I recently received some devastating news, and like most other humans, I handled it by retreating, pouting, and drinking enough red wine to cater an Irish wedding. I’m not saying I’m the first person to suffer a broken heart, but the person who coined the phrase must have had one. It really gives you physical pain in your chest.

Shortly thereafter, I was reminded of a statement an old football coach made to me that has stuck with me since. He said, “Life is a series of disappointments, and how we handle them determines our value as people.” Then he cussed me out for the mistake I made. But he was right then and it applies now. We had a choice to make. Keep pouting or do something about the things we can control. And fortunately for most people, our physical and mental wellness is something that is in our control.

I talked to my trainer and told her it was time to get in shape, really in shape mentally and physically. When she took a look at what I was doing she suggested a major lifestyle change. As we get older our metabolisms slow down, and a way to jump start it happens early in the morning. She suggested, or really insisted, that I do thirty minutes of cardio BEFORE breakfast. That requires an earlier wake up, and a bit of discipline for a “night owl”.

The biggest obstacle was a lack of energy early in the morning. But Designer Whey products have helped cure the problem. A scoop of protein in a shake at bedtime has given me the necessary energy. And after just two weeks of this lifestyle change, I am five pounds down. We have to make sure we look forward to each new day, and if you face the sun, the shadows will always be behind you.

Posted in John Roberts | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

If your training with a trainer…

LET THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT AND NEED!
A few months ago I bloged about me getting a personal trainer to help me with my figure competitions. I was so excited about letting someone else figure out my training schedule and what I needed to be doing. I thought it would be fun for me and a really neat experience. Here is my story.

When I compete for these things my main goal is to learn something new about myself and of course do well. But my training failed me badly and I should have said something but didn’t. Lesson learned. I want everyone to know some signs of a bad trainer. Yes, this is what I experienced and it was very stressful for me. And my contest did not go well.

1. When your trainer can’t remember if it’s an arm or leg day.
2. When your trainer can’t remember your last name or how to spell it.
3. When your trainer is at least 7-10 minutes late EVERY SESSION.
4. When you pay for private training lesson and your trainer brings another girl without asking you and you end up paying for her to workout with you when you wanted a one on one.
5. When after working with your trainer for a month they can’t remember what weight you need for a 12 rep bicep curl.
6. When you want to workout with your trainer one week before contest and he/she doesn’t want to come in at 8am because it’s too early. Then you miss 4 workouts that you really needed the support on.
7. When your trainer tells you not to do cardio. (Weird one)
8. When your trainer makes fun of everybody in the gym and doesn’t pay attention to you.

I should of stopped training with this guy as soon as he said that he thought Designer Whey protein drinks would make me bloated… RED FLAG RIGHT THERE!!!!! I think the only thing that kept me sane during this time was my Designer Whey drinks and protein powders!!! Yes… that’s pretty sad but my drinks got me through.
I think I was just trying to be nice but ended up losing in the long run.
So as a trainer I learned a lot with this horrible experience by making sure I’m smart with my clients!

So be aware of these trainer downfalls and if you experience any of these… RUN!!!!!!!!!!

Trainer Becs

Posted in Trainer Becs | 1 Comment

Trainer Becs reporting in on my training for the Tournament of Champions Figure Competition  coming up on Sept. 12th! I finally got up the nerve to send a photo of me what I looked like a few weeks ago. I’m really self concious and just haven’t sent a photo of myself but I thought it would be good to show what Designer Whey has done for me and how it has helped me to transform my body. I took it by myself so it’s kind of a funny pic…oh well. This photo is of me 5 weeks before contest time. I’ll be sending a 3 week photo and then a final one as well. Nothing has helped me more to train for this and I can’t believe it’s almost time for me to compete. I have used every Designer Whey product to help me through these past 12 weeks I have been training.

I use the powder in the jug, orange mango , with water.
Before my workout I will drink a whole Protein Water   or half of the Protein Blitz  . Then drink either or after my workouts and sometimes during. I love all the flavors and use them all.
  

When I’m craving something sweet I use the Desginer Whey Biggest Loser Protein To Go Packs  ( raspberry  and blueberry ) and mix it with one cup of soy milk. The milk helps me to fill up so I’m not hungry.

When I want to go out with friends to dinner or any kind of function I take my To Go Packs of the Orange Mango  and Pomegranate . I recently went to Hawaii and took a whole bunch of these with me and it helped me the entire week not to cheat!!! 
 
This amazing company has helped me these past 9 weeks with muscle building, hunger control and energy! Thank you Designer Whey ! I will have photos coming next week to show me at 3 weeks out!
 
Trainer Becs

Posted in Real People, Trainer Becs | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

I just got an email regarding the results of the Challenge. Again, it was all so anticlimactic. Just a name of the winner, no mention of me or anyone else. No idea who this person that won was, or what they looked like. No pics to see the transformation that they made. No idea if I was even in the running or what. No recognition whatsoever. Just leaves me shaking my head in disappointment. So I just have to fall back on what the main purpose of the challenge was in the first place. To make a life change for myself. And I did that. And I am very pleased. And seeing how much I enjoyed the competition/deadline aspect of the whole thing, I believe I will continue on this path I’ve begun, and see how far I can take it. I enjoyed those elements, and the drive they instilled in me. There are myriad contests and competitions that I can enroll in. I see that I can improve my body, and I want to see just how dramatic I can do that. I believe the challenge has just begun…….

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

The big challenge now is trying to keep the motivation high since the competition aspect is gone. Now that I have the freedom to eat whatever again, I don’t quite know what to eat !! Obviously I am not going to go back to my old ways. I have every intention of continuing on this fitness road I’ve embarked upon, but the simple diet I was eating certainly made mealtime a snap. I need to learn now about clean eating and the foods that I can incorporate into my diet to maintain the level of fitness I’ve achieved. Of course, after the pic and measurements, I went out for a cheeseburger and had a margarita, too. It’s amazing how my mindset has changed now that I don’t have a deadline looming. I’ve gotten a little lazy in the daily commitment to exercise. I need to kick that back up a notch. I can see how a fitness lifestyle takes a tremendous amount of dedication and determination to maintain.

Posted in Real People | 1 Comment

I have been waiting now for almost two weeks to find out the results of the contest. I talked with many people in the gym who were even angrier than I was about the way it ended. They all had similar experiences. Some people even refused to do the measurements and pics because it wasn’t with someone in charge of the challenge. There is no way for me to try to get them redone, either. The timing of all the elements of diet, water, supplements, exercise, etc…..was geared for that morning. I was at my peak. I no longer feel excited about the challenge. I do feel great for myself, personally, but the rest is a huge letdown. They will be giving the results on May 5. Very anticlimactic.

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

I went in as scheduled this morning to have my after pics and measurements taken. The situation at Gold’s Gym was nothing short of completely unprofessional and disappointing. There was no one connected to the Gold’s Challenge there to do the measurements. None of the employees seemed to have any idea what was going on. The manager, in particular, was clueless. They finally got one of the reception guys to measure me and take the picture. The first thing he says to me is “Do you know how to use this camera ?” Then when we get to measuring, he’s asking me where to hold the tape. I really was just angry. I went up to the manager to ask what was going on, and all he could do was throw his hands up and say” I don’t know what to tell you.” As unprofessional and inept as I’ve ever experienced. None of the tape measurement numbers changed, which is impossible as my clothes are hanging on me now. I’ve lost over 15 pounds, and almost 6% body fat, and none of my measurements are different. My trainer had gone on vacation for the week, so he wasn’t there to help. It was simply deflating after all the work I’ve done.

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

So tomorrow morning is the day of reckoning. I’m excited. I have not lifted weights for a couple of days now. Only cardio. My water intake has been on a tapering schedule for days. Today I only get 1 liter. Tomorrow only 16 oz. And I had to buy distilled water to keep the sodium levels low. I’ve done my treadmill for the day. I will lay in the sun for a while, as having a tan is desired to help show off the muscle better. I will also practice my “posing” in the mirror. I get only one front and one side pic to be shown to the judges. I need to be able to effortlessly nail a muscle defining pose, and smile, for the camera on command. I think I’ve got it down. I bought a great bathing suit. My body looks fabulous. It’s only the competition, and what they’ve achieved, that is in my way. Did someone want it more than me ? Did someone work harder ? I’ll know soon enough.

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Keith has given me my final instructions for the days leading up to the picture day. I have been given a list of supplements to take. I have begun a sodium depletion process that includes boiling the salt out of the chicken, no seasonings on it or the broccoli, and large quantities of water to flush sodium out of the cells. I take water pills also, to aid in this process. The last two days before the pic, I am switching from broccoli to sweet potatoes to load up on carbs. I don’t really understand all that is behind these directions, there certainly is a science to it, but I feel I have a huge advantage over many of the other contestants because of my trainer. He is giving me all his competition knowledge. It can only help.

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

I think my time off might actually have done me some good. I’m very energized this week. My body feels strong and fresh, too. I’m lifting heavier than ever. I love working with my trainer. I enjoy those days so much more than when I train alone. I love the joking and laughing we do as I train, and I learn much every day about exercise and fitness. I am physically pushed to limits I would never reach on my own. I wish I could train with him all the time. Maybe some day soon, I will be able to.

Posted in Real People | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG