It wasn’t that long ago that I was admitted into the hospital having every test run on me to determine if I was having a heart attack. Fortunately, it was NOT a heart attack. It was an issue with my gall bladder. I was lucky that day. The fact that it wasn’t a heart attack didn’t change the fact that my stats (weight, obesity, and medical conditions) made me a possible candidate for one.
It served as a wake-up call immediately especially after I had to make the call to my kids that I wouldn’t be coming home that night because I was in the hospital. Since that day I made a conscious effort to change my life. I started eating healthier. I made it to the gym every day, either at Crossfit or at the gym at work. Work was put aside to alleviate stress and to make sure I was sleeping enough.
Some things worked while others didn’t. That’s okay because every experience became a lesson. It allowed me to discover my own strengths and pushed me past limitations. My ultimate goal was to be stronger and healthier. I wanted to create a lifestyle that was sustainable, realistic and manageable as a busy, working mom.
Strong is Beautiful
I’m on the other side of that journey now and I am feeling amazing. I incorporated super nutrition into my life. I found a workout program that was both manageable and challenging. Over the last 6 months, a shift started to happen in my body. I was building more muscle and getting more energy. About a month ago, I ran my first race in over a year and found myself pushing my pace. My joy at the finish line was driven by power and confidence instead of relief that it was over.
Two weeks ago I went on a hike in Lake Tahoe. It started with the usual apprehension that the group would be held back by my weaknesses. Again, I was happy to discover that I was able to keep up and enjoy the hike without worrying about holding others back. I stood on a rock formation overlooking the lake and took a deep breath into my expanded lungs and simply reveled in the moment. That weekend was when I turned 40 and had just completed a hike that I struggled with in my 20s and 30s. I felt younger, stronger and more beautiful than I have in a very, very long time. This was the best gift I could have given myself.
Empower and Inspire
I love that I’m in a stronger place both physically and mentally. In addition to getting my health back on track, it’s also important for me to set an example for my family. I find them asking for ways to be active. I’ll turn around and find them watching what I’m doing; always observing my behavior and choices. That’s the kind of mom I want to be. It’s the kind of person I want to be.
The journey to this new me came easier than I thought it would. In fact, it was harder to keep doing the same thing and being disgusted by what was looking back at me. I’m thrilled to have found a lifestyle that fuels me with super nutrition, inspiration, strength and mental fortitude. That’s the kind of mom I want my kids to have.
Are you ready for your change? Let’s do it together!
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