I rarely discuss my personal life with people in depth, and doing so in this venue requires a little more exposure than what I'm used to, so bare with me as I get personal, emotional and passionate about what I'm about to share. I hope you have about 5 minutes because this is one of my more long-winded blogs.
July 2008 - April 2012 were by far the four hardest years of my life. First, I went through the not-so-"unhostile" take over of a dying gym I saw as my personal job to save, and save it I did, but not without months of battling the prior owner. It didn't help that I decided to take on this endeavor at the onset of one of the nation's worst recessions ever. It was also in that same month (Sept. 2008) that I became separated from my spouse of 21 years, a separation that lasted 3 long years, only to end in divorce last fall. Funny thing about divorce...you lose a lot of friends too. Between July 2008 and March 2011, I survived 2 crazy landladies and moved 3 times. I proudly, but not without many-a-tear filled and sleepless nights, saw both of my children graduate high school and leave California to attend college. I lost an amazing friend and client (and ironically an Ironman Athlete) tragically at the age of 55 to a heart attack. Within 3 months of losing my friend, I lost my mentor/friend and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Alternative and Anti-Aging Medicine, Dr. Tony Perrone at the young age of 44 to a heart attack brought on by a faulty heart valve. Within 3 month of Tony's passing, I lost my very best friend, Mary, to cancer. It's really no wonder that by mid 2011, I was broken hearted, beaten up and barely able to work.
Just when I started to feel like I was returning to normal, I met a man who I thought to be "the One". We fell in love, madly and furiously, against all odds (his children were a mess, his wife had only just passed from cancer 18 months earlier, and his community resisted my existence in his world as they were devoted to his deceased wife.) It was only 6 short months before he started to pull away and ultimately ended our relationship over the phone after spending Passover/Easter weekend together. That was just this March, 2012.
For the following 3 months, I proceeded to make wine my best friend, as well as M&M's, Yogurtland and pizza. I was burned out on the gym. Depression set in and helplessness followed. I started dating just to get out of my small apartment and escape the loneliness that was suffocating me.
So, here's what I found out between March 2012 and September 2012:
Breakups = lots of calories
Dating = lots of calories
Burnout = lots of calories
Depression = lots of calories
Lots of Calories = Weight Gain
Weight Gain = Depression
Depression = Lack of Motivation to Move My Body
Lack of Motivation = WEIGHT GAIN
It's a vicious cycle to break, EVEN FOR TRAINERS!
Now, before you go and slit your wrists, let me assure you, that things do get better...
On June 24th a wonderful man walked into my gym interested in teaching bootcamps. I didn't hire him because, well, he said he would rather go out instead. We are now on a beautiful path together, looking at a future through much rosier glasses and seeing that love, communication, mutual respect and admiration is truly healing. It also helps that he and I have mutual interests including exercise and diet. Note: Having the full support of a loved one is half of the success in any difficult task!
So, after allowing myself to wallow in self-pity for 6 months and gain nearly 15 pounds (I hid it well, but only in clothes) I realized I had to get back to WHO I AM ~ a motivator, a professional fitness trainer, a fitness role model, and ironically, a NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist!
Now many of you know me, but many of you don't. So let me go on the record as saying "In the 15 years I've been in fitness, I have never endorsed or put my name to any manufactured product." I have supported professionals I believe in such as Dr. Perrone and other doctors, specialists, acupuncturists etc., but I have never found a supplement or nutritional product that I could stand behind or would endorse, despite the hundreds of different companies and MLM's (Multi-level Marketing companies like MonaVie, Herbalife, etc.) that have asked me to.
Until now.
It was through Facebook that I started to see my professional fitness colleagues using a product called Isagenix. I was at first skeptical. Then curious. Then, after looking in the mirror one more time...desperate. I called my facebook "friend" Brittney Kara and asked her to send me some info. We talked a couple of times and I finally said "Fuck it - here's my credit card. Let's just DO IT!"
I can't say I was thrilled to find out it was an MLM, because the last thing I need is an Amway-type company forcing me to sell products I don't believe in, or pressuring me to have fake dinner parties that are really sales pitches in disguise. I've always said "If it's an MLM, I'm not interested - period.", and frankly, that still stands. Well... except in the case of Isagenix. Because I love the product, not the company. (Except, I'm starting to really love the company too, but I'm not really ready to admit that to them yet).
So you're probably getting bored and if you're still reading, you're wondering, okay, so what is ISAGENIX and WHAT DID IT DO FOR YOU?
It's Really Simple. Isagenix is a program with products that nourish your body by providing it with high quality, highly nutrient dense and organic, sugar-free (no artificial sugars -- Stevia only!) GMO-free, hormone free protein, vitamins, and minerals supplied through a variety of foods such as Shakes, Snacks, Soups, Juice, Cleanses and a whole lot more including beauty products, recipes, vitamins, etc.
On October 1, 2012, I challenged my students to a 30-Day Weight Loss at Topham Street Gym. They all had the option of unlimited classes, a food plan designed by my late mentor, Dr. Perrone, and guidance from me. I only had Isagenix.
As it happened, (although I didn't enter the contest for the money) I lost the most percentage of body weight at 5.34% with a total weight loss of 7 lbs. More importantly, I reduced my body fat by 3%.
The winner of the gym 30-Day Weight Loss Contest was, Allyson Haim, who as it happened, was the ONLY participant in the Challenge (besides me) using Isagenix! She lost 3.65% of her body weight and a total of 8 lbs.
So...do you want to see my BEFORE and AFTER Photos? I'm so happy to share them with you, but you'll have to do something for me if I'm going to expose myself that much.
Here's what I'd like from you...
1. Send me a private e-mail by clicking here and tell me your story. What do you want to achieve in your life that you aren't getting by doing it "your way"?
It's not a lot to ask and maybe, just maybe, I can be part of YOUR support team in helping you achieve those goals! I'm throwing myself into YOUR LIFE'S PATH to help you. Will you recognize help when it arrives or will you ignore it and stay in your story of self-pity like I did for 6 months?
I hope you take me up on my offer and let me get you started, even if it's just on a weekly workout regimen to move your body into action for what's next to come in your life.
By the way...
What I failed to mention above was that I had an AMAZING SUPPORT TEAM of friends who held me when I cried, picked me up when I was down and held my hand through all of the pain I endured.
I would be horribly remiss if I didn't give special thanks to the following:
- Kathy & Thomas Rose - for their unconditional love and generosity. And for taking me to Fiji with them (who does that?!) -- it simply couldn't have come at a better time.
- Raffi Donoyan - for literally forcing me to deal with my "trust" issues by making me jump out of a plane 3 miles above the earth and for being there when I landed, in more ways than one.
- Gary Kelman - for playing the role the Universe assigned him in my recovery from heartbreak. XO
- Tony Villalobos - for keeping me laughing between fits of uncontrollable tears
- Jaffers Bailey - for keeping the gym operating when I couldn't get out of bed
Of course, there are all of my clients, who inspire me on a daily basis and who keep me motivated to "show up" in my life as well as in the gym.
Thank you.
Leslie
