Week 10

The week following our last blog was so “ho-hum” for Cheryl that I opted not to blog for week 9. I felt awkward about it as it wasn’t initially “our pact”…she succeeded once more with her workouts and even forwarded me a picture which I’ve included. I was happy to see—a happier Cheryl! By that I mean, well…can’t YOU tell?? She’s got this sassy, confident smile about her and she’s proudly sporting more fitted gym attire and looking more toned and leaner all over! Out of curiosity I had her do her measurements, in spite of the fact the scale wasn’t creeping down at a speed of lightening . In 6 weeks, yes, I know technically we’re now on week 10 but since she lost 2 full weeks due to her injury and the measurements were taken at week 9…the timeframe when we had her re/do her measurements is 7 weeks. Thus, in 6 weeks she lost 12 inches AND 12 pounds and most of it came off her thighs and hips, giving her that “my clothes are getting baggy” reality. Voila! Success! She felt REALLY good when coming to that realization.

Then, she completely kicked things up a notch by taking that healthier physique and confident mindset by completing a 10K (6.2mi.) RUN! You may recall, even I prefer the “wogging” approach myself; a combination of jogging and walking! She didn’t even tell me she was going to do it – she just went ahead and did it! My only real concern, had she asked me about it prior to doing it, was her knee but she took matters into her own hands , thought through it and…went for it! I was SO overjoyed when she texted me on Easter Sunday that I couldn’t even immediately reply, I just sat there with this huge grin thinking to myself…”THIS is what every trainer and/or Coach lives for…the moment when the “student” grows, gets excited and/or takes a risk—and it pays off!” Cheryl proved to HERSELF that she could do something TODAY, which at one time her mind, and her body, was in NO shape to accomplish. She recognized the mental growth she’s experienced over our  time together and her injury shaped a large part of that growth. She coupled that mental growth with her physical improvements to FINISH an athletic event. She took her fitness and health to a new level and walked away from the finish line with crocodile tears and a new-found appreciation of her “self.” Ahhh, confidence…it’s a beautiful thing! 

I’ll wrap up here so you can move on to read HER story about it and how she felt. We had technical issues trying to get the actual picture of her at the finish line, but I hope you ‘feel’ through her words just how intensely, overjoyed she was.  Another blog is coming by week’s end. Even though she has just under 2 weeks left, I’m granting another 2 weeks beyond that since she missed 2 weeks in February; thus, we have one month left…and you won’t believe what she’s going to do…I don’t even think she knows yet…but I do!  Until next time – Stay focused and GET FIT!

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The weekend of April 6th was HUGE for me. Before I decided to do this blog I had lost my mind and signed up for a 10k (6.2 loooong miles!!!! LOL). Despite my fall at work etc…, there was never a doubt in my mind that on April 7th no matter what–I was going to be at the starting line! There I was, 7:25am, waiting patiently for the race to start and I started to tear up….I decided that I was running this race for the “old Cheryl” the one that weighed 276 lbs. and felt hopeless and afraid everyday of her life; the one that had the biggest heart but was to scared and unsure ‘how’ to show it. I decided at that moment I was leaving all the pain, fear and hurt of my past life at that starting line and every mile I ran I would leave that old life behind me. If I were to tell you it was easy I’d be a liar but here I was at mile 6 and I look up and there to surprise me was my best friend, who inspires me to be a better person daily, running towards me. I’m blessed to have the most wonderful friends on the planet! When I saw her I got teary eyed…I was exhausted…Nat said to me, “You’re doing great!!! Now go finish this!” As she said it Eminems song “Lose Yourself” came on (oh, IPOD shuffle you sometimes know just what song to play!) For those who don’t know the lyrics it goes like this “Look, if you had, one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, one moment… would you capture it? Or just let it slip? You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” There it was…the finish line!!! I finished in the fastest time I’ve had so far…better than I thought I’d do. Was I first?? Heck no, not by a long shot but I finished!!! To some 6.2 miles may not seem like much but to a girl who once weighed 276lbs and felt hopeless and doubted she would ever be fit and happy, it meant EVERYTHING. It showed me I can do anything. So I’m here to tell ALL of you out there who have no faith that life will ever get better…get out there, get FIT and take a chance…you never know until you try!!! If it weren’t for the last 8 weeks teaching me discipline, I would have never made it through the 10k. All the weight lifting and cardio that I have been doing has made my body stronger and able to withstand going the distance. The most important thing I believe that carried me through that race is I have learned to fuel my body with good food; food that makes sense and gives me energy. Without ALL of these lessons I have learned I would have certainly not made it to the finish line and for that I am TRULY grateful…till next week!!!!

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