Author Archive for Michelle Simpson

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »
19
Sep
12

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment

Couldn’t help but share this video! Pure bliss from the eyes of Mudd. Enjoy!

CultFit's avatarCultFit

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of Smarts-

There really is no need to set up this video for you this morning … Its brilliant:

Where were we?!?  Diversions!

More times than not it seems that we have forgotten all about the simple diversions in our lives that help us to decompress from our daily concerns.  For many of our Dear Readers this moment of forgetfulness can be found in at the local gym, a yoga mom class or a trail run in a nearby park.  This sacred refuge can also be found in our gardens where tilling soil can clear away the stress of a rough day.  For many others chopping up some veggies in the  kitchen sweeps away the frustrations of our nagging boss at work.  We may also find relief  chatting amongst friends one night down at the pub or out in the bright sunshine during…

View original post 237 more words

19
Sep
12

Ignorance is Bliss

By garagegym107 1 Comment
Categories: Morphing of a Fit Woman
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Most people really truly don’t want to acknowledge the truth about fitness and weight loss.  If they hide behind the veil of ignorance then they don’t have to hold themselves accountable.  I did that, for a couple of years, in fact.  I managed to pack on an additional 168# in two years.  Yes, that’s correct, in only two years I went from a relatively healthy size 10 woman to a grossly unhealthy size 22.  That’s an average weight gain of 1.61 pounds PER WEEK.

Talk about a sad sack.  But ignorance was bliss.  No one really ever said anything about the weight as it progressively increased.

I could have stopped it, I could have changed the course of my life.  But instead I used every excuse I could dig up, meds were making me fat, job related stress was making me fat, my obnoxiously nasty divorce was making me fat.  But you know what? 

I was making me fat.  I was the one stopping by the fast food joints picking up a bag full of whatever daily special was going on at whichever place was super-sizing everything.

The beautiful thing in my story is that I truly believe that people can change and those changes can stick, like glue. 

I know personally many people who have successfully changed.   Taking themselves from being slightly overweight, or emotional eaters, to those like me, who were obese. 

They’ve taken responsibility for educating themselves.  They’ve put their own ego’s and pride aside to make these changes.  They’ve humbled themselves to the point of learning and humbled themselves to the point of DOING. 

The most important thing that we’ve all learned is that in this life is:  it’s not always about me. 

Reach out and do something nice for another person.  No need to tell anyone what you did, just do it.

Each one, reach one.

18
Sep
12

Nutritional Knowledge

By garagegym107 2 Comments
Categories: Precision Nutrition Certification
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

For over a decade I’ve spent a lot of time trying to learn how to eat properly.  I’ve gotten lost in the noise of this program or that.  I’ve tried them all with the exception of those you must get from your doctor.  None of them have really explained the how and why of food and how it impacts my body.

I am a trainer.  I hunger to know more so that I can help my clients on a deeper level.  More than  making a recommendation of a diet they can follow.  I want to teach them.  I want to help them.  I want them to learn about why some foods are better than others.

First I must help myself.  I’ve registered for the Precision Nutrition Certification course.  It could take me months, but I’m willing to invest the time.

As with everything, it starts with me.

I will begin practicing what I preach, documenting my journey along the way.

To my friends who have gone ahead of me, thanks for dragging me along.  I ♥ you.

17
Sep
12

Do You Inspire?

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Living Fit Daily
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This morning after I finished my workout, I stopped by the grocery store on my way home.  All stinky and sweaty I walked in store and a gentlemen unexpectedly came around the corner “excuse me” I say in my normal post workout cheerful voice. 

I continued on down the main store front aisle.  I noticed him about ten feet to my right and he says “are you a bodybuilder?” and I don’t know exactly what came over me when I blurted out “Well, yes I am!”, technically speaking I’m building on this body every single day.   He proceeded to ask how long I’ve been working on it etc, I said a good 3-4 years.  He simply said “well nice work”. 

I could have gone in to the story of CrossFit and the story of being a personal trainer but in all honesty the answer I gave flew out of my mouth and so be it.

I’m not in great shape, I’m in good shape.  To the outside average observer, I guess they see something different.  It made my day.  Reaffirmed my desire to keep moving forward, obstacle after obstacle.   Goal after goal. 

I have always loved the following quote:

“Just remember, there is someone out there who wishes they were where you are today.”

Today I’d like to share a new friends blog.  It’s very inspirational.  And a big thank you to Lifting My Spirits for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk with me.

13
Sep
12

The Past

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Morphing of a Fit Woman
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Every now and again I’m delightfully gifted with the opportunity to share my story and a few things I’ve learned to a live audience. 

I derive so much joy from having these opportunities.  Talking to others reminds me of various places I’ve been along my journey.  It also reminds me that I’m still on my own journey.

This past weekend I was reminded of one aspect of my journey.  The mind has a very powerful ability to replay old conversations years after the occurence.

That being said, I believe that we are in control of rewinding and re-recording over those powerful negative messages with positive new ones.

For example, I started running (well, what would be barely considered jogging to a runner) when I weighed just shy of 250#.  I remember the negative thoughts going through my mind step after step, “you’re too fat to do this, you are too slow to be running, you can quit this now”.  Over and over I would allow my negative thoughts to rule.  It took me years to clear the cobwebs enough to realize that I was, simply put, defeating my own purpose.

Once I began to understand that nothing has the power to impact me, unless I give it the power did I realize  great positive change from the inside.

I began changing my mantra to “you are strong and you are capable”, “you are strong and you are capable”.  Over and over, year after year, I’ve repeated those words many, many times. 

We truly are what we think we are so it is extremely important to make sure that we use “no negative self-talk, EVER”. 

I have that saying written in chalk in the middle of the chalk board in Garagegym 107.  My clients see it.  It’s a constant reminder of the way I live.  I see it every time I start my day.  I believe it.

Empower yourself to make changes to negative experiences from your past. 

Our past contributes to who we are, but our past doesn’t dictate who we become.

The chalk board project.  The humble beginnings of GG107.

12
Sep
12

Unbelievable!

By garagegym107 3 Comments
Categories: Random Thoughts
Tags: , , , , , , ,

I read this yesterday and was taken so far aback I needed to wait a day to write about it.

Junior Tennis Player Benched

As you read this remember that this is a young woman in our society today.  Unbelievable pressure to fit in a mold that wasn’t made for her body type.  I get it.  I get it because I’m a big girl.  At 5’8″ tall and 165# I am not the size of the average female.  What’s average height?  5’4″ or 162.5cm. 

So yes, I’m above average by 4 full inches.  And outside of that I’m also more muscular than average because I choose to workout with weights.

The social pressure for young women is unbearable.  Watching my beautiful step-daughter struggle because she has the most beautiful red hair was hard enough. 

The young lady in the article is a very talented tennis player and that physical ability is being clouded by judgemental people WHO AREN’T THE ONES PLAYING.  Give me a break.

When will the madness stop and people begin to truly grasp that this world isn’t one size fits all, neither are human beings. 

Perfect example of this very thing, my friend at 5’0″ and I both doing the same exact thing, same weight ball.  It just doesn’t matter.  I don’t like her because she’s 5’0″ and tiny, I like her because she is a great person.

Hat tip to CrossFit Impulse for the picture.

11
Sep
12

You Can’t Out Train a Poor Diet

By garagegym107 22 Comments
Categories: Living Fit Daily
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I know this to be such a true statement.  I don’t consider what I do a diet.  I eat clean, I’ve educated myself on proper macro-nutrients and understand how to consume balanced meals.

Does that mean I always do what I know is the right thing?  Negative ghost-rider!

Why would I not do what I know is best?  Well, for me it is usually about poor planning. 

If I don’t make a conscious effort to prepare and store my protein sources I find myself scrounging around for what I should eat.

I spend a couple of hours once a week preparing protein sources, usually grilling or baking in the form of chicken.  Chicken gets boring.  Yes, I know.  I have umpteen(yes that’s a word my mom used to use) spices that I rotate so the my chicken gets a different flavor.  I have friends that simply boil their chicken to death and then eat it.  Not me I want some flavor. 

I digress terribly today.

I freeze what chicken I won’t use over the following two days and I even go so far as to cut it up in to bite sized pieces so I don’t have to fight it later.  I use the quart sized Ziploc freezer backs.  They make my life easier.

I don’t always have access to fresh veggies, but our local Kroger puts small bags of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots on sale 10/$10.00 so I always have a back up plan on my veggies and yes, I eat the whole bag at one sitting.

I hard boil an 18 pack of eggs on Sunday, then I peel them all.  Grab and go protein.

Food planning is only as hard as you make it.  Do you work 12 hour days?  Then it’s even MORE important to plan your meals.  Write down a list of what you need and go buy ONLY what is on the list.  Stay out of the inner aisles at the grocery store unless you are looking for olive or coconut oils or some other healthy oil.   Shop the produce section, the meat counter and cooler for eggs. 

Yes, it is that simple.

Veggies…don’t judge your taste of a veggie from any childhood experience.  I hated brussels sprouts until someone roasted them after tossing in olive oil and salt and pepper.  Now I love them. I enjoy and appreciate most all roasted veggies.  We are grown-ups now.  We should be open to trying every single vegetable just for sake of variety.  It’s amazing how many things I’ll eat now that I wouldn’t touch years ago. 

Eating clean is only as hard as you choose to make it.  I choose to make it as easy as possible. 

It’s not a chore, it’s a choice.

The best carb sources around!

10
Sep
12

Beware!

By garagegym107 3 Comments
Categories: Random Thoughts
Tags: , , , ,

I thought I’d share this little tidbit with all of my inter-webz friends.   This company is hijacking personal photos from either Facebook or blogs or Pinterest and touting them as their own success stories.

GreenLife Weight Loss, LLC
Phone: (800) 561-9041
View Additional Phone Numbers
14725 Pleasant Crest Avenue, Fishers, IN 46037

They do have a company link but I am not permitted to post that here on Word Press.  You can google it to find it I’m sure. 

They have attached my before and after photos to their link professing their product/training system works.  I have never done their program, nor do I endorse these people.

I’ve gotten so many email or FB or Pinterest messages stating that my pics are all over the place, I love having friends near and far. 

It’s kind of funny, I put myself out there to help people along in their own journeys and some schmuck decides to use them to drum up business.  I don’t even do that.  Dipwad.  Just sayin’.

05
Sep
12

Clean Out the Clutter!

By garagegym107 1 Comment
Categories: Living Fit Daily
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

I’ve been in my current office creeping up on 4 years now.  I decided I needed a major change.  Thankfully we have the resources to rearrange the furnishings from time to time.  I understand why people NEVER do it.  People here have been sitting in the same offices, same chairs, more clutter surrounding them than you can fathom.

Are they settling or just lazy or perhaps stuck in the past?  This morning I cleaned out clutter that has somehow walked in to my office over the past several years.  Coffee cups that have no lids…what the heck happens to the lids??  CD’s I used to listen to.  A bulletin board stuffed with quotes that have spoken to me over the years.  Before and after pictures.  Pictures of my wonderful kids back in the day when they weren’t always wonderful. Times I wish I could go back to for a brief moment, then I snap out of it.

Everything is cleaned, dusted and de-cluttered now.  Some how it is soothing. 

In the old days I was often compelled to hold on to everything, thinking in some way I may need it again.

I believe that I tend to lean toward holding on to the clutter in my fitness life as well.  Old workouts, old techniques, old mindsets and old habits of allowing myself to become sloppy in holding form during weight training.

I’ve recently taken a few steps back in an attempt to de-clutter my fitness world.  I’ve lowered the weight and increased my reps on many of my lifts.  Mostly in an effort to drill home the mental memory of proper form.   I am enjoying the removal of the firm goal of “lift heavier always”.   Guess what?  I’ve been slowly and incrementally improving on all of them.

Having trouble with your food?  De-clutter it as well.  Stick to the basics, eat clean one meal at a time.  What’s clean?  Foods that you select from the produce aisle and the meat/seafood/tofu counter that don’t come in a box or that are prepared for you in the deli.

Tackle on drawer, one closet, one bookshelf at a time.  It’s truly freeing to de-clutter.

I used to believe this too…

30
Aug
12

Are Anger and Frustration a Catalyst?

By garagegym107 6 Comments
Categories: Morphing of a Fit Woman
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Yesterday I had a conversation with an online trainer.  I’m not here to bash this person because there is an off-chance there may be a bit of truth in his message.

His message was that someone with my history, the history of obesity to fitness, isn’t likely a good fit for taking things to the next level of getting leaned out.

It really struck a chord with my insecurity for about an hour.   For that whole hour I had mental tapes from years past replay over in my head.  All of the moments I heard the term “you can’t” “you won’t” “it’s not possible” to lose the weight. 

He never said those exact words, but the words he said were direct enough to make me take that road trip backwards for the hour that I allowed my mind to venture. 

Then I got really miffed.  Miffed like I haven’t been in a decade.  I got miffed because I allowed another human being to create doubt in a space that is off-limits.  A space that I’ve maintained, manicured, furtilized with positivity, grown from a desolate space of nothingness into a positive field of successful DOING.

I know that people are trained in given fields.  They fill themselves with statistics and data.  They become an encyclopedia of their field of study and then they get comfortable spewing that data as one size fits all gospel.

Well, I’m here to tell you that is well and good.  But there are things that none of that data can capture. Those are human spirit, soul and determination.  The odds may be stacked in favor of the data, but there is always the off-chance that the underdog can and will prevail.

I choose to be the underdog.  I choose to be the one that will succeed.  My next level may not be the same as a superstar, but it’s mine for the taking.

I saw this the other day and yes, it came to mind by the time my head hit my pillow last night. 

“Never let anyone tell you that you can’t”

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »