Finally, I’m back. So it’s been a few months since my last post (err…ok, 8 months) but better late than never! BUT in my defense I have a few noteworthy things that may excuse my absence. First, I remodeled and expanded (sort of). Second, I took on a very cool (and large) beta corporate wellness job (and rocked it!) . Third, well….does it really matter?  Although I have to state for the record that I did actually blog sometime with the last few months but never got around to publishing them. I found 4 drafts when I logged in today (along with 1,286 comments, of which no less than 1,281 of were spam!). Those drafts were:

1) an “Open Letter to the Body Shaper Industry”, apparently I had quite a bone to pick with them based upon the First Law of Thermodynamics (energy can neither be created nor destoyed). So where does that muffin top go?

2) a piece stating my excitement  about my new office which at the time I blogged was apparently a mess… and I’m ashamed to announce that 4 months later it’s pretty much the in the same state.

3) a piece about a duh moment pertaining to how to post comments properly

4) a picture of my office which I could not size properly so it looks like a silly little icon.

Sure, nothing earth shattering (although I make a great point against those body shapers….) but it does prove that I didn’t completely bail. Almost, but not completely.

But now I am back and HAVE A LOT on which to update you. And pictures are forthcoming! MMFC is in full swing and the studio is packed! The rack of death is gone fo-eva! And in my constant quest of Feng Shui, the studio (complete with cardio theatre now!) has been remodeled. Yup. Again. It’s as beautiful, if not more so, than it has even been. Let me get those photos posted!!!!! Ciao

T

So I guess we must be having fun here at RB. I don’t know, it’s all been so fast. Today, is the year anniversary of my official buyout of Reform Bode, prior to this last year I had partners. And while I could say much about the buyout and the events which led to it, this is not the time or place for that story. I don’t know who coined the phrase “it’s not where you start out but where you end up” but it’s a good quote and that will be the theme for this post.

This year has flown by, when I look back I can only see chunks of time synched with events. I guess my mind doesn’t work as much chronologically with dates as it does work to save a series of events. So my event respective for the past year goes something like this:

rearranged my desk

bought a new laptop

bought additional cardio equipment

rearranged office

hired a new trainer

expanded corporate wellness client base

got a new, interactive website

got fired from a corporate wellness account

hired new pilates instructor

redesigned studio layout

started 2 very popular challenges

watched my daughter get launched off a horse

watched crying daughter get back on said horse

saw my daughter finish the 5th grade (with straight A’s)

Paid taxes

won an adventure race

installed cardio theatre and studio entertainment system

finished Atlas Shrugged

Learned the value of being selective about with whom you spend your time

“Surely there was more to my year than this” I say, but this is what comes to mind. I ’spose I learned to smile again and that cannot not be overrated.  I also have become aquainted with silence and calm, two friends that I value highly but have seemed to escape me for the last few years.

Most importantly I am beginning to trust again. Myself more than anyone else but it’s a start. It’s the rebirth of a commitmment to happiness so that I can be the trainer, mother, friend, and role model I am called to be. For if there is one thing I have learned through the buyout and since it is that negativity is a powerful force if you let it get a foothold in your life. It is the opposite of trust, clarity and empowerment. To harbor it is to harbor defeat. BUT if you just hold on to belief, if for nothing other than for beliefs sake (thanks Lance) you can see the power of trust and light in your life.

believe in yourself, get away from those who don’t

Tanya

I got a great email from a client participating in our Pledge to Lose Challenge II (this came after a Pledge workout here at RB):

“Hi Tanya!  Wow am I sore!  Shrinking pains, right?!”

I love it. She could’ve griped, but she chose not to. Instead of bitching about the discomfort, she tied that evidence of change (albeit uncomfortable) to her long term success. Very Smart.

I invite you to contemplate where your own beliefs, habits, attitudes, and values are standing in the way of making the commitment to get happy and healthy. Remember when your head is right, all else follows.

2.5 weeks left in the challenge and in first place is “grenade Alice” (see leader board, Elizabeth and I have embellished Carroll’s Alice turning her into a medieval torture inflictress, complete with knife and morningstar ) who has lost 7 pounds by last weigh in. I look forward to next Monday’s weigh in’s which will conclude week 4 of the challenge.  Time’s a tickin” folks, get movin!

Our Pledge to Lose Challenge is off to a great start! We are finishing up our second week and so many of you have risen to the occasion. With 20 participants (whew, about twice what I expected!), we’ve seen a lot of action in the studio in recent days and I couldn’t be more pleased. We had a couple participants jump out in the lead early, both losing 4 pounds in the first week, and several others losing 2-3 pounds. Almost everyone has seen the scale move. My note to everyone at such an early stage in the game (even if you have not seen the scale move): keep doing everything right without trying to take short cuts (ie: not eating, eating nonfoods, etc) . Lasting weight loss is achieved through a BALANCE of physical effort, intelligent diet choices, and rest . Stay the course!

The extra energy in Reform has been great but more warm bodies coming through the door was hardly the reason for initiating this challenge. Honestly, my initial reason for this endeavor was that I thought it would be fun and would create some energy. I’m a big fan of both. More seriously though, (I think I may be obligated to say this as a ”serious” business owner) I love to see people put in the work and get results.  I love the “aha” moments my clients get and their corresponding realization that shortcuts are ultimately defeating and suck. I love to see people conquer the facets that go into weight loss, weight maintenance and fitness achievement. Educating about and inspiring this process is what makes me tick. Because of this, I have given considerable thought to the roadblocks impeding that process. I have found the most significant obstacles are diet balance and cardio frequency. Hence, the Pledge to Lose Challenge was born. An opportunity to gain some headway in both categories with Reform Bode’s guidance.

So people: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. It is too easy to get complacent because results have come so early or because they haven’t come at all. But believe me, now is when the real work begins. Getting and keeping your head right so you can get exactly where you want to be, (not roughly in the vacinity) takes real focus.

I look forward to everyone’s success in the weeks to come .

Yeah I love ‘em too….. Ok, not really (it’s a 3 way tie between Twix, Peanut Butter Cups and 100 Grand) but I kinda hope they are part of the prize pack at then end of the Snickers Marathon in Albany, Ga this weekend.  I will be running with my friend and pilates savant, Judith.  This is, like, her 1 millionth marathon or something, but for me it’s actually my first. Don’t get me wrong I’ve run for a long time and all kinds of races, from sprints on a track to crazy 35 hour Adventure races in the wilderness, but I have never actually completed a road marathon. For many years my thoughts on the matter amounted to; “that’s no race, that’s an exercise in self torture”.  But for some reason this go round when asked I said “yeah, I’ll finally do it”.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d didn’t feel remotely that casual about the training involved, indeed it has not always been fun (frankly, black and blue toenails aren’t cute), esp as I find that I’m trying to regain any of the fitness level I enjoyed 2+ years ago before all hell broke loose (THAT, my friends, is a tale, no, a book, for another time). Yes, training has been eye opening. What used to be such an easy and casual pace is kicking my butt! Quite humbling. Combine that with the supercrud that spread like wild fire through Greenville recently from which I’m not sure I’ve truly recovered, and you have the making of what could be a real “event” around mile 22 or so (I only ran 21 while training and let me tell you THAT does not mix with Florida humidity, Red Wine and a wedding reception Dance Off….incidentally I “brought it” on the dance floor…). But…. dare I say it… I am looking forward to it. I’m not particularly scared or nervous (how scary can it be? there’s no repelling, kayaking in the dark or single track mountain biking right?) but I am actually looking forward to seeing what I can comfortably tolerate. This is a clear departure from my running mentality in the past which did not include words like “comfortably” and “tolerate”.  (Let  the record show “signs of personal growth”)

I welcome the departure. For now, I’m just happy to be able to run again and feel good in my skin, that’s all I need to be happy with my marathon performance this weekend. Well… and maybe a snickers:-)

I just came from Coffee Underground. I am still laughing. Directed at me from behind the counter “I’d kill to have that wagon you’re draggin’”. Maybe I should have been offended but, then again I don’t always have typical reactions to things (well,10 years ago I probably would’ve been offended but then again, 10 years ago I wanted a volkswagon cabriolet too, oh how times have changed….:-). 

 I just stood and laughed and was grateful.  The other girl behind the counter apologized for her co-worker but really, no apology needed. I may have lost a few things over the years, but my fruity booty has stood the test of time. Indeed, for as long as I can rememember it has been here. It’s like my trusty steed, truly, it has never left my side (err, back). In high school and college I wished it away but as my own idea of beauty and self acceptance has morphed so has my opinion of my “junk”. Ladies, if you got it, love it.

I

Thanks for sending in this pic! What welcome food for thought it must have been. I’ll keep this in mind as a mantra as I complete my training and my marathon draws nearer. And keeping with this notion, off I go! Well, to Turbokick that is…..

I love this acronym. It stands for “Getting S*** Done”.  I fell in love the term/concept immediately when I read an article years ago by Kristin Armstrong (yes, Lance’s ex) where she described in detail this concept as somewhat a personality trait. Basically, the “go to” people who seem to get it done, meet deadlines etc… have the GSD trait. They rarely, if ever, have to employ an excuse for failing accomplish something. We love these people, right? They are the best folks to work with, they are our best friends, and typically are great to be around. I think they also tend to be the best at meeting their goals in health/ fitness/ weight loss. It makes sense. So as spring and summer approach, (with the thought baring more skin looming), where do you stand with your goals? Have you reached them or are they still the same as they were 6 months ago? What have you allowed to stand in the way of hitting the mark? Is GSD in your DNA?

So last night I was watching Biggest Loser, right now it’s the only show I make time for and I really have to try at it! BUT this is probably the 3rd episode I’ve caught and I’m really captivated. There are a number of things that stick out to me as a trainer. First, the overwelming point that environment is one of the most important drivers for weight loss for these contestants. They all are most afraid of being sent home because they know how much harder weight loss is there…. THIS speaks volumes people! I’m sure it’s no different for the rest of us. Indeed, sabotage from even those who are supporters abounds at the workplace (donuts anyone?), at home, and in marketing messages (I’m lovin it!”. Obvious or subtle we all know they are around us. So what do we do about it?