My client Haidee tried so many workout plans and quick fixes to attempt reaching her personal fitness goals. She wanted to know how to lose weight fast! But she learned the best way to lose weight and keep it off was through a daily workout plan and meal plan that met her where she was in life.
The only way to understand my success story is to understand how I got here.
When I was about 19-years-old, someone snapped a picture. I happened to be wearing a pair of shorts while walking away from the subjects in the photo. It was the first time I saw the back of my legs through everyone else’s eyes. Lumpy, clumpy and dumpy! The front wasn’t much better but I was in denial. I was also in a relationship with someone who wanted a skinny woman. This was my “official” entry onto the treadmill of weight loss and working out.
I joined a gym and started taking 1 hour of aerobics classes about 3 times per week. Eventually, I would work my way up to four and add some weight-training. I also started a bunch of weight-loss attempts that I list below. There may have been others but these are the most <ahem> memorable.
First attempt: Fiber pills. Fiber pills fill you up so that you don’t eat as much. You take the pills and drink tons of water. There was a small weight loss in the beginning but I had indigestion most of the time and the pills were kind of expensive given how many they wanted you to take.
Second attempt: Slim Fast. This is before the bars and snacks, etc. Shakes only. Yeah, hardcore! Have a shake for breakfast, one for lunch and then have a sensible dinner. I had to switch it up because I had to have solid food in the middle of the day, I couldn’t survive on shakes for almost twelve hours. I did this for MANY years and it worked but once I started eating more solid food, the weight came on – and with a vengeance!! Somewhere in the middle of this attempt, I dumped the guy who wanted a skinny woman even though I was skinny at this point.
Third attempt: Fat makes you fat (Suzanne Powers?)! So I started eating everything fat free. This included any fat free candy that was out there. This didn’t last long.
Forth attempt: Atkins. I never fully did Atkins because I don’t fully understand a diet where you can eat all the bacon you want but you have to avoid apples or peas because of the carb content. So I basically gave up bread and pasta – I also gave up oatmeal. I still ate apples and peas but I kept it to a minimum. This went on for many years and I still try to be aware of my carb intake but I’ve been eating more carbs recently.
Fifth attempt: Weight loss pills. Anything on the market. Ephedra was the most effective and then the FDA banned it. Sigh, my legs hadn’t looked that good in years.
Sixth attempt: Weight Watchers. Which worked at first but then you get so caught up in points that you stop eating things that are healthy based on points. I started to avoid oatmeal again, olive oil… things of that nature.
Seventh attempt: My Fitness Pal. It is a great tool for logging so that you are aware of what you are eating BUT they set me at 1200 calories a day which is just not enough. My weight would not budge! Again, you give up olive oil and things that are healthy because they add calories and you have a budget!
At approximately 44-years-old, I started to do Zumba. I loved Zumba but it just wasn’t enough to get me into the shape that I wanted. I had more cellulite than ever. I’d never had a stomach and now I had one. …and then I hurt my knee… Torn or separation of the cartilage in my left knee. No more Zumba for me. I was heart-broken and unmotivated. Now what, I get to ride a stationary bike for an hour 4 times a week? Oh, fun! But I was thankful that I was able to do anything. So I did the bike and elliptical and lifted some.
This brings me to now – age 46. Kyra Williams Fitness. Just about the time that my pants wouldn’t fit any longer and I was wondering if I could survive around try at Slim Fast, I found Kyra on Facebook, started following her page and was impressed with her story. The timing was good because not long after that she was opening the #Commit2Fit program, which is a 3 month program of workouts and nutrition customized to my personal needs. I had tried personal training at my gym and had some success but it didn’t include the nutritional component. Also, my trainers had not been through the struggle. Kyra had. And she had some amazing results. So I joined #Commit2Fit.
Of course Kyra needs to know about you so I filled out some information about myself and then, what? Progress pictures? No way, no how. I am not putting my body on Facebook in shorts and a sports bra. I have a strict policy not to wear shorts anywhere except the gym and in the privacy of my own home. I haven’t even been wearing shorts to the gym lately. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Okay – I sucked it up, took the pictures and sent them to Kyra. Then I deleted them. If I could have pushed delete more than once, I would have!
The nutrition wasn’t as difficult of a transition because I would say that I ate 80% clean already but Kyra really opened my eyes about adding healthy fat. I was a little concerned about adding in fat and some healthy carbs. I was afraid of gaining more weight but I knew I needed to trust Kyra and trust the process. I also had to reprogram my thinking and eat more times throughout the day.
The workouts are awesome. The format is easy to understand. The variety kept me interested because I’m always learning new ways to move my body. The training videos are priceless because you get to see the exercises performed instead of attempting to interpret text. I worked really hard during each session but got them done in a fraction of the time compared to how long I would normally spend at the gym.
I started to feel better. I was sleeping better, had a little more energy and was more focused and alert. And, for the first time in a long time, I was not hungry every single moment of every day! I don’t feel deprived.
The other members of #Commit2Fit were so supportive. I loved reading about their workouts, recipes, ideas, travel plans, stumbles and triumphs. Everyone was positive, even if they weren’t having the greatest day. There is so much negativity on line and it was such a great resource for inspiration.
Kyra’s check-ins really help because it gives her a chance to review what you’ve been doing and make adjustments as well as offer feedback. When Kyra asked for progress pictures at around 6 weeks, I was concerned because I thought there wouldn’t be that much difference. I had deleted my first set after all and I was really surprised when Kyra asked to post them.
When I saw them side-by-side, I could see some really positive results. I could see less cellulite. Ahhh-haaaa! Now I understand the importance of progress pictures! Besides hard evidence, it was motivation to keep going. It also didn’t hurt that a few people on Facebook didn’t even think the two pictures were the same person! I was floored! I never expected that reaction. Not only has there been progress in only six weeks but I don’t even look like myself???!!!
We are almost at the end of this round of #Commit2Fit. I just sent in my latest progress pictures to Kyra and I could see the difference from the last set. Less cellulite again and some definition in my abs.
I have learned so much during this time but most of all my mindset has changed about food and my workouts. I carry most of my weight in my lower body and I would always focus on lower body every workout. My workouts are more well-rounded, focusing on a different part of my body each workout (unless it is a total body workout). My cardio session time has decreased which frees me up for more weight training. I’m eating more of a variety of things and I don’t beat myself up when I have a treat.
Of course, I have had some days where I ate better than others. I’ve had days that the workouts had to be moved or postponed for various reasons. I know that I am a work in progress but I feel that this is a lifestyle that I can maintain long term.
I would very much like to be a part of the next #Commit2Fit. I shared my experience with two people so far who also struggle with weight loss and fitness. I even shared my progress pictures with one of them (she is a very close friend). I hope they sign up for #Commit2Fit or one of the virtual training programs.
Everyone measures success differently. Some see success as an arrival, such as a number on a scale. Someone very wise gave me a plaque years ago that says “Success is a journey, not a destination”. I now believe this is true. I have made great progress and I am a success in my journey. My journey continues….
It has been a pleasure and a very positive learning experience being trained by you.
Do you want to know the best way to lose weight FOR YOU?
Be part of #Commit2Fit and get YOUR custom plan..
Sign up here to get the latest info and get VIP rates!
Your Coach,
Kyra