Make Yourself Proud

Today I had the honor of chatting live on The Mickey Ellison Show. It is something that when I tell you is completely out of my comfort zone and so not something I would normally do, it absolutely is. But I love a good challenge and when Mickey reached out to me about sharing my story, I may have been a little nervous but I took it as a sign that I needed to break out of my shell! I am such a introvert and talking about myself and being in front of a lot of people scares me. I mean technically no one saw me and Mickey and I were just talking but it still freaked me out a little. I mean once I am doing it, I loosen up and get in the groove of the conversation. 

I haven't really publicly, verbally shared my story. I mean don't get me wrong, I share my story all the time through social media but to actually talk to someone about my story...eeks that scares me but it also excites me. 

Sharing my story is a very personal thing and sometimes I am ashamed of where I have come from but at the same time, I am so proud of how far I have come. Sharing my story today has been an absolute blessing. I listened to the recording and I have to say that I had to stop it about a quarter of a way in. I seriously had a moment. I couldn't believe that I was actually sharing my story on a live podcast. I thought back to the girl who was 220 pounds, overweight, unhealthy, unhappy, not loving of herself and most of all broken. But as I listened to this confident person who was speaking her story, I for a second, had tears in my eyes. It was one of those moments where I still can't believe how far I have come and how many lives that I have changed.

I have lost 70 pounds, maintained my weight loss, competed in two triathlons, a half marathon, a 65 mile bike race, countless other shorter running races and I continue to strive to be better everyday than I was the day before. It truly is amazing to me how far I have come. I am not writing this to toot my own horn but to share how proud I am of myself. Never in a million years did I think that I would be where I am today. 

You never really embrace the journey or celebrate it, well at least I never did. But today listening to the recording and even when we ended the show, I was fired up. I was proud of myself. I was proud that I did something that I never thought I would do. I was proud that I overcame an obstacle. I was proud that I never gave up. I am proud of who I have become. But most of all I am proud to be me! 

I tend to overlook my accomplishments, chalk them up to happening but it's sometimes nice to share how amazing the journey has been. The struggles, the accomplishments, how I plan on helping others. I want you to MAKE YOURSELF PROUD everyday! I know today, I can truly go to bed completely and wholeheartedly proud of myself. Embrace the journey and NEVER GIVE UP!

Check out the recording below and hear my journey! 

Recording of My Weight Loss Journey on The Mickey Ellison Show

How Weight Watchers Saved My Life

Most of you may not know my story and how I came to become where I am today. So today, I want to share a more personal side of my journey. It all started January 24, 1990....haha just kidding, I won't go that far back to the date of my entrance into this amazing world. but I will go back almost 4 years ago or a little beyond that. The date was May 31, 2011. It had been a really tough year. I had been struggling through nursing school. I had recently lost my cousin who was like an older brother to me. I was trying to accept the fact that he had been taken way too soon. I had always been overweight and struggle with staying in shape. In high school, my senior year, I had lost about 30 pounds right before college doing weight watchers. Going into college, I stopped following weight watchers. I was young, stupid, and thought that I was invisible and couldn't gain weight again. Stupid I KNOW! but you live and you learn! So the freshman 15 turned into the freshman I DONT KNOW (because I never stepped on the scale). I would go to the gym when I could and thought I was doing great. But then you throw in the cafeteria food which was all you can eat two or three times a day, excessive frat parties where drinking beer in excess was always happening thursday, friday, and saturday nights. So this whole cycle happened for my entire freshman year of college. Fast forward two years to my junior year where I had a horrible year. Cousin passed away, nursing school became really hard with clinicals and managing lectures and everything, and really just being totally unhappy with myself.

The entire month of May 2011, I knew I needed a change. I was unhappy, I couldn't stand looking at myself in the mirror, I hated the way I looked and felt. So on June 1, 2011, I signed up for weight watchers, like I had said before, it had helped me lose weight before I went to college, so I figured I could do it again. this time I knew it would be a lot harder and I knew I was doing it for the right reasons. I set a high goal. I wanted to lose 50 pounds. June 1st, I started at 220 pounds. When I went on the scale and I saw that high number, I cried. I had never been that heavy. I did not want that number to define me. I was determined. Went to the gym 6 days a week, checked in daily and tracked my points. I worked my butt off day in and day out. No excuses. Even when I did not want to, I used motivation, I used my thoughts of what other people thought about me.

I also want to let you in on a little baby secret of mine. I told absolutely NO ONE what I was doing. I was determined to prove myself wrong and change that 220 into a different number. I did not tell my family, my close friends. I kept it in secret..you know why...because I was ashamed. I was ashamed I let myself get to 220. I was ashamed that I couldn't control what I had done to myself. While that was hard to swallow and hard to handle, being ashamed only made me work that much harder. Within the first month, my family started to notice, they would ask me if I was on a diet or something because something had changed. I started meal planning and prepping, following the weight watchers point system.

When the weight started to drastically come off, and people would ask me what I was doing, I felt like everyone was out to judge me (this was my own insecurities) and I would just say oh working out and eating healthy. To me it was not about a diet, it was about a lifestyle change. Weight Watchers changed my life and they saved me! If I did not start weight watchers on June 1, 2011, I do not know where I would be today! So many amazing things have happened to me as a result of my weight loss. THANK YOU WEIGHT WATCHERS FOR SAVING MY LIFE!

By December 2011, I had lost the 50 pounds that was my goal. I was so proud of myself. I felt amazing, I was happy, I loved the person that I became. I was at a cross roads. Thoughts of anxiety went through my head about what should I do next? How will I maintain my weight loss? What is my next goal?

1st Triathlon 2012

Well now that I hit the 50 pounds down mark, I had to set a new goal. My goal going into 2012, was to maintain my weight loss. In the past, as you know, I had lost weight with weight watchers and then gained it back. So my biggest fear was gaining that 50 pounds back, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to accomplish next. I always wanted to compete in a triathlon, so why not sign up for one. I signed up for the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Sept 2012 in Sandy Hook, NJ. I had trained for months leading up the the tri and I have to say, It was one of the most amazing experiences ever. While I was training, I lost another 20 pounds while following weight watchers. I felt like I was in the best shape ever. I finished the race better than I ever thought, if I can remember correctly I finished 7th overall for my age group. Something like that. This just fueled me more to want to continue to stay in shape, all by continuing to follow the weight watchers point system.

Weight Watchers taught me how to portion size, meal plan and prep, follow a routine of staying healthy. Above all, it taught me about how to live a healthier lifestyle. It wasn't a diet or a quick fix, its a way of life.

 DC Half Marathon 2014

Over the next year, I would continue to workout 6 days a week, including cycling, and running. I ended up getting into running with my dad and we started to do runs. who would have thought, this would have lead me to run the Washington DC Nike Women's Half Marathon in April 2014. This was a huge accomplishment and was taken off the bucket list.

Towards the end of 2012 and into 2013, I was training for my second triathlon in May of 2013, this one was in Red Bank, NJ. As a competitor, I wanted to be better than I had done before. I was strong in the swim and bike but when I got to the run part, I literally thought I was going to die. I felt like the wheels rolled off and I couldn't gain momentum. I wanted to give up but I did not. I think it was a sign of God that I maybe was not following through with weight watchers and I was going through the motions and I needed a change.

2nd Triathlon 2013

Sometimes you have to move on and challenge yourself to something new to overcome a plateau. I had posted my transformation picture in april of 2013 and I ended up getting alot of responses and comments about how I did it and people wanted my help. It literally took me like a week to post the picture and even that I almost did not post it. People wanted my help? I thought. I had that self doubt and self negative image of myself but weight watchers allowed me to help others and believe in them, when they didn't believe in themselves.

In June of 2013, I became a beachbody coach, only because I wanted the discount on shakeology and I wanted to do p90x. For those of you who do not know, shakeology is a healthy meal replacement you drink daily that has vitamins, super foods, and amazing nutrients in it. It has been a staple in my life over the last almost two years. I wanted to challenge myself to push my body to the limits and let me just say, I have truly done that. I have completed programs such as P90X, T25, 21 Day Fix, PIYO, and I am currently doing Insanity Max 30. I never thought in a million years that I the girl who was 220 pounds would ever be doing programs like insanity and p90x. but you know what I have completed them.

No matter what, you need to lead a balanced life that is filled with happiness, health, wellness, and above all, a life that you want. I know the struggle of being unhappy with what you see in the mirror and not loving who you are but by doing weight watchers and losing 70 pounds, my life was saved. I have no idea where I would be if I had not decided that I was sick and tired of where I was in my life and I needed a change.

Helping others in their own health and fitness journeys has given me a phenomenal opportunity to be a support system for others in their own health and fitness journeys. the journey is not easy but when you have someone there to support you and help you, it makes it a little easier.

We have an accountability group starting on monday January 26th! It is a great way to achieve all your health and fitness goals. I would love to help you out in your own health and fitness journey! Fill out the form below and I will contact you! Anyone who does not currently have a coach or is a coach can join us!

Hope You All Have a Happy & Healthy Day!!

Nicole

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New Year New You! Are you ready to make 2014 the healthiest?

Can you believe that Christmas is actually over? It is like it takes forever to prepare for and then its over in a second! In a way, I wish that it lasted longer, we could spend more time with family and friends. But, on the other hand, I am so ready to start the new year off! The possibilities are endless! What do you have planned for 2014? Are you ready to take control of 2014? I have been planning my new year fitness challenge group for a few weeks now and I am ready to help all of you to start the new year off right. Helping others is a passion of mine and I love seeing all those amazing results! But first, I have to fill the group up!! So, I am inviting YOU to be apart of this exclusive challenge group! Think of where you want to be six months from now or one year from now with some consistency, hard work, and dedication! Let's set and reach all your goals together!

So you might be thinking to yourself, What is a health and fitness challenge group??

It is a program that I've created specifically to help my clients reach their own personal health and fitness goals. It is a small group setting that will offer support, guidance, motivation, meal planning, workouts and so much MORE! Don't fall into the 'norm" of New Year's Resolutions! I don't want to hear the cliche' "I'm going to start on Monday" or "I'm going to lose weight this year" or "I'm going to the gym everyday" and really...the list can go on and on!! Why wait until Monday? DO IT NOW!! This is the perfect way for you to say "This year, I'm going to make a change and it is starting TODAY!" and I will hold you accountable to that statement! I want you to be a winner! I want YOU to succeed! Is change hard? Absolutely!! Can you do it? Yes! WITHOUT A DOUBT!!

Without the support of a fitness challenge group this is more than likely what will happen --> you will start jan 1st (because it is what everyone is doing to get fit and healthy!) and you go STRONG! you give it your ALL! You will eat clean, hit the gym 6 days a week...your on a roll! But then by Jan 25th, it starts to get really cold outside, you hit the snooze button a few extra times in the morning, then you start missing your workouts because your bed is comfy and warm. You tell yourself that you will "WORKOUT LATER"...then later doesn't come around! Then 6 days a week of gym time ends up being 2-3 days a week at the gym and then those salads you eat for hunch turn into pizza or Chinese...and then before you know it.....POOF! your energy is GONE!

I've been there, done that! Remember me? I was 70 pounds heavier a few years ago, no energy, no drive, no motivation, unhealthy, and unhappy! But this year is different for you, this year you are going to end the trend and end the cycle of the New Years Resolution 'norm'! 

What I tell all my challengers is that --working out is a must! Working out is FUN! I promise you, if you aren't having fun during a workout, then it's not the right one for YOU!! YOU have to look forward to exercising! Its the key to success! and along with the workouts - you MUST concentrate on NUTRITION! Nutrition is 80% of your results! This is something that I do need to work on but we can work on this together!! I eat every 2.5-3 hours! THIS IS NOT A DIET. ITS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!

One more KEY INGREDIENT of the challenge group is SHAKEOLOGY! STOP RIGHT THERE!! - it is NOT a weight loss drink! It is a TOTAL meal replacement. It is literally one thing that keeps me full, it tastes GREAT, its the best to 'grab and go' food that I have and it is definitely the most nutritious! It is honestly the equivalent to eating 6 salads a day...and it is all in one glass! I make sure to always have a packet on me because there are those days as a busy nurse where I don't have time to eat or I am running around and could easily stop at a fast food drive thru...well instead, I drink my shakeology and it makes me feel so much better! Shakeology is worth the money I spend because it not only keeps me healthy, but it keeps me on track! It is full of dense nutrition! 

My results from P90X and using Shakeology

You will get full access to a closed online accountability group! This is a great part- with this you get 24/7 access to me as your coach! With my curriculum I will have daily assigmenets, motivational tips, recipes, meal plans readily avaiable and so much more! Every challenger will start their workout on the same day and we will go strong together! Each day you will have infomration from ME to keep you going STRONG! I will not allow you to fail! I will not only help to keep you accountable, but I will teach you how to ahndle yourself at family gatherines where there will be alot of food, I will teach you how to overcome your cravings, how to eat healthy, and so much more! All that I ask is that you commit to the program of your choice and that you will commit to FINISHING IT! You must check in each day (it takes no more than like 2 seconds) and just post how you did for the day! EASY!

Does this sound like this is for you? Are you ready to make a change? No more quick fixes? No more diets? Let's start to make the change!! It's all about working form the inside out! Fill out this application below to be considered for m New Year New You Challenge Group!! We are starting Jan 6th and the last day to register is Jan 4th! 

There is a limited amount of space so contact me NOW!! I want to give you each my individual attention, so I have to limit the number of challengers in a group! Complete the application below and lets make this transformation happen for you!

FLASH SALE: AFTER XMAS SALE!

Also, don't miss out on the after sale promotion I am running! now until Monday 12.30! $30 cash back on any challenge pack you order from me at www.teambeachbody.com/nicolekeating or when you order Shakeology HOME DIRECT you get it at my price...which means $25 cash back! 

Nicole Keating

Emerald Independent Beachbody Coach

nkeating24@comcast.net

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Fat Girl to Fit Chick

My weight loss journey started June 1, 2011 when I started Weight Watchers. I was unhappy with myself, couldn't look in the mirror without truly being disgusted with who I saw, I was uncomfortable in my own skin and I just needed to change. I wanted to better myself and be happy again. 

 

Before My Journey Began (2011)

When I first started out on my weight loss journey, I set a goal of losing 50 pounds. Over the course of the next 6 months, I had reached my goal, and lost 50 pounds by December 2011. I was so proud of myself. I had this new sense of confidence that I did not have previously. My new goal was to maintain the weight loss. When I was in high school, I also used Weight Watchers and I had lost about 25 pounds but then when I went off to College, I did not continue with it and thus gained weight back. I was partying and not eating the healthiest of food, and over 4 years, I packed on the pounds. 

Over the next 4 months while I was training for my first triathlon, I lost 20 more pounds. I was ecstatic because I just kept feeling better. I was exercising daily, I ended up starting to run (in the past I was never a runner..NEVER). Now if you were to tell me back in 2011 that I would have been competing in a triathlon, I would have laughed in your face and said "Yea, ok, GOOD JOKE!"

In September 2012, I competed in the Woman's Danskin Triathlon in Sandy Hook, NJ. The experience was amazing. I ended up coming in 8th overall in the swim out of over 1200 women who were competing. Not only was I proud of this huge accomplishment but I wanted to compete in another. For those of you triathletes out there, you know what I am talking about...the adrenaline, the atmosphere, the competition, the pushing yourself to the breaking point, the struggle, the glory, and the victory.

Over the course of the next 7 months, I trained harder for my next triathlon. In May 2013, I competed in my second triathlon the Red Bank Tri, in Red Bank, NJ. This triathlon was a longer distance one than my first and I have to say, my swim and bike parts of the race went well but when I jumped off the bike and started the run, I was so winded and struggled. I finished the race but was not happy with my results. I was exercising daily and eating healthy but that just was not doing it. 

In June 2013, I decided that I wanted to start either Insanity or P90x. I had followed someones transformation that I had grown up with. I saw the amazing results she had seen through doing Insanity and using Shakeology. After talking to her, I decided to become a Beachbody Coach and help others. I started p90x and using shakeology. For those of you who do not know, shakeology is a daily meal replacement that gets you the healthy nutrients that you need in your day. I saw amazing results from P90x. I lost inches from my waste and started to gain muscles and tone up. I think started Focus T25 and using my daily shakeology and I saw even more amazing results.

The New Me 2013

Now, five months after starting my journey with Beachbody, I can honestly say that I am in the BEST shape of my life. I am stronger than ever. I am so excited to see where this new journey of being a Fit Chick takes me. I am no where near where I want to be but there is always room to grow. 

Along the way from going a Fat Girl to a Fit Chick, I set new goals and now my new goal and dream is to compete in an IRONMAN TRIATHLON. This is the mother of all triathlons but I am excited and nervous for the journey. Stay posted for my journey.