I DID It: How I Turned a Dream into a Goal
by Rochelle Griffin
One year ago, I set a huge goal for myself. One year later, I achieved it.
Before I get into the goal itself, I need to give you some background. I grew up with a love/hate relationship with food that led to a love/hate relationship with my weight and my body for almost all of my married life of 20 years. Up and down, up and down went the number on the scale and the number in my clothing size. Sometimes I felt good about myself. Other times I hated the person who I saw in the mirror.
I’ve always been an over-achiever…an “all or nothing” girl. In the early years of my marriage, I graduated from nursing school and threw myself into my work. I was going to be the best nurse possible…and I was. As I began to climb the corporate ladder, my work hours, stress level, and weight climbed with it. To deal with the stress, I ate….and I mean ATE. I remember eating huge plates of pasta with Parmesan cheese or an entire pizza or an entire box of Oreos. I wanted to numb the stress that I was under. Don’t get me wrong. I loved serving my patients, but there is absolutely a weight knowing that someone’s life is in your hands.
Every few years or so, I would take a look at myself and realize that I did it again…and then I’d make necessary changes. I’d get serious about my workouts and food. Basically I went on a diet. I would lose the weight but I failed to change my mentality. Little did I realize at the time that I was already setting myself up for failure.
Fast forward to 2007. I woke up one morning, pulled my head out of the sand, and found, once again, that I was 35 lbs. overweight. Coming from a family with a major history of obesity, I could see where I was headed.
I turned on the TV early one morning and there happened to be an infomercial for Slim in 6 on. I never watched infomercials nor heard of the program, but it caught my attention at the right time. I HAD to do something! I ordered it on the spot.
I ended up having good success and lost 10 lbs. I was encouraged, so I went on to the followup program, Slim Series. I decided at that point to become a fitness coach and help others. I felt such a passion that I often had trouble sleeping. Slowly, over time, I completely replaced my nursing income with my coaching income. It was a dream come true. I was able to still help people and feel good about what I did, but I was able to banish the stress that nursing management brought.
I lost even more weight and continued my journey with P90X, ChaLEAN Extreme, Insanity, Brazil Butt Lift, Turbo Jam, and Turbo Fire. I failed, however, to still deal with the core issue…my mentality towards food and emotions…and continually put others needs before my own. Whether I was dealing with the sudden death of a family member, my brother’s brain tumor and subsequent brain-stem stroke, my son’s special needs, or my hubby’s deployment, I did what needed to be done without any thought of myself. It’s no surprise that I continued to yo-yo, even though I was helping hundreds of other people get into the best shape of their life. I felt like a fraud.
Now fast forward to June 2011. I was at the Annual Beachbody Coach Summit and I was again at one of my heaviest weights. I put on a brave face and smile, but inside I was completely embarrassed. As I sat in the audience during the final celebration where they announce the $100,000 Transformation Winner, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I’ve been standing in my own way! My weight is MY doing. I HAVE control! I immediately texted my coach and told her that I had enough.
I committed that night to being a Monthly Transformation Winner by the following June Summit…not for the money…not for the recognition, but as proof that I, for once, put myself first and took care of my needs.
I worked hard and there were definitely some struggles and bumps in the road, but I persevered. I set up a support system that wouldn’t let me fail. These amazing people held me accountable when I didn’t want to be. I found my soul-mate workout program, Les Mills Pump. Weight started to fall off of me and I discovered abs for the first time in my life.
It was time to finally enter the contest. As I sat there answering the questions, I had to take a hard look back at my journey. As I answered the question about how my life has changed, it brought tears to my eyes.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Where do I even begin with this??? I have NEVER been as proud of my body as I am right now. At age 44, I look better than I did in my early twenties. I look athletic, lean, and healthy. For the first time since before my 10-year old was born, I am wearing a bikini! As excited as I am about the “outside” changes, it’s the “inside” changes that I am MOST proud of. I am now a CONFIDENT WOMAN. I’ve waited all of my life to say that and truly mean it. I am PROUD of my results and a true product of the product. As a result, I have increased self-esteem, plus meeting my needs first has made me a better wife, mother, and coach. I’m LIVING LIFE!!!!
So here I am this morning, in a Las Vegas hotel room, getting ready for the 2012 Annual Beachbody Coach Summit to begin. I’ve been here since Monday to spend a few quality days with my hubby before the craziness of Summit gets started.
And I found out on Monday…
I am a May 2012 Beachbody Challenge $1,000 Transformation Winner.
I DID IT!
If you are ready to do it too, I would love to help. My support system was instrumental in my success. Reach out to me! Turn your DREAM into a GOAL.
A Toast to Your Health,
Rochelle Griffin is Registered Nurse with over 20 years experience who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 6-figure company that now helps others live the life of their dreams.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations Coach Ro. I am impressed at your achievements and only hope that I can attempt to achieve what you have done. I know everyone especially your family is very proud of you.
Thank you for being my coach
Bill
Thanks, Bill! It is MY honor to coach you!!!
Rochelle – your story is amazing. Thank you for your insight and determination. Your share this morning is getting me going. Hope to meet you at Summit today!
and Jim, YOUR comment just made my day!
)
Hey Co-Atch,
The happiness and pride you feel are surely shared by those of us lucky enough to call you coach, friend, or family!!! But beyond that you are truly an inspiration, I have told you before how blessed I feel that our paths have crossed, I feel that it was no coincidence, it was something that had to happen to save my life. You are my life saver and I don’t know that I will ever be able to show you my sincere gratitude. I am on day 81 of my NEW life and what I have experienced through your guidance, your inspiration, and our group’s support and their personal stories has been extraordinary but still just a drop in the bucket of the waterfall I want for my life. This program has helped to open my eyes to things in my life that I had long written off as impossibilities due to my feeling sorry for myself and a stunted soul. To be honest, some of those things have not just been the wonderful positive experiences I would have hoped for but I can say that even though my heart is hurting right now I have gained the self respect and energy to not allow myself to slip back into the destructive lifestyle that would eventually kill me. Again, I couldn’t be more excited for you in reaching your personal goal I just hope that I can continue to work with you in setting and reaching some of mine.
Love Ya,
Philip
Congratulations Rochelle! Your dedication and determination is inspiring! I feel like your relationship with food is a mirror of my own. Can I ask how you went about setting “up a support system that wouldn’t let me fail”? Did you go to your coach, or friends, or family? How did you choose? I ask because I know that my friends are the very ones who want me to “eat something good” with them! And although well meaning, some of my coach friends will offer the ever popular…”just start again tomorrow”. Any advice would be appreciated!
LOVE!
Hey Susan! I went to specific people who I KNEW would call me out…people who wouldn’t say “just start again.” These people tell me what I don’t want to hear. They say the hard things to me. If you really want to be successful, you need to do the same when choosing your support system.
Hello
I have been following you on FB for awhile now and I am totally inspired by you. One group of people that I dont see often ( lets be real..never!) are parents to special needs children on fitness. Perhaps you have some that follow you but I havent found them..nor do they post. Well, I am one. I have to say that I have tried many many many times to get into shape and with that said. always come across a major hurdle..lets me be more blunt, MOUNTAIN to get over. For example our son does not sleep well and was up 3 nights in a row at 3-330 am. i am beyond tired, let alone want to exercise, but I do. You see exercise makes me better for him and be able to handle the doctors, therapies, looks and stares, teachers, epilepsy, autism etc. So when someone says they cant do it maybe they can read this and think…”maybe I do have time” Thank you again for inspiring me everyday.
Thank YOU for reading and your comment! I “get” it totally. You are being an awesome role-model…not just for your son, but for others who will read this. <3
rochelle, i am a single mom. My daughter is 22 and has 1 son 3 yrs old. My grandson is the light of my life. I am 4 ft 9 inches tall and weigh 179 pounds. I need to lose around 50 pounds. I am currently out of work and living with my niece and her family and wish i could afford to go on your program but can’t as i have no income….are there any free programs out there that you know of that could help me as my health is not good and i don’t know what to do…..please help me rochelle
Good morning, Kim! The best thing that you can do is to get moving. Walking is great exercise, free, and you can do it with your family if you wise. Also be sure to grab my free 1-Week Meal Planner. It will help get you started. God bless.