Another Inspiring Success

I'm so proud to share another success story.  Mariah's story is so encouraging to the thousands of women that feel stuck, unbalanced and unappreciated.  I'm a firm believer that the core of everything that signifies life begins with health. Thank you Mariah for taking control of your life and health and for sharing your story.   You're an inspiration!  You're beautiful!

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Two years ago, in December 2008, I wound up in a psychologist's office.
Her question..."So why are you here?"

My answer...."I hate my life..."

I worked all of the time. I hated my job. I commuted far, I never saw my husband and children, and I never had time for myself. It took me 2-3 strong cups of coffee to wake up in the morning, 2-3 glasses of wine to get to sleep at night, and I had constant heartburn and acid reflux. I craved time with my children. I craved time with my husband. I needed balance. I wanted a job in which I felt appreciated, and made the kind of money I needed to make.

I didn't even know where to begin.

At the advice of my therapist, I began reading the book, Codependent No More by Melodie Beattie. In a nutshell, I stopped trying to change the world around me, and I instead asked myself one question..."What do I need to do to live a fulfilling life?" The answer was simple...

I need to get healthy so that I can feel good, live a long healthy life, and feel confident and sexy again.

I need to somehow come to a sense of balance so that all of the priorities in my life get the attention they need and deserve (my children, my husband, myself).

I need to find a career that is rewarding, utilizes my intellectual capacity, has a high degree of flexibility, and has a high income potential so that I'm not living to work, but working to live.

All three of these objectives came together. My approach was very different than the normal dieter...it began deep inside my soul. It came from this feeling of everything spinning out of control and me feeling like my life was passing by. Within two years time, I quit my job and my family moved back to my hometown. I'm back in school and studying both psychology and nursing. I spend more time with my children and husband, I'm learning material every day that I directly apply, and I am back down to the weight I was at years ago.

Last year, I began a fitness and nutrition blog that marries the psychology behind our unhealthy habits with our weight loss goals. I find that everyone tells us how to eat to lose weight, and how to workout...but nobody digs deeper to find the cognitive behavioral reasons why we do what we do. I believe that until those are addressed, weight loss is only temporary and addictions other than food are sought out.

In September, I began P90X as a natural continuation of my health journey, and in December I completed it along with my husband and workout partner. I loved the intensity, appreciated the diet and nutrition recommendations, and cannot wait to do another Beachbody fitness program.

Mariah today

Isn't it Time?

I had an assignment this week to post a video about my success with Beachbody.  Not only have I had great results, but I have truly been able to inspire so many people and that to me is how I define success.  I hope this motivates you!  Isn't it TIME for YOU?

No More Excuses in 2011 - Commit.

In order to be an inspiration, one must inspire.  In order to have others follow, one must lead.

As I encourage you all to be deciding on your goals for 2011, I feel it is only appropriate that I not only share my plans for the new year, but that I commit those plant to paper as well.  I hope that my marathon story proved the power of setting goals.  Through hard work, dedication and positive beliefs, it is almost unimaginable what you'll be able to achieve in the next twelve months!

My 2011 Fitness goals

Running:
Coaching for Luke's Locker winter / spring Quick Beat program:  This program lasts 20 weeks and over the course I'll be working on strength and speed.  As a participant last year, I was able to improve my running form and technique, which ultimately lead me to become faster.  I'm giving back this year by helping others do the same by being a coach for the program.  Notable races:  Several 5ks throughout the program.

Early Marathon training:  In May, I will start to ramp up my mileage and begin training for my fifth marathon.  I have selected Chicago as my destination marathon.  It's been on my list for several years and it just works out perfectly this year.  Race date:  Early October

Cross Training:

Insanity:  I started my third round this week.  I will continue to push play throughout January and February until the VERY highly anticipated The Asylum is set to be released.  This program makes Insanity look like a light stroll through the park.  I'm so scared of it...and I can't wait!

P90X One on One:  I love this new program.  I get a brand new DVD each month.  It focuses on muscle confusion to keep the workouts fresh and the plateaus non-existent. It will be excellent crossing training during the brutally hot summer marathon training.

That's it!  It just took a little thought and some planning, and now I have my entire year's plan set.  Now that it's set to paper, I have no excuse NOT to commit.  Switching up the routines and adding variety are keys to keeping me motivated and staying healthy.

Have you decided?  Are you ready to commit that decision to paper?

You Inspire Me

About a month ago, I was featured in a story about Insanity on our local Fox station in Dallas.  I had hoped that after it aired, I would inspire others with my story and motivate people to start getting healthy.  I didn't expect that those who reached out to me would be such an inspiration to my life.

A couple days after the story aired, I got an email from Billy.  He told me his story about his weight loss journey that began in January.  We exchanged emails and ended up meeting at the Tony Horton seminar a couple weeks ago.  Since then, Billy and I have become great friends.  He inspires me to be my best.  His attitude is infectious, his willingness to learn is admirable and his drive for success is motivating. 

Billy is in a high risk category for high cholesterol and heart disease, and was suffering with Sleep Apnea, a condition much more common in obese individuals.  He often would make a resolution to lose weight in January but would give up as soon as things got hard.  But for some reason, this year was different.  He saw an infomercial on P90X, looked at his wife and said, "Order that for me now please!" 

Day 1 - P90X

He started doing the videos and said that something about P90X just clicked for him and since then he's been on a mission to a healthier life. He thinks a lot is due to the fact that he can follow the workouts. It's different every day, it changes every couple of weeks and he doesn't get burned out.

And he's not stopping anytime soon!  Since January, he has completed two full rounds of P90X, and is currently on his third round and just started Insanity!  His starting weight was 320 lbs. and he has lost close to 60 lbs. and is on a mission to get to his goal weight of around 200.  Continually making and working towards his goals is something he could have dreamed of in the past. 

His future plans are to run a half marathon and complete a triathlon too!  Check him out today!  He works so hard and was singled out by Tony Horton for his efforts! 

I think the sweat on his shirt is proof of his hard work!

How cool is this picture?

So what motivates Billy?  What was it that made 2010 different? 

He has strong faith in God first and foremost and a wonderfully supportive wife and two amazing daughters.  Even though he still feels he has quite a way to go, he is very humbled by how many people that he has inspired.  It's obvious he has a zest for life and this year has taught him so much about living the lifestyle he is entitled to life.

"The adrenaline rush, the endorphin rush, the competition, the fact that I continue to push the envelope.  It motivates me even more when I can post what I did and people are amazed. It's not really amazing what I do because anyone can do it if they will just commit to putting in the work!  Too many people give up too easily, they stop before they should, they get stuck in their head.  Get out of your head about, just show up, do your best, forget the rest, keep at it and remember it's not about that one failure, it's not about yesterday, it's about what are YOU going to do TODAY!  Think of it as one day at a time. Think about today, don't think about yesterday, it's history.  Don't think about tomorrow because then you are not focusing on today."

What would you say to the person that is in the same situation you were in January?

"I'm talking about people who want the easy way out, the quicker, easier way.  I could have easily taken that way too, but I refused to do it.  You have to want it.  You have to say okay, ... I'll do whatever it takes and I will not let those voices in my head stop me.  So ask yourself, where do I want to be in 6-18 months from now?  Am I ready to start today?  Don't say I'll start tomorrow because you're already letting your mind keep you back.  TODAY IS YOUR DAY!   Are you ready?  Let's do this!!!"

Bring it!

A couple weeks ago I debated a decision.  Should I go with my gut or with my heart?  Almost all of you suggested the latter and I'm so glad I followed your advice.

Instead of running my favorite 20K race, I opted to attend a day long seminar with Mr. P90X, Tony Horton.  Who's Tony Horton you ask?  Turn on any channel that shows infomercials and you'll find out quickly.  He's the face behind the workout phenomenon, P90X.  

P90X and Insanity are just two of several home DVD workout programs, made by Beachbody that are literally transforming so many people's lives across our country.  It was extremely inspiring to be in a room full of motivation mamas and dads, who share my same passions.


The day started with an exhilarating workout with Tony.  I snatched a front row spot.  How often will I get that opportunity?  That's me in the green top!

After the workout, and a fresh change of clothes, we had the opportunity to learn about the success of Beachbody.  I was sitting next to a lady who was smokin' hot.  She turned to me and said 'hello' and introduced herself.

A bit later, during the Success Stories segment, a picture of a unhappy, overweight mother, with familiar looking eyes appeared on the big screen.  I turned to look to the hot woman next to me and sure enough, that picture was her just over a year ago.  A mother who had given up on herself had a friend that motivated her to get her life back. Now, she not only looks incredible, but her spirit was contagious.

I sat there listening to success after success and felt such a tremendous amount of gratitude not only for my health but for my willingness and desire to help other people. Most of the people behind the success stories had lost significant amounts of weight or several inches off their bodies, but they all had gained tremendous amounts of joy in their lives. 

I was meant to be in that room and it further solidified
my unrelenting passion to lead people to a healthier lifestyle.

Some key things that Tony Horton said made a significant impact on me.  I jotted down a few of his phrases that resonated deeply with me.

"Doing nothing does nothing" - If you want to make a change in your life, you have to do something about it.  It starts with making a decision to be healthier.

"Abs are made in the kitchen" - Getting that perfect six pack doesn't come from exercise alone.  We have got to start eating better and being more accountable for what we put into our bodies.

"Rock What You Got" - He referred to a new book by Katherine Schwarzenegger.  You can only work with the body you have so make it the best for you and don't worry what you'll never have.

"Stop caring about what people think of you!" - This is the hardest one for me, but I am getting better.  After all, why should I worry about the opinions of the naysayers when my intentions are only meant to them?

We finished the day with an hour of the hardest yoga I've ever done and my body is unforgiving today. My decision was worth every ounce of pain I'm feeling.  I know what Insanity and Beachbody have done for me and I can't wait to start leading others to begin a journey to a new, happier and healthier life.

Inspiring and motivating others makes me happy. If I can lead you to a healthier life, let's not make any more excuses or waste any more time. Let me know how I can help you get started.

 That's me...with Tony Horton!  Bring It!

My Bro

I'm a very emotional person.  I take after my mother 100 percent.  She was the type that used to cry at parent-teacher conferences because she was so proud.  As a kid, I could never understand why someone would cry because they were happy.  It just didn't make sense to me.  Then, one day I became an adult.  It was if I was a contestant on a game show and the grand prize was revealed.  Congratulations Rhonda!  You have just won the winning ticket to TEARS OF JOY!

I can and will cry in an instant. ANYTHING easily causes my eyes to well up with tears.  I don't think it's a bad thing.  I like to think I'm very vested in emotions of the human spirit.  My boys know this very well about me.  So much so that as soon as any slow music comes on, I can see them through my peripheral vision checking me to see if the tears have started. 

Now please understand, I would consider myself to be a very strong woman.  I don't cry from weakness unless my spirit is broken.  Or if  Shaun T is making me to power jumps. Yes, it happens, but I tend to to cry most often because I'm very easily touched by simple gestures and meaningful acts of inspiration.

OK...this is where my lip starts to quiver.  My brother and I have always been VERY close.  He has always been  the biggest support to me.  When the mean kids teased the fat girl (me) in grade school, he stuck up for me.  When I needed a ride to high school, he drove me.  When I needed a big brother close by during college, he was that guy.  When I moved to Texas completely on my own, he supported my dreams.  When I got married, he stood by Cedric.  When I needed a visitor, he came to see me.  When I needed a quick back up support for the Marine Corp Marathon last year, he flew to DC in a instant and we had a spontaneous blast of fun. (including falling off a Segway in front of the White House!) Most importantly, when I need a really good laugh, he is always there to provide one.

(No one says you gotta look good after 26.2)

(Being goofy in front of the Capitol)