In college after I stopped cheering (yes I was a college cheerleader. Go Tech!), I needed an outlet. I loved to workout but it wasn’t enough at the time. I was so used to the thrill of being on the field during football games in front of 80k people. I wanted that thrill again. A trainer at the gym I was going to approached me and asked if I’d ever competed in a fitness/figure competitions. After talking to him a bit I thought ok this could be the thrill I need! I told a few good friends at the time what my plan was and almost all were supportive. Some were confused and thought I was getting into body building (not that it’s a bad thing, BB just isn’t for me). One friend actually said to me “you already look like a man with the muscle you have, why make it worse?” That comment would make a lot of people insecure. Not me. I saw it as a challenge. I thought, I’ll show you worse! And by worse I meant more lean and fit! I had muscle but it was thin muscle. My legs were muscular from tumbling and stunting. My arms were sculpted but not huge. So I used this negative comment as fuel.
I competed in my first figure competition that year and loved it! It was the scariest most exciting feeling ever! I’d never felt anything like that in my life! It’s one thing to stand in front of 80k people in a crop top uniform and tiny skirt and have them all lookin at you. It’s another thing to be in a swimsuit and have them literally judging your body! I remember shaking like a leaf up there. But I was so proud of myself after I finished. I took 9th out of 26. Not great but not horrible for my first time around. Not to mention I knew nothing about diet at the time so I was just winging it!
Looking back on old pictures now I still don’t see where the muscle I had “looked like a man.” I’m bigger now than I was then when I started. I have to think that person was just insecure and jealous themselves.
Now days I don’t compete on a competition stage but I do push myself in the gym like I used to. I love to look in the mirror and see muscle. In my mind I think back to that former friend and the comment they made and it makes me smile. They saw man muscles. Well guess what, my husband loves it. He actually told someone the other day his wife was jacked. To a fitness lover that just makes your heart melt.
Forget the negative Nancy’s of the world. Don’t let them tear you down. If you’re like me, use it as fuel! The only thing that matters is what you think, and of course the positive people around you who will lift you up!
Isn’t it crazy how new workout clothes make you feel like you get a better workout? I swear if I could get a new outfit every day I’d have the best workouts! Ok maybe not literally but I’d feel great about how I looked. Positivity in yourself definitely benefits you in so many ways. I used laugh (internally) at people who bought cute or matchy little outfits for the gym. I thought it was so ridiculous to spend a lot of money on something that’s just going to get sweaty and gross. But I understand it now. Those outfits made them feel good about themselves which in turn made them feel like they could do a better workout! Did the outfit change their workout? Maybe a little. They might have been more comfortable and able to move better. But it didn’t help them lift heavier weights or do more reps. It’s all about the mental game. When you feel good about yourself and what you’re wearing, that positivity boosts your mood. A positive mood can give you more energy therefore fueling your workout!
I always tell people, never go to the grocery store hungry. Guess what I did yesterday………I went to the grocery store hungry. 🤦🏼♀️ I got everything on my list plus two little treats. I’m sure some people are looking at these and saying “but they’re organic” or “it’s better than candy.” Not always! They are still high in sugar and fat! In moderation things like this can be a little better than eating a bag of candy. Fruit sugars are definitely better than refined sugars. However both are processed in the body the same.
Recently I’ve seen people get into this collagen peptide phase. I took collagen for years but stopped for a bit and now I’m back on it. To be honest I think I got lazy and just didn’t reorder it and then ended up forgetting about it.
I’m not a huge fan of vegetables. I’d rather have a burger. But let’s be honest, my health would suffer quite a bit if I ate a burger every day instead of vegetables.
I had a friend talk me into trying out Orangetheory with her. She’s had a membership for a while and loves it. She’s also the one who talked me into going to SoulCycle. I knew nothing about Orangetheory so I figured why not give it a try.
I’ve pushed hard at workouts these last few weeks and I’m finally feeling like myself again! My muscles are rebuilding, I feel stronger and I’m more energetic. I’ve been detoxing and clean eating this week so that’s definitely made a big difference! I swear my body is just all around happier!
Growing up, my dad had me taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for as long as I can remember. I never understood why except for that it was “good for me.” Now having gone to school and learning a thing or two about ACV, I understand the real reasons why my dad had me taking it. Yes I’m short it’s healthy for you, but there are SO many health benefits to taking it. To this day I still take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (3 times a day) in a bottle of water ever day! Yet another fantastic healthy habit my wonderful holistic father instilled in me at an early age! Below are just a few benefits of ACV!
Fit Dallas Mom Blog 