#LGAccountability
The LG Accountability Community is one of the greatest assets in joining any LG program or challenge. We’re a group of real women who come together to see real results and to enjoy the journey together.
There’s no one who can show the progress ((inside & out)) made within the community and tell how much it can help keep you accountable, seeing results and loving this happy, healthy life more than the members themselves!
I hope you enjoy reading about Gretta, Christie, and Melissa, 3 LG Community members who are your soon-to-be girlfriends if they aren’t already.
Joining the LG Community is so easy….as you follow along with our workouts & meal plans, simply upload your daily check ins to Instagram and use our hashtags #LGAccountability #LGSisters #LGSweatSeshSelfie #LGMealPlan #EatYourWayLean #LGFitmas and tag me @laurengleisberg so we can all connect.
It’s a place where you can inspire and be inspired <3
Meet…GRETTA! (IG @gretta_lgfit)
Gretta is someone that once you “meet” her within the community, you feel as though you’ve been girlfriends for years; she is effortlessly inspirational and supportive. Gretta began her LG journey one year ago with the first LG Fitmas Challenge….her physical progress is amazing, but as she’ll tell you, the inner transformation she’s made in the past year is priceless!
Would you tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a 29 year-old Occupational Therapist working at an elementary school in the Chicago area. My husband and I moved here last spring from West Michigan but I’m originally from Texas. I lived in a suburb near Dallas until I was 22 and I’m a huge Dallas Cowboys fan! I love watching most sports, snowboarding, photography and shopping for any and everything but my favorite thing right now to shop for is home decor. It’s a bit of a problem 🙂 My husband and I are huge animal lovers – we have 2 dogs and 2 cats. Our dream is to open an animal rescue and a sanctuary for older cats and dogs.
How and when did you get into health and fitness?
I was relatively young when I was introduced to the world of health and fitness. I had a boyfriend when I was 17 who was very into lifting weights and taught me all of the basics. I learned from a young age how lifting weights could transform my body. Despite that knowledge, I had a hard time remaining consistent with working out and I struggled with knowing what “healthy eating” looked like. When I was in “working out and eating healthy mode”, I would go to the gym and get in at least an hour of cardio, 5-6 days a week plus I would lift weights 2-3 days a week. I would eat nothing but chicken, brown rice and green beans and oatmeal. I saw results but I would crash and burn after a month or two because I was starving and because I would get shin splints from running well over 15-20 miles a week on a treadmill with what I’m sure was awful form/unsupportive shoes. NOT sustainable! At that point, I would eat any and everything for months on end and would lead a very sedentary life. My clothes would start to get tight and I would feel awful about myself and the cycle would start up again. Madness! It wasn’t until I found Lauren’s programs that I found balance – both with working out and with eating healthily!
How do you motivate yourself on days when you’re down?
It depends on the day but what I’ve really found consistently works for me is telling myself to stop thinking and get up – NOW. Then I put on my cutest workout clothes; turn on my favorite workout songs and start with the easiest exercise from that particular workout. Nine times out of ten, once I get started I don’t want to stop! If I’m really not feeling that workout after completing the first exercise, then I ask myself what CAN I do? Usually this happens when I’m exhausted or just feeling blah, a resistance band workout seems more achievable. One of Lauren’s total body workouts is another go-to of mine when a HIIT workout or a tough weight lifting workout seems more than I can handle on that particular day. To motivate myself further, I think about how I felt before I started working out last year. I remember how awful I felt and I remind myself that I won’t be stronger tomorrow and the workout isn’t going to get any easier! Usually reflecting back on how weak I felt and how hard those first workouts can be is enough to get my booty moving off the couch. Lastly but certainly not least, I scroll through the LG Accountability group and I see all of those smiling faces and I don’t want to miss out! I’m a bit competitive and that drive to keep up will kick my motivation into gear, too
How has the LG Community played a role in your journey?
When I first made a fitness account last spring, I felt really uncomfortable. I’m talking to complete strangers! They’re seeing me at my least attractive! Fortunately, the women I connected with and Lauren were incredibly supportive. They pointed out progress when I couldn’t see it, checked in with me to keep me accountable and genuinely cared about me. I can say with 100% certainty that I have finally found consistency with working out because of this lovely group of women I’m lucky enough to now call my friends!
What tips do you have for making healthy living balanced and enjoyable
Admittedly, this is an area I’m still working on! I struggle with balance most when I’m busy (hello holiday season!). What I’ve found works best for me is to exercise first thing in the morning and follow up with a quick, healthy breakfast. When I start the day with healthy choices it sets the tone for my day. It makes me feel proud and accomplished and like I can take on anything the day throws at me! I love following the Eat Your Way Lean guidelines when it comes to incorporating treats or less healthy food into my meals. To tie on to this, when I have a treat and one bite in I realize it’s just ok – I’ll toss it. I prefer to make those treats really count! I think it’s also important to keep a healthy lifestyle in perspective. It’s ok if you get a little side tracked on healthy eating and working out. It will happen. It’s not going to ruin everything! I try to have a short memory when it comes to slip-ups. I just move on and do better at the next meal. Nothing good is going to come of me focusing on a missed workout or an unhealthy indulgence!
Meet….CHRISTIE! (IG @christiepoirier)
Christie is a supermom who we can always count on to keep it real! She embodies the authenticity that is at the core of the LG Community. She isn’t afraid to share her highs and lows, and her journey as a fit, fun-loving lady is such an inspirational one!
Would you tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a super simple stay at home mama and wife. We live on the gulf coast (I am a transplant from Kansas!) and I am obsessed with the southern atmosphere… Cajun cuisine, frolicking in the Gulf, the endless seafood, southern hospitality… All of it!
When were you inspired to take control of your health? What provided the inspiration?
In early 2013, I stumbled across the documentary “Hungry For Change.” It was very eye opening to me, and when I looked at my daughter (who was 2 at the time), I felt very compelled to take action with regards to nutrition. Everything sort of clicked after that documentary. I realized that so many of our ailments come from what we are putting into our body, and I wanted to do everything in my power to provide health to my entire family through nutrition.
How do you manage to workout and eat well with little ones?
As my children get older, I have to get more creative about the timing of my workouts. When my son was a baby, I would typically workout when he napped or I would incorporate him into my workouts if he happened to wake up. Now days, working out is very much a habit for the kids as much as it is for me. They know to expect it almost every day. Strategically, my workout “room” is across the hall from the play room. The kids will “work out” with me and then move onto their toys. I also make sure they are not overly tired, hungry and all their basic human needs are met before I begin. 🙂 As far as nutrition, we sort of have an understanding that at home, we typically don’t have a lot of processed foods. We save our treats for when we are guests at someone’s home or at a party, etc. Since my daughter was so young whenever I embarked on a healthier eating lifestyle, she really doesn’t know any different so it’s not a huge battle, and of course my son definitely doesn’t know any different. It’s all about leading by example. I wouldn’t expect them to want to snack of carrots if I didn’t do that myself, you know?
How has the LG Community played a role in your journey?
Oh my gosh! The LG community has played a huge huge role in my fitness journey. I have had (like any other human) some very low points this last year and a half. As strange as it seems, it was the words of encouragement and support from women in this community whom I have never laid eyes on who made me believe in myself when I could barely remove myself from the bed. I feel a sense of responsibility to all of my “sisters” within the community, I want to be true to my word and whenever I think of skipping a workout or going overboard with cheats, I keep these girls in mind. Just knowing they will lift me up no matter what my situation is keeps me going on this journey.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get healthier?
My best advice to someone starting out is to take away all the fitness prejudice. So many people place “fit” people into a category. There is NOT a group of fit people and a group of unfit people. People are not born to be fit or unfit. It’s a decision you make on any day at any point of your life, and unless you have a major physical disability, there is no reason why you cannot become fit. More over, you do not have to do workouts that you dread! You need to find something you enjoy doing that will get your body up and moving. Play around and do different styles of workouts and when you get bored, change it up again! There’s no right or wrong, it’s just important that you do SOMETHING.
Meet….Melissa! (IG @melissa_clementine)
You’ll get to know her, her darling girls (#LGSuperMom), and her cat, Pearl who often makes her check in pictures. Melissa is incredibly dedicated to living a happy, healthy life and her optimistic attitude is contagious!
Would you tell us a little bit about yourself.
For some reason I have a hard time defining myself. I guess that is because I’m always changing, growing hopefully, and I love and welcome new things. I am from and currently reside in beautiful Portland, Oregon. I love animals, the outdoors, hiking, cooking, yoga, traveling, and my latest obsession is taking pictures. I am a mom and that is a huge part of my life, as it should be – I love reading with the kids, doing art projects, juggling their activities. I recently went back to college and am studying community health education. I am enjoying my studies – I love school actually because I love to learn. My workouts are my “me” time and my release. I love weights, yoga, hiit, metabolic workouts, outdoor workouts, and in the past I was more of a serious runner. If it’s fitness you name it and I’ll probably like it. Except machine cardio. Boring!
Being a mother… how does that play into your healthy lifestyle?
Being a mom, I am my kids’ first teacher. It is important to me to set them up with healthy habits to last them their whole lives through. For me, the best way to do that is by example. They see me doing my workouts, drinking my water and trying to eat healthfully as well having treats in moderation (hopefully, haha) and this is what they think is normal. They want to buy yoga pants and wear Nikes and talking about healthy foods. I like that. They are also used to my workouts, since I’ve done it their entire life, so they are pretty good about not interrupting when home workouts happen. Mama needs her workout time!
Being a mom, I am my kids’ first teacher. It is important to me to set them up with healthy habits to last them their whole lives through. For me, the best way to do that is by example. They see me doing my workouts, drinking my water and trying to eat healthfully as well having treats in moderation (hopefully, haha) and this is what they think is normal. They want to buy yoga pants and wear Nikes and talking about healthy foods. I like that. They are also used to my workouts, since I’ve done it their entire life, so they are pretty good about not interrupting when home workouts happen. Mama needs her workout time!
How do you overcome setbacks along the way?
With setbacks, it’s important to remember that you can choose to start over at any time if you feel you are headed in the wrong direction. Attitude is SO important! It can be either one of your greatest assets or biggest obstacles. But you get to choose which. I try not to beat myself up about any perceived mistakes and just set my mind to start again. Also, being prepared really helps. My biggest struggle tend to be around food – food prep is a huge help.
With setbacks, it’s important to remember that you can choose to start over at any time if you feel you are headed in the wrong direction. Attitude is SO important! It can be either one of your greatest assets or biggest obstacles. But you get to choose which. I try not to beat myself up about any perceived mistakes and just set my mind to start again. Also, being prepared really helps. My biggest struggle tend to be around food – food prep is a huge help.
How has the LG Community played a role in your journey?
The LG community is amazing. So many encouraging, supportive ladies. I have had girls send me a message saying, “ok, you said you were going to workout at six so you need to be working out now!” And they are incredible about building each other up, offering an encouraging word or a listening ear, food tips – you name it. I’ve made REAL friendships.
The LG community is amazing. So many encouraging, supportive ladies. I have had girls send me a message saying, “ok, you said you were going to workout at six so you need to be working out now!” And they are incredible about building each other up, offering an encouraging word or a listening ear, food tips – you name it. I’ve made REAL friendships.
Do you have any tips for those looking to get get healthier?
For those looking to get healthier I’d strongly recommend developing a support system like we have here, so they don’t have to go it alone. Being accountable to others makes you less likely to skip out on your workouts – really being part of a group has so many positive elements. Plan ahead! Schedule your workouts. I know what I’m doing for each day of the week ahead of time. I also try to meal prep. I don’t go as intricate as some might but I do things like boil eggs and bake chicken that can be eaten as is or put in tacos, chili, on healthy nachos etc. I also like things that are easy to grab and go such as meatloaf muffins, and today I made ALL THE pumpkin protein pancakes. Ideally I’ll prep twice a week. For ME, tracking my food in an app like myfitnesspal is a huge help, but I know it isn’t for everyone. You may have to experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t. Drink your water – and don’t give up! Seeing changes can take a while but once you do it really gives you that momentum to continue on.
For those looking to get healthier I’d strongly recommend developing a support system like we have here, so they don’t have to go it alone. Being accountable to others makes you less likely to skip out on your workouts – really being part of a group has so many positive elements. Plan ahead! Schedule your workouts. I know what I’m doing for each day of the week ahead of time. I also try to meal prep. I don’t go as intricate as some might but I do things like boil eggs and bake chicken that can be eaten as is or put in tacos, chili, on healthy nachos etc. I also like things that are easy to grab and go such as meatloaf muffins, and today I made ALL THE pumpkin protein pancakes. Ideally I’ll prep twice a week. For ME, tracking my food in an app like myfitnesspal is a huge help, but I know it isn’t for everyone. You may have to experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t. Drink your water – and don’t give up! Seeing changes can take a while but once you do it really gives you that momentum to continue on.
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