Life is seldom easy. There is no such thing as luck and I’ve learned that you get out of life what you put into it. You must work hard for what you want and changes don’t happen overnight! Thus, I was hesitant when I heard about the SK FitLife Challenge. As a wife, mother of 3, and employee, I felt I had nothing left to give and that doing something for myself was selfish. Even if I attempted this challenge, I probably wouldn’t finish, for I didn’t have any extra time for myself. I had basically given up any hope that this was feasible in my life. Then I came across this quote, which has since become my words to live by, “It’s impossible, said pride. It’s risky, said experience. It’s pointless, said reason. Give it a try, whispered the heart!” I knew that before I could accomplish anything, I needed to make the decision to try, and I decided to listen to my heart!
When I first joined the challenge, my main focus was on losing weight. I was a “scale watcher” and was more concerned with the word “skinny” than “healthy.” I had an obsession with numbers and an unhealthy mindset that the number on the scale defined my self worth as a woman. I allowed that number to control my mood. I weighed myself constantly throughout the day. Not only was this unhealthy for my body, but for my mind. Little did I know that the SK FitLife Challenge would not only change me physically, but it would change me mentally as well. Stephanie Keenan’s motto is ” Life begins when you stop chasing skinny!” It is those few simple words that have changed the way I look at weight loss and fitness. I no longer wanted to be skinny, I wanted to be healthy…and happy!
Accountability and support seemed to be the main focus for success in this Challenge. I could not understand how this worked. How could I possibly connect with women all around the world, whom I would probably never meet? My question was answered the first week Stephanie invited us into the private FitLife group on facebook. I instantly had a connection with these women. We had so much more in common than fitness. We were wives and mothers dealing with everyday life struggles. We shared stories and heartaches. We laughed, we cried, and we picked each other up when we would fall. We gave each other inspiration, we gave each other hope. We held each other accountable. And when one of us was having a bad day, we’d listen and promise that tomorrow would be better. We became our own little FitLife family..we were sisters. I would not have been successful if it weren’t for these amazing women. I only hope that I did for them what they have done for me. I have a special bond with these women, which I will always treasure!
So how has this Challenge changed me? I’ll start with CONFIDENCE! I’ve done things during this Challenge I would have never done before! I call it, ” My 12 weeks of Firsts.” My FIRST time posting a picture of myself on a public forum, and not being embarrassed. Buying my FIRST pair of shorts, and not being ashamed to actually wear them! The FIRST summer I felt good in a swimsuit. And I even wrote my very FIRST blog about balancing fitness and motherhood!! These things may seem simple to some, but to me, they were milestones!! Fears I’ve been trying to conquer for years..and here, it only took 12 weeks! And to me, that is an amazing thing!
Secondly, I want to talk about MOTIVATION. I have never felt so motivated to accomplish my fitness goals. I give credit my SK FitLife sisters for that! On the days I would think of skipping a workout or throw my clean eating out the door, I knew I would not only disappoint myself, but my FitLife girls as well. On the nights I worked late, I would complete my workouts when I got home at 1 am. Not because I had to, but because I WANTED to! And I knew that the girls would be waiting for my late night check-in and accountability pictures. I did not want to let myself down and I did not want to let them down! I had their back and they had mine! And that type of bond is priceless!
Since completing this Challenge, I am a better person. I am a better wife, a better mother, a better friend. I have Stephanie Keenan and my FitLife Sisters to thank for that! I hope they know I will be forever grateful! I am happier, healthier, and full of life…and hope!! When I look in the mirror, I no longer see that chubby, tired girl I once saw. I see a girl who sings out loud at work, who dances at parties, and who still does the Electric Slide at weddings. I see a girl who has energy and vibrancy and who wants to shout to the world that the “SKFitLife Challenge has changed my life!”, because I want others to feel as good about themselves as I do!! I see a girl who is thrilled that her friends are going to be New Challengers because she knows that they are going to be so happy with themselves. I see the girl I’ve always wanted to be..and that girl is me!
I am looking forward to continuing this journey and can’t wait to see where it takes us. We are women, we are strong, we are beautiful and we are unstoppable! xoxoxoxo
