Finally Committing- An Announcement

Alright, alright FINE.
Have you ever asked God something but not liked the answer?

For months I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to share this publicly.

I’ve been beating around the bush, afraid to commit, so I asked Him about it recently.

A few days ago he placed multiple things in my life all in one day, encouraging me to share it:

I have IBS.

It causes bloating, cramping, urgency and, I’m convinced, tiredness.

Certain foods make it worse for each individual, and there is no cure other than diet changes.

Due to limiting my stress, getting enough sleep, taking medication, and eating well overall, I’ve been able to manage my symptoms pretty well. However, it still makes it hard to workout some days and I try to avoid HIIT workouts since they can aggregate it.

I guess the point of this post is that no one’s journey is easy. We all have setbacks, excuses, and speed bumps that can get in the way, but it’s up to us to determine what we’ll let stand in our way of our dreams.

Drop a 👊🏼 if you’re determined to chase your dreams, regardless of what life throws at you!

Update on the Last 3 Weeks

Today was the last day of my favorite program so far! I start the more advanced version of it tomorrow, but wanted to take a minute to appreciate and realize how far I’ve come in just 3 weeks (+ even while I had to take a break while I was sick!)
– I beat my score every time: Twice a week we completed as many rounds as possible of 4 different moves within 4 minutes, and I did better every single time! I loved having something definite to try to beat!
– Better hip mobility: The first time we did what’s called a “catcher’s stretch” (aka a low squat with feet/knees angled out), I felt incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. Today, I felt balanced and comfortable in that pose!
– Booty gains: This has been a gradual process for me (I blame myself for not having/buying heavy weights this year), but I finally had to go buy bigger shorts! The shorts I had got too tight for leg day/squats!
– I can touch my toes: I actually noticed this several months ago but today was feeling especially grateful for flexible hamstrings!
– I realized what I’m capable of: I’ve always known music pumps me up for a workout, but working out specifically to the beat of the music causes me to push myself harder than I ever would on my own/without it!

You might not see results tomorrow, the next day, or even a week from now, but if you keep showing up, you WILL! Consistency is key!

The Struggles on My Fitness Journey

No one’s journey is easy.

I went from being a year-round athlete in high school to being sick in bed for months and losing my muscle mass.

I spent a gap year overcoming that obstacle and lifting weights so I’d never look like that again.

I went from working out over an hour a day, to rarely working out when I resumed school. 

Then I had my gallbladder removed suddenly.

I started running on the treadmill while feeling miserable for an entire semester, then got sick again for months.

When I say I understand your inconsistency, the struggle of showing up overtime, and the frustration, it’s because I’ve been there. 

I’ve had my dream body before and lost it. Multiple times.

But my journey is what’s made me who I am, and why I’m so passionate about coaching others to find consistency too.

I know it’s frustrating. I know it’s hard. I know you’re busy. But if I’ve learned anything it’s to keep showing up and get back up when you’re knocked down, because you only fail when you give up!

What obstacles have you had to overcome?

(The photo on the left was taken my senior year of high school after I’d been sick for months. The photo on the right was taken this past May.)

Does it Really Matter to You?

“I don’t have time”, ”I’m tired”, “I can do it later”, were just a few things I’d tell myself when I thought about working out.

But in reality they were just excuses cloaking the fact that working out wasn’t a priority. I didn’t want it enough.

I said I wanted to be fit, but I didn’t stay consistent enough or do anything different to make it happen. Actions will always speak louder than words.

Do you use excuses to avoid doing things that would benefit you?

How to Change your Life

It’s the small, daily changes we make that change our lives.

Trying to save $10,000? Start by saving $4/day (your morning coffee).

Want to run a marathon? Start by walking a mile a day.

Want to eat healthier? Start by removing soda from your diet.

I’ve always believed you’re more likely to stick with something if you take it gradually, so what’s the first small step you’re going to take to start moving towards your goal?

Why our Marriage and Wedding were Different

One year since we celebrated.

Two years of marriage.

Eight years of long distance.

Ten years together.

When we got married in 2018 and celebrated it a year later, it was unusual. Due to Marcus’s job, we didn’t have time to plan a celebration before he left, but we wanted to close the distance for good (as much as a couple can, anyway, when he travels bi-weekly for work).

Now because of COVID, I think more people are considering this as an option, so I wanted to share some of our thoughts from the experience.

We felt that already being married for the wedding relieved some stress we might have felt, had we not already been married.

To us, marriage is the important part, and the wedding is an extra bonus. 

Luckily, our wedding, and all the planning, went pretty smoothly (even with me overseas part of the time), but I did need to remind myself occasionally that it’s just a celebration. Having the marriage and the wedding separate helped me differentiate the two. The celebration isn’t an indicator of our love for each other or the successfulness of our future marriage. Reminding myself of these facts allowed me to let go of some stress and fully appreciate the day.

Have you, or have you considered, getting married and celebrating it later?

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How We’re Surviving Quarantine Together

This is by far the longest we’ve been together “non-stop”. We’re used to long distance and work-related travel separating us frequently, so Corona has been a blessing and honestly a bit of an adjustment.

One thing I’ve found to be super important is for each of us to have our own things to keep us busy and entertained. Especially since we’re together all day, every day, having even just some mental space or focusing on separate tasks has helped keep us sane lately.

If you’re living together, how are you handling the extra time together? What’s helped you handle the adjustment?

No Makeup Mondays

In high school my friends and I used to do “no makeup Mondays”. It was a way to embrace our natural beauty (and save ourselves time in the morning!).

Admittedly, I only wore mascara most days (that’s still the case, or at least was before quarantine), but I loved going natural once a week to show my body some love & encourage others to love their natural selves. 

Remember, God made you in his image. You are beautiful. If someone doesn’t see that, they don’t deserve you or your time!

Would you consider doing no makeup Mondays?

Be Proactive

I have news for you-

If you’re waiting, there will NEVER be a “perfect” day to workout. You’ll always find something else to fill that time instead.

You need to be proactive. Schedule it into your day. Be willing to make a sacrifice to get it done- the other day I left a brunch early to fit my workout in, but for you it might mean waking up early, working out during your lunch break, or going to the gym after work before heading home.

We make time for what’s important to us; if you want it, make it happen.

When have you found you’re able to fit your workout in?

Have you heard of Sandra Bland?

Institutional racism has been happening for all of America’s history, and yet I was oblivious to it until fairly recently. Even after I started dating Marcus, I wasn’t aware how much African Americans go through in this country.

This was especially obvious to me when I rented “Talking to Strangers” by Malcolm Gladwell a few days ago. I was simply looking for a book to help my socially-awkward self get better at, well, talking to strangers. 

Instead, he started out by re-telling Sandra Bland’s story from 2015- a woman who’s name I vaguely remembered but don’t think I’d ever actually heard her story, at least not as detailed as he told it.

Basically though, Sandra, an African American female, was a civil rights activist. In 2015, she was pulled over for failing to use her blinker when she changed lanes. (How many of you can honestly say you use your blinker everytime you change lanes?) The situation escalated and she ended up being taken into police custody. Three days later she was found dead in her cell. It was ruled a suicide.

A similar traffic stop for me would have resulted in a simple warning, with me heading on my way. For Sandra, it cost her jail time & her life.

That’s white privilege.