My Health/Fitness Journey and Journey back to ME!

I'm back!!! But before I get back to the fun stuff, I wanted to updated you on what has had most of my attention the last year! Enjoy:) 

In June 2012 I decided I needed a change. I NEEDED to get healthy, but more importantly, I WANTED to get healthy. I had reached 220 pounds, size 18/XL and am now 50+ pounds and 40+ inches smaller and a size 10/M. With my weight gain I would just wear too tight of clothes or buy bigger ones, not really caring what size I was . I was unhappy. I was a smoker, I was extremely unhealthy. I had ended up in the hospital with a kidney infection and then 6 months later with pneumonia. The day I got pneumonia (3/7/12) I quit smoking and never looked back. In May I got a serious throat infection and knew that my health was going downhill, and fast. People had mentioned things to me about being overweight and unhealthy and I just kept saying  “I know, I will get there”. I really didn’t realize how important that moment in my life would be. The moment I REALIZED that I was extremely overweight and unhealthy and needed to do something about it. I was ready, FOR ME. My longtime friend Dennis was a beachbody coach (and now mine) and kept calling me and telling me about this “crazy Insanity workout”. I kept tell him “yeah, yeah, ok, pish posh”. Little did I know that his friendly nagging would lead me towards the most rewarding thing that has ever happened in my life. I ordered Insanity. I will never forget calling Dennis and telling him I was ready to order. I think he was shocked. But mostly, he asked, “are you SURE you are ready for this? Insanity is CRAZY!” I said, “Yes, I am SO READY. I need something drastic to kick my booty into gear, and I think this is it. I am committed.” That was it. Insanity came in the mail and I started the next Monday. 

On the Sunday before I started I took my before pictures and measurements. That was the biggest shock of my life. I had NO IDEA how out of control my weight had gotten. I had avoided full length mirrors whenever possible and just did not have a clue how far off I had gone.  I was more motivated than ever to tackle Insanity and get my life back! Once I started Insanity I felt so good about myself and what I was accomplishing and seeing the weight and inches drop and realizing what I was capable of and that I COULD DO IT. It was an emotional awakening. Who had I become? Where was the runner/volleyball player/skier/hiker/active Hannah? No anywhere to be found. I had become so unhappy with who I was and NEVER realized that. Until I knew how good I felt about what I was doing for me and my body. It changed me, it changed how I viewed myself and what I wanted my future to be. I never knew that a workout program could do that for me, that I DID that for me. 

Whoa. Shaun T kicked my booty. He kicks everyone’s booty! I was an official ADDICT about 3 weeks in. After the 2 week hump of “I don’t think I am going to make it out alive, I can’t do this” I was on fire. I never missed a workout for my first round. 6 days a week I was busting my butt, up early and sweating like a maniac. In my first round I lost 20 pounds and 20 inches. I did a second round (with a one week break in between) and lost another 20 pounds and several inches with the help of Shakeology as well. Shakeology really helped take my health and fitness to the next level and helps me daily as my healthiest meal of the day and also to maintain my weight. It really has transformed my nutrition and gives me way more energy to get through the crazy workouts, and that is awesome! This was the most rewarding, and most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. Both mentally and physically I was challenged. I had triumphs and meltdowns. Yeah, I cried. Putting your body through something so crazy (and awesome) and seeing that YOU ARE capable of doing something so difficult and amazing is awesome to experience and often that is when I had my meltdowns. Realizing that I made the choice, I put in the work and I DID IT! There was one workout where I had to do power push ups in my second month of round 1 of Insanity. The week before I could only do about 2 and horrible form. I did 10 of them in a row with great form. I had to stop my workout because I was crying so hard because I was so proud of what I had just done. Something I never thought possible. I was becoming a different person, physically and mentally and so strong!! I feel like I can conquer anything I set my mind to and now have the renewed confidence to do so. 

My motivation grew when I became a Team Beachbody Coach in September 2012. When I became a coach, my life changed even more than I thought possible. I have a family of teammates and coaches that are amazing and they inspire and motivate me daily. I would be lost without them! Helping people achieve their goals and working towards the same goals together is amazing and such an incredible experience. Going through your journey knowing that you are accountable to people and knowing that we are all in this together is so incredibly awesome and motivating. Again, without my coach family and teammates, I would be lost. We keep eachother going! So much support, so much love. It is amazing. 

After my 2 rounds of Insanity I began Les Mills Body Combat and lost about 10 pounds and a couple inches, but gained so much muscle definition and strength! Who knew all that kicking and punching would produce awesome muscles!! I then dabbled in Body Beast and continued doing Combat and Insanity. I am now in my second week of Shaun T’s Focus T25 and LOVING it! 25 minutes a day, a total sweatathon! After every program I complete I cannot wait to start a new one (or do a second round) I am addicted to fitness and staying healthy and on track. It is now so important to me and my biggest priority. I need this, FOR ME. I love working out, I truly do. I was not sure I would ever be able to say that again! Insanity will always be my soul mate workout and will always have a special place in my heart because it literally changed my life. When I meet Shaun T, I will undoubtedly start crying. 

I am continually reminded that to embark on a health/fitness (or any change/journey) YOU have to want it. No one can make you want it. You may need it, but you have to be ready and want the change, otherwise you will not succeed. I truly believe this. It takes dedication, commitment and pride. You will fall, you will cry, scream, curse, laugh, smile. It will be hard, you will have to work your booty off. You need to be proud of yourself. You need to celebrate every victory (every inch and pound). This is what keeps me going. I am so proud of where I have become and so grateful to so many people for supporting me. I made the change and I am living proof that it can be done!