~* Amazed Again *~

My clients never cease to amaze me.

This week, I feel like I have witnessed more drive and dedication from my clients than ever. Maybe it's because I've been pushing a little harder than usual, and they sure have stepped up. It's so freakin' rewarding.

Yesterday was the best day of the week. Aside from the fact that Thursdays are my Fridays (3 day weekends, yay!), I had two clients blow me away. Client #1 is a wheelchair bound man, 24 years old with spina bifida and diabetes. He has virtually no feeling in his feet below his ankles, but I got to take him through a leg workout yesterday!! Not anything crazy, but he was able to do the leg extension machine and the seated hamstring curls, and that was incredible. Client #2 is in his late 50s and he is a workhorse. He will do anything I come up with for a workout and never complain about it. I've only gotten the best of him once, actually. He set a goal for himself a while back- he wanted to do 10 pull ups. The last time he tried, he got 5. Well, last night, I got to witness him getting 9!!! His "gym birthday" is in 2 weeks, and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be able to celebrate with 10 full pull ups.

I am so full of wonder and amazement and sheer gratitude. How many people can wake up every day and feel truly blessed and fortunate to be going to a job that they love? I can.

~* I Kill Fat For A Living *~

Apparently, I really do. Over the last 4 weeks, my clients have collectively lost over 50lbs and 46 inches!!! I am so proud of all of them!!

It's funny- there are days when I wonder if I really have any clue about what I'm doing. Am I just taking stuff out of a book and hoping it works? Am I just winging it and praying for the best? But then I see results like that and I know without a doubt that this is what I was born to do. To help people. To educate people. To coach and motivate and reassure people. I truly do love my job.

Another funny thing is that my clients keep thanking me. One of them even sent me a Starbucks gift card. I don't feel deserving of thanks. I'm just the coach, pointing them in the right direction and teaching them the guidelines. They're on the field, playing the game, living the lifestyle. They are my purpose. I can't wait until the day when I can start up my own gig and do this all day, every day, with motivated people who really want to be better, healthier, happier people. I love my life.

~* Throw Your Fucking Scale Away *~

Yes, that's how I really feel, and sometimes I want to scream it at my clients.

The scale will never tell the whole story. Ever.

The client I'm speaking of in particular has lost over 20lbs since we began working together. She has started to "tone" up, and her strength is going through the roof. So, the scale is slowly climbing. It makes sense, but that little 3 digit number in front of her is getting into her head, and I pray it doesn't cause any setbacks. A lot of people know in their head that muscle is denser than fat, muscle doesn't float, and you will be heavier if you have more muscle. But that doesn't make people feel better. So, I'm gonna put this into perspective right quick.

I am 29 years old. I'm  5'5" and about 128lbs, with 20.4% body fat. When I started working at the gym a year and a half ago, I was 136lbs, and 28.8% body fat. So, over 18 months, I have only lost 8lbs, according to the scale. Considering the fact that I work out 5-6days a week and I eat super-clean, this could be a little discouraging if I were less educated on the workings of my body. When I was 136lbs, I had 39lbs of fat. Pure, disgusting, body fat. Currently, I have 25lbs of fat. So, when you really dive into it, I've lost 14 entire pounds of just fat. I started at a size 9 jeans. I'm in a size 4 now. I was a smoker back then. Now, I'm prepping for my first 5K. The scale is a LIAR!! Seriously folks, ditch it like it cheated on you with your best friend and just move on.

~* Blessed and Grateful *~

I am not a religious person. At all. Even a little bit. 6 years of Catholic school cured me of that. However, last night as I was laying in bed, I was actually moved to tears by the overwhelming love I feel coming in my direction. Ok, part of it may have been PMS, but mostly because I am just so incredibly grateful to feel so much love from and for so many aspects of my life.

I got random Tuesday flowers yesterday. I think that may be the first time I've ever gotten random flowers at all. Just completely out of the blue, to say "Hey, love you (most)". Amazing. See??

After that, I got a text message from a client that reads " I wouldn't be where I am now without you!!! So thanks for all of your hard work and motivation!!". I also got a Facebook message from another client that reads "You are so good and tell the world you deserve more. Gold's Gym would be so much better with more trainers like you. I am so lucky to have gotten you as my trainer."

What these guys don't realize is that I am the lucky one. To have a job that I love- I don't feel like I ever actually work. I absolutely love what I do, and I LOVE seeing the changes and helping people reach their goals. Hell, if I could afford it, I'd do what I do for free!

I truly am a blessed person, and I am so grateful for everything emanating love in my life.

~* Crushing Goals *~

I went shopping for new jeans today. Not because I really HAD to...I have probably a dozen-ish pairs of jeans. But I had noticed that lately, they weren't fitting quite right. They were too...loose. Wait, that doesn't sound right...the scale isn't moving. My legs and my rear end seem bigger, although I haven't measured in a while...But yep, sure enough, my jeans are too big. So, today, I got my first 2 pairs of SIZE 4 jeans since high school!!! Size freakin' 4!!!

Also, I did my second full 5k on the treadmill today in preparation for the mess I've signed myself up for in the upcoming months. I cut 3 minutes off my time!! Granted, I've just been walking. I don't wanna run until I get running shoes, but still...I feel like it's progress.

Oh yeah, I don't think I mentioned it- after I do this first 5k in April, I signed up for the Baltimore Color Run on May 11. I'm super-excited about this one. I'll be running on a team with some people I haven't seen in a few years, and it's supposed to be just a really fun time. Check it out- http://thecolorrun.com/baltimore/ .

Anyway, the moral of the story- hard work pays off.

~* Running Down A Dream *~

Or a nightmare, possibly.

I have promised one of my clients that, because of her commitment to me and her training program, I will run a 5k with her at the beginning of April. WTF was I thinking?? I'm not a runner. Well, not yet anyway.

I have until April 6 to change that. I'm simultaneously excited and terrified. I'm looking forward to pushing my body outside of its comfort zone, trying something new, and proving my dedication to my clients. But, I am scared to death. I had asthma really bad as a child, and every time I start to lose my breath, I flash back to what that was like and I panic. Then, of course, breathing is even harder, so I panic more, and it's a vicious cycle.

I downloaded an app onto my phone that a few people recommended to me, called C25K (couch to 5k), which will take me step by step from a "couch potato" to running a 5K in 8 weeks. Hopefully, it's a good app. I also have enlisted the help of my "male friend" to find a good pair of running shoes. He's good with that kind of thing. He just ran the Krispy Kreme challenge yesterday, and he runs for PT all the time, so I trust his opinion.

I'll keep this updated with my progress. Cross your fingers that I don't break an ankle or something stupid like that.

~* Proud Mama *~

Ok, Ok, so I'm not a mama. But today, I am a damn proud trainer. I think everyone deserves a day like today to be reminded that they are good at what they do (if, of course, they are good at what they do).

Every 4 weeks, I force my clients to go through Measurements. Weight, body fat percentage, and taping. Every 4 weeks they hate my guts. And every 4 weeks, I force them to set a new goal, and evaluate why they did or did not accomplish the previous goal. Well, this week is Measurement Week.

It's only Monday, and so far I've had clients who:

- lost 2 inches on the waist
- lost an inch on the arm
- cut their blood pressure medication in half
- dropped 5 lbs. (15 total in two months)
- ran a 5k on the treadmill, and has been so motivated that her goal for the next 4 weeks is to actually run a 5k.

I am so damn proud of my clients!!! And I'm freakin' proud of myself too. I am good at something that I am so passionate about. It's the most incredible feeling!! My goal for the next 4 weeks is to do everything I can to continue to help my clients reach their goals.