you may be working toward a different goal.  Of the people I’m supporting right now, one wants to lose the baby weight from her last child, one is working on feeling sexier in a new dress for her vow renewal next year, and one is even working on losing enough weight to qualify for weight reduction surgery.  Figure out your WHY and be STRONGER than your addictions…AND your excuses.

And this brings us to this…
3.  “The only thing standing in the way of your success is your behavior.”
We can blame genetics, lifestyle, budget, opportunity, age, gender, race, or experience.  Or you can remember that YOU are the only thing that stands in your way.  The rest are just excuses.  Yup, I said it.   And for every excuse you give me, I can come right back with a success story of someone who made it happen.  YOU can make it happen, if you are willing to put in the effort.  If you’re not, that’s fine!  Like I said, I understand we all handle things differently, and must do things on our own time and in our own way.  But just know that there are options if you are willing, and it doesn’t have to include oodles of money, hours a day, duct-taping your mouth, or ritual sacrifice.

If you’re ready, I will be there every step of the way as your coach.  I’m here to support you, not get your sale.  Encouraging you helps to motivate me as well, as I’m still on that journey myself!  If you need daily check-ins, I can do that!  If you want me to help you plan out meals and accompany you to the grocery store, so be it (but I will definitely expect travel expenses :-P).  And now that I’m done with my second Masters, I want to dedicate some time into getting certified in nutrition and I’m really excited to keep learning and keep sharing.  Like I said, I know everyone is on their own journey so my coaching is not “one size fits all” either.  I can give you tough love, I can sit back and let you do your thing, or I can do a little of both.  But I will support you, answer your questions, and help whatever way I can and do whatever it is you need until you get where you want to be.  Guaranteed.  And though I am smart enough to know that it isn’t for everyone, I will always “promote” Beachbody products because there are a ton of people that have seen success using their products, myself included.  And you know the age-old saying…”don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!”  Don’t draw conclusions until you’ve put in the effort!  And remember, there’s always a 30 day money back guarantee on any of our products, including a “bottom of the bag” guarantee for Shakeology.

Peace, love, and apples with peanut butter,
Cat.