Hey y’all! It’s March, and I’m finally getting around to writing a new blog post. A few weeks ago I did a Facebook poll to find out what content you would like to hear. The poll was pretty close to a tie between “My Fitness Journey” and “Lies About Divorce.” A few influential women in my life said, “Why not do both?” So, here’s the first of it, My Fitness Journey.
We all need motivation, right? Whether it is to clean the house, mow the lawn, cook dinner, or fold that basket of laundry that’s been staring you in the face for the last four days. Motivation has to come from somewhere. About 15 months ago I found myself in one of the darkest places of my life. I was in the middle of getting a divorce, my mind was emotionally drained, and I was completely unhappy with myself. When most women go through a divorce they start that terrible divorce diet. You know, the one called starvation. The poor me I’m getting a divorce diet, and I’m going to look damn good so he can see what he’s missing. You know. That one. I must say, my divorce motivated me to get back to the gym, but it was for me. Not to make my ex see what he was missing, but for me. I needed a place to forget about all of my worries. A place to do something for myself. A place that I could grow and become better. That place for me was the gym. That is where my fitness journey began.
It’s hard to make big changes all at the same time, so I started with simply working out. I started with running again. I slowly built up my stamina to where I could run 10 miles. No, not 10 miles for the week, but 10 miles at one time. It took me a while to build up to that. Once I was able to run 3 miles consecutively, I added in a trainer for weight training and started counting my macros. I had two different trainers. One for weight training and one for my nutrition. I was on a roll. I could see the weight coming off, and I could tell a major change in my body. Not only was I seeing a change in my physical physique, but I was able to feel a change in my mental state.
Then, COVID hit me in the face just as quick as my divorce had. Except this time I was bound and determined not to let another change in my routine bring me down. I found ways to continue working out at home. I ran. A TON! I found happiness in it, and then I hurt my hip. I couldn’t run! I was so angry with myself, and I was not going to lose everything that I had worked for. I had lost 40 pounds, and I was maintaining the loss. I started walking and lifting the few weights that I had at home, and I would also incorporate HIIT workouts at home. I was begging for the gym to open back up. Once it did open my trainer was trying to stay away due to health risks, so I just stayed with doing my thing at home. That was until a new trainer fell into my lap.
I was so excited to start training again, and so ready to see my body continue to change. I was maintaining my healthy eating habits, and adding in training four days a week would really help me grow. I also was able to start running short runs again. My trainer pushed me. I mean, he was kind of cute too, and that helped a little. Okay, who am I kidding. It helped a lot. I didn’t want to look like a weak girl in the gym when I was working out in front of him. {Yes, later in the story he becomes my boyfriend in life, but we can talk about that later. 🙂🙃}
I trained religiously four days per week, and I did cardio seven days a week. Sometimes I would skip cardio, and sometimes I felt too guilty for skipping so I would do it anyway. 15 months later, and those weights that once haunted me are now my babies. Lifting weights and working out has became my outlet and happy place. It also helps that I’m able to get some of my workouts in with my favorite trainer…I mean, boyfriend. Let’s not forget the meal prep portion. I’ve failed the last couple of weeks with my meal prep, but I think I’m finally back on it. Sunday afternoons are for meal prepping breakfast and lunch for Nick and I. Having the meals prepared helps to stay on target with diet goals. You can’t forget that eating is 70% of weight loss and physique.
The best thing you can do for yourself is to invest in it. Don’t do it for anyone else but you. The only way to become the best you is to get up, get to the gym, and do it. There isn’t anyone there that is judging your path to success. We are all in this together!! Nike got it right when they said, “Just Do It!”
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