Morgan Thompson

PROGRAM
2024 NEW YEAR TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE: 3RD PLACE WINNER

“I am not very good with self reflections; something that I am trying to work on, so writing a reflection on how I have transformed during the new year challenge was a challenge in itself. When starting the challenge my coach, Ryann, asked what my goal for the challenge was and I said I wanted to work toward a cut, my first cut. Something I struggle with the most is consistency, consistency in my workouts and in my nutrition. I have not been able to be consistent enough with my macros to then transition to a deficit. So I guess my transformation started a little before the new year, but the challenge helped me to tie everything together and start my first cut. In my opinion; the most important opinion to me, I have had a very successful cut. I have been consistent with my check ins, my macros, my workouts, and my habits. 

A minor detail in my transformation is that I have lost a few pounds, about an inch off my waist, and a full clothing size, but the important detail is I have gained tremendous confidence. I have bought a new pair of jeans for the first time in years without it leading to tears and emotional eating. I feel confident in cute outfits, wanting to dress up and not just wear athleisure at all times. I used to think the number on the scale is what determined my confidence and happiness but I have learned that the number on the scale is just a number that is almost irrelevant. 

I have learned so much while working with BIN over the years and have learned that there is so much more than just being consistent with my macros. During this challenge I brought everything together that I have learned over the years. Consistency with my macros, with my workouts, and probably the most important being my habits, have all contributed to my success. I have 3 habits; planning my day out the night before, drinking 70-90oz of water, and stretching each day. Planning my day the night before helps to ensure my macros are within my goal range but this has also relieved a lot of stress. I work long 12 hour shifts as a registered nurse and I used to go all 12+ hours without eating anything, I would also drink very little water. I don't know how I survived looking back now. But pre planning my days and macros has made it simple. I know what I'm going to eat and it's one less thing I need to think or stress about. One of the most important things that Ryann has taught me and has stuck with me is that I can't take care of other people if I don't take care of myself. My patients rely on me so much but I cannot give them my best self if I dont have the energy or nutrition I need. Another contributing factor to my successful cut is I have started eating high volume foods which makes my meals much more satisfying during my deficit and ensuring I am hitting my macro goals. I also did not feel like I was missing out on my favorite foods, unlike the yoyo dieting I have done in the past. I have been more consistent with my nutrition through this New Year Challenge than ever before. 

I have learned how to navigate life. As a travel nurse the things I enjoy most are food and travel. I have learned to still be able to enjoy those things in a balanced way. I can still explore coffee shops, try the best restaurants, and travel to my favorite destinations without feeling like I need to restrict myself or throw myself completely off balance and off of my routine 

Not only has my confidence in myself increased but I have become much more confident in the gym. I used to be a serial HIIT/bootcamp gym goer. I would rely on group classes because I was intimidated by a bodybuilding type of gym. I had no structure to follow or go off of and therefore I had no idea if I was making progress or even doing anything that was effective. I used to be terrified to pick up a barbell, now barbells and I are like old friends. Each week when I would add an extra 2.5lbs, 5lbs, or 10lbs to my squats or deadlifts or decrease the resistance on my pulls up I was brought so much joy, I felt so proud of myself. I've never tracked my progress in the gym before but seeing how much I am improving brings me so much excitement. I think something else that has made me feel successful is that I have been able to increase my weights consistently in the gym despite being in a deficit. I cannot wait to continue to make progress especially when I’m back at maintenance. Adding the BIN workouts to my routine has made a big impact on my transformation and something I will be continuing. 

I feel this new year challenge was the push I needed to not just start this year off strong but to really help me see the full picture of how much the BIN program has helped me reach my goals. I have grown a love for nutrition and learning not just how important the macronutrients are but also the micronutrients. I have started educating my family, friends, and patients on the important things like nourishing your body for energy and healing, and how much I love fiber lol. I have looked into getting nutrition certified because I just want to keep learning more but also be able to help others. I have not felt this happy and confident in my body in a long time and I just wish everyone could feel this way about themselves. 

I have learned so much through the BIN Lifestyle nutrition program, but adding the workouts were a game changer and helped me to be even more successful.

Addendum- I CAN DO A PUSH UP! Something I discovered this week, a push up not on my knees, no help with resistance, just a regular ol’ pushup. I have done pushups for years and never been able to do them off of my knees. Thanks to the consistent full body workout I now have the strength I’ve never had. Growing up with rheumatoid arthritis I have vivid memories of my struggles, my elbows being so swollen I couldn’t reach into the cabinet to grab the cereal, my wrist lacked the mobility to wave normal, and now those little elbows and wrist allowed me to do a push up. You better believe I ran and told everyone I know, this was my greatest accomplishment. And to have my family hype me up meant the world to me. Having 3 athletic brothers I could never keep up with but always admired, I now get to share my accomplishments with them, and hear them be proud of my hard work.