Emily Smith is the mom of 3 kids and a teacher. You can bet finding time for herself is not easy. Her July Success Story proves that success and accountability - and discomfort - are intertwined. Send her story to that friend of yours who'd benefit from her story!
After having three kids I was overweight, tired, and depleted. In 2011, I came across an email from someone who said she “wanted to be (our) cheerleader.” I sure needed one! I first trained with Trish on the soccer fields in Manlius in 2011, and she had me doing things I had never imagined. (“WTF is a caterpillar??”)
I didn’t stick with it.
I trained with her sometimes at 5:30 am when she moved to Shoppingtown (I think my arms are still healing from army crawls on that rough floor!)
I followed Trish to Fayetteville, met the TRX and Real Ryder, but the "schedule didn't work for me,” I claimed.
The truth is, I didn’t make it work. I viewed myself as a failure because I never stuck with training. I now realize that I never set any goals for myself and never told anyone what I wanted. This was my safety net. I couldn’t fail if I didn’t set goals, if I didn’t tell anyone. That would mean I would actually be held accountable.
I didn’t stick with it.
I trained with her sometimes at 5:30 am when she moved to Shoppingtown (I think my arms are still healing from army crawls on that rough floor!)
I followed Trish to Fayetteville, met the TRX and Real Ryder, but the "schedule didn't work for me,” I claimed.
The truth is, I didn’t make it work. I viewed myself as a failure because I never stuck with training. I now realize that I never set any goals for myself and never told anyone what I wanted. This was my safety net. I couldn’t fail if I didn’t set goals, if I didn’t tell anyone. That would mean I would actually be held accountable.
Throughout this time I yearned to comfortable in my own skin; feel satisfied with myself; fill up my own tank. I tried to comfort myself through tangible means: retail therapy, food, drink, or home projects. I was comfortable for a little while, but it wasn’t healthy or sustainable.
Comfort n. a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
My fill-up approach was not working. I was still tired, heavy, depleted, and depressed. Although I was ashamed that I didn’t stick with training, deep down I knew I needed it. I watched Method 360 videos on social media, from the safety of my own house, hemming and hawing about how I would be perceived by others (my ego talking). I felt embarrassed and fearful of judgment. In August 2015 I put on my big-girl panties and walked into the building for the first time. That’s all it took.
The physical work was hard, but modifications were always provided (which I relied upon for quite a while.) However for me, the psychological benefits far outweighed the physical challenge. For the first time in my life I learned how to fill my tank and keep it full for more than an hour.
The physical work was hard, but modifications were always provided (which I relied upon for quite a while.) However for me, the psychological benefits far outweighed the physical challenge. For the first time in my life I learned how to fill my tank and keep it full for more than an hour.
My husband noticed a difference in my personality. I was happier, calmer, had more energy. I was hooked. It was fun to casually take classes, but I knew that if I made a commitment I could fail.
And how could I commit when I had no idea when the hell was I going to fit training in? I work full time, am a mother of three young boys, have a husband with a hectic, seasonal job, and my favorite hobby is napping. I already tried 5:30am at Shoppingtown and was not a fan. I also had no interest in running around like a crazy person after work to fit everything in. It would have been easy to say, “the schedule doesn’t work for me.”
My husband saw the impact that training had on me and offered to help out however possible. He committed to making the boys’ breakfasts, packing lunches, getting them ready in the morning so I could train at o’dark thirty. At first I used the time as a treat for myself. I set the alarm for 4:30am, allowing just enough time for me catch up on a DVRed show before class. This was just the carrot I needed (Project Runway, anyone?) The truth of the matter is, I am tired whether or not I get up at o'dark thirty.
In fact, I have more energy on the days I train. It feels good.
And how could I commit when I had no idea when the hell was I going to fit training in? I work full time, am a mother of three young boys, have a husband with a hectic, seasonal job, and my favorite hobby is napping. I already tried 5:30am at Shoppingtown and was not a fan. I also had no interest in running around like a crazy person after work to fit everything in. It would have been easy to say, “the schedule doesn’t work for me.”
My husband saw the impact that training had on me and offered to help out however possible. He committed to making the boys’ breakfasts, packing lunches, getting them ready in the morning so I could train at o’dark thirty. At first I used the time as a treat for myself. I set the alarm for 4:30am, allowing just enough time for me catch up on a DVRed show before class. This was just the carrot I needed (Project Runway, anyone?) The truth of the matter is, I am tired whether or not I get up at o'dark thirty.
In fact, I have more energy on the days I train. It feels good.
Comfort n. satisfaction or physical well-being provided by a person or thing
I have even gotten to the point where training is more of a stress relief than a chore. I never thought that would happen. Ever. After a particularly shitty day, a good interval or MMA class is just what the doctor ordered and worth running around like a crazy person to fit in.
Sometimes it’s not even about the workout, but about the Method community within its walls. They are positive, encouraging, empathetic beacons of light on dark days. The owners, employees, clients, EVERYONE.
Because I have found that training no longer feels like a commitment, but more like exercising with my friends (think basketball, volleyball or golf league,) it’s something I look forward to. Do I have bad days? Absolutely, but I know I am not a failure and neither do the people around me.
Sometimes it’s not even about the workout, but about the Method community within its walls. They are positive, encouraging, empathetic beacons of light on dark days. The owners, employees, clients, EVERYONE.
Because I have found that training no longer feels like a commitment, but more like exercising with my friends (think basketball, volleyball or golf league,) it’s something I look forward to. Do I have bad days? Absolutely, but I know I am not a failure and neither do the people around me.
Comfort n. a feeling of freedom from worry or disappointment
Am I happy? Yup.
Am I "skinny"? No.
Am I getting stronger? Every day.
Do the people training with me inspire me every day? Totally.
Is my house sparkling clean? No.
Is it worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely.
Am I "skinny"? No.
Am I getting stronger? Every day.
Do the people training with me inspire me every day? Totally.
Is my house sparkling clean? No.
Is it worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely.
Know people who tell themselves stories, who can't stick with it, and who don't believe in themselves? Forward this story to them to remind them to squash the haters in their heads - and come in for a free consult to learn how they CAN get what they want.
Oh, and Emily, you'll find a body composition assessment in your account as a thank you for your fantastic work!
Oh, and Emily, you'll find a body composition assessment in your account as a thank you for your fantastic work!
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