Transformation Tuesday Thinkings

It's been over a year now since I embarked on this weird, terrifying, overwhelming journey of weight loss. I posted a while back about my transformation and my bikini competitor prep, but what I left out was all the behind the scenes bullshit that goes on.      

Behind the scenes... when the curtain is drawn... the things that people I (we) encounter daily... the struggle... the fight... the tears... the sweat... the sadness... the dedication... the hard work... the money... the appointments... the physical, mental, emotional... the things that are beneath the surface and hidden behind the curtain. 

I've been on this bikini prep now for a while. Yes it's easier, yes I'm in the home stretch. Yes I'll get on stage knowing that I gave it my all and did my best for the past 6 months. Yes, I am absolutely scared out of my damn mind. 

My progress shows the aesthetic side.. the physical side.. people see me and say Oh, you're skinny.. Oh, I didn't recognize you, Oh, you look great, Oh let me see your muscles..I bet you have abs.... 

No I don't. Not daily, and not all day long. I woke up with tiny baby abs on my 30th birthday. I drank a glass of water and they vanished. It happens. I have permanent oblique dents as you can see in the picture. Muscle..muscle that needs to be fed and nurtured. Muscles that hurt and ache and get tight and make me uncomfortable if I forget to foam roll or stretch. 

What you don't see are the tears I cry IN and out of the gym, the hours I spend cooking food, the time I spend shopping for food, the money I spend buying food (Costco should have a special card and checkout line for people like us), the time I spend diffusing the negative thoughts in my brain, the time I spend doubting myself and my strength. The emotional toll it takes on me and my loved ones. The physical exhaustion. The mental exhaustion. The sheer exhaustion. 

You don't see all these things behind the scene, below the surface. You see me.. full of coffee, exhausted, worn out, sore, tired, whiny, but with a smile on my face. No, prep isn't pretty, weight loss isn't easy, building muscle is fucking hard. I wake up every morning thankful that I have this body, this life, this opportunity to become the best me that I can be. I have good days and bad. I could say that I can do this on my own, but truthfully I couldn't, a support system is necessary. So necessary. People to uplift you, push you, and motivate you when are feel like shit and don't want to step foot in the gym. People to not question your food choices, comment on your lunch or the fact that you're eating AGAIN, people who are positive and supportive. You may not understand it, but it's not for you to understand. I will help you understand if you ask, but don't criticize me or pick me apart or comment if you can't be supportive. If you're curious ask, but don't judge. Remember, I'm human too. Just because I can't eat what you eat or drink what you drink right now doesn't mean I don't want to go out and do things. It simply means that we may have to pick a place that works for all of us, or have a picnic instead! 

So there's the behind the scenes. The good, bag, ugly, sweaty, tearful behind the scenes. Take it or leave it... or share in my journey and support me and every other individual on this roller coaster. Let's uplift and support one another. Remember, behind the scenes we all have struggles. It's what you do with the struggle that makes you, You. 

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

YogaFit Instagram Challenge

Announcing... The very first YogaFit Instagram challenge!!! During the month of August, join us to learn new postures, or new variations of the postures you already know!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM -------->>>> YOGI'S CLICK HERE

Participants have chances to win (seriously) amazing prizes from our sponsors @athleta 50th and France, @prana Minneapolis, @agra_culture AND MORE!!!                                              



How to participate:

1. Repost this grid on your Instagram account.  

2. Tag 3 friends and invite them to join!  


3. Use the hashtags #yogafitlife and #fuelingcommunity on every post.

Tag and follow our hosts on every post: @yogafit_lindenhills @yogafit_northeast_mpls and @yogafit_excelsior along with our sponsors: @athleta @prana and @agra_culture

We will be posting daily photos of our students, teachers, and members of the community doing the yoga postures with descriptions on how to get into the pose.  Post a picture of yourself doing the posture of the day and tag each sponsor and host to expand your practice and for a chance to win one of our fabulous prizes.  We cannot WAIT to see your posts!!

#yogafit #yogafitlife #yoga #yogachallenge #igchallenge #yogaeverydamnday #instagramchallenge #igchallenge #minneapolisyoga #minneapolis #minnesota #yogainspiration #inversions #armbalance #healthylife #exercise #nutrition @yogafitstudios

~NAMASTE Yogis

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

Happy Place

One of my many happy places ❤️ 

http://instagram.com/yogafit_lindenhills

Competition Thoughts Part 2

Hey Friends... it's Friday. And a glorious Friday at that! Now, I'm not going to beat around the bush here.. I'm exhausted. On all levels. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and especially physically. I'm trying to pick myself up throughout the day and not let the exhaustion tear me down into a negative pit of energy zapping grossness, but it's a struggle. Thankfully some smart smart person invented coffee. 

About two weeks ago my meal plan changed on my prep. Along with a new workout plan, but more in that after this. The meal plan changed up my carbs, added a lot more protein, and took away some fats. For almost a little over a week now, I have been powering through some serious digestive issues, and all things aside, it hasn't been fun at all. The negative impact of a constant upset stomach and bloating is starting to take its toll. My sleep has been disrupted and it's also starting to impact my workouts and my stamina during my workouts. I'm hopeful that my body is just adjusting to the changes in the plan, and it isn't something more serious. (Don't worry, I will seek medical attention when I see fit, I'm not trying to tear my stomach apart with this)

My workouts - holy hell.... fasted cardio for 55 minutes. Enough said on that one. Someone bring me a coffee IV to hook up every day please. Lifts - increase in sets and reps. I'm rocking this new workout plan, finding what works and what doesn't. Even with my current tummy troubles I know I need to focus on the outcome and my goals! If I have to rest a little longer in between sets so be it. 

Some exciting news - I picked out my suit fabric and accessories. Oh, it is sooooo pretty and completely not what I had in mind as something that I would have chosen. Always surprising myself I suppose. I'm also keeping it a secret so the big reveal will be made on show day! 

Enjoy your Friday people of the universe. Stay Positive and get some coffee for you and me! 

~~ Ryanne

Yoga Q & A

Hey Friends - Here's a little Q & A about my yoga Journey!

1. Who or what influenced you to become a yoga instructor?
    -- I was influenced by a former co-worker who suggested I try a heated yoga class at a studio that was opening up by house. One class and I was hooked! I've been practicing for 8 years now, I'll admit my consistency hasn't been 100% all the time, but every single time I step foot on my mat or in a studio I am warmed to the core with feelings of gratitude. My practice continues to be influence by each individual yogi that I meet. We share a commonality and can have walked on a similar path which is a pretty cool thing!

2. How has this experience impacted your life?
     -- Yoga has changed my life tremendously. I have a new outlook on what it means to be thankful and non-judgemental. Each day, with each practice, I learn something new. Whether that is about me or the universe or just my practice in general; knowing that this is a lifelong journey and is always evolving is what keeps me coming back day after day.

3. What is your proudest moment as a yoga instructor?
     -- Although I am a fairly new teacher, I would say that my proudest moment thus far is having a student, new and apprehensive to yoga, stay in class for the entire 60 minutes. Her mind was stuck in "I can leave whenever I want" and I explained to her that the practice isn't about being able to do 60 minutes of posture, it's about understanding your body and mind and the self and even just by laying in Savasana for half of class she would be reaping so many benefits!

4. What is your favorite fitness routine to complement your yoga routine?
     -- Currently, I am training for my first 2 bodybuilding bikini competitions. I will be competing in October, at two different shows that are one week apart from each other. Weightlifting has become a great way for me to challenge my body physically and my mind mentally. Adding weighlifting has proven to me the power of yoga and how important coming to your mat can be in every aspect of life.

5. What are some of your goals with your practice?
     -- One day I would love to own a studio that is close enough to the water to hold beach-asana along with an in-studio practice. I'd love to bring yoga to as many people as my journey allows. Also, I've been working on handstand for about a year and am so close but still working through accepting the movement instead of freezeing and falling over.

6. What is your advice to someone who is new to yoga?
     -- Not everyone falls in love with yoga in their first class, and yoga isn't for everyone. There are aspects that you can pull from yogic philosophy to live a more happy and balanced life, and the postures just assist in that process. Yoga is a lifelong journey. Give it a few months of consistent practice before you make a full decision on how you feel about it! You didn't learn to ride a bike in one 60 minute class, you start on a training bike and then slowly graduate to bigger and better bikes, but along that journey you likely fell one hundred times and disliked biking at some point, but you didn't give up! Yoga is the same way...stay on the path and follow your own individual path!

~~ Namaste - Ryanne

 

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