BodyBuilderMom
POWERED BY EXTOL SPORTS, LAC & WHAS 11
By Angie Fenton
Liar, Liar
The other day, my
electronic scale lied to me.
I knew I’d had some losses – which translate
into gains – in terms of body fat and weight, but I
wasn’t prepared for what the scale said amounted
to an almost 15-pound loss during the two-month
period when I essentially plateaued due to my
inability to make time for consistent exercise
and stick to a healthy eating plan.
Amazed – and skeptical – I stepped on and off
the scale three times. Still, the darn thing stuck to
its proof I’d somehow melted away the pounds.
Liar. The next day, when I awoke, disrobed
and stepped back onto the scale, the truth was
revealed: I’d lost half a pound – not nearly 15.
Yet, instead of getting discouraged, I was
instantly energized: Even though I’d failed at
hitting it hard for weeks, I had done enough to
result in a (miniscule) loss instead of gaining.
This was progress.
Since then, I’ve come back with a passion and
am actually looking forward to the next time my
coach, Ryan Schrink, measures how much weight,
inches and body fat I’ve lost since beginning this
quest to get fit and – eventually – compete in a
bodybuilding contest.
So, what am I doing differently?
Make time for me. I have a flexible – albeit
full – schedule that allows me the luxury of
scheduling workouts when they work for me,
since I primarily report to myself. That being
said, in addition to my full-time job as editor
of Extol Sports and Extol Magazine, I also work
part-time at a few other freelance gigs, am a mom
and wife, have six animals in the household and
Working out with Coach Ryan
Schrink is key to my success.
#AccountabilityCheckIn
commit to other engagements. Still, I’m making
“me time” – my workouts – a priority. And I’m a
better mother-editor-writer-TV correspondent-
wife because of it.
Be accountable. I may lose a few Facebook
friends because of it, but I’ve started checking
in to the Louisville Athletic Club in New Albany
almost every time I workout. Sure, gym check-ins
can be annoying, but I don’t care. It keeps me
accountable and is a public, tangible record that
I am doing the work. Thus far, it’s helped keep
me on track.
Reach out. I went off the grid for a little
while but now stay in contact with Coach Ryan
on a regular basis. He’s a great motivator and
celebrates the little gains. That means the world.
I also share my exercise exploits with friends JD
Dotson, Julia Danzl Williams and Morgan Sprigler.
In turn, they share theirs with me. Reaching out
has made me feel like I’m part of a team instead
of going at this all alone.
Eat more often. Thinking of my body as a
furnace and food as the fuel has helped me digest
– no pun intended – the necessity of eating more
often. It takes time to plan what I’m going to eat
and when, but it’s becoming part of my regular
routine. Most days, I eat three meals and have
two snacks. And, for the most part, I’ve cut out
eating after 8 p.m.
SPORTS
40 EXTOL SPORTS / JULY 2017
Make it a family affair. My husband wants
to get fit, too, so we’ve started walking with our
17-month-old daughter a few nights a week after
work, in addition to our respective workouts. We
also shop at the local farmers market and Kroger
together, plan our meals as a team and talk about
our goals, gains and losses. That has enhanced
every aspect of our relationship.
Use the scale. I struggled with an eating
disorder for 10 years from eighth grade into
college. Part of my recovery involved throwing
my scale away. It worked for me then and helped
me to understand weight doesn’t define you. It
still doesn’t, but now I am able to use the scale
instead of it using –and devastating – me. Now,
it’s a measuring tool and nothing more. When
my body fat gets to a healthy level, I’ll use it far
less. For now, the scale helps keep me honest
(and I bought a new one that won’t lie to me).
SCHRINK AND GAIN
Since I started writing this column, I’ve had
numerous people ask for feedback about
training with my coach Ryan Schrink.
He’s amazing, and I mean that. If you’re
interested in seeing what Ryan has to
offer, go to www.schrinkpersonaltraining.
com or call 502.216.9475.