I thought it would be appropriate to start off this section with an homage to my first blog endeavor about getting started on my fitness journey. You may have seen it before, and if you haven't.... Here you go :)
This was posted in April 2015 and it makes me quite happy to know that what I started back then has continued to this day.
February 2014 was the month I decided I really needed to make a change. By this point, Micah was 14 months and I was sometimes still reaching for a pair of maternity pants. There was this picture I am begrudgingly attaching here that just made me cringe.
I didn't recognize that body. It wasn't a body that I wanted to be in. Of course I was very proud of that body, it made and carried that little nugget in my arms up there. But it just wasn't me.
So I started to pick up my activity again and started to diet. Before having Micah I was a huge Bar Method addict (still love it to this day). But anyone who has a kid knows, getting yourself to an hour long class on a routine basis is pretty much impossible. Finding childcare, finding time, finding energy equates to finding the couch. I had some barre classes on DVD I would do 3-5 times a week, I lost a couple pounds here and there but just stayed stagnant. Doing them at home just wasn't the same as being in the class, I simply didn't push myself as hard.
Then one day, John and I decided that maybe it'd be fun for us to start exercising together. He knew I wanted to feel better about myself. He has loved me at every size I've ever been and has always made that very clear, but he wanted me to love me too - and is basically the best husband that has ever existed in the history of husbands. He suggested we try P90x3, the 30 minute version. I was skeptical, but thought it was worth a shot. I stood in front of a mirror around that time and took the following shots, this was a key move in starting to hold myself accountable.
So every night, we'd bathe/read to/fight with/sing to/snuggle with our little man during his typical bedtime routine. Then change our clothes and head to the garage. Almost every night at least one of us would really not feel like doing it - but the other would be the motivator. We'd jump, burpee, lunge and sometimes flail around like idiots for all of our neighbors to see for 30 minutes each night at 6-7 days a week. It was so much fun. I never thought working out at home could be fun - until those 90 days.
I was down 6 solid pounds and had much more endurance and strength from when I started - but now I knew I could do more.
Then in the fall of 2014 I reached out to a friend from high school. I'd been following her over a year or so on social media. I steadily watched her fitness journey. Most days I'd read her posts and think "Good for her. Would love to be that fit, too bad I just don't have that kind of body". Well, it turns out that I do - if I want it bad enough. I reached out, I stepped up and I found my results.
Several programs later I feel better than I've EVER felt physically. What is it that I do? I strive to eat at least 80% clean everyday. I exercise every day. I drink my superfoods every day. I hold myself accountable everyday. I don't diet - this is my lifestyle.
Am I where I exactly where I want to be? Not quite, but close. Now 18 pounds lighter, wearing 2 pant sizes smaller and full of so much more energy- I found me again. I look in the mirror, put on my clothes and smile everyday. The consistency and hard work really does pay off, you just have to want it. No one is going to do it for you.
April 2015 I no longer cringe at my pictures. It's such a nice feeling.