Live, Work, Roam, Workout

The first step is admitting you have a problem

Nearly 22 years ago I had a gastric bypass and lost 100 pounds. The surgery was very effective, but it wasn’t magic. I still had to change my habits, my diet, and my mindset. Now that we are roaming and working from “home” it’s been way too easy to let those good habits slide. The last time this happened, I hired a trainer who came to my house. I worked with her at least 5 days a week. I lost 34 pounds.

Recently my habits slipped again. I would love to blame COVID and working from home, but the truth is that I just got bored and complacent. I made up all kinds of excuses. I can’t join a gym because we are roaming. I tried subscribing to online workouts, but I had no accountability. I couldn’t hire a trainer because I move around monthly. Blah, blah, blah.

When the student is ready the master appears

Once we started roaming, I wasn’t bored anymore, and was happier than I’d been in a long time. A strange thing happened. I have a call everyday with a small team of my co-workers every day at 1pm. My boss asks us a question of the day during that meeting. One day she asked, “What is the one goal you want to accomplish this week?” Out of the blue I said that I wanted to find a virtual personal trainer. Great! Now I’ve said it out loud in front of my boss. Isn’t it funny how your brain and your mouth will take control when you least expect it?

It's all about me…in a good way

I do what I always do when I want to find something – Google it. I found every flavor of virtual trainer: bulking up, slimming down, quick weight loss, drill Sargent style, you name it. Here’s what I wanted:

· Personal attention

· Accountability partner

· Nutrition guidance customized for gastric bypass needs

· Help understanding and changing my habits

· Weekly check-ins

· Customized exercise program that changed with my abilities

· Exercise that didn’t require a room full of gym equipment

· Tracking application

I found Forge fitness and nutrition coaching [forgept.com] They have everything on the list. My coach, Michael Parker, got to know me, put together a custom program, coaches me every week, guides me through a very helpful workbook, and has practical tactics for every situation. He even gave me exercises to do in the car on the long drives between locations. For the first time I think in terms of lifestyle changes and not just weight loss.

The results so far

· I get up before 6am nearly every morning to complete my cardio and strength training

· I am learning to be mindful of what triggers unhealthy eating

· I don’t think about quitting because I got off track for a day

· I take my measurements, set strength goals, take pictures every week

· I track my food and exercise everyday

· I have lost weight and inches, but I’m not obsessed with the numbers