Transformation Tuesday success story

As a trainer and sports nutritionist for over 11 years I normally feel like I have a good grasp on which new clients will be successful or not.

It has nothing to do with their athletic ability, how they look, how much they weigh, what their previous experience is or any other variable except one thing: How bad do they want it and how bad do they need it?

“The Kolodziej Project #1” was, and still is, a HUGE success.

In 2008 I had the privilege of working with an amazing woman by the name of Joanne Kolodziej. This 60 year old grandmother of many was one of my best success stories ever.

Without any exercise besides cutting her 3 acre lawn every other week, Joanne lost over 40 pounds! How? Because she trusted the process of eating healthy foods in balance and moderation with her favorite comfort foods. She was strict 6 days per week and allowed herself a nice little ‘cheat day’ once per week.

How many 60 year grandmothers do you know that have lost over 40 pounds without exercise and have still kept it off for 6 years? I’ll wait…..NONE!

Fast forward to June 12, 2013

I get an email “New Bootcamp Registration for Jennifer Kolodziej”. Of course my initial reaction was, ‘This will be easy!’ (wrong)

When I first met Jen she was very shy but you could tell she had good athletic ability and potential.  Again, I thought ‘This will be easy!’ (wrong)

For the first few months that she came to our outdoor bootcamp in the middle of summer, I don’t know if she could’ve worn another layer of clothing. Double layered tank tops, shorts on spandex on leggings…….

I could definitely tell that her self perception and confidence in her body was missing. But, over the course of the next 3 months, Jen continued to get stronger, faster and muscle tone was starting to show in the few exposed bodyparts we could see. I thought for sure she must be feeling great and gaining more confidence.

I thought  ‘This will be easy!’ (wrong)

Visual vs Scale success

Even though everyone around her could see the changes she was making, Jen didn’t. She was turning into a total Negative Nancy! All I would hear was grumblings about how she hasn’t lost any weight, or that if she could even lose ‘just 5 pounds’ that she’d be happy.

She just couldn’t see what was happening.

For the first time I thought, ‘Uh oh…This isn’t going to be easy!’

“This doesn’t work!”

I remember the day like it was yesterday. Leaner and stronger Jen is talking to a group of ladies before an afternoon bootcamp session, with newly sculpted shoulders and a sweat outline of abdominals .

We were two weeks into a new 6 week weight loss challenge and here she was spreading negative vibes even though she was someone these other ladies were starting to look up to!

I went home that night and beat my head against a wall. (Figuratively, not literally…I think…)

How could someone who was doing so well, looking so good and dominating at every challenge be so unaware of what was happening to her?

I thought, ‘Uh oh…This isn’t going to be easy!’

You aren’t following the plan.

I finally decided to talk to Jen about the problem. The first subject I addressed was with nutrition. I wanted to get an idea of how she was eating and where the missing link was.

The missing link was that there was no nutrition plan at all! She drank soda, ate limited protein and loved candy.

I explained that she was sabotaging her own success.

You cannot out train a bad diet. Your food is your fuel.

I feel like a begged and pleaded with her to try a protein shake, Greek yogurt or even a protein bar.

After all, this is how her mom had success.

Why couldn’t she just “trust the process?” I thought.

An epiphany.

In early 2014, after seeing a fellow bootcampers making huge strides in their physiques around her, Jen finally bit the bullet and decided to buy some Dymatize protein powder and Quest protein bars that I had been recommending to her for months.

And then it happened, when I least expected it…a text from her saying “These shakes and bars are sooooo good. Can I just eat and drink these all day instead of food?”

Again, I beat my head against a wall!!! (Figuratively, not literally…I think…)

I knew this was the beginning to something special but, I don’t think anyone expected what was to come.

Stepping it up.

When we moved to our new bootcamp location, she decided to add weight training to her routine with trainer Rich Berrian.

Within weeks the changes that were showing were unreal. Like, literally unreal.

The combination of proper nutrition, fuel and weight training mixed with untapped genetics were turning body into and iconic physique others could only dream to achieve.

I asked Jen to bring her bathing suit to her next workout to take progress pictures.

I knew how far she had come but, it was time for her to find out how far she’d come and how many she inspires.

Behind her back, I took a HUGE risk and broke a personal vow of trust. I posted her pictures on Facebook.

My heartbeat must have exceeded 200 beats per minute as I watched the ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ soar to the dozens, then hundreds as I waited to hear from Jen. I truly thought she was going to kill me!

Remember ‘Shy Jen’ from the beginning of the story? This was still that same person.

She finally replied, “YOU’RE KILLING ME SMALLS!!! I can’t believe how many people have messaged me so far.”

Phew…I was safe for now 🙂

The next level.

After a few weeks of constant pressuring and nagging from myself and Rich, Jen finally decided to prepare for her first NPC bikini contest.

Dialing it in.

Over the past 4 months, she has re-arranged her work schedule to dedicate more time to training. She is one of the most dedicated clients I have ever seen.

Her body has taken a new level of strength and beauty.

She weighs each meal. Sets alarms in her phone to remind her of meals, what foods and quantities to eat.

She has trusted the process and turned herself into a regimented athlete. A competitor.

The reward

This past weekend, months of hard work and sacrifice were paid back in the highest form.

Jen won the Over 40 Womens Figure tall class and the OVERALL Over 40 Womens winner!!!

She is a champion.

Not because of a few new trophies, but because she has done what so many others fail to do.

Commit to a goal, work relentlessly towards it and overcome every challenge or obstacle in the way.

Jen, now referred to only as “Klo-J” due to the impossible spelling of her last name, continues her quest in 2 weeks at the St. Pete Muscle Classic at the Tampa Bay Convention Center on September 13th.

In those two weeks she’ll continue to be regimented, focused and her intensity will be at an all time high.

She’ll motivate men and women around her by her actions and effort, never by being proud or boastful.

She is humble. She is blue collar. She could be you.

You just have to trust the process, believe in yourself and always keep pushing forward.

I’m am so proud of you Klo-J (holy sh!t I just started crying on the patio listening to Tom Petty with my protein shake, not cool!)

Really, really, really proud of you.

You are so far out of your comfort zone from where you started.

It’s amazing to think that this journey only started 14 months ago.

I know your best is yet to come.

Committed to your fitness success and the next phase of your journey,

Derek Kuryliw, Certified Sports Nutritionist & Personal Trainer Slim Fit Diet & Fitness, CEO/Founder …for questions or comments [email protected] or 727.851.SLIM

Try the ultimate fitness experience of my fitness bootcamps. Every night is a new challenge of athletic and explosive training for all ages, previous injuries and ability levels. Get your first 2 weeks for only $1, No Catch, No Gimmicks…Just Results: www.NewPortRicheyBootcamps.com