Image of Body

Happy Sunday Loves.... 

Shall we chat about body image and the mental mind fuck that goes on thanks to the brain? I think we shall. by definition the brain is defined as: an organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating center of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity. that's a pretty legit definition. 

First - a soft organ - if you've never seen/felt a brain it's pretty cool! Second, it's not pretty cool that the brain can manipulate every part of our being. 

Third - the coordinating center of sensation, intellectual, and nervous activity. Hmmm...hold on. THE COORDINATING CENTER. This is where it gets real. The brain controls all of our activity, all of our sensations, all of our everything and being. The soft, three-pound, organ is the powerhouse of everything that we are as human beings. If you want my opinion, that is ridiculously awesome and incredible!!! 

Now, onto the topic at hand. Body Image. Here is some information from NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) 

Body image is tricky. Super tricky. Basically it's the equivalent of being on a roller coaster with all the ups and downs, twists and turns, and different emotions. The most difficult part is that this is all controlled by that soft organ up in our head. 

When I first started my competition training back in May, I was confident. Confident in who I was as a person and about 60% confident with my body. Sure, I had issues with my stomach, my big ass, and my thick thighs. but overall I felt good. I had a good job, graduated college, had a boyfriend, a dog, a roof over my head and food in my belly.

I had negative body image at this point in my life. Not super thrilled with the way I looked but accepted it. I would pick at things daily and weigh myself constantly thinking I would never look any different. 

Fast forward to 20 weeks into my training and transformation and my body image has changed significantly. I should preface these next paragraphs with this: this morning, 9/6/2015, my body image was negative. 

Yesterday was my last cheat meal. I am 34 days out from my first bikini competition and yesterday was the last cheat meal. Shit is getting real. My body has changed so significantly in the past 20 weeks that my mind cannot wrap it's head around the changes. My girlfriend and I went to lunch/dinner and I ate. I ate like it was the last supper. In one word it was GLORIOUS! My girlfriend also took pictures and when I looked at the pictures I realized how much my body really has changed. 

My first thoughts were "god I'm skinny, I need to eat something." I'm in this in-between phase where my fat is breaking down and I am loose and jiggly and my skin feels papery and weird. I feel skinny. I feel too skinny. I'm hungry. I feel like I look gross. Nothing fits right. I look like a kindergartner in pants. ---- Those were all the thoughts that ran through my head. HOW EMBARRASSING. HOW SAD.... 

Left - June 2014      ------     Right - 9/5/15

How sad it is that I actually thought those terrible things about myself. Now - thankfully I am part of a great team and my coach is amazing. After talking it through with him he reminded me that I'm not skinny. I'm fit and healthy. I am strong. I am transforming. and "If people aren't talking you aren't doing it right." 

This transformation isn't easy. Right now I am 90% confident in my body and 100% confident in my person. 90% because I am a work in progress. My body will continue to evolve over these next 6 weeks and I am okay with that. This is my goal. My goal I am determined to achieve. I still pick at things and know that each day is going to be different. I am still adjusting to my new body. My eyes catch things in the mirror and my mind says "damn girl, you look good!" and some days it says "dang girl..you need some rest." It's a process. 

This process isn't for everyone else. This process is for me. This is my journey, my life, my transformation. The comments mean things are working. I know that I am fit and healthy and strong and active. I have muscles. I love the gym. I love how I look in clothes. My mind - my brain - tells me these things. My brain allows me to wake up each morning, dress myself, go to the gym to lift heavy weights, go to work, eat, sleep, breathe, and live. My soft three-pound organ lets me to all of those things. 

This is my life. My lifestyle. And it's just for me...not for anyone else. Journeys are meant to be done with a smile. Going forward, even if the struggle is real...the smile game will be on point. If you can't have fun and be happy, it won't be worth it! 

~Ryanne

Transformation of a Lifetime

Holy man. Making progress. What a journey this past 4 months has been. 

Wait, back up.... 

June 2014 - unhappy, unhealthy, not confident. I mean just look at my body and my face. I was so stressed out and so tired. Just run down to the very last drop. 

Fast forward to May 2015 - I had lost about 20 pounds on my own before meeting with my coach/trainer to discuss this thing they call a bikini competition. I walked, chatted, got measured, and signed my contract and a chunk of my bank account over to him. 

Coach literally responded with "what am I getting myself into?" Thinking that this wasn't going to last or go very far, or maybe that I wasn't serious. I honestly don't know what went through his head but he has stuck by my side every step of the way.

Now moving forward to 3 weeks into my transformation - which will now be referred to as a lifestyle: 

   3 weeks into my training at about 153 pounds. 

I'm not going to sugar coat - it was rough. I remember when I had a cheat and at an oatmeal raisin cookie - I felt so terrible! I immediately texted Coach and was all "oh gosh, I ate a cookie, just one, it will never happen again I swear!" 

Thankfully he was kind about it and told me that it can never happen again (not during training)!!!!

Fast forward - July 1, 2015. I went swimsuit shopping. Yikes! I haven't liked swimsuit shopping in...uh...well probably since 9th grade. My goal for 2015 is to do an unassisted pull-up and to have abs for my 30th birthday. The pull-up is in progress...along with the abs. I have little baby ones but they're going to make an appearance before my shows. I know it!!! 

So I found a couple of swimsuits. A little snug around the hip at this point in the picture but overall they fit...and I felt great. Bonus - the bottoms are a M not an L. 

                                  Left 6/24/14 middle 7/1/15 right 8/1/15

Weight 180lbs, 147lbs, 145lbs 

Onto to the current - 8/1/15 - I have over halfway through my 

training and have 10 weeks to go until I step on stage for the 

very first time! So many emotions. 

I took this picture on a whim in the yoga studio and was 

pleasantly surprised by my progress in 4 weeks. Needless to 

say my progress is starting to become more noticeable. I've 

had people not recognize me, walk past and not realize it's 

me!!! 

I've been very apprehensive about sharing my pictures, mainly because I am still stuck in my own head a little bit. The mind is a sneaky little bastard and likes to play tricks on you. Especially in the midst of a ferocious training regimen complete with meal and workout plans!

What I have learned is that the number on the scale is just a number. It fluctuates. Trust your body and TRUST THE PROCESS! Learn from your coach and bust your ass everyday like you don't have another chance! Change is possible. You just have to want it. 

Big shout-out to my coach - without you this isn't possible. 

You make dreams into a reality and have the biggest heart 

around. Even when you're mad I know you care about all 

your competitors so much that you'd jump in front of a plate 

of chocolate ice cream peanut butter pie topped with sour 

patch kids just to keep us on track! 

Fire Up!!

Ryanne

Thigh Gap

So... I have a thigh gap. I've never had a thigh gap - well at least not in the last 5-7 years. I probably did in junior high. Possibly in high school, but likely only for freshman year. During this prep I have seen some incredible changes in my body. Muscle definition being one. Clothes fit better, and I feel better - more confident, more sexy, more happy with my physical appearance.

However, this thigh gap (which undoubtedly will get wider as the next 11 weeks progress) has left me with mixed emotions. When the thigh gap hit its peak, I did not have a thigh gap. I found it entirely impossible to get a thigh gap. Actually, I didn't even want to strive for a thigh gap. The hype around it was so ridiculous - people salivating over this space between the legs like it was something holy, others hating on it with body shaming, eating disorder comments, and just all around negativity and nastiness.

My feelings are this: I have a thigh gap. I own that now. My shorts don't ride up with I walk, my thighs don't rub together in my swim suit... they don't touch unless I make them. Not going to lie - it's nice. However, my thigh gap has come with a lot of sweat, tears, soreness, good days, bad days, all around shitty days, lots of protein, lack of sleep, lack of sugar and fat and low calorie intake during my cutting phase of prep. My thigh gap was earned. I earned this. I worked my ass off for this. This change in my body makes me proud. This gap also makes me a bit wavered in my womanhood, as thighs are a sign of a healthy woman who can bear children.

This gap does not define me, it is not who I am. I have a thigh gap - so effing what. I also have biceps and boobs, an education, and a brain that is always seeking to learn something new and to become better. That is who I am, not some silly thigh-gap.

- Ryanne

Body Image and Confidence

This lesson is such an important one to remember. Confidence is key not 

matter what your current health situation. Love yourself and your body 

and realize that you must be consistent and do what works best for you to

be the best you! I asked my coach Dusty Olson today about post show 

depression and he enlightened me on post show care and being realistic. 

I'm so thankful that he's honest and that he respects his competitors to 

the point of brutal honesty. I'm thankful and blessed to be a part of 

the ‪#‎teamUMC‬ Family. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows but it 

can pretty damn good if you love yourself, have confidence, and a passion 

for what makes you feel confident and happy! One day at a time and trust 

the process!

Dedication

Happy Friday Y'all, 

Let me tell you about my recent best friends 

MY HERBALIFE SHAKES 

yes, i am all about my shakes these days. I'm on a mission to get fit and look good in a bikini for my 30TH BIRTHDAY. My main motivation is to feel 100% confident with myself and to live until I'm 100. Both would be wicked awesome. 

My Herbalife is my life saver. It's the perfect meal replacement and you can be incredibly creative with your shakes and what you add to them.

I use fruits, veggies, coffee, and I've even added ice cream (but only one time, ssshhh). Ice cream isn't a regular thing in my house as I have lactose issues so I have to really be prepared and having insane calcium cravings which are very very rare. 

The shakes in the picture below were all make with the FORMULA 1 HEALTHY MEAL  Vanilla Flavor. Technically this is 1 days worth - but for most people this would be 2 days worth. Because I work overnights I have a weird schedule and a hard time eating in the middle of the night so I drink a shake or two for my dinners and then have my bigger meals before and after work. 

These shakes have Kale, Greek Yogurt plain, Vanilla Almond Milk, tropical frozen fruit, Herbalife Formula 1 and Herbalife Fiber Complex (regularity is important). 

They keep well in the fridge over night, or for 2 nights - after that they kind of taste a bit funky. They also travel well in pint size mason jars. I don't have to worry about spilling or leakage in my lunch bag or purse and can just grab them out of the fridge and go. NO EXCUSE!!! 

If you're interested in jump starting your fitness get in contact with me through email RYLOTRU@GMAIL.COM 

or at My Herbalife site 

or leave a comment on my blog!! 

~ Cheers to good health and happiness, 

Ryanne 

Cheat Day/S

Welcome to Duluth, MN

Welcome to my CHEAT WEEKEND!!!!! 

Isn't Duluth so pretty!? it's the cutest town north of the cities with antique shops, old history, and beautiful views. 

Now, my boyfriend and I have been killing in the gym for the past 6 weeks and decided that it was time to getaway. First because I started my last semester of college and second because we needed to get away from the chaos that is real life. 

Our cheats primarily consisted of Beer: Stop one was the Canal Park Brewing Company. you guys, they had the most glorious food. I had a beer soaked brat and boyfriend had bacon mac and cheese with kielbasa - holy cheat day was worth it. The beers were are dark and white IPA - and they were yummy in our tummies!

 Next stop was the Blue Paddle Taphouse - thank you for a flight and 2 beers. They have an amazing cold press coffee dark beer - which you can see above. We got a growler - it was like a cup of heaven and i'd drink it for breakfast if i could. 

 We strolled around Duluth, did a little shopping and took some pictures. As you can see the lift bridge isn't in high use - thanks to the artic tundra that is northern Minnesota!  Last stop was Old Chicago - where you can't go wrong. Thank you for good beer, a couple of shots, and good food - pepperoni rolls are my jam! 

Now after almost 2 days of being away it's back on the grind Monday morning for LEG DAYYYYYY 

~ Namaste 

Ryanne 

Power Up

hey everyone! please excuse the all lower case today - my shift key (one the left side of my keyboard) just decided to pop off... and it's super awkward to try and use the right side shift key.. do it - try it - you know you want to :) 

well today, I'm going to tell you about a little bit about this gem that my boyfriend and i have been taking PRE-workout. it's by HERBALIFE and is part of their Herbalife24 line. the product is called PREPARE.

you can read the details in the picture below - but let me tell you something: it gives you the best energy boost that you need to power through those workouts when you just don't want to - or even when you want to but need a little kick in the ass. i have found that i can go longer and harder during my lifting sessions and have started to notice small gains in my muscle growth. and the best part is that it's from a reputable company and isn't filled with a bunch of sugars that are going to rev you up and then crash you to the ground!! #bonus

please contact me if you have questions - you can email me 

RYLOTRU@GMAIL.COM

or leave me a message on my blog and I'll get in touch with you 

or find me at MY HERBALIFE SITE 

~Namaste 

Ryanne