Jumping, wiggling. I was trying anything I could to get into my favorite jeans. I couldn't ignore it anymore; I had reached a crossroads. Either I was going to start buying larger pants or I was going to have to lose weight. Frustrated and exhausted, I didn't know what to do.
I am a wife, mother of two busy kids, work full time, worked out already and have obligations that so many of us juggle everyday. In what I see as a definite moment in my life, I finally listed to my husband's gentle prodding to sit down and talk to my friend, Heidi Cox.
Before I saw her, I thought my diet was good. I thought I knew how to work out. I thought my body was as good as my life circumstances would permit. I was just hoping she held the key to something I was missing, something that would click for me.
When she connected me to The Midnight Sun Muscle Club, it changed my life.
Having a team at the gym gave working out a whole new feeling. It gave me accountability to actually show up, which is more than half the battle. The girls helped me tweak exercises I was already doing and focused my workouts to achieve specific goals. My diet was turned upside down. Six small meals a day meant a lot of time prepping on the weekend. New grocery list items included the kings of carbs...Old fashioned oatmeal, brown rice and sweet potatoes. They slowly weaned me off of the abundance of dairy and sugar filled drinks. Every time I wanted to cheat, I just tried to make it through the day, just one day closer to my goal.
Carrieann promised she would have a huge piece of chocolate cake for me as soon as I stepped off stage. She is a woman of her word...moments after the stage we attached that chocolate cake like a hungry group of piranhas; best tasting cake EVER!!
It was so much more than working out and the diet though. There was posing practice, which I desperately needed. I have no sports, dance or gymnastics background at all, so learning grace and control was new to me. Especially in 5 inch heels!
You have to understand, when I first walked in that room of beautiful women, I felt so inadequate. I couldn't picture myself in a bikini in that little room, let alone in front of hundreds of people. I kept promising myself that even thought I didn't think I would belong on stage, I wouldn't cheat myself of this incredible opportunity to grow and accomplish my goal. The best part was they all took me in with open arms. These girls didn't judge a little chubby lady with no clue how to move. They just wanted to help and I am so honored to be able to count them as teammates and friends.
Most importantly though, was taking the time for me...just me. I had to shed the guilty feeling of walking out the door when the kids still needed help on their homework..only to find that they finally had figured it out on their own when I had returned home from the gym.
I also had to apologize for taking precious time away from my husband on the weekend to practice posing...only to find that he had studied up on new workouts and spent quality time with the kids. Turns out, using the excuse that I needed to be there for the family every minute was actually not true...taking the time to make myself a better wife and mom WAS taking care of them. I learned how to feed my family healthier than ever before. I learned how to teach them to be stronger than ever before. I also learned in a beautiful turn around, I got to be an inspiration to the man who has inspired me all my life, my husband Jake.
I'm so thankful to a team who helped me do that and who continues to inspire me!
