Finding Confidence and Learning Self-Love: An Interview with Emily G.

Q: Why did you decide to join Team WAG?

A: I actually started my fitness journey right after I graduated high school in 2008. Over the course of six years, I was able to lose about 60lbs on my own. I wanted to see what my new body was capable of and push it to its limits, so I started CrossFit in 2013. Fast forward nearly three years I was the same weight but had seen a significant change in my body composition and then it stalled. At that point I did Zone, Paleo, you name it. I saw a lot of success when I was following these programs, but neither were maintainable with my lifestyle. After letting my nutrition go out the window and gaining about 10lbs, I realized that it didn’t matter how hard I worked at the gym, if I wasn’t focusing on nutrition all that hard work was going out the window. I knew I needed something that was maintainable and that was going to keep me accountable. Two of my wonderful friends had been doing WAG for a few weeks and recommended it, so I decided to give it a shot!

Q: Was there anything about the program that surprised you?

A: First, I was surprised by how much I was supposed to be eating. Then I was surprised by how much my body had been craving that because prior to WAG I hadn’t been eating nearly enough to fuel my body for my workouts. Then, of course, there is the transformation. I could see and feel differences in my body in week 1 and every week I continue to be surprised by the changes I see during my check-ins.

For years, I was fully convinced my body was just not capable of weighing less than 150lbs, that I would never have abs due to excess skin from my significant weight loss, and that I would never feel comfortable in my body. But here I am, sitting pretty at around 140lbs, with visible abs, and most importantly, feeling like when I look in the mirror the girl looking back at me is finally the girl that I always pictured in my head.

Q: How have you managed to stay on track while balancing all of your work and social commitments?

A: For me, it’s all about balance. I have the luxury to be doing WAG for personal reasons rather than trying to make weight for a competition, so I’ve probably been a little more flexible than some are able to be when it comes to estimating. During my first few months, I had family visits, went on my honeymoon, traveled for work, went to parties, and attended work lunches. Did I just say “there is no way I’m tracking during my honeymoon?” Absolutely. But, I’ve always been honest with my coach and I’ve made hitting my numbers spot on before and after those moments a priority.

When it comes to social gatherings, I try my best to plan ahead. If I know I’m going to be eating out later in the week, I make sure that I hit my numbers perfectly leading up to that day. When the day comes, I estimate the food I’m going to have for the entire day and I try to be -5c/+5p/-2f, that way I know that if my estimates are off, I have some pretty significant wiggle room.

I’ve also learned when it just isn’t worth it. I have gone to countless work lunches where I simply am there for the conversation and either eat my packed lunch before or after at the office. It was weird at first, but its not anymore and I’m always surprised by the positive comments I get from my co-workers about my dedication and discipline.

Q: How has your performance in the gym been affected by tracking, if at all?

A: The changes at the gym have been incredible. I continue to add weight to almost all of my lifts, and my gymnastics movements have improved beyond what I ever thought I was capable of. Never in my life did I think I could do a freestanding handstand, and now handstand walking is something within my grasp.

Joining WAG has not only changed my performance, but it has changed what I believe I am capable of. The confidence I have in myself and my abilities have done wonders.

Q: What has been the biggest change you've made in your lifestyle since joining?

A: Aside from the body transformation, my mental transformation has been incredible. I’ve been able to apply a lot of the mindset I use for this program to my career and personal life and have seen nothing but positive changes.

Essentially, everything you do is a choice. You have the choice to hit your macros, to work out, to blow your macros, to be positive, to get your work done, etc. The results you see in your life and in your progress (regardless of if it is fitness, mental, career, etc.) are all a result of the choices you make.

Q: What advice do you have for other people considering hiring a nutrition coach?

A: Do it… but only if you are fully committed to the process if you are willing to make sacrifices, and if you are ready to make yourself and your goals your priority. There is never going to be a time when it is convenient to start because there are always going to be work functions and parties and trips, but are all of those things more important to you than reaching your own goals? If they are, then maybe hold off, but if you’re willing to make those sacrifices it is worth it.

This process will absolutely work for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it is for everyone.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: I’m just really thankful for this program. I think that sometimes our goals can come off as shallow, but what I want people to understand from me is that I was a girl who weighed well over 200lbs for the majority of my life and I have never felt confident in my own skin. Up until six months ago, even in my best shape, I would still regularly end up in tears over the way I felt about my body.

Because of the progress I’ve seen, I have so much more confidence and joy, and that time I spent stressing over how something fit or what my body looked like, is spent enjoying life.

I want everyone to know that regardless of what their goals are, they are worth putting themselves and those goals first and they are so, so capable of reaching them and exceeding them.