When I met Morgan she told me she wanted to lose 15 pounds in the next three months, and to be able to do Chaturangas in yoga class with ease.
As we talked, I explained why I thought both were great goals, but not achievable within that short a time frame.
Morgan listened and was willing to start working towards both goals, with an understanding it might take some time.
I can tell you she has achieved both of those goals. I can also tell you it did not take three months. It took a year.
Morgan’s story is a great example of how long it can realistically take to achieve goals like these. There was nothing wrong with her wanting to set a timeline, but for many of us, our expectations simply are not realistic.
As you can see in her before photos, Morgan was already slim. But she wanted a more toned, leaner appearance. We talked at length about what she would need to do with her diet in order to achieve this look.
Morgan experimented with intermittent fasting as well as different diet philosophies until she found something she could stick to. That took time.
She came to training first once a week, then added a second day and started to ramp up her workouts. She also went to the gym on her own a few days a week.
Morgan didn’t feel comfortable with weights at first, and told me she didn’t actually like strength training. She felt a little awkward and unsure because it was new to her.
But she kept doing it anyway.
She learned more about proper form and which exercises she should do and how.
She got more comfortable the more she did it, which made it more enjoyable.
Over the course of a year of self-discovery, continual learning and experimentation, and above all consistency and patience, Morgan lost 16 pounds, dropped 6% body fat and over 12 inches, including two in both her waist and hips.
She has successfully achieved not only that fit, toned and strong look she wanted, but also can rock a full yoga class without collapsing in Chaturanga and she can now do ten push-ups on the floor.
Pretty freaking awesome.
Morgan is a perfect example of what can be achieved if you’re willing to put in the work and be patient. It takes time. It takes effort and it takes a willingness to do things you haven’t done before, even if they make you uncomfortable.
While she lost some excess weight and body fat, Morgan gained so much in knowledge, strength and ability, and she also succeeded in pushing herself outside of her comfort zone, which is possibly the best achievement of them all.
Way to go Morgan!
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