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Clare Smith

Training Body & Soul

{Shed & Share Wednesdays} Nicci N.

July 10, 2012

There are times when these Shed & Share stories are more of an encouragement for me than you. Today is one of those times. I’ve known Nicci my whole life. We were childhood best friends and even though years took us miles apart, we’ve been able to re-connect and be a part of each other’s lives. I’ve been able to watch Nicci’s real life transformation unfold every day via our personal facebook pages. She is a true inspiration and to say that I’m proud of her would be an understatement!


{The Basics}

Age: 34

Profession: Online Education Administration and Freelance Graphic Design.

How long have you been on this weight loss journey?

I started my journey in 2008.

Weight Loss/Inches Lost:

61 lbs.  – I am not too sure about my inches.  I didn’t start keeping track of them until last year.

Medical Stats:

When I started my journey I had a few digestive issues, and I had been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder.  I changed my diet, and cut out gluten and soy completely, and I also greatly minimized my dairy and meat intake.  This has almost completely stopped any digestive issues that I was having.  My issues with anxiety have greatly improved as well.  There were times when I had issues just getting myself out of the house to go to the grocery store.  Now, I actually love getting out of my house, and enjoy meeting new people!  I have even enrolled in our local community college in a personal trainer program.  I am in no way cured, and things are not always perfect, but things have gotten so much better.  I attribute a lot of this to my overall lifestyle changes.

{Your Story}

What was your “low point”?

I have served several terms with AmeriCorps.  When working with AmeriCorps you spend a lot of time volunteering in the community.  I was volunteering at a city summer camp for elementary aged children.  We all know kids can be brutally honest, haha.  Well, a little girl who I pushed on the swing everyday asked me if I was pregnant.  Needless to say I was mortified!  I knew it was time to do something, and get control.  It was something that I knew I already needed to do.  I was not feeling that well, and was not comfortable in my body.  I knew that I was not healthy, and her words motivated me to take control over my health!

Nicci, before.

How did you get started?

I first started at home.  I bought a treadmill, and started from there.   I still had problems changing my diet, but I worked at it, and little by little I lost a few pounds.  I knew I needed something harder, but I wasn’t sure what that was yet.  Eventually I bought an elliptical machine hoping for more of a full body workout.  The machine was great, but my motivation would come and go.  I would lose a few pounds, and then gain a few of them back.  I kept at it like this for a few years…three years to  be exact.   Then last summer I decided I would start running.  At this time I also became a Vegan for 21 days, and cut out the gluten.  This changed my ways of thinking about food, and this is when the real changes started taking place.  I started using the Couch to 5k application on my phone.  This really pushed me to the next level.  When I started this I could not even run a mile, but the application teaches you to run in intervals.  Running in intervals really gave me the confidence I needed to just keep at it, and to keep running.  I found out that I loved running!  I used to get so annoyed with runners, haha!  I thought they were kind of arrogant for some reason.  The more I ran the more people I passed along the way.  They always had a smile or a wave.  I thought wow these people are actually really nice!  Then I started entering races.  I did 5k races all that summer.  It was obvious I was a newbie at the entire thing, and I thought I was going to embarrass myself at the races.   At my first race I was overwhelmed with the amount of support and encouragement I received from seasoned runners.  I ran five races that summer, and it wasn’t until the 5th race that I was able to run completely from start to finish.   That July I also discovered an all women’s fitness training group called Kaia F.I.T. (Functional Intense Training).  Kaia really focuses on goals, and on supporting one another.  There is also a strong emphasis on nutrition.  Through Kaia I have truly become educated on fitness and nutrition.  I also learned about everyone’s favorite workout move the burpee or squat thrust, haha!!

My journey with Kaia has been amazing.  I have learned to love myself, and to push myself.  I have learned how to hold myself accountable and how to help others do the same.  Most importantly I have learned how to set goals and to work to achieve them.  Last July I could not run a mile.  This May I ran a half marathon, and this fall I will complete my first sprint triathlon.  Never ever in a million years back in 2008 did I think any of this could be possible!

I have two mantras that I like to keep in my head at all times; “Never waste who you are”, and “Moving forward…ALWAYS!!”

On this journey so far I have learned that you must learn to love yourself in order to move forward.  You have to learn to love who you were when you started, and every step of the way.

I had to learn to love myself. That included my 2008 self, my shy self, my insecure self, my anxious self, and well you get the point, all of my self.  The good and the bad!

Before and After

What is your workout routine and eating plan?

I workout Mon- Wed doing a combo of circuits, cardio, resistance, and light weights (think kettlebell, not actual weight lifting) for one hour a day.  Thursdays I do a one hour yoga flow class, which is 10 min of intense workout followed by a slow, stretchy yoga.   Fridays I either rest, or sometimes attend a TRX class.  Saturdays I attend an outdoor running program for one hour, and on Sunday I rest.   I know this sounds like a lot, but I started out slow and this is where I am now.  Also, in any class it is important to find your hard.  Don’t worry about everyone else.  Just go at your own pace.  It might also sound expensive to do so many classes, but all of these classes are through the Kaia FIT group that I workout with, so I only pay one price.  Many gyms have programs like this too, so you don’t have to pay for each individual class.  They are included in a membership price.  Also, many of these things you can do at home!  Bob Harper has awesome workout videos and you can get them for 5 dollars.  I use these on vacation!

The eating plan we follow at Kaia is lean and green.  Lean meats paired with lots of veggies, healthy grains like quinoa and brown rice, and fruit.  I am not much of a meat eater, so I eat a lot of veggies, beans, legumes, fruits and healthy grains.  I don’t eat any gluten, or soy.  I keep my meat to a minimum, sometimes I use organic chicken stock for soups, and I keep my dairy intake to a minimum as well.  Someone told me that milk takes a tiny calf and makes it get to a 400 pound cow in about a year.   When you put like that it doesn’t seem like something we should be drinking all of the time.  Cheese tastes good though, so sometimes I splurge.   Also, nothing processed.  No white stuff, sugar or flour.  I also try to eat organic when possible.

Help us!:

What are your top 3 favorite resources that helped you along the way?

♦ Kaia FIT was a great resource for me.  They provided me with a lot of fitness and nutrition information. It is helpful to have a support group.  http://www.kaiafit.com/site/

♦ The Daily Plate – A place to track your workouts, diet, and goals.  http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/

♦ Active – this is where you can find out about all things active taking place in your area.  This is where I find out about all of the races that are going on in my area.  They also have great articles with advice on fitness, running, and nutrition.  I liked them on facebook so I can see whenever a new article is posted.  http://www.active.com/

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is sitting on the sidelines and waiting?

Don’t be afraid.  Everyone is on some sort of journey, and no one is perfect.  There are so many people out there willing to help you, and give you guidance.  You will find friends who are going through the same things as you, and then you can give them the same support that you needed.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone who is in the process but is feeling discouraged?

Keep moving forward!  I have been here so may times along the way.  Sometimes you just can’t see the results, or you start feeling alone in your journey.  If you stop, you will never see the results.  You have to keep going, and when you keep moving forward new people will be put in your path.  Those new people will inspire you, and most importantly you might be the one inspiring them to keep going!

If you are a parent, how have you balanced everything?

I am not a parent, but I finished my master’s degree during part of this, and I am in school again.  It can be challenging.  I have to keep a good calendar, and I have to listen to my body.  Sometimes my mind tells me I should take a break, and I have to ignore it, but when my body tells me I have to listen, haha.

Anything else you would like to share?

Clare has been a huge motivation to me.  I actually grew up with her, and let me tell you she has always been a motivator.  When we were kids we walked all over our small town.  I could have had the potential to be a little on the lazy side, but not when I was with Clare!  We were always on some sort of mission, or trying to complete some little project.  She was one of my best friends, we had so much fun!  When I reconnected with Clare on facebook  it was awesome.  Then she started posting all of this fitness stuff on her personal facebook page.  I am not going to lie at first I was annoyed a little, haha.  I was at the beginning of my fitness journey and not fully committed.  Basically what was happening is that I wished I could be doing all of the same things she was doing.  Instead of doing them I was getting mad at the fact that she was doing them and posting them.  One day something clicked in my head and I was no longer annoyed.  I was suddenly motivated!!  I loved reading her posts, and it kind of got me thinking I should do the Couch to 5k.  I was seeing all of these other people on my facebook doing Couch to 5k too!  I took the plunge, and well I am now one of those annoying people posting about fitness all over my facebook, haha!!  Clare thank you so much for being a motivator to so many women!  You are awesome, and I love you.

♥♥♥

Here are some real life pictures of Nicci (with my sisters and hers!) and I!

Here we are circa 1990. Check out my sweatshirt! I told you I was born to be a fitness instructor!! 🙂

And here we are a few months ago. First time we had been together in years!

♥♥♥

Thank you so much for sharing your story, Nicci! You are an inspiration to me!

If you have a shed story that you would like to share, please email me! We’d love to hear it! clare@peak313.com

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Filed Under: Featured, Shed & Share Tagged With: Shed & Share 15 Comments

About Clare

Comments

  1. Kelli says

    July 10, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    Awesome! I just recently found this website and am trying to get started – thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Nikki says

    July 10, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    Absolutely awesome!

    Reply
  3. Oklahoma Olson says

    July 10, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    This is my favorite one so far. So helpful and such a beautiful story. I love reading about real people with real struggles and real goals. Great encouragment !

    Reply
  4. Kelly says

    July 10, 2012 at 11:38 pm

    Such an awesome story!!!

    Reply
  5. Leslie Dugger says

    July 11, 2012 at 2:12 am

    I met Nicci in Kaia last summer when we were in the same class (and continued to be in the same class through the fall). We established a friendship and have maintained that friendship since then. I did know her as her “before” pictures but have watched her develop into her “after” picture. She IS an amazing woman whom I admire immensely. I LOVE THIS GIRL! Her positive outlook and spirit are contageous.

    Reply
  6. Maggie says

    July 11, 2012 at 6:53 am

    You are doing great!! Thanks for sharing your story! I love taking classes that are included with my gym membership. Keep up the good work!!

    Reply
  7. Jona says

    July 11, 2012 at 7:19 am

    Nicci, I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. Thank you for being a form of motivation for so many other people! I know you are an inspiration to me as I too am starting a fitness routine.

    Reply
  8. Quinn says

    July 11, 2012 at 9:59 am

    GO Nicci!! So proud of my sister. She is an amazing person, but her confidence and personality are really shining. Plus She LOOKS AMAZING. It has been very motiving and encouraging to our whole family as our parents have even developed this new healthy lifestyle.

    Reply
  9. Frannie says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Graet job Nicci!! Everything about you is FABULOUS!!! Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    July 11, 2012 at 11:07 am

    I love this and I have to tell you I had the same sweatshirt and am a fitness instructor…how funny!

    Reply
  11. Women Living Well says

    July 11, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    Awesome story and I LOVE the pics of you Clare – that sweatshirt says it all 🙂 So cute!

    Reply
  12. Mia says

    September 29, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    Nicci was my college room mate, and I loved living with her -she is such a precious person. So proud to see her story now. I’ve been watching her Facebook posts over the past year – it looks like it’s been an amazing journey. Congrats, Nicci, on reaching your goal weight!

    Reply
  13. Nikki says

    September 1, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    That’s so amazing…I’m so glad we’re all on the same journey together! oxox Nikki

    Reply
  14. Sherise Smith says

    September 1, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Nikki, you are an inspiration to us all. I did not know you until you were already pretty darn skinny, so I can’t relate to the photos of you initially, but WOW. You truly are just an inspiration. Seriously…… you give all of us on this journey inspiration. I love you and miss you!

    Reply

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Let your complicated, challenging, nuanced situati Let your complicated, challenging, nuanced situation(s) be what forms you. Let it build you into the person God is bringing you to be. It’s not the ability to live life unscathed and perfect that creates a beautiful soul. It’s the ability to feel the heat and pain and come out more tender, authentic, and loving that makes you a person who is set apart for use. A person like this is refreshing and that person absolutely is you. #abeautifulpurpose

(Quote not my own)
I’ll keep this short because I want you to read I’ll keep this short because I want you to read the poem. We can bring our burdens many places nowadays- friends, Instagram, Facebook, text, to gym, to work, to sleep.. you get the point. But let’s make sure we bring our burdens first to Jesus. After the week.. month.. year.. many of us are having, there’s no better time to do this than now. #sweetunfailingrefuge

(I found this tucked in an old book at my family’s 100 year old farmhouse that we were selling this summer 🤍)
•My house was a mess with everyone being home to •My house was a mess with everyone being home today
• I only had ingredients for one batch of soup
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• Hubs had the sink totally apart in the middle of a project
• The kids were in and out of our deep conversation

Sometimes the quick stop to say hello turns into a therapy session with dinner and wine. Everything was stacked against me – so I thought- but the mayhem is often beauty and normalcy to the person’s life who is spinning. Sometimes “the plan” goes off track... but it’s not off track in God’s eyes.

Living life knowing that the minutes of your day are not yours but for God to use to encourage and be there for people who are hurting changes everything. It changes who you marry. It changes how you spend your money. It changes what you do with your time. Dinner portions may not be what you planned but God always finds enough to fill those who come to His table to be loved on and heard.

If I know one thing – it’s this. People are hurting right now. Some things are private and some are public. What would it look like if our homes became safe places for people to land? For our hearts to enter in the pain? For our embrace to provide the temporary relief needed? We can be people who talk about bringing the kingdom here on earth or we can be people who do what we can with the little we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 🤍
I’ve been on a “physical” comeback over the I’ve been on a “physical” comeback over the past few weeks. Between an insane December, Covid recovery, Ohio winters, and the mere fact I don’t have the bounce back that I used to (#thisis40) it’s been a slow go for me to get to feeling where I feel best physically. It’s been discouraging to say the least and I feel like I just turned a corner last week. 

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Each of us have something in our lives where it’s not what we want. We are on the path to achievement but it sure ain’t there yet. It can be with some of the obvious things such a health or financial goals but I see this often with people regarding relationships. The marriage, friendship, child or community in which we live falls just short of “perfection” and so we just settle instead of putting in consistent, hopeful work, which allows room for the Holy Spirit to work. 

I just want to encourage you to keep chipping away because while things may not be what you want, they can be better. In fact the way we reach what we want is not by snapping our fingers and it magically appearing but by a process or journey which involves ups and downs, straight stretches of boredom, and then finally a renewed energy as you see the end in sight.

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All I know is that everything I stepped into prepared me for the next thing. Many times I didn’t even know it! But I look back often and am like, “ohhh, God, I see what ya did there!” 

My encouragement to you is this- no matter what age you are- trust the path you are on. Let peace be your guide... not some assumed plan an “expert” or author told you. Sure- be wise with your time. Put in the work with diligence wherever your feet may have you, but be open to the nudges of where to go.

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We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Rem We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Remember that seeds are buried and “in the dark” before anything springs forth. Our journeys in life can often feel like that. Do the daily work. Tend your “heart garden.” Time is on your side. And when it’s time...it’s time. 🤍

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A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s retreat in the Chicago area. I just finished a session & a lady ran up to me asking if she could ask me a few questions. She was early 50’s, striking in appearance… fit & confident. She started telling me that she resonated with my health/fitness message & wanted some encouragement on starting “this late in life”, but as we continued talking, her demeanor changed & tears started to fill her eyes.

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But we also start to resent our current lives. We stop living in what God has fully given us. We live everywhere but the here and now and alongside that dream of yours comes a side dish of anxiety and sadness. So then we get our hands in it, perhaps without God’s “OK” and then we see a mess unfold. We’ve all been there. If only we had waited. 

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