Discontent is the seed of change
As life happens, we forget to slow down and think about what we are doing with our lives. It is possible that we are unhappy, but so busy that we don’t even realize it. Sometimes, we are so busy taking care of everyone else, we forget to take care of ourselves.
After my son was born, he became everything to me. All I thought about was my baby. He was always my number one priority, but at the same time, I was unhappy with myself, my marriage, and my approach to life.
Around 2010, I began to make small changes in my eating habits, but mainly, I began to get active. I started running nearly every day. I eventually joined a gym where I took a class that gave me the motivation I needed to keep moving. Although I was working out, I wasn’t dropping the weight the way I really thought I should. I kept changing my diet because I believed it wasn’t working.
Most of us get caught up in all the fad diets out there. Many diets advertise that they are custom fit to meet our needs. Trust me, I tried them all. The “No Carb” diet, Juicing, Paleo, Keto, I simply tried them all. The problem was that I wasn’t consistent. Every time I changed to a new diet, I was starting all over. Sure, I lost weight over time. I went from weighing 190 to 165, but my body was not changing like I expected it to change. One problem was that I thought my shape would change overnight, even though I knew that I had been feeding it the wrong nutrition my entire life.
After losing that weight, I decided to go for a bigger challenge. I decided to take my body to the next level by changing my diet and sticking to it while setting a goal to compete in a bodybuilding competition. In 2014, I began to prep for a bodybuilding bikini competition show, despite not knowing what that involved or what I would be required to do to win. I worked towards that goal in 2015, losing another 20 pounds. Wow, how things began to change!
In preparing for that contest, I learned about real nutrition, how to change the way I exercised as I progressed, and I learned how my body could change based on my regimen. Fast forward to 2016. I kept training, I kept a pretty consistent diet, and I continued to set personal goals that I could reach. I decided to compete again in 2017. It was one of my best years ever. I was able to stay focused and demonstrate the mental strength and motivation necessary to win, not only for myself. but for others who also wanted to change their own lifestyle.
I love to train. I love to motivate others. I learned to be patient with the process, and I continue to keep learning. I keep building myself up physically, but more importantly, mentally. Only you know the struggles you face. Each of us knows how we choose to keep pushing, even when our energy level or our mental focus is not really as strong as it should be. The goals we set define what we can become.
Competing and getting in the best shape of my life got me to where I am today. It is not “a walk in the park” to change your lifestyle and be consistent. It is a constant battle with yourself and those who don’t support your changes. Above it all, you need to remember that change happens when you keep putting in the work, stay dedicated to your goals, and don’t give up. You must believe and do it for yourself, not anyone else. You make the change when you know you are ready, and when you believe in your goals!
Along the journey, you will lose some friends, but you will gain what I call your “Real Friends”. I’ve learned over time not to let a relationship or another person define who I am. I learned to be strong mentally and physically. Most of all, I learned to truly believe in myself.
Why the name #SOULFITNESS ? To me, #SOULFITNESS is about a person’s total self. Only those things that you allow into your heart can truly touch your soul. Fitness saved my soul. I am sharing my story to help inspire others to find the thing that touches their soul and motivates them to live their best lives. Join me and let me coach and teach you how to live your best life.