The Revelation. Dun dun dun... Becoming a Beachbody Coach!

So here it is: The "Revelation." It happened during the "Hot for the Holidays" challenge with Jenelle and the other awesome group participants. It was when all of the the things that I had read about, seen, been told, discussed, experienced, and thought about all combined into one big "BAM! I FINALLY get it. I must take action!"

It didn't matter how many times I had read or been told something. It's one thing to be told your whole life that you're smart, capable, kind, loving, etc. It's a completely DIFFERENT thing to actually internalize this and believe it for truth. By nature, I'm cautious and skeptical. I'm a cynic. I need to see it to believe it, and even after it's been seen, a small part of me still wonders if it's for real. This is an intrinsic part of who I am, BUT I realized that there's another side that I haven't nurtured: the side that says I believe in myself. It's the side that says I can do anything!  This new found realization lead to the moment when I decided to take the plunge and become a Beachbody Coach (more about this in a future post).

I haven't felt this empowered and inspired in a long time. It's been quite awhile since I've felt such unconditional support, patience, and understanding from others, outside of my close circle of friends and family (and it seems many of my friends and family don't fully support or understand this choice). This decision to be a coach re-ignited my passion for helping people, for creating a positive change in the lives of others. I decided it was time to be the person I WANTED to be. It was time to give up the person I "thought" I was or wanted others to think I was, and it was time to nurture and develop the person I AM deep down inside (but was too scared of what others may think to let her out).

Sometimes, when you go through things in life or start something new, there's uncertainty, perhaps confusion or mixed emotions. However, at the end of the journey you can look back on the events that transpired and go, "Ahh, I see it now. Such-and-such had to happen so I could learn/grow/experience/etc." During this revelation, it was almost as if I could see into the future. I saw a path laid out in front of me that would lead me to greater financial freedom, that would continually encourage and inspire me, that would provide me an additional road to fulfill my life purpose of helping others. I envisioned new friends, new life lessons, more personal development. I saw a more free, more confident, more successful Kimmie. Sure, there's going to be challenges and obstacles to overcome. Of course, it's not going to be easy 100% of the time. Though, I am already CERTAIN it WILL be worth it. It already is. :)




www.kimmielong.com

Still Pre-Revelation...

Okay, so I finished Chalean Extreme, was in awe that I could stick to something for 3 months and lose weight and gain muscle tone. That wasn't the revelation though...

In Chalean Extreme, which I will henceforth refer to as "CLX," there was this woman in the DVD's, Jenelle, who is Chalene's sister. Throughout the DVDs, the only thing I could think of was, "Wow, I wish I had  Jenelle's body!" In my opinion, she's the ideal image of a healthy woman who represents fitness, strength, and inner and outer beauty. I started following her on Facebook because she posted so many great tips/advice and always seemed so positive!

One day, I was browsing through Facebook and saw that Jenelle was hosting a 30 day challenge for a small group of people who were committed to getting in shape! Many people already said they were "attending," so I decided two take a risk and click "attending" as well. I really had no idea what "small group" meant. Is that 3 people? 30 people? I also had NO idea what I was getting myself into. Was it a special fitness program? Any fitness program? She promised success if we followed everything she said, and I figured I was already on a roll from finishing CLX, why not take it to the next step? It was a quick moment of bravery and "what have I got to lose?" mentality.

Well, as fate or God would have it, I was accepted into her group! I chose Insanity by Shaun T as my fitness program and restarted drinking Shakeology every day. The group, which was full of AMAZING women, and I went on this path of health, fitness, and nutrition. Throughout the 4 weeks, we provided each other with moral support, admitted our weaknesses, were complimented on our strengths, and were encouraged to do our best and keep striving for improvement. It was (and still IS) an AMAZING group of individuals who continually inspire me and push me, whether or not they know this. I never realized, until the challenge, how important ACCOUNTABILITY is! By nature, I'm very private, and I don't like letting people know personal things about myself, but I quickly learned that having others hold you accountable is NECESSARY for the best results. With this group I felt free and open to admit a less than stellar dinner or a skipped workout, and I was provided with endless motivational quotes and "get your booty back in gear" talks (which were both wanted AND needed!).

Slowly, but surely, wheels started shifting in my brain, and the "Revelation" occurred during this challenge...

Looking Ahead to the New Year

Okay, so after some debate, I decided to share my top 5 New Year's Goals with you guys! I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it at first because I was scared that if I didn't achieve them, I'd feel embarrassed, let down, disappointed, etc, and those feelings would only be compounded by the fact that OTHERS are privy to my failure. Though, they say one of the best ways to achieve your dreams is to have others hold you accountable!  So I'm taking a risk, and here it goes....

By the end of 2012, I will
1) Weigh 5 lbs above my HS gymnast weight (sorry, not disclosing numbers here) ;)
2) Have 6 months salary in savings for emergencies
3) Be a Diamond Team Beachbody Coach
4) Have read the Bible
5) Have traveled to one city I've never been before (place TBD)

There's a few other goals, but those are the top ones (and most specific and measurable). I also want to become more confident in myself and my abilities, to nurture happy and healthy relationships with friends and family (which also means focusing on those who count, and letting go of those relationships that are damaging or unhealthy), and to help people as much as possible. I want to become someone that others find solace and inspiration in, and I want to become more positive (which is VERY difficult given my skeptical and somewhat pessimist personality). I want to feel fit and healthy and energetic. I want to find more things that I'm passionate about and dive headfirst into them, without fear or hesitation. I want to follow my bliss and do things that make ME happy, without worrying so much about what others think of me. I need to remember my endless blessings and pass them on to those less fortunate or in need. I must keep in mind that life is about lessons, learning, expanding, growing, and trying new things (and yes, maybe that includes occasional failure, but hopefully it also means triumph in the end).

I feel like I have a head start on some of the above non-measurable goals...I booked a trip to return to London (something I've been wanting to do for YEARS). I signed up for a cooking class (to try something new and expand my knowledge base). Plus, becoming a Beachbody Coach is something I would have been too scared to attempt a few years ago, but I'm taking a risk with it and hoping for (expecting for?) the best. I also booked a trip for Beachbody's annual Summit in Vegas this summer, which is a risk because at the moment, I don't truly know people going (except from Facebook group interactions), and I'll be forced to step outside my comfort zone and try to be outgoing. Eeeek!!!



http://www.amazon.com/PUSH-Turbocharged-Habits-Bangin-Deserve/dp/1609613333/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326166851&sr=8-1

Here's some tips from Chalene Johnson's PUSH book when creating a list of goals:
Your goals should mesh with your priorities
They should be personal and professional
They should take you out of your comfort zone
Write your goals in the present tense
Include ones that push you to make a personal change
Include one financial goal
List one health goal with a specific measure

Your goals should also be specific, measurable, achievable, rewarding, and time-sensitive.

What are YOUR 2012 goals/resolutions? Be brave enough to DREAM big and take TAKE the steps towards those goals!

Reflecting on 2011

I know 2012 just started, and this is the perfect time to gear up for the year ahead (which I've started to do), but I really just want to take some time to reflect on the past year...

In 2011, I...
-Traveled (NYC, Hawaii, Key West FL, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood FL twice, Islamorada FL twice,  Homestead FL twice, San Francisco, Chicago, Oak Brook IL multiple times, O'Fallon IL, Cannelton IN)
-Saw baseball games in Indianapolis, Chicago, San Francisco
-Welcomed a baby niece in August
-Was asked to be a Godmother for a sorority sister's daughter
-Saw concerts (Jon McLaughlin twice, NKOTBSB, Maroon 5, Train, Leann Womack)
-Saw musicals (Avenue Q, Nine to Five, Grease, Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages, Beauty and the Beast, Million Dollar Quartet)
-Went to Dig IN Indiana and the Vintage Indiana Wine Fest
-Had my first experience with a palm reader/tarot card reader lady and another lady who talks to spirits
-Saw my first ballet, The Nutcracker
-Became an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. For the first time in a LONG time, found myself feeling truly inspired and empowered and capable of helping to complete my lifelong mission of making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others.
-Countless dinners, drinks, movies, and quality time with family and friends

It wasn't a perfect year. There were many periods of hurt, pain, anger, frustration, sadness, and regret. I don't want to minimize these "down" times, because I have to remember that they were given to me for a reason and will (hopefully) ultimately make me a stronger and more resilient person. Fortunately, the good seems to outweigh the bad, and I'm more determined than ever to make this new year even BETTER.

How was YOUR year?

Pre-Revelation

Okay, so cruise was over, cold weather was in full swing. I figured there was no point in working out, ever, unless I had to be seen in anything less than a sweater and jeans. New Years 2011 came and went, and as usual, I made a resolution to get in shape and lose weight. I decided to try this other Beachbody program called Chalean Extreme. The trainer is this super spirited woman named Chalene Johnson. They advertised that up to 50% of your body fat could be lost because "muscle burns fat!" Since I HATED anything cardio-related, I figured this would be the perfect program for me. It focuses on lifting slow and heavy to increase muscle mass, therefore increasing metabolism. Needless to say, after a couple weeks, I either got sick or went on vacation or lost motivation and gave up. Months went by...

Next, summer came around (and with it, tank tops and shorts).Warmer weather leaves me antsy and gives me the motivation to be productive, and I found myself restless with any extra time on my hands. I figured this was the perfect time to try Chalean Extreme again, and this time, I would do it right and would see it through the scheduled 12 weeks. I invested in some heavier weights and giggled when the middle aged woman at the local Meijer seemed SHOCKED that I was buying 25lb dumbbells because they looked "so heavy!" There were a couple cardio DVDs weekly, which I didn't really enjoy because me + cardio = no, so I would sometimes trade those out for an hour on the elliptical at the gym (Yes, I joined a new gym. And yes, it was a short lived phase, again).  However, I actually FINISHED the 3 months! I loved listening to Chalene's words of wisdom and motivation.  I ended up losing a few pounds (granted, not the 50% body fat reduction I was hoping for), but it was nice to start seeing some definition in the mirror. I could feel my old gymnast body returning (very very slowly). As per usual, I didn't really focus on my diet as much as I should have, so my results weren't as drastic as they could have been. I have a hard time following meal plans, and it is SUPER hard making meals for one person (especially because I only have 1-2 ingredients per recipe at any given time, and I don't really see the point in buying a whole container/bag/etc of something if I only need a small portion of it).

Needless to say, my confidence was increasing, my body was improving, and I didn't yet know that this experience would lead me to a fantastic new adventure and business opportunity... ;)