I’m still reeling in all that has happened this week, but I had to get some things down in writing before I moved on for the day. So this isn’t cohesive, planned out, or edited…just me. 🙂
A little over a year ago, I hit my breaking point. I had steadily gained weight since moving to Virginia, especially after getting into a comfortable relationship, quitting smoking, and following an easy, but unhealthy, daily routine. I don’t know what my highest weight was before then, because I had literally stopped weighing myself. I tried to keep the pictures people took of me from the neck up, because I was ashamed of what was below…but I didn’t really do anything about it. My diet consisted of convenience food – microwavable meals, snack bars, packaged products, fast food, and the like. My husband and I tried to cook healthy dinners more often, but sometimes time got the best of us and the excuses were stronger than we were.
As you know, my journey started on February 24th, when I did my first 21 Day Fix workout and followed the nutrition plan for the first time. Looking through the book was super eye-opening because a lot of what I’d been eating that I thought was healthy and better for me was actually hindering me. Granted, a lot of it was better than the alternative, but there was still so much more I could do. 53 weeks ago I didn’t even set any goals, because I didn’t believe I could. Mentally I had already failed, would never succeed, and was brutally beat down by previous attempts. In those first three weeks I lost 6 pounds and 9.5 inches. I was severely disappointed. Like most everyone else, I wanted something quick…I expected RESULTS! But then I realized that amount in only 21 days really is results, and thankfully the results kept coming.
In all honesty, I decided to become a coach because I wanted the discount. I wanted to be able to get more programs, keep getting Shakeology, and save money while doing that. I never intended to really share everything out in the open. But I was so excited with the results I had gotten, knowing I had found something that worked and that was easier to follow because it was all written out, plus I only had to dedicate 30 minutes a day to working out. I could handle this…but I knew others could, too. When I lost more weight, I shared it. When I dropped a pant size, I was so excited and had to post about that. When people asked me about it, I told them. And that all motivated me to keep going and keep sharing, and little by little as I was shrinking, something else was growing. My confidence, my strength, my business.
Today was a great day for two reasons – I became a Diamond coach and I finally reached FIFTY pounds in weight loss. Some of you may have read my one-year wrap-up, and noticed I had only gotten to 49.1 at that point. Even though I didn’t initially place any goals for myself, because of fear of failure, I did modify that decision along the way. I wanted to be under 200, then I wanted 175. Once I hit 175 I decided that 150 wasn’t that far away. That’s still my ultimate goal, but obviously the sky’s the limit, and as long as I keep at a steady pace and do it in a healthy way, I don’t have any doubt that I will reach that goal and EXCEED it as well. When I stepped on the scale this morning, I felt really silly for doing so since it had only been three days since I started 21 Day Fix Extreme. Not only do your muscles tend to retaliate and retain water when you start a new workout program, but I’m a woman and, well, you know… Lo and behold, I was down EXACTLY the 0.9 pounds I needed to hit 50 pounds of weight loss. And I’m so happy that I get to have that memory along with making Diamond Coach.
A Diamond Coach rank is something that less than 3% of Team Beachbody coaches achieve. Not only am I a part of a rockstar team of coaches, The Elite Edge, that ranks in the top 70 teams of almost 400,000 coaches, but my own team, The Fierce Elite, is now 13 strong and they’re pushing me to be a better coach every day. I will have my name announced on our National Wake-Up Call Monday morning and be published on our website. This month I also earned Success Club All Stars, which means I was consistent every month for the last year and will be forever branded as an All Star. ^_^ I get to attend our Summit conference in Nashville, TN in July, as well as a cruise to Jamaica and Haiti in a little over a year, BOTH FOR FREE. I have been able to pay off one vehicle, two credit cards, and pay down a huge chunk on other debts that have accrued over the years, as well as have extra spending money for races, ski trips, and all the new clothes I need haha. And the best part? All I had to do was help others reach their goals, get healthy, lose weight, tone up, and/or feel better about themselves. And while helping them, they were motivating and inspiring ME, and keeping me accountable.
I’m glad that I dropped all of my excuses and decided to believe in myself. I would never have made it this far without having more confidence in myself, and knowing that I could do whatever I put my mind to doing. I couldn’t be more proud of my team and those that I coach, and I couldn’t be happier than where I am right now. I am so thankful for all of the support I’ve gotten in every endeavor I’ve ever had, but especially in this last year. Your pushing kept me pushing. I know that being a product of this company has changed my life in so many ways, and I can’t wait for the next step!!