Paying it forward

I have had this blog post on my mind for awhile now.  I was wanting to pay it forward somehow.  My thought was to post information about some of my clients, both past and present.  I have been blessed by training lots of great peeps over the last 6 years.  Some of them have businesses of their own.  I wanted to spread the word about what they have to offer.

My friend Runner Susan is a web designer.  She and her sister Amy put together my website and I just love it.  If you need a website check them out.  You can see their work by going to Sumy Designs.  Sumy is the words Susan and Amy mixed.  Get it?  Suz is the creative one and Amy is the technical one.  They do other stuff as well (it's all legal), so check out their website to see if they can help you.

Another past client of mine is Tod McVicker.  Tod is a dog training machine.  He has lots of offerings, so go to his website at Redeeming Dogs and see if he can help your pup.  

Martha Hughes hasn't trained with me in a LONG time, but I still wanted to include her. I am sweet like that you know.  Martha is a realtor in this area.  She knows Double Oak and the surrounding areas like the back of her hand.  She told me recently that there is a shortage of homes to sell, so help the girl out and give her a call if you are thinking of selling.  You can go to her website Martha Hughes Homes.  She is really cute as well.

I also have contacts in the massage world.  Richard Maas has trained with me in the gym and we used to run together many moons ago.  Let's just say I ran and Richard shuffled along to make us all feel better.  You see Richard is a tall glass of water.  His one stride is like 6 of mine.  Anyway, he would stay with us for about 1 1/2 miles and then we wouldn't see the boy anymore.  Miss those days of running.  Anyway, he is a massage guy as well.  Visit his website at Lewisville Massage.  He worked on both Carly Jo's shoulder and Joe Luke's back.  He is great.  He keeps up with all the cool massage stuff and will make you feel great as well.

Lastly, I have to talk of my buddy Denny Bonewitz.  Denny took me under his wing many years ago and helped me learn the trade of training peeps.  He was in the Flower Mound area then moved to Keller and now he is way up in Oklahoma.  Check out his offerings at Edge Sports Fitness.  He is a beast and taught me so many things.  I still call him for various ideas on training, etc.

I have other folks that have businesses.  As soon as I gather information about them I will do another post.

Pay it forward!

Show up and make it count!

Remember When

I saw my sweet Lorrie at Target today and we had the best conversation. Although she hasn't been to work-out in over 8 weeks...I am willing to forgive her and continue to be hopeful that she will return really soon. She has started a new job and I know that soon she will be back in the groove of working out with us! I am counting on it.

Anyway, our conversation was brief but it made me really think about diet and exercise in general. As I walked away I asked myself just what is it that works for me when it comes to diet and exercise? What keeps me on this journey of good health? What keeps others on their journeys of good health. I decided that I would share some of the things that people in my life have done to find success in diet and fitness.

The first section will be food and eating. My success comes from Weight Watchers and the continued accountability I have with my monthly weigh-ins! Knowing that I have to step on that scale every month keeps me in check. I also eat 6 or 7 times a day. I try to eat what I call "God" food. This to me is food that has little man handling done to it! Think fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and some whole grains and non-fat dairy. I have also realized that there are some foods I just can't have such as donuts! I jokingly call the donut shop the "crack house"! Although I have never had the drug crack I have learned that it is highly addictive. I feel the same way about chocolate covered donuts. I haven't had one in over 3 years and don't plan on having one ever again! I am too weak when it comes to the donuts!

My beloved Joe has had success by simply not eating at night. He does sometimes slip up as we all do, but as soon as he is back on track and not eating after say 7 pm he feels much better. My training partner RUNNER SUSAN has had tremendous success by eating clean and following the guidelines of the EAT CLEAN DIET by Tosca Reno. My long lost buddy Deana has the most success when she is doing Nutri System or Jenny Craig. She loves the fact that her food is portioned out for her and it keeps her organized and in control. Another client of mine Jill gave up soda and continues to watch portions and just keeps out the junk in her diet. My trainer and business partner Denny is great at eating a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and is a very loyal drinker of Post Recovery Work-out Shakes from ADVOCARE. I swear the boy is bionic because he just keeps going and going. I know one day I am going to stumble on to some of his spare bionic parts at the EDGE facility in Keller.

Each of these individuals have found what works for them in the food category and they stick with it! They remember what works and stick with it.

When it comes to fitness and exercise I continue to thrive in the group dynamic. I love to ride my bike with RUNNER SUSAN on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday and I train with Denny and Doug on Monday/Wednesday and Friday. They all make me accountable. Susan is great on the bike and can leave me in the dust. Denny and Doug whip me in the gym as well. I always say train with people that are better than you. You will always be working hard when you are trying to keep up!!! I in turn feel like I keep them motivated as well. I know that Doug and Denny don't want to be beat by a GIRL!!!

RUNNER SUSAN has mentioned that her fitness is both a physical outlet as well as a social outlet. She looks fabulous as well so I know that the results she is seeing are keeping her motivated. The girls gets up at 4:15 on Tuesday and Thursday to come to be tortured by me. Now that is motivation! Jill has mentioned that she is motivated by the results she is seeing in the mirror! She looks great and her success has come from continuing to just show up to work-out and be consistent.

My point to all of this rambling is this...remember back when you felt your best. What were you doing? How was your diet? What type of exercise program were you following? I have found that it doesn't have to be anything drastic. If you are exhausted from your work-out you might need to tone it down and find something more doable. I would love for you to be training with me, but if you are not just do something! If you are starving or can't even get out of bed then maybe what you are doing is to drastic. I do believe that if you take baby steps and have balance that you can figure out what will work for you. I do believe that you can figure out some thing that will be sustainable for life.

Take some time today and remember when.....

Show up and make it count!
For information on Runner Susan, Tosca Reno or EDGE click on their names above.

The Lineman and The Runner

Arm Burnout from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Runner Susan

This post is dedicated to my client, training partner and friend Runner Susan. She is off to Chicago tomorrow to run the Chicago marathon on Sunday. She has trained hard. She has trained harder than any other time I can remember. We have done leg torture and track torture for weeks now. She has run on her own and with our friend Massoman. I can't think of anything else we could have done to prepare her for this marathon. I would love to see Runner Susan shave 15 minutes off of her marathon time, but part of me doesn't care about that because she is a different athlete now. She knows that she can train and train well. She is stronger, leaner, more buff and faster. Her mind is stronger. I have enjoyed the journey and I know that Runner Susan is prepared.

My thoughts will be with you on Sunday. When you get to mile 16, 21, 25...remember that you are strong and that you can run like the wind! Remember that you are STEALTHY! So with that "Good Luck Runner Susan!"

Show up and make it count!

For additional information on Runner Susan and to visit her blog and wish her good luck click on her name above.

Lunges and Guns

Drill of the Day www.stronglikehelm.com from Cindy Helm on Vimeo.

Ladders of Success

I had the pleasure of testing a couple of my adult fitness clients on the ladder drill. I was thrilled for both of these individuals because their overall conditioning is so improved. The first in the video is Kathy. Kathy has been a client of mine for about 15 months and when she started training with me she could barely perform a walking lunge. Her strength and conditioning have improved tremendously. Kathy is a 40 something mother of 3 and I think she is awesome.
Adam just started training with me and as you can see...he is a big lineman. He just graduated from UTA and wants to get in better condition for his family's annual Turkey Bowl. His goal is to get 5 sacks at this years game. His conditioning has improved tremendously in the few short weeks he has been with me.
They both have such a story of success to share. Please enjoy their "Ladders of Success" drill below. Show up and make it count!

Cindy And Jill Went Up the Hill

Jill Before

and Jill After Below

I have been lucky in my fitness business that I get to work with many wonderful clients. I wanted to spotlight one of my clients today. Her name is Jill and she is awesome! Jill called me the day of the 2008 Superbowl and her words to me were "I AM READY!" Well, I would have to say that YES she was ready and has lost 20+ pounds and many inches. Jill is a powerhouse! In my opinion what has made her successful in her weight loss journey is that she puts in the time at my gym, but she also watches what she is eating. She gave up soda! Her beloved soda and never looked back. I know that there has been days when it does feel like the journey is all up hill, but Jill keeps putting in the work! Way to go Jill I am so proud of you and you continue to inspire me!

Show up and make it count!