Fitness Journey: Part One

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Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (ok maybe just one state over from where I am right now) lived a chick who NEVER had ANY weight issues.  She had never given THOUGHT to working out at a gym.  Then the UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED!!!!  The girl had kids!  Her body turned into a stranger!  She was overweight, unhappy, unhealthy and was clueless as to how to deal!!!

Yep, you guessed it…I’m the chick.  After the birth of my third kid (I have 5 total! They all ROCK!) I got tired of being tired.  You feel me?? I hated to look in the mirror.  I felt worn down all the time.  I had to do something, but what?!?  I tried a million workout videos and just as many quick weight loss schemes.  I would lose a few pounds but then put it back on.  Depression, a presence I have dealt with since the age of 18, began to tighten its grip.

I was either going to fight back or give in to the darkness.  I chose to fight.

I was going to DO THIS!  I was going to lose the weight and be a hot mama!  I headed to the local YMCA.  I joined, did a short cardio session.  Then I went home and didn’t return for another month!  I had three young children at home to deal with.  I had more important things to think of.  I had places to be. I had a plethora of excuses and let me tell you, I used them!

The truth is, I was terrified of the gym.  Saying I was intimidated would be an understatement!  I had never even SEEN most of those machines so of course I had NO IDEA how to use them!!! There were days I put on my gym clothes, got in the car, drove to the gym. Only to sit in the parking lot for 10 minutes before deciding to turn around and go home.  It took multiple times to actually step my foot in the door, but I DID IT.

I found a comfortable elliptical in the corner out of the way.  That became my go-to spot at the gym.  It was there that I became a cardio queen!!  I was killing it on that thing!!  I starting losing a little weight & I was digging the weight loss but it was not a quick process.  I was growing increasingly bored in my corner spot.  Lucky for me, I caught the eye of a couple trainers.  These two took me under their wing & let me join in on their personal workouts.  They poured knowledge out and I soaked up as much as I could!

Those two changed my life.  That small act of kindness, allowing me to join their workouts, was pivotal in my life.  Kindness has a tendency to produce some pretty awesome shit!

I began to LOVE the gym. It became my refuge.  I could take my frustrations and fears there & leave them!!  I felt great, like I could conquer anything.  For the first time in my life I felt comfortable going to the gym!! GO ME!

I lost the weight I wanted to lose and then some.  I went from being overweight, unhappy, defeated to being healthy weight, energetic and happy! From a size 14-16 to a size 4-6.  I didn’t have to dread getting dressed!!! Wooo hoooo!!!!  I wanted to pass along that kindness I had been shown, so I became a trainer myself.

Hope sharing this helps someone else!  If I can do it YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

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Fur Kids

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I am an animal lover.  That is putting it mildly.  If I had the money, time, or space (currently I’m 0-3 in those areas) I would have a farm FULL of pets (I’m talking ANY kind of pet)!!

Let’s just be real here, my opinion is…. people are overrated and animals are where it’s at!

Fur Kid #1: JASPER

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Rescued in 2011. Jasper is SUPA lazy! Most days he can be found snoozing in a basket full of blankets or sprawled in the sun.  His hobbies include pushing stuff off counters, trying to eat plastic, and hunting bugs.  While he does enjoy those things, you can count on him to show up as soon as there are people around.  He is unstoppable in his pursuits of finding ANY hand that is willing to pet him.  He also has a tendency to force himself on people, we are working on that.  And, yes, he is named after a sparkly vampire, don’t judge me (I loved vampires before it was cool to love vampires…).

Fur Kid #2: DIESELUntitled design (1)

Rescued a few months later in 2011.  Diesel is the equivalent of a sloth on Ambien….a local radio host here in Atlanta made the comment that he felt his English bulldog’s blood was half Prozac…must be Diesel’s twin.  The only thing he gets excited about is food,  marking his territory and making sure that NO other fur kid gets more attention than him! (*Note: Diesel left us in 2018. Never thought I would say it but, boy do I miss those snores…)

 

Fur Kid #3: VOLTAIREV

This is my main squeeze.  My baby boy. The most beautiful black cat that you will ever see.  Superstitions be damned!  I rock this dude like a little baby on a daily basis. Seriously,  he is so rotten, and I LOVE IT.  He will also let the kids carry him all over the house.  The funny thing is, he is typically anti-social.  He is NOT a fan of the dogs, he thinks they are unintelligent and they stink (I’m just repeating what he told me…).  90% of the time he can be found on top of the boys bunk bed where he is safe to sleep the days away without risking being annoyed by a canine.

Fur Kid #4: CIRCE KANAGAN SOLSTICE MCEWENUntitled design (2)

So Circe is the only AKC registered dog I’ve ever owned.  We typically rescue all our animals.  Thanks to my love of Scooby Doo, I had hoped to own a Great Dane since I was a kid.  I love BIG dogs…(and little dogs, and medium sized dogs….ok, ok, I love ALL dogs).  She was my birthday present years ago.  Born on Dec.14th 2014, and 8 weeks later she was inducted into the fam.   She is ALL puppy STILLLLLLL!!!  We are patiently waiting for this stage to be over.  So far she’s eaten: an entire door frame, a window sill, bed posts, 1002 toys, multiple pairs of shoes, half of a 2×4, at least 2 lawn chairs….ok so you get the idea.  In spite of her current chewing obsession, she is an awesome girl.  She LOVES attention, HATES to be alone, and is SCARED of EVERYTHING!  Thus far we have be unable to convince her that she is not a Chihuahua, but we love it!

 

My Tribe

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 If you’re anything like me you wanna put a face with a name…

Here’s some help with that…

MY TRIBE

→ The Fab Five

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These faces keep me going.  Without them I am positive I wouldn’t be around today.  They have saved me in more ways than one.  I am eternally grateful for each of them.

Kaylyn Rebekah ↔ Kaylyn Bekos ↔ “K” ↔Sissy

The eldest of the 5, this chick right here is AMAZING!  She’s a brilliant student who also happens to rock at b-ball, dancing (one of my goals in life used to be to beat her at Just Dance, ha! I’ve long given up that dream), singing, drawing, and being random.  She is fun and hilarious. Kaylyn’s smile lights up a room!  I can’t wait to see where life will take her next.  She is unstoppable.

Collyn Wyatt ↔ Wyatt ↔”Freckles”

The odd man out.  A red-head with four blonde siblings.  My only lefty.  He is super athletic and super opinionated!  Wyatt’s always had MORE than enough personality.  He is the one you gotta keep an eye on! He’s the spunky one of the bunch.  Always has something to say!!  Just call him Mr. Personality oh, and Mr. Football at the moment…

Caleb Owen ↔ Owen ↔ “O”

Owen is one of the most caring, sensitive kids ever.  Always concerned if someone is left out and also serves as “protector” for the younger two.  He’s always willing to help out.  He is an early riser, a thinker, an old soul.  Owen wants to be a MLB player…go ahead man!!  We are still working on goals that are non-professional athlete related…

Trinity Sophia ↔ “Trin”

Trinity is still convinced that the Princess Sophia cartoon on Disney is about her (pretty sure I told her that when she was smaller…).  It may as well be.  She is a princess through and through.  We are trying to convince her that we are mere town folk and unable to support her royal ways, as we are fresh out of butlers and chauffeurs!!  Trinity loves to dance and play Minecraft. An aspiring ballerina (she’s a ballet school drop out), gymnast, artist, professional gamer…honestly her interests change daily.

Phoenix Steele↔ “P” ↔ Tarzan ↔ Artist formerly known as “Meesix”

The baby of the bunch. Tarzan himself.  Trinity couldn’t pronouce Phoenix for a long time so until about a year or two ago, he was still forced to answer to “Meesix” on the reg.  This dude could be mistaken for a kid raised by wolves.  He is in a constant state of undress.  He is candid and full of crazy (mostly made-up) stories.  He is the actor of the group.  I need to sign him up for acting classes and profit from some of this craziness! Ha!  Phoenix is a mini-Brent.  He looks and acts WAY too much like his dad most of the time!  From his freckled face to his picky eating habits he is Brent made over!  He keeps us hopping! Never a dull moment with him!

These are the people I share my home with…but that’s not all!!! We have fur kids too! Check them out!