WHY?

Over the last 42 years of my life, I have had my share of days that I’d classify as “one of the happiest days of my life”.  Included in that list would definitely be the birth of my children as well as my wedding day.  

But I'd have to say that also on my list is the wedding celebration with our families.  You see, Z and I didn’t have a traditional wedding.  We got married in our home, just the two of us, along with the preacher and the photographer…that’s it, no more/no less.  Although, we did want to host a celebration--a few weeks later, to celebrate with our families.  So we did just that.  

We got dressed up...

We decorated the house...

We cooked...

We ate...

We enjoyed celebrating our nuptials with our closest family members.

I asked the photographer to come back for the celebration in order to take family pictures and candids throughout the evening.

I was so excited when the CD containing the pics arrived in the mail several weeks later.  I began scrolling through them, one by one; taking note of all the smiling faces, remembering the love and laughter that emanated throughout our home that night.

And then I saw this…

My heart sank.  I felt sick.  I wanted to cry. 

Did I really look like that?  Was I really “that large”?  Had I let myself, my health, get that far “south”?

I was so confident that night.  I thought that I had picked the perfect dress for the occasion.  I felt so pretty.  But looking at myself, in that picture, just negated all of those feel good memories.

THAT moment, THAT precise moment is when I made up my mind that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.  From that moment on, I would take control.  I would take control of my health.  I would take control of my fitness.  I would take control of my weight.  I would take control of my life.

The following day I began a walk/run program.  It was similar to the Couch to 5k…where you run for “x” amount of time followed by walking for “x” amount of time; alternating back and forth until you’ve completed a 20-30 minute workout.  Each week the run time increased and the walking time decreased until I could finally run an entire 3 miles, non-stop.  

My First 5K!

I also began watching what I ate, adopting the 80/20 rule; weeding out excess carbs and sweets along the way.  It began to work, my weight started decreasing, my clothes started getting looser and I started sleeping better…feeling better.  I worked my way up to a 10k, ran multiple races and obstacle courses; with feelings of happiness, accomplishment and success.

St.Patty's 5K

Muck Run
*By far the FUNNEST race I've ever ran!

Of course life happened over the next couple of years and my fitness/health journey was like a roller coaster…up and down every few months.  Although I have never fallen back to the point where I once was, I didn’t maintain a 100% commitment.  In 2016 I was introduced to a meal replacement shake called Shakeology along with a fitness program – 21 Day Fix; all offered through a company called Beachbody. 

Life changing…That’s what it was.  That’s what it is!

Not only was the meal replacement “shake” delicious, it was healthy!  Within a week I experienced energy that I hadn’t had before.  Within a few months I could tell a difference in my hair, nails and skin tone.  I noticed that the bags that once lived under my eyes where now disappearing and not as noticeable.  Bloating decreased and regularity improved.  While drinking my daily shake, it was easier to maintain my 80/20 eating plan because my cravings for sugar and carbs were not front and center like before.

21-Day Fix, the at-home workout that I chose was fabulous.  It was just what I needed…fast paced, 30 minutes/day, targeting different body parts each day and incorporating weights, which I had not done in the past.  It included a detailed meal plan with portion control containers to ensure proper serving size.  I even talked Z into completing the first round with me.

I continued to feel as if something was missing.  I drank the shakes.  I did the workouts.  I even reincorporated running because I missed it.  But something was still “off”.  

Motivation and accountability…I had no one to give me that kick in the butt that I needed (and still do) from time to time.  While searching for this community, that I knew was out there, I stumbled upon a group of ladies; a team, that not only supported each other but shared their journey, their stories, in hopes of helping someone else.  In hopes of motivating mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers to become healthier versions of themselves.  

This was my answer.  

This is what I longed for.  This was the missing link in my journey.

So in February, I decided that I would become a health and fitness coach with Beachbody.  I would become a member of team Faithfully Fit.  I would continue to drink the shakes.  I would continue to workout daily.  I would now begin to share my journey with family, friends and strangers alike in hopes to provide them the motivation and accountability that I once longed for. 

Do I still struggle…yes.

Do I still have “off” days…yes.

Do I skip workouts…yes.

Do I eat cake…yes.

Do I feel the same way that I did 5 years ago while looking at my photo of what was one of the happiest days of my life…NO!

I am changed.  I am changed all because I decided to say YES.  

To say YES to a healthier lifestyle.  

To say YES to a fitness plan.  

To say YES to a team of women that push me to be a better wife, mama…a better ME!

I have yet to cross my finish line, I doubt that I ever will as I feel like there is always room for improvement.  I like to think that I am a work in progress.  But step by step and goal by goal I continue toward my finish line.  

Until Next Time,

Heather