Molly has written a GREAT article for all of the ladies this month and I hope that you read AND share it.  Ladies, you can look better at 29 than you did at 18 if you follow Molly’s advice.

“Hi Molly,

I would love another’s opinion (not advice, because I already know I just need to get off my butt and do it)! I’ve always loved going to the gym, my love is lifting weights.

I had a “break up” from the gym and I sat down yesterday and literally talked to myself and asked where did that love go and why?

First I thought of all the reasons why I love the gym. This is what I came up with:

– Love the feel of iron in my hands

– Love to see my muscle definition in the mirror

– Confidence

– Feels sooo good

Just to name a few. Then it dawned on me, just like that. Because I need to lose 40-50 lbs, I don’t feel confident, and I don’t see the muscle definition anymore.

After I had my daughter 11 years ago, I got down to 120 within a year, 10 lbs. less that I was when I found out I was pregnant. I had my son 7 years ago and I never lost any of the weight.
I’ll go to the gym once every other week or so, and I enjoy it, but my weight is so out of control it’s hard to see I can lose the weight even with knowing it is possible (if that makes sense).

I’m only 33 and my weight right now is 172, my long term goal is 120, I’m 5’2″. I WANT to rekindle my love for the gym again. I’m just not used to going to the gym while overweight, I was always the girl who went to the gym to gain more muscle and to maintain.

Any motivation would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and that muscle memory thing, my muscles have amnesia! LOL

Thanks! B. Mateus”

Hi B!

Thanks so much for reaching out to me. I recommend a few really critical things for your situation.

They are as follows:

 

1. Try to remember other reasons you LOVE working out besides just your appearance.

There are so many amazing benefits to training besides just how you look. After my 3rd figure competition, when my weight was spinning out of control, I focused purely on strength in the gym. This allowed me to have a positive goal, and it kept me motivated because I was focused on a different kind of result than I had focused on previously (strength vs. aesthetics).

Here’s a blog post I put together with 20 Surprising Benefits of Strength Training.

2. Drop the “weight goal” for now.

Having a “weight goal” can be very problematic if you’re feeling frustrated and unmotivated. First and foremost, it focuses on the wrong thing. Scale weight is NOT the best indicator of health or appearance, and it can be easy to obsess over. You also want to keep in mind that your body changes SO much over time. I actually look better at a muscular 165 lbs. at 29 years old than I did at a soft, untrained 140 lbs. when I was 16 years old.

Looking better at 29 than I did at 16? Umm…yes please!

Finally, there’s nothing wrong with having an idea of the weight range in which you feel your best, but most of your attention should be focused on how you feel and how your clothes are fitting, instead of chasing a number that may or may not be attainable.

3. Find a program that you REALLY love that makes you excited to train.

Recently, my good friend Neghar Fonooni released a training program called Lean & Lovely. It’s targeted specifically for women who want to look and feel their best and it includes strength training, metabolic training sessions, and recovery sessions that can be customized for your goals. But the best part is the mindset portion of her program. It’s all about self-love and acceptance, and it will help shift your mindset from negative to positive in no time.

You can check out her Lean & Lovely Program here.

Finally, and most importantly, love yourself enough to believe that you deserve to feel and look great, because you do.

Well B., that’s it for now. I really hope you take this advice to heart and start taking care of yourself.

Molly Galbaith C.S.C.S.