It started out as a part of my journal but then turned into something else. As your stories have resonated with me, maybe my story, even though it is less detailed and I have not met any goals just yet, may resonate with someone else. As you have probably guessed I am a bit of a clown and I am usually not this sappy, but screw it. Sometimes you just gotta be a little bit of a crybaby wussy. Ha ha. A sincere thank you for all you have done, all you are doing, and all you will do.
As a person who has been thin and relatively fit most of my life, it was very hard for me now, at about 40 or so pounds above my normal weight, to wake up and truly see and admit to myself the state I am in. It really hit me hard when a friend said to me “You used to be beautiful, what happened to you? You need to do something about that.”
It was hurtful and jarring to hear. Even though that person is a spiteful a-hole who I should ignore and maybe should have slapped, in the most superficial way, what he said was true. How had I let myself get this out of shape, and (deep down) unhappy? Of course there is always a catalyst that starts processes like these. Very melancholy and long story short,” life happened.” After that it happened some more and then some more, and after a while, things just got too crazy. I had a few health issues, and things just snowballed from there. As a full time mother with a full time job, a full time student, and a military reservist; I was totally overwhelmed. I stopped living and became that person who just survived. I stopped taking care of myself and making time for myself because I was just totally buried by circumstance and I was lost. My support system was minimal, but I was too proud to say anything to anyone anyway. I just did whatever I could do to keep things going, and none of those things included consistent exercise, high quality nutrition, restful sleep, or time to really relax. After a few years of this lonely and exhausting cycle, everything finally caved in, and I was spent. The physical effects were very evident…that is when I received the very hurtful comment mentioned above.
In regards to discovering Chris and Eric: One evening in mid-2011, I came across a Jennifer Nicole Lee (gotta love JNL) video of Chris and Eric after they won the West Coast Fitness Model Factory contest. I checked in every once in a while and watched some of their YouTube videos, but never really invested in investigating any further. At some point in 2011 (not sure when) I saw the DDT Face book page and “liked” it and read the posts when they came across the feed. In September 2012 I made a decision to put myself first and make some drastic lifestyle changes, and I prayed about it A LOT.
Coincidentally, in September I got a Face book message/friend request from the DDT non-business page. This may sound strange to some, but I do strongly believe that it was not a coincidence, but instead was God answering my prayers. There are thousands of trainers/nutritionists that I could have solicited in my own home state of Arizona; but I feel like God lit my path, as I asked of him, and put Chris and Eric squarely in the middle of it. So I did some more research and that was enough for me. I truly believe that they are the ones to help me get where I want to be.
They are the nicest and most humble guys I myself have ever communicated with. They are always quick to respond and comment on posts/questions/emails. I cannot imagine that being easy with 2400+ followers on Face book plus all the other social media and email; as well as making educational videos, doing consultations on the phone, and seeing clients in person… Oh yeah, and living their own personal lives too. I cannot even keep up with deleting my junk emails most of the time, ha ha. Their level of dedication to helping people succeed makes me want to succeed that much more, not only for myself, but for them as well.
My journey is just beginning; I am doing the 40 Days of Dynamic Impact challenge. I will begin using their PHHC12 program and I hope to have made some major progress in the next 12 weeks and post some drastically different before and after pictures. Lots of work ahead of me. Much like anything else in this world; creating something is much harder than maintaining it and a beautiful healthy physique is no different.
I would wish others luck on their health and fitness journeys; but instead, I will wish them all the success they are willing to work for.
“Live a Dynamic Lifestyle”
Check us out on: