Why you should be involved with Gwinnett's Losing It!

When is the last time you accomplished something you thought was impossible?

I have been advertising Gwinnett's Losing It! for the last month and maybe you've seen bits and pieces of it here and there. Now, I want to tell you about it from the heart. Because it's been on my heart. For a few years now.

I love my job. I love training and helping and educating people improve their health. I am not your typical trainer. I truly believe that health and wellness has to start inside before you can make changes on the outside. I do things a little differently than most trainers.

• I listen.
• I train you to workout at your home.
• I incorporate nutrition training as well as physical training.
• I teach how to overcome emotional obstacles to losing weight. 
• I will be your best cheerleader and I will be there when you need it. 
• I do not sell pills/shakes/magic potions and I don't ask you to buy them. 

10 years ago, back in 2001, I had my "breaking point" when I saw a photo of myself after a visit with family. I was discouraged. I had always been able to control my weight to some extent, but after I had babies, I just kept getting bigger and bigger and unable to lose weight no matter what I did. My doctor did not help. Just a recommendation to "lose weight". I did not know that I was obese when I was. So, after seeing this photo of me in my blue jean maternity pants, I realized something had to be done. The baby I am holding is my nephew, my "baby" is sitting on the floor and is 4 years old.

Desperate for help, I started with Body for Life, a 12-week challenge. I lost 11 lbs. over 12 weeks, but my size didn't change at all. I took the free-day literally and ate like a wild woman on that one free day. I found a coach in Woodstock, about one hour away, and I met with him monthly. His words changed my life when he told me one day "Sandi, you will never lose any more weight [I was on a plateau] until you get this fixed" - pointing to my heart. He knew I was having problems at home and he told me I had to fix it. So I tried. And then, he guided me to another 12-week challenge called Leanness Lifestyle with Coach David Greenwalt. Through this intensive, 12-week program, I was finally able to lose weight and get closer to my goals. I lost 23 lbs in 12 weeks, but this time, my size changed. My weight changed. My bodyfat % changed. My life changed.

• I found the support I needed. 
• I found the workouts and nutrition guidelines that I needed. 
• I found out how to deal with the "inside" stuff that had held me back for years. 
• I found out how to set goals and make them. 
• I found out how to get my life back. And I've been living it ever since then. 

I no longer wear big clothes to cover my bottom. I no longer sit on the sidelines when doing things with the kids. I compete in races. I challenge myself. I love being fit and healthy. I love it so much that I made it my job to help others. I love the expression on a client's face when they "get it". I love the tears that come when they overcome. I started this contest, Gwinnett's Losing It!, for those very reasons.

• I want to change the way we view our health in Gwinnett County. 
• I want to help our citizens live a healthy lifestyle. 
• I want to educate and motivate and help others to make the changes they need in order to make their goals. 
• I want to get companies involved in the health of their employees. 
• I want you to feel the same way about your body and your health that I feel about mine - like anything is possible. I will be 45 years old this year and I don't feel a day over 20, ever! Okay, maybe 21. 

I know there are other programs out there. Take this pill, lose weight. Drink this shake, lose weight. Buy a membership in this gym, lose weight.

It's not that easy, is it?

• I know where you are. 
• I've been there. 
• I can help you. 
• I can help you get your body back. 
• I can help you get your health back. 
• I can help you get your life back. 

It's on my heart to help you. What's on your heart?

Registration is through December 31, 2010. Sign up on my website for an application packet. First teleconference call is Monday, January 3, 2011 at 8:00 pm EST.

If you know someone who could benefit from this, please forward this information to them -- OR -- if you know a local business that would like to sponsor this program, send them my contact information. I am also looking for businesses that will sponsor an employee to go through the program - or would sponsor someone who cannot afford the program. Cost is $199.00 for 12 weeks.

Our gold sponsor is Legacy Wellness @ Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Contact me directly at sandi@startwiththeinside.com or 404-925-2626.

Be strong and be healthy, friends!

Sandi Porter
Start With The Inside

What if you don't make a set goal?

Mid-December is a great time to set goals for the new year. Goals for what you want to accomplish. Goals for your business. Goals for your family. Goals for your financial life. Goals.

Goals = an opportunity to get "it" done. "It" being the sincere desires of your heart.

But, what happens if you set a goal and you don't make it?

Goals can be tricky because they if not done properly, it can become or might be conceived as a failure. And failure is not good. Because it makes you think you can't do something that you want to do. Because it keeps you in a small place thinking you can't spread your wings.

When you are making goals, it's important to:

• Be specific. Instead of saying "I want to lose weight" or "I want to get more organized", tell exactly how much weight you want to lose and how you will do it. Or what steps you will take to get organized. 
• Be realistic. In regards to weight, normal [and safe] weight loss is 1-2 lbs. a week. If you have 50+ lbs. to lose, know that time-wise, it is going to take a good year to lose that amount of weight. Set goals that you can meet. 
• Be flexible. Things change, weather happens, people change. Be prepared for the unexpected if it happens. Don't give up on a goal just because something happens. Revise it if you need to, but don't give it up. 

I encourage all my clients to set goals, not just at this time of year, but during the year as well. Whenever you have a tug on your heart, a "I would love to do that, but..." thought, a task that would challenge you, I encourage you to set a goal to do it, the desires of your heart.