FRUSTRATED WITH MY BODY!

I have been very frustrated with my body. A year and a half after having my third child I was still not at my regular weight. None of my “pre-third child” clothing fit! I am still a full size above where I was. I thought I was doing my best to be healthy, but still not getting the results I want. After having my first and second child, the pounds melted away. Now that I’m 40, I take it my body doesn’t BOUNCE back, it rather hangs and sways=0)

I run, I swim, I walk my dog and I eat well. Why isn’t it enough? My husband said to me “maybe you need to work out more”. When I first heard that comment, frustration welled out of me “what more can I do?” Then I started to really think about it. After having my two girls I was running 5 – 6 days a week while pushing the weight of my girls in the stroller and dog in tow. What was I doing now? I was swimming 1 – 2 times per week and running or walking 1 – 2 days per week. Other obstacles have included: the fact my back, knees and hips have been giving me problems so I’ve needed to walk more than run, my 6 and 7 year old girls are too heavy for the stroller and they can’t ride their bikes for the distance I would need, AND my running stroller broke down, so I can’t even take my little guy out for a run while the girls are at school. I had all these obstacles preventing me from achieving the fitness level I desired. A couple of weeks ago I had reached boiling point. I was fed up!

While walking my dog this particular evening I remembered this girl from our old neighbourhood that I would see speed walking her dog daily. She was in awesome shape and was always happy. Then I had the thought…to me, she was known as the really fit, happy girl that walked her dog all the time. Then I remembered the comments I would get from people in the community when they met me for the first time…”You’re the happy girl that’s always running with her dog and kids”. The thought of that comment made me smile. That’s how I was known. What do I want to be known for in my new neighbourhood?

I answered that question immediately…I want to be known as the happy and really fit girl. That thought sparked an energetic motivation within me. I was now inspired to create that reality.

Recently, I’ve also been associated with other people striving to meet their health/fitness goals. My good friend Angela has recently been extra motivated and conscious of what she’s eating, and is exercising regularly. Another friend of mine has been on a juice cleanse. Simply by being with other motivating individuals who have similar goals has been gearing me up to do something about my frustration.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been getting messages in so many different ways to encourage me to start juicing. My dreams, emails, acquaintances, friends, advertisements have all been giving me these messages. I have enjoyed using my juicer once a week, but not using it as a health tool. I had a ton of excuses of why I wasn’t ready to start a juicing regiment. “I don’t know how to do my own cleanse”, “I should find someone who can put me on a plan”, “I don’t want to spend the money for naturopathic doctor or nutritionist at this point.” There was always a reason why I shouldn’t. But when I reached my boiling point of frustration, in combination with the new goal I had of being known as “The really fit happy girl” and having the friends and my husband to support me, I was ready to REALLY do something about it.

I’m in week 2 of juicing every morning for my breakfast. I feel amazing, my body shape is already changing. I’m not as bloated and my clothing is fitting better. My skin has improved and I’m very ‘regular’ now (2 – 3 times per day). I’ve been watching everything I eat and still making sure I have the joys of something sweet, like 2-3 small squares of dark chocolate.

I have been going for hour long speed walks, doing my swimming and going for a run when my body feels up to it.

I wanted to share this experience to motivate anyone whose looking for the extra motivation. I needed it! So if I can spread some motivation, it is my pleasure. I’m writing this blog while sitting in a local coffee shop. This group of happy people just walked in all sweaty (or I should saying GLOWING), and they’ve been chatting it up with me. They came from a drop-in spinning class. I used to love spinning and did it regularly at my gym pre-kids. Thanks universe for hooking me up with this group. Guess what??? I’m getting the spinning bug!

Give yourself a clear goal, associate yourself with people who motivate you and don’t let obstacles prevent you from moving forward. Make sure you watch your thoughts to ensure there are in-line with meeting your goal(s).

So…who do you want to be know as?

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This picture is my motivation. That was my pre-kids body (pre- kid #1 #2 and #3). I’m going to make it happen…or at least create a healthy feeling and looking body that’s perfect for me. After having 3 kids come out of these hips I can accept my shape will be a little different. Just as long as I feel great about myself! Send me your positive vibes!!!