Fitness Notes
A Change for the Better
Kathie Clark
Certified Fitness Coach
Advanced Strength Training
Executive Trainer
Medical/Sports Massage Therapist
Over weight, unfit, out of control and lost in a state of denial – I was living with a perpetual acceptance of a body and life headed for disaster. That was my life 8 years ago.
It was a stark difference to where I am today- a fit, healthy, self-employed fitness professional.
Eight years ago I was 360 lbs. and a size 34/36. I had just buried my grandmother whom I was the primary care giver for in my home, where she had passed away. It was a month after this experience that I decided it was time to start caring for my own needs and taking responsibility for making the necessary changes that I needed to make in my life.
It was a moment of clarity and purpose that I must loose the weight. I was determined to succeed but didn’t have a real clue as how to achieve or meet my new goals.
Although I thought I was in good health, I knew that it was only a matter of time before a serious health problem would rear its ugly head. It was hard to walk any distance without getting out of breath. Exercise was non-existent and I was familiar with many fad diets of the time. In my desperate search for the perfect diet and exercise program, I made many mistakes along the way. These mistakes are a few of the following examples:
- I tried a high protein diet (actually nothing but protein). With this diet disaster I entered a state of ketosis, rendering my ability to do higher math functions and to think rationally useless.
- I tried an extremely high fiber diet which briefly included eating peanuts, shells included. Just suffice to say the results were painful.
- I tried ephdra, caffeine products and thermogenics. They were moderately effective in the beginning but interfered with my sleep and mood; making me cranky, irritable and nervous.
- 2 gallons of liquid a day – no explanation of its effect are necessary.
At first, my exercise started out by just walking 1 block. I gradually increased my distance, block by block, mile by mile. It was at this time that my well-meaning brother almost killed me with a workout that was far too advanced for where I was at the time. The inability to move without pain for a couple of weeks was (as I found out later) totally unnecessary. It was at this point that I decided to go back to school to learn what I could about exercise and nutrition as there was so much conflicting information in the media and in books.
I made a lot of mistakes along my journey to get fit but made a lot of discoveries along the way. It was good to educate myself with a knowledge of the body which led me to make heathlier choices than I would have once made. The most valuable lesson I learned was that the mind, body and soul are truly connected and are one. If you positively (or negatively) affect one, then the others will follow suit. If you feel better in your own body, your self esteem is elevated and your sprit is set free from that which weighted it down.
Today, I have the best job in the world – one that allows me to help people work towards their goals and change their quality life for the better. It is towards this end that I hope to help others through information, education, sharing experiences and motivating others in articles to follow.
If you have a similar experience, or have been in those shoes, know that you are not alone. There is a way out and I would be happy to share my experience with you.
-Kathie
