Transformation Tyler ... er ... Tuesday

This week's transformation story is about a friend who's been an inspiration of mine for a couple of years now.  In fact, he's been an inspiration to thousands.  He's even been on TV 'n stuff.  Yeah, he's cool like that.  And since I know him, that means I'm cool, too.

Tyler started out at 344 pounds back in January of 2009.   He'd been heavy from childhood to adulthood.  After a few wake up calls a few years back, including a scary trip to the ER, he finally determined to get the weight off once and for all.

He wasn't messing around.

In six months he lost 100 pounds.  Within a year, he'd lost roughly 132 pounds.

No pills.
No powders.
No surgery.
No Jillian or Bob.

Tyler's approach is a little different than all the eat clean/juice fast/ditch the carbs/workout til you puke approaches flying around out there today.  He's a huge (well, not literally anymore) proponent of counting calories.   In other words, eat what you like but eat less of it.  Move more.

I know.  It's pretty complicated.

If you ever talk to Tyler, he'll be sure to let you know that he lost 100 pounds in six months by eating cheeseburgers, pizza, and cake.  He wasn't much of a celery sticks and raw carrots kinda guy.  He used the elliptical. He got outside and played.  Eat less, move more. The end.

He added in some accountability by blogging about his experience.  He started off with approximately zero followers and before he knew it, he had thousands.  Am I jealous?  A smidge.

As the popularity of his blog grew, he decided it was time to write a book about his journey from overweight kid to fit, healthy husband and father.

I may have edited said book, but I don't wanna brag.

I love Tyler's story because he's a regular guy who was really, really heavy and turned it around.  He proved that you don't need to live off of seeds and sprouts or spend your child's college fund to lose weight.  Common sense and hard work paid off in a big ... or small ... way for him.

In short, he's a success story.

You can read more of his story by visiting his blog at 344pounds.com.  Our His book is available on Amazon here.

Blueberry Cucumber Smoothie

Being that I'm childless until the weekend, I can get away with "cooking" meals like this one for dinner.  I was a little apprehensive about a smoothie with this much cucumber in it, but this was actually quite nummy.  It has a really refreshing, light taste to it, without being too cucumbery.   Best part: it's easy peasy.

I used:

1/3 cucumber (peeled)
2/3 cup frozen (or fresh) blueberries
1/2 cup light Greek yogurt, vanilla or plain
ice
water
A little Stevia if you want it sweeter

Put it all in your Nutribullet, or some other blending apparatus, pour, and enjoy.

Transformation Tuesday

Once upon a time, I was going to start a hip, happenin', "Transformation Tuesday" trend on my blog.  I always have the best of intentions, but those intentions always seem to be thwarted by:
   
     1.  Other people (my subject matter) having lives and not doing what I tell them to (kidding, mostly)
     2.  Me

So here we have my second installment in the well-intended Transformation Tuesday series.  And let me tell you, this girl is awesome.  From here on out, she shall be referred to as my cousin Jenni, even though she's technically not my cousin.  But she's married to my cousin - and I like her a lot - so that's close enough.   She gets to be my cousin.  That is all.

Height:  5'4"
Highest weight:  195
Current weight:  138

For starters, here's what Jenni used to look like:

She had been overweight most of her life and, like a lot of mama bears, had three babies, gained pregnancy weight, and struggled to get it off.  She had the added challenge of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which only aggravated the issue.  After baby number three and a run-in with a pair of size 16 jeans that refused to button, she decided she was ready to make some changes.

Jenni says:  I have tried just about everything to lose weight. I started out with Weight Watchers, which was great for learning better portion control and did help me drop some weight but wasn’t the best program for learning about healthy eating, in my opinion. I tried HCG (yes, yes, I know you’re all shaking your heads right now), but this was actually HUGE in helping me get on the right path. While it wasn’t a long term solution (and how could it be when you go from eating 500 calories a day back to eating like a normal person?) it taught me about eating the right foods and self control. 

Jacey says:  I love her wisdom here.  She tried different things and, though they ultimately weren't right for her, she took something from each of them that would help her.  Instead of viewing these "experiments" as failures, she learned from them and put that knowledge to use.  Way to go, cousin Jenni. 

Things really started clicking along when she began a combination of regular Zumba classes (Zumba?  ACK! I forgive you for that, Jenni) and focusing on what she was eating.  She says she's grateful to have made friends at the gym who were willing to share knowledge and ideas with her.  She began eating 6 small meals per day (I forgive you for that, too, Jenni) and drinking crazy amounts of water.  She lost 25 pounds quickly but then hit a plateau and became frustrated.  

Jacey says:  I can relate - to the part about being frustrated, anyway.  Some day I hope to relate to the 25 pound loss.

Cousin Jenny before - with my actual cousin, her husband

Jenni says:   Then one of my friends, a very knowledgeable certified trainer developed a program called Revolt Fitness and I started doing it.   I had previously been what the fitness folks refer to as a “cardio queen,” meaning all I really did was cardio workouts. On Revolt I do cardio circuits 3 days a week which combine things like burpees, squats, mountain climbers, and planks and I do weight lifting 3 to 4 days a week. I also add in extra cardio like sprint intervals or Zumba, and try to lift as heavy as I can. My meals on Revolt consist of 6 small meals a day (the program provides customized, weekly, clean eating meal plans), no refined sugar or white flour, and 1 cheat day a week. I also drink a minimum of 1 gallon of water per day. Since starting Revolt I have lost 30 lbs. and finally got over my plateau. I absolutely love it! 

When I asked Jenni about her favorite milestones, she had quite the extensive list:

  -Making it through a Zumba class without dying

  -Having to take TWO Zumba classes in a row just to feel like she'd worked out

  -Discovering she could run three miles without stopping

  -Getting into the 140's after not having been there for nine years

  -Trying on a size 8 thinking it would be too tight and finding out she needed a 6

  -Realizing she'd NEVER been a size 6 before

  -Being comfortable in a bathing suit at the public pool

  -Weighing less than her husband

  -Being approached at the gym by people noticing her results

Jenni says that her life has improved in nearly every way imaginable because of the changes she's made.

... first of all I feel so much better. I was having so many health problems that have completely disappeared. I have energy, I sleep better, my skin is better, my hair isn’t falling out in chunks, I’m happier, my monthly cycle is regular and my PMS symptoms are not nearly as horrendous as they used to be (TMI?) I can finally shop at any clothing shop and know that the clothes will fit me instead of having to avoid certain places. I’m a better mother and wife, because I’m happy and healthy. I have met so many amazing people and made lifelong friends from Zumba classes, the gym, and Revolt Fitness. 

Along the way, there were many times she wanted to give up due to discouragement.  She fell off the wagon many, many times.  She even halfway confesses to binging on an entire container of chocolate covered cinnamon bears when her kids were stressing her out.  

Hey, who hasn't?  Right?  Right?  

Her advice for anyone wanting to make changes?

1.  Slow and steady.  Start slowly if you need to.   Just START.

2.  Quitters never win.  Discouragement is no friend to anyone who's ever tried to lose weight and get healthy, but it happens to the best - and worst - of us.  

3.  Make it a habit.  Do it even when you don't want to.  Skip the donut even when you don't want to.  Set the alarm for 5 a.m. even when you don't want to.  This sets a routine that eventually becomes a habit.  

4.  Consistency.  Worry less about the scale and more about keeping your routine day in and day out.  Consistent effort will bring results over time.  It's taken Jenni nearly three years to get where she is now, and she's still going.  Give yourself credit for doing the right things and make those things a part of who you are, rather than just something you'll do until you reach a magic number on the scale. If you live by the scale, you'll die by it, and so will your efforts.  

5.  No comparison.  Don't compare your success or your timing or your looks to those around you.  There will always be someone who's lost more weight or who looks better in a bikini than you do.  Get over it.  Jenni says:  How can we properly care for a body we don’t love? Learn to love your body, and taking care of it will start to come naturally. Easier said than done, I know, but I really believe this to be true.

6.  Ask for help.  Jenni has been amazed at how willing people were to help when they saw that she was serious about getting healthy.  The friends she made were willing to help her and train her because they genuinely care and want to help people.  She never paid for a nutritionist or a single training session and is extremely thankful for the generosity of her gym friends who went above and beyond to help her succeed.

Jenni's still working on her fitness goals, but she's thrilled with the new life she's enjoying because of the great progress she's made.  She has energy to play with her kids and to throw on a bathing suit and swim with them rather than hiding under a towel on the deck.  

And I'll add:  She looks hot!  

Thanks for the inspiration and words of wisdom, cousin Jenni ... and for making me crave chocolate covered cinnamon bears.  

For more information on Revolt Fitness, visit their site at http://revoltnowfitness.com.

Transformation Tuesday

I like to surf fitness and weight loss sites and blogs in search of success stories to motivate and inspire me.  It occurred to me one day last week that there are people all around me - REAL, breathing people who actually know my name and even go to lunch with me sometimes - who have had tremendous success and whose transformations are like something straight out of a 2 a.m. "no way that's not Photoshopped" infomercial.

But Photoshopped they are not.  These folks are the real deal.  And pretty much amazing.

So I came up with the brilliant idea of sharing their stories with you, in hopes that everyone, myself included, can learn from them and absorb even a tiny smidge of their persevering spirits.

I just know you're going to love this first one as much as I do.  She's my hero.  And just a gem of a human.  I want to be her when I grow up.

Nikki W.
Highest Weight:  198
Current Weight:  133
Height:  5'10"
Total lost:  65


ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Before getting married and having babies, Nikki had been fit, active, and athletic.  With each pregnancy, she gained some weight that  just didn't come off.  As she approached the 200 pound mark, she started to notice how she was feeling and didn't like it.  She became "that" mom:  the one who only wore sweats because trying on new clothes was too depressing; the one who dreaded putting on a swimsuit and heading to the pool with her kids; the one who no longer enjoyed date nights with her husband because she never felt attractive;  the one who "ruined" all the family pictures.

The unhappy one.

"I was done with all the emotional, mental, and physical crap that consumed my life for way too long. I wanted to start living! I wanted it SO BADLY that I looked at it as a challenge. I never fully believed all those before and after pictures of people. I thought it was struly impossible to transform in that way. So I started to wonder if it really was possible and challenged myself to find out."

At around 200 pounds

 IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED

Like a lot of us, Nikki had a library of books and DVDs on the subject of weight loss.  She read and watched all of them.  Over the course of about 10 years, she would lose 20 pounds here and there, but would then turn around and gain it back because, as she says, she just didn't want it enough to stick to making the right choices when the temptations came along in the form of parties, holidays, birthdays, and so on.  Or, as some of us like to call it, "real life."

Losing weight and dealing with life's everyday temptations are just hard.  Really hard.  But anyone who knows Nikki knows she's no quitter.  This girl's got serious determination.   That fat didn't stand a chance.

Knowing she had tried and faltered in the past, Nikki decided to hire trainers and a nutritionist to help with accountability and support.  She acknowledges that not everyone has the money to spend for that kind of help.

"Because I wanted it so badly and knew that I tried on my own and wasn't able to do it, I reached out for help. I needed people to be accountable to and who would push me harder than I would ever push myself.  I looked at it as making an investment in myself. I can spend money on doctors and blood tests and pills to keep me going through life or I can spend money to gain knowledge about how I can take care of myself and my family for a lifetime. I know not everyone has the resources or money to spend. A lot of people do it on their own. It is honestly just a matter of learning everything you can about it and sticking to it no matter what."

SOMETHING CLICKED

Once Nikki got the help she needed and made up her mind to be successful, there was no stopping her.  No excuses.

"I did total body strength training three times per week and HIIT (high intensity interval training) four times per week. I worked out a total of an hour a day but made those workouts really count. The most important thing I ever did was stick (very strictly) to my meal plans. When I say strictly, I'm talking I would take my home cooked meal in a Tupperware container out to a restaurant with my family or friends and eat it cold while they ordered warm, good smelling food. That is how bad you have to want it. I can honestly say that I never cheated and that made all the difference. The beauty of it was that I still had cake, ice cream, cookies and chocolate without cheating! It is all about balance."

Nikki's diet consists of foods like oatmeal with almond milk, fruit, egg whites, brown rice, lean protein, veggies, and sweet potatoes, to name a few.  Some of her favorite snack foods include greek yogurt, beef jerky, almonds, and cottage cheese.  She treats herself to one cheat meal and one dessert every week to keep from feeling deprived.

SLOW BUT STEADY

Nikki says she gave herself a year to get it all figured out.  Her weight loss was slow and consistent, an average of about two pounds per week.  She wanted a lifestyle change and not a quick fix that would end in her resorting back to old, unhealthy habits.

"I wanted to know what it was like to eat healthy through all the seasons of life:  holidays, summer barbecues, vacations, parties, etc.  Slowly over the months, two pounds turned into 10, then 20, then 50, etc.  I just kept chugging along day after day.  Seeing those consistent results made me want to work harder and keep being strict with my food. It was working and still giving me the energy I needed. I was learning that healthy food was my friend and started looking at it differently. It was the necessary fuel to keep my body working hard and feeling happy. I was finally succeeding in not just losing weight, but feeling alive and happy again."

SMALL VICTORIES

Nikki, who recently completed her first Ironman triathlon, still has fond memories of all of her sweet little victories along the way.

The first time she ran for five whole minutes.
Her first 5k.
The first time she was able to do 20 "man push-ups."
Tossing the leftover birthday cake into the trash.
Finding her abs.

And then there was that day she started to believe in herself.

"Every little small victory (another pound gone, another mile run, another treat turned away) added a spark to my fire and I believed I could do anything now. So I set out for my biggest accomplishment yet....to become an Ironman .... I still feel like I am in a dream. That it's not really real. That is until I look at a picture taken of me or I walk by a mirror and then the reality of all my hard work is right there. There is a difference in being prideful and proud, and I am honestly very proud of myself. I didn't think I had it in me. But I did. We all do if we want it badly enough. I can walk into a store and fit in anything. It's not a matter of 'Will that fit me?' but  'Do I like that style?'  I like to dress up now and go out on a hot date with my husband. I am teaching my kids how to eat healthy and they are developing new habits. But more importantly, I don't let my kids say they 'can't' do something.  No matter how hard it seems to them, I make them figure out a way that they CAN do it."

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

I wanted to know if Nikki had any encouraging words for those of us still struggling to get healthy once and for all.

She didn't disappoint.  I KNEW she wouldn't.

"Be patient with yourself and love yourself through the process. The healthiest way will not be the fastest. Allow yourself the time to get to where you want to be. Decide how bad you want it.  Do you want it as badly as you want to breathe?  If you do, then you need to make NO EXCUSES whatsoever...zip, zero, zilch, nada! Reach out for help if you can.  It will most definitely be hard. I like the quote, 'Being Fat is Hard, Losing Weight is Hard.  Choose your Hard.'  That is exactly what you have to do. Choose which hard you want to face and face it head on. Don't ever let anyone (especially yourself) tell you that you can't do it, because that is simply not true!

It is about loving yourself and appreciating your body. It is so important to be kind to yourself and to take time for yourself.  Your bodies and your spirit will thank you by showing you exactly what they - YOU - are made of."

Nikki has shown EVERYONE what she's made of and is inspiring those around her with her positive attitude, her phenomenal success, and her beautiful spirit.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what she does next.

Nikki works out with Zackie the evil personal trainer

Nikki's invaluable support team:

Zac at Energy Explosion:  http://energyexplosion.biz
Greg at Elevate Triathlon Training http://elevateutah.com/triathlon-training/
Lindsey at Moxie Full Body Fitness http://moxiefullbody.com

And let's not forget three adoring children and her "hot biker/runner/swimmer dude" husband who are always there cheering her on to her next victory.

Care Bears Can Do Hard Things

A couple of weeks ago, my oldest was having one of those teenage girl moments where she needed to unload on me about all the things she hates about her life.

I'm a mom.  I can take it.  I get that little girls, with all their hormones and mood swings and limited perspectives sometimes just hate their lives.  As she rattled off her list of grievances at 6:30 a.m on a Monday morning, I started feeling very uncomfortable with the conversation.  I was very concerned about all the negativity she seemed to be channeling.  I let her finish getting things off her chest, then proceeded to try and impart of my motherly wisdom regarding stuff like positive thoughts, being grateful for what we have, how attitudes affect outcomes, yadda yadda yadda.

And then ... BAM!

I got hit with a different kind of uncomfortable feeling.  This time, it was the kind that comes in the form of a loud voice that screams mean, hateful things in your ears:  "Who are YOU to be giving this advice?  Where do you think this attitude of hers is coming from?  You need to learn to take your own advice, lady."

Ouchie.

This subject weighed heavily on my mind for the rest of the day.  I'd had many a passing thought over the past months about my sarcastic tendencies and how they affect my overall psyche, but more specifically how those tendencies may be hindering my efforts to make positive changes to my body.  But when I see my sweet little girl struggling because of her own negativity, and realize that I'm the biggest influence in her life, it's time to have more than just the occasional passing thought about it.  It's time to DO something.

That night, we gathered for our family night and, using the scriptures and a WHOLE LOTTA quotes about being positive, I tried to help my little family see why it's so important to carry a good attitude with us in all the things we face every day, and how doing so just makes everything easier and better.  This lesson was for me more than anyone else in that room. The discussion went well, and when it was over, I went around the house with all of those positive quotes I'd printed out and stuck them on the walls in various places all over our home so that we would have constant reminders everywhere we go.  Bathroom mirrors, hallways, family room, kitchen cabinets, everywhere. Our home is now filled with happy thoughts everywhere you turn - sort of like a miniature Disneyland minus the awesome rides and parades and churros.

My daughter's momentary meltdown helped me to see that I have a load of emotional crap I need to deal with and that all the nutritious food and fat-melting workouts in the world aren't going to do a thing for me until I get out of my own way.  I've been very conscious these last couple of weeks about the thoughts I entertain and I've noticed just how much I really do focus on negative garbage.  I have a lot of work to do.

And then, this morning ...

I visited a Facebook friend's page to discover that he and I were no longer "friends."  I sent him a message asking about it, and he informed me that he had to unfriend me because, while he loved my humorous posts, my everyday life seemed to be mixed with too much negativity.

Ouchie.

I cried.  Not because I thought his words were mean-spirited or intentionally hurtful, but because he was right.  I've known it for a while, but to hear it from another human is quite the poke in the eye.

I learned to use sarcasm at a very young age as a self defense mechanism.  I've been the fat kid for as long as I can remember, which made me the target for every bully from elementary to junior high to high school ... and even beyond.  I think I subconsciously figured out that if I showed people my fangs first (in the form of snark), they'd think twice about messing with me.  It worked, sorta.  My sarcasm has been my armor.  My preemptive strike.

Most people may think that being more positive is a really simple thing to do - something you can just decide to do and do it.  But for me, changing my attitude means changing who I've always been.  Who I've always been is someone who, if I do say so myself, a lot of people like.  I know not everyone loves and appreciates sarcasm the way that I do, but I know there are people who love that about me.  I'm afraid that if I shed that, I'll somehow lose my identity and maybe even lose what makes me likable to the people who like me.  Since this blog is all about finding courage, let me just say that that notion scares the dog snot out of me.

When I try to sit down and write positive thoughts or affirmations, I'm almost tempted to mock myself for doing it.  "What are you, some kind of unicorn-riding, rainbow-sliding, cotton candy-eating Care Bear?"  That's how foreign this is to me.

Yet, I know this needs to happen.  My thought process has to change.  I have to keep repeating and start believing all those warm and fuzzy little quotes I've put up around my house:

I can do hard things.
You believe what you tell yourself.
You can't live a positive life with a negative mind.
The only disability in life is a bad attitude. 
Being happy is good for my health.
I can and I will.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

Is it bad that that last one with the snark is my favorite?

I'm a work in progress, people.  A work in progress.