I've struggled with my weight for years, constantly yo-yoing, never really understanding why or even bothering to dig deeper into the issue. It wasn't until recently that I truly understood that the problem wasn't with my body but with my MIND. I have been on numerous “fad diets” over the years, always with the intention of losing weight fast. I just wanted to get it over with and move on with my life, so I could go back to eating what I wanted instead of what my body needed. CAN YOU IDENTIFY?
All of a sudden something CLICKED! I realized that this thought process is all wrong, but I just couldn't grasp it until I came to the realization on my own (I'm stubborn that way!). Weight isn't supposed to melt off overnight, because there is something about the CONSISTENT day-to-day process that teaches us LONG-TERM HEALTHY HABITS. By incorporating healthy habits into our daily lives, we are guaranteed sustainable weight loss. And for an added bonus, we gain MENTAL STRENGTH by showing up each day and doing the work!
The truth is I didn't WANT to change my habits, even though I knew I needed to make a change. I lacked self-control and discipline. I was living a life full of bad habits, instead of PURPOSE. The longer I practiced bad habits (i.e., poor nutrition, lack of exercise), the more difficult it became to reverse the CYCLE. Then one day I took a SINGLE STEP, and started slowly replacing bad habits with good ones. Every day is still a struggle. Every choice is still a struggle. But now that I’ve made the DECISION to accept daily exercise and healthy food choices as the norm, I feel a sense of PEACE and CONFIDENCE that I haven’t felt in a long time.
Now let’s rewind the clock a bit. My [now] husband and I had just gotten ENGAGED, and I was looking for a TurboKick Live class in the area. I had taken one a couple times before in a different area, but hadn’t seen any offered near me recently. The STARS ALIGNED and I met Lisa, who was teaching TurboKick Live and has since become my Beachbody Coach and Sponsor. Lisa has been a shining example for me, and has taught me a lot about living a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE filled with purpose. Without even knowing it, she inspired me to dig deep and do some SOUL-SEARCHING in my life. Although Lisa provided me with all the tools I needed, I wasn’t ready to change just yet.
You’ve heard the expression “SWEATING FOR THE WEDDING.” A lot of girls find an upcoming wedding to be motivation enough for working out and eating more healthy. If I would have TRUSTED Lisa and the process, I would have achieved my goals. Instead, I spent our entire engagement (a full 18 months) making EXCUSES. I was unhappy in my job. We had 4 out of town weddings in a 6-week span. We were both mourning the loss of two very important people in our lives, which was devastating don’t get me wrong. Then there were the usual excuses like birthdays, holidays, pre-wedding parties. I would lose 10 pounds and gain 15. Now looking back, I understand it was ALL MENTAL.
A few months after the wedding, I really started to DIG DEEP. That’s when I started journaling. I started by (1) making a COMMITMENT IN WRITING, (2) making a list of 5 reasons WHY I wanted to change my lifestyle, and (3) making a list of 6 ways HOW I was going to change. Every Monday, I perform a CHECKPOINT of the previous week’s performance toward the last list (my How). It helps not only to keep me on track, but also to help encourage me to CELEBRATE what I did well. I’ve found it’s important to FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE steps along the way.
Ever since I put pen to paper and made the commitment I have started sweating 5 days a week (21 Day Fix, TurboKick Live, PiYo), drinking SHAKEOLOGY daily, and leading a new monthly CHALLENGE GROUP so I can work with OTHERS toward a common goal!
You can live a life of regrets or a life of purpose – it’s up to you to DECIDE!
Living with purpose,
Danielle
**Photography by Ashley McCormick Photography
All of a sudden something CLICKED! I realized that this thought process is all wrong, but I just couldn't grasp it until I came to the realization on my own (I'm stubborn that way!). Weight isn't supposed to melt off overnight, because there is something about the CONSISTENT day-to-day process that teaches us LONG-TERM HEALTHY HABITS. By incorporating healthy habits into our daily lives, we are guaranteed sustainable weight loss. And for an added bonus, we gain MENTAL STRENGTH by showing up each day and doing the work!
The truth is I didn't WANT to change my habits, even though I knew I needed to make a change. I lacked self-control and discipline. I was living a life full of bad habits, instead of PURPOSE. The longer I practiced bad habits (i.e., poor nutrition, lack of exercise), the more difficult it became to reverse the CYCLE. Then one day I took a SINGLE STEP, and started slowly replacing bad habits with good ones. Every day is still a struggle. Every choice is still a struggle. But now that I’ve made the DECISION to accept daily exercise and healthy food choices as the norm, I feel a sense of PEACE and CONFIDENCE that I haven’t felt in a long time.
Now let’s rewind the clock a bit. My [now] husband and I had just gotten ENGAGED, and I was looking for a TurboKick Live class in the area. I had taken one a couple times before in a different area, but hadn’t seen any offered near me recently. The STARS ALIGNED and I met Lisa, who was teaching TurboKick Live and has since become my Beachbody Coach and Sponsor. Lisa has been a shining example for me, and has taught me a lot about living a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE filled with purpose. Without even knowing it, she inspired me to dig deep and do some SOUL-SEARCHING in my life. Although Lisa provided me with all the tools I needed, I wasn’t ready to change just yet.
You’ve heard the expression “SWEATING FOR THE WEDDING.” A lot of girls find an upcoming wedding to be motivation enough for working out and eating more healthy. If I would have TRUSTED Lisa and the process, I would have achieved my goals. Instead, I spent our entire engagement (a full 18 months) making EXCUSES. I was unhappy in my job. We had 4 out of town weddings in a 6-week span. We were both mourning the loss of two very important people in our lives, which was devastating don’t get me wrong. Then there were the usual excuses like birthdays, holidays, pre-wedding parties. I would lose 10 pounds and gain 15. Now looking back, I understand it was ALL MENTAL.
A few months after the wedding, I really started to DIG DEEP. That’s when I started journaling. I started by (1) making a COMMITMENT IN WRITING, (2) making a list of 5 reasons WHY I wanted to change my lifestyle, and (3) making a list of 6 ways HOW I was going to change. Every Monday, I perform a CHECKPOINT of the previous week’s performance toward the last list (my How). It helps not only to keep me on track, but also to help encourage me to CELEBRATE what I did well. I’ve found it’s important to FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE steps along the way.
Ever since I put pen to paper and made the commitment I have started sweating 5 days a week (21 Day Fix, TurboKick Live, PiYo), drinking SHAKEOLOGY daily, and leading a new monthly CHALLENGE GROUP so I can work with OTHERS toward a common goal!
You can live a life of regrets or a life of purpose – it’s up to you to DECIDE!
Living with purpose,
Danielle
**Photography by Ashley McCormick Photography