Time Changes EVERYONE!

As I sit here reflecting on my day, I cannot help but think about the past YEAR.

You see, a year ago I made one of the scariest, turned most rewarding, commitments that I've ever made.

No, I didn't get married. No, I didn't have a child. No, I didn't get a tattoo either.

What I did do, is sign up to be an Independent Team Beachbody coach.

I was in a miserable place in my life; a place that I kept hidden, and only ever talked to a select few people about.

I WAS incredibly negative.
I WAS having difficulty doing daily tasks without feeling fatigued.
I WAS having chest pains.
I WAS scared about my health.

I WAS only 26 years old.

I had struggled with ways to lose weight on my own, and actually had taken up walking on the treadmill (thinking that it would work for me...it worked for my dad, so WHY NOT). I would sign up for a 5K, and walk it in over an hour...but I still got out there and did it.

When I joined my first fitness accountability group, my coach asked me to set some goals for myself and I told her, "In a year, I want to have lost 100 pounds!".
Now, she has always been supportive...but even I KNOW that 100 pounds is a lofty goal. (Let's come back to this idea later, okay?)
In my first accountability group, my coach also told us to take before and after pictures and measurements, you know...to help us track progress. Well, I adamantly told her, "I will NOT be sharing any photos or posting ANYTHING about this."
WE STILL LAUGH about this, to this very day.

I was set that I was going to try 21 Day Fix for the 21 days, and then send it back to get a refund. I was THAT sure that I would fail.

WELL...after 21 days, I lost 22 inches, 2 pants sizes, and over 13 pounds.

I. WAS. HOOKED.

After a few "rounds" or "cycles" of 21 Day Fix, I had to clean out my closet...because nothing fit! I could literally fit my whole body into pants that used to be TIGHT on me.

Yeah, check out the face...sheer joy!

I began posting pictures on Facebook, partly because I was so proud of myself for the first time in a long time, but partly because I KNEW that if I could do it, everybody else could too.

The girl who had zero self-confidence, was extremely obese, and had terrible knees was changing her LIFE.

I began seriously meal prepping, and helping others learn to do the same.

Daily workouts, meal prep, and Shakeology were what was powering me...and I FELT UNSTOPPABLE!

What was even cooler than how I felt? The JOY that I was getting seeing other people reach THEIR goals and experiencing that same joy.
Maybe it is the teacher in me, but I would rejoice in their triumphs MORE than they would. ;)

Seriously, so rewarding.

A few short months later I attended my first Beachbody corporate event, Coach Summit. It was in Nashville, which was like MUSIC HEAVEN! I loved being surrounded by people who were supportive of me wanting to change my life and the lives of others, but also being in a city vibrant with music...everywhere I turned!

I couldn't believe that THIS was now a reality for me.

I saw so many people who had retired themselves from their jobs, retired their spouses from their jobs, saved $$ for their children to go to college, paid off ALL of their debt, and so much more!
I saw so many people who achieved ASTRONOMICALLY huge weight loss goals, and I thought to myself..."That WILL BE me. I WILL do that." Well, working on it still, but keep an eye out...I'm coming for ya'!

The more that I think about it, the more I smile.

I mean, this little man right here? (My nephew), he watches and absorbs EVERYTHING that I do...and I couldn't be prouder.

Yes there are times that I push to failure. Yes there have been times when I have started crying during a workout. YES there have been times when I felt like giving up...but have I? HECK NO. Check out the adoring face, soaking it all in. Am I going to help end the trend of obesity? I am sure going to try, starting with this little man right here!

Now, this year has been full of wonderful surprises! Most of them? Me surprising myself.

This picture here? This is me, with my best friend Sadie.
Sadie has been a runner for a few years, and quite honestly...I always thought that people who ran were CRAZY, but I LOVED her anyway. Well, she suggested that we run a 10K together when we saw each other in January, and...I agreed.

I had never run a 5K, let alone a 10K.

I was unsure of what to expect, but I knew that no matter how I finished, I would be PROUD of myself for how far I had come.
And, was I ever surprised. I finished the 10K in almost the same amount of time it took me to walk HALF the distance only a year before. Talk about progress!

And, speaking of progress...and that lofty 100 pound weight loss goal? Well, the last time that I weighed myself was almost 2 months ago...and I was down 85 POUNDS and 73 INCHES lost! Talk about a transformation! (Check back in a few days...going to weigh on the "anniversary" of when I actually started 21 Day Fix...next week!, when I am done with my current program.)

NOT ONLY have I made that physical transformation, due to the increased accountability as a coach...I have been able to have extra $$ to be able to help my sister out with my nephew, been able to pay my car payment with no worries, covered the cost of EVERYTHING that I have ever ordered from Beachbody, saved $$ in hope of purchasing a car/house, and been able to donate more $$ to causes that are near and dear to my heart! It is a wonderful thing being able to have a little bit of flexibility when it comes to finances.

SO...

Going from a girl who was ready to send her program and Shakeology BACK because she thought that she was destined to FAIL, to a girl who is THRIVING...that is something that I NEVER would have imagined would happen in a year.

I used to think that at-home fitness programs didn't work, because I had seen people use them and fail.

I used to think that I couldn't do something like this.

I used to think that the only people who could be successful Beachbody coaches were people who were already in shape, or already had their act together.

BOY, was I wrong.

I am so thankful that a year ago, my kind 9th grade English teacher reached out to me on Facebook and invited me to this opportunity. I have changed my life forever...made it to where I will be around to see my nephew grow up...made it to where I won't suddenly have a heart attack before I'm 30...made it to where I love myself again. For that, I can never repay her...but she knows that I love her and assures me that THAT is "payment" enough.

Stop thinking, "I can't."

Start thinking, "Why NOT me?"

Refuse to give up, and become the CHAMPION that God is calling you to be.

A year ago, I would've never pictured my life the way that it is now...but I am glad that I got out of my own way and took the risk!!





 "Beachbody does not guarantee any level of success or income from the Team Beachbody Coach Opportunity. Each Coach's income depends on his or her own efforts, diligence, and skill. See our Statement of Independent Coach Earnings located in the Coach Online Office for the most recent information on our Coaches' actual incomes."
http://tbbcoa.ch/TBB_SOICE