I pulled down my 2011 wall calendar today, and found myself flipping back through the months reflecting some on all of my past daily workouts. I was taken by surprise to note just how many workouts I have added under my belt since I made the pact to myself to get fit - truly fit, once and for all. The starting date - aka my first workout logged - was June 8, 2011. Wow. My commitment to five plus workouts a week has been strong and steady for more than six months. This is a first for me as I have always been the girl who practiced the one week on, two months off, one month on, two weeks off. Sense of pride for this lasting commitment? Check the box.
Never in my life have I felt this strong. My constant worry of what the scale read, is long behind me. I feel amazing. My biceps, abs, butt, thighs - just to name a few - feel tight, solid. I constantly find myself flexing with pride for my husband. Just the other day, I said inside my head while standing in my bra and undies - looking in the mirror - "You kind of look like a swimsuit model." Two hours later, passing by my husband in the hall, he says, "You kind of look like a swimsuit model...only stronger." Freaky, right? He's either inside my mind OR my confidence in my own skin projects amazing energy and feel good, positive thoughts. Confidence is a beautiful thing. It's contagious.
I often forget that I am on a journey because I am having so much fun along the way. Sure, there are plenty of times when working out is the LAST thing I want to do...but not once have I worked out and regretted it, and that fact alone is enough to keep me moving. I still haven't reached my ultimate goal in terms of muscle growth and definition - in other words, I still have fat to lose, but the beauty is that I know I'm on the right path. Gaining muscle takes time, and I have learned to respect the process. My body is loving me lately and rewarding me with a vitality that I didn't know was possible. I have no doubts that my recent detox played a large role in my energy break-through. And to think, I'm high on life without caffeine! I sit here in subtle amazement and reminded that I am my best doctor - and you are yours!
My current fitness regimen is three day strength training (upper, lower, and core designed by my personal trainer), and two to three days of cardio and/or "fun" with fitness. I have found that breaking up my routine with a group fitness class, 5K run, or simply a workout with a partner, keeps me positive and mindful of my accomplishments. My group fitness class of choice is EcoTrek Fitness which is actually created by personal trainer, Cari Draft. My favorite element of the fitness class is that it's outside - in all weather. Secondly, I love that it encompasses strength training, cardio, and flexibility all in a 75 minute fast-paced class. After each one, I'm always amazed by how quickly time went by. It's the perfect add-in to break things up a bit and throw the body off with some new challenges.
I use to look at workouts as torture, and looking back, I can see now that it was because I never gave myself the opportunity to truly reap the benefits of fitness. With every workout, I now know without any doubt in my mind that I am getting that much stronger. Progress is progress, even when I can't see it. I have learned that with physical strength boosts mental strength. And with this added full-circle strength comes empowerment, with empowerment comes an attitude that knows the sky is the limit, and with that - success - defined by you of course - is sure to follow.
Believe me, getting stronger changes everything, and is worth every bit of the journey.
Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,
Mrs. Skinny Fat
Never in my life have I felt this strong. My constant worry of what the scale read, is long behind me. I feel amazing. My biceps, abs, butt, thighs - just to name a few - feel tight, solid. I constantly find myself flexing with pride for my husband. Just the other day, I said inside my head while standing in my bra and undies - looking in the mirror - "You kind of look like a swimsuit model." Two hours later, passing by my husband in the hall, he says, "You kind of look like a swimsuit model...only stronger." Freaky, right? He's either inside my mind OR my confidence in my own skin projects amazing energy and feel good, positive thoughts. Confidence is a beautiful thing. It's contagious.
I often forget that I am on a journey because I am having so much fun along the way. Sure, there are plenty of times when working out is the LAST thing I want to do...but not once have I worked out and regretted it, and that fact alone is enough to keep me moving. I still haven't reached my ultimate goal in terms of muscle growth and definition - in other words, I still have fat to lose, but the beauty is that I know I'm on the right path. Gaining muscle takes time, and I have learned to respect the process. My body is loving me lately and rewarding me with a vitality that I didn't know was possible. I have no doubts that my recent detox played a large role in my energy break-through. And to think, I'm high on life without caffeine! I sit here in subtle amazement and reminded that I am my best doctor - and you are yours!
My current fitness regimen is three day strength training (upper, lower, and core designed by my personal trainer), and two to three days of cardio and/or "fun" with fitness. I have found that breaking up my routine with a group fitness class, 5K run, or simply a workout with a partner, keeps me positive and mindful of my accomplishments. My group fitness class of choice is EcoTrek Fitness which is actually created by personal trainer, Cari Draft. My favorite element of the fitness class is that it's outside - in all weather. Secondly, I love that it encompasses strength training, cardio, and flexibility all in a 75 minute fast-paced class. After each one, I'm always amazed by how quickly time went by. It's the perfect add-in to break things up a bit and throw the body off with some new challenges.
I use to look at workouts as torture, and looking back, I can see now that it was because I never gave myself the opportunity to truly reap the benefits of fitness. With every workout, I now know without any doubt in my mind that I am getting that much stronger. Progress is progress, even when I can't see it. I have learned that with physical strength boosts mental strength. And with this added full-circle strength comes empowerment, with empowerment comes an attitude that knows the sky is the limit, and with that - success - defined by you of course - is sure to follow.
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| Back in the day...before committing to a clean eating lifestyle. Ugh, I hated the way I felt then. |
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| Clean eating but minimal physical activity (off again/on again relationship) = skinny fat |
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| Four months into my workout regimen...Everything is a bit tighter, more definition, feel a ton better! |
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| Recent photo. Love how much my "problem area" - my tummy - has shrunk. I can't even begin to count how many people told me that my gut was simply genetics and never going to change. Watch out, I'll be carving out those abs before you know it! |
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| Fun with Fitness! Cari Draft & I during the fitness photoshoot. |
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| Upper body is my favorite to work! |
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| EcoTrek Fitness Class - Coopersville series. I'm in the purple. Awesome night! |
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| 5K Fun! My time was 25:53. |
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| More 5K Fun! I won my age group! Small accomplishments make you feel good! |
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| More EcoTrek Fitness - I'm in the pinkish shirt. Love sharing a good sweat with Mother Nature & friends! |
Believe me, getting stronger changes everything, and is worth every bit of the journey.
Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,
Mrs. Skinny Fat
tonya, i am SO proud of you! my favorite line, "I can't even begin to count how many people told me that my gut was simply genetics and never going to change" ~ soooo many of my clients are faced with negativity (most often their own inner voice) that they CAN overcome! FITNESS RULES and you rock, tonya! ~ cari
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