Nicole's Journey: Part 1

With a full time job, an energetic 7 year old daughter and an active social life, Nicole is one busy gal.

A health set-back in 2009 has made it increasingly difficult to lose weight, so when Nicole saw my birthday challenge a few weeks ago she made the decision to enter the 7th Turbulence Training Transformation Challenge and change her life in 2010.

Nicole will share her experiences with CFB readers over the next 3-months and I hope you will all cheer her on along the way!

In today's posting you'll learn more about Nicole and what has led her on this journey.

Question: Nicole, can you tell CFB readers a bit about yourself and why you decided to take the plunge and join the 7th Turbulence Training Transformation Contest? Did you have a specific reason for deciding now is the time you want to lose weight?

Answer: In addition to a full time job I am a busy 34 year old single mother of an even busier 7 year old little girl. By the time I get off work, commute home, help my daughter with homework, play with her and our mini-dachshund, make dinner and do a little housework, I'm exhausted and ready for bed.

I also have a boyfriend with 2 children that we spend as much time with as possible. On the weekend its time with the kids, family and friends. The first thing to suffer when I am lacking time is exercise.

Unfortunately, as busy women I think we sometimes sacrifice our own needs to try and fulfill the needs of those we love. I have learned that by doing that I cannot give 100% of myself to anything as I lack the health and energy it takes to give my all.

I hope that by taking better care of myself and putting my own health and fitness at the top of my "to-do" list, that I will be a better mother, girlfriend, employee, friend and all around happier person, with more energy to devote to those I love.

I have been struggling with weight loss, especially over the past year when I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and had to undergo two surgeries.

Prior to my diagnosis I exercised regularly and while my nutrition wasn't perfect, it was pretty good. Recovering from the operations and battling with the symptoms of Crohn's disease including severe arthritis and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, I have had a difficult time getting my nutrition back on track, which is now more magnified due to the Crohn's disease.

I read your post looking for someone to enter the Turbulence Training Transformation Contest and share the process via your blog and thought that it was just what I needed to keep me accountable. I felt as though a door opened showing me that I can still do this but need to pull all the facets together to achieve the results that have eluded me to this point.

Question: Has your weight always been an issue?

Answer: Yes, my weight has been an ongoing struggle for me. Prior to March 2009, while I wasn't where I wanted to be, I was happy with the direction in which I was heading. Since my diagnosis I have taken a step backwards. I know I need to put all the pieces in place - exercise and diet - to achieve my desired results.

Question: Being that your weight has been an ongoing issue, I'm assuming you have tried other weight loss/exercise programs in the past. Yes?

Answer: Goodness Y-E-S!!! Yes, I have. I think I've tried everything I could find out there - Weight Watchers, The South Beach Diet, Atkins. I've been to Curves, tried fat burners, diet pills - anything that boasted any sort of result. Everything worked for a time but eventually I would gain the weight back plus a few extra pounds for good measure.

In retrospect I believe the problem was that I was searching for a quick fix and not truly focusing on my long term health.

Question: What will be most challenging for you in regards to weight loss - changing the way you eat, following a workout program or a combination of the two?

Answer: I think the most challenging part for me will be learning to stay away from foods that will not help me to achieve my goals and working exercise in to my already hectic schedule.

Basically, pulling all the pieces together to create healthy habits for a lifetime.

I enjoy exercising and feeling strong, but I have learned that when I don't watch my nutrition I am canceling out all my hard work and sabotaging my efforts.

Question: The TT Transformation Contest is a great way to kick off a healthy 2010! What are your overall transformation goals? Do you have a specific target weight or body fat percentage goal that you are looking to achieve?

Answer: My short term goal is to create those healthy habits I referred to. Consistency in both my diet and exercise program are key as my long term goal is to lose an additional 80 lbs.

When I began this journey several years ago I weighed 331 lbs. Today I weigh 240 lbs.

I have watched my weight fluctuate over the years and while I'm not as heavy as I was at 331 lbs, I am still FAR too heavy and unhealthy. I know that I can achieve amazing results if I am willing to put fourth the effort by utilizing the Turbulence Training workouts while learning healthy eating habits.

My ultimate weight goal is 160 lbs. We will see how far I get in these first 12 weeks!

Another goal I have is to be a role model to those in my life; showing them what one can achieve in regards to health and fitness if they go about it in the right way rather than taking unhealthy shortcuts. I want to show my daughter and family that it can be fun and rewarding to take the time to take care of oneself.

Question: Which Turbulence Training program will you be starting out with?

Answer: I am beginning with the Intermediate Level Turbulence Training for Women.

At the time this blog posting will appear, Nicole will be well on her way to transforming her body! She officially entered the 7th Turbulence Training Transformation Contest on 12/27/2009. Nicole's starting weight at the time of entry was 240 lbs.

Stay tuned for updates from Nicole!

Train hard; stay strong.

Peace.

Susan