Girl Hero Martha

As some of you have read, I decided to change the name of my blog to Girl-Heroes because I realized without so many girl heroes in my life I might still be locked in a closet depressed gorging myself on Krispi Creams or worse. One of my girl heroes is Martha.

Martha has been a source of encouragement and inspiration in my quest for health.  I watched her transform her body doing Body for Life and then go a step farther, preparing for three figure competitions.  When I decided I wanted to do a figure competition, I called her and asked her if she thought I could do it.  Her answer?  Absolutely.  It will be hard work but you can do it.”  Or something like that. Something that made me believe in myself.  That’s what being a Girl Hero is about choosing health and encouraging others.  Martha is a wife, mother of three, and a P.E. teacher at small private school. She is also a personal trainer at Cross Fit Ventura. Yay for Girl Hero Martha!!!!

Overcoming Personal Obstacles

What caused you to make your lifestyle change?  Was there a moment you just knew you had to change your habits?  Was is a major change?

I had always been small and could eat anything. When my youngest child was 5 I started to see things in the mirror that I had not seen and noticed the sizes in my clothes were getting bigger than they ever had been. It wasn’t a major change, but more of a returning to who I really am.

What was your diet like before?  Your exercise program before?

My diet had always been whatever was easiest and most convenient. I cooked, but packaged, easy things with lots of preservatives and chemicals. My exercise had pretty much dwindled to nothing. I liked to view myself as athletic, but was really doing nothing that proved that. I might run every other week or something like that just to trick myself into thinking I was in shape.

What have been your biggest roadblocks and more importantly how do you get pass them?

My roadblocks have only ever been myself and my thoughts. I constantly second guess what I’m doing or feel guilty about working out, being away from my family. I feel bad when I make them eat healthy foods they don’t like. Sometimes I’m weak and give in to the guilt, but I get stronger everyday and the reality of wanting myself and them to live strong healthy lives is taking over.

On your personal health journey have you had any super low moments?  Moments that just made you want to say **** it.  Did you learn something from that experience?

I have had many low moments and SO many times that I wanted to say ”screw this. Who really cares?” But I’m s thankful for my husband and a few other friends who have been voices of reason to say it is worth it and I cannot tell you how much I have learned. I learned how much stronger and disciplined I can be if I make the decision to do it.

Is PMS a struggle for you?  Does exercise and diet help?  Any tips you can share that might help other readers who deal with PMS?

Some months PMS is a struggle, but I find if I maintain a very consistent diet with little to no sugar my symptoms are very minimal. Sugar seems to be the key for me, and that includes things like Splenda.

Are you a scale addict?  How do you deal with a “bad scale day”.

I do weight myself regularly, but that is mostly because I don’t count calories or anything. I just keep tabs and know about where I should be. I guess I would be a little lost without the scale. “Bad scale” days just slap me back to reality and make me tighten up the diet a bit.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the change I’ve made and the consistency of that change. Someone said once about me that I would “be on to something different in a few months”. I’m happy to be proving that statement wrong. Although, I am not competing in figure shows, I am still an advocate for healthy lifestyles.

What do you say to people who say “you’ve just got good genes”?

I would laugh. My family has to work hard at being at a healthy weight. There is a propensity in my gene pool for obesity and addiction. It takes concerted effort and thought to stay on the right track.

Relationships

How have your friends reacted to your transformation?

Most of my friends seem impressed and inspired. I think at first many of them were confused and didn’t understand the bodybuilding/figure part of it. Sometimes I feel a little one dimensional in their eyes and hope that I never become ONLY about fitness, etc. There really is more to me!

Food

What are your favorite foods that you eat regularly?
Nuts/Nut Butters
Eggs
Cheese
Chicken

Do you have any foods you know you probably should give up but won’t?  How do you incorporate that food without it sabotaging all your effort?

Cookies. I love them. I don’t eat them all the time but when I do I eat quite a few. Also alcohol. I pretty much try to have a little on the weekends only. I do love a glass of wine or a beer with dinner.

If you were stuck on a desert island what one food would you want with you?

Eggs.  (Me too!)

Exercise

How often do you exercise?

5-6 days a week

What is your favorite exercise?  Why?

I love lifting heavy. My favorite heavy lift is the deadlift. One of my goals is strength. Seeing my numbers go up makes me feel like I’m progressing and it makes me ignore the numbers on the scale.

Motivation & Goals

What motivates you?

My main motivation has always been the deisre to be strong and healthy as a wife and mother; and eventually as a grandmother.

What goals have you reached?

Competing in figure competitions was my first goal, becoming a trainer and  then competing at the Crossfit games on the Affiliate team.

What goals are you working towards?

My new goals are more personal: Speed and strength goals. I want to do a muscle up and handstand push ups. I also want to see Crossfit Kids Ventura grow.

Just For Fun

Who is your favorite super hero?
Superman

What Disney princess do you most relate to?

I guess Cinderella. She has always been my favorite. She was misunderstood and shocked when she got the Prince.  I like that she didn’t have everything handed to her. She worked hard and then had the fairy tale.

What is your most irrational fear?

That people don’t like me. I always envision people talking about me…vain imaginations. (Oh the joys of being a woman!)

Anything else you would like to share???

My journey is one that I hope inspires others. My biggest desire is to help kids make choices that, in this time where convenience is king, keep them strong and healthy as kids and then as adults who will make decisions and influence others in the future.

Thanks Martha for putting yourself out there and for being an inspiration!!!!  By the way…did I mention she is a bad ass in the gym?  Check this out.

Do you or know someone you know who have a story to share?  If so shoot me an email.  I want to recoginize Girl Heroes from around the globe on many different paths and would love to do a post on YOU!!!!

xoxo
j

Tags: Before and Afters, Girl Heroes

About jennincat

I'm so happy you stopped by my little corner of the web where I write about fitness, food, and amazing women I "meet". I live in California with my wonderful husband and two rambunctious boys. I'm a personal trainer and dreamer. I enjoy most things but some of my favorites are reading, acting, camping, cooking, music, writing, traveling, and being in the moment with my favorite people! You can read more about me here! I hope you stop by often!

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