SWEET COMPETITION

I have a secret that I have only just begun sharing with clients and on the microphone in class. I, Chelsea Paul -a long time lover of anything sweet, chocolate, and peanut butter - took a friendly bet that I can go till January 2012 without any food that resembles dessert. Gasp now! Breathe....yes this is true. If I lose? Um, let's just say the neighborhoods of Barton Springs will see me in the nude running. Yup! I bet that I could refrain from sugary treats from February 14th till January 1st, 2012 or I will have to run a naked mile. You can laugh now....

Why did I sign up for this self-imposed torture that in the past never had me on the winning side? First, I need accountability when it comes to dessert. I have an issue, quite similar to my sneaker fetish. Ahh, if only one could eat peanut butter malt balls in pink Nikes all day and not gain a pound! Second, I have been saying for years that this year is the year that I see the muscles in my mid-section underneath the many bowls of ice cream topped with peanut M&Ms. I want a six-pack, admittedly. I understand that it won't stay like that forever unless I remain strict and disciplined with my diet; however this is the year I would like to teach class with only my sports bra and short shorts and not suck in the entire time when I am side shuffling and squat jumping. I loathe the feeling of fat jiggling! ( I know you know what I mean.) Third, I believe eliminating dessert will increase my energy levels. I have relied on a trip to Whole Foods for a purchase of 7 malt balls on a regular basis to help me get through the long days at the gym. Though emotionally satisfying at the moment, I am equipped with the smarts to know that the sugar rush is just that, a fleeting burst of artificial energy that quickly will zap my body completely of any sustainable alertness. Last, but surely not least, not only do I not want to run a naked mile in the neighborhoods of Barton Springs, but I also do not want to continue having the same goal year after year, throwing up my hands to defeat just so I can have the taste of chocolate on the tip of my tongue. Please take note that I am not a practitioner of absoluteness; however with desserts I feel I really needed an intervention. So I now do not participate in the consumption of sweet decadence.

Now I need to laugh....and breath.

Nutrition is 80% of the equation. You as a follower of this newsletter already know this! I say it all the time. Honestly, I have never been strict with my diet, hence the lack of definition in my thighs, the appearance of cellulite on my booty, and the pudge that jiggles below my belly button. I'm not picking myself apart by any means, this just a mere admission of the areas of my body I would like to see improve and the understanding of how truly important nutrition is to achieving the results I desire. I too love to eat. I have built my training platform on if you work hard enough in the gym you can eat almost anything you like. Then I reached my 30's and that particular aspect of my platform began to unravel in truth, frayed seems bared the holes in the fabric, and no longer did 60 minutes of cardiovascular exertion guarantee the fit of my favorite pair of jeans. The consumption of high calorie foods -specifically a nightly dessert enjoyed in the comfort of of my own home outfitted in pjs, wrapped snugly in my special blanket - began to show it's effects on my body. The mirror does not lie, which is why I have avoided it's ugly truth most days of the week. However, one glimpse at my reflection has spoken loudly the truth of the food I have chosen to put into my mouth. You can workout 5 days a week for 60 minutes. But if you eat junk on a regular basis, the truth of digested consumption will knock you in the forehead. And this is what happened to me my friends. I know I am fit and healthy. I understand that I am muscular and relatively trim. However, when in a bikini I do not feel confident. And yes this may be an issue to seek professional help for, but I also know that what stares back at me is the reflection of a girl who eats sweets at least once a day, and in the past usually twice a day.

My decision to eliminate dessert was definitely first made in the heat of friendly banter and my special someone taunting me with expressions like, "You could never last more than a month." Oh yeah! I remember thinking, "I'll show you, you little %$#@^&!" What? Only a month? What faith you have in me! And then I took a big breath and realized that I was pinkie swearing to a bet that could have grave consequences if I ended up folding or giving in to my sweet tooth. This sort of bet to induce will power in order to obtain a sleek mid-section is not encouraged by this trainer. I am flawed. Honestly, I do not know that I would be able to eliminate desserts entirely from my food plan if not faced with the possibility of having to run in the nude through a neighborhood filled with families.

The method behind my madness is purposeful even if it's just that, mad. I crave confidence and a fit physique when dressed in a sexy bikini in the summer. I want to teach my classes in the latest Lululemon sports bra and short shorts and feel truly good about myself. Again, I do not lack a positive self-esteem; however admittedly lately I have been having more moments of self-deprecation than usual and know it's the realization of my addiction to sweet treats that stands in the way of flaunting my fit body in a barely there swimsuit.

It's the small changes that produce big results. Three weeks into this madness and not only do I have more energy through out the day, but I tried on a pair of notoriously tight jeans the other day and could not believe that they did not cut off my circulation any more. Wow! Only three weeks and I can see a pretty significant difference. What a confidence booster. Small changes produce forward momentum. How often have you tried to change everything all at once with your fitness game plan and then fall flat due to the overwhelming effects of too much at once?

So what small changes can you make to your nutrition beginning today that could increase your energy levels and improve your confidence this summer out on the lake? It's March now, spring is just a few weeks away, and no more baggy sweaters to hide what you do not like about your body. Again, I do not encourage an absolute bet that may result in nudity; however I do encourage a good look at what may be standing in the way of achieving your most fit self THIS YEAR. It's one thing to wish for change to occur, it's a whole different ball game to commit to make it happen.