I have struggled with my weight and body image for years. I had gotten to a place that I was really happy with when I was breast-feeding my second child, but then after I stopped, I gained weight back. For a long time I gave myself the excuse that this was the weight that my body wanted to be at, but when I was really honest with myself, I knew that wasn't true. My body wanted to be about 20 pounds lighter.
I tried a variety of things - I cut out sugar, I tried going gluten-free, I went low-carb (or what I considered low carb), but nothing worked and I definitely wasn't mentally ready to count calories. I didn't have time to get to the gym on a regular basis because I had a child with me full time plus one in school. I knew I had to make a change, but I was stuck. Then I was presented with the opportunity to participate in a 12 day Shakeology challenge. I already ate pretty clean, so I wasn't sure how to clean my eating up much, but it did get me finding ways to make sure I got some exercise in and thinking more about my eating. The bonus was that I loved the shakes. I loved the energy I felt while drinking them and I loved how decadent they tasted while still being good for you. I was ready for more.
This was just at the time that the 21 Day Fix was coming out. I decided to hop on and try to work on portion control, which I realized was my biggest challenge. Doing the Fix was eye opening. Sure I ate clean, but I started to really think about the building blocks of my food were. Which vegetables were higher in starch and sugar, how much oil I used in my cooking, the fact that while healthy fats with your salad are important, if you add feta you could easily cut out oil. I started getting excited. I started connecting with people on the Facebook group. I realized that my love of food could actually be a benefit. I also started getting stronger. Between the food and the exercise, I had managed to make myself healthier both physically and mentally. So I started to toy with the idea of being a coach.
I don't see myself as an extroverted person. As someone who has struggled her whole life with weight I wasn't sure that I could see myself as someone that people looked to for help in weight loss and exercise goals. But I could be a cheerleader. I could be an advocate. I liked connecting with people and discussing the trials and tribulations. I loved sharing recipes. I realized that I could use my knowledge and love of food to help others on their fitness journey. I am not the poster child for fitness, but I am a real person who gets what challengers might be going through. I have to use the modifiers in a lot of workouts and I get frustrated with myself at times. I am a real person people can connect with. Perhaps I could do this.
So here I am, 5 months later, still trying to figure out the coaching thing, but knowing that I want to help other people feel as good as I do. I want to share my love of food and the knowledge that it isn't the enemy. Workouts can make you feel better and they should be a part of your routine. Sometimes as a mom it is hard to remember to take care of yourself, but we need to put ourselves first from time to time.
I got healthy for myself. I got healthy
for my family and to show my kids that I can do it. I became a
Beachbody coach because I love feeling strong. I love having renewed
energy. I love that I can drink an outstandingly delicious shake every day and know that it is good for me! I struggle to find
out how to get the word out, but that's me.