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4) How did you overcome those problems? What specific techniques did you use to make your dreams a reality?
A 4) Denise would be hard on me and tell me not to waste her time. She was right and
harder she was on me better I was. She use to say "Do you want it"? In my mind that made me strive far and never give up.
5) Moving forward and knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?
A 5) I would've signed on with Kim Oddo in beginning . It took me four years because I didn't eat much protein and then for a few years did no carb diet which was a total waste of time.
6. What would you have done same way, and will continue to do, going forward?
A 6) CARDIO BABY! It burns calories, raises endorphins, relieves stress, etc.
7. Do you feel that ongoing feedback and motivational tools would help in maintaining a fitness program? For example, appearing in June, 2005 issue of Ironman must be very motivational. This won't be a motivational tool most people can use. Before achieving that type of success, what types of motivational tools did you lose to keep going? After all, you don't lose 70 pounds of fat overnight and it must've taken some time before you could see positive changes in mirror.
A 7) What some people don't realize is a support team can be most important thing in training to reach a hard goal. I truly believe in having a great trainer like Joanne Rubienstein, Kim Oddo, Stephen Bauer or Denise Hart.
I personally love to train so I don't need motivation to get to gym but when results slow down I need someone to tell me that I can do it. What kept me going was belief that I could do it and prove world wrong.
Sometimes it feels like my job is to prove people wrong. They talk their talk but in end I will accomplish what I'm striving for and they'll look dumb for saying that I'll never achieve my goal. Sorry if that was a little pissy, but I get tired of people doubting me. If I can drop 40% body fat I think I can make it to Olympia!
8. If you were to advise a close friend or family member hot to follow in your fitness footsteps, what would you tell them?
A 8) Run far away and find an enjoyable job! I truly believe I did all this because of fate. I don't even really remember time I said I want to be a competitor. The diets and training are tough and rewarding at same time. I have accomplished a lot but I also sacrifice a lot of things in life that are enjoyable.
All I can say is I'm going after a DREAM and won't give up until I accomplish it. It's not only for me, it's for general population that has lost belief in themselves. My advice is to go after your dreams, believe in yourself and get right people to help you. That's key to being successful!
-CAT
See Cat's before and after phots at http://www.buildleanmuscle.com/caitlin-johnson.html
Gregg Gillies is a speaker, consultant, fat loss expert, trainer and author. He teaches fitness via his articles, books and courses at his web site http://www.buildleanmuscle.com . He is the author of two books. He's written for international magazines like Ironman, and is a regular contributor to Body Talk Magazine.
