How it all started..

Hard Times. Looking back I cant believe I let myself come to that. It was a very sad and difficult part of my life. I hid in my house for the first few months after I gave birth, embarassed and humiliated. My journey began 4 months after giving birth- I was sobbing on my closet floor with nothing to wear- sick and tired of wearing maternity clothes.

So, I set out for the perfect diet. Going from one to the next. I started- maybe lasted a week or two- but ultimately couldn't keep up and didnt have the stamina for rigid calorie counting or carb restricting. I had a newborn and I needed energy. I needed to face the reality of my life, having a family to care for- yet also face the reality that I was 20 and weighed over 200 lbs.

The gym was Plan B. I ate whatever I needed for energy, and decided to focus on my workouts. When baby went to sleep at night, I hit the gym. I knew nothing. Do I start in this room or in that room? On this machine or that machine? Should I use the machine? Use weights? How heavy? How long? I was sick and tired of following other peoples preachings of what worked for them.My diet failures were haunting me and I decided to do it on my own. Try it out. Take baby steps and track my progress. So I did. Every night I watched other members, watched trainers, and tried anything and everything I felt would be beneficial. Some worked- some didnt. I started understanding the way my body worked and what types of exercises worked for me. If I absolutely dreading doing something- I forgot about it and never looked back. I needed the gym to be a pleasant expirience for me, one that I looked forward to- and not cringe at the thought of. I took my time, educated myself, became friends with all the trainers at my gym and learned everything I could just by watching them. It was their suggestion I get certified and share my knowledge with others. I did just that- got nationally certified- applied everything I learned to my own weight loss journey and succeeded. I did it slow, it took a very long year- but I committed myself to changing my life.

At first, I made myself do 45 minutes a night of cardio for 5 straight days. Whatever it was. It could be one machine, two machines, 3 machines, whatever. I stuck only to that for two weeks. Weight slowly came off. I added in some weight training. Ok- 3 nights cardio- 2 nights weights. More weight came off. Hmm- more weights? More cardio? Take a day off? Yoga? Classes? Through my journey, I've tried so many things and continue to try new things. One of the most valuable things I feel is important for every woman to know is that there is no one size fits all formula for working out. To each their own- but commit to what you chose- and ENJOY doing it.

During that process I learned all about nutrition and the different foods we eat. We all form different eating habits, and I knew when I needed more energy- more food- and where I could cut back slightly. I monitored my weight. I wrote in a journal everday- since the beginning I have always been very strict during the week and let myself relax over the weekend. I dont "diet". I have my way of eating and I enjoy healthy food. I will cut back on certain things if I feel the need to, and add when I feel I dont have enough energy. I love big portions, lots of food, good food- and take that all into account when creating my eating lifestyle.

I like my carbs in the morning. I get my workouts done in the morning so I could use all the energy I can get. I've found that oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and brown rice are the carbs that fill me up more than others. I dont like fish but I love chicken and taught myself so many different ways of cooking it. I know that I have days I cant look at chicken so I have alternatives when I need it. I know I'm a snacker and what foods are my weaknesses. I prepare my food, prepare myself- and know what I need to do in order to eat well that week.

I committed myself 3 years ago. I'm at a comfortable weight, and have remained at that weight since I got there (minus the second pregnancy). I learn new things each day about myself and my fitness journey..and the more I learn the more I love. I've never been comfortable with status quo- or mediocore. Go big or go home...so in closing after all my preaching..if you believe you can do something- and put in the work to get there- you'll do it..and if you dont believe you can do it- then screw that and prove yourself wrong!