The DeawnaFit Connection

Emotional Triggers & The Vicious Sugar Cycle

2009-11-08T01:38:00Z

Hey ladies!

I wanna hear from you! So many women I've talked to have shared with me stories where they started eating uncontrollably (usually sugar) and it all started with an emotional trigger. You may not realize it on the surface, but I struggle with the same thing. Looooord knows!

I am absolutely fascinated with this "phenomenon." And yes-I consider it to be a phenomenon. I believe certain emotional triggers literally trigger hormones within our bodies that can send us into that crazy MUST HAVE SUGAR .... NOOOOWWW cycle. I have become so fascinated with this, that I want to look ever further into it. I want to figure this out.

Yes-you can distract yourself by doing something else or finding another coping mechanism to fill the emotional "void." I know. Nevertheless, I think there's still a definite physical component to it that's yet to be fully understood. If my theory is right, that a chemical reaction is physically taking place, then there must be some way to neutralize that reaction. Perhaps it lies in a different, alchemizing food ... or an action .... I don't know. But I wanna know more!

So ... what do I want to hear from you? YOUR STORY. Have you experienced this? What was your trigger? Is there a theme? Is it the same kind of triggers? Do you uncontrollably crave the same foods as a result? If so, what? I wanna know!

Part of the reason for my sense of urgency is that I'm tired of offering little more than sympathy when women impart their stories to me. Also, I personally share the same struggle. For all these reasons, I want to be able to do more about it. Whether it's in finding an additional physical method of coping, or starting a support group, or whatever it may be ... I feel inspired to do more. And I'd love your input in figuring out what that "more" should be.

Thanks for your feedback!!

Sincerely .... Deawna

Why People Fall off the Wagon ... in my humble opinion

2009-10-15T02:12:00Z

After doing personal training for a number of years now, I've really given lots of thought as to why some clients see success and others don't. Not just my clients, but those of other trainers' as well-and the students I have in class ... After 13 years in the industry, and observing the collective experiences of so many, there are some things I see as common denominators. Well ... maybe just one really.

What I'm about to say seems painfully obvious .... but true. Simply put, those who succeed made up their minds to succeed. The ones who don't, didn't ... not fully.

It all starts with a decision ... I mean deep-down and fully committed decision. Those who make the choice, find a way to do what they need to do-even when it's hard-even when it's inconvenient-even when it requires extra steps-even when life throws curveballs-even when the best-laid plans changed ... I'm sure you get the picture by now. It's that simple.

If they have to travel, throwing a wrench into the structure they've built on a daily basis in terms of where to work out, where & how to eat, available time, etc. ... they find a way ANYWAY. They research available gyms where they'll be going; they'll utilize a workout DVD, they'll pack & use their walking/running shoes, etc. They will request a fridge in their room, grocery shop whenever possible, and special order from restaurants in whatever means necessary.

If there's a family emergency and they can no longer stick to the workout times planned, they'll create new ones. They'll get up earlier in the morning-even when it downright SUCKS. They'll utilize what's normally downtime to make up for it. They'll do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, because they realize that something is better than nothing.

When their work schedule gets changed and they're going crazy from too much on their plate ... or when they get injured and physically cannot do what they could before .... they will do SOMETHING, ANYTHING. They will ask themselves what they CAN do and not focus on what they cannot do. They'll try different times and formats they never tried before. They recognize the value of momentum. Even if their training sessions aren't as intense, even if their workouts are shorter or easier, they know how important it is do SOMETHING, ANYTHING.

They know that once they let that momentum go, it can be sooooo hard-mentally-to get it back. So they hold onto it. Even when they don't feel like it. They're willing to incorporate outside accountability systems when need be ... whether it's by utilizing a personal trainer, paying for classes, etc. They put an investment on the line that gives them that push when they may lack it from the inside that day.

I can still go on and on and on. The bottom line is, those who succeed make the choice. It starts in the mind. If they find themselves focusing on the can'ts, they shift their focus to the cans. If they assume something isn't possible, they'll ask themselves "Really? But technically IS it possible?" These simple mental strategies can be all that's necessary to flip that switch inside making new actions, behaviors and eventual lifestyle changes possible. It starts in the mind. What limitations have you set? You might not even know they're there ... be honest with yourself. Question every limitation and ask yourself if that's REALLY the case. There's a difference between can't and won't. Don't kid yourself into believing that a won't is a can't. Just TRY ... and not just once. Try multiple times and give each option a fair shot. You'd be surprised how many can'ts turn to won'ts which turn to can then evenutally .... DO! Getting the hang of these mental shifts open up never-ending possibilities. The sky is the limit ... if you allow.

Check out my revamped website: www.D-Fit.com

2009-10-12T14:19:00Z

Hi Everyone!!

I am sooooooo extremely beyond excited!! I have LITERALLY spent all weekend (I was up for about 40 hours straight!) redoing my website. Sounds crazy, I know. And just for the record-I don't recommend this lack of sleep by any means! However, I was taken over and inspired. I started working and couldn't stop. This process also helped me personally to gain clarification on exactly where I'm trying to go next in the fitness industry. It also helped me better understand exactly how I can benefit you. See, as I grow and change, both personally & professionally, my ability to help my clients and students changes, too. If I'm not clear on my focus, then how can I guide them, right?

All that being said, please check out the site. You may come to learn that I can help you in ways you didn't know I could. If you knew me as a personal trainer, you may not have known me as a group fitness instructor or vice-versa. If you're an instructor or group ex coordinator, you may have known me as an instructor, but didn't know I can provide you with continuing education trainings & workshops as well. Or perhaps you only knew me as a figure/fitness model competitor, but didn't know that I also do all that was just mentioned.

So now .... hopefully, you can see the big picture a little better. I hope that by my gaining clarity, I have successfully translated that through the revamp of my site.

Drum roll please ...... Here is the new & improved .... www.D-Fit.com ..... CHECK IT OUT!

How the Figure Competition Went

2008-07-04T16:53:00Z

So . . . that long awaited day finally came and went and the figure competition is now over. And I placed!! I placed 3rd in my class and brought home a trophy. Like I said in my previous blog entry ("Why I Decided to do a Figure Competition"), just being able to compete at all felt like I had already won. This trophy was icing on the cake--a bonus--and unexpected. It feels really good to bring back something tangible that I'll always have by which to remember it.

More than that, I really did learn something about myself. First, it truly is amazing what can be achieved when you set your mind to it. Second, stretching your own limits makes you capable of even more. After this experience, I felt like, "Wow! I did it. What else can I do if I really set my mind to it?" That's a very cool thing to realize.

Many have asked me if I'll do another one. On the one hand, I'm very tempted. Most likely, I will. However, for now I really need to let my body and mind recover. I'd like to take that same energy and focus I had in training for the competition and rechannel it towards my business and other personal matters. For now, I'm excited to settle back into normalcy and see where I can go next once I set my mind to it.

For anyone reading this entry (if I should be so privileged ), I hope you can find inspiration to set your sights on something in your life that you wanted to do, but maybe never thought you could. I have found the old adage to be very true, "If your mind can believe it, you can achieve it."

Best of luck in the pursuit of your dreams and endeavors . . .

Sincerely,

Deawna

CLICK HERE to see pictures & video from the competiton !

Why I decided to do a figure competition . . .

2008-06-11T14:28:00Z

First of all, what's a figure competition? That seems to be the first question most people ask when they've found out I'm about to compete in one. It's a competition that's held in conjunction with men & women's bodybuilding competitions. Simply put, it's a beauty pageant based on a "fit" figure. The women wear heels, do a walk and various poses in a glamorous 2-piece bathing suit and perhaps a 1-piece suit as well. They are judged on leanness, symmetry, muscle definition, hair, skin, nails, jewelry and overall grace/presence.

So, in other words, it's something I never saw myself doing--not in a million years. Although the demands for a figure competitor aren't quite as intense as those for a bodybuilder or fitness competitor (where a huge set of physical skills must be displayed), the training is still extremely rigorous. It's not for the casual workout person or the weekend warrior. It's a serious commitment that requires follow-through to the very end. The diet is very, very strict while maintaining a workout regimen of at least 4 weight workouts a week and 2 cardios a day nearly every day--for weeks on end. Eating out--not an option. Cheating on your diet?--not an option. Condiments on your food--not an option. Breads, cheeses, chocolates--not an option.

Sounds like fun, hunh? Honestly, I'm only 3 days away from the competition at this point and can say I feel like I've been living in a bubble. I avoid going out to eat or going to places where I have to watch other people eat whatever they want while I smell the foods that I cannot have right now. To avoid unsightly tan lines I avoid my favorite summer pasttime--laying on my raft in the pool during these beautiful, sunny dog days of summer. Never in my life did I think I'd be so excited to eat a cracker--or oatmeal. I HATED oatmeal before I started training for this competition. This morning I found myself waking up hours early at the thought of having my first bowl of oatmeal in weeks! Who would've seen that coming?

People naturally keep asking me if I'm excited. My honest response is, I'm more excited about the pizza I fully plan on having afterwards more than I am about the actual competition at this point. Shocking--but not to those that have trained for something like this. To them, it makes perfect sense.

Now that I've built up the fun of it all, here comes the obvious question. So why--why on earth would I choose to do something like this? When my trainer originally suggested it to me, I didn't exactly jump on the idea. At that point, I had lost 38.5 pounds overall. I had come a loooong way--farther than I ever thought I would, especially at the very beginning of my weight loss journey. My physique had changed tremendously and now I once again looked the part of a personal trainer/fitness instructor. It had been hard work getting to that point and really didn't know if I even had the desire to try to go farther. After all, I exceeded my original weight loss goals. And now, I wanted a little bit of a break. But I was willing to think about it. What would it entail?

I spent weeks asking around, gathering information, trying to get a clearer picture of exactly what kind of commitment it would take from me to do a figure competition. And just like the picture I painted here, it wasn't pretty. I didn't need it for my career necessarily. Sure, it wouldn't hurt and would be a nice feather in the cap--but I didn't NEED it. Without a clear sense of why I should or would do this, I decided not to.

But then, I still kind of wanted to anyway. And then I realized the why--just to see if I could. I was very, very curious to see what my personal best could look and feel like. What would happen if I truly went no holds barred and tried as hard as I could? Where would I end up? How cool would it be to even be ABLE to compete at all? I've gotta tell you, especially 45 pounds ago, this was never something I thought could be an option, much less an actuality. My curiosity started getting the best of me.

However, I was not determined to do this at all costs. First and foremost came my health. I was not willing to try gimmicky tactics or go to crazy extremes to make this happen. I believe in everything I preach day in and day out to my students and clients about being able to lose weight in a healthy way and still live life. I was not about to abandon my most fundamental beliefs in pursuit of this cause. In fact, that's a big part of this reason I originally said no to the idea. But then, I had a meaningful encounter with someone who made me realize that this is something I could realistically do--and still stay true to my beliefs. Hmmmmm . . .

So now the only thing standing in my way was me. Was I willing to make the commitment?

Like a light switch, something inside of me flipped. Yes--I was willing. I thought about the Lent season where I gave up cheese for 6 weeks--and survived!! Now, that may not sound like a lot to you (or maybe it does if you're a true cheese lover). As President of a very elite Cheese club (I say this fecetiously, kind of , where only the most die-hard of cheese lovers could be admitted, this was the biggest sacrifice EVER. But I did it! Something I never thought I could do, but did. Now granted, training for this competition would be much more of a sacrifice than that was. In fact, I'd be taking things to a whole other level. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. Could I do it? Did I have it in me?

Now, I can resoundingly answer YES. I have it in me!! I made it through the toughest parts of my training and the upcoming few days are nothing but an upswing. Saturday's competition will be like icing on the cake for me after this whole journey--from 45 pounds ago until now. I can truly say that it does not matter to me if I win a trophy or not. It was never about that for me. It was about trying my very best, and seeing what I could do. And I did. Just to be able to stand on that stage and look like I belong is more of an accomplishment than I had ever dared to dream. As long as I don't fall on my butt--then mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned.

Hell--even if I do fall on my butt I'll still be happy to have made it this far. This is one of the best feelings I could ever have. Knowing you've worked so hard, even when you didn't want to or feel like it, and crossed that finish line anyway . . . I feel gratitude for the support of my husband, the strength and grace of God and for all the clients and students that put up with me throughout this process.

And I feel especially grateful for the pizza I'm about to have afterwards!!!!!!!!!!!! Yaaayyyyyy!!!!

Wish me luck. I'll let y'all know how it goes. Hopefully, something in my journey will impact yours as well. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Deawna

I Want Your Feedback

2008-01-01T13:31:00Z

Hi Everyone!

I now have various things up and running and would LOVE to know your opinion.

What do you think of the issues of DeawnaFit Pro?
How do you like TurboKick?
What do you think of the Weight Loss Classes?
How's your personal training going?
Do you find the nutrition tools on the website helpful?
What else would you like to see? What interests you?

Let me know. I can't wait to hear it all so that I can bring you more of what you want.

Thanks so much,

Deawna Hutchings

I work out regularly! Why don't I see results?!!

2007-12-09T15:05:00Z

After 10 years in this industry, I see it over and over--and have experienced the same frustration myself. "I work out all the time. Why don't I see results?" People say this in exasperation, frustration and desperation--often. Then the speculation comes. "It must be age. I just have to accept that my body is not the same as it was in my 20s." "My metabolism must be slow."

I'm here to tell you, age is not enough to keep a person from being fit. Sure, metabolism is affected as we age, and it does slow down a little bit. However, it's not the factor people think it is! I see too many write themselves off due to age and slow metabolism. You CAN increase your metabolism through proper exercise and nutrition adjustments. I've seen too many people in their 50s, 60s 70s and beyond who are fit, mobile, independent, positive and full of life. The one thing they all have in common--they made fitness a part of their lifestyle. They didn't write themselves off due to age.

Although there are several factors that go into raising the metabolism, I'm going to address one--the same old workout. In my perspective, many of those that claim to work out all the time are also doing the SAME WORKOUTS over and over and over again. They're in their comfort zone. They know exactly what's coming next; they never have to look or feel stupid; they can go into auto-pilot. For many reasons, it's easy to fall into this rut. Although it is better to do this than nothing at all, it's not going to be enough to yield new results. As we become more fit, we also need to change what we do so that the body will still benefit. The body's ability to adapt can be amazing--even miraculous at times. Doing the same thing causes the body to adapt and eventually it doesn't put out nearly the same amount of energy as it used to throughout the workout. This means not as many calories get burned nor does the lean muscle increase (which helps to keep up the metabolism).

Do you have to give up your favorite things? NO! Keep some favorites, but throw in some newbies. Try a new class format you've never tried before. For example, if you do step consistently, try cardio kickboxing--something completely new. Instead of steady-state cardio work try intervals. Or--try a new sport (kickball, softball, deck hockey, etc); try a dance class; experience a different style of weight training (i.e. Crossfit). The possibilities are endless! What's great about the fitness industry is that it's constantly evolving and new formats, equipment, etc are always being developed. If you've been doing the same routines or classes for about 8 weeks, find a change. Incorporate something different to keep the body guessing thereby burning more calories and yielding better results.

I beg of you--let go of your fear of feeling awkward and try something new. Your body will thank you for it!!!

Weight Loss Expectations

2007-12-04T05:15:00Z

Ok--so I've been dying to address this topic as soon as my blog got up and running! Naturally, a lot of people ask me my professional opinion regarding weight loss. The first question usually is, how fast can I expect to lose this weight I've gained?

Here's my answer and I'm sticking to it (unless credible research from credible organizations prove otherwise):

.5 - 2 lbs per week

Weight loss should average anywhere between .5 - 2 lbs per week. Some weeks might be a little less, some might be a little more. The AVERAGE should fall between .5 - 2 lbs per week.

I realize this answer is disappointing to someone facing a weight loss journey of 30, 50, 80, 150 pounds or more. I'll get the "nudge and wink" as people say, "Ok. I know you have to say that because you're a trainer. But really, what can I do to lose more than that? I'd like to lose 5-10 pounds per week."

My approach to weight loss is supported by the most credible organizations in fitness such as ACE and AFAA. Research and many yo-yo diets later have found that quick, excessive weight loss is not only temporary most of the time, but that people often gain back more weight later on. This is because they've damaged their metabolism in the process. For some better understanding of this process, read the following article:

Successful Weight Control

All that being said, my approach is about helping someone to make a permanent, lifestyle change--the healthy way. I am not interested in encouraging further yo-yo dieting, unapproved diet pills & medications, dysfunctional eating patterns, etc. Making a lifestyle change is not an overnight process. The weight didn't come on overnight and it won't get lost that way either--at least not in a healthy way. Therefore, I seek to work with those who desire a healthy lifestyle and are willing to consistently step one foot in front of the other until they get there. Slip-ups happen along the way. That can be human nature sometimes. That's why I'm there, to offer support and guidance and to help keep those "slip-ups" from becoming "giving up."

Thanks for hearing me out!

Most gratefully,

Deawna Hutchings

Welcome to my Blog!

2007-12-04T05:03:00Z

Hi Everyone!!

Welcome to my brand-new blog! As of a couple days ago, I had heard of the word "blog" but never quite knew what it meant. After looking into it further, I realized that a blog is a GREAT way to interact with people more. AND it would give a forum for my opinions. Lord knows I have plenty of those to keep this blog going from here until the end of time!

However, I'll bet I'm not the only one! This blog will give you all a chance to express yourselves as well. I look forward to your comments, thoughts, opinions, feedback, lively discussion, banter and more. I'm sure this goes without saying . . . but I'm going to say it anyway--rude, offensive, obscene or just plain mean comments will not be published here. I will preview comments before they're officially published to ensure that. Should something sneak by me, it will be removed as soon as I am humanly able to get to it. That being said, I hope you all feel comfortable to engage in discussion here.

Feel free to chime on in and let the games begin!!

Most sincerely,

Deawna Hutchings