It's Not You, It's ME

I recently competed in an NPC Bodybuilding competition, placing third in my class. It was my first figure competition and the hardest transformation I've EVER gone through (understatement of the year).  I'm incredibly proud of my accomplishment, but because I take this so seriously, and I dream of so much for myself in this sport, I did not let myself go into full-celebration mode. It was like I placed, but in my head I'm straight into the next competition. I can do better! I WILL do better. I want to do better. I want more. This is my third year competing and now that I feel I found my "division" I can't stop, won't stop, until I get THERE!

Even though I just worked for months on this, I can't slow down! I haven't reached my goal. Everything else must fall by the waste side (except for work because I'm not a complete idiot and time with my clients keeps me sane).

When I say "everything else" I mean EVERYTHING:  Entertainment, hygiene, chores like laundry and washing dishes, and mostly: relationships. This is the worst part about competing. Maybe some competitors are better at balancing then me. Maybe I'm a bad communicator? Maybe they don't understand because I don't explain it well enough? Maybe it's a million things. Maybe it's just me? I mean, It's quite possible that I suck at life, but truth be told I get so incredibly busy and EXHAUSTED balancing my work and my workouts that I'm forced to choose myself and my goal over almost everything 100% of the time.

My family and friends do not understand this.  They say they do and then they are asking me to hang out or making me feel guilty for not committing to spend time with them...
"I'd love to but I can't, I have to workout."
    "I can't, I have to eat at 2:30."
" I cant, I have to create four new workout plans."
" I can't I'm freaking tired and I choose to lie here and watch TV for two hours and shut off my brain instead of doing ANYTHING else." Oops.

People who matter like my Mother and best friend, as much as they love me and are trying to be supportive, just can't process my priorities and I've learned that I cant expect them to BECAUSE I CHOOSE THIS. This is not a punishment. Nobody forced this desire upon me! This is MY PASSION  burning in the deepest parts of me, forcing me to keep going, keep fighting!
THIS IS MY DREAM.
THIS IS MY GOAL. I choose to place it above all else.
Even my boyfriend, who I live with, who sees me bleeding for my goal, gets pissed off because even though he sees me all the time he never gets time with me.

DO I want my loved ones to understand? YES!
Do I want them to feel un-loved or left-out or ignored? HELL-TO-THE-NO! 
Do I want more time with them? Yes!
... but not more then I want this for me. 

I'm writing this entry because I want people to hear me when I say: All that matters is WHAT you want. You get one life. DO whatever it is you have to do to be happy (short of hurting others on purpose but that goes without saying). I see so many mothers choosing everyone else over themselves. Where does that leave you at the end of this? I see so many men and women running their own companies and when they finally make the time to invest in themselves, really give themselves permission to go for personal happiness, it's like a literal wight is lifted from them.
NOBODY WILL GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO GET YOURS. Even the people who love us most can't see past their needs to to let you BE YOU, in all your "selfish"glory. They might not get "it" but they don't have to! Release the need to be accepted in this way (by others), it does not lead to happiness. 

If you have something that you have been putting off, this is me telling you right now: STOP. Do IT NOW. MAKE THE TIME NOW. YOU ARE WORTH IT. 

All my Love,
Go get YOURS!
xoxo T

It's no secret I've been a little quiet lately.
You name it, I'll use it as an excuse: Off-Season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Clients, old clients, new friends, social events, bulking, birthdays, New Years AND SO ON...

How many of you are on this page? The "I don't even remember what my standard bicep weight I use is because its been THAT long since I've been to the gym" page!?!
Or better yet, the "Hey, I've totally been working out but I'm still wearing my fat pants for some reason" page?!?!

Well lucky for you the WHOLE world is on the "Get fit/Lose Weight/Gain Muscle/Be a sexy beast by Spring/This time I mean it" Page (as of YESTERDAY).
There is literally NO better time to get your little butt back to that gym, signed up with that Trainer, or at least walking the block like every other person out there!
I know, I know... the last thing you want to do is make another failed New Years Resolution.

I mean, "Don't even get me started."

This year don't think of it as a New Years Resolution,
                        think of it as "IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!"
three months from now you could hit your goal and never make a "I want to lose weight and be my best self" Resolution AGAIN! Next year, what if your Resolution is just to maintain a healthy lifestyle!?!
WOW! What a concept? Right?!?

The only reason you need to do you is because you want to,
                                                                                     your ready,
                                                                                             it's time! 
So from me to you, Happy New Year! 
AND Happy Better, Improved, Happier, Healthier, Sexier, more Confident YOU!
You don't have to be 'NEW' also (I'm pretty darn sick of that marketing stanza myself)!
As far as I'm concerned you're already pretty damn awesome.

I believe in you (but it doesn't really matter unless you believe in you to)
XOXO
T
We can do it!

"Loose 20lbs in 4 Weeks!" Read THIS!

How enticing was that title, huh?

Well I sort of lied... Hey, if it got you to read my blog so technically I'm #winning...
Go ahead, be mad at me, but I'm only trying to save you from years of disappointment, health issues, false promises and gimmicks!

IF you wanna "loose 20lbs in 4 weeks" go join 'The Biggest Looser' where loosing 20 lbs is easily (& safely) accomplished because not only do they have professional doctors clocked-in 24/7 but because its only 4% of your total body weight when you weigh 400+ pounds!

Otherwise, DON'T EVEN GO THERE!

It's claims like these that make me go BANANAS!
Obviously.

Time to talk about a sensitive subject and one that I take very seriously: loosing weight in an unhealthful manner. I've seen all these posts on my Facebook page or heard clients discussing "their sister" trying out the HCG/whatever diet and have risked imploding on several occasions simply because I have so many feelings about this topic. Basically...
If it sounds too good to be true, it IS! 

When I have someone meet with me about personal training or creating a personalized plan I ask them the exact same thing: "Do you want the weight to come off fast OR do you want to keep it off?"
They usually reply: "Both."

Then I brake it down... if you want the weight to stay off you have to do it in a semi-slow, gradual manner. We are talking 1-2 lbs a week. This is a safe weekly goal to create "sticky" weight-loss.
Sticky means pounds that will stay off rather easily once your diet is 'over' and you move to maintenance. After all, you are not planning on being on an extreme diet forever, right? This gradual type of weight loss allows your body to adapt to your new weight, your new metabolism and what's more, allows you to create those 'sticky' habits that's will help you keep those pounds off long after your high school reunion/best friends wedding/ etc is over.

In short, it should NOT take you 4 weeks to loose 20lbs when your goal is to loose 10-35 lbs total. This is too high a percentage of your body mass to loose too rapidly and indicates a very-low calorie diet and/or excessive exercise... never mind the loose skin and rapid aging, just these two things alone lead to a ton of health risks including:
- storing of ketones (liver damage),
- heart damage,

- formation of gallstones
- eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, food addiction)
- workout addiction
- easily set-off edema

- AND THE WORST/Frequent symptom of extreme dieting I deal with: metabolic damage (as in your metabolism WILL inevitably be soo messed up that you will gain the weight back on wayyy faster then you took it off and what's worse, it is now 100 times harder to get rid of and what's worse-worse is that it redistributes in awkward places (like fat pockets on your hips and lower stomach)! This rapid fat-gain thing that occurs is mainly an after-effect of starvation. You are soo hungry once the 'diet' ends (or you take a brake) your body goes bonkers and/or you literally have a nervous breakdown trying to get the willpower back that it took to starve yourself the first time!

Cutting down the calories you take in PLUS upping your calories expended EQUALS 'weight-loss', but when you up the anti by consistently taking in less then 1500 calories a day and are excessively burning calories thru exercise you are playing with fire and you MUST be sure this is something that is made for you and ONLY you/your needs. I've had quite a few clients come to me recently who were put on a "competition-type" prep plan when they weren't even competing!!! These people have suffered severe muscle and strength loss AND have extreme metabolic damage... and all they were doing was listening to their trainer as their bodies and muscles got 'eaten up'.

The same thing must be said for miracle weight-loss shakes, weight-loss pills or drops, etc... these are all just dressed up methods of STARVING yourself. Sure, when you drink a shake/have these drops/pill instead of a normal meal at breakfast or lunch YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT BECAUSE you are starving yourself! I mean, duhhhhhhh. Those results you are getting WILL NOT last and you will get even fatter after! Quicker!

Don't cheat yourself, your health, and your body. Do it the right way. Work with a professional you trust to stay with you for the long-haul. Go workout like a normal, healthy person who is in control and who understands that everything awesome takes consistency and patience.  Eat healthy food. Retrain your brain along with your body so your results will be easy to maintain!

I'm here if you need help,
I believe in you, xoxo
T

You say "White Rice," I say "AhAAAHh!!!"

I don't like to admit this but I'm prejudice against grains of the non-whole variety. As in, I have no problem eating a jar of peanut-butter but try to get me to eat white rice and I go to crazy town on a "how can you put that crap in your body?!?!" type-rant! I hardly even eat sushi anymore because it's nearly impossible to find fresh brown rice sushi in my town and sushi without rice is sashimi (and sashimi is just raw fish and... thanks but I'll pass).
Sadly I find I am alone in my 'I hate white rice club'

Even my significant other prefers white rice (insert gasp here) as do most people in both of our families. I have heard every argument known to man as to why I need to drop my efforts to end the the white rice insanity. Instead of lashing out and alienating everyone on family occasions I usually just embrace my spiritual philosophy and say "If that's what you believe then you are right to." I really don't believe this, I'm just saying it (concerning rice, not spirituality btw). 

After all it's not my job/passion/hobby to know about this stuff is it?

Yea, about that...

So no matter which camp of the rice-wars you belong to here is what is going on in my head while you are making your argument: 

What I hear: "It's the exact same thing!"

My thought bubble: Ummm WRONG! While white rice and brown rice have basically the same amount of carbs, calories, and calcium, Brown rice provides FOUR times as much fiber and protein. In fact substituting white rice with any whole grains, including brown rice, protects your heart from cardiovascular disease, thanks to a compound found in the outer layers (called the bran layer) of the grain that is removed to make white rice (what gives it the pearly white color) along with some other awesome vitamins and nutrients. You are going to give up of that because you like your rice white? 

What I hear: "Asian culture is built on eating white rice and they are the healthiest people on the planet!" 

My thought bubble: Huh?!?! Regular consumption of white rice leads to development of type 2 diabetes and certain forms of stroke. According to a 2011 study published in the British Medical Journal researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reviewed four previous studies involving Asian (China and Japan) and Western countries (the United States and Australia) on the link between eating white rice and the risk of type 2 diabetes. They analyzed whether this risk is dependent on the amount of rice consumed and if the association is stronger for the Asian population. All of the participants were diabetes-free when these studies began. They found that the more white rice a person eats the higher his/her risk of type 2 diabetes. What's more, it's estimated that the odds increase by 10 percent with each additional serving (and who eats less then a cup of rice per serving when not paying super attention?).  

What I hear: Come on, is it really thaaaat bad for you?"

My thought bubble: Well, no. If you could care less about getting a vital amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from the food you put in your body and prefer empty starch/carbs to slow-digesting-your-body-needs-this-to-be-its-best whole grains then no, white rice isn't that bad for you. While it's not exactly eating a tub of full-fat ice-cream or smoking a pack of cigarettes, white rice is technically a processed food and if you say you care about your body and avoid processed foods then you have to kick that white rice to the curb! If you take the extra time to put stevia in your coffee, chew sugar-free gum and eat something green at almost every meal, take the next step and swear off anything besides 'whole' when it comes to your grains! 

From my head to your eyeballs,

I believe in you

xoxo

T

P.S. stay away from the regular soy sauce. Don't even get me started. 

If You're Exhausted And You Know It Raise Your hand: How to Beat The Tiredest Excuse EVER

“Every Part of me is so tired right now, I just want to cry.” 
Been there? Me to.
School, work, the kids, clients, a relationship with your partner, sibling or friend… unfortunately many things in life drain us instead of feed us.  Exhaustion itself takes on many forms - You have your standard ‘physical exhaustion’ and then you have your ‘mental' and 'emotional' exhaustion… all can be equally yucky If I do say so myself. Exhaustion, tiredness, fatigue, over-extending yourself, etc... it's a part of life... practically unavoidable, unless you win the lottery and can afford a full-time staff and even then you can't hire someone to work-out for you! The important thing is learning how to not let that exhaustion be an excuse that stands in the way of you achieving your goals. As NPC Nationals near I've been feeling overly tired/cranky/you-name-it-won't let-the-Mr-touch-me-without-biting-his-head-off so I have had to work (extra) hard to get everything into my day while maintaining (loose term) my sanity and my energy. True, I have a strong work-ethic but I'm only human and my activity-loaded days get to me as much as the next girl! Here I break down the steps that work for me when I'm just too tired.


          The first step – the Mental Piece

To put the kibosh on sabotaging behaviors and kill the thoughts that accompany exhaustion, the first step is to have a brutally honest conversation with yourself. Approach yourself with kindness and love (sneak attack works best) and ask yourself:

Am I tired?

For all intensive purposes, regarding my current state of health, should I be physically able to get to the gym/fix a clean meal/etc? Have I eaten and slept enough to devote one measly little hour to my body? 

Am I allowing myself to wallow in my "exhaustion" and be lazy?

Could I really push through if I really, really wanted to?

Could I stick to the plan, hold out and wait for my scheduled day of recovery or eat my scheduled cheat meal instead of blowing it all today?

           (If you are not sick or injured) The answer is most definitely: Of course you can!

Put quite simply: check Yo’Self before you Wreck Yo’Self (or your health and fitness goals) Got It?!?! The difference between having a ‘Perfect 10 Body’ and not having a  ‘Perfect 10 Body’ is going after it and sticking with it when you just don’t wanna!  You know you. Not only do you now what you are capable of achieving but you know better then anyone else what you are capable of talking yourself out of. Out-smart yourself. 

           The Second Step – the Emotional Piece

Don’t feel sorry for yourself! Remind yourself why you started all of this in the first place – to become your best self and get a rockin’ drool-worthy body! I say to do this a lot because I do this a lot! I am always reminding myself why I am fighting like this. I remind myself of my vision and tell myself that whatever tiredness I’m feeling right now won’t compare to the feeling of joy I will feel once I accomplish my goal! I know I will never get there if I let excuses such as 'tiredness' stand in my way. I look at my vision-wall, stalk a woman I admire on Facebook, stare blankly at a piece of clothing I'm striving to look awesome in and figure out how to trigger myself into wanting it again. Find your thing and hold onto it for dear life! Self motivation is the key to jump starting that booty! 

           The Third Step – the Physical Piece

Get your move on! Cry if you must but move forward. I said FORCE YOURSELF TO MOVE damn it! Put on your gym clothes (slowly if you must) drive to the gym or grocery store, begrudgingly (cursing my voice in your head, telling you to get off your lazy/tired tush)… before you know it your task will be completed and instead of dealing with the ‘Why did I do that?!?’s and trying to justify the poor choice you just made with that pitiful “I’m just sooo tired” excuse, you’ll be one step closer to reaching your goal! The results you have been getting, no matter how small, are worth fighting for mentally as well as physically. You must physically remove yourself from your comfortable/ pajama-enticing hole and put yourself where you don't want to be because once you are there you are already involved! You are already committed! What's more I can pretty much guarantee you will not get to the gym, in your gym clothes, and then decide to leave! You will do something workout-y and that alone will be worth it baby! It's not about being Perfect, It's about effort. Make the effort, move! It will happen! 

          The truth is guys: Everyone is flippin’ exhausted. Even those people who post lml (love my life) on facebook have a bad day, eat their feelings, or are exhausted from lml-ing too much!

Whenever I pass a person-in-need on the street I always give what I can (duh) but after living in Hollywood for so many years I can’t help but laugh whenever I’m asked “Do you have any spare change?” Ummm, as in ‘spare money??? Can’t say I do. I mean, who has “spare” money? I feel the same way about energy. Nobody has “spare” energy. We all have to dig-deep to get stuff done that we either care about or just have to do!  Lucky for us working out, eating clean and paying attention to self love and care fall into BOTH categories!  Very rarely are we all rarin’ to go the gym after a day of go-go-go or want to take the time to cook a clean meal when ordering out is just so much easier. Do it anyway. Your quality of life, your goals, your sanity, your pant-size and your happiness depend on it.

Does this Negativity Make My Thighs Look Fat?

The other day I got asked one of the most flattering questions I have ever been asked: "How do you do it?" I took some time thinking about this one because I feel as though this answer could have a defiant positive impact if I got it right! How do I do what exactly? How do I eat so may times a day? How do I do cardio or lift weights when all I want to do is veg out in my chonies and watch 'The Bacherlerette'? How do I train others or teach a class and keep it fresh and motivating enough so people don't walk out on me?  I know one thing for sure: I try not to think about it. 

I'm getting down to the wire here, approaching Nationals, trying to tie up all my loose ends so I can get it together just in time to compete for what I want. I'm working hard but is it hard enough? Am I eating too many carbs? Too much fat? Not enough cardio??? When I open that 'thought' door It's very hard for me to get out out of that "head space". You know the one I'm talking about right...?

I have this tiny voice inside that whispers thoughts like: "Go ahead, take it easy. Relax, it's not worth it. Give up Now. You don't have a snowballs chance in hell anyway. You don't have the right build. You like to eat so go eat... cheat on your diet, what's it matter anyway?" Sometimes it's all I hear... that ugly, tiny, negative whisper.
The funny thing is that I have another voice that's equally as present (but way louder and cooler) that SHOUTS over those ugly whispers to "keep going, keep fighting, who cares if I fall at least I fought with everything I have!" It's pretty much up to me who I decide to listen to. Sometimes, on the days I allow myself to think instead of believe, the ugly whispers win and I find myself making out with a jar of organic peanut butter,
but other days I put my game face on and run like it's nobodies business!

Deep down I know that even if I don't get the exact results I was hoping for I'll land damn close, close enough to try again. After all when I win or place I think: "OK, this is the Universe telling me I'm on the right track" and when I loose I think "OK, what can I change so that I will win next time". I think this way because I have blatantly declared my desire and I am currently manifesting it. How I get there is of no concern to me because I know I WILL get THERE.

I believe this is the secret to 'doing it' and getting that 'Perfect 10' Body:
1. Declare what you want, tell yourself first. Admit it to yourself first. Then share it with others. this is the hardest part because it makes us feel vulnerable when we admit what we truly desire.
2. Know that it's going to happen, that it's already happening. Picture it happening in any way that's tangible for you. When you look in the mirror today don't hate. Instead (close your eyes maybe) and see that stomach you want, how your butt looks, how your shoulders look once you have reached your goal. What does that feel like? In that moment of feeling what the body is like, don't think about the blood sweat and tears it took to get that way, think of the joy of accomplishing what most people are too cared to admit they want.
3. Work. Don't give up until you get there. Understand that your desire is not silly or trivial or selfish but that it is a beautiful part of you that makes you who you are. This desire is a part of you and more importantly, you possess the power that it will take to accomplish it.  

It's the knowing that we must focus on.
Cliche or not it's true: In order to achieve you must believe.
Cliche or not it's true: Would the person who said it could't be done get out of the way of the person who's doing it.
Cliche or not it's true: Success happens when opportunity meets preparation.
I believe these desires were put in my heart for a reason. If you think you are better then me or this is impossible or I don't have what it takes, watch out 'cus Im trying anyway! I must do something about it, not sit around feeling sorry for myself, waiting for something to come to me, NO! I have to grab the bull by the balls and go for it! I have to work as if it is happening, because it is!
Isn't life too short to start tomorrow?
Isn't your life too valuable to continually put school, or work, or your relationship before what you really want? Stop being 'too tired', 'too lazy', 'too hungry', 'too broke', just STOP.
In the end you are responsible for nobody else's happiness but your own. Your achievements will be yours and yours only.

I am very fortunate because usually right around the time the whispers are getting to me and I'm 'too tired', 'too lazy', or 'too hungry' I have a T-n-A client come in and I see them fight for what they want. These people, cry, kick, cuss and scream but ultimately they get through the workout because they see the bigger picture. They remember why they got their butts in there on day one (probably because amidst the kicking and screaming I remind them) and they realize that not giving it their all would be cheating themselves and nobody else! They are the living embodiment of hard work, in that gym, if nowhere else, and it yields results: pounds lost, more burpees done then ever before, a faster sprint time... a message from the Universe that they are heading in the right direction.  ;)

You can do 'it.'
I believe in you.
T xoxx

I'm killin' it and It's KILLING Me: Busting Through weight-loss Plateaus

I have a hit a (very rough) plateau in my own personal training routine. My weight is not budging. I'm working my tail off and totally NOT O'D-ing on peanut-butter but still... I stand on the scale and it refuses to budge. Right about now is when all my old Debbie-downer-very-human-sabotaging thoughts kick in and I contemplate a pizza-donut-Cheetos splurge fest. Guest list: Me.
But then I remember me, what I'm worth and what my goal means to me. I think about how much work I have already put into this and how much further I have to go! I remind myself of every hour spent lifting, sweating, running, jumping, focused only on my goal INSTEAD of putting that time/energy into my relationships - in short, I think of all the sacrifices and energy I have put into my fitness goals and I know NO amount of salt or sugar is worth that! I have the sore muscles and unreturned party-invites to prove it!

Just to be clear as long as my body fat is where it should be and my stamina is intact, normal Tristan could give a flying poop if her weight moves 6-lbs this way or that, but Contest-prep Tristan is a different animal. With NPC Nationals approaching, every pound counts!
Fortunately I have a few options concerning when and where I want to compete next but we are not talking 'plethora' here and time is of the essence! Instead of spreading out my chances of making this dream a reality I may have to put all of my eggs in one basket... one very big basket... with lots and lots of beautiful eggs... sigh.
I digress...

Whenever I write posts of this nature (regarding plateaus) I will then advice you to:
A) take a good hard look at your diet and make adjustments
     or
B) mix up your workout/try something new/breakout of your comfort zone/WORK HARDER.

Did you do this?
Think back to when you started this journey. If you have hit a honest-to-gawd plateau then chances are it's not your first one and that you have been working out and eating pretty clean for a while now. You have seen your body do this before and you have followed my advice and busted right thru that plateau only to find another one 10-lbs later. This blows, I know. BUT this is how our body (the amazing machine that it is) works. It adapts, you change it up, and blamOh! You are back in business!
*NOTE: a plateau is NOT weight gain or maintaining your weight because you have been indulging in the food department a little too much (cocktail hour, bigger portions, dessert, etc) but still working-out. The type of plateau I'm referring to is the one where you have been just nailing it with the diet and exercise (cardio, weight-lifting, clean eating, eating small meals throughout the day, breakfast!) but the scale and/or measurements are not budging. 

Here are three things I want you to consider once you have reached that plateau, yet again, and need a plan as far as how to move forward:

1) After you have tried the above tactics (see A & B) and take a step back (or back on the scale) and still 'no dice' then you need to consider that you, have in fact, reached your body's optimum weight. Congratulations! It is time to change your aesthetic or weight-loss goal into a physical fitness goal. Your health and fitness goals must always be changing to challenge you and your body. Maybe your body, your machine, is tired of dieting or working with the intentions of getting that scale to move and if you change your goal to run a certain distance, increase your muscle-mass, kick the instructors butt in class, or out-hike Cheryl at your weekly 'Meet-Up' your body will get confused enough to yield the results you were looking for in the first place!
Or better yet, you will enjoy pursuing your new goal enough to appreciate the journey or story of it. 

2) If people are telling you how awesome you look, how much your body has changed, or asking what 'your secret is' then Hello?! You've made it! Stop picking your body apart. You are gorgeous, fit, and healthy. Celebrate! Buy that bikini that intimidated you before, or if you are a dude, take your shirt off at the community pool with pride! Maybe you are not EXACTLY where you dreamed you would be but wow, look how far you have come! You have earned a little mental break! Don't stop working out by any means, or un-learn what 'WORK-ing' out really is. NOW you have become one of 'those people' who care about their health and body and has made fitness and eating healthfully a permanent part of your life. That's freaken' cool. Instead of starring at that scale or those size-whatever jeans you want to fit into, it's time to put into practice some 'body-love' and give yourself kudos for sticking to the plan long enough to see actual changes in your body! Keep going. Live life in your new body. Give your body and yourself gratitude and props for how far you have come and how far you still have potential to go. Your body needs all the love, gratitude and kudos you would give to a child or friend who did well so do not neglect yourself in this way.

BUT WHAT IF you have "done those things" (whiny voice), feel as though you are not making progress and still want to obtain that 'Perfect 10' ideal body? What if, like me, you KNOW you still have room to improve or a goal you MUST hit, what then????
Do you want truth?
Can you handle the truth?
           You asked for it...
3) Hire a trainer or purchase a customized nutrition or workout plan that is made specifically for you. Sometimes you just have to admit, as smart and as hardworking as you are, that you don't know everything and more importantly, you CAN'T look at your body, diet, or current training objectively enough to bust through this current plateau from hell.  It is through this outside source that you will be able to approach "A & B" in a way you never thought of before! I myself, am taking my own advice and recently asked a respected professional in the industry to rip me a new one as far as my training and diet are concerned. I know I need this relationship in my life now and that is downright essential for me at this point in my journey. I need someone to humble me, educate me, and motivate me to get my body to another level and to reach my personal goals, pride be damned!
               So humble yourself and get someone to help you. Ask around, find a professional you respect, admire, or better yet, WANT TO LOOK LIKE and see what services they offer. It doesn't mean you are not a total rockstar in that gym or class, it just means you recognize the importance of continuing your education concerning exercises, nutrition, and overall wellness. Sometimes just having someone who's job it is to keep you engaged and moving is enough, other times you need someone who understands 'the math' of it all. I know I personally will never stop pursuing my education in this field and that is actually a huge part of the appeal of fitness as a career for me: there is so much to know and new developments (ESPECIALLY IN NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTATION) are being made DAILY! I'll never get bored! This will never get stale! Excited face! I mean up until 3 years ago, flax seed was something only your Grandma ate!

Keep Working. Keep Learning. Keep sweating your butts off & don't forget to laugh through the suck. We WILL bust through this plateau. We Will not STOP until we reach our goal. It will be our perseverance that defines us (if not our rock-hard abs.) Who-Raw.

I believe in you,
xox T