Want Free Personal Training?

Exactly 1 year ago I started my online personal training and nutrition coaching business in order to help women ditch dieting, eliminate excuses, and reach their own goals when it comes to working out and their relationship with food. This past year has been full of working with amazing women, establishing systems in my business, and expanding to new programs that will serve my clients better. 

Last month I launched my online group coaching program, and as the month went on I have learned a lot to say the least. I have decided that in order to continue to develop the program, I would like to offer 10 free slots to women who want to work with me, have specific fitness and nutrition-related goals, thrive with group accountability and are willing to go through the program beginning in February through the end of the year (yes, until the end of 2018!) while giving me feedback that I can use to make it even better. 

I'm looking for testers: women who are hard workers, but stuck in their fitness routine or wanting to start one altogether. I'm basically going to use your involvement in the program to develop the format for the paid membership in the group that will go for $500+ a pop beginning in 2019. 

So this really is a great opportunity to get a high-value service for free while I'm in beta testing mode. If you or someone you know would like to get one of these 10 slots, you just need to submit the application HERE. If I receive more than 10 applications, I'll be choosing those who are the best fit. 

I'm looking for women who: 

- Have realistic and measurable goals for your fitness and nutrition journey this year
- Are typically a motivated person, but thrive with personal and group accountability
- Are active on Facebook and Instagram and are willing to post on one or both platforms at least once a month about your experience in the group (and allow me to use your testimonials/reviews on my own social media accounts)
- Are ALL IN and willing to work hard in order to achieve your goals

I’m "picky" (just like you should be when you decide to work with someone!) because I want to work with women who are my ideal client- ie I don’t want to waste someone’s time (or vice versa) if we aren’t a good fit for each other.

This isn’t just getting free personal training/nutrition coaching— this will be a partnership and I will be working really hard for you every step of the way. I have 4 years of experience as a Certified Personal Trainer and a wealth of knowledge in several specific areas including nutrition, pre and postnatal fitness, weight loss, and much more. Having trained more than 10 clients 1-on-1 this year and watching them lose weight, gain confidence and achieve goals they never thought possible, I know what it takes to help you accomplish what you want to do in 2018, and I’m ready to get to work for you. 

I plan to offer a LOT of value and ultimately help you reach YOUR goals. Let me know if you are interested! 

P.S. While I expect these spots to fill up by the end of the week, do take the time to look over my website, Instagram, and Facebook page to see if what I stand for and who I am as a person fits with you. If you think we are a great fit for each other, please fill out the application! 

Exercise: Progress NOT Perfection

EXERCISE: PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION

(Where to start and how to stick to it)

Let’s just cut through the fluff and nonsense out there when it comes to working out, shall we? I mean, come on. We all have SO much going on in life, so when it comes to doing probably one of the most important things we can do (taking care of ourselves!) why do we make it so complicated? 

To get in shape, no matter who you are or what stage of life you are in, you don’t need “things.” You don’t need new clothes, a gym membership, the latest protein powder or pre-work out. You don’t need to have certain workout experience or be at a particular fitness “level” (whatever that means). You just need to get started- take that first step or lift that first weight. 

So for those of us who want to say goodbye to the overwhelm of working out, 

how do we do it? 

Start small. 

So you’re new to working out or have a new gym membership? Getting back into a routine after a long break? Start. Small. Don’t set yourself up for failure by telling yourself that you are going to do hour-long workouts six days a week. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else’s work out routine. Starting small increases your chances of following through, and following through will be encouraging and give you the motivation and momentum to keep going. 

Go outside for a walk or jog (even just 20 minutes). Hike. Do some body weight exercises (push ups, squats, lunges, etc.) at the park while your kids play on the playground. Get a Groupon for a local class you want to try. Do a youtube workout in your living room. There are dozens of days just to start, and starting is sometime s the hardest part.

Seek accountability. 

People say that it takes a village to raise kids, and I think it applies to fitness too. Sometimes when we are starting on a new fitness journey, it can feel daunting, but bringing in our village can make an enormous difference in our success. Whether it is a spouse, friend, personal trainer (in person or someone like me who trains online!), your blog readers— whoever it is— seek accountability from someone in your life to get the extra push, help, or tough love you need. 

Track your progress. 

I tell my clients this from the very beginning. I know it’s intimidating, and not something most of us would ever enjoy, but take progress pictures. Write down your weight and measurements. Then do it again in 3 or 4 weeks. Then 3 or 4 weeks after that. Write down how many pushups or squats you can do or how much weight you can lift, then update it later. Why? Numbers on a scale don’t tell your whole story. But seeing your body change through measurements and photos is incredibly inspirational, even if you never share those pictures or numbers with anyone. 

So in the name of simplicity, let’s all step back and approach working out differently with no guilt and no drama. Start small. Find someone to help keep you accountable. Track (and celebrate) your progress and hard work. 

There is beauty and freedom that comes when we take care of ourselves physically without guilt or strict schedules or regimens or obsession with food. Being strong and fit (whatever that looks like for each of us-- because our bodies are all different!) takes simple, every-day decisions that are rarely glamorous or attractive or alluring. It's the tough in-the-moment choices that drive us forward (or stall us). It’s the little decisions day in and day out that results in the greatest progress.

Living a healthy and active lifestyle doesn't have to be complicated. You just have to take the first step. 

After all, it’s about progress, not perfection.

Are you tired of excuses? Of dieting? Of wanting to feel strong, but not knowing how to get there? Join my group training program (all online!) here: bit.ly/strongin2018 or check out my one-on-one training programs here: www.bellefitnessandnutrition.com/programs. Still not sure what is best for you? Hop on a call with me for 20 minutes! Sign up here: Schedule Appointment 

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What Loving Your Body DOESN'T Mean

Can I be real with you all for a minute? 
I mean, of course I can... 

Like every battle in "mom wars" (ew), it doesn't matter what topic you bring up (birth, breastfeeding, sleeping, etc.) someone will disagree and/or have a VERY strong opinion about the way they think is best. So while I understand that, please know my intent here is not to start a debate or to argue, but instead to submit a perspective to think about that I haven't seen talked about yet. I would LOVE to hear your perspective and thoughts, but no, I do not want to argue. 

So here goes. 

It seems like there are more and more articles being published by mamas to mamas about having a positive body image. About "loving your body" for what it is, and being grateful that you were able to have children (OF COURSE!) and accepting your body for all of the changes.

Great, right!? 

YES. 

Yes, yes, yes.

Having children is a blessing not granted to everyone. I am VERY aware of that.

That is not where I take issue.

The slightly "off" trend I'm seeing in these articles and blog posts is that we (the collective "we" -- after having babies or even for those of us who have never had a child) are pushed to accept our bodies NO MATTER WHAT. But what if that "no matter what" is when we are not healthy? I don't know about you, but I have had stages in life when I have held onto extra (like 20+ extra) pounds that weren't benefitting my body and causing problems, and while I appreciated life, I wasn't content with struggling to run miles I had run easily months before. 

Friends, I think we can all say that anorexia or obesity are NOT healthy. Chain smoking is not healthy. Excessive alcohol consumption (or consumption of ANYthing in excess, really), is not healthy. Not eating is not healthy. Not drinking water is not healthy. Not being able to breathe after walking up a flight of stairs is not healthy. Having joint and muscle pain because of excessive weight is not healthy. Any of these things being accepted in the name of "loving our bodies" is not healthy.

I agree that we need to be grateful and mindful and present and thankful for our bodies-- for LIFE and the capability to live -- but I believe that loving our bodies and having a positive body image does NOT include:

1.  Pushing exercise and/or eating well to the side (permanently-- obviously seasons come and go) because we have "accepted our bodies" (on whatever end of the spectrum we are on).

2. Obsessing over looks. Our looks DO NOT determine our worth. No matter what we look like. God created us all differently, and human life is undeniably valuable, no matter what. While exercise or eating a certain way can be done by people primarily for looks, being healthy on the inside is what is important. Being healthy does not mean looking like a fitness model or a crossfit star. Looks are not what are important-- No matter your age or stage of life, let's take care of ourselves in order to be able to move when we are older, play with our children and grandchildren, lower our risks of certain diseases, and enjoy life with all of the energy we can. 

3. Attacking someone for losing weight (or GAINING weight) in order to work on his or her health and fitness because it is somehow an indication that he or she isn't loving their body and accepting their body for what it is. 

4. Pitting body acceptance AGAINST doing things to change the body. We can accept our bodies and be grateful (for example being grateful for the ability to have a child!) while still working to change our bodies for the better (in whatever way that means for you!). The two ideas are not against each other.

So yes, LOVE your body. Be grateful for what it has done, can do, for your ability to move, etc. Be mindful of the blessing it is to have a body that functions and can experience life. 

But remember that what is happening beyond that mental state -- the PHSYICAL aspects of our bodies -- can be cared for in a way that will make life better, more intentional, purposeful, etc. 

Love your body enough to take care of it. 

You are worth it! 

**Post also shared at www.bellefitnessandnutrition.com/blog