Is anyone else guilty of reminiscing and looking at old, “skinny”, photos of themselves? Or maybe like myself, you thought you were fat back then and can’t believe that you weren’t fully appreciating your body size. Yup, these are areas in which I have spent way too much time myself. 

Being someone who once spent five to six days working out with a personal trainer, to then becoming one myself, I have had a strong relationship with fitness. Nearly NASM certified, I was teaching boot camp classes and training small groups of women in apartment homes. The passion, joy, and love for fitness were once strong in my life. So much that I had the desire to help others on their own journeys.

After “letting myself go”, and being so hard on myself for gaining weight, I am happy to announce that my passion for fitness has returned. 

YAAAASSS!! This is where we both get up, high five each other, and potentially twerk for a minute. On a serious note, I am happy to be recommitting myself to MY HEALTH, and my journey of regaining control by loving myself along the way. Oh, and the process of snatching back into a snack 🙂

It hasn’t been a smooth process for me and perhaps it was always meant to be this way. So many women go through highs and lows with their health, and it is definitely easier for me to relate to those who have also been in my position:

Fired up to workout, with a clear goal in mind, only to have fallen off track, beating themselves up for their mistakes. Gaining the motivation and discipline, only to losing it after comparing their progress to someone else’s (thanks social media). Or encountering changes, and not knowing how to adjust their eating habits or lifestyle due to life and changes.

I completely understand it.

This is why I want to share HOW and WHY I am gaining my passion for fitness back. If you are desiring to do the same, then keep reading along 🙂

GRATITUDE

The first thing that I have had to realize is that I am healthy. Plenty of people in the world do not have access to certain body parts that I am blessed to obtain. No, I am not talking about my booty. I am talking about my legs, fingers, toes, the ability to see and to walk. I had to learn how to be grateful for what I have been given now. Often times we complain about our thighs when some people can’t even get out of the wheelchair to twirl in a mirror to see their cellulite. Being grateful and gracious towards your body is the first piece of advice that I would want to share with you. 

MINDSET 

If you fail to get your mind right for this journey, you will end up being back at square one. This is pertaining to our perspective and mental health. 

Our perspective for this process is incredibly important. If we think about “how long” it will take or “I want to look like so and so”, then we will never reach our goal. Instead, commit to a bigger picture like being healthy so that I have more energy to achieve my goals, or being healthy so that I can be a better mom, or whatever it is for you. Understanding a bigger picture will help you move forward, no matter HOW LONG it takes. For myself, being healthier so that I can be confident in my clothes, achieve higher energy, and because I was SO happy when I was in shape is my “big picture”.

Our mental health is equally important if not more than the perspective. Without taking breaks to check on yourself, you will get burnt out during this journey. I recommend getting a journal and writing down any limiting beliefs, your emotions, and track your overall progress. When establishing my health goals for 2020, I wrote down taking a social media break each quarter. This may equate to a few days, a week, or several. If you want to take an extra step, add a limit to the TV as well. Getting away from electronics and plugging myself into learning, resting, and reflecting is crucial for me during my pursuit to gain my fitness passion back.

COMMUNITY 

I am so blessed to have my girls Leah and Victoria with me during this process. Both are REAL with their struggles, yet dedicated to overcoming them alongside me. Having a community of like-minded people around you is important in ANYTHING that you are focused on. Whether that is a writing group, fitness group, church group, the community is crucial. 

If you are struggling with finding accountability, I suggest joining a gym and checking out a few classes at the gym. BE FRIENDLY. Compliment someone, SMILE, ask questions or make a joke. You might end up in a conversation that sounds like this:

“Girl, I am trying this whole thing out and would like some accountability. Are you down to support and motivate each other?” 

“Yeah, I just started coming to this class. Do you like it? How often do you go?”

“It looks like you’ve been working out girl! You look good! Do you have friends who keep you motivated?”

You guys know that I am friendly, so I GOT YOU on the dialogue for making new gym buddies. I recently joined TitleBoxing Oakland (THE TOWN!!!) and I have already met friends there. Sure, it is because I love people. But also because it keeps me accountable! Telling someone “yeah girl see you tomorrow”, and then going when I don’t feel like it, makes things happen for me! I can’t say “see you tomorrow” and not show up!! 

So yes, emerge yourself into a community for any goal that you have created.

INTENTIONALITY

This can also be called “self-awareness” if I am being honest with you. 

Here’s why:

I personally need to be cute when working out and prepared for any significant change that I am about to make. With that being said, I needed to get some cute new workout gear. Your girl didn’t want to walk around the lake in baggy, old clothes. She also didn’t want to go to TitleBoxing without being cute. They already plan to knock me out in the class, I might as well be cute while they do so. In addition to buying some cute clothes that were on sale at Fabletics (hello 70% off), I also bought pink, glass meal prep containers, Women’s Best Vegan protein powder, Women’s Best Amino BCAA Energy, a SmartScale that tracks more than your weight, a workout sweatband waist trainer, two new pair of Nikes for training and running, and cute rose gold boxing gloves. 

No games are being played. I am not giving myself any excuse. 

“Well, my shoes are old, and blah blah blah”. I went three weeks of boxing classes wearing raggedy, old shoes before buying new ones. SAVE if you have to but invest in a good pair. I also went to the Nike Outlet and got them for the discounted price.

“Well, I don’t have any containers to meal prep. Or recipes”. HelloFresh has a $90 off sale for your first four boxes. Switch up the email a few times if you have to boo, but they have so many healthier options now. Or you could always hit up Pinterest for cheap and clean meals. Also, you don’t have to get glass containers like myself (trying to be better for the environment though), you can find some for a lower price on Amazon.

“Well, I don’t have the energy to workout”. Another familiar excuse I kept telling myself. Which is why I bought the Women’s Best Amino Energy. Super tasty, and it works better than coffee. If you can’t spend money on that, get some green tea with caffeine in it and it will help as well. Otherwise, knock out some jumping jacks and that will give you the burst you need before going. Or some squats! Also, avoid heavy food like bread, dark meat, and food with high sugar before your workout. This WILL drain you.

“Well, I want to be cute too girl but can’t go shopping yet.” Run to Marshall’s and buy some black tights or grey tights. Those work with every tee shirt and a tank top in your closet! Add a headband and throw in some stud earrings. Boom. You’re still cute 🙂

OVERALL

Bottom line is that I want to be physically able to do things that I haven’t yet tried before. Savage or Spartan Race’s, hardcore hiking, scuba diving, crazy pilates classes, boxing, and hot yoga. So many fun ways to enjoy working out are available nowadays, and I want to partake in them! This means I need to commit to going to my boxing classes regularly, in addition to eating a healthy diet (exception of 1-2 cheat meals per week). If I am consistent with my commitment, I can try out new things without any worry that my body wouldn’t be able to take on the new challenge. 

I also want to achieve my goals outside of my health, but that requires energy and inspiration. If I am always sleepy, or tired because of the food I am eating or the lack of exercise, or the lack of nature I get, then I know that it is more challenging for me to keep going. In order for me to be successful in other areas of my life, I need to take my health seriously. Mentally, emotionally and physically. And I bet the same is applicable to you too, girl. 

Make a promise to commit to yourself for the next three months. And then do another three months. And another. Keep going until it becomes apart of your lifestyle. 

Remember that it is a process, and you are not alone in it. You are one of the many women who are heroes trying to take care of themselves.