Sometimes it is all your fault...a lesson in personal accountability

Im not going to lie this picture of my really bothers me. There is more Tom in this picture than I would like.  As proud of my growth in the sports of weightlifting over the past few years , I am significantly less proud of the growth of myself ...in my singlet . After USAW Nationals this year I knew something needed to change. 

​Recently I went to the doctor to get some testing done..In the last few years, I have accomplished a ton of things both personally and professionally . One area that I let slip was my health and body composition. I have put on 30-40lbs and I was convinced that there was something wrong with me. I had "tried everything" , super restrictive diets, abstaining from alcohol, intermittent fasting , RP templates , the list goes on. For the past 6 months or so I have prepped most of my meals, workout out consistently , and have eaten more mindfully than ever before.The problem was is that I continued to gain weight throughout the year as well. 

I was planning on competing at USAW Nationals in the 105kg (231lb) weight class. About a month out I was still about 8kg over and realized that if I did make weight , that my performance would suffer. At the recommendation of my coach I stayed in the 105+ Class. I had the best meet I have ever had , hitting competition PR's in all my lifts and increasing my total by 16kg in the process. I placed 7th place for the second year straight at nationals .   I also hit another PR , I weighed in at over 116kg(255lbs) . The frustrating part for me was that in my normal weight class(105kg ) I would have had the opportunity to finish as high as 2nd if I would have just taken care of what I had to with my diet.

 When I got home I was angry. I thought I had done everything I could, but nothing worked. I decided there had to be something wrong with me . I went on WebMD and convinced myself that I had Hypothyriod that was causing my weight gain. It couldn't possibly be the combination of stress, life changes, lack of sleep, etc. This couldn't be my fault, I am a fitness professional , this is my job, and I couldn't possibly be to blame . So I went and got tested. I have never wanted to have a medical condition so bad in my life. This would vindicate me , alleviate me of any personal responsibility for making into my weight class, those feelings of guilt for my less than ideal body composition would go away. This was the reason , I was sure of it. 

Then the tests finally came back . I found out, I have a perfectly healthy thyroid. My situation was 100% my fault. What the heck was I going to do now?!? I decided to do what I should have done in the first place. I finally took some responsibility for my situation. The reality was that I need to be more disciplined, eat less, workout more , and recover like a champ. It is time to stop going through the motions and get to work . I've spent months feeling sorry for myself , now with my excuses gone I have no where to look buy inside. Time to be an example to my clients  and athletes  . 

 One week down and I have lost a few pound and all of my excuses I've got about 10-15kg(22- 33 lbs ) to lose , it wont be fast, it wont be easy, and it wont be fun.  Time to lead from the font in EVERY aspect of my training and lifestyle . 

​About Coach Tom :

• NSCA-CSCS
• NSCA-TSAC
• USAW L-1
• Crossfit L-1
• 4x USAW National Qualifier
• 7th at 2017  & 2018 USAW Nationals
• Top 10 Ranked in the USA
• East Coast Gold National Team Member and Coach
• Best Lifts
  • Clean: 191kg(420lbs)
  • Power Clean: 168kg (370lbs)
  • Jerk: 191kg( 420lbs)
  • Clean and Jerk: 185kg (407lbs)
  • Snatch: 156kg ( 345lbs)
  • Power Snatch: 150kg (330lbs)
  • Front Squat: 227kg (501lbs)
  • Back Squat: 273kg (601lbs)
  • Deadlift: 272kg ( 595lbs)
  • Strict Press: 115kg ( 255lbs)