Get Up!

I've been working on a healthy lifestyle change for the past year and a half. What was it that kicked it off? I started losing my eyesight. And then I found out that I had diabetes. What went through my head was shame, disgust, self-loathing, and great fear. I went home and cut out all sugar. Within a week, my eyesight improved. I started swimming, twice a week. Then it went to three times a week. Then four. The strict no sugar diet lasted a month, just until my fur baby, my best friend, died. Grief interfered. I was still swimming, but not working as hard to eat healthier. The year progressed, swimming five days a week, sometimes six. I gained a little bit of muscle, but weight loss seemed to stop. I felt good, but was still overweight.

I joined Beachbody, began the 21 Day Fix. I would swim first, then come home and do the thirty minute exercises. I was drinking Shakeology everyday. Running my business as self-confidence allowed me. Hit some more snags. Summer came, which means schedules don't exist much. I was missing going to the pool. I lent 21 Day Fix to my mom, and started PiYo. After two weeks it was clear I wasn't ready for PiYo yet.

Here is one of the things I love about being a Beachbody coach. I asked for ideas on what to do, and two fellow coaches mailed me some tools. One was her copy of 21 Day Fix. And the other was wrist wraps, as I have trouble with my wrists. I was all set to keep going, even after several weeks of limited activity. Then my grandma died, and that same day, we learned some distressing news about a family member. Grief struck again. When I'm swimming, and grief strikes, I cry as I'm doing my laps. I was still motivated to get in the pool. But I lost motivation for the exercise programs.

After a couple more weeks, I got up to do the 21 Day Fix. Not really motivated, not looking forward to it, but had to. And the disc didn't work in my computer. It took me another week to set up a DVD player in my living room. And Monday began the start (again) of my exercise. I knew I had to so something, because the pool closes for two weeks in the summer. The pool is closed! No swimming! I had to do something.

Monday started off with total body cardio. Gasping for air, sweat pouring off my body. I would have kicked myself for letting it get that bad, except I was too tired and I couldn't reach. After I finished, I took my shower, had my Shakeology, and then I felt The Glow. It didn't use to feel this way. Now there is something about completing an exercise video that makes me feel GOOD inside. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Yesterday I finished upper body, and my muscles were screaming, all day long. There is a huge difference in not being able to move well because you started exercising, rather than because you don't exercise at all. I've felt both. This is definitely the better option!

Today is lower body And I am excited to be doing this again. I missed out on several weeks of exercise, but I didn't stop altogether. Which means that it's hard to restart, but not as hard as starting in the first place. And I am so glad that I took that first step on this journey. It is one of the best things I've ever done for myself and my kids.

Don't let the hard work scare you. It is what gets you journeying towards the place you want to be. It's a good place, I promise. Send me a message or comment below if you want to get started and don't know where to begin. Or if you are already on your journey, fitness or otherwise, share your journey on tab above. You are worth the effort to begin and keep going. Blessings!