Secret time: I've discovered that tricking myself is a key factor in maintaining my success in this 100-pound weight loss journey.

Oh yeah! I'm playing mind games with myself in a positive way to get away from the intense, compulsive cravings for chocolate, chips and gummy bears as well as the gloomy, paralyzing self-doubt that I have experienced...especially when it comes to losing weight.

There's one tool that's really saved me from ruining all the hard work that I've put in so far. I cover it, among other resources and insights, with life coach Lindsey Lang, who is also a dear, trusted friend of mine. As a certified life coach for many years, Lindsey understands the mind in a way that I aspire to! She once coached me years ago when I was deep in the muck, suffering because of my own codependency and due to the circumstances I'd created for myself. She has seen me at my worst and never given up on me, showing me patience and teaching me the tools to escape from the mental prison I put myself in. 

The pills, the products and the programs may help you see some early success, but I promise, if you work on your mindset and apply the tools, the less stressed, sad and defeated you will feel in the long run. And, the weight will stay off. I want that for you. You deserve it.

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Please leave a review on your favorite podcast app. I want to hear from you! Plus, leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey! Thank you so much! 

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Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. I would love for you to follow me and share my posts so others can join in on the conversation!

All my other episodes and some details about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

I want to take you back to a dark, uncertain time, to the days when impending puberty was lurking around the corner and the pressures of social life mounted. Yes, the time I’m speaking of is middle school. Dunn dun dunnnnnnn!

Middle school was such a weird time. I didn’t know who I was and I was afraid of everything: afraid of upsetting or disappointing my parents; afraid of not knowing the answer when called upon in Algebra; afraid of my friends no longer saving me a seat at the lunch table. But quite possibly worst of all was running the dreaded mile in gym class.

That's where my rocky relationship with running began. 

In this episode I walk you through the times I loved to hate and hated to love running in five stages of what feel like growth. (See if it mirrors anything that you've experienced in your own life.)

The stages are:

I can't.

I won't.

I will for you.

I will for me.

I can.

At the end of my episode, I share with you a pretty major goal I've set for myself as well as some glitter (because we can never have enough of that in our lives, right?) In addition to thanking all of you who listen, follow and support me, my special shout-outs this go around to to:

Infamous_lindz

Steph O'Brien

Tacy Schuler

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If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on this podcast app! Thank you so much! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey!

Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. I would love for you to follow me and share my posts so others can join in on the conversation!

All my other episodes and some details about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

That quick fix is always what I was after. One of the most memorable (and scarring) times was when I had gained weight my senior year in high school, binging on Surge I'm sure, and couldn't fit into my prom dress just a week before the big night. I cut carbs. I chugged water. I begged. My mother was kind enough to run out and grab me a slimmer, something I didn't even know existed at the time. (This is pre-Spanx, OK?) It was an uncomfortable, archaic device, but it worked. I could wear my dress.

Years later, I had similar situations where I was just desperate to be thin like my friends or to look better for my boyfriend. ("I feel like he's pulling away from me!") Lawd, I don't miss those years.

Today is a different situation, however. Now, I'm doing it for me and my health, not for vanity or anyone else. 

For that reason, I was surprised when my dietician suggested a smoothie cleanse, the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse, when I first started this journey last year. I was like, "Sure, I'll do it if you think it'll work."

And it did.

After three or four months of being stagnant, I decided to implement this cleanse again. The results were no less stellar than the first time. 

I've read a lot of articles about smoothie cleanses. Some people don't recommend them because they're just a "quick fix", much like that Renaissance-era device I strapped around my waist in high school. I don't disagree...to an extent.

It's not the cleanse that's temporary. It's the eating behaviors that take place afterward. I 100% believe that's why I've been so successful in losing a significant amount of weight each time I've worked this strategy into my plan.

So, why not use this to my advantage? I plan to!

In this episode, I walk you through my experience with the cleanse, compare it to the first time, offer new insights and tips, and discuss my game plan for the future to stay steady on my path to weight loss. Health and happiness...here I come!

*I humbly write this letter to you as a message of understanding and encouragement to go after anything you want in life. Please share this episode with anyone else you know who may be feeling stuck, helpless, discouraged or lost in their pursuit of health and happiness.*

I would also love to hear your feedback and what your goals are for the future. Comment on my episode on Instagram and Facebook (@incognito.athlete). All the good vibes are welcome!

Remember, all my other episodes and some info about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

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If you are loving the episodes so much, please leave a review on this podcast app! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey. Thank you so much! 

Riding the hills and valleys of a wellness journey aren't for the faint of heart! It requires more determination and focus than I ever expected!

For this reason, I'm grateful for the community I found through CrossFit and for the network of supporters I have surrounding me. When I'm feeling low or unsuccessful, I have people sending me motivating messages and asking me when I can join them for a workout. 

Strength is fostered when you're part of a community comprised of like-minded people. If you want to win, your surround yourself with winners. If you want to improve your cardio game, you find people who dig running. If you want to quilt, you'll find that quirky group of quilters to teach you the ropes.

In this episode, I welcome my husband, partner and CrossFit coach to talk about our experience with community, and how it brought us together to be the strong duo I'm so grateful we've become. We discuss the difference between being on our own compared to finding our CrossFit box, what CrossFit is really like for the average human and the richness of having a healthy, supportive community.

Frank is also a new member of a virtual community, The Forged Father, that supports men who are in pursuit of living and leading a legacy. He discusses the benefits of online communities as well, diving into the positive outcomes he's experienced through virtual mentoring and programming.

Resources:

CrossFit.com

Instagram: @theforgedfather

Instagram: @frankgurrierijr

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If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on this podcast app--thank you so much! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey.

Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. I would love for you to follow me and share my posts so others can join in on the conversation!

All my other episodes and some details about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

My husband told me tonight that I am "a badass". 

Normally, I'd give him the cutesy smile and whisper, "Thanks, babe". Not tonight. The irony of this statement lights up my eyes. "Yes, I am a badass!" I said back. Little did he know I just wrapped up my latest podcast episode, featuring this exact phrase and attitude I've recently embraced. (Read on to see the universe at work.)

In the last couple weeks, I've wrapped up my program with my dietician and my life coach. Both of them were exceptional to the point that I felt "free". Not free from restrictions or pesky reminders, but free from fear.

If you've ever read Jen Sincero's book, You are a Badass, you know what I'm talking about. (If you haven't, please get a copy of it stat!)

As I near the end of her easy-to-digest manual for living the life of your dreams--or at least one free of all the negativity we often carry--I can't help but see those little moments of glitter popping up everywhere (just like my husband's comment), telling me that I'm on the right path and that my growth isn't over yet.

Supercharged and ready to put some urgency behind my commitments, I discuss the value in independence, having confidence in what we learn and keeping the faith that we will achieve our goals. I also weave in the wisdom of Lisa A. Romano to discuss how codependency can hinder us in even the most innocent of circumstances.

If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on your favorite podcast app! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey. Thank you in advance!

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Resources:

Jen Sincero, author of You are a Badass: @jensincero

Lisa A. Romano, life coach and author: @lisaaromano

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You can also say, "Hey!" and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. I would love for you to follow me and share my posts so others can join in on the conversation!

All my other episodes and some facts about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

Young, beautiful...and pre-diabetic, Amanda Nunn was sick and tired of being sick and tired. Predisposed to diabetes and other health concerns, she tapped into her "hard-headedness" and harnessed something else: discipline and determination. Literally teaching and retraining herself how to care for her own body, Amanda found herself on a journey that looked much less like a diet and more like a lifestyle reboot. Step by step on her weight loss and wellness mission, she found success in losing a whopping 85 pounds, and ultimately being in the best shape--and health--of her life. 

Interviewing Amanda was like discovering a gold mine of new ideas, tricks and faith to stay on the weight loss path and not veer off too far. Why? Amanda was met with various challenges like body dysmorphia, overexertion, binge eating, ADD and adjusting to prescription meds. And then there were those late nights in school where the only semblance of food was tucked away in a vending machine. (Are you sure Fritos aren't an option?)

From those challenges came great wisdom and awesome motivation to flip around her entire life. Recently earning her certification, she's now inspiring others as a professional trainer to trailblaze their way to happiness and health with her circuit and bootcamp classes. Talk about taking life by the horns!

Tune into this episode for some useful tips from someone who's been there, including how to track your progress to fun exercise recommendations that may help you get off the couch. You can also follow or reach out to Amanda on social:

Facebook: Amanda Nunn-Goal Digger Fitness @mandanunn

Instagram: @amanda_cmptrainingrome

Don't forget to check out the Passion Planner (passionplanner.com)! There are so many choices to suit your needs and help you start getting stuff done!

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If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on this podcast app or on Facebook! Thank you so much! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey!

-------------------------

Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

All my other episodes and some details about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

I was down for the count. Exhausted, achy and…well…kind of depressed. What was my deal? I got "the VID".

But it wasn’t the symptoms that really took a toll. It was the sadness that set in. I sent myself straight down a path of depression and disappointment. I let COVID get me.

Any bout of sickness–or unexpected speed bump–is hardly an excuse to throw discipline and responsibilities out the window.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sob episode about my period of illness. This is about 4 pretty remarkable lessons I learned while sick that I'm 100% sure will resonate with you:

#1: The world continues turning...every day.

#2: Drama will happen if you let it.

#3: Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean making a mile-high ice cream sundae.

#4: I have a personal desire to stay connected.

I Dedicate This to You: Because sometimes life just kicks us in the behind, and we all deal with it on one level or another, I dedicate this episode to you, my listeners! Be sure to listen to the end for my special message to you. This is perhaps the most valuable lesson I've learned on my journey.

And of course, I wrap everything up with my official weigh in! Time for some accountability!

Spread the Joy: If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on this podcast app or on Facebook! Thank you so much! Leaving reviews and sharing my posts are the best way for people to find me and work alongside me as I pursue this journey!

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Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok. I would love for you to follow me and share my posts so others can join in on the conversation!

All my other episodes and some details about me can also be found on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

Hello, my die-hard supporters! I’m so happy to report that I DID NOT disappear and I most certainly haven’t quit my 100-pound journey. I’ve just recently been sick. I was not only pretty physically and mentally drained, I was experiencing a lot of feelings. Since we last spoke, I felt sad, depressed, alone, stunned, forsaken, snubbed, weak, inadequate, fat, lazy, hopeless and helpless. Let’s just say it was a rollercoaster few weeks. But what else is new, right? That’s the kicker. I’ve been through this rodeo before. At least this time, I had the tools to march on!

Tune in to get some more details on what's going on with me and what's in store this week! Plus, I drop some really helpful, motivational quotes that have helped me. They may be useful to you, too!

Thank you for your continued support and faith in me as I continue my weight loss journey! You are all champions!

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Say hey, and let me know what’s going on with your journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

Listen to other episodes on my website: IncognitoAthlete.com.

If you are loving the episodes so much you think they're 5-star awesome, please leave a review on this podcast app!