Mind over Limits

My story

Growing up in somewhat rural Poland I had no care in the world about food or exercise. I ate what mom put in front of me which was always home-cooked from scratch and the only form of exercise I engaged in was walking to and from school. Only later, as a teenager, did I develop the love of propelling myself on a bicycle. The bicycle that I’d often have to fight for with my younger brother.

Food was always cooked from scratch, butter was heavily used for frying and we didn’t limit carbs. In fact, just about every meal was composed of some type of starch, mostly potatoes but we also ate a lot of bread. Yet, I was skinny as a stick. Sweets were only present at our house roughly once a month (on a payday) and during holidays. And even then, the lot would always be divided by 4: me, my siblings and my mom. Yes, sweets were rationed. And Mom baked on occasion only. Some would call it a balanced life but if you know me closer, you know my life was anything but balanced.

Fast-forward to my 20s when I finally arrived in the land of plenty: the North America and more precisely Canada, my ignorance toward proper nutrition and exercise was about teach me a lesson. Up until this moment I knew nothing about fast-food, convenience foods, tv dinners, frozen meals etc. But as I learned, North Americans valued their time more than anything in the world. So many would cut corners in the kitchen. Spending time in the kitchen cooking meals was considered a waste of time, unless, of course, you were a well-rounded family or a chef’s family. Many did resort to a lot of frozen meals and take-out. And I thought it was genius! So I also embraced the convenience. Why wouldn’t I? I knew absolutely nothing about food and proper nutrition. Why should I be suspicious that a frozen meal should be any different from my mom’s cooking that sustained me for over 20 years of my life? I embraced the convenience of being able to 1. pick up fast-food at a fraction of a cost and time that a home-cooked meal would cost me 2. be 100% more productive while my entire meal cooked in the oven. It was supremely more efficient and cost effective, or so I thought. Snacks and sweets were also not only more accessible as they were cheap but also, when I picked my poison, it was all mine! I didn’t have to share!

It took me less than 2 years of this idyllic food freedom before I realized some things were not adding up. I had to upgrade my wardrobe and I opted for loose fitting tops and a lot of stretchy pants. So, I knew something was afoot but somehow I wasn’t able to see it, not in the mirror anyway. I remember my mom and my grandmother complimenting me on how good I looked! Back story: my grandmother always thought I was too skinny and she’d be after me to eat more. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace, I knew she meant well. Regardless of the props from mom and grandma, I started feeling increasingly more uncomfortable in my own body. I felt as if though it didn’t belong to me. It truly felt foreign to me. I was an alien in my own body!

Another 3 years or so have passed before I saw it! It was a picture of me somebody had managed to take. Obviously I was aware anough of my changed physique and hence didn’t enjoy having my picture taken, so I don’t have very many photos of myself from that time. But that one photo will stay with me forever. I didn’t quite recognize myself when I saw that girl staring back at me.

I know it could have gotten much worse and many do go beyond this point but thankfully for me this was the worst of it because I had to change it. And I did. I am a self-learner in every aspect of my life: foreign languages, cooking, research, photography. Health and Nutrition wasn’t going to be any different. I went on a search of what it was that I was doing wrong. And it wasn’t difficult to figure out that a tub of ice-cream followed by a bag of chips and frozen lasagne with a 100% sedentary life wasn’t going to yield a very slim body. I am not a genetic freak of nature, I need to put in the work to maintain a healthy body like anybody else. And I am also not about to tell you that there is a magic formula to losing weight. There isn’t one. It’s the same old, same old that you’ve heard many times before: if you want to see change, you need to change what you’re doing.

I started light exercise in the form of pilates and yoga, I eliminated all the processed foods and replaced them with whole foods and lean proteins. That was enough to see the inches melt. Later, my exercise transformed into more weightlifting centered approach in order to build muscle. And I also truly fell in love with cycling as a form of cardio. And most recently I learned that even though I can lift a fair bit of weight I am not that skilled at working with my own bodyweight, so I am incorporating calisthenics in my training as well.

I wholeheartedly believe in creating a complete, all encompassing coaching program for my clients.

In my coaching practice, I am deeply committed to fostering holistic well-being by emphasizing a comprehensive mind-body approach. Recognizing the intricate connection between mental and physical health, I guide my clients towards achieving a state of balance and vitality. My coaching philosophy extends beyond conventional strategies, as I believe in addressing not only specific goals but also nurturing a wholesome and integrated mindset. By intertwining mental resilience with physical well-being, we cultivate a foundation for sustained success and fulfillment. This approach involves not just setting objectives, but also developing a profound understanding of how mental clarity, emotional resilience, and physical vitality intersect to create a harmonious and resilient individual. Together, we embark on a journey that recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, fostering a transformative and enduring path to personal growth and overall well-being.

The change doesn’t mean a change of what we eat, and it also isn’t a change in how active we are. The change has to occur on a much deeper level. We need to change the way we think. How many times have you tried to change your most basic nutritional and exercise habits? And how many times have you gone back to your old ways, just to feel defeated? Probably as many times as you have attempted to lose weight, start an exercise program etc. And why do you think it has never been effective and successful? It’s not because it was the wrong program or diet. It’s because you haven’t changed your thinking, you haven’t changed who you are, you maintained the old, very familiar and secure thinking about who you are at your core. And unless we change who we are, we are not going to be successful at changing our habits. If you continue listening to your mind telling you I am overweight you will continue to be so.

If this resonates with you and you feel that you are ready to make a long lasting change please check out my Service section to see which service suits your needs. Note I do require an Initial Consultation with all my clients to set a base line and a list of expectations. If you’d like to discuss your needs with me and find out if we are a good match you can schedule a complimentary 15 minute Discovery Call with me (make sure your call is in regards to Mind over Limits coaching).