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Anything is possible if you want it badly enough
I get asked so often by others….”What motivated you or what was the one thing that made you decide you needed to do this for yourself?” I wish there was a clear and easy answer to that question and that I could say that I had some big revelation such as seeing myself in a picture of something but the truth is, I just snapped. I had had enough and I just plain simply snapped. My entire life has been filled with so much turmoil and personal tragedies. Too numerous and too painful to mention most. My breaking point came when within a span of 15 months, I lost my mother to Lou Gehrig’s disease, a sister to cancer, my son was born three month’s premature, and my marriage fell apart. As if the wrenching heartache were not enough, I also began to gain weight. I had gone up and down in weight since high school but nothing that wasn’t manageable. This was different. With my self-worth at an all time low, I decided to take control of my life. It was time for a major change. I decided right then that life was going to stop kicking me and I was just going to kick it back. I needed to prove to myself that bad things don’t always have to happen to me. I could change my life.
In that single moment I started working on myself from the inside out. I treated myself differently by doing little inexpensive self-loving activities such as: bubble baths, manicures, and self-help books. The more I read the more empowered I became. Weighing close to 200lbs., one of the areas of life that I decided to improve was my health. As I learned about the importance of nutrition in weight loss, I reduced fatty foods in my diet, chose healthier starches such as oatmeal, and cut out sugar. I read every self help book I could get my hands on until I knew forwards and backwards…CLEAN EATING.
The results were amazing; inspired by my improved quality of life, I took the next step and bought a treadmill. I started walking, then jogging, and eventually built up enough stamina to run marathons. Not just running them either but with great times. Eating frequently and properly combined with exercising gave me a new identity and my accomplishments only fueled my desire to improve. When I incorporated weightlifting into my exercise regimen, my body took on a whole new form. I loved the nice well rounded look I was getting from my muscles. I not only became strong physically, but mentally as well. While attending a figure contest to support a friend, I decided to take my new lifestyle to a higher level by competing in the premier amateur figure circuit. I hired a wonderful trainer and nutritionist, and took it to the next level.
My dedication to a healthy lifestyle resulted in losing over 70lbs. My success was the result of believing in myself, eating healthy food, choosing the right supplements and adhering to daily exercise and most importantly loving myself on the inside for the first time ever. I have been featured as the “Transformation of the Week” on Bodybuilding.com, the newspaper, the morning Fox News in Indianapolis. I have competed in 7 competitions and currently training for my next one right now. I am so excited. I know that I may be older then most beginning competitors and new business owners at the age of 41, but to be on that stage is my trophy. Who I have become is my trophy. To hang in there strong with 20 and 30 year olds, well, it’s icing on the cake. The lifelong friendships I have made are truly priceless.
I stay motivated by helping others. I now keep my knowledge and wisdom by passing it along, and giving it away. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a purpose in life for me. I now feel I have been blessed in so many ways. My life is no longer tragic. I want my son to grow-up practicing healthy exercise and eating habits. He is so proud of his mother and even carries my picture in his binder to school each day. I am further inspired by spreading the story of how I changed my life through healthier living. Helping others achieve their fitness goals has brought me so much satisfaction that I am now a business owner. I am writing exercise and nutrition programs and most recently started my own online business of fitness clothing. It’s geared towards all women of every shape and size. (From Brazilian to Full Figure/Plus size fitness clothing) So far it has been an amazing journey and I have learned something from each show and each new client. I have met so many people that I know will be my friends for the rest of my life. I hope to inspire anyone to keep reaching for their dreams. If I can reach just one person out there that has low self esteem and who believes that they can’t change their life…well it’s all worth it.
In that single moment I started working on myself from the inside out. I treated myself differently by doing little inexpensive self-loving activities such as: bubble baths, manicures, and self-help books. The more I read the more empowered I became. Weighing close to 200lbs., one of the areas of life that I decided to improve was my health. As I learned about the importance of nutrition in weight loss, I reduced fatty foods in my diet, chose healthier starches such as oatmeal, and cut out sugar. I read every self help book I could get my hands on until I knew forwards and backwards…CLEAN EATING.
The results were amazing; inspired by my improved quality of life, I took the next step and bought a treadmill. I started walking, then jogging, and eventually built up enough stamina to run marathons. Not just running them either but with great times. Eating frequently and properly combined with exercising gave me a new identity and my accomplishments only fueled my desire to improve. When I incorporated weightlifting into my exercise regimen, my body took on a whole new form. I loved the nice well rounded look I was getting from my muscles. I not only became strong physically, but mentally as well. While attending a figure contest to support a friend, I decided to take my new lifestyle to a higher level by competing in the premier amateur figure circuit. I hired a wonderful trainer and nutritionist, and took it to the next level.
My dedication to a healthy lifestyle resulted in losing over 70lbs. My success was the result of believing in myself, eating healthy food, choosing the right supplements and adhering to daily exercise and most importantly loving myself on the inside for the first time ever. I have been featured as the “Transformation of the Week” on Bodybuilding.com, the newspaper, the morning Fox News in Indianapolis. I have competed in 7 competitions and currently training for my next one right now. I am so excited. I know that I may be older then most beginning competitors and new business owners at the age of 41, but to be on that stage is my trophy. Who I have become is my trophy. To hang in there strong with 20 and 30 year olds, well, it’s icing on the cake. The lifelong friendships I have made are truly priceless.
I stay motivated by helping others. I now keep my knowledge and wisdom by passing it along, and giving it away. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a purpose in life for me. I now feel I have been blessed in so many ways. My life is no longer tragic. I want my son to grow-up practicing healthy exercise and eating habits. He is so proud of his mother and even carries my picture in his binder to school each day. I am further inspired by spreading the story of how I changed my life through healthier living. Helping others achieve their fitness goals has brought me so much satisfaction that I am now a business owner. I am writing exercise and nutrition programs and most recently started my own online business of fitness clothing. It’s geared towards all women of every shape and size. (From Brazilian to Full Figure/Plus size fitness clothing) So far it has been an amazing journey and I have learned something from each show and each new client. I have met so many people that I know will be my friends for the rest of my life. I hope to inspire anyone to keep reaching for their dreams. If I can reach just one person out there that has low self esteem and who believes that they can’t change their life…well it’s all worth it.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mindy Blackstien-Lead Ambassador on -
Kathryn... That is an awesome story and incredible transformation. It's amazing to see that making a final and firm decision can result in such life changes. When many people are in a similar type situation wondering 'why always them' now they can look to you and see 'it doesn't have to always be like that.. it's my mindset'... I am very grateful that you decided to post this here on the forum because I am sure you will impact many individuals to follow your lead. Thanks for that!
Michelle... Glad that you found someone who you can relate to. Knowing that the changes are possible and attainable must be motivating. Well done! :-)
Kathryn - so which self help books would you say helped you the most? What were the best principles you learned or life lessons that you took from them? What made you start to believe in - and love - yourself? I think that you can teach a very valuable lesson to many people. :-) (If however, you don't feel you want to get into all the answers, I completely understand... your choice)..
:-)
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Permalink Reply by Fisico Moda KMS Fitness Inc. Kathryn Stewart on -
Mindy Blackstien said:Kathryn... That is an awesome story and incredible transformation. It's amazing to see that making a final and firm decision can result in such life changes. When many people are in a similar type situation wondering 'why always them' now they can look to you and see 'it doesn't have to always be like that.. it's my mindset'... I am very grateful that you decided to post this here on the forum because I am sure you will impact many individuals to follow your lead. Thanks for that!
Michelle... Glad that you found someone who you can relate to. Knowing that the changes are possible and attainable must be motivating. Well done! :-)
Kathryn - so which self help books would you say helped you the most? What were the best principles you learned or life lessons that you took from them? What made you start to believe in - and love - yourself? I think that you can teach a very valuable lesson to many people. :-) (If however, you don't feel you want to get into all the answers, I completely understand... your choice)..
:-)
Wow those are hard questions. There were so many things. I could write a book of horrors of my life but I choose to only talk about certain things at this time mostly....I don't want to bring it back up to the front of my mind and second telling those stories could hurt the younger ones of my family...meaning nieces and nephews. I would never want to shatter their good thoughts of their childhoods. But I always move forward. I believe that a person always has areas of life that can be improved upon so there is always the next goal and the journey never ends. It took me a long time to realize that it was ok to create a good, happy life for myself.
NUMBER ONE: My mother was a remarkable woman. I miss her dearly every day. She passed away when I was only 26 and got sick when I was fourteen. I feel I missed out on so much with her. But there was one poem that she shared with me all thru my childhood and would still talk on tape as best she could and send to me in the mail....
THE GIRL IN THE GLASS
When you get what you want in your struggle for self...
And the whole world makes you queen for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself ...
And see what that girl has to say.
For it isn't your father or your mother, or friend ...
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The person whose verdict counts most in the end ...
The woman staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you're a straight shootin' lass,
And tell you a wonderful lie,
But the girl in the glass says you're only a pass ...
If you can't look her straight in the eye.
She's the woman to please, never mind the rest,
For she's with you clear to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test ...
If the girl in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on your back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears ...
If you've cheated the girl in the glass.
Some other books that were beneficial to me (trust me I read them all)
Body for Life by Bill Phillips taught me ALOT
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Who Moved the Cheese (great easy read)
The Secret
Life Lessons.... I can be anything and Do anything I want if I am willing to do the work and want it badly enough!
No pain no gain is actually the truth in everything not just fitness. I have had my share of pain but I have gained so much in myself from it.
I am a worth it! I do matter and it's ok if once in a while it's all about me! (you have to know me....I put EVERYONE before myself always!)
The journey is NEVER OVER!!!! (Doesn't matter what the journey is)
Thank you all so much for your kind words. I am elated that someone can relate and hope that in some way I can touch your life and help you to make it better. I know the ladies that talked to me during my process made all the difference in the world to me.
Mindy, you are a doll, thank you and you are such a great role model for leading these ladies in your industry.
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Permalink Reply by Fisico Moda KMS Fitness Inc. Kathryn Stewart on
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Venus said:Wow.. Just when I think my excuses are valid.. I read your story and am so inspired by how you pulled through it all. Way to go girl!!! I wish you continued success..
Peace and Blessings - Venus
Thank you Venus! Just keep your eyes on your goals and stay positive!
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