How To Get Your Red Carpet Ready Club Platinum Scholarship!
September 5, 2008 by Valerie Waters
You may have heard that I’m going to be giving a scholarship into the 6-Week “Platinum” Red Carpet Ready Club Coaching Group. The Club opens next week and the coaching will begin shortly thereafter.
The way you win it is simple:
Tell me your story. Just post it right down below in the comments section..
Include:
Where you are now
What types of programs you’ve tried and your results
and the most important:
Visualize where you want to be and how it will feel when you get there - and tell me about it!
E-mail me if you’d like to submit a video of you telling your story (HINT, HINT: extra points! 
Hey Val!
I am soooo excited, I am planning to do my video today, I charged my camera last night so I should be ready to go, thanks again for this opportunity
Sonia
What a great opportunity! Also, expressing what you want, how you feel, etc.. on paper (hah or computer), makes it all so much meaningful–really! Once you actually ‘think’ about what bothers you or troubles you and you spell it out in black and white, you’ve made the first step towards remedying that. This is a great chance for everyone–everyone should do this regardless of where you are. Even if you are in the middle of a diet/exercise plan, restate all your goals and recommit to yourself! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Nice thing going here Val.
Wow cool! I just found out about the RCR Club yesterday through a friend. This is just great.
My story (forgive me. I’m a terrible writer.)
I’m 45, married and I have 3 children. I’ve struggled with my weight basically my entire life.. when I turned 20, I finally started making some progress but it wasn’t very much and it certainly didn’t last very long.
I’ve done the diets, I have all of the infomercial equipment. You name it, I’ve tried it. From counting calories, to counting points, to just eating bacon and egg whites.
Anyways, its been a rollercoaster for the past 20-something years. I lose some, gain it back plus more, then lose some, gain it back. Rinse wash repeat..
I’m at my whits end! I can’t even stand the sight of myself in the mirror anymore.
My oldest son just left for college
and what I would love to happen is to be trim, toned and fabulous by the time he comes home for Christmas break. Though I know I probably won’t end up looking like Jennifer Garner, I’d LOVE to try!
I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I hope you’ll consider me, but if not I’ll be here on Tuesday to join.
Hi Val!
I want to submit a video, how would I do that?
Been on the live chats and doing RCR 2 months now. Love the Valslide too…and of course, you’re awesome VAL! I discovered you thanks to Jen Garner. I watch Alias while I do circuits.
I’m married (pastor’s wife..can’t we look hot too?), have my own part time business, am age 36, with two small boys 17 months apart (the reason I don’t have time to do the video for you). The first was was 8 lbs. 8 oz (now 5), and the 2nd was 9 lbs. 4 oz. (soon to be 4). Broke my tail bone in delivery. I became hypothyroid after the 2nd pregnancy which has been VERY frustrating with weight loss. For some reason, women with hypothyroid (there are LOTS of us!) are not able to lose easily. I was just told by my doctor that I would need to back my calories down to 1200 a day to lose! I am a small frame 136 lbs right now (lost a few since RCR) but am really jiggly…especially in the baby area with cellulite on the back of my thighs & rear that I’d like to get rid of. My goal is to be a firm and tight 130 lbs. with low BMI. The good news is that I love to cook and I eat VERY healthy. Have cravings for chocolate, but control them well with a bite or two…that’s my vice. The bad news is that I have never been athletic or muscular growing up and muscle is foreign to my body it seems. I grew up eating whatever I wanted and I was thin, so I never exercised. I grew up in northern Japan my formative years where we had several feet snow 6 months out of the year…our only ‘exercise’ was shoveling snow! My family was never the physically active type. Not overweight, just not active, so I never knew what muscle was. I don’t build muscle easily and my RCR has progressed VERY slow because of it. I pull muscles easily so I am ONLY NOW (after a few months) able to complete the weeks 1-3 A and B workout circuits each only once. I have tried 4 other books and work out routines over 3 years only after having to give it up because I would get hurt. RCR seemed to progress perfectly and I’m sticking with it, but need guidance…and with a family, job, two little boys… Add the strict caloric intake for being hypothyroid and it seems impossible. I’m doing good just to prep my meals and snacks. Help me Val!
Pick me ObiWanKinobe!! You’re my only hope!
Hi Val,
Thank you for this incredible opportunity!
I am going to try and get a video together to submit but just in case I can’t get it to work (technically video challenged here!), here is my written submittal:
Where you are now–I am 39 years old (turning 40 in November!), am 5′-4″ and weigh 45 lbs. I married in 1992 weighing 125 (same weight I graduated college at the year before). No kids, just three cats! I’m slowly making my way into the entertainment industry at my ‘later’ age of 39(40ish) doing extra parts and small roles in film and hopefully commercials, as well as commercial print work. I really want to project a more confident image of myself by toning up and losing some weight. My trouble spots are the underarms, little tummy pooch, and thighs and knees. (I had liposuction done in 2004 to get rid of my lovely saddlebags and the doctor did say that any weight gained would evenly distribute. So true! I love my new shape but can’t seem to lose any of the weight! I just FEEL like I look too soft!
What types of programs you’ve tried and your results–I have always been active, either fast walking, some aerobics, bicycling, yoga but nothing that has been a ‘profession’. I have also sporadically done hand weights and our home weight machine. I have tried Adkins (lost 8 pounds but got a crystal in my gallbladder that was painful due to too much fat intake too quickly). I have tried Jenny Craig (no luck) and NutriSystem(food was disgusting so I gave up really fast). I try to eat healthy, watch my portions, minimal alcohol (2 sweet martinis once or twice a month…I’m not a huge fan because it puts on the weight and makes me feel bloated!), etc. I do not smoke.
Visualize where you want to be and how it will feel when you get there - I’d love to drop the 20 pounds I have gained that have steadily crept up on me over the past 16 years! Now in my late 30’s it seems just impossible to drop even 5 pounds without starving myself! I’d love to simply drop the weight and tone up to have a lean, healthy look. My face still looks young and I’d just like the body to match it! It will make me feel so golden I just know! I’m short and I’d just feel so much taller without the weight and with a sleek, lean look (like a shorter Jennifer Garner!) And, i’d love to accomplish all of this in small amounts of quality, effective time! I get bored easily!!
Please consider me for a scholarship!
Sincerely,
Mary
Whoops! I currently weigh 145 pounds! (not 45 listed above!)
Mary
Hi Val,
Thanks for the opportunity to share my story and also for the chance to win a scholarship.
My wedding is a little over a year away and I want to be in best shape of my life. I am 5′4 about 122 lbs and work out on a consistent basis using programs such as the red carpet ready workouts, cardio and yoga. However, my major pitfall is that I struggle with eating cleanly consistently. I can eat 4 clean meals and then blow it at dinner when I cave to the sweet siren songs of M&M’s or ice cream. I also feel that there should be an opportunity to enjoy treats every now and then, but I seem to enjoy them daily! I believe this is where I would benefit the most from the scholarship. In addition, I have done the 6 week red carpet ready program and got good results but not great results because I did not follow the eating program as I should have. I need an extra push to get my eating habits to level of where I physically and mentally succeed.
Further, I put on muscle quickly, especially in my lower body and would like more guidance on how to slim down without bulking up.
Picture this: Next October, beautiful, blue fall day. I walk down the aisle of a beautiful garden. My fiancé is there waiting and my family and friends are all there to celebrate on of the best days of my life. I am wearing my mermaid-style strapless gown. My body is svelte, tone, but not too bulky. I am glowing. I am going to marry the man I love and have been in love with for over 5 years. I am already beaming with excitement but want to look just as good on the outside as I feel on the inside.
I am 42 years and have been dieting since I was in elementary school. I have a low self-esteem of myself and I am disgusted with the way I look and feel. I have tried everything and was even considered a candidate for the gastric bypass surgery about five years ago. I went through all the tests for it and was denied in the end by my insurance company. I was left with a 5000.00 bill to pay for my stress test. Two years ago I went and hired a trainer to help me lose the weight. I go to her about two days a week. I have lost a little since being with her. My highest weight has been 300 lbs. I am down to 176. I began with the trainer when I was about 180lbs. I have lost some inches and body fat. I am very short only 4′8″ so everything shows. I don’t wish anyone to be obese or have diabetes. My husband has diabetes and it has taken over our lives. I am going on my 25th anniversary however, I love the man but our relationship is more as friends due to the diabetes and him being slightly overweight especially in his stomach area. There is no intimacy in our lives and that has also effected my life along with being a cow. I lost my mom due to obesity. Her highest I believe was about 500 lbs. She lost a lot but it was too late for her. She died at the age of 56. I would like to see myself being healthy and looking beautiful. When I see myself in the mirror I wish I could break the mirror. I can’t even stand looking at lingerie b/c I know I would look like a cow and what is the point. I have no one to share it with!! I have always made excuses in my life to not attend social gatherings. I would even have an argument with my husband so I didn’t have to go. I would volunter to help at my daughter’s school functions but then came up with excuses why I couldn’t go b/c of work. My daughter is now 20 and wasn’t stupid back then she knew why. I have not worn shorts in ages and my arms jiggle so I don’t even wear tank tops. I was diagnosed with bulimia and remember my mom doing the same. My sister also struggled with weight issues however, she lost it also by bulimia and she looks beautiful but still thinks she is fat. Obesity is a horrible, horrible, thing to deal with!!! I tried all the pills practically on the market. I tried laxatives, you name I tried it. I want to run to be a trustee in my town in April. I would love to lose the weight and feel confident. I even am going to on-line law school to help underprivilege children and families b/c of the work I am involved. I pray and hope that everyone who feels horrible would be able to get where they want. There isn’t a day that goes by when I cry. I would submit a picture however, I am not that savvy with digital items. I have taken before and after pictures of me throughout my weight issues. I was also known for being the spandex lady and long tops throughout my adult life b/c of my weight. Thank God for walmart and Kmart with pants-black that I could wear and the long tops to cover my big butt, legs, jiggly thighs. It is becoming finacially difficult to continue with my trainer 2 days a week and I might have to quite. My husband lost his business and we are struggling now. I give it my all when it comes to my weight. I can’t visual myself thin b/c it has been many, many, many years. I also pray that my daughter doesn’t go through this. She is putting on weight in the same areas as me. I appreciate you giving people the opportunity to write and have a chance at getting a scholarship. If I am chosen, I will work my butt off and I am sick and tired of people telling me I have a pretty face but only if….
sincerely,
Miriam
So excited Val–thanks for this great opportunity! Will film tonight! Umm, how many people will be reviewing these tapes–SCARED!!! LOL…
Where you are now
I know that dieting doesn’t work and I need to adjust my nutrition to fit my life and my goals. I am 50 years old and am going thru menopause. It really has thrown my body into a tailspin. It feels like the fat just won’t come off, but I keep trying, I am never gonna quit. I need to get myself in shape before I start having health issues due to age and weight.
I am 5′2″, 200 lbs. I have been tracking my body fat with an Accumeasure caliper. I am at 38%–that could be off one way or the other, but I have seen a downward trend up until about 2 months ago. I have been gaining a bit again. I need you to know that I need your help! I want to be an inspiration to all women. I want to show them what they can do–no matter age, or physical condition. I have been keeping track of my progress with a blog. You can view it here: http://becomefitatfifty.com
What types of programs you’ve tried and your results:
I admit…I’ve kinda jumped around. I find something that looks interesting and I switch! I finally figured out that, that’s why I’m not making the progress that I would like. I have had some success, but now it is time to get a move on!
I am currently eating 3 meals and 2-3 small snacks. My eating needs to be tightened up and my workouts more steady.
Visualize where you want to be and how it will feel when you get there - and tell me about it!
When I hit my final goals, I wil be a size 6, and a trim ,young at heart, hot 50ish woman! I will wear shorts and maybe even a bikini for the first time in 30 years. I will walk down the street and get whistled at! I will turn heads. I KNOW I will hit my goals because I am finally figuring out what I need to do to reach them. I have written my intentions and fully intend to check each one off.
Intentions:
1. I will walk 3 times per week at a fast pace and throw in intervals
2. I will eat according to my written plan and not deviate
3. I will weight train consistently 4 times per week
4. I will log my training and eating online each day
5. I will meet my goals and check them off one by one.
I have some things going against me: menopause for one, but that doesn’t mean that this fatloss journey is impossible. I just really need your help to push me thru to the final leg of my journey. This is my year! I am a good student and will do what it takes to work this program! You scholarship will not go to waste.
Hey Val. I’m 5′6″ 147 lbs and really struggling with my weight. In my early 20’s I worked out every day and competed in fitness competitions. Looking back now, my thighs were way bigger than my upper body (grew up a gymnast). I stopped competitions in my late 20’s because I couldn’t compete with the ladies using some form of drugs.
About 4 years ago I walked into the gym (after 13 years of lifting weights) and didnt know what to do anymore! I guess I was over the breaking down body parts, lifting heavy workouts. So since then my workouts have been inconsistant. I would do full body, break down the body, no lifting anythng else you can think of.
Then about 3 years ago my energy sank….2 years ago I could hardly function. I was told it was my adrenals and I should cut way back on my workouts…I did, not because they told me too but because I didn’t have the energy. After many frustrating days and many doctors, I learned it was from taking Wellbutrin which I was put on in 2000 for headaches! I am finally off of the Wellbutrin but my body is still recovering…enery low most days and normal on some. By this time I’ve gained weight in areas I’ve not really gained before (midsection), I’m still confused as to how to work out & eat and at 37 it’s a lot harder than it use to be.
I bought the RCR and have tried it…..I struggle with it mentally. I feel like I have to be lifting heavy weights, for an hour at a time, 4-5 times a week to get results even though I know this type of work out has caused me to be thicker not RCR!
I visualize being at peace with myself and finding balance….not allowing working out to rule my life. I visualize myself as being fit with long lean muscles without lifting and doing cardio every day. I feel very grateful, happy and free with this visualization.
I really hope you give me the opportunity to be on the 6 week private coaching scholarship so my visualization can become a reality! Thank you so much for everything you have done already with your website, blogs, videos, time and energy. Many people including myself greatly appreciate it! Terri
woohoo–finally! I cant wait until Tuesday. I’m hoping my video will be desperate enough to be chosen–kidding, but seriously, I need some real help here. Even if I don’t get the scholarship I am still planning on joining the Club. it’s time for me do to something. I’ve just been putting it off longer and longer and longer is finally here. Thanks for this opportunity.
Hi Valerie!
Where you are now:
I am 25 years old and I am very dedicated to getting to the “perfect me.” I eat healthy and workout regularly but I’m just right on the cusp of where I want to be. And as I’m sure you know, that can be very frustrating.
What types of programs you’ve tried and your results:
I’ve worked out for years and I’ve pretty much done every fad diet, and every new workout on the market. My past workouts included running, kick boxing, yoga, pilates, stair-steppers, treadmills, personal trainers, circuit training, weight lifting, aerobics, the firm, biking, hiking….you name it, I’ve done it. Some have been successful but if I find that they lose my focus very quickly and because I don’t have a proper circuit routine I lose interest and results.
Visualize where you want to be and how it will feel when you get there:
I am less concerned with lbs and more concerned with the way I feel and how I fit in clothing. So I don’t visualize pound numbers but I do visualize SIZE numbers. My whole life I have wanted to minimize the appearance of my saddlebags. I haven’t found a way to do that no matter what. I’ve had trainers in the past that don’t seem to listen to my goals. With your successes and gifts, I feel like where I’ve always wanted to be would be attained. Sometimes you need that one little nudge to get you there. I would be honored to be coached by you. All I want to do is learn what works the very best for me and how I can maintain as I get odler!
You’re such an inspiration, thank you Valerie!
Hi Val,
Thank you for the opportunity !
Well here goes!
Weight has seemed to be a problem all my life! I was put on a diet when I was 16 because I had high blood pressure! I just keeps fluctuating up and down!
I am so tired of the rollercoaster ride and ready toget off on stop success!!!
I will be turning 50 next year and want to be lean, muscular and healthy!!
I can’t say that I love exercising but I am consisten 6x a week. Right now I am doing Barry’s Bootcamp and am seeing results. I do have a weakness for chocolate and sweets so I am sabotaging myself through food!
I need your help!! I do not want to diet but completely change my eating lifestyle!!
I am tired of trying every new diet that comes out and really just want to eat more healthly. I need someone to guide me and I believe you are that person!!
Thanks again!
Donna
Ok. My story. I am 45, 1 teenage son, and I work a desk job all day. I have a platelet disorder, basically low platelets. I have high cholesterol but my doctor is afraid to put me on a cholesterol lowering medication due to my platelets. So, he wants me to lose weight down to a maximum of 115 pounds. I am 5′2 and now weigh 124 pounds now. I started out at 132 pounds in March and have been watching what I eat, trying to control portion sizes. I walk daily, and I do weight work. (Just received my valslide and valband to start using!!). Anyway, I have lost a measly 8 pounds in around 6 months. I just can’t seem to lose anymore. I feel like I am starving myself, trying to keep my calories 1200 or under, trying to keep my grams of carbs no more than 200. I feel like I have tried it all and nothing it working. To top it off, my doctor does not think I can lose the weight, and as of right now, he is looking to be correct. I am very frustrated.
Also, you would think 8 pounds of fat loss wound yield a better shaped body, but this is not so in my case. I look like I did at 132. I can not tell any difference in my body.
I am willing to work hard, and follow whatever advice I am given. I just want some results. I would love the opportunity to have a 6 week private coaching scholarship.
Thank you for giving us all this opportunity to win a scholarship, Valerie, and good luck to us all!
Dotti
Hi Valerie!!!!
My name is Nora, and im 20 years old. (im a girl)
All my life, since 5 years old, i’ve had weight issues. Hormonal problems, health problems and bla bla bla. I topped my weight at 10 years old. I was probably 5′4, at 250lbs. Then it followed by eating disorder when i was 13, i lost 50 pounds in 2 months or so….Then health problems, at first, it was just severe hypertension at age of 13, the polycystic ovarian syndrome at age of 15, then hypothyroidism at age of 16, then extreme insulin resistance and pre-diabetes at age of 16. Now i suffer from severe hypoglycemias, severe tiredness, extreme fatigue and very high resting heart rate.
Im being treat by oncologists as they believe i have a tumor somewhere.
I have already arthrosis in my knees, some badly damaged spinal discs plus 2 malformations : 1 in knee, the other in the spinal bone (it pressures the spinal cord, so i am in pain almost always).
Putting aside my medical story….i didnt let it stop to pursue my dreams. I started my transformation 5 years ago…i did start bodybuilding.
I did gain 60 pounds of lean mass since then. I did lose bodyfat too.
But i never, ever achieved MY GOAL. Which was to compete in a bodybuilding contest.
Even now….when all my life seems to get down by the day (just yesterday i had news that my tibial bones have a big problem (they are yet trying to find out if its because of osteoroposis, or a cancer that did spread)……i am still training, and doing my very best to keep myself healthy, even thought i cant fight my body, i do can fight my mind. I am truly focused, and determined to compete next year in a bodybuilding competition…and feel and be healthy some day
Anyway….thanks a lot for giving me the opportunity to speak out in your blog
N.
My name is Cindy. I’m 33 yrs old. I’m marriedand am a mother of 5 children, ages: 15, 11, and 3 yr old triplets. Since having kids my body has not been the same, don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t give up my kids for anything. I love being a mom, it has completed me. I just wish that I was a smaller version of me!! I want to drop 70 pounds, several inches from all over my body- mainly hips, thighs, and belly, and tone up my entire body. I’m barely 5 foot 2 inches tall. I’m currently wearing 12-14, want very badly to be back to 6-8.
Since having kids I have found it very difficult to get rid of the FAT. I drop some weight now and then but haven’t came accross the MAGIC EQUATION yet for my body. I have tried virtually every fad diet that has ever been made, and spent way more money than I want to count on magic pills that were supposed to work. I am tired of trying to find the QUICK FIX, I want a lasting LIFESTYLE change that I can continue on for the rest of my life and be happy with it.
I want to be comfortable in my own skin. There are parts of my body that I love, my hourglass figure (larger than I like but still curvy), my breasts (would love to firm up). When I see myself in the mirror I see myself the way I want to, but when I see a picture of me I really get a smack back to reality. I am a very strong willed woman and when I put my mind to something I keep at it, I just need to find the right thing to do.
I don’t have a gym membership but I do have several different dodads at home. With my kids being in all kinds of activities the only time that I have to workout is early morning (between 5-6:45). I know that my eating needs to get very clean and change a few things around and I’m willing to do that. I hardly ever drink anything other than plain cold water, and I would much rather eat my meat and veggies grilled over baked and fried.
I would love to be considered for one of your scholorship spots for the club. I am so ready for the new me to break out. Val, I know with your help I will succeed this time. I can’t wait for the club to officially open up!
Hi Val,
My name is Jenelle. I’m a 38 year old mother of 3. My daughter is 19, my son is 17 and my “baby” is 10. Up until about 5 years ago I’ve never had a problem with my weight. I’m 5’9” that in itself covers so many sins.
At the end of 2003 I found myself very depressed and flabby. I weighed 158 pounds with a 33% body fat and wearing a size 12. I found Body for Life and took the challenge. After 12 weeks I weighed 145 pounds and had a 25% body fat, I was able to get solidly into a size 8. In the fitness world I still had too much body fat but I looked and felt great, I mean I really felt great physically and mentally. I continued working on building more muscle and was able to maintain that lifestyle until August of 2005. I found myself back to work part time in September 2005, that cut significantly into my gym time and I started eating out instead of healthy meals at home. I was able to maintain “OK” for a few months until October of 2006 when I began working full time. It’s all been downhill since them.
I now weigh 169 (as of this morning) and wear a large 10/small 12. (again I’m 5’9”). My calves are flat right now, my thighs have cellulite, I’m pleased with my butt for the first time ever in my life minus the cellulite (bike riding rocks). I’ve never had tummy trouble but that’s changed in the last year and now it’s bigger and jiggly.
My fitness routine is not really routine at all, that’s the problem.
I bike 60 minutes a day, 3 times a week (to and from work, 30 minutes each way interval and hills; big hills, big Southern California foothill type hills). I bike with my son 1 or 2 times a week but those aren’t so much for fitness.
I don’t have a gym membership any longer (had to save money). I do have free weights and a bench at home that I’ve been using sporadically. I’m adding smaller dumbbells and a couple of kettle balls to my gym this weekend. I’ve found that I lose momentum when I have to change plates on the free weights.
Over the last two weeks I have lost 5 pounds. I’m VISULIZING me at my goal shape (not weight since it’s relative). I have PLANNED my meals and am bringing them to work with me (on my bike). I’m intentionally feeding my body instead of stuffing my face. I’m still only sporadically working out with weights although the cardio is probably OK.
I really want the boost that would come with a 6 week coaching session. I am SO READY to be your “Poster Mom”. I am so ready to show the world that you don’t have to be a celebrity with a personal trainer and a personal chef to have amazing arms, flat belly and lean taunt thighs. I am ready to be “That Woman” who’s married, a mother of 3 very active kids, works full time AND is healthy and in great shape. A real person, not one who’s paid to maintain a certain image. I’m your gal
I wish I could adequately express myself in writing, unfortunately it’s not my strongpoint
Thanks for taking the time to read this entry along with all the other amazing women ready to change for the better.
Jenelle
Terri, I can relate to what you say..once you lift heavy, it is VERY difficult to bring it down. I’m kind of going through the same thing. I’ve been trying to deload for a while and while my body needs it and tells me to just do it, my head is fighting me all the way. The whole diet/exercise thing is a major head game..I give tons of credit to everyone on here who has the made the decision mentally to get started with this. It’s a great plan and everyone will get great results if they follow it as suggested. Be strong, you can do this.
Hey, this is a pretty good idea!!!
I am 26, and very much single. I have always been bigger than my peers and still am. I am 5′7 and currently I am at 180 lb, which is not a good idea for my height. I have been relatively active in my life starting at 5 with rhythmic gymnastics, then 2 years of ballet (i was a bit to big compare to other girls in my class), between there was about 6-8 month of ballroom dancing.
Lately I had pockets in my jeans rip ’cause of such hight pressure on my hips as I have gained weight, and can’t seem to lose it.
After a while I have stopped trying to get a special # on the scale and stopped to weight myself and decided it would be healthier to concentrate on shape and shrink all over. I started to finally taking care of myself by taking some supplements and going to hit gym as I have gotten very lazy lately (over the summer) and didn’t do much. My girlfriend got married this summer and she is a bit younger than me, and she lost weight by going to Chinese doctor for acupuncture and herbal pills, but I don’t think it will be a long term solution that I am looking for.
I am very much encouraged by the blog and have read your articles in many magazines and I think it is helping me a lot.
Thanks,
Natalie from Toronto,
HI!
Although I doubt I can afford the club, Val and RCR have been a blessing to me these past 3 weeks! And also enjoying my new online pal, Linda M!
But if my story helps…….following pre-teen chubbiness, I became an anorexic perfectionist, weight as low as 97, that landed me an MBA, corporate job, sports car, and elite NYC gym membership by 24. I lost a lot of the anorexia, but worked out 7 days a week, up to 2 hours a day, and lived on less than 1000 calories for YEARS…oh yeah, and no period for 7 years. I am 5′5 and weighed 120-127.
Had a midlife crisis at 28,sold the alfa,bought a toyota,quit my 6 figure job and went to nursing school, married a Harrison Ford Lookalike, 15 years my senior, and went to the ‘Burbs……Wanting children so badly broke through my nuttiness and I let my weight drift up to 129-130 which, with my muscle, looked great….in my 30’s, good health, happy marriage, 2 kids, a home of my own, still stepping, doing higher than high plyometric aerobics before it had that name, and added ashtanga yoga with flying chatturangas, walkovers and all the tricks I had done in my teens.
At 40- same weight, looking great, boasting that anyone could do it with a life of discipline and eating right…….then 43 - OUCH - my KNEE - in a step class, and has never been the same…..45 - WHAT - 135?! WTH? Oh who cares, I am NOT going to starve anymore, besides, I have Body for Life and Afterburn, its all muscle - I am Attila the Mom, can boost 300 pound patients with a single pull, I am strong as bull, with the traps to prove it!……
47, 142?!!! And WHAT, found out last month, - Bone marrow edema and cysts between the ball and socket of my arms?!!! Pain in my upper arms that brings me to my knees! The surgeon looked at me and said in disbelief,”your MRI looks like a gymnast …tell me you have NOT been cartwheeling and pounding those bones..” well, um yeah……….GREAT bones,GREAT muscles, GREAT HEART and lungs, NO CARTILAGE - I have worn it out….BICEP is slipping in and out of its “groove”, all is unstable from years of being a maniac in everything I’ve done.
Thus ended my moonlighting jobs of teaching bodypump,Turbokick, Zumba, Water Aerobics and kIckASS Yoga!
AND I feel free. At the same time that I was struck lame (and deaf and blind and forgetful too, what a year!) - I found Valerie and RCR - which I started 3 weeks ago and the program and her recommendations were right in line with the physical therapist….
I’ve dropped 3 pounds in 3 weeks,just not taking bites of bagels or cookie crumbs and generally watching closer. And only doing the recommendations in RCR!
I visualize myself at about 130 - 135, which at this stage of life is appropriate. More than that, I want to lengthen out these bull dog muscles to that of my dancer days - but do it the healthy way this time…..Patients always ask me my routine and rather than do a jump split, handstand or forearm balance in their room in ICU (I”ll do anything for a laugh )I’ll tell them about lighter weights, LESS working out (no more 2 hours), and living a healthy and moderate lifestyle.
Sure, I’d love a scholarship, but I”m on my way already, and look forward to watching the ride with all of you!
Blessings!
Michelle
Michelle - I want to tell you that your story truly touched me. I would love to be part of the RCR coaching group but I would love for you and Jenny (who is so bravely battling cancer - see previous thread) to have the scholarship. You guys inspire me!
Yannik - you’re a sweetie! I hope YOU get the scholarship! My injuries are from my own nuttiness that I think is giving way to sanity. This is turning out to be such a great forum, I’ll find a way to join no matter what! Hugs!
Oh my gosh!!! So many great stories. It will be very hard to chose. I will be studying all the stories between now and Monday. I can’t wait to choose the winner so we can get to work. If you are chosen, I hope you will be the inspiration that others need.
I will be checking back real soon!
Michelle, I have so had a blast chatting with you here and on Twitter! That’s an awesome tale you’ve lived..gonna be cheering you on the whole time!
Hey Val,
First I’d like to say that what you’re doing is amazing and that we all owe you a big thank you.
As for my story, I’m and 18 year old female college student and I have gone through some interesting issues. After reading some of the stories, I can truly relate to Michelle. When I was younger I was always a little bigger but I was also one of those crazy active children. Middle school happened then high school.
That’s pretty much where I lost it. My entire life I have been made fun of by friends and family for not being the same size aka larger. Even by the time I was in 3rd grade I was worried about my weight. I know, looking back I wish I could have just smacked everyone, but life sucks time to time.
High school I had enough…it was the Thanksgiving family get together of my then sophomore year and a lovely relative of mine asked me if I really needed to eat, as in eat at all. At that point my self-esteem was so low that I totally believed her. I smiled, acted like I didn’t care, fixed my plate and then when everyone was done in the kitchen I stayed back, threw away my food and cried till the night was over. That day was pretty much the last time I ate in a healthy manner. For the following month or so I literally didn’t eat anything. I dropped 9lbs. in my first week and I was hooked. Then I started working out obsessively, I would do anything, ANYTHING to get to the gym and stay there for 2 hours. By the time Christmas rolled around I was sickly looking but of course, I only saw fat and kept going despite what my Mom would try.
February came and one morning I tried to get out of bed to get ready for school and I blacked out. About an hour later my Mom came looking for me because we would be late and I was out on the floor. 911, the whole drill. Apparently I had gone on like this so long that my body started to eat my insides as fuel. After that I was bed-ridden, no questions asked and I was lucky that I was able to be at home. I was basically an infant again. My Mom had to make me oatmeal every morning and hand me the bowl and stand next to me to make sure I didn’t drop it or just go back to sleep. I needed to eat. I eventually made it back to school for the end of the year but with that I also found out that I lost my athletic scholarship for college. That took another big blow because since I really had no true friends, all I had was academics and sports, and after that sports wasn’t even in the picture.
It was a long hard journey, but I have fully recovered from anorexia. However, as you recover you tend to “balloon” up since your body has to get used to eating a normal amount of food again. Unfortunately, my body really hasn’t found it’s balance point with weight. I have paid the money for a few trainers (3) and sadly enough it’s wasted money. Nothing anyone has told me has worked or helped. I feel stuck and the worst part about it is that I’m only 18. I should be having fun with my peers and enjoying life. I should enjoy summer but with my self consciousness I don’t even enjoy shopping for cloths let alone go out with my friends. I’m one of the few students at my own college with such a good GPA. That’s good I know, but it’s all I really have right now. I want more. I want to prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to, I just need that guidance. I want to come out of this a better and more positive person ready to take on the world. I want to be MY best.
Thank you for everything you do. It is much appreciated.
C.S.
PS If you wanted specific stat’s I’m 18, 5′8” 145-150lbs and a size 8/10 my body composition is also pretty good. Last May I was around 18% body fat but it has gone up to around 20%. I have worked soooo hard for this muscle, I know it’s there, I feel it, I just can’t see it. I want that confirmation, that knowledge that I CAN. Goals: I want strength, I want to gain energy and be that vibrant person I know is inside, size 4/6, weight-I don’t care as long as it’s healthy and I can see the muscle I’ve gained.
C.S. - Darling Girl, you are so beautifully tall and slim already! Size 4/6 at that height? That seems emaciated to me…You are a mini-me so many years ago…only I was never an athlete - you are much more talented than I could ever dream of being…….If your head will let you, maybe focus on SHORT (like 45 minute) workouts like RCR, more rest days and that what you put IN your body is full of nutrition(as recovering anorexics, one thing we KNOW is the nutrient content of everything huh?)….20 percent body fat is VERY lean - and you want to protect yourself so you can have children - you may not want them now, but in 10 years, you might….22-23 percent body fat, for childbearing years is fine you know!!!
You are ALREADY doing more than most any teen I know, including my own! And you show that you have so much love to give- and how exhausting to live up to the impossibly high standards you set for yourself - yet I bet you don’t expect it from other people……….. isn’t it sad we have to be hot and skinny for people to take an interest…nothing has changed over the years…..put it out there and give your love and warmth, and it will eventually come back to you…it gets better……
Not in your shoes, but remember a similar pair…and now you have all of us to be friends with too! You’re not as alone as you think…
Nice to meet ya!
Michelle
CS,
Be careful, you have overcxome a great illness but it’s easy to let yourself slip back there again. Make sure y our goals are realistic to you and your frame size. I’m 5′9″ and I look horrible as a size 6, downright sick in a size 4. Although I do know a lady who’s my height and wears a size 4, she’s very thin but not sick looking. All of our bodies are so individual, having a weight loss/fitness expert would help you understand what’s best for you!
Take care.
Michelle - You are in inspiration. You go girl!!!
Jenelle
Right now I’m in pretty good shape and hover around a happy weight. I love to workout and hate to “start over” so long ago I committed to never falling out of shape (need I add that I don’t have kids?
). I live in LA and have picked up on all the healthy tricks to enjoy food and life while keeping on the lean side to feel comfy in an exterior-obsessed town.
That being said, over the last five years I’ve had to limit exercise, cease running, and curtail my beloved Spinning due to back problems and a painful, recurring pulled scapula. I’ve been told I need to strengthen my upper back to combat my computer work-style and I can’t seem to do this without re-triggering the upper-back & shoulder problems.
RCR does wonders for me but there’s a lot of planks and shoulder propping that I worry about. I want to get strong again but I’m tired of not knowing when it’s ok to push! I’m a trooper — I like going all-out!
I want to go back to my full-on workouts with confidence and get strong again. But I don’t want to be too obsessed about it. One thing my down-time has taught me is that I can’t be too rigid — fitness is a lifestyle, not an achievement. I have had to learn and accept that running for an hour isn’t the only “real” workout; depending on my body’s limitations, maybe walking around the block is ok, too.
C.S.
Hi I know exactly how you feel, I too had an eating disorder in high school. It was hard to overcome and still do this day I have to be very careful. I still see myself complety different from the way others see me.Lifting weights and learning about proper nutrition was my saving grace. You can do this and even more so with Val’s help. She knows what she is talking about for sure!
I can’t wait to follow you on this journey!!!
Best of Luck,
Mandy
Dear, dear, C.S., It is completely normal to want the picture you have in your head of the perfect you and want it now. If just for a bit, we set aside the size and weight goals and focus on your other ones, strength and energy, you will ultimately end up with a body you love. You need to find the joy in process. Exercise can be really fun. Do you belong to a gym, or can you join one. I fell in love with lifting weights when I was 18. Yes, I liked what it did to my body but more than that, I liked the feeling of empowerment I had when I lifted. I tended to go the gym at the same time every day and made a bunch of gym friends. People that also want results so were always quick with a compliment (on strength gain or form, not weight) and also available for to spot or partner with on certain exercises. You need to find some people to play with. Red Carpet Ready can be done at home but it can also be done at the gym. No matter what you decide, we will be here to cheer you on. I hope you stop by on tuesday. It should be fun.
Where I am now:
I’m 29 years old and 5′5″ and 107-109lbs and around 22% BF. My figure is very hourglass or pear shaped though with very wide hip bones. My problem areas are my stomach and a soft belly, my arms are too small but jiggly and untoned - especially my triceps, extra padding on the sides of my hip bones (muffin top), and mostly my biggest problem area are my thighs and butt. My butt is too wide, too flat, too misshaped and too soft and jiggly. This has always been the biggest problem area for me. So much so that depending on which jeans I am wearing that day I would often cover my butt with a sweater around my waist because I am so embarrassed about how my butt looks and moves. I also have cellulite on my butt and top of the back of my thighs, and too much fat in my saddlebag area too. Overall my body is just soft and unshapely. Even though I am “thin” my most standards, I wouldn’t be caught naked by anyone and certainly would never wear a bikini. When I used to go to the beach I would wear board shorts with a bikini top and would never be seen in a bikini bottom.
What types of programs you’ve tried and your results:
When I was 18-20yrs old I worked at a gym and worked out 5-6 days a week, although not very intensely or focused. I mostly just fumbled around not getting the results I really wanted. Back then I was about 126lbs but a lot stronger. When I was 21yrs old I stopped working there and stopped working out completely except for light walking a few times a week. I ended up looking really soft and chubby. A couple years later the lbs came off on their own, I guess through eating healthier although I didn’t diet or anything. However, I remained sedentary over all these years and my muscles atrophied more and more and body got softer and softer. I have been working at a computer sitting at a desk for 12-16 hrs a day for years and years (workaholic) and don’t even get much recreational activity at all.
I had always had good “intentions” of getting in shape and starting up an exercise program but could never get started and committed to anything consistently. I would try a little yoga or bike riding and then not go back to the class for a long time, or try for a few weeks and then give up again. I was always very lazy about it all. A few years ago I tried a circuit routine with an exercise ball and a pull up bar from exercises I found online at shape.com and was actually for the first time starting to feel and see results starting to happen. I didn’t reach my goal, but I was starting to see results and it was exciting. However, with that too, my life got in the way and hit a crisis point and I just dropped it all completely when that happened. I have not been able to get back to a routine consistently again. I joined an expensive gym a couple of years ago and even the high monthly payments could not motivate me to go more then a few times a month for an occasional yoga class or 30 min. on the treadmill. I never hired a personal trainer. So obviously I haven’t gotten results yet. My biggest problems are motivational really as well as knowing what to do and my diet. I eat pretty healthy and all organic and have always had the habit of eating every 2-3hrs but have also always been addicted to lots of carbs and sweets. Breads, pastas, cereals, chocolate and deserts etc. Everytime I tried to go on a grain free diet I got very moody and stressed out.
Visualize where you want to be and how it will feel when you get there - and tell me about it!:
I want to gain 5-10lbs of muscle and have a body that is tight, strong, lean and toned. I want to reduce my BF% and have solid strong arms and definition. I want my stomach to be flat and show muscles in my abs. I want my cellulite to be gone and to have the sexiest and best butt I’ve ever had. I want to be not only comfortable wearing a bikini or tight shorts, but excited to show off my body and confident in how I look and feel. I would love to have a strong and sexy body with abs like Marisa Miller, arms like Valerie Waters or Jennifer Garner and a butt like Jessica Biel. Of course not exactly, but just the best version my myself, really. I also want to just be healthy and happy and energetic.
I am married and have been with my husband my entire 20’s, but my husband is divorcing me now. I don’t want the divorce and I am still in love with him. At the very least I want him to see me looking my best as well as look and feel my best and confident being single for the first time in 10 years. It is very scary to me and I can’t even imagine dating again. He was my only serious and long term relationship I’ve ever had. I feel rejected and it’s been a blow to my confidence. I know looking awesome and sexy would at least help with feeling more confident and getting attention from men again.
To be honest, I think most of the people who have already submitted their stories deserve this more than me….but I would so, so love a scholarship! Not only am I broke, but I could really do with the extra motivation and encouragement right now
Like I said in my assessment video letter, I feel like I’ve always been heavy. My mother likes to tell me about the neighbour who looked at my fat ankles when I was a baby and said that she would “never get shoes to fit that child”. My grandmother would always comment on my weight and my dad often told me that I reminded him of his mum…because she was a “short, butty one” too.
So, with all that lovely positive energy, I’ve been all over the place weight wise. Mostly a bit overweight. Did stupid stuff in school and college…days when I’d try ot get by on 300 calories, days when I’d eat everything I could lay my hands on. Went through a short phase of the gym which didn’t last and mainly was chubby.
I started my current job in July 05 and initially hated it so much that I lost weight! Kept most of that off even though I started to like what I’m doing :-). Around a year and a half ago I started walking to work to drop a few Christmas pounds…and then started Ashtanga yoga. And then running. Running led to a stress fracture in my pelvis which meant a 5 month lay-off from that (even though I loved, loved, loved…and still love it) so I started going to the gym. In January this year I decided to make a proper effort at the strength thng and found a circuit that I did at the gym. Definitely made a difference and made me feel stronger too.
But now….I’m gradually building up my running again which is fantastic! But I’m studying for work exams and getting increasingly stressed. Feel guilty about going to the gym when I should probably be hitting the books. Eat badly when I’m stressed too. And wonder if I’m trying to sabotage all that I’ve gained for some reason. I feel like I’m slipping and just getting tired. It would really help to be accountable to someone! Even worse, a few weeks ago one of my friends saw me in a t-shirt and turned up his nose at my arms, saying I was going to look like Madonna soon. It was hurtful and made me really worried about how I look. I don’t even know how I look if I’m being honest. I can see the flaws but find it hard to see the positives. Val’s video assessment of me meant such a lot and really did increase my confidence, as did the great encouragement from LindaM, Michelle and Skwigg. Even if I don’t win the scholarship, I’ve already won by getting my assessment and finding such warm and positive people. Amazing how Val seems to have drawn in such a great crowd
Thank you all x
Grainne, YOU sure deserve the scholarship - being Irish like me, we love to suffer - but if running hurts, don’t do it - it kills my back, and please learn from old decrepit me!
BTW- WOULD YOU ALL DO SOME VIDEOS? HAVE NO FEAR OF BEING THE RCR DORK - I AM WINNING THAT ONE!!!! Please, Ryan wants videos….I found if I saved it as a zip, it sent….my CAT managed to get in it too!
love you all,
michelle the non video star
Thanks Michelle, I’m behaving with the running, I swear! It’s my treat exercise rather than a workout at this stage, sad as that sounds
I was visualising your shoulders when you described your MRI. Ouch! I’m trying not to break anything with possibly dodgy bone density. Think RCR has advantage of being so low impact and almost like physio. Seems to work muscles I’d never remember otherwise and feel like it’s helping to undo imbalances. I hope!
You totally deserve that scholarship. Especially for doing the video!
You gals are a great group here! The ‘game’ hasn’t even begun and look at the super support system that’s already been built. This is just awesome! Every single one of your stories has something that has more than likely touched us all some way, some how. This is gonna be a helluva ride..can’t wait for the official beginning…
Hey everyone, here is Sonia’s Video submission. This is SO cool! Great job, Sonia!
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Thanks Val!
That video is brilliant! And you look fantastic Sonia. What a brilliant achievement! Truly inspirational
Sonia - You are fabulous! Winning skating metals and losing all that weight! RCR will be great for you because alot of the exercises are “lenghtening” and posture driven rather than bulk driven, if that makes sense.
Good luck, but you’ve already made your own luck!
Michelle
Sonia, Great video!!! You’re family is beautiful
Michelle- I love your avatar. You look like such a happy, bubbly person and your smile is electrifying.
and the 2nd video, from the one and only Michelle..
Thanks so much!
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Dear Val,
Wow, there are so many stories from people who need help…now here is mine…
First I was overweight as a kid, I lost weight in high school (through crazy dieting with other girlfriends) but eventually gained the weight back and then some. I am not even sure what my highest weight was–by backtracking with my doctor we believe my heaviest was 240 pounds (I’m 5′1″)
About 5 years ago my mom had a lot of health problems–type 2 diabetes, congestive heart disease, etc,,,a few of my siblings are severely obese like my mother. Well I didn’t want to wind up like that in a wheelchair and all so I set out to learn about how to eat and how to exercise. It took a few years but I lost 90 pounds (my goal was 100 lbs). I was so proud of myself I felt like I could do anything! I even taught myself to eat my first green vegetables! Then I started to have panic attacks that put working out on hold. Many of my attacks happened while working out so I had to figure out how to keep working out and losing weight (I had wanted to lose a total of 100 pounds) with anxiety problems (getting the heart rate up without going into an attack).
Since my attacks I gained weight on medication to control the attacks.
I’m also more tired from the sedation effects of the meds. BTW,
I also have problems with my knees so cardio like running is out of my life now.
Why I would like a RCR scholarship is I feel I need a program tailored to me
and I haven’t been able to figure it out on my own…how to workout hard, but not so hard that it might bring on an attack, how to gain muscle and get stronger…etc..
In the past I have followed Burn the Fat, Turbulence Training, Core Performance, the Metabolic Advantage (started to lose my bellyfat on this one:)
and many other e-programs I have purchased including yours.
In general I workout 5 plus hours a week a mix of weight training, circuits, some cardio, walking, and sometimes pilates or yoga for a more mind-body workout. But what I really miss is playing tennis! It’s a mind over body thing since I had my first attacks on the tennis courts.
Anyway I always wonder if I am working out too hard and that might be what sets me back or not hard enough–do I work out too long and release too many stress hormones etc. My doctors can’t seem to give me any answers to these questions.
In fact they push meds on me that cause weight gain and try and convince me that maybe gaining weight is better then suffering from attacks or they tell me I don’t exercise enough or I am doing the wrong type of exercise! UGH! They don’t know and I can’t afford a personal exercise physiologist.
Well for the record I am 45 years old, 5′1″ and currently 157 pounds.
I don’t usually do things like this so writing my story for all to see if a bit difficult for me but the benefit of your guidance would make it worthwhile.
Thanks for reading,
mary
Sonia and Michelle, awesome job on your videos..ladies you are strong, brave and beautiful..
Well - what a great group of women I’ve been blessed to be among! Miranda - keep your head up girl - Mary - sounds like you’re already on the right track - this program might be just the one for you.
Hey Y’all - I sound like one of the Desperate Housewives in my video - all was not as Diva like as it sounds!
Before I quit corporate life, I was suicidal,so lonely - lots of male attention but well aware it was my body and checkbook they chased. -…. gained the world and lost my soul…that life was NOT for me, HATED my life…… it crested on a dark ,humid,summer night in NYC, about 1988, wandering the street, praying for death… when a woman in lower NY, reached out to me from her chair outside a loft yoga studio, and invited me to yoga class - and saved my life. Just one person being kind and giving me 2 hours of peace in an accepting environment, I returned home,enrolled in nursing school, sold everything, and quit corporate life………..married my gentle,handsome hubby. Money was very tight but with love and a family, wasn’t so bad!And I learned the benefits of home fitness! Guess I am happiest being “downwardly mobile!”
Years LATER, I would return to that yoga studio and emmerse in the ashtanga I mentioned on the video……….and Madonna later found it too, and now its gone bigtime and fancy!
We are all share pain don’t we, and being judged for other than our hearts, but I also hear endurance and perserverance here and think we’re going to have a fun ride together!
Grace and Peace,
Michelle
Thank you for all the wonderful comments on the videos!
I agree with Mary, it is hard to put your story out their for everyone to hear, we all fear rejection, and worry about what people will think. It’s embarrassing showing my “fat pictures”, I even sent in bikini clad pictures to Val, knowing that the whole group might have a chance to view them (SO scary). This group is really wonderful and supportive though, I have read every post and watched all the assessments and I have to say, I have not found one judgemental, mean, or nasty comment. I wouldn’t even let my husband watch my video without the mute on (I didn’t want him to hear my weight :-)) , Not that he would be mean, or even care-LOL, but sharing this information wth a supportive group of people with the same problems and goals is a lot easier.
I can’t wait till Tuesday, I think we’re all going to do really great!
PS-I loved your video Michelle-I saw no Diva, you came across very confident and comfortable in front of the camera, just narrating mine, I had to constantly restart because I was messing up (or my dog was barking, or the kids were cracking me up, etc…) -and I loved your visiting kitty-for the first half of the video he looked like a statue!
Sonia- I had to restart about 20 times! I lost my train of thought throughout the whole thing…. YOU were pretty even in your “fat ” pictures !!!!! In my line of work, at your heaviest, you were downright svelte by ICU standards!!!! NOt me,when I pork up, I look like a Swiss milkmaid-the one who carries cows over her shoulders. Brunhilda type.
Can’t wait until we have some forums to chat on! Off to do last day of weeks 1-3…
Husbands-as long as they get dinner,a ball sport,occasional sex, and a nap on Saturday-they are very tolerant of our fluctuations in weight. Mine pretended to watch the video but was watching golf channel on the sly.
… and the beautiful Jenelle:
Thanks, Jenelle!
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Jenelle, my hubby,(think Indiana Jones with dark hair)heard your voice and looked over my shoulder and said,”She’s pretty! What do you women EXPECT of yourselves?!”
You really are a beautiful woman. Already,you’re a poster mom - biking to and from work on HILLS?!!! Wow!
Hi Val,
Hey everyone :):)
After reading the stories above I feel as though my journey may not be as urgent as some of the others , but my journey ultimately is to help people with these types of challenges. I am in need of a great mentor such as you Val.
I would like to give you a brief background to paint a picture of how I got to where I am now. I have never been an athlete or active growing up so working out was foreign to me. At the age of 26 I had watched the show America’s next top model and I was hooked and knew I had to auditon for the show.
I was going through photos to submit . When viewing recent photos the reality hit me that I was a bit heavy, heavier then I have ever been. I fell victim to the office job flab. I guess thats what happens when all your meals come from fast food. I had to get in shape in case I was called upon from my submission. I was told shut your mouth and work out you will get results. Well that did some of the trick, but I was not able to get the results I wanted. I would check out books from the library on diets and workouts. I experimented with the zone diet, atkins, southbeach, and a few others. I was a tae bo fan for about 1.5yr. I tried David Kirsh ultimate new york plan workouts. They have all helped me get one step closer. My friends would ask me for advice since they knew all that I read and that I was on a fitness kick. When speaking to them I would get speaking so fast and louder then normal. I realized I had loved talking about health and fitness. 3.5 years later I became certified as fitnesss trainer. I am currently a trainer at a fitness club who would love the opportunity to learn from the best to give the best to all my current clients and future clients.
with my self teaching,determination and certifications I was able to get myself down to 27% body fat, I weigh 140lb, 5′8″ . I am not at my goal I can’t seem to get my self out of this plateau. By being stuck in this rut it is hurting my self confidence of being a trainer. If I can’t seem to get myself to where I want to be how can I lead someone else?
I feel lucky to be where I am now because I am fortunate that I found something I love to do.
When my goals are reached I will feel amazing, powerful, confident that I will be able to truley help others . the feeling of accomplishment would be hard to put into words. The finale your goal acheived because you yourself made the decision the effort to push through you took control of your destiny.
Jenelle, great video girl! And finding the time to work full time and ‘work out’ is brutal..fitting it all in is pure craziness–but we women are strong and always find a way. You are on the right track–your head is ready to get in the game. Keep that focus–its the first step to success.
P.S. — nice booty going on!
I hit the back space bar and it submitted my entry before I was able to go through and edit. to make more sense I had to edit the closing.
The finale, your goal acheived because you, yourself, made the decision to put the effort in ; you took control of your destiny know matter how tough the challenge appeared.
I have learned alot,but have a lot more to learn so that I may give in return.
thanks for reading and thank you for all that I have already learned from your site.
JP
Videos keep coming! You guys are making this so hard on me..
Thanks, Darla!
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The response to this has been amazing.
Thanks everyone so so much! I’ve read and seen them all so far, but I’ll be reviewing everything again and making a decision soon! Just have to wrap things up for the club opening..
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Dear Val,
I’d love to feel confortable enough to submit a video or a picture so I could get a body assessment. But the truth is that I’m not. I’m too self conscious about my body, and hope to have a chance to get this scholarship even without the video.
I’m 28 years old and live in Brazil. I wouldn’t call myself fat, but in the last semester I’ve gained 6 to 7 pounds which are annoying me very much and my body fat is high, around 27 %. I’m 1 meter, 63 cm tall and weight 53 kg. (Í’m not an expert in the English system, but I believe that I’m 5′ 5′ and weigh about 116 pounds). I wish I could get back to the 49 Kg I used to weight but, mostly, to get a slimmer figure.
I consider my hips and tighs too large, and a reduction on my belly circunference would also be welcome. I don’t have complaints about my arms, back or shoulders, which are quite fit, I believe.
Even before gaining this recent weight I was struggling to loose a couple pounds just so I could look good in a bathing suit. But now, I’m truly worried. I don’t quite know what caused it. Maybe the fact that now I’m 28 and my methabolism is slower, or maybe the fact that, living in hotels for 7 months, it was hard to eat properly.
I was a very thin child and teenager. When I turned 18 I gained 10 pounds in one year, than dropped 7 or 8 and have been trying to loose thous extra 3 pounds ever since. My weight is very stable. I don’t gain weight easily, but it’s very hard to loose even a single pound.
I used to practice pilates (for three years), and tried to run (only tried, I admit, because I’m not a big fan of cardio exercises). Then, I moved to different towns and had to drop out of my beloved pilates last November, and three months ago I started working out on a gym doing weights and cardio exercises on alternate days. .In the beginning, only twice a week, and for the past 3 weeks, 5 times a week.
I’ve bought your Valslides and have been trying to use it too in addition to the workouts in the gym. I loved the Red Carpet Ready book. It’s packed with great tips!
What challenges me the most’, I’m afraid, is sticking to the diet you prescribed. Being half japanese, it’s hard to me to give up rice, even at night, and to control my portions better during lunchtime.
I try to eat vegetable soups for dinner, but they also have a bit of starchy carbs, such as potatoes or yams. During the day, I’ve changed my snacks to raisins, nuts, mini tomatoes, lowfat yogurts, and am very proud of it.
I believe this is difficult to me because, never being really fat, I’m not very committed to a diet. However, I do believe this is the only path to regain a slim body, and would greatly benefit from your coaching.
I commit myself to go to the gym at least 5 times a week and to stick to the diet you prescribed in the Red Carpet Ready. I hope that my situation challenges you enough pick me. All I want is to loose those 8 pounds and slim donw on my tighs and hips until the end of this year (summer in Brazil).
love,
Barbara
Hi Valerie,
First, I want to thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I don’t have access to a video camera, but I’d LOVE for you to pick me for the scholarship!
Regardless, I’m still very interested in the “6-Week “Platinum” Red Carpet Ready Club Coaching Group” and all the professional help you have to offer. I can tell you that I am a VERY dedicated individual, and I that I wouldn’t let you down… You can hold me accountable.
Where I’m at now:
I’m 25 years old, 5′2″ and currently weigh about 140 lbs. Either I have a lot of muscle mass or I’m big-boned, because no one ever believes me when I say I weigh that much. My goal is to slim down, yet maintain a feminine, curvy physique with muscles in all the right spots. I also want to be heathy. A few months ago, my doctor told me I had borderline high-cholesterol.
Types of programs I’ve tried and my results:
In the past, I’ve tried many different programs from Billy Blank Taebo videos, diet pills, exercise & diet books/magazines, Atkins diet, Val Slides & Valbands to personal trainers.
…Here are the results:
- Billy Blank Taebo videos: Very good cardio. It worked and then it got boring and less challenging after watching the same dvd over and over and over again.
- Diet Pills: DISASTER!! I had an allergic reaction to one brand and had to go to the doctor. I got better once I stopped taking the diet pills.
- Exercise & Diet books/magazines: Although, it’s very nice to read up on new exercises & diets, they all get lost under piles and piles of magazines/books… I NEED easy-to-access info, instead of wasting my time going through tons of papers.
- Atkins Diet: Initially worked, then it was a DISASTER! It completely threw my diet off, I later developed horrible cravings for carbs and couldn’t stay on track
- Val Slides & Valband: I’m the only one in my gym that uses them, however, they’re great for when I need to add a little variety to my workout, so I don’t plateau. I occassionally get sore the next day, but not always.
- Personal Trainers: I’ve had 2 personal trainers in the past. Here’s my experience with my first trainer: Although he didn’t charge me for nutritional counseling, he had me submit a food journal everytime we trained -it was part of my homework, and I would do it without fail. From there, he’d critique it and tell me what he’d like to see more/less of (from calories, carbs, fat, sugar, sodium and fiber).. Yes, he was THAT strict. I must admit that he taught me the importance of lifting heavy and eating right/clean and most importantly, he MOTIVATED me to stay on the program. At the time, my arms and legs were looking better than ever, and I would get compliments from people all the time about how great I looked. I weighed a healthy 123 lbs or so at my lowest point. I would’ve continued training with him, except that personal training got to be VERY expensive. It costs me about $330 per month, so I had to stop.
A few months later, I changed gyms and signed up for personal training again, this time it was about half-price. But by then, I gained an additional 5 lbs because I stopped doing my food journal. My second trainer was very nice and tough. He did NOT offer nutritional counseling, but he taught me lots of challenging new exercises, from extreme ball balancing and arm balancing moves to very useful yoga stretches to do before & after workouts. Unfortunately, I could not continue training with him as I had many other financial obligations. Although I did not lose weight while training with the second trainer, I maintained it… I gained the additional 15 lbs or so, after I stopped training with him.
I now try to hit the gym at least 3-4 times a week minimum. My CURRENT workout routine consists of a 10-15 minute cardio warmup followed by 45-minute+ sessions of heavy weight lifting and body-weight exercises, such as pullups and pushups. FYI, I’m constantly changing my workouts, because I don’t want to plateau, but I also worry because I lift heavy that I may be bulking up my body, especially my legs. Furthermore, I want to minimize the appearance of cellulite and also add muscle to develop a sexier, firmer butt without bulking up my legs.
In terms of eating right, it gets hard. I try to cook as much as I can, however it gets hectic b/c sometimes i’m too tired to cook or don’t have the time. I know there are no excuses, but I need some tips to help me reach my goal.
Where I want to be:
My goal is to look & feel better than ever!! Most importantly, I want to be healthy especially when I go to visit my parents later this Christmas, I want to be able to surprise them with how great I look. Not only that, but I want to be able to show off my hard work to those around me. For me it’s not a matter anymore of where I “want” to be, it’s more a matter of where I “plan” to be. With the right guidance, I’m positive I can achieve my goal or probably get better results than I would’ve thought possible… Please help me make this dream a reality. Thanks Val!
Hi Val, thanks a lot for this!
First of all sorry for my english
My name is Lucia, I’m 25, my weight is 85kg and height 174 cm.
I ‘ve always be sturdy, I know that I can’t ever had a skinny body…and I don’t really care to have it.
All I want is a healty body, tonic and sculpted and, of course, that matches with myself. I’ve noticed that everytime I eat more than I need I feel tired and apathetic and it is not a good thing!
I’ve also had a problem with my ankle, I’ve had five distorsions on my right ankle and I know that one of the most important thing to do to make it better is loose some (a lot!) weight.
I’ve always do sports in my life. From basketball to football, from swim to boxe, gym and athletics.
In the last year I’ve been so busy that I didn’t practise any sports and I feel so bad about it, I really need to do something but I don’t feel moved. When I knew you RCR something light inside me and I thought it may be a solution. I’ve taken the RCR and the Slides, the only think that miss in this is…you! Now that you opened this RCR club is a dream come true for me! We’re miles away (I’m Italian) but with this club I feel like we were closer.
Hope you can choose me for the private scholarship…but even if it won’t be I’m really really hope for this club!
Dear Val, thanks again for everything.
Bye
Lucia
Michelle - Give your husband a big smacka-roo from me. Tell him we (women) always expect more. I’m a recovering bathing suit / lingrie model so I never see myself for what I am. (Wonder if there’s a support group for that lol) But seriously I know when I need to shape and firm.
Linda M. - Thanks. Flat butts run in my family. I’ve been telling my friend that I can “almost” take the weight just to keep a bootie. I guess tha will be a huge focus for me - lose wright, shape up and keep the butt :).
On a seperate note - Our pets seem to like center stage, Val’s dog, Sonia’s dog, Michelle’s cat. I love it. When I work out at home, it’s usually outside. Today I used my ValSlides for the first time and my cat decided he needed to be right in the middle my workout. I didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. I guess our pets like Val too.
Val,
I have to say, that after “collecting” EVERY diet/workout plan on the market, and reading every author(I’m not exaggerating) I’ve really found a connection with RCR. They way you write about intentions and other things let me glimpse a spiritual component to you that I haven’t seen much of. And I like that. When I look at the assesments you do, and see the insight you posess, I just shake my head and wonder at the gift you have.
There are so many others that have shared their stories that motivate me- I don’t want to be considered for the scholarship, I’ll sign up for the training- (crazy, right?) those “others’ are more important than me. But I’ll share my story, briefly.
I’m now 51, and have been thin all my life. In high school I tried and tried to gain weight- no one semed to know how to go about it. I had my second child at 43, and a few years after that, my weight started going up. I had used Fen-Phen before I married, and got down to 128. I’m 5′7″ and that, I think, is where my metabolism derailed. Very low calories, not nearly enough protein- I found low-carb eating worked best to keep my weight down, but I was a fat and sugar craving nut. Guess I was what you’d call skinny fat.
Now, I’m 146. My goal is to burn off body fat and have a curvy waist. My abs/hips are holding body fat that needs to go, and I want to un-pack my saddlebags for keeps, and develop arms like Jennifer Garner has in Alias. I want the back of my thighs to lose the wavy quality they have, and lift my bum.
I’d like to “represent” for women my age. I’m all about eating clean- my trouble is in my head, believing that I can really eat 5-6 times a day. I need re-programming away from the crash diet-don’t put anything in your mouth brainwashing I’ve picked up. I’m getting there. I actually had 2 snacks just the other day! Low-carb bread and natural almond butter before a work-out.
I’ve started the RCR program, and can only make it once through all of the circuits. I sart sweating like crazy, get really winded. Luckily, I can re-condition quickly and know that in another week or two, that will improve.
But one of the coolest things about RCR are the people that post around here. I’m looking forward to progressing along the journey with everyone, and although it will take me more than 6 weeks to finish, I don’t mind- to me, it’s about finishing period!
So thank you for all you are doing for us all-we’re strangers to you, really, and yet you treat us with respect and caring. You just plain rock, Val!
Aloha nui loa,
Kathy
Kathy- 5 meals a day make me eat all day - I’m better with 2 small meals and a normal,substantial dinner - simply because - its a “cultural” thing (I’m trying to come up with what culture - my family has been in America for 100 years!)-and I like to eat dinner! BUT- balking as I did at Val’s “no junk” food - it broke a plateau I’ve had at the 136 mark for 2 years
The fun is this group that is forming isn’t it?
Hi Darla,
Great video… I think I can relate to you… After lifting heavy and doing so many exercises, it’s hard to know if I’m doing it right or doing too much.
I just want to tone up, without over doing it. Hehe, I’d love to be a fitness model as well… but we all know that doesn’t happen overnight! I applaud you on your great ambitions!
Hi Val,
It’s me again! I forgot to mention that at 5′2″, my goal is to drop 20 lbs in order to weigh 120 lbs AND most importantly, to learn lifestyle habits for maintaining my goal weight with ease. I know 120 lbs sounds heavy for my height, but any lighter and I think I’ll look unhealthy since my body is already naturally athletic/muscular. I could be wrong, but I won’t know until I’m 120 again.
Moreover, part of these lifestyle habits involve learning how to deal with stress and food cravings, and the convenience of fastfood places or restaurants. That is my MAJOR SIN. I’m pretty sure that’s why I gained all that extra weight in the first place… Motivation is key, please help me. Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks Val!
P.S. I’d love for you to pick me to be in your “6-Week “Platinum” Red Carpet Ready Club Coaching Group”.
Hello Everyone,
I have never done this before, but there is always a first time for everything.
To sum up who I am, I am a 31-year-old Indian woman (5’2” and 137lbs), wife, mother of two beautiful boys (23 months and 9 months), daughter, and 4.5-year graduate student (hopefully my last year).
As Indians we do not talk much about our weight and if we are overweight people call us “healthy”, indirectly saying were fat. If I received a dollar for each time I was told I was “healthy” I would be a rich woman. I did not struggle with my weight until after my first year of university (to much taco bell, mcdonalds, etc…). After uni I went to India for 3 months, fell in love and 1.5 year later got married. After marriage, I let my guard down completely; within 9 months I gained 25lbs.
After returning back to the States, my husband and I were at the lowest point in our marriage, 9/11 had just happened, immigrants were looked at with fear, so we lived at my parents’ house jobless. I turned to food to drown my sorrows and my husband did what he does best and that was to lose weight. We continued on this path for several months, until we were both blessed with jobs in which we could survive day to day.
We continued to work hard and eat as healthy as we could, however my husband could see I was not the same person he married. He understood that my “looks” bothered me. I was always told to my face that he was much better looking than I, and I accepted it happily, however I could not accept that fact that I could not be better.
In 2002, he was kind enough to get me a personal trainer at Bally’s, even though we could not afford it. It was a great place to vent my stresses, however I started to bulk up, something my trainer never said a woman can never do, I was so frustrated I quit before the program even completed.
After that I quit working out completely (in the past I used to complete in swimming relays and was an active gym member); until, I turned back to my Indian roots and started practicing ashtanga yoga. This in turn, guided me to ayurveda (an Indian holistic science), which revolutionized my eating habits. My family already practices vegetarianism (religious reasons, which means no eggs, gelatins, seafood, chicken, etc). After understanding ayurveda I learned the importance of organic foods and clean eating.
In 2005, my husband and I were seeing our lives turn around; I was at peace practicing yoga and eating clean, even thought I was overweight. We were then blessed with the birth of my first son; he was premature by 8 weeks so looking after myself was not even an option. After 6 months, I was pregnant with my second son. 2 months after he was born, we found out he has a bladder/kidney problem so we were back in the hospital. After two surgeries he is stable, however he will have to have another “big” surgery at 4 yrs of age. I tell you this not to go off on a tangent, but instead to explain that even through this and graduate school we still ate and eat clean. I am the only one in the family that cooks and even if it was going to kill me, I was not going to let “bad” food get the better of us because I was taught “food is life”.
To make a long story short, I had given up all forms of exercise (lost 99% of the faith in losing weight), however it was that 1% that made me come across RCR. I have already started making baby steps to train to run a marathon next May, but I need a workout that will make me strong and lose the weight, hopefully RCR is it. I have purchased all the equipment, but waiting for the dumbbells. I hope this works because nothing else has (I can not go into everything that I have done otherwise instead of a story I will have a novel). In any case, I am willing to give it my best.
Finally, I certainly I will not win the scholarship, but I feel blessed that I can share my story for the first time. I hope to keep in touch and make some friends along the way.
Sorry for rambling.
With love,
Rachna
Sorry I haven’t’ been on in a few days. College gets a little busy. I want to say thanks for everyone’s support and I hope to see you guys at the RCR club tomorrow!!
~With Love~
C.S.
Hi Val,
Let me start off with a bit of my background. Growing up, I never played any sports and was generally inactive. I come from an overweight family and my mom fell victim to very low-calorie diets and eventually took Fen-Phen. She currently was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, so I’ve grown extremely cautious of getting fit in any way that could be detrimental to my health.
Despite this, I’ve always been average/normal looking in weight. When I went to college, I became interested increasingly interested in fitness and it’s blending with the entertainment industry. I wasn’t an athlete, singer, or dancer, but I had a strong desire to “find my thing” and be good at something (while looking good too :)). As I analyzed what I wanted to as a career, I realized I wanted to pursue my passion for fitness and entertainment full-time. I started watching what I ate (loosely) and doing cardio and resistance training. Eventually, I lost about 10-12% body fat and about 5-8 pounds. Throughout the process, my self-esteemed has increased, I’ve become fairly strong (I’ve recently mastered the “push-up and clap”), and most importantly, I’ve found what I enjoy.
Unfortunately, I need to make a living, so I’ve succumb to the 9-5 corporate America path, making it extremely difficult to dedicate as much time as I would like to reaching my goals. I currently and about 120 lbs, 5′2″‘ and body fat in the high teens, low twenties. I know my statistics put me at slightly above average, but I want to be more than that. Although it’s cliche, I want to be the best I can be and given the pressures of a stressful job, as well as the knowledge I am lacking, I have never gotten past that hump in order to have the lean and sculpted look you are known for.
My guess is that my diet is the biggest problem, although with so many schools of thought of what will work vs. not, it’s hard to follow something specific, so I’ve mostly just stuck with counting calories and eating low-fat foods. In terms of my exercise routine, it’s on and off, but I would it’s about 4-5 days of cardio for one hour and some interval training three days a week.
At this point, I am confident that it’s minor tweaks to my program that will let me see the results that I want. I’ve had personal trainers in the past, but they’ve never gotten me to where I want to be.
I know that with your coaching, I will achieve my goals. Your background is the perfect match given where I want to be. My dream would be to work as a fitness model and do print work/commercial work and have the signature look you provide to your celebrity clients. With your help in achieving this look, I hope to pursue it full-time and leave my 9-5. To me it’s more than being fit, I want to make it a career and eventually inspire others to reach their fitness goals and help them realize it is possible.
I would really appreciate the scholarship - I just turned 23 and recently graduate college with a ton of student loan debt so I don’t have much deposable income. I hope we can work together soon and I be very grateful for the opportunity!
Thanks Danielly
You know I think we could be twins- I am almost 5′2″ I say I like to round up to it! and people never thought I weighed 140- I didn’t know if I should take it as a compliment or not.
I’m really looking forward to the forum that Val mentioned- that will be the place we can really share and relate to people like ourselves and everyone else in between.
I know for me, so much of it still is mental and I think you’ll get the eating figured out in time.
Darla–great video–loved the pics..just for background, I started my own fitness journey at 140 lbs..am 5′..lost about 32 pounds and over 20 inches..I’ve been working out/lifting 3x a week and doing cardio 1or 2x a week for a few years now..eating clean is key. All you girls hold on to this determination and you will succeed..The end result is so worth it..
I think that Martina Navratilova said it best
” I think the key is not for women to set any limits.”
But the real key is planning. We are all busy in our own way and one of the things I have found in my own life is with all my planning and “doing” as a woman was that I forgot to plan for myself. That is what I appreciate most about The RCR program. After having tried what I thought was almost everything from everyone I have found a “plan” that works for me!! I stumbled on the RCR program while looking for a hairdo that I saw someone have on the Red Carpet. I am so happy with the results that I have so far. Don’t discredit the fact that you are not benching 250 or leg pressing 350, becauseafter the step ups and lunges, you’ll be walking like you leg pressed 350!!
It is my intention to continue with the RCR program and I have been really happy with the support and encouragement that I have received from you all. I never in a million years thought that I would be picked to have a pesonal assessment, and I debated telling my family and friends when I was chosen (assessment 11), but now they are my biggest supporters!
I intend to continue supporting and encouraging as much as I can. Which ever membership I choose.
I am cheering for each of you, not only to hopefully get the scholarship, but in your journey to make a life change because that is my intention too. Good luck to each of you and I hope to see you on the Red Carpet.
Ps.. to all of you who did videos, kudos You are beautiful!!!
Laura
Hi Val,
My name is Peta I live downunder in Sydney Australia. I am 35 and have had 6 children whom I home educate. My height is 6ft and I weigh about 69-70kgs I think that is about 150lb’s maybe?(I am a size 8 American) I am not overwieght but do need to loose about 3-5kgs of fat. I think I have a similar body shape to Elle Macpherson without the boobs boy did I wish I had some of those. Anyway I have always wanted to have a great body but have always been off the mark by a bit and I have never managed to get there. I am very much into nutrition and study it extensively as it is a great passion of mine. I guess you could say I am alternate in that regard. I have been in and out of gym’s since I was 15.
Let me tell you your circuits are the best, I do them when I wake up in the morning and they take what 30 -40 minutes. As you all can imagine I am super busy and going to the gym can use a lot of my time up. You don’t know how many of my friends I have spoken about you to.
All I can say is, can you train me? I was so stoked when you personally answered my e-mail and so were my children in regards to personal assessment.
About my diet I have done many diets and am sick of them I try to eat none processed foods that means making my own such as,sour dough from scratch pasta and kefir. Getting rid of refined sugars is another one. I am gluten intolerant so that has made things a little bit harder for me.
Anyway all you lovely ladies I have been watching your assessments and your struggles and I do understand you are all doing a great job it does take hard work and dedication. Keep up the hard work.
Regards, Peta Baird
A little about me…I am 32 years old and the mother to one awesome and active 4 year old. I work full time and also go to school 3 nights a week. I starting excercising after I gave birth to my son. At 276 pounds I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. I worked off 80 pounds and then at the begining of this year I was diagnosed with a detached retina. I have had 5 surgeries on it already this year and things are not looking good. During this whole time under doctors orders I could not excercise at all. After every surgery I have had to lay flat on my face to recover. I could only get up to go to the bathroom or eat! This has been so hard on my whole family. They have been my rock taking care of me and helping out in any way they could. My little man especially has had a really hard time with his mommies broken eye, trying to undersand why I couldn’t pick him up or play with him anymore like I used to.
For most of the year I have not been able to do any of things I used to do. At this time I still can’t see out of my left eye and my doctor doen’t know what if any kind of vision I may have in my eye. Not being active for most of the year, I have put back on about 30 pounds. In August the doctor gave me the thumbs up to go back to the gym which has made me very happy. Exercise truly is my stress reliever and this year has been very stressful to say the least.
So now I am keeping myself very busy with work, school, the gym and my family. And just trying to move on with my life. Things with my eye are very much up in the air, but I have really been trying to stay positive and not focus on the what ifs. Then a few weeks ago my best friend called to let me know she is getting married next summer and she wants me to be her maid of honor. Thinking of the wedding next summer is really giving me the motivation I needed to really get my butt in gear.
Thanks Val for giving me the chance to tell my story. I am very excited about the RCR club and I know with the Platinum 6 week coaching it would bring me that much closer to my goals. I would love the chance to win one of your scholarships.
With love,
Amy
Hi Val, Hi everyone,
My name is Erin. I sent in a video last night, to your e-mail. I’m not sure if you received it. I had a heck of a time trying to get my camera to work, took a very long time, into the wee hours to finish. Actually my sweet & supportive husband did all that for me! Just incase it didn’t get through I thought I’d leave my comment here too.
I’m 31 years old, a newlywed, next month is our 1 year anniversary. Yay! Where I am now is that I am 5′2″ and 125lbs last time I checked. I am fit. I’m definately a refining case, as you put it, Val. Believe it or not, I really do have trouble areas and it’s not in my head, I promise you!
I have tried, in the past, several weight training programs: Body For Life, which I was very excited about but at the time I had a very damaged metabolism and very congested liver from a bout with disordered eating in highschool. I now understand I was battling candida issues and food allergies and sensitivities from the havoc that wreaked on my system. So while I was sticking well to the program I was only building up my muscle and not losing weight.
As a little background I have always been active, love to be and have been fairly fit most of the time. I LOVED gymnastics when I was younger and have a body type that resembles a gymnast. I put on muscle easily. I was never obese or even overweight really until that nasty disordered eating creaped it’s head out. I was initially trying to get healthy - gave up fast food (McDonalds) and smoking! Those were big steps. It was at that time, my sophmore year of highschool that a tremendous passion for holistic nutrition and natural health surfaced. Anyway, I lacked healthy coping skills, had family difficulties and the healthy eating soon turned into a very unhealthy way of coping. I gained 30 or 35 lbs in the span of a summer! Yikes! Needless to say, I was mortified. This series of events set me up for serious weight loss resistance and left me with cellulite deposits - at 20! I was so ashamed. I have since worked through those issues, praise God! And I’m very healthy and well-adjusted. I am still battling the last, it seems (I hope), of the complications from the abuse my body suffered.
I prayed for a job in the health arena, as I did not have my education completed and the job I have been at for 8 years was dropped in my lap. I work (now part-time, thankfully, since I’ve been married) at a holistic nutritionist’s office. She specializes in cleansing and detoxification. I threw myself into that program - TOTALLY! My boss was a tremendous support and resource, she coached me through the very rough 2 year period of getting off the food substances I was addicted to and through the ups and very low downs of recovering from some major food allergies. I lost some weight then, 5-10lbs, and I felt healthier all the time. M weight yo-yo’dand yet my nearly life-long goal of being in the best shape of my life seemed possible again. Because of the challenges of cleansing, my energy being quite low, I was only doing walking, rebounding and stretching for exercise.
When my energy began to normalize I discovered pilates. Boy was that a match made in heaven. I LOVED it! I saw fantastic results, the size of my thighs and hips shrank, a little, but still it was very encouraging!! I felt great, it was wonderful. I was also doing a high raw diet, and still am. Though I’m not vegetarian or vegan, I do eat a plant-based diet - extremely clean! I have had no refined anything, processed anything… and no refined sugar in 5 or 6 years. I am proud of that, I must admit. It was an exceptional amount of effort to get there. Anyway, I kept with the pilates for just over a year and then had to give it up to be financially responsible.
About 2 months ago I decided to give my dream of ultimate physical fitness another push. I found a site called Renegad Health and they had free bodyweight exercises posted, so I started to do them and to my surprise I began to see a slight bit of definition in my upper legs. My butt, hips, thighs and upper legs are my “problem” areas. I have never seen definition in my legs! So I thought I should step up the effort to hopefully see some weight loss and get lean, like I want to be. So I came across another program, Vince DelMonte’s Six Pack Abs. I wasn’t all that concerned about the six pack abs, just that people seemed to do well with it, there was a money back guarantee and he really did give a LOT of info. with his program. I’ve been doing it for 4 weeks now and while I do notice I’m tighter and my muscles feel more dense, it’s still not providing the weight loss I want to see.
I’m very dedicated, very consistent when I put an effort forth. I feel I just really need that final tweaking, someone to indeed take me by the hand and show me how to get through this, I hope, last bit of things to realize one of my strongest passions - to be in the best shape of my life! To see my physical body at it’s peak and manifesting it’s full potential! I believe I do need the help you can offer, Val.
I have seen myself in that place of ultimate fitness for many years and I won’t give up. I have been very discouraged, don’t get me wrong. I have been trying to get there for atleast 10 years! I feel I’m closer than ever. To acheive this goal would feel deeply rewarding, deeply satisfying. It would feel so wonderful to know I realized my potential and fulfilled this goal, that I was able to do it!
There are sooooo many wonderful women here, who all deserve such an opportunity as this. Bless you for giving this opportunity. I would love to be able to work with you! Obviously, I do want you to pick me, I know I could do it!
I wish all the best to everyone!
Thank you, Erin!
the Flash Player to see this player.
I submitted mine to Val directly since it wouldn’t let me post yesterday - I think it was a strange setting i had messed up on my antivirus and web browser though - i am hoping it is all better now.
just wanted to say that reading everyone’s stories is very motivating to me as I can see that even though our backgrounds and experiences, and even our reasons for wanting to succeed at this are quite diverse that the support people are showing for each other is great and I think its that kind of thing that tips the scales of motivation and can be a great boost to ultimate success.
i am really looking forward to the RCR Club and hopefully the Platinum Club too
Best of luck to all who applied for the scholarship
The stories are all great. I don’t envy Val having to choose one or two (hint, hint). I’m getting so excited.
I just want to say to Darla that I can sooooo relate to your story. It seems our bodies respond in very similar ways. I just want to encourage you, you remind me of me. That’s not the encouraging part (lol). What I mean is that if I can make the strides I have, so can you! I still have finishing work to do and it has been slow, but that’s okay (sometimes). You just have to stick with it, okay! Thank you for sharing your story, really. God bless you!
Hey everyone,
I believe Val has chosen the winner (s?)
I’m just waiting to hear from her.. we’ll be announcing it today
I know she was stressing big time over it
thank ryan, can’t wait, excited for the winner(s)
I hear the song “Pressure” from Billy Joel running through my mind lol!
Thanks for the update.
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The winner(s):
Ok, so Valerie was completely freaked about this.. I really felt bad for her. She could NOT pick a winner.. but I forced her to.
If I wasn’t around, she probably would’ve just made everyone a winner. I couldn’t stand watching her fret over it anymore.
The Platinum Winner: Jenelle (congratulations!!)
and she decided to give Gold runner-ups to 3 people:
Sonia
Gráinne
Rachna
–
Believe me, it was torture just watching her having to choose.. I really felt bad for her.
Really, I felt bad too. You guys are just so amazing.. and the stories are just awesome.
Thank everyone so so so so so much.. and I promise we’ll do something like this again.
(if you won, e-mail me at rcrfeedback@gmail.com and I’ll get you squared away)
Honestly, right now.. i dread even pressing the Submit button on this post. I wish everyone could’ve won;.
Oh my Gosh!!!!!!
I can’t even tell you how excited I am. I just ran around the house whopping up a storm and high fiving everyone. My family thinks I’m NUTS!!!! Thank you Val and Ryan.
Everyone is so deserving of this, everyone’s stories were way better than I mine (I thought). I’m not sure I could have picked just one either. I would have been a mess.
I wish we all could be the “winner”. I know that we’re all winners just because we went out of our comfort zone and posted the videos and stories. That takes guts and courage.
I’ll be posting progress (and soreness) on my blog so please feel free to come on by.
Thanks again - Jenelle
Hi everyone,
i read the post at 4:00 am EST (my little one woke me up) and have been speechless ever since. Thanks Val, Ryan, and all of you because your stories helped me write mine. I, like Jenelle, will be posting my updates, please stop by and say hi. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Rachna
Everyone did such an awesome job, I was really impressed with how many people responded to this contest, and with their willingness to share their stories. After reading all the stories and watching the videos, I was surprised that I won one of the gold scholorships, there were SO many deserving people to choose from, I have no idea, how awful it must have been for Val to make that choice. (I would have ended up drawing names from a hat
)
For someone to get this opportunity, and not do their absolute best, would be a shame. I would hate for anyone to feel a scholorship was wasted on me. So, on the top of my list of “intentions”, will be that I remain grateful for this opportunity, and that I will always strive to do my very best.
Thank’s so much Val for this opportunity,
I will see you and Ryan in “the Club”
Luv
Sonia
I don’t believe it! Thank you so much! Was away the last few days and “knew” there was no chance I’d win anything so hadn’t checked…until somebody told me I’d won a prize. Yaaaaayyyyyy!
Hi Jenelle, Sonia, Rachna and Grainne!
I feel like I know you guys already and I am so invested in how you do. I love that you all are so supportive of all the women and I think each of you will be such an amazing example. It was really hard to pick winners, because really each person who wrote in, in my mind is so brave and should win. I think everyone will be motivated by the 4 of you, so this is how we reach more women. I want everyone to live Red Carpet Ready and I truly believe they have it within themselves to do so. I will be checking up on you. and as Sonia says, “I’ll see you in the club”.
Luv,
Val
Thank you again, Val. I really appreciate this opportunity and feel so honoured to be chosen! It’s already made a difference….the chocolate has been locked away for now , fridge is stocked up with fruit, yoghurt and salad and I’ve been writing my goals ready for entry into the club. I think it will be really good to be more accountable and share the experience with others so can’t wait to get started! This has already been such a positive experience with such a lovely group of people. Will take my role as international ambassador very seriously
See you in the club,
Gráinne x
Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I know you all are having so much fun in the club! Wish I could join you! I Know each one of you will have amazing results.
Val I can still share my quinoa recipes if you are still interested! Just let me know.!
Mandy
Hi! My name is Cindy and I have never had the body I know I am capable of having. Sadly, I’m a personal trainer and get results in each of my clients!!!! I don’t look terrible but I could stand to lose probably 20 lbs of fat. My biggest downfall is probably too much information in my head and too many different theories on how to get to my goal. I get flustered and end up switching from program to program before I ever get results. By doing this I maintain my 5′5 145lb, had 2 kids and am 39 yrs old body but I’m not the MILF I want to be LOL. I’m constantly researching working out and dieting and am convinced that Valerie is one of the few trainers out there that have it right! Based on my belief of that, I’ve been training all my clients following her RCR protocol with some changes in exercises to keep things different once in a while.
My other problem is food….it just tastes so good! I have a HUGE appetite and give in to it often, if not daily. I start each day with good intentions but end up indulging my sweet tooth too much. Much of my problem is years and years of dieting/eating clean (not constantly but it always comes back to that) and frankly, I’m sick to death of salads, egg whites, oatmeal and sweet potatoes! Any help in the diet department would be hugely welcome!
The gym I work at it very well known in the fitness industry and I feel as a personal trainer I owe it to myself, my clients, and my gym to walk the walk, and talk the talk. Yes, I can get results in my clients while looking like I do, but I’d feel much better about myself and my confidence if I was happy with my body before I start trying to help others like themselves.
Even trainers can benefit from having a trainer and so I hope, Valerie, you can help me out!
I turned 40 this year. I wanted so much to be where I had always dreamed of being….fit, fun, fantastic, and full of life. I came no where near achieving this goal. I have always struggled with my weight. I grew up as an overweight child, then an overweight teen, then as an overweight young adult. In 1988 I topped the scales at 244 pounds. I lost 72 pounds on Physicians Weight Loss. I was so excited because I had never been a normal size. The only issue with this plan was that it was a starvation plan that planned for you to be in ketosis. Through the years I have gained this weight back. The most I have weighed is 275. This was after I tore my Achilles tendon. Now, I weigh in at 248 pounds. I can’t believe I let myself creep back up. I like to work out and love to do at home workouts. I am engaged to be married but it is all on hold because I want to look and feel good on my wedding day. I know that most of my issues are emotional and mental. This weight is a wall to hide behind and an excuse for failure. Taking the weight away is also taking away the excuse. I am ready. Whatever happens after the weight is gone will be okay. I’m tired of being afraid of the unkown. I am ready to be fit, fun, fantastic, and full of life. When I turn 41 next June, I do not want to look back with regret on another year that has passed me by without being my very best. I love your plan Valerie and would love to be a part of the Scholarship.