Heidi

I don’t have enough words to describe Heidi. Someone who FULL- HEARTILY gave herself to the 4 Weeks To Fab program on every level. Her own story and what she has learned about herself is truly inspirational. Please read and enjoy every one of her words….its worth it. I just read it for the 10th time. Heidi, You are a superstar! 

My Journey.

When I started with the 4WTF team I had a goal to learn, educate myself and take in the resources so that I could make the right choices and have a successful work out plan going forward.  What I did not expect was that I was about to embark on a journey that would allow me to embrace a group of amazing women and to learn things about myself that now take me down a new path of choices and happiness.  

What I wanted to learn from this journey was how to tone my body and through that journey to further embrace the hopes of “liking what I have”.  I also wanted to understand what meal options there were so I could have a better/nicer variety of food to choose from.  

When I started the program I was so afraid to do something “wrong”……miss a meal ……miss a work out…and hence not get the fullest out of the journey.   I soon learned through Rita’s guidance and expertise that you have to embrace the process but if you miss a step, acknowledge it and move on. 

Early on in the process we were granted access to the FB group for the 4WTF women!  That part of the journey for me was SO unexpected and took me completely by surprise.  I do not connect easily with other people and seem to have a guard up and a wall that prevents me from being “me”.   The 4WTF FB group of women were the most genuine, honest and caring group I have ever encountered.    Shortly after starting our journey there was a very strong connection as we started sharing our stories and were so supportive every single day in every single way.   As the journey of weight training continued I realized that this program for me was a lot more about “me” and how I perceived myself and how I valued myself.  I felt as if I did not “measure up” when in a group of beautiful people and always felt like I had to accommodate for something (and never sure what I was accommodating for).  I am still on that journey but this process has me pointed straight in the direction and that is empowering.   I was petrified to walk into a gym for fear of not knowing what I was doing or for fear that I would feel like I did not belong there.   I was going to do all of my work outs at home so I could avoid my fears of the gym (I now know it was more about me than just the “gym”).   After a few weeks I was confident enough to walk into any gym, take my time to look around and start my work out comfortably.  All of this came strictly from the support of Rita and the FB ladies.  The journey was slowing turning into something incredible and I was taken aback by this.   I was not ready for the new things I was feeling and the new goals I had for myself.   

There is no way to describe what Rita has put together with these programs.   This is not just about signing up for a meal plan and a work out plan, it is about signing up for a self discovery where everyone is welcome and every is valued for who they are.   Rita invests her heart and soul in these women and does it from a distance.    Rita involves herself in each woman, heart and soul and truly truly wants everyone to succeed.  How Rita is able to pull this off is incredible.    Rita is gifted with a talent that I have never seen before and I feel so very fortunate to have found Rita.    Rita knows how to motivate and encourage you to push past boundaries that you did not even know existed.   I truly believe that Rita is so successful because she puts herself out there.  She admits that she can stumble or  that her goals faltered even for a day or an hour but this part of Rita is what makes her who she is.   Rita makes each of these women value themselves and she does it with a small gesture or word.   I wish I had the right words to express how thankful I am for Rita and for what she does.  As I said she gives her all, her heart and soul and then some and continues to power on.   Rita allows our inner selves to shine and once we see the progress in these areas it is like something is unleashed and you just want to do more and the great part about it is you want to do it for “you”.   These changes are glorious as it not only impacts each woman differently it impacts those around us….family and friends.    The rewards from this program and from Rita are endless just like her heart!

The final part of this journey was to meet with Florencia who provided a beauty consultation.    Florencia bless her heart will do consultations in person or on line.   When I met with Florencia in person she asked me if she could evaluate my skin and I said of course…..as I felt a great connection and truly trusted Florencia.   Florencia informed me that she would have to take all my make up off which caused my heart to skip a beat as my makeup is part of my wall!   In the end, because I truly trusted Florencia, I let her take my entire make up off and sat there in the “buff” and this for me opened up a lot of “wounds”.    By the end of the consultation I realized that Florencia was not about “selling” products but about allowing your inner beauty to shine and was there to offer her expertise and incredible knowledge in the area of facial care and make up and about your inner self and who to let that shine.  I left my time with Florencia feeling that for the first time in over 40 years I had the right tools for my skin and was feeling amazing inside as well as that was where Florencia is able to take you……a journey inside and out!  Florencia is a very unique soul and is truly a very beautiful and special person and treats everyone who comes across her path the same way.

The next step was to have a spray tan and lashes done with Dina – something I had never had before!  Dina is such a gorgeous and caring woman.   She made me feel very comfortable and beautiful all within a very short amount of time.  I was way outside of comfort zone having these very glamorous things done and Dina made me feel like I was extremely deserving of every bit if glamour that I was feeling.   Dina is such an expert in her field and takes a personal and very caring interest in every client that she works on.  It felt like we were all at a social gathering at Hollywood Tan – the atmosphere she creates is one of glitz and glam but makes it feel like you are in a warm cozy and safe place.  Dina is truly gifted with the work she does and she knows how to treat you from the inside out.    

The last stage of this journey was the photo shoot.   Walking into the photo shoot was nerve wracking as I was about to meet women that I had only connected with on line and knew I had to have photos taken and “pose” which again outside of my comfort zone.    Prior to the photo shoot Florencia made us up with glamour hair and incredible make up.  It was astonishing and what a transformation.     These gifted women have the hands of angels.   Standing in front of the cameras and under the lights was daunting but somehow Paula makes you feel as it this is something you do every day.   Paula has a gift to make you feel like a queen and when you get the right pose there is a joyous yell of “yes” and it gives you such a rush. I ended up feeling like I was empowered to just let it shine before the camera!   Paula had to move my head and shoulders so many times as I have a great deal of issues with “relaxing” and is shows in my posture!!   Paula is truly a gifted gifted artist.    As we were nearing the end of the photo shoot I got a bit teary eyed as I knew this 4 weeks of awesomeness was about to end – not the long term journey but this segment of the journey was coming to a close.   As I stood before Paula I felt strong and powerful and truly beautiful and I thank her for her incredible gifts of allowing that to shine through in the photos.

Although this journey will continue for me I have come away with a new sense of “me” and for that I will forever be grateful.     I have come to value and treasure a group of women with similar concerns, worries, insecurities and goals.   These women have changed me inside and out.  I still have a lot to learn about myself but this journey has empowered me with the strength to be strong and to continue on.

Some of the things I learned;

 

 

• I realize everyone starts with different goals (inside and out)
• We all progress at a different pace and in the end it truly only matters how we feel and how we see ourselves and how we value ourselves
• I have gained a true appreciation for the gym
• I realize this is a long term journey for me
• I appreciate that this journey has not only impacted me but those around me with the choices I make
• I appreciate how healthy and strong I feel
• I appreciate how much time and dedication it takes to make these choices
• I have learned that I work best with goals and to be held accountable for my progress along the way
• I learned that admitting we are not perfect is okay
• I realize there are women like Rita and her team that truly invest in people that they have never met and genuinely want you to succeed
• I have gained an appreciation that a coach/mentor CAN actually do all this on line – although I think with a magic wand!
• I appreciate that Rita has absolutely targeted my needs/goals with a meal plan and exercise plan and again all through photos and assessments!
• I learned that it is okay to acknowledge that we as women take on a lot and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be the best that we can be
• I realize it is okay to feel guilty by taking time for ourselves as that guilt turns into something positive
• I realize that everyone comes to the end of the 4/5 weeks with different outcomes/body types and new achievements
• I realize how much I enjoy sharing in and reading everyone’s accomplishments over the weeks
• AND
• I have learned that I can adore a group of women from afar without even having met them in person

Thanks for being part of my journey – in every single way and day 🙂