![A personalized fitness plan is changing my body [Giveaway]](https://borngeekblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/A-personalized-fitness-plan-is-changing-my-body-Giveaway-775x344.jpg)
(Photo credit: Photo by Ryan Liberto on Reshot)
Not so long ago, I mentioned how I’d returned to the gym after a rather extended time not exercising. I was really happy to be working out again, and I was pretty confident that I knew what I was doing there. But I just didn’t see much in the way of results, and generally felt a bit unfocused in what I was doing.
I knew that I had to do more, or change things up, but I wasn’t sure that I had the time. I also kept finding routines and programs that looked like random crap thrown together by an avid Pinterest influencer (no offense, I love Pinterest after all) rather than an exercise program built on any real understanding. Which is why I was so thrilled to hear from Carla, offering to give me a personalized fitness plan (and one for you, too, but more on that in a moment).
She was super nice, and sent through tons of questions so that she could understand where I was and how to build me the perfect program for my goals. I’ll be honest, it was a bit of a mission, but I figured if we were in person she’d still need that info, so it’s just what needs doing.
Soon after getting my questionnaire back, she sent me my customized plan. I won’t lie, I didn’t think it would be great. Where were all the functional exercises I knew and loved? Why was she putting me on weight machines when I was obviously “advanced” enough to just use barbells and dumbbells?
I sent her a rather snotty message, questioning her choices of exercises. I was probably a bit of a brat about it. But Carla was so smart and kind about it. She explained that for my goals, she wanted to focus more on burning fat and building lean muscle rather than beating my strength records. This was also about making sure that I was working all muscle groups evenly, instead of just focusing on certain compound exercises. It made sense.
Begrudgingly, I went to the gym to do the first routine. It was odd to completely change what I had been doing – I didn’t even know where half the equipment was at my new gym, and I had no idea what weight levels to use for the different exercises. But I absolutely loved it. It felt like every muscle was worked, and from every angle. I had that feeling I’d missed, that hard work gym exhaustion that is so very satisfying. I messaged Carla to thank her, thinking that was it, and she sent me the most encouraging response, cheering me on.
I was reminded of all those motivational posters and quotes and stuff. You know, the ones how if you want to see change, you can’t keep doing what you’ve always done. Or how the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. You know the ones. I was so resistant to the chance, to the new program. Why? Because it was new and it meant I had to admit that I DIDN’T know what I was doing as much as I thought, and that getting someone to help me meant I might actually breakthrough and reach my goals.
The first couple weeks were hard, but she kept sending me encouraging messages. Soon, the routines felt natural to me. I was feeling stronger and more confident.
Unfortunately, my hard work wasn’t showing. Not in my clothes or on the scale at least. People told me on Instagram how great I was looking, but I just wasn’t seeing RESULTS.
The next time Carla checked on me, I told her that I still wasn’t seeing much change, especially frustrated by my lower stomach. I’ve always had a bit of a poochy stomach, but an emergency c-section didn’t help. Carla added way more planks to my routine, and had me slowly increase my weight and cardio intensities.
It started to work! The scale was still an evil bitch, but I saw a line of definition in my legs that I’d never had before. My stomach still has a long way to go, but I started to see it tightening.
I was still frustrated by the scale, though. Why wasn’t it moving when I was working so hard? Carla offered to take a look at what I was eating. Which made me realize that I needed to at least notice what I was consuming. You know, especially the snacks that I would finish when Harley would discard them. Or the cookie that I would eat when I gave her one. Or the pineapple that I just kept eating instead of stopping after a few pieces.
We went through a bit of a heat wave here, and I got back into my routine of drinking more water. I also stopped the mindless eating and started making myself a real snack in the afternoon instead of just munching whatever I could grab. And would you believe it, that evil lying bitch of a scale finally started moving in the right direction.
I still have a long way to go. I need to lose a lot more body fat and continue building muscle to meet my goals. But I am getting there, and Carla has continued to be my biggest cheerleader and coach, encouraging me to keep moving towards my goals.
That’s why I’m so pleased to tell you that I’m giving you Carla! Okay, that’s not quite accurate. Carla has offered one of you the chance to get a fully personalized fitness plan or nutrition plan, valued at R350 (or $28 for my American readers. Also, WTF, when did the Rand drop again?!)! All you need to do is comment below with why you’re ready to make a change, and do some social stuff to get some extra entries. The giveaway closes on the 1st of June and is open for entries anywhere in the world.
[UPDATE: The winner has been chosen the powers of Rafflecopter and Random.org and notified by email. Thanks again to all who entered.]
(Disclaimer: In case it wasn’t clear, I got this amazing personalized fitness plan for free in exchange for running this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
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