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MAY 17, 2013
AUGUSTA MEDiCAL EXAMINER
Hope IS Possible
My healthy lifestyle journal, Part One
Helen Blocker-Adams
A
pril 17, 2013 marked my first year anniversary on my healthy lifestyle journey. After my 5 o’clock workout that morning, I had a picture taken of me holding a blue jean skirt that I wore, quite frequently I might add, one year ago. I posted that picture on my Facebook page later that morning about 7 am. By 10 p.m. that night I had 77 comments and 585 LIKES. I was absolutely blown away. I had no idea that picture would attract so much attention. My weight loss specialist/ personal trainer, TJ Simmons of Champion Fitness & Nutrition, told me that people are starving for inspiration. The photo was inspiring and motivating to hundreds of people. And indeed that was my intent. I also run into many of my Augusta Medical Examiner readers who have followed columns where I have talked about my journey. Many have asked ‘what is my secret?’ so I wanted to share my story. In high school and college I
was always a size 10 – 12. I think most of us have heard that as we age, our body and metabolism changes. Things we ate when we were younger stick to our ribs longer now than when we were in our teens and twenties. As a result, the weight will build up. I didn’t work out during my earlier years. I had a sporadic walking routine and I’ve tried plenty of diets. I never tried any diet pills though. I’ve always been rather conscious of my weight and what I eat. Growing up, my mother prepared good and healthy food. Living overseas most of my formative years, I didn’t grow up on the typical “soul food” that many have become accustomed to living in the South. I was in my late 30s when the weight started to creep up. It was gradual so I didn’t pay much attention to it. When I shopped and had to purchase a larger size than last time, I shrugged it off. I lived my life, I worked, and stayed busy being involved and making a difference in the community. But suddenly one day I was buying size 20 clothes. I remember the first time I looked at the label and thought, “I never dreamed I would be wearing this size.” But I was. I’m not knocking people who wear that size. I just know that this was not my normal size, my BMI number was high and it was directly related to the weight gain. I have been to enough health fairs to know that. I believe most people know their own body.
Thank God I’ve never had major health problems, but my health screenings were starting to show higher numbers when my blood pressure was checked. I knew it was related to the weight gain. But I had no sense of urgency. I was in DENIAL. I felt fine. I was exercising (walking) sometimes, eating veggies and not that much red meat. One day, a friend gave me some tailored clothes she was no longer able to wear and when I looked at the size, some of them were size 22. And they fit. I was like “whoa.” This is definitely getting out of control. Wake up call! Around the same time I was getting frequent marketing promos from Champion Fitness & Nutrition on my Facebook page. Seems like I was getting them daily with a comment to stop by the gym and I could get a couple of complimentary sessions. Interesting. From time to time over the years I had considered the idea of having a personal trainer. With my busy schedule and the fact that I like discipline, order, and proper knowledge on a given subject, it became more and more appealing. So one day I took them up on the offer. I walked into their Washington Road location one Tuesday. I met the owner, TJ Simmons, we talked, I met some of his clients, and on my way out he said. “See you in the morning at 5:00!” I looked back and without hesitation I said okay. I’ve been going there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 a.m. for a year now. On the first day I was given a health analysis through a series of questions and then started with my training. The weight loss/body toning approach, even though there are many others in the gym at the same time, is personalized and very effective. My program combines exercise, nutrition and supplements. My approach has included weight loss, strength training, body toning and cardio. The exercises impacted every part of my body. And I mean every part, including those I didn’t know I had. My fellow clients are very
helpful and encouraging because they know exactly what to expect. The camaraderie is exciting too. One of the first suggestions was to purchase epsom salt and soak in warm water every night for a week or two. That is excellent advice because every part of my body hurt for the first two weeks! On my first day I had to jump rope. When I got to 15 or so, I thought I was going to fall out. These days I’m doing 150+. Every exercise is done in 3 repetitions. For example, 20 of one routine, but it has to be done 3 times. In my early days, getting to 3 repetitions was EXTREMELY hard. I also walk/ jog at least three times a week in the evenings and Saturday mornings. TJ and his staff know their business very well and he knew what I needed to get the results I was looking for. One of the things he emphasizes is NOT to focus on the scales. We women love to base our weight loss success on what the scale says. But the scales are just as fickle as people can be. One day you have one number and then a week later, after you have done everything you’re supposed to do, and you get back on the scales and the number has gone
up. Uh oh.! That is when doubt and discouragement creep in. Instead, TJ says to focus on how you feel and how your clothes fit. I totally agree. In addition to the exercise routine, which is different each time, he provided a Nutritional Guide with food and menu recommendations. One of the things he said was to eat three meals a day and 3 snacks a day. Say what? There were plenty of days that, prior to starting my new lifestyle, eating breakfast and then not eating again for five or more hours was routine. I learned that your body needs regular meals to keep it metabolized. Almost like fuel for a car. When your body is not getting regular meals or snacks, it will simply store and conserve energy until you do decide to eat. Thus the fat piles up over the years. And that is partly what happened to me. That concept was the most profound knowledge I have gained throughout this process. Next issue: Part Two + Helen Blocker-Adams is Executive Director of the Southeast Enterprise Institute; mental health advocate; and youth advocate. You can reach her at hba@hbagroup-intl. com or visit her website at www. helenblockeradams.com
The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists. It rewards people who get things done.