A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME: I am a 42 year old mother of 2 VERY ACTIVE teenagers and an 11 year old step-daughter. I have taught Family & Consumer Science for 21 years and I have been an elementary after school teacher for 8 years. I love to garden- both flowers and veggies. I would rather be outside all day working in the yard, hiking, kayaking, swimming, skiing, or whatever than to be sitting in the house.
WHY in the world am I doing "this?"- This meaning working out, eating better, taking better care of myself and encouraging others to do the same. Well- I've always been an active person, I just can't sit around and watch tv or do nothing. I have to be up moving.
But as I got older and into running my kids everywhere I did what a lot of moms do and "let myself go." I convinced myself I was just way too busy to fit in any time for myself. As the years went by I would start walking, running or a workout video, but then I would quit after about two weeks. I was too busy, too tired, too old, too whatever- I always had an excuse.
As for my eating, well that consisted of eating out at least 3 times a week, mostly fast food, because we were always going to ballgames or practices and not getting home until late. I wasn't taking the time to plan ahead and prepare healthy meals for my family. I just didn't have time! If we were actually at home at a decent time most of my cooking consisted of using processed, quick to fix foods- again nothing very healthy!
Well, last October I finally had had enough!!! I was exhausted, grouchy, felt horrible, my blood pressure was out the roof and I couldn't wear ANY of my clothes and look half way decent in them. I was just very unhappy with myself. I couldn't believe that I had let myself get to this- it just sort of happened.
I knew I had to do something but I also knew I had to do something that I would stick to!! I had tried running in the past and had done really well with it until I messed up my knee- "runners knee" is what the doc said. I had walked (fast walking) in the past, but got bored with it. I also had a couple of workout videos gathering dust that I liked but had never actually completed. I could never get to the gym b/c my schedule was way to hectic and plus I don't like working out around others who are so slim and fit.
SOOOOO - I came across a post on Facebook by Samara Ashley about joining her online workout group. She promised to keep everyone accountable, motivated and even give us advice on changing our eating. It sounded almost too good to be true but I thought, hey I'll message her and see what this is all about.
WELL, it just so happened that I already owned 4 Beachbody workouts- Brazil Butt Lift, Turbo Jam, Power 90 and P90X. (I wasn't aware that a Beachbody offered accountability groups, I thought they just sold workouts). So, I ordered the Shakeology (in order to be in the group you are required to drink Shakeology meal replacement and complete one of BB's workout programs) and signed up. I knew that in order for me to be successful, I HAD to have someone to answer too, someone who was going to ask me every day if I had worked out and ate like I should!!
GUESS WHAT???!!! IT WORKED!!! Here I am a year later, 25 lbs down, feeling great, blood pressure back to normal and full of renewed energy!!! I don't care that I am 42!!! I FEEL GREAT!!!
It worked so well, that I want to share it with the world!!! I want EVERYONE OUT THERE, MEN AND WOMEN, to know that no matter how busy, how old, how tired, how whatever they are, that it is possible to take care of yourself, live a healthy life and FEEL GREAT!!!
