BELOW IS A MESSAGE THAT WAS WRITTEN IN 2011 BY A NO LIMIT CLIENT, LIZ FRENCH. SHE HASN’T BEEN WITH US IN YEARS DUE TO LIFE HAPPENING AND A FEW BAD BREAKS ALONG THE YEARS. I’M SHARING THIS BECAUSE SHE WILL BE COMING BACK SOON AND WORKING TOWARDS NEW GOALS.
LIZ, YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS AND I’M EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE NL FAMILY.
IF THIS DOES’NT INSPIRE YOU AND MOTIVATE YOU TO WANT TO DO YOUR BEST THEN I DON’T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TELL YOU.
Here it is…
Reading about someone’s successful weight loss is one thing, but to put it into practice is an entirely different challenge. I have learned that success depends so much on your attitude and in order to attain my success I had to adjust my outlook. My journey is probably much like that of so many others who have gone from a size 18 to a size 6, losing 65 lbs. and finally taking hold of that longed-for dream – fitting into a normal size.
After the passing of both of my aging parents, both of which had their own medically compromised health concerns while under my care, as well as being a caretaker for my permanently disabled sister, I realized I had forgotten to take care of myself!
When I finally took a long, hard look at where I was in my life, I was overwhelmed at how much work I had in front of me. I was obese by any conventional standards and I had no one to blame but myself. I could have gone on the way I had for the previous 15 years, or I could make a change, which would be a great challenge for me. I came across a quote that made sense to me:
“Change takes place when the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change.”
I made a decision to take charge of my own life and my health. In order to do this, I had to have a plan and set up some small goals for myself. I had to become determined to stay the course, my attitude had to be positive and I became conscious of the importance of not allowing discouragement to destroy my long-range goal. Discouragement always had crept in before when I would attempt weight loss and I would give in, but not this time!
The importance of a positive outlook is astonishing. I kept telling myself that if I didn’t lose one week, I would surely lose in the next or the next week, and finally, it would all add up. I had some good results and when I finally hit a plateau, which we all eventually do, I decided it was time to make another change. Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If something stops working, check your other options.
This is when I decided to look into exercise, but I wanted to make sure I would not injure myself in the process (because I had previously gone through some procedures for chronic back pain), so I looked into a personal trainer. When I went to meet Sako Yakinian, I was totally intimidated. I had not exercised for over 20 years and for me to walk into a gym of any kind was terrifying. Sako made me feel comfortable from the first minute and I couldn’t wait to get started. I never looked back!
I wasn’t seeing as much a change on the scale, but I was more than happy because I was losing inches that I could not believe. It was as if fat was falling off of me! I was wearing a size 10 when I started with Sako and within three months I was down to a size 6; something I hadn’t seen since high school. Since I am well over the age of 50, that was mind-blowing!
I am not going to tell you my journey was easy, but Sako was always encouraging and would push me to the next level, which I really needed. I had ups and downs; physically with injuries, mentally with weakness, emotionally with discouragements, and personally after meeting my goals. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
With Sako’s training and guidance I was finally able to make it over that hurdle I was never able to do before. “In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity,” more words of wisdom from Einstein. I learned that you have to look at any difficult situation as a possible opportunity to succeed.
It really helped that if I had a question or needed reassurance Sako was only a text away. He answered my questions and concerns within minutes most times. Talk about personalized attention… Wow!
When I hit another plateau, Sako suggested that I become involved in his No Limit Boot Camp. I was once again hesitant, after all, I was over 50-years-old and I didn’t think I could keep up. I now have other younger participants tell me that they want to ‘grow up to be Liz,’ (lol)! How funny and yet complimentary! I was being told this by girls in their 20’s…
I have gained more than I ever thought I could in the past 1-1/2 to 2 years; physically, mentally, emotionally, personally – and I would never give any of it up.
My point now is that I want to encourage those people out there who feel so overwhelmed at how much work they have in front of them.
- · Take everything in small steps. Set some small attainable goals to start.
- · Prepare yourself for discouragement, because it always tries to creep in – get ready and rehearse your self-talk, “nothing worthwhile is ever easy.”
- · Bring in reinforcements – make sure to have a good support system, even if it is only one person.
- · Keep a positive outlook – if something isn’t working, be willing to add or try something different.
