Maybe in another life I had it "EASY"

This was me 4 years ago. I had just had my daughter four months prior and we took a family vacation to the beach. I was around 140 lbs. and the biggest I have ever been. I was out of shape, and pretty unhappy with myself. What you're thinking right now is, "But you just had a kid...that shouldn't count." And you're right. It doesn't count. So why show you the picture? Because what does count is my attitude. A few months after I had her, I got down in the dumps about being "fat" and I became very insecure about myself and my body. I kicked myself over and over. I cried, I complained, and then I finally decided to take control and do something about it. I started going to the YMCA at least three days a week and was consistent about it. And it wasn't some miraculous change that happened automatically. In fact, it took almost a full year for me to start seeing the results I wanted to see. But I kept at it. I set a goal. My goal was to get to 125 lbs. However long it was going to take, I was going to get there! Almost a full year went by, and I finally made my goal. Nothing was going to stop me. Nobody was going to tell me I couldn't do it. My mind was made up and I did it.

Why do I write this? Because I know that there are so many excuses that you can make for yourself. You can say that I have it easy because I have a "small frame" or I've always been small. I've heard it all and the truth is, I didn't have easy. Let me tell you what I think EASY is. Easy is not caring about your health. Easy is  saying, "Screw it! I'll never be in shape." So you quit. Easy is quitting. Easy is comparing yourself to others and thinking you're not good enough. That's what easy is and QUITTING IS EASY.

 Here I am with two of my three children almost four years later. I stuck to my goal, and then some. I didn't allow myself to quit, I didn't allow myself to think that I wasn't good enough. The important thing to me is that you see yourself as worth something. Is being fit--is being healthy worth it to you? The ability to go on a hike with my family and not have to stop every ten minutes is awesome. Being able to encourage someone on the same path and give my testimony is priceless. So many people take the easy way out and forget about themselves or they just don't care and then they end up on a hopeless journey of self remorse. If you decide to not care, you are the one who has it easy. Getting fit is hard. It's harder after you have one or two or three kids. I know, because I've been there, done that. But I didn't allow that to stop me.

I decided not to take the easy way out. I was not a quitter.                                                                          

Healthy is the new size Two. Repeat. Believe it!

Hey ya'll! I'm back in the blogging world but this time it's all about CHANGE. Don't you all think it's time for a change? I thought it was time so I decided to get my personal trainer's certification through ACE fitness and help others make a change too. Granted, I'm still in the process of becoming certified, but my whole mindset is already there! So what made me come up with this decision to do this? Well, for as long as I can remember I have loved to work out. The thing I missed most when I was pregnant was the burn I would feel after a great, long work out and the satisfaction it brought. Most importantly, I know what it's like to be on both sides. I had 3 kids in 4 years (do the math) and what that did to me, well...let's just say I am glad I'm on the other side of that now, although I am still a work in process because being fit isn't just a one time fix. It's a lifestyle. It's a change. An inner change which flows outward. Honestly, my whole thought process when I was thinking about becoming an ACE personal trainer was, "What can I possibly say to my future clients that would motivate them to want to make that lifestyle change?" What I would say is, ERASE THE IMAGES. Erase the images of every model, every size 0 actress, everyone you compare yourself to. THROW THEM OUT OF YOUR MIND. Honestly, who has time or the money to look like that? If it's your job to look like that, then you would. And you'd probably have thousands of dollars to spend on the best personal trainers, dietitians, and let's not forget a nanny to watch your children while you work out 6 hours a day. So, let's be realistic and remember that IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO FIT IN A SIZE 0! However, it is our job as mothers to be healthy, to be energetic, and as women it is our job to stay sexually attractive for our husbands. (GASP!) Did I just say that out loud??! You betcha! Although I do not compare myself to other women, I know that it is a competitive world out there and if my husband hints at something I could do then darn right I'm gonna do it! Or at least attempt to. And ladies, you wanna know a little secret? If you even attempt to make a change like 30 min of exercise a day, your confidence is gonna rise, which is going to boost your attitude, which is going to motivate you to stay consistent, which is going to end up with you seeing results not only on the outside, but also inwardly and there is nothing quite as sexy as a woman who is confident, empowered, and fit (at least that's what my husband says)! So I promise if you follow my blog, I will post things to motivate, and empower you to make a lifestyle change. Let's change together, not to become a size 2, but to become confident, healthy and happy!