Why I’m No Longer Interested In Being A Size Two

July 11, 2016July 10, 2016

Jennifer Ledford Photo Shoot 2016 - Ledford0416-7591 - self image

We’ve recently been working on updating the photos for my website. The photo above is a sneak peek of some of the lifestyle photos we’ll be sharing on it and on social media. It’s such an exciting time to be in fitness and I’m really enjoying the process of bringing personal training and coaching to the internet.

Life is interesting. Sometimes new things can dredge up old things that you would rather leave behind. Scheduling this recent photo shoot briefly dug up some old self image issues that I have worked hard to overcome. I actually began to think about “dieting” for the photos. I haven’t dieted in years!

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look toned and in shape, I knew in my heart that if I did anything other than what I teach, the photos would not have been authentic. I would have joined the ranks of yet another fitness professional promoting one idea on the outside while secretly living a restrictive life behind the scenes.

How To Not Allow Self Image Issues To Win

Yes, it’s true. The self image issues that I work so hard to help others overcome tried to rear their ugly head and bite me in the butt! Thankfully I didn’t allow them to win.

Rather than allow myself to fall for the diet trap I used this moment to get really solid on how I want my life to look when it comes to health and fitness. Over the years I’ve allowed myself to gain a healthy amount of weight because there was a time in my life when I was “too skinny” for my body type. On the outside people thought I looked healthy but in reality I was doing unhealthy things to remain a size two. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case.

I’m forty six years old. I have no interest in trying to be twenty five again. What I want is to look great at forty six. At this stage of my life I’m way more interested in creating a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle than I am in being unnaturally skinny. I’m committed to things like eating well, exercising daily, strength training three times per week, drinking liquid calories in moderation, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, laughing a lot, and creating special memories.

Please understand, I will always pay attention to my weight and if I notice the scale is going in the wrong direction I will take a look at what might be the cause and make adjustments. However, I have also decided that I’m not going to be a slave to that one pair of jeans from ten years ago that a part of society thinks I should still be able to fit into. There is nothing wrong with setting goals to be able to fit into your old clothes without having to do an aerobic workout to get them on, but it should never be at the cost of your physical and emotional health.

The well-known phrase “bodies come in all shapes and sizes” is not a cliche. It’s a true statement. When you choose to maintain a weight that’s appropriate for you and you can sustain it without deprivation or emotional heartache you are walking in freedom. The number on the scale is personal. There is no one size fits all when it comes to health and fitness.

I’m not suggesting you give up on vigorous exercise or paying attention to things like portion sizes and fueling your body properly. What I’m talking about is setting manageable goals that are appropriate for the season you are currently in, your physical capabilities, and how you want to live your life.

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to help clients achieve weight loss that is sustainable while contributing positively to their physical and emotional health. The guidelines and formulas may be similar, however their personal eating plans and exercise routines are individually unique to them.

My desire for anyone reading this article is that you would be so comfortable and confident in your own skin that you would make health your primary focus and that weight loss would be one of the many benefits. You’ll still have to work for it. Our bodies were designed to move and it’s important to exercise. It’s also important to practice self control when it comes to what we put in our bodies.

From time to time people of all shapes and sizes will experience self image issues. That includes thin people. Negative thoughts and relentless marketing can come at us from all directions. The good news is just because you have a thought does not mean it’s your own. If the negative voices start whispering “you’re not good enough” or “you’d be happier if you just looked like him or her on the cover of the magazine,” stay strong. Remind yourself that you are in this for health, not just a photo shoot.

Maintaining a healthy self image for life is entirely doable. In the beginning it takes practice. Over time, the more you begin to love and accept yourself for who God designed you to be, the easier it becomes. I encourage you to explore and discover exactly who that is. It’s a lifelong process and it’s totally worth it. I promise!

Here’s to a happy and healthy week!

Shared with love,
Jennifer

Six Ways To Lose Weight And Still Have A Blast This Summer!

June 27, 2016May 9, 2017

Summer has arrived! This means vacations and lots of outdoor festivities!

For many people, summer can be one of the easiest times of year to lose weight. An abundance of daylight, outdoor activities, and fresh fruits and vegetables all contribute to easy weight loss. However, long vacations and an abundance of picnics and parties can potentially hinder weight loss goals if we’re not paying attention. Fortunately, a little awareness and some planning can help you stay on track with your weight loss goals and still have a blast this summer.

Six Ways To Lose Weight And Still Have A Blast This Summer

1) Pay attention to snacking. With summer barbecues come lots of chips, dips, and appetizers. A serving of chips is usually between 9 and 16 chips; and a serving of dip is usually two tablespoons. Go ahead and taste, but step away from the table to have a conversation. Sitting in front of these yummy temptations can lead to mindless snacking.

If you’re really hungry stick to more of the lighter fare like fresh fruit, a portion of cheese, nuts, cold cuts, hummus, and yogurt dips. Make sure to combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you from being hungry again in ten minutes.

2) Have a plan when you eat at buffets. Cruises and hotels offer wonderful buffets. However, when I have a choice between ordering from the menu or the buffet I will usually pick the menu. This helps me avoid overeating.

If the buffet is all you have to choose from, or you really want to try the food, then keep portion sizes in mind when filling up your plate. Give yourself twenty minutes before going back for a second helping to make sure you are actually hungry. Finish off your buffet with fruit for dessert which is a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

3) Consider having your own kitchen when you travel for longer than a weekend. My husband and I like to rent timeshares or vacation homes with kitchens. Over the years we’ve learned that eating every meal out in a restaurant when you are traveling can be a bit much. If you are traveling for longer than a weekend, I recommend sticking as close to the way you would eat at home eighty percent of the time and enjoy treats for twenty percent of the trip. Having your own kitchen makes it a lot easier to do this. In the end, you’ll end up feeling less bloated and the chances of overeating are seriously reduced.

If you don’t have your own kitchen, try going to a deli or market and creating your own picnic lunch. You’ll have fun shopping like a local and more control over portion sizes.

4) Watch for hidden calories in blended drinks. Summer is the time for blended drinks with lots of fresh fruit. These “smoothies” can be loaded with calories. Treat blended drinks like dessert if you’re not sure about the ingredients.

The same goes for the whipped drinks at the coffee shop. A Starbucks Frappucino can be anywhere from 290-490 calories so best to keep these to a minimum.

5) Make sure to hydrate! Watch your water intake even if you are spending the day by the pool. Water wipes the perspiration off of your body, yet your body continues to perspire in the pool. When you are dehydrated, it can hinder your liver’s ability to metabolize fat. Fortunately, keeping water close by is a nice easy fix.

6) Play a little more and sit a little less. Recent research found that as little as a twenty minute reduction in sedentary time on weekends was tied to a loss of more than two pounds per year. That may not sound like a lot but losing two pounds is always better than gaining two pounds!

Come up with some outdoor activities that you and/or your family enjoy or would like to try. Then, incorporate physical activity into your summer plans.

For example, I love to sit on the beach all day long! It’s so peaceful and I leave totally restored. However, if I’m not careful too much sitting can pack on a few extra pounds. To counter the sitting, my husband and I like to go for a long walk and play in the surf with our dogs.

There are so many ways to burn calories while having fun outdoors. Some examples are Frisbee, Flag Football, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, water jogging, and body surfing. It doesn’t have to be formal. If it seems like a chore, pick something else. It’s supposed to be leisure time.

This summer, make sure you take time to rest, play, laugh, and relax. Reducing stress is one of the best things you can do for your waistline and overall health and fitness. It really is about balance in every area of your life.

Here’s to a happy and healthy summer!

With Love,
Jennifer

The Biggest Loser Controversy – How We All Can Learn From It

June 6, 2016June 5, 2016

THE BIGGEST LOSER — Season: 17 — Pictured: (l-r) Whitney Clark, Felicia Buffkin — (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

The Biggest Loser has been a popular show for several years now. Many people tune in to watch people transform their lives and find it inspiring. I’m someone who loves to watch people succeed so I can totally understand why it’s been so popular. However, the latest controversy regarding the contestants that have regained weight has the public asking some valid questions regarding weight loss and how the metabolism works. As a trainer I am grateful that people are asking questions.

I have to be honest I’ve always been a bit curious about the show’s weight loss methods. I was concerned that the contestants were being overtrained and undernourished. Please understand, this is not an “attack” on the show or the trainers. The fitness industry is constantly evolving. There was a time when it was thought that if you placed an extremely overweight person on a very low calorie diet their body would go into its “fat storage or reserves” to burn the extra fat and it would help them lose weight. Current research shows us that if you want to lose weight and keep it off for good the opposite is true. When the body is starved it will eventually go into “protection mode” and slow down the metabolism. You need to eat food in order for your body to feel good about burning the calories. This means a large person will need way more than eight hundred calories per day to safely lose weight long-term. Especially if they are exercising. A large person expends quite a few calories simply moving their body.

One of the reasons low-calorie and restrictive diets are so popular is the quick results they can deliver in the short-term. The majority of diet plans are next to impossible to sustain for the long-term which is why it’s not a total surprise to me that some of the previous contestants have gained their weight back. It does, however, make my heart ache for them.

Creating new habits and developing self control for the long haul are not always easy tasks and sometimes people fall off track. That’s just a part of life and it can happen to anyone. However, I also believe that it is important for fitness professionals to help clients develop a plan that will give the person the best chance to succeed for the long-term, not just one event.

Hollywood is a unique place. People are paid to look a certain way for movies and remain camera-ready most of the time. They are willing to train hard and sacrifice a lot because they get paid for it. Some of them must stay on very rigid diets in order to remain a certain weight. People admire the looks of celebrities for good reason and it’s enticing to want to do what they do to look like them. However, once you find out what’s involved you may decide it’s not what you want, especially if you are not getting paid for it. I think that may be what some of the contestants found out the hard way. Fortunately, with the right information and proper guidance they can lose the weight again and keep it off for good.

Food is very personal. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another so I don’t believe in a “canned” approach when it comes to meal planning. After twenty seven years of working in the fitness industry I’ve learned that the not-so-sexy approach of finding what works for you, eating well, exercising most days of the week, getting good sleep, drinking lots of water, limiting processed food, and cutting back on liquid calories is still one of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off for good. The biggest challenge for most people is that losing weight without dieting requires consistency combined with patience. It can take time to figure out what works best for your life.

An Important Lesson From The Biggest Loser

I believe that one of the most important lessons we can learn from The Biggest Loser is that losing weight and keeping it off for good really is about deciding what you want your life to look like and setting a realistic goal weight that you are able to sustain for the long-term.

Here’s to creating a happy and health lifestyle!