Friday, October 05, 2007

LESSONS I'VE LEARNT PART 4

LESSONS ABOUT MYSELF

Lesson 1: The key to success is held in your mind.

Its one thing to have the training programs, the nutrition plans, the supplement advice etc but the TRUE key to success is your mind and your belief in yourself. There were so many times that I fell off my nutrition plan and ate really badly but each and every time I picked myself up and got back on track and moved forward again. On many nights I went to sleep meditating and affirming to myself that I could do this. That I would succeed. I had decades of bad eating habits haunting me and they're very hard to shake but I proved that if you stick with something long enough and with a quiet determination to achieve then you will.

Lesson 2: I love the "structure" of this sport.

Being an "ex-aerobics-instructor" I've enjoyed exercise since my mid 20s but I've really enjoyed taking it to the next level where each and every weights session really mattered and cardio had a specific purpose and therefore had to be tailored accordingly.

As hard as the nutrition plan was at times, there were just as many times when I knew that the way I was eating was contributing by more than 50% to my success. Just recently I was talking to one of my work colleagues about this last phase of the prep and I said "Comp standard bodies dont happen from a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a nice lasagne for dinner". He well understood where I was coming from.

Lesson 3: Getting the right information and support is very important.

This is my thank you to Josh Dickinson from Physique Essentials.

When I was becoming interested in competing I started quietly looking around at options for trainers. For me, an on-line trainer was ideal as I knew I'd find it impossible to commit regular blocks of time to face-to-face sessions.

I was really impressed with the results Josh had achieved with previous clients like Deb, Alicia and Lia (and these were just a few). When we spoke on the phone he was friendly, genuine and understanding of my situation (work full-time, family commitments, need to train at home etc) and I could tell that he'd tailor everything to suit me instead of making me suit "his approach".

And he delivered!!! We massaged my plans over and over so they worked for me but were still going to get the required results. There were many times when he was really tough (and I sooked about it LOL) but he needed to be and for that I'm grateful. Having said that he always gave praise when it was due and that often lifted me up and kept me going.

He taught me so much about this sport, how people perceive it, what it means to commit to it etc and I continue to admire his passion for it. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge and he's really happy to share it. What more could you ask for??

Josh, you took a 40 years + working wife and mother with an incredibly busy and full life but with weight/eating issues galore and turned her into a figure competitor.

THANK YOU. YOU ARE A TRUE CHAMPION.

Magda

Will post more later guys.

12 comments:

Kie said...

Hi Magda,
Well its HERE nearly . All the very best for tomorrow I have been so inspired by your blog and I say thanks for help keeping me sane. Please post pics and results ASAP. Smile and enjoy, its your time to SHINE.
Kie xx

Shar said...

GO GET UM MAGDA!!

Been with you from the start via blog can't wait for you to reach the end, know you would do it!!!

PICS ASAP PLEASE!!

YOU MUST ENJOY THIS BIT, ITS FANTASTIC!!

SHar x

Splice said...

I'm biting my figer nails with excitement for you!!!
Hugs,
Deb

Anonymous said...

You have done all the hard work and you were guided by someone who can make dreams come true. GOOD LUCK MAGDA!!xx

Sam D-M said...

Good luck tommorrow Magda!

I have been following your blog, so I look forward to seeing the pics and hearing the result!

Sam

stacytoby said...

You are a bloody legend Magda - you are going to kick butt on Saturday!!!

Tell Josh he will soon have another client ;)

Stacy

Ali said...

have a wonderful day tomorrow and all the very best, these last few posts were great!!

Alixxx

Kristy said...

Magda

All the best with the competition. I know you will really shine.

Kristy

Bug's Mumma said...

best of luck for tomorrow. enjoy the day!

Hilds said...

Go Magda!!!!!!

Well done, enjoy every minute of it tommorrow. Can't wait to see the pics!

Pip said...

Have been following your journal Magda, - gotta say you're a marvel!

Top luck! Can't wait to see the pics and really hope you enjoy the day greatly!

Pip

Nic said...

Hi Magda,
A huge congratulations to you for getting here....we all knew you would! Good luck tomorrow. Enjoy it as you've worked hard and should be very proud.
Nic