Growing up I was always told I was too skinny. And ya know what? It doesn't matter how big or small you are, hearing that you're not good enough the way you are just plain hurts. Fast forward to post-partum and I was the biggest I've ever been. Whether you're a size 2 or 20, there is no freedom. If you're a size 2 you're always trying to maintain it. If you're a 20 you're always yo-yoing trying to find something that works...and that keeps it off. I slowly let the weight come off after my first one, swearing I wouldn't get pregnant until I was ___ size. Yeah right. By the time my first one was 9 months, I was pregnant and eating oreos again. When my second child was around 10 months old, I was still over weight and began experiencing this strange low grade fever that would absolutely wipe me out. I kept waiting for it to go away and the next thing I knew, it had been 3 months and this fever still lingered. I headed to the doctor in hopes for some quick answers, but they were clueless and sent me to an immunologist. I walked in hopeful that he would shine some light on this and give me an RX that would cure me. It was quite the contrary. He asked me why they sent me to him. He had no idea, but ran some tests anyway and gave me a shot but as always, the tests came back negative. I was perfectly healthy.
By the end of April, I was asking my boss for a temporary leave of absence (from a PART-TIME JOB!) because I couldn't even handle that. I was exhausted, lethargic and emotional. All I had time for was my family. By the end of May, I had decided to take matters into my own hands. While doctors were trying to figure out which specialist to send me to next, I got online and ordered my first challenge pack. I had no idea what Shakeology or PiYo was, I just knew one of my closest friends was using it and was seeing some incredible results. So I ordered through her and joined a 5 day challenge group while I was waiting for it to arrive in the mail. Then I joined ANOTHER challenge group. This was the real deal. This was the change I had been so desperately praying God for. I knew I couldn't do it on my own. I knew I needed motivation and accountability.
By the middle of June, I was beginning to feel a difference in my body and in my spirits. I had people (complete strangers) pouring into me, telling me that I could do this. Encouraging me to power through PiYo Sweat and Drench. Applauding me when I passed on my preschoolers Goldfish. I knew I wanted to keep this lifestyle up. In order to keep me on my toes, I became a coach. My first month, I helped 8 people. It's now August and I feel like a new person and am helping more everyday. If and when my body temperature rises, it doesn't slow me down like it did before. I want this. I want to be better. Now, I want you to have what I have. That's why I'm here, to share my story in hopes to help you write your own.
In September, I am running my second round of 21 Day Fix. This program has been a game changer for me. Most people hear "portion control" and think that they're going to starve. Quite the contrary my friend. I'm actually eating more. Yeah, that's right. I'm eating healthy portions of the right types of food and am getting my fruits and veggies in too. Eating seems to be a luxury among moms, I know it is for me! Now I make myself slow down and fuel my body the right way. This is not dieting, this is living.
My next challenge starts September 14, 2015. Get in on this...now!
