Roni Taylor's personal fitness journey blog

Actually taking the first step in embarking upon a new journey to better understand my body and what it needs in order for me to change it, is a very scary prospect. I have always been physically fit as defined by the American standard. I've never really let myself go, but on the other hand I know I can be so much better if I put my mind to it and really dedicate. The problem is the fear of failure. This fear is in most of us and is the reason why we don't stick to our diet plan or exercise routine. I've noticed in the past that I have started working out, got really excited about it, started seeing changes in my body, and then all of a sudden, I quit. Why? I dunno really. It's plagued me for most of my adult life. Back and forth on a roller coaster of motivation. I think I quit when I start seeing results and say to myself "you look better than most women your age, so why keep going...be happy here". Thats an easy place to get comfortable in and I'm just like everyone else, I like it easy. My husband who has over 17 years under his belt as a personal trainer/mentor/everything under the sun having to do with physical fitness and nutrition, has told me time and time again "everyone naturally wants the easy route, you're no different in that desire. It doesn't mean your bad or lazy,  you just have to choose to be different." Now the fear of failure comes in when I see that I can choose to go down a different path and make better choices, but the easy seeking side of me wins the battle because it wants it all to to happen with no pain or effort. Beside, what happens if I do all this and I still don't reach my goal? What a waste of time and energy. Or how about all those times i've already defeated myself before I even started by saying "I don't know what supplements to take. I don't know the right exercises. I'm destined to have cellulite, it's hereditary. I'm too tired after work to really give that much of myself. I just have too much going on with the kids and family obligations." And the biggy, "it's too hard to plan out my meals when I'm on the run all the time." I've used them all and probably so have you. I've used them and believed them whole heartedly. Besides I'm in good shape remember? 

It's not until you stumble upon something or possibly someone that kicks your un-motivated butt into high gear will you put the fear aside and take a leap of faith....in yourself. More often than not, it's having someone is your life that you can use as an accountability partner that will keep your motivated when your easy side starts to win that internal battle. Share your thoughts, fears, desires, and goals with them and ask them to hold you to it. Ask them for patience and understanding as you ride the roller coaster of self doubt and motivation. But in it all, ask them to keep reminding you of your goals, gently and with your best interest in mind. For me it was going to this past Mr. olympia expo. I was looking forward to some serious people watching and seeing all the extreme bodybuilders who were competing but also those who came from all over the world to just be there.... and be seen. It was a eye opening experience, not just because it was my first bodybuilding expo and I got to see first hand how many people really get into this stuff, but also I got to see how hard they worked to get there. It was inspirational actually. Even the females that I personally think are way too big, I admired them for their hard work. But the women that were competing in figure and bikini, feminine with just the right amount of muscle tone, they took my breath away. I thought to myself as I walked around, "I can do this. Why not? They are no different than me. They don't have magic genes." It was there, unbenonced to my husband who was with me, that I said to myself, "that's it with the stupid excuses and being satisfied with were I am. I want to see what I can do too".

Now with all that being said and making that declaration to myself and my husband,  I recently had to swallow all my excuses and become accountable. I am accountable to my workout partner/mentor/husband. I am also accountable to those who choose to change their mindset and fear of failure and go on this journey with me....you.

In the next 100 days, I will share my workouts that have been planned for me by my husband. Warning, I'm a big whiner. But in the end I always do what he says because I know he is saying it in MY best interest, not his. I will also share my food log. I'm not perfect by any means and maybe by seeing my daily progression to clean eating and not the unattainable "cold turkey" approach, you can see where it is possible for you too. Some day will be good and some bad, just like any human being. Beating myself up about it wont help. Ill share my thoughts and feeling as if you were sitting right next to me encouraging me as my accountibility partner. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, and share your stories as we go along. 

Most days I will have a written journal and other days I will add in videos to show you the workouts. This is so you can see the proper way of doing the different exercises...and maybe get a good laugh at my expense. :)

Well, I'm looking forward to being accountable to you and changing my mindset. Its your choice to change your's and become accountable  as well. And I'm here to be your partner too.

Hugs,
Roni Taylor-Parsons