Mesunny’s BodyBlog

I applied for a position as a "circuit trainer" at Curves, and I had the interview this morning.  I was really hoping this would be the opportunity I was looking for to get into the fitness business, but unfortunately, the hours are not quite what I was looking for and the job description and pay are a bit lacking.  I would basically be a sales representative more than a fitness professional, selling memberships via referrals from clients.  The pay, of course, is just minimum wage with a commission for sales.  The owner of the franchise interviewed me and was very open with the fact that it is quite a no brainer job.  She explained the "Curves" workout and diet plan in pretty good detail, which all sounded pretty good to me at least for a beginner women’s workout for people who really don’t want to have to think about what they are doing for exercise each day.  Once again, I am faced with the fact that I need to create my own opportunity if I truly want to have the fulfilling career I dream of.  I have more brainstorming to do, and I need to somehow motivate more people to make the commitment to having a healthy body and making lifestyle changes.

It’s been a long time since I’ve written and like usual, I’m freakin out that I’m not progressing…even though I know I’ve built more muscle in the past few months.  Even more than my own training and body issues, my frustration is my career or lack there of.  I ended my weight loss group meetings and have changed my focus to personal, one-one weight loss counseling in the hopes that I will be able to help more people by being more focused and flexible to their schedules.  Apparently, the people around here are completely unmotivated to change or put any effort into making themselves better!  I so desperately want to make people realize that they have the power to change their bodies and their lives, but I can only do so much.  I’ve put myself out there…..and now I am playing the waiting game in the hopes that just a handful, or hopefully more, will make the committment to themselves and start being positive instead of negative and seek my experience and expertise to guide them.  I just don’t know what more to do….I’m starting to think I’m going to have to set my passion for helping people this way aside for the time being and find a different job that pays the bills.

What does it take to make people wake up? I know that it takes them being uncomfortable with their present situation/body/etc. to make them want to change, but when they fit in so well with everyone else around them the way they are…..how do you make them realize they can be better and make them want to put the effort in to make their lives more positive and healthy for the long term?  Is there anything more I can be doing? Or do I just have to sit by and hope they wake up and start wanting to take care of themselves?

Lately, I’ve really been skeptical of how my body looks and the progress that I’m making.  I’m not sure I’m really progressing.  I have lost of few pounds and have been training consistently, but when I look in the mirror, it’s just not the body I want to see.  I’ve come such a long way from where I was and it’s hard sometimes to remember just how much I let my body go.  I’m dealing with the damage I inflicted by being such a glutton for so long.  I think my biggest problem is the excess skin that I still have….it prevents me from really seing the awesome muscle tone that I’ve achieved.  My body fat is somewhere between 14 and 16% and I know I shouldn’t really want to get it any lower, but sometimes I think that’s what I need to do to actually have the body I desire.  I have this picture in my head of how I want to look and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to achieve it do to my stretched out extra skin.  Sometimes I think maybe cosmetic surgery wouldn’t be such a bad idea (not that I could ever afford it).  I’m not sure I’d want to go through the recovery process of a surgery just for cosmetic value, even if someone offered the surgery for free.  Body dismorphia…I’ve heard the term and read the description and sometimes I really think that must be what it is that I’m dealing with.  I wish I could see myself through someone else’s eyes.

I finally got my group started.  I held the first real meeting last Wednesday and had a turnout of nine people…more than I had hoped and right around the number I hope to keep coming.  I’ve also picked up a couple more private clients.  My business is started!!  I’m loving it so far and hope it keeps building.

I’ve been doing a split body strength routine for the last 10 weeks and am loving it.  I can tell I’m more solid and have gained more muscle mass.  I’ve been watching my diet pretty closely and have been consuming more protein.  I’m amazed at how much my body changes every time I change up my routine.  Maybe one of these days I’ll look in the mirror and actually be thrilled with what I see…not sure I’ll ever be completely happy with my body.  It will always be a work in progress….and that’s ok.

I am in the process of getting my own personal training business started! I have put up some posters and brochures and made business cards. I’ve had a couple of inquiries via email.  What excites me the most is that I have at least 20 or more people interested in attending a weight loss support meeting!  I have to go through some red tape to get a meeting set up at the Wellness Center where I work, but hopefully I can have everything approved and ready to get started by the first week of February. I’ve been working on setting up my own weight loss program and I am confident that I will be successful in helping others achieve their goals.

My own training is going wonderfully! I love how tight my body is starting to feel. My muscles are definetly increasing in size and everything is toning up.  I’m already getting spring fever and can’t wait for winter to be over. It’s been really cold with high temps in the single digits the last week or so.  I just can’t wait for warm, sunny days to be outdoors walking, biking and running again.

I finally started taking a protein supp and creatine on 12-24-07. The creatine loading phase was interesting….I drank lots of water and went wee-wee lots…toward the end of the five days, I was feeling some stomach cramping and bad gas.I did notice the difference in my energy level and the way I feel. I’ve just been drinking one protein shake a day after my workout, mixing my second dose of creatine into it. I feel bloated…my pants feel tighter in the legs. I feel strong, though.I feel like my muscles have gotten bigger. I still need to keep a better watch on my diet… need to quit snacking at night on my cereal and almond combo….I eat way too much before bed. Need to break some bad habits or at least change them. Workouts have been going great….doing an upper and lower body split each day, with about four days on and one day of just cardio in between to recover. I feel like I should be doing more cardio…I’ve gotten so used to doing cardio almost everyday and have switched to more weight training. I guess I need to give it some more time and see what happens with my body…this is kind of an experiment for me.

I’ve been thinking I should start using a protein supplement. I’m pretty sure I don’t get nearly enough protein in my diet!I’m working on building more lean muscle and have been feeling really tired lately. I really need to start eating something every couple of hours. I go way too long between meals. I’ve been checking out protein supps and am not sure what to get. I also think a creatine supp would do wonders from what I’ve been reading. I’m looking for a little advice on what flavors of protein are best as well as what creatine supps are best and flavors.

I’ve been doing my strength training three days/week for the last two weeks. I have also added weight to my lower body exercises and can really tell the difference already!Lower body is tightening up nicely. I’ve caught a cold and have been feeling pretty fatigued the last few days but have managed to do my workouts. I don’t get sick often and hate feeling so run down.I’ve also been eating better, not having my usual bedtime snacks. I’m feeling pretty good with my results so far and just need to keep it up. I might switch back to doing upper body one day and lower the next and do more sets and keep alternating days. I keep adding different exercises all the time and by the end of a full body workout, I’m feeling pretty tired.

My God! My neck and left shoulder are still killing me! I lifted today! Planning on three full body strength training sessions this week. I’ve added weight to lower body. I could feel those muscles were worked good, a little stiff yesterday. Love the feeling of a great workout! Went out to see a hypnotist at the local bar last night and managed to become part of the show! Strange feeling. Wish I could have seen myself. My boyfriend said I was pretty entertaining. Felt very calm afterward and content, almost high. Today, I’ve been really sleepy and relaxed. Wish my neck and shoulder would release. Oh, well! It’s got to get better eventually! I’ll keep working through it.

I’m in pain! Went out Friday night and had way too much fun! Actually got to see and hear a metal band in Minot, ND. Unfortunately for me, I enjoyed it way more than my neck would allow! I really got to learn to hold back a little! My neck and shoulders are killing me, but I’ve been working through it. It hasn’t stopped me from lifting yesterday and step aerobics today. Seems to help just to keep things moving! Night sucks cause my neck gets so stiff. Every movement hurts. Note to Self: Don’t headbang anymore!(or at least hold back a little bit)