About (almost) giving up…

Recently: My brother-in-law found out he has ALS. The budget for the diversity committee didn’t get approved. I caught someone littering in the car in front of me. I watched the news and learned about suicide bombings, government shutdowns, and what McDonald’s chicken nuggets are really made of. I got coffee at the gas station in a disposable cup and I used too many paper towels in the restroom.

For me, my biggest goal is to make a difference in this world (It may be vague, but it’s the truth). And all of this bad news made me ponder if what I’d been dreaming of (you know, simple things like reaching my goal weight, becoming a Zumba superstar, and inspiring millions to join in the fight for the greater good) would even matter.

So I skipped my morning workout session with my trainer, Derek. The next day I didn’t bother to run, and I had a second helping of that delicious salty caramel ice cream. And day after day, I started to get familiar with the status quo. My dreams got smaller, and my pants got tighter.

It took the trainer’s “tough love” to remind me that status quo isn’t what I’m after. I want the “uncommon life” where our biggest dreams are not only possible, but plausible. Yes, there are roadblocks, obstacles, sad news, loss. And there are those who will say that what we’re doing is futile. But among the naysayers, there are others who will prove them wrong - Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Theresa, and now… US. Me and you.

Us. Absolutely. So let’s embrace each day, encourage each other, hug each other, love each other, and be each other’s cheerleaders. Together, we can be so much more than we ever thought possible.

Are you ready to live an “uncommon life?” How will you begin?

Fitness Training with Derek - My Testimonial

I started seeing a fitness trainer, Derek Newcomer, in January 2012. He recently asked me to write my testimonial. Here is my story...

 

 

I’ve starved, binged, taken pills, joined weight loss groups, counted calories, eliminated food groups, exercised excessively, ignored exercise completely, and complained (a lot).

One thing I never did? Ask for help. I always thought that reaching a healthy weight was something I would eventually figure out – that I could do this on my own. But I never seemed to get it right.

One of my closest friends kept suggesting that I meet with her trainer, Derek. I worked up the courage for a consult, but I remember feeling so nervous when I got there. We talked about my food habits (well, let’s just say they weren’t the best), we talked about the many diets I tried in the past, and we talked about what I hoped to accomplish in the future (skinny jeans?!). But I left without signing up.

A few months later - when my weight and self-image started to keep me from doing things I enjoyed - I realized that my way wasn’t working, and it was time to try something different… I needed to ask for help.  

I started training with Derek in January, 2012. It was scary to listen and trust that it would work (and I think I asked Derek a million times if he really thought I could do it). But he had faith in me when I had none. One year later, I’ve lost 30 pounds.

But that isn’t the best part. The best part is when I get glimpses of what I am capable of (things I never imagined before). Am I really a Zumba® Fitness instructor? Am I really going to run my first half marathon this spring? Do I really have a muscle that is actually visible? I can hardly believe it!

I am so thankful for my friend’s advice, and for Derek’s patience, kindness, and encouragement. This has been an amazing year, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2013.