I am a mother to two beautiful girls, Caitlin and Mara. I also am a high school history teacher who has always had the passion for helping others achieve their dreams. After having my girls, I really struggled with my body image, confidence, and just finding time for me while balancing it all. I was tired of being sick and tired! I was anxious all the time. I gained 15 pounds my second year of teaching, stress ate, and dreaded going into my closet. My AH HA moment was when I saw a picture posted of me on Facebook and I couldn't recognize that girl at all. In my mind, I was still that competitive and fit swimmer from high school but it did not match up with the girl in that picture. Where was my energy, confidence, and zest for life?! I was tired of being the picture taker, I wanted to be present in the photos and memories with my family. That all changed in January 2013 when I joined my first online challenge group.
My dear friend, colleague, and now full time Beachbody coach, Erika, invited me to join her challenge group in January and I knew I was ready to find myself again. I committed to 30 days of drinking Shakeology and the fitness program Les Mills Combat. It's my SOUL workout - with a background in Taekwondo, it empowered me and inspired me each day. I followed the workout calendar each day, ate cleaner, had my shake for breakfast every morning, and checked in daily to an online accountability group. The support and encouragement kept me going on the hardest days. It was truly about breaking down not only physical walls but mental barriers that I had built up. I learned how to eat cleaner, try healthy recipes, and make life changes one day at a time. It wasn't about a quick fix, it was about creating a new life style that became routine and that I could model for my family. After 90 days, I was down 25 pounds and over 30 total body inches!
When people started asking what I was doing, I began sharing my love of Shakeology and the at-home videos. I had always loved going to the gym or doing live classes, but I just didn't have the time. Working 45 minutes away from home and having my daughters in two different locations for school/daycare, I could do the videos in my classroom or in my family room. This has been the key to my success - adapting to what life throws at you and finding a way to balance your schedule. Life doesn't slow down for us when we become wives, or mothers, or work in or outside the home. It is about believing anything is possible with the circumstances we are given. Believing then becomes achieving.
It was one decision...to just try. To try to be better than I was yesterday and to treat each day as a new day. Since that day, my whole life has changed and I have been so blessed to share health and fitness opportunities with friends and family each month through online groups & run trainings to help other coaches get started on their journey. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me, my family, my friends, and my fitness team!
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