First let me start off by apologizing that I’m “that person” who writes a health and fitness blog right in the middle of the holiday season. I’m sure I’ll be eating Christmas cookies by the jar full on at least one occasion before the holidays are over, but almost two years ago I discovered a passion for health and fitness and now it’s a huge part of who I am. People have different reasons, different “whys” that they like to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of those reasons are their kids, their spouses, their extended family and friends. For me – my why – is me. It’s that simple…and that complicated.
Everyone has a reason as to why they start exercising. Mine could’ve been because I was on two different high blood pressure medications. Or because I was getting gall bladder attacks due to gallstones almost daily. Or because I was overweight. Maybe not overweight by medical standards but I was overweight for me. Those could be the reasons why I started but they are not. I started because I kept seeing pictures of girls in bikinis with flat tummies and I wanted that. I wanted to look good – it was that simple and vain.
In March 2015 I started working out and eating healthy (at least 85% of the time). It didn’t come easy for me. I had soreness, bruises on my legs from exertion and I even broke out in hives! After that initial period I grew to really enjoy it. I decided that it was best for me to workout from home with at-home DVDs. This way I didn’t have to worry about sitters for the kids and I could do it on my own time. I started slowly but I always had the mentality of “Go big or go home.” Despite my reservations I ordered Insanity Max 30 (I’m sure you’ve seen the infomericals) and the rest is history.
I had two major revelations once I started pushing my body and my mind every day
1. “Insanity” Keeps me Sane
Through these tough exercises I know I’m stronger than I ever thought I was. Not just physically stronger, but mentally stronger. Exercising is just as (if not more) mental as it is physical. I had to push myself every day, every workout. When you order a program with the name “Insanity” in it, you know it’s going to be challenging and it is! It’s also so rewarding knowing that you pushed and pushed and you made it through. I made it through some of the toughest workouts ever created. So who’s to say what I can make it through next. I know I’m mentally tough, I’ve proven it to myself every morning.
2. I Am A Priority – I Am “My Why”
Through this journey I became important to me again. As moms we try to put everyones needs ahead of our own. In doing that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. If we don’t take care of oursevles there is no way we can take care of the ones we love. Working out gives me more energy, gives me more patience, gives me more time to myself (I wake up before everyone else to get my workout done), and it makes me happy. All of these are perks that my family benefits from. However, they aren’t the “whys” to my commitment to working out. I’m “my why.”
There is no one more important in your life than you and making yourself a priority is nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about. I make myself “my why” every morning when I push play on my workout DVD. By making myself “my why” I’m able to be a better mother, wife, daughter, and most importantly a better version of myself.
