From Chronic Dieting to Vibrant Living: How Randie Quit the Yo-Yo Diets and Changed her Life Forever

Meet Randie. She is one of my adored clients. She arrives to her 6 am workouts ready to kick butt! Randie is a go-getter. She has been on quite the journey. Read her story here. May it inspire and encourage you as well...
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Randie, right, in December 2014

My journey started at birth, 55 years ago.  After all, what is life but a journey?  I tried many diets over the years- some of them more than once. As I reflect, trying to write this, I believe that I wasn’t successful (I hate the word failure) because although I wanted to lose weight, I didn’t believe that I deserved to be thin and happy.

I didn't believe that I deserved to be thin and happy.  

There are so many “old tapes” I used to play in my head. Things I was told, things I read, things that I saw, etc. The truth of the matter is this….I can’t change the past, and I am not the same person I was when I was 5, 25 or even 50.  I am who I am right now, this minute.  

I knew many years ago that I didn’t want to have a bunch of pill bottles lined up on the kitchen counter as I got older. I just didn’t want that to be part of my future. I saw my grandparents live that way and now I was witnessing my parents following in the same footsteps. My parents are both at least 15 years older physically, than they are chronologically. It scares the hell out of me.

It scares the hell out of me.


I know that so many of their health problems could have been avoided if they had made better choices when they were younger. I believe that there are so many things beyond our control that can kill us. Why wouldn’t I want to take control of the things I can? I am NOT getting any younger, so it was time! It was time to take control and make changes in my life. I do not want to live forever. I just want to feel as good as I can for as long as I can!

In December, 2014 I heard about a new diet plan while having coffee with a friend. I did some research and decided to try it. I am not going to share it at this time because it is not a cure all. Many of my co-workers, friends and family have also tried this food plan after seeing my weight loss.  Some have lost weight and others have not. It makes me feel bad because I know that, yet again, they feel like they "failed.” I really believe, from the bottom of my soul, that my motivation to really do it this time came from a totally different place. I was scared of my future. How many pills would I need to regulate blood pressure, cholesterol, depression, reflux, pain in my joints, diabetes…? The list can go on and on. 

Well, the weight started coming off. I was losing two to three pounds each week. Not the 0.4 or 0.6 I had lost during my last round with dieting. Each and every week I lost weight. The most I lost in one week was four pounds and the least I lost was one. I am happy to share that to date I have about 65 pounds.

Sometime in June, 2015, I heard about FytGurlz. Not once, or twice, but three times in ONE day!  I looked up and said "O.K.  I get it! I will look into FytGurlz today!” I filled out the information slip online and the very next day I was contacted. What I immediately liked was that I was given the opportunity to try each and every class offered one time free of charge. I was blown away! That told me they had a great product to offer and they knew if people came, they would love all that FytGurlz offers! 

When I was contacted, I explained that I was interested in someone who could help me re-hab my knees. I have had knee pain in one or both of my knees for about 5 years. Yes, I have been to the doctor and physical therapist. Nothing helped. I was told that Kelsey was the girl for me. When we met, I was feeling a little anxious. I was afraid of failing by not following through. But I knew the only thing holding me back was me.

But I knew the only thing holding me back was me.

I met with Kelsey and we hit it off right away. All of my anxiety went away. I believed she could help me help myself. She told me that her passion is to help the body function the way it was meant to function.  She has so much energy, knowledge and passion…it is contagious!

Randie in September 2015

I started off with personal training sessions with Kelsey in July. We met once each week. In addition, she created a personalized plan for me to do at home. After the first two weeks, I was feeling stronger-- emotionally and physically. She created each workout to help my body function to the best of its ability. After two months, Kelsey encouraged me to switch to the small group fitness classes.  This would provide the opportunity to meet twice as often for less money than I was presently investing in myself. Really? Get more and pay less? Who does that?! 

I was a bit reluctant for many reasons. I was afraid I couldn’t keep up with the others. I was also afraid to make the commitment. I was afraid I would let myself down. Don’t get me wrong….I have been exercising doing Jazzercise for over 4 years now. I just knew that this would be different than anything I had ever done before. Kelsey assured me that I was ready. She had as much faith in me as I do in her! What an amazing feeling! She wanted the same things for me that I want for myself...HEALTH!

And so, here it is, October 2015. I LOVE going to the small group “No Excuses” fitness class two times each week. I have had absolutely no issues keeping up with the other ladies, even though I am twice their age! At every session Kelsey asks about my knees and reminds me to let her know if I need any modifications. Kelsey has gone above and beyond. She is so easy to talk to and she encourages me with praise and, every now and then, she takes my picture. She has helped me see, literally see how fit and strong I am becoming.

I still want to lose some more weight, but this time it is not about what size I wear or how much I weigh. This time it is about how I feel!

This time it is about how I feel!

It is easy to fall back on old patterns and criticize myself for this or that, but I am trying to treat myself like I would treat my best friend if she were on this journey. I would treat her with love, understanding, encouragement and praise. I don’t know where my journey called life will take me, but I do know this: You are NEVER too old and it is NEVER too late to reinvent yourself!
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Live wholly, love fully, rejoice daily.
Kelsey
xoxo

Perimenopause: Aging with Grace and Loving Your Body

Meet Jenn O'Connor. Retired Navy wife and mother, CrossFitter, runner, homemaker, friend. Jenn is a dear friend from our gym, CrossFit Takeover in Virginia Beach. I remember meeting at the pull-up rig. She has a super infectious personality. Over the past few months, this amazing women has blessed me with her wisdom and advice. She is the epitome of grace. She's definitely one of those positive role model people that every girl needs.

Several weeks ago, I had asked some ladies if they would be willing and interested in being a guest author on my blog. I know so many incredible women who have a ton to share and offer, so why not highlight them on here?! Below is Jenn's post. She is raw and truthful. Entertaining to read. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

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Entering Menopause
By Jennifer O'Connor

“That girl is on fire” by Alicia Keys comes to my mind as I am now entering into that time of life known as perimenopause. I have many friends at all different stages of life but the ones that stand out to me at this point are the ones that are literally on fire; as in hot flashes.

Have you seen this? It’s quite a thing to watch. But also, this time of life (I have decided) should also be a different type of internal fire; a rebirth of sorts. So instead of being afraid as I get closer and closer, I have decided to embrace these impending changes (fire and all).

A female spends approximately 35 years prepping for reproduction, engaged in reproduction, and nurturing her offspring. Have a career? Yup, that fits in too. BUT, make no mistake about it….the woman still does the lion’s share of household work, including but not limited to cleaning, meal prep, homework help, chauffeur, laundry, and then of course a lover. So for a while it seems we remain pretty much in last place on our “to do “ list.

The neat thing about this is that between the ages of 20-45, we are hormonally pre-wired to do such things. It’s actually pretty cool. But then it happens….kids are grown, your spouse (if you are still together) is settled in a career and you find yourself feeling this odd sensation of freedom. Wow. Freedom. Now what? Here’s an idea: Feel that wave roll over you, don’t fight that rip tide, rather ride it out and see where it leads you.

So here are some items that I am grappling with and wish someone had shared with me a few years ago. It’s a quick list of things to do you might want keep in the back of your mind, depending where you are in your personal life:

1. Get right with God. Fix your spiritual life. Begin to pray and listen to what He has to say to you. Maybe join a church? Or return to your church. It’s a great place to make some very nice friends.

2. Free yourself from guilt. It’s dragging you down (adds weight). This is kind of part B of getting right with God.

3. Stop smoking. No more. It’s gross.

4. Get your nutritional house in order. No more soda. Avoid sugar. It’s not that hard. Processed food is bad for you.

5. Love your body. I bet it’s a lot more beautiful than you think. Exercise.

These are some things that should be addressed as you enter perimenopause. This occurs at different ages. God has designed women as the most amazing creatures on this planet. We are born with everything we need to conceive, deliver, feed and raise other humans. Let that sink in. Then, when we are no longer needed for reproduction, our bodies are already equipped hormonally with what we need to help protect our heart and bones. Yes, you read that right. Your doctor may try to convince you other wise. Why are we being lectured to about menopause as if it is a type of disease to be cured?

Exercise. There, I said it again. You have to exercise. There’s no way around it. It must be part of your weekly routine. Enter CrossFit. I joined a CrossFit gym last October. I have yet to experience any other fitness program that meets my needs and expectations like this. And I doubt I ever will.
I’ve made amazing gains physically and I have met the most fantastic people. The coaching is superior. The classes are a blast. The camaraderie is unrivaled. You won’t find a community like this anywhere. Do I compare myself to other athletes? Yes, but that’s my problem. It’s easy to say CrossFit isn’t for everyone but ANYONE can do it.

So here I am, a 47 year old female, married mother of two grown children. My kids are smart and kind, so I think we did a decent job. I supported my spouse as best as I could in his 23 year Navy career, including 11 moves and 6 years spent in Europe including a one year tour in Iraq and 3 deployments to Afghanistan. Now he is happily settled in his 2nd career and I find myself on the cusp of some serious changes. I am ready to accept any and all physical, spiritual, and personal changes that are coming my way. Bring it on, Mother Nature.

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Jenn is authentic and real. I love it! Please leave comments below if you relate or found this to provoke something inside of you.

Let's celebrate being women today!

Live fully, love wholly, rejoice daily.
KC
xoxo

Glorifying God with Your Body

Throughout my personal struggle with body image and loving myself for who God created me to be rather than what God created me to look like, I have read countless books, articles, and heard several speakers use 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 in reference to the way we must approach our physical body in the context of bringing glory to God. This verse is often quoted within the realms of eating disorders, body image distortion, exercise addictions, over and underweight, inner peace, confidence, and self-love.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV).

Another popular passage is 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (ESV)

In The Message this same scripture states, “You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.”

As these verses are inspiring and encouraging (they ARE the WORD of GOD), we cannot use these commands conversely to support over-exercising, obsession with calorie counting, and worshiping the body above the Lord.

Let me take a quick detour as to explain myself more fully. The Word clearly states that one must be right with others before giving to the Lord. He is not interested in money from His people if we have relationships to mend. At church on Sunday, our pastor reminded us that we must not use broken relationships or strife as an excuse to withhold giving. That is twisting the Word to suit our selfishness. Example: Someone somewhere is mad at me, so I cannot give today.

Manipulating the meaning and using false application of the Word is wrong. Yes, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. But, girl, you cannot stretch scripture to excuse your actions when you invest 90 plus minutes sweating on the elliptical and only a fraction of that time digging into the Word. The Bible is God’s Word. He communicates to us through it, revealing His truths and teaching us of His goodness, faithfulness, and almighty power.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

We must find a balance between caring for our bodies (“temples”) and becoming overly consumed with weight loss or maintenance. Consider analyzing how you spend those precious minutes of the day. Do you exercise longer than you study the Word? Are you flexible with your schedule in a way that would allow you to simply cancel plans and go where God wants you to be in the very moment He calls? Are you glorified by your fit physique or do you glorify God with your body? Obsession over exercise and weight loss is far more than a health issue; it is a heart issue. While exercising your body is of value, exercising your soul is eternal.

Love wholly, live fully, rejoice daily.