Come check out my health and fitness journey for the past 2 years.  This is ultimately a story of how small changes, can lead to big, lifetime changes. I can’t wait to share with you all the details of how I turned my health around and how you can too.

“Small changes eventually add up to huge results”-unknown. It’s true and I’m here to tell you my story on how this played out with my health and fitness journey. I am extremely passionate about this topic as it did more than change my physical health but also my emotional health too!

My Health and Fitness Journey for the Past 2 Years

Back in December 2019, I had a doctor’s visit that was the true spark behind this journey. I had gone in for a regular checkup, only to brace myself to hear the words I knew she may say, which is, you need to lose some weight.  Unfortunately, I had pretty much surrendered to where I was at that time, overweight, not exercising, low energy, etc. 

Well, it was her next words that truly rocked my world.  She said, if I continue on this path, I would ultimately end up dealing with osteoporosis and possibly begin falling.  What? I was only 41 and had a 5-year-old at the time with teen girls, and I’m hearing that not in my too distant future I would be dealing with these things?

Nope, not going to be the path I take.  It was time to turn the train around but one step at a time.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.”-Mark Twain

Downloaded the Weight Watchers App

A month later, I told my husband I was going to download the Weight Watchers app and give it a go.  I knew that this program would be mentally within my range because I could still eat foods I enjoyed AND eat all the fruits I wanted daily.  Both are very important for me to succeed with this first small change in my health and fitness journey. A program where certain foods were prohibited or they provided you the foods was not an option for me.

A couple of months in, I started feeling better and began losing some weight.  The ball was rolling.

Began Walking Every Day

I then decided in May 2020, to begin walking.  I wasn’t going to do “too much” exercising because honestly, I had rebelled against exercising for a few years. So, I just began walking, no big deal I thought.

This small change led to a conversation I had with my best friend from college one day which was talking with me about doing a 100-mile challenge over 30 days.  She had been following along with me, and that I had started walking and encouraged me to take it to the next step. It seemed like something I could do and was ready to start it.

100 Mile Challenge

And, challenge accepted. I wrote all about this challenge here.  This next small step led to me jogging/running some of these 100 miles, and all the while growing my strength and ultimately pressing me forward in my health and fitness journey.  I wrapped up two solid months of the 100-mile challenge and was feeling really good.

However, in August 2020, I hurt my back and had to stop exercising completely to let it heal. I was honestly terrified of how this may set me back, as I didn’t want to go back to where I was 6 months earlier. I was finally feeling strong again, had so much more energy, and wearing clothes I hadn’t felt comfortable or able to wear in a couple of years. 

Thankfully, I continued doing the WW app, and over the next couple of months healed. 

Burn Boot Camp Workouts

I was ready to resume exercising in January 2020. The next small change was to consider adding core strength (something my doctor highly recommended to prevent falling as I got older) and weight training to my exercise regimen.  Again, both are important aspects to your health and fitness journey as you age (per my doctor’s feedback). 

A few of my friends here in Birmingham were members of a gym, Burn Boot Camp, and I had been seeing really great results.  Not just weight loss-wise, but also in their strength! They were strong, and I desired to hop on this program because I also knew it would be an accountability thing too.

My 2 teen daughters and I joined Burn Boot Camp. Not only did we start getting stronger but also watched our body fat percentage begin to decrease.  Plus, we met several new friends and belong to a community we didn’t even know we’d be blessed to have when we joined. 

 

Overcoming Setbacks

Most recently, I experienced another back injury (a herniated disc) that led to surgery.  It has taken me almost 9 weeks to recover from this injury and surgery but the great news is that I am out walking and was able to go to New York City a few weeks ago and keep up with the pace of our trip!

I plan to hop back into walking, biking, and weight machines but will be cutting out Burn because of my back issues.

 

Liquid Collagen

I added liquid collagen to my daily regimen several months ago.  You can check out the two I take here and read all about the benefits associated with taking them.  I specifically noticed joint relief, hair health, and growth when taking them. Although I am not taking the collagen as regularly anymore, I do see how this was a positive part of all the aspects associated with my health journey.

Be sure to use my referral code, 9478395, for $10 off your first order if you want to give these a go!

Water Consumption

And, per my norm haha, water intake is the most tricky for me during the winter months.  I aim for 100 oz/day during the summer, but on these colder days, it’s more like 50 oz.  This is a great small change that I keep challenging myself with.

This is what it looks like over 18 months below.

This is what it looks like after 2 years below.

I did not begin with exercising, eating healthy, drinking water, taking collagen…I began with one change.  That one small change spurred on the next, and then the next.  I was down 62 pounds at 18 months and 74 pounds today from where I was in December 2019.

The moments that feel hard about this new lifestyle today, pale in comparison to the true underlying hardship I was enduring being overweight, tired, and not feeling good.  So, yes, there are times when it’s not fun eating queso during the week or workouts aren’t draining but it’s worth that moment of self-pity or prioritizing, versus the day in day out of being at an unhealthy weight and lifestyle.

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”-Helen Keller

I cannot be cheering for you any more loudly than I am right now, please hear me say, “You got this!” 

What small change can you envision yourself starting with? For me, it was my eating but for you, it may be drinking more water. 

What I do daily:

1. On Weekdays I eat by the WW plan and on weekends I eat what I want.
2. 5-6 days/week I attend Burn Boot Camp up until 11/2021. Post-surgery to 1/2022, I am resuming walking at least 3x/week.
3. I drink water daily.
4. Trim Liquid Collagen in the AM and Life liquid Collagen in the PM.

Results are increased energy, more self-confidence, being active with my children and husband, getting out of bed more easily, decreased stress, and so much more. 

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier

I hope you are inspired to give it a go! Let me know in the comments below what one small change would you be willing to try today, to bring about positive change in your life?