My First Public Speaking Invite - T.O.P.S.

Today I gave a 30 minute motivational talk to the members of the local T.O.P.S. group.  T.O.P.S. stands for Take off Pounds Sensibly

On my way - with my props!

One of the ladies at Gold's Gym, Constance asked me about 6 weeks ago if I would come speak for 30 minutes to the TOPS group she attends.  I had actually never heard of TOPS, but I said I would absolutely be happy to.

I began to research the group a little and found out that TOPS mission is "to help and support our members as they take off and keep off pounds sensibly."  Well I felt like that fell right in line with a big part of why I had been so successful these past ten months.  I have had incredible support from first of all the trainer, and then my family and friends.

I wrote up my talk and practiced it.  It was right at 30 minutes.  I had a few people proof it (and thank you to those who did) and offer me feedback.  I wasn't nervous about speaking in front of others, I was more nervous wondering if they would like me.  (Still working on that self-confidence piece apparently.)

They start their meeting with the pledge of allegiance.  Then they gather in a circle and hold hands and recite the TOPS pledge (pictured below.)  I was impressed already.

TOPS Pledge

They handled some other business.  I could tell all the ladies knew each other well and all were very supportive of one another.  Then came my turn to speak.  I had some serious moments where I definitely held their attention and I had some humorous moments, where they all were laughing.  They really enjoyed the "seatbelt" story. 

I had traveled in August 2015 on a plane and could barely buckle my seatbelt.  Then I traveled in April of 2016 (after the 12 week challenge) and I buckled it with 9 inches or more of slack.  I was so excited I tapped my neighbor's arm on the plane to tell them all about it.  And then I did the same thing on the second flight.  I demonstrated this by tapping on one of the ladies' arms.  I am glad that went over well and the room was enjoying that story immensely.

I made it for the 30 minutes and then answered questions.  Then I stayed afterwards and answered some more questions.  They would love for me to join their group, but honestly it would conflict with my workouts in the morning and I have an awesome support system.  But I loved their group above anything I had ever tried before.  I said I'd love to come back and speak again in 6 months and show you that I am still progressing.

Of course, everyone wanted a "Ryan."  Ryan continues to teach me things every week.  And they are probably things he has told me all along, but I am just now grasping.  I'm so thankful for that.  

So I don't know if I'll get asked to speak again anywhere, but this was certainly a great experience for me.  Thanks to Constance for asking me.

Thanksgiving = Thanks Living

At this time of year, I like to reflect back on my year and remember all that I am thankful for.  I am a firm believer in God and all of His blessings, and I truly believe that God has put the right people in my path this year to help me live life more abundantly.  I am going to try and be brief, but you all know how that goes.  I am thankful beyond measure for Ryan Teal, Mana Shigematsu, Suzanne Barnes, Jon Drackett, Semaj Baldwin, and for ALL of the friends I have made this year.

Some of the many friends I have made this year.

Ryan Teal - The simple fact that you believed and still believe in me has helped me believe in myself.  I cannot thank you enough for being willing to teach me how to eat (and how to eat enough), how to exercise, how to not be a slave to the scale, and how to recognize my self-worth.   When you left Golds a lot of people actually told me that "change" would be good for me and I know there are a lot of people that maybe don't understand why I still work with you.  But I understand it and my husband and family understand it and that's good enough for me.  Thanks for speaking up and offering to help me way back when.  It has changed my life!

Mana, me, and Ryan

Mana Shigematsu - I am so thankful for you Mana.  In the beginning all I could see or hear was Ryan.  But as time went on, Ryan would tell me how you were an integral part of helping me succeed.  You were quite content to be behind-the-scenes.  I would make Ryan uncomfortable by praising him in a blog post and you were always just fine when I didn't mention you.  But let me tell you, I recognize your part in my journey and I am thankful for you.  I specifically remember an ab workout that you led us in right after I had hurt my knee.  I couldn't put much pressure on my leg, so you just turned the entire workout into an ab workout in the supine position.  You had/have a great sense of my mood and I was living a nightmare in my head.  I remember clearly you telling me to "get out of my head.  I would be fine.  My knee would heal.  The progress would continue."  I had been fighting back tears up to that point.  I think it was the first time I really realized that you were as invested in helping me as Ryan was.  There were many times you had that sixth sense of my mood and said the right thing at the right time to "snap me out of it."  So thank you!

Suzanne and my rehab days!

Suzanne Barnes - I am so thankful for the weeks of rehab we put in together to get my knee whole again.  I love that you believed it would heal and strengthen and that together we pulled off what the doctor said would not happen.  We got my knee strong again.  I loved those weeks of training together and I will be forever thankful for you.

Jon Drackett

Jon Drackett- Jon is a trainer at Gold's gym but is also a pastor at 970 church.  Jon has helped Joe with corrective exercises for his back and for his hyper-mobility.  I remember letting Jon know about the results of my knee MRI - torn medial meniscus.  Jon knew I was a Christian and so he simply asked me, "Has anyone prayed for you?"  I said, yes.   We then went on to have a ten minute conversation that simply reminded me that God is a God that heals.  Jon's fire for the Word was evident with every word he spoke to me in that ten minutes.  I went to the orthopedic doctor a few days later and was told that surgery was NOT needed.   And as you just read above, Suzanne helped me get my strength back in that leg.  Sometimes all you need is 10 minutes with someone to change your life.

Semaj and me

Semaj Baldwin - I do believe that God has the right people at the right place at the right time.  I believe that is the case with all of the people mentioned above and with Semaj as well.  He was hired at Golds right after Ryan and Mana left.  Our relationship is still building, but I love the way he motivates, inspires, and trains.  I am thankful for you Semaj!

More friends

And more friends

To all my friends:  You have seen me at my best and you have seen me at my worst, yet you have always been there for me to encourage me, to hug me, or to just simply be there.  My life has been enriched by each and every one of you and I could write something about each of you, but the post would go on for days.

As I learn to love myself, it becomes so much easier to love others.  This year has not only been significant in weight loss and fitness goals, but also in learning to love myself.  This has only strengthened my relationship with my husband and with my children.  They have given me their full support to do what I do.  They have changed their eating to correspond with mine, they have allowed me to be gone for hours to the gym, they have pitched in on chores and grocery shopping -- all of this allows me to work on me.  Working on me and building a stronger version of myself is going to pay back dividends for years to come.

My family - Love them all!

So to all of you who have touched my life this year - thank you.  Have a great thanksgiving!  And thank you for being a part of my thanks - living!

Trying New Things - Beast Barbell Training

Ryan and Mana are the reason I have had the success I have had these past 10 months.  If it was simply the gym, I'd have been successful 7 years ago when their doors opened. So since they left the gym, I have tried many different and new avenues of fitness.  It's been fun to explore different programs.  That being said, it is also nice to return to the familiar.

Friday morning workout at Beast Barbell!

I plan my week every week and run it by Ryan.  This week my Friday was quite full and I wasn't able to fit the gym in to the day, so I asked Mana if he would be willing to train me.  His schedule was open and so we planned for that.  Now for some reason, I really don't like working out alone.  I like working out with a friend.  So I asked Jenna if she would join me.  After all it was chest and shoulders and Jenna is ALWAYS game for shoulders.

Thanks Jenna!

There are just so many things I like about working out with Mana, probably too many to mention.  But here's a few - he knows how much we can lift and he pushes us beyond that.  He doesn't let us wimp out.  He's got Jenna's number (I had to say that Jenna - it makes me laugh.)  I'm always like - Ok I did ten - that's good, right?    He never accepts "that's good."  He always - yes always, pushes us for more.  I love that you, Mana, are willing to keep working with us as you have time.  Here's some photos from our chilly morning workout.

Notice the rack - these are 35's

Notice the rack - he made me do 50s.  And I did it.

Go Jenna!

Push ups - nicely done!

Until Mana says stop - say STOP already!

I love working out with friends!

So I titled this Trying New Things - because we were trying new things, but with a familiar face.  Thanks Mana!  Until next time.  

Trying New Things - YMCA in Minster, oHIo

This week I flew out to Ohio and showed up on my mom's doorstep on her 88th birthday.  It was a total surprise and it was pulled off perfectly.

Just to give you an idea of how seriously I am taking this weight loss journey, I have a notebook that I have kept all my progress recorded in and then I also had professional photographs from a family trip to Alaska.  I was packing both.  I had to decide which to put in my luggage and which to carry on.  If my bag was lost, which could I live without?  The photos went in my luggage and my notebook I carried on the plane with me.

Pictures in the suitcase; notebook in the carry on bag.

Prior to the trip, I contacted the YMCA and set up two trainer appointments.  The trainer Judi and I talked prior to my trip and were looking forward to meeting each other.  I stayed home with my mom on Wednesday (her 88th birthday), but Thursday morning I got up and headed to the Y.  The staff there was very welcoming.  I started off in the cardio room on the elliptical on my own and then I met up with Judi and we worked with the TRX.  We hit it off right away.

The crocodile

Judi and me - love my hair!

Before I left she asked me if I had done "spin" before.  I replied that I had not because I didn't really like the bikes.  She replied, we'll do some spin work tomorrow.  (Trainers have a way of hearing what they want to hear.  :)  )

Let's just say I was less than enthused about that and seriously thought about cancelling.  But that's just not who I am, so I showed up.  I have to say I had the greatest time on that bike.  I don't know why I "fear" the new things so much sometimes, but if I just break through the fear, I have a great time 99% of the time.

The whole room to ourselves!

After the time on the bike, we did some kettlebell work and then back on the bike and then some bar work and some ab work.  It was different and it was fun and Judi was so great to be around.  We both wished that I had more time to visit so we could train some more together.   Thank you Judi! 

No pain, no gain!

Sweat is pouring, glasses are off!

I'll be back to training with Ryan and Semaj next week, but it was fun to have a few days of total rest and relaxation.  The midwest is so quiet and peaceful and beautiful.  I'm thankful to my husband for running the business and the house so I could be gone.

"Country Roads"

My mom's backyard -- great for sprints!

I missed all my workout partners too -  see you all soon!

Every Thing Is Changing - Take One Day at a Time

My life has been experiencing a lot of changes lately, and it's a good time to self-reflect and ask myself how can I handle change gracefully?  It's always good to remember that all I can do is take one day at a time and remember to breathe.

Our daughter is graduating college in May and she has colleges "wooing" her to come get her doctorate in Engineering Education.  So she's busy figuring out the next step in her life.  My high school junior son visited School of Mines last weekend and came home and said,"I want to graduate high school this year and go to college next year."  So we've been steadily working on that this week.  His application is in and we have to sign up for some on line classes to finish high school early.

Our business is hopping, keeping us all busy.  The NLP program that I've been a part of for over a year now is undergoing a lot of changes since Mana and Ryan left a few weeks ago.  I'm trying to figure out a new fitness routine so that I can continue with my goals and not be frustrated.   And on top of all of that one of Joe's friends that we've known since pre-school took his own life this week.

At times the pressure of the week seemed too much.  But I know better.  I've been taught better.  So sometimes I just have to slow down and talk to myself or even better I have a great spouse to talk to and we remind each other of what we've been taught.  First of all God is always first.  Remember to keep God first.  Pray, read the Bible, reflect -- this always brings peace for me.

Then I remember to take one day at a time.  With so much change around me, I begin to doubt that I'll ever get all the weight off.  I don't want to give up.  I just feel like "this is as good as it gets."  So again, I have to have a talk with myself and remind myself to just take ONE DAY AT A TIME.

So I've made a goal for myself for these next two months - because the holidays are upon us and things seem to speed up instead of slow down -- to just "breathe" and "take one day at a time."  I encourage you to do the same if you begin to feel overwhelmed.  I also remind myself that there are two ways to look at every situation so why not pick the positive way?

I would love your suggestions on how to respond to the following comments:  I was shopping for new clothes and for the first time in over 15 years I found myself in unfamiliar territory.  I was in the regular part of the store - not the plus size section of the store.  I actually asked a clerk for some help and she suggested a name brand of clothing that she liked.  When I told her I had lost 56 pounds since January - she asked "Did you have cancer?"   Then again at check out, I was telling the clerk about losing the weight and  she joyfully asked, "Oh did you have the surgery?"  I told both of them that no, I had worked with a trainer who had helped me with diet and exercise.  Any suggestions on how to handle that any better?

I love this next incident in that it shows you why Ryan is so valued by so many.  My son Joe went to a NLP workout this week.  When he came home, my husband Dave asked Joe, "Did anyone ask where I was?"  Joe said, "No." Then Dave just very honestly said, "Ryan would have asked where I was."  That's it in a nutshell.  He (Ryan) cared about each person that he trained.  It was much more than just a job or a paycheck.  That's the piece that is lacking right now in the program for me.  I'm building it with one of the trainers and that's been a positive for me.

That simple remark that Dave made that night reminded me also to make sure I was showing care and concern for those that I interact with.  It's a big deal.  We (our family) try to tell/show people how much they mean to us.  We are reminded again that this is such an important thing to do with our friends and acquaintances, because we never know what people are struggling with in their lives.  There is nothing we can do now that would bring Joe's friend back - but we can remember to be kind to those we interact with in the future.

So this post tonight is a reflective post.  If you've made it through my "essay" I say congratulations.  This is just a little bit of what goes through my head in a week.  So while everything seems to be changing, I will continue to take one day at a time.

Trying New Things - Cardio Circuit Training at MARS

 HOLY CRAP - That was a cardio workout!!!!  If you want to burn some serious calories in a short amount of time, you need to give this a try.  This is being offered for FREE again on Thursday morning, November 3 at 10:45 a.m. at MARS.  Probably the best compliment ever is that Kellie (who NEVER sweats) broke a sweat during this workout!

I've been able to still train with Ryan (since he left Golds), but I have not trained with Mana.  There's nothing quite like having Mana quietly in your face pushing you to go harder at everything you do.  I imagine it would be pretty close to what a drill seargent would be.  Awe Mana, I've missed you.  I told him I'd pay money just to have him yelling at me.  He said, he'd love that job.  lol

There are quite a few of us who have had excellent fitness results under the tutelage of Ryan and Mana - so I believe that sells the program right there.  If this program gets going, I'm in and I hope I'll have a lot of friends joining me.

Oh Patty - have you forgotten your form already?

Oh Patty, let me get you a harder band.

Oh Patty, why do you have that light weight?
Oh Mana, don't you have someone else to talk to?

There is a little bit of kickboxing thrown in - but it feels good and it's MAJOR cardio.

Jenna throwing punches

Kate in the front, Kellie in the back throwing punches.

I think there were 10 - 3 minute rounds.  But I'm not sure, my head is a little foggy.  :)  Here's a sampling of some (but not all) of the other exercises.  Thanks to Toni for snapping the photos.  Toni is almost as much of a drill seargent with me as Mana is, so it's always nice when she's there too!

Look at Kellie planking (and sweating)!

Ropes

Jenna with the step up for the win!

That was really fun and something new.  It's always nice to train with Ryan and Mana too!  Let's do it again!