I am a music teacher, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, and a Team Beachbody Coach. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a mom to an adorable Flat-Coated Retriever named Angus!
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| June 2015 |
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| Sound of the South -- Trojan Walk at Tailgate Terrace |
All of my life, I have been on the heavier side. When I was in the third grade, I remember having a birthday party at my house (camping in the backyard, my favorite)! One of my friends, unbeknownst to me, brought some of her dance costumes with her so that we could have a "fashion show". I remember playing along, but not being able to fit into any of the outfits and wondering if I would ever be "normal".
In high school, I was actively involved in the marching band and used to CRINGE at the thought of having to be fit for uniforms. I would try and find any way around it, waiting until the last possible minute to actually be fit. (This mentality ran pretty deep due to prior events in my life and I used to dread it!) I had such a negative body image that I didn't attend any school dances or proms and would spend all of my free time working at Winn-Dixie, thankful that they gave us an apron to wear...to cover up any imperfections. My senior year in high school, I was elected to the Homecoming Court which I thought, at the time, was a nightmare. I had to wear three different formal dresses in front of a LOT of people. Luckily, my escort was my best friend and he made the experience bearable.
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| Homecoming - Senior Year of High School |
When I went away to college, all of my body image issues came with me. I had to be fitted for a marching band uniform, I had community showers, and I had a brand new roommate. A lot of things that I thought were the worst things in the world. People warned me about the "Freshman 15", but they should have warned me about the Freshman 15, Sophomore 20, Junior 30, and Senior 25. My issues led to me using food as a crutch and a comforter. The only physical activity that I had on a regular basis was marching band (which was pretty intense at times), but other than that I would eat and not worry about any of the ramifications of a TERRIBLE diet.
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| Freshman Year of College |
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| Senior Year of College |
After graduating, my view on food and of my body image did not change. I continued to "eat my way" out of any feelings that I had. I was teaching Pre-K students, and then teaching music to students Kindergarten through 5th grade and had ZERO energy. I felt terrible mentally (brain fog), emotionally, and physically. I got to the point where I kept a container of low dose aspirin with me most of the time because I would have chest pains and I did not want to have a heart attack. This was not a doctor prescribed aspirin regimen, but something that I did on my own. I saw myself go from 245 pounds when I graduated college, to 270 pound in January of 2015. I would get winded when I planned and participated in "cardio" type activities/dances with my students. I knew that if I did not do something soon, I was not going to live very much longer.
I had been following a few people on Facebook who I knew were healthy and working on themselves through at-home fitness programs. I would watch their posts and think, "I wish that I could do that" or "I don't have the time to do that". I would like their pictures, recipes, and motivational posts. Sometimes, I would even comment. One day, one of the people that I had been following mentioned that she was going to be having a "sneak peek" group into Beachbody coaching, exclusively for teachers. I thought of a million excuses that I could have given her, but when she told me it was "no strings attached", I decided...why not?
That woman is now my Beachbody coach and the founder of our team of coaches, Team BFF. I signed up to be a Beachbody coach WITHOUT EVER having used a Beachbody program. I ordered 21 Day Fix and jumped in, head first, into the world of being a challenger and a coach! That was February 22, 2015 and I have NOT looked back!
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| February 2015; June 2015 (down 40 pounds and 45.5 inches) |
I NEVER am going back to the woman that I was up until February 2015. Beachbody programs and Beachbody coaching have given me a new outlook on life! I no longer use food as a crutch or as a way to make myself feel accepted. I no longer have chest pains. I no longer get winded doing simple everyday activities. I am no longer the woman that would volunteer to take the group picture, or would hide in the back. Now, I am proud of what I have accomplished and know that I am a MUCH better and healthier version of me and I am proud.
My goal as a Beachbody coach is to help as many people as possible be able to break away from the bondage of negative body image and comfort food dependence. I want to help people reverse the likelihood of hereditary illnesses and health conditions. I want to help you!
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