How My Health Coach changed my life

August 6th, 2014. The day my life changed forever. Seems dramatic, but it's true. This was the day I committed to changing my eating and exercise habits in hopes of living a healthier life. My whole life I have had no real concept of what good and bad food was. I just ate it and never thought about what I was putting into my body.  I thought, "well I play basketball everyday so I can eat that pizza and it will all even out." That is how I gained 30 pounds after college and more importantly felt unhealthy. But then my health coach and also my dear friend(she will go unnamed) took me under her wing and pushed me to become a healthier and better Karl.

She showed me the importance of meal prep. Now, I prepare all my meals on Sunday's so I don't have to make that decision about whether to get a 700 calorie sandwich down the street or bring my lunch. It's already prepped. She introduced me to the power of veggies. In that first month I ate more veggies than in my previous 29 years on this earth and realized I actually kind of liked them.

I started eating oatmeal in the morning instead of bagels, I stopped eating pasta and kept cereal out of the apartment.  Exercise wise, instead of just basketball and tennis I started doing more strength training and working on my legs and abs.  I started tracking my calorie intake daily on Fitness Pal and joining apps like Weilos to check in.

While their have been bumps along the way and I am still a work in progress(especially my weekend habits) my health coach has helped me develop healthy habits I am hoping will last a lifetime. She's done this by first and foremost holding me accountable. Oh, you want that slice of pizza, Karl, be prepared to do 50 burpees to work it off." Ya, she's tough but she cares and she wants to see me succeed. I'm not sure what I did to deserve her help, but I appreciate her as much as anyone in the world.

I really believe for people like me that struggle with eating it is impossible to do alone.  You need someone, whether it be hiring someone or having a friend help out that holds you accountable, that gives you that support, that checks in with you.  I could not have been where I am today without the help of "Coach L".  She has changed my life and I am forever grateful for her.


5 Keys to health success

1. Accountability: Plug everything you eat into MyFitness Pal or a related app. Check in with someone about what your eating and how much you are eating.  Make sure you hold yourself accountable for that bagel if you eat it.

2. Prep your meals: I have all my meals packed in tupperware as we speak and am ready for the week.  Like everything else in life preparation is the key to success

3. Don't get down on yourself for failing: I've failed a lot in this process. I could have had the whole 30 pounds off, but fell of the wagon for a month or two during football season and the holiday's. I could have said screw it, but now I am back and more determined than ever to get that last 15 down

4. Have a goal: Determine where you want to be eventually then set short term goals to hold yourself accountable

5. Get a coach. IF you are like me and love cheetos and pizza it will be impossible to do without help. Reach out to someone. Join fitness groups on Facebook.  Don't be afraid to reach out for support.


If I can do it you can do it.  Let's get after it.