Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Challenge Accepted, Completed and Accepted Again!

Three years ago I made a commitment to change my life.  Sure it was based on someone calling me out over social media, BUT I walked through the doors at CrossFit Indestri and I never looked back!  Life has not been perfect over those 3 years.  I have had various obstacles, trials, tribulations come forward and try to knock me back down.  I have managed to persevere.  

For 2 years I lived a Paleo lifestyle and managed to hit 5 - 6 CrossFit classes a week.  I was in the best shape of my life!  I couldn't believe it.  As I hit my 40s I was doing things I couldn't or never imagined I would ever do.  Then I got pregnant.

We were so excited about our pregnancy.  I was determined to keep as close to my lifestyle food and exercise wise as possible.  I really thought I could.  Unfortunately, bad morning sickness changed some of that for me.  I had to take time off from CrossFit and the only thing I could eat and keep down was bread.  Something I had thought I would never eat again.

I had a very healthy pregnancy.  I ended up back at the gym and stayed in great shape throughout.

With a new baby in the house and a 10 year old, life was feeling a little overwhelming.  I hadn’t really made it back to the gym on a regular basis yet, my milk supply was starting to get low, eating breakfast seemed like a chore. I thought I would be able to jump back into my lifestyle feet first.  Ya right.  I just couldn't get myself back.  I struggled and failed so many times until I just gave up.  Finding time to make food like I used to or even eat a big clean breakfast was getting very difficult and was causing added stress in my life that I just didn't need.  So began the research into something clean and easy.  Something that fit all my wants for clean nutrition.  Something that was going to help me get all the nutrients that I needed to get through my day and to ensure that my little breastfed baby would get everything she needs as well.

I started my Isagenix journey in September of 2014, 5 months post-partum, age 41 and at 140lbs on this 5’ frame.  At the time, I was still nursing my beautiful baby girl so product options were limited.  When I reached out to my friend Sheri, I was looking for a healthy protein shake that was going to help me ensure I was getting enough nutrition in my diet.   When I added the shakes to my daily routine, things started to turn around.  Life’s stresses didn’t seem as stressful.  I finally had some energy (tough when you are up for feeds through the night) and made it into the gym again, not regularly, but definitely an improvement. 

In October, I signed up for my first IsaBody Challenge.  My idea “why not?  Might make me hit that gym a little harder”.  I started trying other Isagenix products that were considered safe while nursing.  So for the first 12 weeks of my challenge, I was only using shakes, bars, and Energenix.  I was feeling great, fantastic!  

I competed in my first Strength Competition in December.  Although I knew my numbers would not compare to the ladies I was competing against, I went in with the attitude of having fun and doing my best!  It was at this competition that I hit all my pre-pregnancy numbers!  With very little opportunity to be in the gym, this amazed me. I was awarded the “Spirit Award” by the organizers as they knew I had just returned from having a baby and were impressed that it didn’t stop me from trying something new.  One week later, I blew all of those numbers out of the water!  I was then super motivated to be back at the gym. 

My challenge took me through Christmas, which was tough, and I did give in to all the wonderful treats.  Not only was it Christmas, but my fiancé and I planned a surprise wedding on New Year’s Eve. Over Christmas I caught a nasty flu which had me extremely dehydrated for days.  I was drinking lots of Energenix to get through it.  Unfortunately, I was not able to eat anything and I lost my milk supply.  As sad as it was to no longer be breastfeeding, the bright side was that I was now going to get to experience a FULL 30 day system! 

On January 2nd, I started that 30 day system.  I went alcohol free for that time period as well.  I could not get over how much MORE energy I had!  There were days where I would hit 2 CrossFit classes, fueling with IsaLean Pro in between, and then go skiing that night with my 10 year old!  Not to mention that I am down to 128lbs, only 8lbs more to go to hit that pre-pregnancy weight.  However, that being said, I’m ignoring my scale because I am already wearing some of those clothes I wore before I got pregnant :)

My first IsaBody Challenge is complete!




I will be signing up for my second IsaBody Challenge at the end of the month once I've submitted my "maintenance" photos.  This challenge will be all about sculpting, toning, and strengthening!  Super excited.

I am so happy that Isagenix was introduced to my life and that of my family.  I've thought a lot about my "why".  Why am I doing this?  My “why” is that at 41 I can still act like a young mom, play with my kids and be a loving wife to the man of my dreams.  Life is FANTASTIC!

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