I know this is supposed to be a blog about photography, after all, that is the name of the website. However, from time-to-time, I do like to share stories on more of a personal level. And because I am the owner of this blog, I can choose to write about whatever I want right?
I am writing this so I have a record and a place I can look back and reflect on where I started and how far I have come. And perhaps if it motivates any one out there, that would be an added bonus.
In April 2013, I started working out at a local crossfit gym. My husband had been working out since October 2012, just as it opened its doors to the public. He loved it. He enjoyed the workouts and the people and encouraged me to start going.
I was totally intimidated. I have always thought of myself as an active person, but this whole crossfit thing just scared me. I mean, I heard how sore Jon would be after workouts, and he’s a pretty tough guy in my opinion. He would relate to me the workouts and how intense everything seemed.
I also had my almost one-year-old son, Wyatt. I didn’t have any childcare at the time and the gym didn’t offer childcare. Jon spoke to one of the coaches and they agreed to let me bring Wyatt when I worked out.
So, I faithfully packed up my one-year-old son and headed to the 9:00 AM class 3-4 times a week, for 6 weeks.
I did great. I actually loved the workouts and the coaches and people are fantastic. However, Wyatt wasn’t a big fan. He cried. A lot.
I say I worked out for 6 weeks, because Jon and I left for 2 months in June of 2013 to head to Wyoming. We would be working at rebuilding a Christian camp in south east Wyoming that had basically burned to the ground during a devastating fire that swept over the area.
Two months came and went and when we arrived back home to Greenville, I wanted to get back to the gym.
We went 1 day and that was it. Wyatt just wouldn’t behave for the length of the class and it was distracting to those there trying to get in a good workout.
So I did nothing.
For 2 years.
Well. . . I did attempt to walk 2-3 days a week or do my Jillian Michael’s DVD. And then somewhere in there we added another kid, Sadie, to the mix in September 2014.
In the spring of 2015, Jon and I were chatting about working out again. He had stopped going to crossfit in May 2014, to take a break.
I mentioned to him, in a perfect world, I would love it if someone could come to the house to watch the two kids so I could get back into crossfit. I kind of shrugged off the conversation, as that will never happen.
About 2 weeks later, Jon said he had someone who could watch the kids 3 days a week for me and I could start back at crossfit. I really didn’t see that one coming! So in June 2015 I started back at the Swamp Rabbit Crossfit in downtown Greenville. I was nervous when I first showed up. I mean, come on, it had been nearly 2 years since I last walked through those doors. I had a lot of ground to make up.
But honestly, when I hit that first 9:00 class, it was great. Some of the people I had met 2 years ago were still there and were so encouraging and supportive of me! Of course, the new faces accepted me into the fold.
Then comes August. And school starting for my baby sitter. So we were back at square one in trying to find someone to watch the kids. After some discussion, we decided to rearrange Jon’s morning schedule a little bit and I would go to the gym for the 5:30 class. That’s A.M.
If you had told me 6 months ago I’d be getting up at 4:55 A.M. four days a week to workout I would have laughed in your face. I am not a morning person. I could stay up all hours of the night reading or watching tv. But to ask me to get up that early voluntarily, you’d be crazy.
The funny thing is, I actually enjoy it. I can get in my workout and get back home usually before Wyatt gets out of bed. Although it seems lately, he’s been getting up way too early for a 3-year-old. I can get my shower in, do my devotions, and possibly even eat something prior to both kiddos getting up. I have so much more time in my day. I also find that come 9 or 9:30, I am ready for bed.
It has now been nearly 3 months since I’ve started back. I would say I haven’t lost a ton of weight, but I have lost inches and gained some muscle tone. Since starting back at the gym, I have been wanting to find a product to help aid in the weight loss journey.
I had been introduced to Advocare several years ago by my sister-in-law, so I was familiar with it a little bit. I did some research and actually had a college friend reach out to me about it. We messaged back and forth and a day or two later, I was ready to commit. I signed up with Advocare as a distributor to get the 20% discount – which to me is a no-brainer. Obviously you don’t have to sign up for anything when ordering Advocare products, but I wanted to get the discount, so that’s why I went the route I did.
In speaking with my friend and a coach with Advocare, I started on the 10-day cleanse, which ended just a few days ago for me. To my surprise, I have lost 5 pounds! I probably could have lost more, but I wasn’t the most consistent with eating clean. As you may know, we had a big wedding over the weekend with lots of family in town, which of course meant we ate out a lot and had lots of cake. But I jumped back on the wagon Monday and finished up those last few days in good shape. I’ve got 14 more days to end up the 24 day challenge and I’m excited to see more progress!
So far, one of my favorite products has been the Nighttime Recovery. It’s a supplement you take prior to bed and it helps your body recover from that day’s workout. I will say, I have slept better, woken up more refreshed and haven’t been nearly as sore after a tough workout. I’ve even recommended it to Jon and after taking it, he agreed. He slept better and wasn’t as stiff either. I’m a big believer in this stuff!
I’m still a newbie at both crossfit and Advocare, but I’d like to get better at both. My goal is to be in the best shape I can by spring 2016. Lord-willing, Jon and I will be celebrating out 10 year anniversary in Hawaii! I’d like to lose 15 pounds by then, which is totally attainable. Also, I am planning on competing in my first ever mud run! I’ve always wanted to do one, but felt I was never in good enough shape.
Well, no more excuses!
I saw a saying on Pinterest a long time ago and it has always stuck with me: “Summer bodies are made in the winter”.
Going into the fall and then winter, I encourage you to find a way to workout and stay active! I’ll be blogging every once and a while to give you all an update on my progress if any one is interested. So, this is my way to stay accountable and maybe even find one or two others to encourage along the way.
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