Well, it is a pleasure for me to tell you guys a little story that just may inspire the fat right off your body:-) Recently, I was sought out by a woman at the gym. Her name is Caren Day, and she was looking for someone to teach her about self myofascial release, or “rolling out,” and my good friend Jo Jo, at the front desk, introduced us and gave her my number. I heard from Caren about 2 days later. We talked a little bit about where she was in her life and all the pain she is feeling in her body. She’s been hitting the gym really hard, and I’ll tell you why, but she was suffering with aches and feeling beat up. She has recently decided to shape up after a long run of hardships and tragedies that manifested themselves in her own personal weight gain.
In our “getting to know each other” phone call, I learned Caren was actually competing with The Biggest Loser TV show, in her very own home. Caren actually applied to be on the show, and when she wasn’t selected, she got really serious anyway, and decided if she can’t go to the ranch, then she’ll make her own ranch. What a great idea! So Caren weighs in with the contestants every week! Please visit her blog at http://thebiggestloserhomechallenge.wordpress.com/, and follow her each day as she shares the trials and tribulations of being her own personal trainer, nutritionist, and motivator. Show her some support as she weighs in each week and compares her weight loss and progression each week, to that of the actual TV contestants!!!
I decided to interview Caren about her journey thus far, and here are some of the things I asked her:
ME: What was your motivation behind the blog?
CAREN: A friend and I were watching it last season and my friend mentioned how great I’d be on the show. That planted a seed in my head and from that day forward I decided I was going to lose weight. I auditioned for the show, but was not selected, and not long after that, I hurt my back pretty severely. After about 6 weeks of little to no movement and lots of depression, I began working with a physical therapist and finally got myself back into the gym. Something hit me and I said to myself, “I can do this on my own!” I narrowed down my priorities in order to get some focus in my life and since I’m a writer, I found that writing and loosing weight were at the top of my list, and there you have it! That’s how this all came to be.
ME: Wow, that’s truly amazing Caren, you are an inspiration. What is one thing you’d really like to share with people about your experience thus far?
CAREN: Well it looks so easy when you are watching the show because the contestants are able to completely focus on just their food and exercise and they have their own trainer. But what I’ve realized is that this is a lifestyle change, and in order to make it work, and keep the weight off forever, it takes ME. It’s all up to the individual, whether or not he or she is succesful in the long-term. There isn’t always going to be a trainer around. Buddha says it like this: “99% of the battle is a private battle inside yourself.” It takes real commitment, and that word, COMMITMENT, has taken on a whole new meaning to me.
ME: Incredible! I am so happy for you and really want to acknowledge you for such drive and passion. What would you say has been the hardest thing for you so far?
CAREN: Well, sugar is my weakness, so keeping that under control has been a real challenge. I also have this deeply rooted fear that has a voice, and it is constantly telling me that “no matter what I do, nothing will ever change.” I am working through it one day at a time. However, I have learned to stop using the word “try,” because I am either doing something or I’m not. There’s no in between. To me, the word “try” is just a cop-out or an excuse to under-achieve.
ME: I think you made a brilliant point there Caren, I definitely can agree with you. I think you are doing amazing! Would you say that it is helping your process, to write the blog? And if so, how?
CAREN: I have always expressed myself through words, so the blog definitely enables me to look at each day as a mini life lesson. I am finding inspiration in even the smallest things. I have put myself out there, which is scary, because now I really have to wake up each day and just DO! However, I am really making much more conscious choices and the awareness inside of me is growing rapidly. I do run into negative influences sometimes, or those who unconsciously or consciously want to sabatoge me, but I feel that having the blog holds me accountable and makes it easier to stay on track. I am not perfect and there are times that I indulge a little. However, I believe the splurges are minimized greatly because I have people who are supporting me and tuning in to my every day experiences. Most importantly, I do it all for myself, and that feels really good.
ME: Congratulations Caren, you have already won so much as far as I’m concerned. I always tell my clients that the best part of the getting fit journey, is the journey within. Thanks for sharing your story with me.
To get to know Caren better and to follow her each day, please check out her blog! If you’d like to contact me, please leave all your questions and comments here for me on the blog! Until next time, Here’s To Your Health!!!!! MWAH!
