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Home / Fashlete™ of the Month / Tagged: Weight Loss

Fashlete™ of the Month

I Choose Strength

January 2013

Name: Courtney Norman
Age: 25
Occupation: Media Buy Coordinator & Executive Assistant of a Natural Health Publishing Company, Blogger - Journey of a Dreamer

Many people make resolutions to "get fit", but don't really know where to start.  Weight plates and pull up bars are intimidating and everyone in the room looks more experienced.  I decided to share Courtney's story because when it comes to getting fit, so many people share her insecurities and inhibitions.  If you have ever been terrified of a workout, if you have every looked at someone else in the gym and thought "I can't do that", if you have ever wanted more from yourself... you will love this blog and you will love Courtney.  

One of our goals with Fashlete of the Month is to remind "fitness newbies" that they are not alone!  Take it from Courtney... leave your self doubt at the door, face your fears, and change your life.  CHOOSE STRENGTH.  Without further ado, I give you Courtney Norman....

I still remember the day I first walked into CrossFit O’Fallon. It was buzzing with some kind of energy I couldn’t explain. People laughing and joking while going through their “warm up” (which I thought should be considered it’s own workout!) and they all looked like they were having fun. As I looked around the place seemed so foreign. Rowers were the only “machines” found in the small industrial space. “Learn to never quit” was the quote plastered on the wall, conveniently placed right above the pull up station. I remember being terrified that I wasn’t going to be able to do it. I thought I wouldn’t be strong enough, fast enough, or good enough. It wasn’t long before I was making a list of things that I would never be able to do. I spotted the wooden boxes scattered throughout the room. They jump on to those? No way I’m getting this chunky butt to do that. Pull ups? Even with those crazy bands I’d never be able to. Forget about that tumbling mat against the wall, there was no way I was getting into a handstand. As I watched the normal class start adding weight to their barbells I thought there is no way… I’m just not strong enough. The first time I picked up one of the 35lb bars I didn’t think I’d even get used to using that. Adding on those intimidating bumper plates was out of the question. I just wasn’t strong enough. I have always been the chunky, out of shape girl… even after training for a marathon. Why would this be any different?

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Fat Boy Fit Man

Eli Sapharti Before and After

August 2012

Name: Eli Sapharti
Age: 43
Occupation: Motivational Speaker & Weight Loss Coach. Founder: FATBoy FITMan   

Just over three years ago, Eli Sapharti was in the worst physical condition of his life. At 6’ tall he was 300lbs with 40% body fat.  He had high blood pressure, aching joints, and was always catching a cold or the flu.

 “One day I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't believe how fat and unhealthy I had allowed myself to get. At that moment, I knew I had to do something to change this downward spiral.”

Getting Started: “One Step at a Time”

Eli attempted many fad diets and “quick fixes” that were only short-term solutions with temporary results.  He had been battling with his weight since childhood and was ready and eager to for life-long changes.

“I realized that dieting and impulsive changes in my physical activity were not going to bring me the long term results I wanted.  So I decided to just make 2 small changes that I knew I could commit to for at least 1 week.”

This “One Step at a Time” approach became Eli’s road map to weight loss success.  He created small goals for himself and committed to them 100% for a set amount of time.

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Fierce Forward

July 2012

Name: Ashley Johns
Age: 30
Occupation: Creator and Owner of Fierce Forward, Online Consultant & Mentor, Personal Trainer 

Meet Ashley Johns, a compassionate, driven, and motivated mentor and personal trainer who has dedicated her life to helping others transform their lives through her website, Fierce Forward. Fierce Forward is Ashley's personal mantra, an attitude, and a lifestyle inspired by her own journey and transformation.

Before “The Fierce”

Part of what makes Ashley so good at what she does is the fact that she was her own first “project”.  She wasn’t always the fresh face, fierce body that you see pictured here.  Just three years ago while working as a Personal Banker, Ashley was experiencing daily anxiety attacks, turning to food for comfort, and letting an important relationship fall apart.

“After enough time, I was very unhappy in not only my job but the choices I made in response to my environment.  I ate to be happy and to escape and I began turning into a girl I not only didn’t recognize, but didn’t know anymore.  I was in a dark, deep hole.” 

Turning Point

On New Years Day Ashley reflected on the previous night’s events.  Everything about the night reminded her of how much she had let herself go.  Ringing in the New Year has a way of doing this to us.  Often we find ourselves thinking about how far we have come, or conversely, how glad we are to have the opportunity for a fresh start.  Ashley’s fresh start was on the horizon but first she had to confront the stranger in the mirror and let her know it was time for change.

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Accepting Ourselves and Wanting More

March 2012

Name: Shanna Tokarsky
Age: 28
Occupation: AdvoCare Advisor, CrossFit Coach, Digital Marketing Lead

A little background... 

Last month Stephanie Vincent of Radical Hateloss hosted the second  Ladies Discussion Series RX - Real Conversations About Living Our Own Version of "As Prescribed".  I was invited on as the "special guest" and had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with a diverse group of women from across the country.

First of all, how great is the name Radical Hateloss?  In a world where so many women are still obsessed with the number on the scale, Radical Hateloss is an important reminder that the problem is not always the weight we carry on our hips or in our bellies... it is the weight we carry on our shoulders.  Obsessing over the scale or clothing size is nothing but a burden.  And while it may seem like perfectly reasonable motivation to get into the gym, such an obsession can actually be detrimental to your fitness and your happiness.

The theme of our discussion was "Accepting Ourselves and Wanting More".  Stephanie and I both agreed that this topic is synonymous with "Live, Love, Lift" and embodies what Fashletics is all about: Enjoy your life, love yourself, and find your strength inside and out. 

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The Ultimate Female Dilemma: Strong Vs. Skinny

November 2011

Name: Tina Daneshmand
Age: 24
Occupation: Bookkeeper, Full Time Business Law Student, CrossFit Coach

Let’s face it, high school can be rough.  Trying to fit in when you still have no idea who you are is an almost impossible task.  And yet, so many teenagers put pressure on themselves to become what they think they are supposed to be in order to be accepted.

Tina viewed herself as an outcast in high school.  She was overweight, had no self-confidence, and no idea how to relate to the other students.  Instead of reaching out to Tina, her peers turned on her and not only drove her out of school, they drove her to a point of physical self-destruction.

"One morning, my junior year, I came to campus & found posters all over the school that said: “Don’t feed Tina” with my face on it & everything. I left that day & never went back. I decided to homeschool because what was the purpose of going to campus & not socializing anyhow? Three months later, I went from 150 pounds to 98 pounds (I’m only 5’ tall, so although it doesn’t sound like much when I say 150, keep in mind I’m a shorty). I threw myself into a downward spiral that was so twisted. I never thought I’d be the girl who would be skinny. I had thrown myself into a deeper ball of depression & swore to myself if I didn’t see double digits on the scale that it was the end of the world."

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