Ok. So this year has been insane. Almost a year to the day I wrote my last post. In the time that has passed I have sold our home and moved across the country. Helped my husband start his business. Finally got my certification tests done. Found new studios to teach at as well as several other little details. Life has been chaotic to say the least.
Nevertheless there was one thing I promised myself and that was that no matter what life looked like I would be better at 35 then I was at any other age thus far. What that meant for me was simple in some ways. For example, I wanted to try and have a better grip on my household (cleaning, organizing, decorating, cooking all areas that could use a little work) I want read at least three books and chill out on TV. I wanted to work on some personal emotional growth and last but not least I wanted to reach a new place in my fitness (to be honest I had two children and was looking to have my body not only back but better). I wasn't sure what that meant and thus it will the focus of this post.
So here I am 35 (and 4 days). Its been 6 months since I made this declaration to myself and I am happy to say I have met almost all my goals. I have got better at cooking and cleaning and most of the organization of my house. Though seriously this area could use continued work. ha ha. I have 3 books and I'm in the middle of my 4th. Surprisingly I have opted to turn the TV off just so I could read. This is huge if you know me as I do love me some TV. I am still working through some serious wounds I have from my childhood but I can honestly say that I don't walk around harboring ill will these days and that is wonderful. And for the last one I am actually in awe of my accomplishments. Four and half years ago I had my first child. I was relatively active and some what good about how I ate but my overall fitness level wasn't anything to write home about. Over the course of the next several years I taught group x classes and fell in love with the body I was given. I found joy in pushing myself to new limits and when I was pregnant with my second child I had a confidence I didn't expect.
The comparison between first and second pregnancy was astonishing. I sat on my rear for most of my first pregnancy. I was an academic advisor for an online school so that meant endless hours of phone and computer work. I swam and did pilates but I wasn't very active. I gained 60lbs and had such horrible hip pain through out my entire last trimester. Fast forward three years and Im pregnant again. I had lost all my weight from the first pregnancy but I wasn't going to gain all that the second time. The lifestyle change that took place between the two kids was mainly what I did for work. I left the academic advisor position and started teaching dance fitness. I was teaching on average 6 days a week and continued that until I was 38 weeks pregnant with my second. This was the biggest change. I also didn't eat for two but I still gave into all my cravings and didn't play the blame game the second time around. At the end I only gained 38lbs and it was gone 3 months after I delivered. But during that time I started to realize what exactly I was capable of. I started learning about weight training. I tried out cross fit and other weight and cardio classes. I wanted to see what I could do.
Then I moved to St. Louis. This threw me. I didn't have friends. A job. Familiar faces (apart from family) and I was just overwhelmed. We didn't have a ton of cash since we were starting a new business here in town and I wasn't teaching anywhere yet so no access to a gym. I scoured the internet for free passes to gyms or studios and eventually found myself at a studio called Sleek Body Method.
This is where it all changed. I was able to get involved with piloxing and then take part in a 12 wk boot camp. This was amazing. The girls were so inviting (check new friends off the list) I was able to work out (check no gym off the list) and I was offered a spot to train and teach (check job off the list). In a matter of a couple weeks I not only had several things that were on my list all met by this one place but in 3 short months I took my body to a new place fitness wise. I am stronger, tighter and more confident then ever. 13 lbs down and over 20 inches lost. I not only accomplished my goals but surpassed what I thought I was actually able to accomplish.
So hello 35 you look pretty damn good. This year is going to contain more goals starting with finishing out my second round of bootcamp and prepping myself for our huge trip to Hawaii in March. What do you have planned for this year? Do you think you are capable of the things your heart desires? I believe we are capable of anything with a little hard work and determination. So in this next year I am going to work on getting my personal training business off the floor. Continue to educate myself and challenge myself in ways that fit me. If there is one thing I have learned over the last 5 years being immersed in the fitness world it is that no one body is the same. Do not compare your insides with others outsides. Believe in your goals and don't beat yourself up if you fall along the way. Its that negative tape you replay that often hinders your accomplishments. Like Katy Perry says "I don't negotiate with insecurities." Cheesy but powerful. You can do it.
