It’s a common misconception that personal trainers grew up in a fit and active lifestyle. However, that was definitely not the case for myself.
Twelve years ago I was a restaurant manager, a heavy smoker, and couldn’t run down the block or even carry a case of beer without huffing and puffing.
During this time in my life my meals came from three sources:
- The chain restaurant I worked for
- Frozen, microwavable dinners
- McDonald's
Cooking, fitness, and general health habits were non-existent.
So What Changed?
I wish I could say that there was a big “Aha” moment. But that wasn’t the case.
Instead, I decided one New Years' Eve to “be healthier” (not even sure what that means!). I was frustrated I couldn’t lift more than fifteen pounds (for my job this was just wrong) and my unhealthy habits were beginning to gnaw on me.
How I Began My Journey
The truth is, I started off by eating yogurt. That was the big change.
For someone who was living off of frozen pizza pockets, yogurt seemed alarmingly healthy! The yogurt I chose was full of sugar but to me, it was still a step.
The first step.
A few weeks after that I started eating oatmeal. And then snacking on veggies.
These habits sound small. However, the smallest habits add up to big results.
The book The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno was popular back then. I devoured it and started making more and more swaps.
The Biggest Hurdles
After reading the book I realized that I was missing a big component: water.
I absolutely lived off of iced tea and had roughly 6 tall glasses each work shift. I hated water.
So I made it a rule that I needed to drink a glass of water before each meal. I remember gagging that water down. Literally gagging.
Slowly but surely I came to enjoy it. Grab it without thinking. Crave it.
Small Changes
Little by little I made more changes:
- I started eating fruit
- Making my own pasta dinners
- Scaling back on alcohol
There was no drastic shift. I still ate nachos and McDonald's… just not as much.
Exercise
After a couple of months of making small shifts I began to think about exercise.
Truthfully. joining a gym was petrifying to me. But I signed up and went every other day to walk on the treadmill (I was scared to do anything else).
Later, I started reading Oxygen Magazine and following their programs. Being active started to feel good. Challenging but good.
My form was horrific and I didn’t know what I was doing but I knew I was trying. And I felt good about that.
Smoking & Drinking
After a few years of small changes, I was feeling better and more energized than before. But I was still a heavy smoker and drinker (with multiple alcoholic drinks each night).
I became a certified personal trainer and worked for a great gym.
The next year or so was dedicated to eliminating those habits. I scaled back alcohol to only a couple each week. I also quit smoking.
Scaling back on alcohol was easily the most challenging habit I’ve ever altered.
The Lifestyle
With each passing year, I read more and more. Thus, my habits and choices adjusted bit by bit. Four years into my journey I became a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Certified Nutrition Coach.
When we were ready to start trying to get pregnant I began researching more about hormones and the chemicals in our everyday products (learn more about easy, natural household swaps you can start with).
This leads me to change a lot of my skincare products and those in our house. I not only wanted the best for my future kids but I needed the help getting pregnant.
I revamped our house and began making many of my own products because I was scared of using traditional ones.
What I Noticed
With all of my changes came immense perks that I had never realized I had problems with.
- My energy soared after I shifted my food choices - I never realized it was low until then
- My skin became less dry and more even-looking
- I was able to do things like climb stairs without being winded
- I was less bloated
- My mindset about myself and the world shifted from pessimistic to optimistic
In short, my entire life changes because I took one step
So that’s it! The mini version of my journey.
I’m now a crunchy mama to three beautiful girls. I believe in quality food, progressive workouts, and living as naturally as possible. I’m in a much different place than I was twelve years ago. A much happier place.
The journey hasn’t been easy but it hasn’t been dreadful either. There were struggles along the way that have made me a better person, coach, and mom.
The slow and simple path worked for me.
Your goals don’t need to be achieved overnight. It’s not all or nothing right now.
Starting smaller than small is okay.
Just start.
Candice says
This was such an inspiring read!! Thank you for sharing!
fitasamamabear says
Aw thanks lady!
Lisa says
This is so great, I can relate to it a little. I too am in the process of getting healthier, just baby steps still. Ive been doing one little thing at a time and so far am loving the results. But still not perfect nor will I ever be, but I totally get what you mean! You go girl!
XO-Lisa
fitasamamabear says
That's awesome Lisa that you're trying to be healthier- and baby steps are the best way. Honestly way to go for making the effort!
msmamabean says
Thanks for sharing that getting healthy is a journey and doesn't happen overnight! Thanks for showing us that we don't all have personal trainers or professional meal planners, but persist and it is possible to change a little bit at a time.
fitasamamabear says
Your welcome!I'm happy to pass along the message 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Hannah says
It is so refreshing to hear about these kinds of health journeys. This is so much more like the real world; it's almost always a process with few fairytale-like "aha" moments. Thank you for being so real.
fitasamamabear says
Thanks Hannah! Yes in the real world you don't just wake up, decide to be healthy and rock it lol It's a process like any other 🙂
Nikki says
This totally resonates with me! I was also a smoker and hated anything green. I was a fast food junkie too! It was terrible. I'm so happy to see other women motivating each other with their journey.
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for the positive comments Nikki! Quitting smoking was probably the hardest of the changes. It's definitely all a slow stepping process but oh so worth it!... congrats on all your changes!
Christina says
It's always so inspiring to read someone's journey like this. It's definitely a process and a journey. There's always ups and downs but this is awesome! Great post!
Fromunderapalmtree.com
fitasamamabear says
Thanks Christina!
Marlene says
I love that you started your journey. I am in the midst of starting mine, just not all at once, like you. I quit smoking (ok not totally. ugh. I do vape and occasionally I have been known to sneak one) but my journey is more like self-discovery in what I am good at. Lol. We all have to start somewhere right?
fitasamamabear says
You do have to start somewhere! Honestly you can't do it all- you'll go insane. Congrats on even cutting back while smoking- that's huge! It's a huge process and there's no end destination really (what does "healthy" fully mean) so enjoy taking it slow and learning you likes/dislikes and what you're good at. Congrats on starting!
Rebekah Gillian says
This is such an inspirational story. I love how you started from the very beginning, and explained the timespan, and didn't act like it happened overnight. Well done on managing the 5K when your daughter was just ten months old, too! That definitely sounds like a challenge.
fitasamamabear says
Thanks Rebekah! Ah that damn 5k nearly killed me haha truly the hardest goal I've ever done. But no it doesn't happen overnight and I wish people would stop promoting it does. There is nothing wrong with just taking it day by day because the sum of the effort is great.
Jane says
Wow!!! This is inspiring. I'm trying to eat healthy too, it just gets hard sometimes. You are right, I think I should start small until i get used to it and then challenge myself to do more later . You are amazing and you look strong!
fitasamamabear says
Thank you so much for the kind words Jane! It really has been quite a process. It's never easy (I mean ice cream for breakfast will always taste god... right?!) but it's so much better for you mentally to just take it as is, one day at a time and keep plugging forward. There's no major destination (how do you determine what's perfectly healthy??) so it's about how you feel 🙂
Marcie in Mommyland says
I'm so glad you posted! I've been trying to eat healthier and I think you have the right idea about baby steps. Just incorporating a bit at a time can be a huge transformation. Thanks for the encouragement!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks for stopping by! It's definitely been a long process- but one I love now 🙂 Small steps ALWAYS count so never underestimate them.