This week ask yourself what is it worth to you? Fitness that is!

There's a very fit and athletic girl new to the gym and she is training for a Figure Competition. She has lost 26 lbs in 6 weeks by restricting her diet, adding 2 hours of cardio a day to her plan, and by also working out with weights 7 days a week. She looks absolutely fantastic, and whenever I see her, honestly I feel bloated, lazy, and out of shape! Her goal, the ultimate thing she is working for is a model contract and a pro card for figure contests. Every day she keeps that in mind especially when she is eating only 1200 calories, working out 3 hours a day, and eliminating fruit, carbohydrates, and any sort of cheat food imaginable.

Of course I was jealous, self-conscious, and continuously and detrimentally in question of my body, its shape, and if people are going to think I am not practicing what I am teaching. However, 1200 calories? 3 hours of exercise? No cereal? Apples? Peanut butter? So I guess, though I do wish one day my six pack will pop from under my "little pudge" and my leg muscles will bulge through my "little pudge", that it's just not worth that much to me right now. At least, that's not my goal at this moment.

Sacrifice and compromise are utterly important in life, and very true to form in exercise and achieving your desired body. Looking like a Fitness Model takes firm dedication and absolutely no side track distraction. It's a lifestyle, and after a long talk with myself, it's not my lifestyle right now.

I am an athlete. My body is strong, energetic, fit, shapely, and athletic. Today, I will focus on what my body can do and not on my "little pudge." Right now I am training for a triathlon. Crossing the finish line is my goal, it's my mission. I am sure you have all seen me hungry. Again, 1200 calories?

What is fitness worth to you? How much are you willing to sacrifice, compromise, and adapt in order to look and feel a particular way. What is it worth to you in the grand scheme of things. I ask you this to again be realistic. In reality, if I would like to continue eating cereal, apples, chocolate, graham crackers, and burgers for the 4th of July I might not ever have a firm six pack. That's science and genetics. But what I do have, despite tormenting moments of self esteem breakdown, is a satisfied belly and beautiful enjoyment that comes from working really hard in the gym and treating myself within the realms of moderation. (Still learning this part.) I am looking forward to having a burger with Nathan and his family. Ahh, what fun!

Stay focused, committed, and keep working hard. Know not only what you are working for but how much it is worth to you. Enjoy putting forth the effort it takes to achieve more strength, endurance, and bulging biceps. Have fun and know that it's not just about being lean and sculpted, it's about making fitness a lifestyle and living healthy, fit and for many many years.

This week:
1. Turn the heat on in your cardiovascular workouts. Everyone, step on the stair master for at least 5-15 minutes and do the interval circuit. This will rev up your metabolism and make your cardio sessions more challenging and sweaty!
2. Take a weight/sculpt class. Add variety to your resistance training workouts.
3. Limit one thing that you eat all of the time that contributes to your pudge.
(I will limit cereal, too many large bowls of fruit when not really hungry, and coffee. I know these are three things, however they usually go hand in hand so it will be easier to control portions.)
4. Remain positive, focused and committed.

Body change: 4-5 workouts combining cardio and resistance training
Body maintenance: 3 workouts combining cardio and resistance training

See you in the gym.