A story of progress.

One upon a time, little me joined the Army and I loved it. I came home from basic training in decent shape, with a broken body, but felt as though I looked amazing. My mindset told me that if I made it through basic training, I didn't need to work out anymore because I was going to stay in shape forever. 

Then came the partying, the drinking, the lack of exercise (I had a LOT of TV to catch up on) and the poor eating choices. I met Greg, who I liked a lot, and he worked out 6 days a week - but I still didn't. Turns out, I loved him and the partying stopped, the drinking stopped, and we got married. :) We were pigs and I was no longer in the Army, so I had no motivation to workout. I would do my annual "30 days of ab ripper" before vacation every year and that was enough. 

We found out that we were going to have a baby girl and I did something odd for a pregnant lady. I ate healthier. So, I never gained that much weight.  But, things didn't "pop right back" like I expected them to. So in December of last year, I convinced my husband to join the YMCA, I was getting a little depressed. He wanted to go to LA Fitness or Lifetime, but they cost more and I had heard things about this YMCA's child care that just COULD NOT be topped. (And what I heard was right). 

For a few months, I would go once, maybe twice a week and play on a bike and some weights for a few minutes and then leave. Hmmm... no results? Weird. Then, at the end of February, my friend asked me to come to a class with her.  I asked about twenty questions trying to get out of it. Trying to convince myself that everyone would be judgmental. Well, she just kept saying I'd be fine, so I showed up, nervous as I could get and surprisingly, I loved it. So, I kept trying classes. Before I went to classes, I would have mini-panic attacks sitting outside the gym. I had HORRIBLE anxiety. Showing up to class, my heart rate would still be in the 120's (nervous little bee, aren't I?) 

But I KEPT GOING. That part is key. I maxed out in May with 54 classes in one month. Endorphine junkie. I joined a "fitness accountability group" and became that annoying newbie who posted all the time. Then one day, I saw a message from the head honcho of the group talking about a smaller, more intimate group that you could join if you purchased this Shakeology stuff (heard of it, never tried it, very skeptical). 

So, I REALLY wanted to be part of the group and Beachbody has this "bottom of the bag" policy. Try it, don't like it?  Send the bag back, no sweat, no cost to you! So, SURE! I'm in. Only, things started changing slowly actually, pretty fast. I wasn't LOSING any weight, but when you start at a size 2, what do you expect? I mean, let's get real here.  I actually GAINED four-five pounds. 

BUT, I was looking in the mirror the other night and saw my back and my shoulders and I did a double take. That's ME? Nice. So, I did the only logical thing and snapped a photo on my phone. Ok, a few photos. The next day, I was scrolling through pictures and two months ago, just two weeks before I started Shakeology, I thought I looked pretty good and I guess I had done the same thing. 

Long story short, I just wanted to share my passion for fitness, my LOVE of Shakeology, and show the results I've seen with it! 

YOU can get them, too!! I'm still a work in progress, I don't think fitness is ever done, it's a way of life. I'd LOVE to help you make it part of your life, too. If you're curious or ready to get started just email me at mkhoofnagle@gmail.com and we'll chat! :)

A letter to Julie

Recently, I wrote an email to @Julie Voris, my fitness guru and BeachBody coach.  She asked me to share it with our Accountability group, so I'm posting it here for reading pleasures! 

Julie,

Couldn't make it to Turbo today. (I've got a laundry list about a mile long for the day and had a tooth BREAK overnight, so I have to go to the dentist on top of it all! Yuck!) But, I will be in PiYo tomorrow (given no more catastrophes!)  So if you have time, I will try to catch you before or after class to discuss Super Saturday! :) 

Small victory:  I bought a bikini in March when I started working out and got it in the mail - MAJOR muffin tops. I felt super gross and almost returned it. But instead, I tucked it away in my dresser with the receipt, got myself to the gym 5-6 days a week consistently, tried almost every class they offered, watched my diet and it tried it on yesterday - IT FITS with NO MUFFIN TOP!!! So, THANK YOU for helping me on my journey!!! You were SUCH a BIG part of that small success!! I can honestly say I am in the BEST shape I've EVER been in and it feels great - there was no drill sgt yelling at me this time, there was no one saying "you need to go", there WAS a snooze button and a million excuses, and I wasn't BIG by any means, so the results are harder to see, which was a little frustrating for a while. But, I'm FINALLY seeing them in my performance, the way clothes fit, and every now and then I'll catch a glimpse in the mirror and it surprises me. And it is SO rewarding. It just makes me want to keep going and try harder because I'm finally seeing that my work is getting me somewhere. :)   I remember the second time I took your Saturday morning class and you rotated the room and I was all of a sudden in the front of the room and I FROZE and I almost left, the door was right there I was SO scared. (you actually came over to the corner and stood right in front of me, I think you were trying to either help me or maybe just hide me haha), I was so shy and unconfident and unsure of myself and now I'm so much more sure of myself and so much more confident and I have self esteem. I think it's the first time I've felt GOOD about myself since I was discharged from the Army back in 2011 (it was a medical discharge, I had sciatica). Getting back in shape has been a huge milestone for me. It's crazy how that one area of your life can affect every other part of your life, it's like something was missing. It's been an adventurous beginning of a journey, that's for sure!! :) 

Sorry, I know you're very busy. Just wanted to share the good news and tell you thank you for kicking my butt so hard. It's been worth every bead of sweat.