Eight weeks ago I began a journey with Gold’s Gym. This was a commitment I made to myself.
I knew I wanted to shred this Mom bod up for summer 2017. When I started this journey the goal was to tone, strengthen and feel better about myself. I had no intention on sinking this bod into a two-piece bikini, doing any fitness competitions or strutting my stuff to anyone but my husband (lol) — the goal has always been to “be better than I was the day before.”
I have two children (ages five and 2.5) and for the last five years, fitness and my health have not been a priority to me. During this phase of growing and nurturing tiny humans, I put myself on the back burner. As my children have gotten older, the time seemed right to take my health to the next level.
I do not think twice about taking my kiddos to Gold’s to play while Mommy works out.
The childcare is AWESOME! I usually work out three days a week when my oldest is in school. This leaves me with just one kiddo and he enjoys playing in the play structure, reading books with the staff, coloring pictures for Mommy and running around with peers. They are always so welcoming to him and it’s been such a great atmosphere for socialization. (I’m a germaphobe, and well, it passes my test!)
Cardio is my comfort zone but I knew I had to start incorporating weights if I wanted to shred up for the upcoming summer! For eight weeks I worked out at least three times a week with a gym buddy (shout out to Erin!!! Love you girl. Thank you for pushing my limits!), did 30-40 minutes of cardio a day (usually running or walking at an incline), and alternated upper body and lower body weights. I was SO INTIMIDATED by doing weights but it has proven to be wayyyyy less scary than I thought it would be.
The trainers are super helpful and can show you correct form and exercises to work particular muscle groups.
Let me tell you about a little secret room in the Walker Springs Gold’s Gym…well, I guess it’s not “secret,” but it’s like a little hidden gem to me! This room is located in the very back of the gym and has a staircase to run, rowing machines (my FAV!!!), medicine balls, kettle bells and LOTS of room to do crossfit, and PiYo-type work outs. This room is my JAM!! I like it because there aren’t a ton of people using it and because I love the space to do squats, lunges, planks, sit ups, stretch and use free weights.
So are you ready to SEE my eight week results??
These were my measurements when I started working out on March 2, 2017:
Body Fat: 25%
Hips: 40 1/4 inches
Chest: 34 1/8 inches
Right Arm: 10 inches
Right Thigh: 18 1/4 inches
Right Calf: 13 1/8 inches
Waist: 31 1/2 inches
144.2 POUNDS
And these were my measurements May 9, 2017:
Body Fat: 22%
Hips: 37 inches
Chest: 33 inches
Right Arm: 11 inches
Right Thigh: 17 inches
Right Calf: 13 inches
Waist: 29 inches
143.6 POUNDS
Not too shabby, huh? I have worked hard and there have been days I haven’t wanted to work out, but I’ve got GOALS and as the saying goes, “no pain, no gain.” I’m feeling better than I ever have. I have more energy than before and I’m sleeping like a husband baby at night! If you’re thinking about starting some sort of work out regimen, DO IT.
And this is just a friendly reminder to TOSS THE SCALE; use your clothes as a point of reference and take your measurements instead. I’ve only lost about pound, but I’ve lost a significant amount of body fat and inches while working out for the past eight weeks. I’m down a pant size and have had to take my belts in THREE NOTCHES! THAT is a victory to me!
