It's difficult for me to find a way to describe the impact training with Ceci has had on my life…read more So i've decided to break this review down into a few different subtopics to help explain. These are weight loss, strength, relationship with food, and self-love. To provide a bit of a background, I decided to start training with Ceci after my engagement. I had just finished four years of law school and gained 25 pounds, had unhealthy eating habits, and was not feeling confident at all. Once I got the ring on my finger, I knew I wanted to look a certain way for my wedding day, and I knew I wanted to build healthy habits for the long term. Here's what I've found...
Weight Loss
I am 5'2 and most of my adult life I've weighed between 130-135 pounds. By the end of law school I weighed 155 and was so unhappy. I ate junk food, drank soda, and lived a sedentary life. When I started training with Ceci and learned about food, I started losing weight. The different was that unlike other diets I've done where I would lose weight quickly but then gain it all back, I've lost the weight slowly with Ceci...and I've kept it off! Right now I'm at 140 after 6 months of training and I feel AMAZING! My wedding isn't until next year so I'm not in a rush to reach my goal of 130 but I cannot stress enough how amazing it feels not to yoyo and to be able to have the tools to keep and maintain the weight I've lost!
Strength
While training with Ceci, I've learned how to work out. I've worked muscles in my body I didn't even know existed! I went from barely being able to lift 10 pound weights more than 5 times without my arms visibly shaking, to now comfortably chest pressing with 15 pound weights on each arm! Little victories go a long way. However, with this new found strength, I've noticed my body change even more. Not only am I losing weight, but my body shape is changing. My legs are more tone, my butt is lifted, my waist is smaller. I had to get all my suits and slacks for work tailored by 2-3 inches at the waist! It was such an exciting feeling to visibly see the change, even though it isn't always reflected on the scale.
Relationship With Food
I think we all can agree that at one point or another in our lives we have had an unhealthy relationship with food. Whether it is stress eating, binging, or not eating at all, our relationship with food is a reflection of our internal emotional well being. In an attempt to lose weight on my own, I would try to really cut down my consumption, to the point that I was really hungry. Sure, I lost the weight, but with diets like that, after losing 20 pounds in three months, I gained 25 back just as fast. Prior to training with Ceci, I didn't fully understand what food did for our bodies. Ceci taught me the importance of eating balanced meals made with whole ingredients. She taught me that when reading the nutritional facts in my foods, don't just look at calories, look at the ingredients. For example, Smart Balance may be less calories than butter, but butter is a whole ingredient whereas Smart Balance is all chemicals. It's little things like this that were very eye opening for me. Also, you wouldn't believe my excitement when Ceci wanted me to eat MORE food rather than less. I was losing weight by eating MORE FOOD!!! Why? Because I was eating nutrient dense food that was fueling my body. It has made all the difference. Ceci also taught me not to punish myself for having a treat. She did this my teaching me moderation. Yes, you can have a cookie, but don't eat a whole sleeve. Going out for pizza tonight? No worries, just make sure you eat clean for Breakfast and Lunch. She taught me balance.
Self-Love
When I started training with Ceci, I confided to her how I was really insecure about my body. I felt like maybe once I get my body back, I will be happy. Ceci stopped that thought and told me that getting a body won't bring happiness; I have to figure out what is making me so unhappy. The root of it was the fact that I was so disappointed in myself for letting myself go. She told me I need to be kinder to myself and to love my body because as imperfect as it may be it is healthy and it works - it is my body. She constantly reminds me of how beautiful I am and reminds me to be confident. I've fallen more in love with my body as I've seen in change and watched it become stronger. Yes, it feels great to lose weight, but it feels even better knowing that I now have to tools to take care of my body, keep it strong, and most importantly, stay healthy.
Overall, I would highly recommend Ceci to anyone looking to make a lifestyle change that is long lasting and effective. She truly cares about her clients and wants to see them succeed. She is supportive, motivative, and encouraging. I cannot imagine myself being where I am today without having Ceci as my trainer!
