As hokey and overused as the word “journey” is, there really isn’t a better word to describe the past eight months. Back in January, I was at least thirty pounds overweight and miserable. I felt terrible about myself and the example I was setting for my daughter. I knew I needed to make a change.
I truly believe that is the first step to health: you need to want it. BAD. You need to commit to the entire process: the good, the bad and the ugly. And so I began with baby steps. I knew I’d never stick with it if I made radical changes all at once, so I started small and went from there. One week, my only goal was “Drink more water”. Really! Another week I tried to eat something green everyday. Small, attainable changes that weren’t intimidating.
As the weeks went on, I grew more courageous in both my exercise and my eating. I started Insanity in March and completed seven weeks before I quit due to the stress in my knees. I trained for a 5K and completed my very first race in May. I soon grew to love fitness and wanted to try a little bit of everything! Weight training, pilates and lots of running filled most of my summer. I frequently varied my exercise to avoid boredom and burnout and there is so much you can do!
A few of the websites and apps I’ve used:
+ Tone it Up!
+ Nike Training Club app
+ Runkeeper app
+ Blogilates
+ Fitness Blender
P.S. If you are on your way to health and need some encouragement, I would love to hear from you. The support I received from family, friends and even Instagram “strangers” was so helpful and appreciated and I would love to pay it forward.
Wow Ashley! You're so inspiring! I'm scared of doing Whole 30 or some similar program… Especially when you have kids and a husband who don't need/don't want to do something that drastic. Did you all do Whole 30 together?
Whole30 scared me too! But after reading so many positive reviews about it, I knew I had to try it out. That said, the first few days were HARD. I am a huge sugarholic, so the detox was rough. I was lethargic and frankly, a big grouch! haha But I stuck with it and by the second week, I was starting to feel the change.
I am fortunate that I have a husband who eats almost 100% Paleo, so he was on board from the beginning. We fed the kids similarly to us, but not exactly. They definitely still had carby snacks and sweet treats like popsicles, etc. But with some planning, it really is easy to adapt a meal to make it work for both you and the rest of the family. I know a question I get asked a lot is "What CAN you eat?", so I plan on writing a post about our meals soon!
You are so awesome! I'm so proud of you. I fail miserably at any diet (or lifestyle change) that just cuts out anything entirely. My next goal is to eat real food (Have you seen the 101 days of real food? That. But 10 days first! hah!) and exercising on a regular basis. You are seriously such an inspiration! Also, blogilates?!? That's awesome.
You look fantastic!! Your fitness posts here and on Instagram always inspire me! Maybe if I start with little, weekly goals, I'll actually get somewhere. 😉 keep it up!
I totally recommend starting really small, even if it feels silly at first. When you reach a week of say, drinking one glass of water instead of a soda each day, you feel like a rockstar and are ready to tackle the next step!
You look amazing! I look forward to more posts on this, the paleo one specifically. It's something I've wanted to do for awhile but have been afraid!
I totally understand! When my husband starting eating Paleo, I was totally against it and had already built a wall that it was impossible for me. I really am so glad I tried and stuck with it…it was worth seeing the changes: better sleep, more energy throughout the day without cups and cups of coffee, I was eating a LOT and was losing weight…I could go on and on! I'll post more soon 🙂
Awesome! I have so much weight to go. First up is baby #3 weight, then baby #2 and that brings me to a healthy weight range, but my ideal weight would have me losing more still. I just started my journey. Hudson is 4 months so it is time to get going. This was such good motivations. You look awesome and you should be so proud.
You and I are exactly alike…you are describing me! That first picture was in March, when Sophie was four months old. All the weight that was going to "fall off" had done so (um, like nothing!) and I was stuck with this body that I just couldn't believe was mine. I set goals for myself and they totally were labeled by baby. 15 pounds to get to before J, 15 more to get to before D…haha! I'm at a healthy weight now, but still plan to try to tone up. Like everything worthwhile, it's a process. You can do it! I'll be cheering you on 🙂
You look…SO good, lady!! I am so proud of you. Wowwww. 🙂 Look at you!!!
I too tried insanity for 3 weeks and had to stop b/c of the awful stress on my knees. It's rough on your body!
Go you. 🙂
Me me me! I need encouragement! I'm married to a personal trainer (oh the irony). After failed fertility attempts I just decided to not care. Three years later and I'm still carrying the weight I gained. We have adopted and life is busy. Not a good excuse I know but still two kids, a full time job and the craziness of life leaves me with little time. I started drinking more water and cut out cokes (eek!). It's the little things for me. The grab a bite here and there which equals to two cookies by the end of the day… albeit clean cookies still not good on a daily basis.
Hi Paige! I totally get the craziness of life. Just remember that YOU are worth the time it takes to get healthy! My advice would be to start small (from a former soda drinker, giving up Cokes is HUGE!) and build up. Don't buy the food that is the most temptation for you. Find an exercise that your whole family can enjoy together (maybe walks in the evening or on the weekends?) Once it becomes routine, you won't even have to think about it! Please e-mail me if you ever need an accountability partner 🙂 You can do this!