I had a hard time finding recent pics of me NOT taken on my iPhone. I’ll have to make it a point to do a Project 12 post with my whole body soon!

This blog is about fitness. and nutrition. and body image. and motherhood. and womanhood. and being the best YOU.  I copied the following from my About Page and added emphasis for this post.

Tori wants….

• to inspire you to take control of the things in your life you want to change and…change them!
• to empower you with the knowledge you need to be successful at achieving your goals!
• you to feel confident in your body, that it will stand the test of time and will give you the physical strength to live the life you imagined!
• you to feel the freedom to get dressed without tears and anger and go out into the world happy with your body, regardless of what the scale says.
• you to be proud of yourself and how hard you work every day and go easy on yourself when you slip up. We are human.  We are not perfect.
• you to stop comparing yourself to other women and compare yourself to you.

I want you to BE WHO YOU ADMIRE!!!

I meant every word of that. I wish that for every woman.

All my life, I’ve been obsessed with my body…sometimes to the extreme with eating disorders. I talked about eating disorders…

• in an interview here and
• regarding Portia de Rossi’s book here  and
• posing the question about bodybuilding and an eating disorder link here and
• in my post about my Figure Lessons here.

So, all my life, being obsessed about my body, I have wondered and worried about my body and pregnancy.  Would I feel free during pregnancy from feeling fat? Would my body ever be the same?  People ask me all the time, as if it’s ironic, how I went from the best shape of my life last year to the heaviest I’ve ever been (having FITbaby) this year.  Well, that was the plan! That was my master plan. And, it worked out beautifully…at least I think so!

During the competition preparation, I realized what’s important. And, it’s not my figure. It’s not!! It’s more important to feel good than look good. It’s no fun to be obsessed with my body. It’s no fun to do hours of cardio a day at the expense of other things I love. It’s no fun to be hungry ALL the time. It was a great lesson. It was a great experience. But, honestly, had I waited until after I had FITbaby, I would have quit. Not because I think quitting is okay, but because I think that contest prep would have set a poor example for her…at 3 months old, at 2 years old, at 10 years old or at 15 years old.  And, I would not have sacrificed her for that experience, or to look good.

During pregnancy I discovered more about myself. I did not like feeling like I was unable to move. That is why I like to be lean, and mean, and fit. I like to move and be active and enjoy life! And, having a belly slows me down! I also discovered I felt beautiful during pregnancy. I didn’t feel fat. I didn’t feel self-conscious about my body changing [except I hated the attention...so much attention for being pregnant! I much prefer now, where my FITbaby gets all of the attention!]  My body was that way simply because I was growing a BABY! What a gift!

Did I struggle with body image during pregnancy at all? The only time that I found “hard” was before I started to show. I couldn’t fit in my pre-baby clothes. And, I wasn’t ready for maternity clothes. I had to go buy clothes one size bigger. That was no fun. But, it was short-lived!  Then, I started to show and I felt uncomfortable. Not with the way I looked but with the way I felt….it was hard to move around!

I wrote a few posts during pregnancy about body image and I got a few responses…both in public and private messages…you can read many of them….

• Why I don’t love pregnancy
• Why I love pregnancy
• Thoughts on Pregnancy
• Body Image During Pregnancy

The point of this post?  I’ve never felt better about my body in my entire life than I did the few months after pregnancy…  Yep, you read that right. NEVER. FELT. BETTER.  I have never been more confident. I have never cared so little how I looked. My body image…doesn’t freakin’ matter. Who cares!  FREEDOM!!!! My priorities had shifted. For the first time in my life, there was something WAY more important than the way I looked. Did FITbaby care how I looked?  Nope! Did FIThubby care how I looked? Nope!  My amazing body birthed this 9.5 pound baby somewhat easily! Amazing! How could I punish this amazing body? How could I ask it for more than it was already giving? For once, I had more important things to do…take care of my body for my baby!

The first few months with FITbaby were ROUGH.  I wrote this a few months ago….and I can’t change a word to make it apply now….

My little FITbaby keeps me too busy to care how skinny  my waist looks today. My FITbaby has me in awe of her beauty and I don’t care about my own. When I look at myself through her eyes, I am the best. I am beautiful. She doesn’t care if I’m a size 6 or 8.  She cares that I take the time for her. That I smile at her. That I look her in the eyes. That I am happy. My hubby is supportive of my hard work every day. He loves my new body as much as he loved the old one. I have never felt more comfortable naked. [Yep, I said that!]  This body I have is amazing. It has done so much more than I ever imagined.

This does not allow for an excuse to be overweight and out of shape though!  Still, to be the best mom I need to be the BEST ME. I need to work as hard as I can…at everything…not JUST being a mom. I need to be an athlete.  I need to be healthy. I need to be smart. I need her to see and learn from all of it.

Just a few months post-pregnancy I lost all the pregnancy weight. But, that was still 5-10 pounds heavier than I “wanted” to be.  [Even though I think pounds are a joke...it can still be a start to measure where you are!]   Now, 7 months after having FITbaby, I’m just a couple pounds from my goal weight but again, that’s a joke! I have lost a lot of muscle b/c  I have not kept up my heavy lifting workouts!  I have not kept up my strength! Not to worry…it all comes back. Muscle memory is real. I am not worried. I will get it back. I will be strong again…stronger even than I was a couple years back!

Share with me!!!

How did you feel immediately post pregnancy? Was it hard? Did you feel FREE like I did?

And, stay tuned….I have a post coming on the images we have in our home and how they affect our girls.  I’ve done some analyzing of the images I have posted in my gym and inspiration boards.

I have a heavy wetter. [read: wet clothes and sheets in the middle of the night.] And, a large baby. [read: big booty. no jeans. big booty + cloth diapers. definitely no jeans.] BTW, so sad she can’t wear jeans. Even with a disposable, she can’t wear jeans. I try and try again…and still, I can’t get them over her thighs.  These are our challenges with diapers.

We love our cloth diapers [and cloth wipes]. We aren’t giving those up for anything!  So, I started researching different inserts and found some great options!

From left to right [in both pictures]:

1. FuziBunz Newborn Insert
2. FuziBunz Regular Insert
3. Joey Bunz by BabyKicks [Medium]
4. Thirsties Hemp Doublers [Large]

Below is a photo of the same inserts but showing the thickness. Hopefully you can see that the Joey Bunz [#3] is MUCH thinner than the others. These Joey Bunz come stitched together – two come together, but you can clip the threads and separate.  The photos is of one single that I cut apart from the pair.  So, when they say there are 3 in a pack, there are 3 sets of 2 or 6 singles.

I have a girl who wets through a regular FuzziBunz insert most mornings  within an hour and most definitely two hours. So, this is the same for ONE Joey Bunz. I think ONE Joey Bunz single is about the same absorbancy as a FuzziBunz regular insert..maybe a little less  So, if you have a heavy wetter, you can use BOTH the Joey Bunz inserts (as they come, stitched together) and that will gain more absorbancy with about the same thickness as the regular FuzziBunz insert. [We do this many mornings!] But, if your kiddo is a normal wetter, you will probably love [jealous over here] clipping apart the Joey Bunz and enjoying having your baby’s cloth diaper booty looking and feeling a lot slimmer! [Remember to check your adjustments in your diapers b/c you may need to tighten them with the smaller inserts!]

NOTE: To gain maximum absorbancy with the Joey Bunz, I boiled [yes, boiled...like in a pot on your stove] them for 30 minutes! It really worked!  So, I did the same with the Thirsties.

So, what’s the FITbaby nighttime recipe?  What finally solved our soaked by midnight problem?  Extra liners and bumGenius diapers!

• Around the house, if it doesn’t matter if we change pants a few extra times, we will use one regular FuzziBunz liner or one single Joey Bunz insert in our FuzziBunz pocket one-size diapers.
• If we are going out & I care about leaks, I’ll double up the Joey Bunz so that she [and her pants] stay dry in her FuzziBunz diapers.
• At night, we use TWO Thirsties Doublers [most of you will only need one] and a TWO Joey Bunz, or THREE Thirsties [depending on what I have clean] and always in our bumGenius.  For us, this would be too big if we used a regular FB with the two huge Thristies.

I thought you were a FuzziBunz girl???!!! Why’d you switch to Bum Genius??!!  We love FuzziBunz. And, now we love them even more after trying bumGenius….BUT we love the Fuzzi Bunz during the day and WE LOVE BUMGENIUS AT NIGHT!!

Since I need to use so many liners at night, they just won’t fit  in the FuzziBunz. They are too big. I have to readjust them. I can’t get them to fit right. They gap and…ugh! I just gave up! FuzziBunz are meant to be a slimmer fit diaper. And, if you compare the two, you’ll see…the FuzziBunz is much slimmer through the legs and it’s shorter in fit.

Crushed Berries [pink] FuzziBunz on top of Sweet [mint] bumGenius…one size diaper comparison

The bumGenius solved our nighttime problems!  I put these THREE HUGE inserts into this diaper…easily. Yes, easily! It’s a roomy fit and not a struggle. And, they fit well.

BOTTOM LINE: NO LEAKS!!!

If you’re interested in cloth diapering, stay tuned for my next cloth diapering post topic: rice paper liners. They are NOT all created equally! I have a GREAT recommendation for different inserts for different uses! And, yes, still working on my Baby Buy List! Oh brother, that’s a doozy!

Also, if you need some new bumGenius…great deal here at Cotton Babies! [Thanks Nikki T. for the heads up!]

I’m doing my own personal project this year. But, this year I’m being more realistic! And, I’m doing it for memories, not just to get better at photography or to feel inspired. If I’m not inspired I’ll have an entire month to suck it up, figure it out, and still take a picture!

I am doing my own Project 12. Both 52 and 365 are too much at this point in my life. 12 may not be enough. We’ll see.

I’m working 20 hours a week at a job. I’m not using child care at all so that 20 hours is added onto the rest of my day. I also try not to work when FITbaby is awake. So, again…added onto my crazy day. I still have certifications to finish. I’m still getting unpacked and organized. I’m still trying to keep a clean house so anyone can pop by anytime. I have friends and relationships I need to keep up! AND, the most important thing is to take care of my family….husband, baby, doggie. Oh right, where’s that ME time? :-/

So, my Project 12 is to FORCE me to take photos of MYSELF with my babe!  I have SO few pics of myself with my sweet girl. It makes me sad when I look at how few pics I have of myself with her. So, I’m going to try to capture the stage we’re in at the time. I missed a GREAT shot of the “airplane” game during this photoshoot…I chopped off her cute little smiling head!  But, oh well, that’s what happens when you’re using a tripod!

Some months I’ll have TONS of pics! Others I may only have one sad little iPhone [or Instagram!] pic.  But my point is to document my days with my girl. Some months I’ll ask a friend to use my camera [or hers] on us. Others I may ask my hubby. But most will probably be me, my girl, my dog, and my tripod!

FYI. MCP Action rocks. That was a sidenote. The FYI is: MCP Project 12!!  Their Project 12 has a different theme every month to develop your photography skills. So, check it out. You might want to join in there. Check out MCP Project 12. It’s a great idea and one I may take part in later. But, for now…my goal is to document life with my girl. One month [or week] at a time.

Are you doing a Project this year? Which one? Link below!

My husband met someone today who told him she was researching juicers to go on a juice fast for 30 days! Yes, thirty whole days with no whole food! And, I’ve heard of so many of them…HCG diet, Grapefruit Diet, etc….there are new ones popping up all the time! It’s amazing! I’m so disappointed that our country spends more money on fad diets and products than on teaching, learning and setting up our nation to be healthy, eat right and exercise properly.

I was SO PROUD of FIThubby for telling this woman, before he left, that this “diet” was a bad idea.  I am not always willing to give people advice if they don’t ask for it. One of my hobbies is to research things and I know a lot about a lot but I never want to be a know-it-all. So, I try not to offer my research unless I’m asked. I’m so proud of FIThubby for telling her not to do it. She probably still will, but he did a good thing today.

Photo credit: Renee Booe Photography

Why will a crash diet make you gain fat, lose health, and be miserable?

• Crash diets cause you to lose weight…yes. Fat…yes. AND MUSCLE TOO! It’s a really bad thing to lose muscle.  Muscle is important for future health, when you’re older and you start losing muscle mass. But now, it’s important to get the look you want. Muscle burns fat! You need muscle!
• Crash diets cause you to starve. Any starvation diet causes you to someday rebound off of it. And, you gain it back.  So, what’s the point in being miserable and losing all that weight just to gain it back! Yuck!
• Crash diets make you feel like crap! You won’t function at your best. Your family, work and friendships will suffer. You will feel weak, fatigued and dizzy at times.
• Crash diets do not teach you how to learn which exercise plans work for you or plan, prepare and eat real, healthy meals. So, in the long run you haven’t learned how to maintain your weight loss or live a healthy life.
• MORE SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS! Gallstones, gout, and sudden cardiac death to name a few possible severe effects of low calorie diets!

So, I beg you, if you know someone who is talking about going on a crash diet [fad diet], please tell them the facts from above that will help convince them to STOP! People go on crash diets because they feel desperate and they are ready to change. [I've been there! I've done them! But never again!] I want to look good when I’m old…not just for 5 minutes while I’m feeling miserable!

If you’re ready to take action, or you know someone who is ready to take action, encourage them to learn how to do it the right way!  For nutrition help. To learn how to lift weights and you MUST lift weights, hire a personal trainer! Hire a nutritionist. Find a friend who wants to do it together. Get your family on board and get the support.

Spend the money. Take the time. Do it right. It’s for your health and your future.

The FITori Gym is almost open!

We “unfinished” our basement to make it a gym and it’s PERFECT!  It’s the perfect cooler temp. It’s the perfect size! It’s bright!  It’s the perfect flooring.

We have a squat rack. Dumbbells. Kettlebells. Music. TV. Horse stall mats. And, we need so much more. We are considering a treadmill but just not sure. I’m asking [begging] for a new, fancier camera…and a treadmill. My wish list is pricey at the moment!

We are still in need of some mirrors, for sure, before it becomes my “happy place” and a complete workout space for me.  I need to watch form when I work out. It helps to motivate me and just keeps my mind from wandering and wandering my butt out of the workout and back upstairs!

I love this quote and I believe it. I need to have all my “ducks in a row” to workout effectively and continously. I need the right space. The right & comfortable outfit. The right mindset.

I need to be happy to workout and keep up my workouts. I need a “happy place.”

Where is your happy place to workout?

Did you set workout goals for 2012?

photo source: oxygen magazine

As always, I recommend the Clean Eating books to learn about nutrition & Oxygen Magazine to inspire and motivate!

Photos courtesy of As You Stitch Baby

I cloth diaper.

I love it. It’s a little extra work. BUT, it’s so much better for my baby. [to me. i just have peace of mind with cloth diapers.] It’s less gross [to me. the soggy disposables i've used at nighttime gross me out in the morning.] It’s WAY cheaper. It’s cuter. We love cloth diapers.

I don’t really need to tell you about cloth diapering because my BFF has done an excellent job of covering the topic! You can read some of her posts here: Cloth Diapering for the Modern Mom & Cloth Diapering on the Go [we use the GroVia because of this post] & Styleberry Cloth Diaper FAQ.  I use different inserts though than the Fuzzi Bunz that come with the diapers. I’ve started using Joey Bunz and Thirsties doublers. I have a heavy wetter so it’s quite an event trying to find the right cloth diaper “recipe.”  I’ll blog about inserts soon…still working on the right “formula” for us!

We decided to cloth wipe after just a few weeks cloth diapering.  Why?

1. Because it was actually HARDER to use disposable wipes with cloth diapers. We were in the habit of putting the dirty wipes into the dirty diapers and then we had to get the wipes into the trash or the diaper genie thing & the cloth diapers into the wet bag for the wash. It was a mess. I ended up washing disposable wipes on accident. It sucked. It’s easier to just wash it all.
2. We used a TON of wipes. With a girl, we wanted to keep ALL of the poo away from her lady parts. So, we used a new wipe for every swipe. We were going through wipes like MAD!
3. It’s also cheaper. Read: going through wipes like mad.

So, I thought about making them myself. But, the ones I bought were great! She uses a surger to make them. I don’t know anyone with a surger. I’m sure you could sew around the edges. But, for me, at the time, [since I work after I put Samantha to sleep at night and at the time I needed these, she required more attention than she does now] it was better to buy a few packs and be done, rather than making them. We Love Them. [My husband does too...surprisingly!]  I have Seventh Generation disposable wipes in my car and in the changing table…just in case. But, we use cloth wipes MOST of the time.

So, what all do I need?

• Cloth wipes [buy them or make them]
• Large Wipes Container
• Travel Wipes Containers
• Baby Bum Drops or another recipe for wipes solution
• Vinegar
• Water, microwave & microwave-safe dish
• Large spray bottle & small spray bottle [if you choose to take dry wipes and wet them for each use!]

Where did you buy or make your cloth wipes?

I bought my wipes on etsy at As You Stitch Baby.  I love them. They are thin. One piece of flannel Surged. I liked thin wipes when she was really little [and still do]. Anything thick was really hard to use. And, BF poop is great with thin wipes. I’ve heard of toddler moms who say they love thick wipes SO we’ll see if I change out my wipes when she gets bigger. IF I do, I’ll keep using these to wash faces and hands in the kitchen. And, for baby #2. If #2 is a boy [no we're not pregnant]  he may have his newborn booty wiped with pink wipes. 

What do you use for cloth wipes solution?

I bought the Baby Bum Drops more than four months ago and I have 3/4 of the package left. I use half of what they recommend. I pre-mix these in advance to save on trips to the kitchen. I use the Smart Spin containers and fill them with the solution and take a few up to her nursery at a time. Then, I have them on hand if I run out of wipes and I can refill the wipes container when she’s on the table! [strapped in, of course.]

Do you pre-soak your wipes or do you use a spray bottle?

I have a spray bottle pre-mixed w/ solution just in case I run out of wet wipes. But, personally I prefer the wet wipes. I don’t wet too wipes many at a time. One large huggies box at a time. I don’t like to give them the chance to mold. I add vinegar so they won’t mold. Just a few Tablespoons per 2 cups approximately will do. I pour a splash in each container before I put the cap on to take to the nursery or before I soak the wipes in the large container.

So, how do you do it?

I make the wipes solution at one time to save on effort. I use a large pirex and fill it with 2 cups of hot water. Add half the Baby Bum Drop and microwave for a couple minutes. Then, when it’s cool. I stir it up and add it to the Smart Spin container. Add a splash of vinegar [to prevent mold]. And, repeat a few more times.  I take these Smart Spin containers with my solution to her nursery so I have them on hand when needed.

Then, when my large wipes container is empty or getting close to empty. I put a new stack of wipes in the container and poor the solution over the sides, and the middles.  It’s a quick process when I do it this way. I have my solution pre-mixed for a few weeks.

How do you cloth wipe on-the-go?

Before I leave the house, I pack a bag. Yes, a bag. [I love LLBean Tote Bags!] I have a spitter so half the bag is burp cloths, bibs and a couple changes of clothes. I also take a few diapers. A “wet tote” for dirty diapers. A laundry bag for dirty laundry. Hair bows. Etc. Anyway, before I leave I will fill my small travel wipes container with wet cloth wipes from my big wipes container in the nursery so I know I have fresh wipes. [If I go out a few days that week, I use the same travel container.]  I can refill the big wipes container when I get home if needed, since I have a stash of wipes solution handy in the nursery, already made! I take the “old” wipes out if they’ve been sitting in my “on-the-go bag” a few days or a week and I put them right in my FuzziBunz wet bag or right in the washer.

Vio-La! It’s really simple. Hope it didn’t sound too complicated. It’s really not.

Any questions? Any suggestions? How do you do it? Any tips on going green [and cheap] with a baby!

This is a blog about nutrition and fitness. And, now, since I have FITbaby, her nutrition is extremely important to me.  I had no idea that so much of what we feed our children is based on tradition versus research.  In general, I’ve found that the statement “Infant research is in it’s infancy” is an accurate one! I think I found that quote here. And, that statement is so disappointing to me. Why isn’t more research on our babies?!

Anyway, when I started hearing discussions about “rice cereal” as my daughter’s first food, my first thought was to give her “brown rice cereal”…of course. But, then, I started doing more research and wondered…why rice cereal at all?  Should her first food be cereal? Grains? Carbs? Is that adding any nutrition to her diet? Is iron fortification the best way to get iron into her diet? I have decided….I do not think so. [Regarding iron, the best source is MEAT!]

I made the following conclusions…for myself and my baby….after doing my research on baby nutrition:

• Breastmilk is the most important “food” for my baby until 6 months…really until 9 months, with some fun experimentation into food starting at 6 months.
• Rice cereal is empty carbs and not worth filling up my baby’s tummy and therefore taking the place of breastmilk.
• Spoon-feeding my baby is no fun for anyone!
• Baby-led weaning is tons of fun for everyone!
• The fact that my baby’s digestive system may not be ready for solids before 6 months was enough for me to wait until 6 months old.

So, we started last week [6 months old] and baby led weaning is a blast!!! We started with bananas, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli, egg yolks etc. We’ve been steaming veggies that we cut into 2 inch pieces. She is having sooo much fun! We [FITori & FIThubby & FITdog Toby] are having sooo much fun! We are enjoying meal times as a family. We are all eating and enjoying our meals together. No one is taking turns spoon-feeding the baby and then eating our own meals.  There is a ton of mess and oh what fun to make a mess! Toby is loving helping with clean up!

A few fun iPhone pics from last week…

And another fun pic from over the weekend.  Loving egg yolks for breakfast!

If you’re interested in our research, we read and *followed* the advice in these three books.

1. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
2. Baby Led Weaning
3. Real Food for Mother & Baby

I also found this FANTASTIC website recently that helps explain different foods for baby. It’s fabulous! I’m learning SO much about individual foods! Why didn’t I know this before?!

Babyfood101.com  – Check out this example on peaches! SO much important information!

As always, tell me what you think, your research and what you did or are doing with your kiddos!

So…I’m seriously considering making a business out of photography!! :O Phew. I said it. Scary.

We moved this summer and since I’ve entered this community I’ve realized there is a market for a great family photographer here. I’ve been asked to do shoots for my friends…tons of friends and I keep turning them down. I get stunned looks. Truth is…I love it. I love photography. I love photographing my kiddo.

BUT, am I ready to go into business? It’s scary! What pressure! But, in life, I think it’s good to leave your comfort zone.  And this definitely is  out of my comfort zone!

I did a newborn shoot a few months ago. I borrowed a friend’s flash to try it out and I’m not too crazy about the flash. I think I’m a “natural light” girl!  I’ll share the pics anyway, even though they’re not my fave so far!

I know I’m too critical of myself and I look too much at the details. I will have to work on that. I will have a lot to work on! But, oh what fun!

So, as I take this journey and explore the idea of going into business as a photographer, I hope you’ll be there to share in my growth just as you were there with me during my competition!

As always, I love your thoughts!  Share them here!

I’ll definitely be trying out some shoots in the coming weeks [er...months maybe!] and I’ll share them here if I feel they’re blog-worthy! I sure hope they are!

[And more to come on post-preggo weight, metabolism, body image. And, some pics of my abs....just as soon as we get moved into our new house and I have a pretty backdrop! ]

We’re moving next week and with Christmas coming also…I’ll see you soon….

]]> http://fitoriblog.com/fitori-photo-warrensburg-mo-photographer/feed/ 4 http://fitoriblog.com/fitori-answers-how-do-i-lose-weight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fitori-answers-how-do-i-lose-weight http://fitoriblog.com/fitori-answers-how-do-i-lose-weight/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:00:23 +0000 tori http://fitoriblog.com/?p=5158 I get this question a lot. When I tell people my passion is fitness and nutrition, people ask me how to lose weight. My friends ask for help. [I ask my friends for help w/ their passions also...not dogging my friends for asking...ask away! I'm an open book!]  The problem with this question though [as I've said too many times I'm sure...sorry for being a broken record] is that the answer is too complex!! I can’t answer it! The truth is that I wanted to go into business and be an online fitness, nutrition and wellness counselor.  The problem?  Many people don’t value this service and aren’t willing to pay for it!   My time is precious these days. I want to soak up every [...]]]>

I get this question a lot. When I tell people my passion is fitness and nutrition, people ask me how to lose weight. My friends ask for help. [I ask my friends for help w/ their passions also...not dogging my friends for asking...ask away! I'm an open book!]  The problem with this question though [as I've said too many times I'm sure...sorry for being a broken record] is that the answer is too complex!! I can’t answer it!

The truth is that I wanted to go into business and be an online fitness, nutrition and wellness counselor.  The problem?  Many people don’t value this service and aren’t willing to pay for it!   My time is precious these days. I want to soak up every minute with my family that I can.  I wish it were as simple as writing a plan and following it. But truly, I don’t believe that’s how it works. I believe in coaching! 

I have to know a lot about YOU before I can write you a plan. And, even then I’d prefer to help you write your own plan so you can learn!  I mean really, it’s NO fun eating on a plan!! It’s much easier and tons more fun if you learn how to write your own plan, throughout your day, following what you learn!  After we write the plan, I need to follow you on that plan [enter coaching].  Answer your questions. Tweek the plan as necessary. Check in with you weekly, or daily. Follow your progress. Etc. It takes a LOT of time to do it right. I could just write plans, but I want to change lives. It doesn’t do any good to write plans that don’t make the change!

Image taken by reneebooephotography.com & edited by FITori.

When I feel like I have the time to put into starting this business the right way [I will not half ass it!] I will probably only be able to find a few clients at a time who are willing to pay me what my time is worth. BUT, if I can change a few lives….then it’s all worth it!! Again, I don’t just want to write plans, email them out and be done. I just can’t do that. I need to work with people. Teach them. And, believe me, there is a LOT to teach because I still have a LOT to learn!

So, for now, I’m waiting on this business. It’s still my passion. I am still getting certifications in my [gasp!] free time! But, I cannot give my time away for free just yet.

To me, the decision to spend thousands of dollars a year on health [my trainers for my competition] was EASY!  We paid trainers monthly for over a year until we learned what worked for our bodies to stay in shape.  It was expensive.  And, it was worth EVERY PENNY. How can you put a price on health??!! or happiness??!!

NOW, to answer your question…How do I lose weight?

HOW DO I LOSE WEIGHT?

I don’t believe in losing weight. I believe in getting lean and building muscle. I don’t want women doing hours of cardio to lose pounds on the scale, while shedding the very important muscle that will keep them healthy and in shape for years to come.

NUTRITION.

For the nutrition component I recommend the Eat Clean Diet books by Tosca Reno.  Tosca Reno is a figure competitor and therefore has followed the “clean eating” diets that I have followed. They work. IT WORKS. Read her books. You’ll be glad you did!

FITNESS.

You must lift! You can hire a trainer if you need help learning to lift weights.  I recommend that to any woman who wants to lose weight but has never lifted weights before. You’ll learn the proper way so that you won’t hurt yourself. You’ll gain confidence in the weight room. And, you’ll learn you can lift more than you thought! Whatever you do, you MUST LIFT WEIGHTS. There is no way around this one. It is an important piece to the weight loss puzzle.  I love programs like P90x that involve serious lifting!

Image credit.

JUST GETTING STARTED?

If you’re just getting started at both, I’ve always recommended the book Body For Life.  You can get it used for a penny plus shipping on Amazon.  Get inspired!  Learn how to eat cleaner. Learn how to work out. I promise you’ll see huge changes. Print out the pages for the worksheets. Record your food. Record your workouts. Enter the competition.

Tune in later for a post on a new business FITori is strongly considering as well as updates on what FITori has been up to these last few months!! We’re moving into our new house next week [after being "homeless" since April.]  We’ll have our gym in the unfinished basement so I’ll be sure to share workout and gym updates. And, with Christmas over and finally being settled…maybe I’ll have more time to blog!!!