Week 21

I am in Week 21 of new habits and taking better care of myself.

It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update. The last week I wrote a post about this was Week 14!

So what has happened in the last 7 weeks?

Well, my habits continue to gradually change.

And I believe 100% that this all stems from being disciplined with exercise.

I believe that making exercise a habit in your life leads to you being more disciplined in other areas of your life.

Once you start exercising and taking care of yourself, then you are more conscious of what you are eating and putting into your body.

Once you are more conscious of what you are putting into your body, you realize in order to eat better stuff it helps to prepare food in advance and to have healthy options ready and available to you.

Wanting to make time for exercise in a busy day causes you to reevaluate your day-to-day decisions. You get a little more organized so you don’t waste valuable time searching for your headphones or your sports bra. You fold your laundry and put it away so you aren’t digging through mountains of clothing and wasting time over and over and over again.

Now exercising consistently has caused you to get your butt more organized.

You start feeding your family differently. Your kids see you exercising, and they want to join in.

Your decision to make exercise a habit and a part of your day — no matter what — snowballs into every other area of your life, and every other member of your family.

It’s like If You Give A Pig A Pancake.

But not in an exasperating way.

When you stick with it, eventually — inevitably —  it improves multiple areas of your life.

Taking care of yourself often changes your body. Your clothes fit again. You feel like showering. And getting dressed in something other than sweats.

Outward appearances are not the most important thing about a person. But it sure does feel good to look cute.

And when you feel good about yourself, you are more motivated to do other stuff.

So I am 21 weeks into not treating myself like total garbage, and so many areas of my life are changing.

This past Saturday I ran 11 miles and averaged 11:57/mile.

Four months ago I struggled to run two miles at that pace.

I have clothes that fit me now, and getting dressed is fun again.

I am sleeping better than ever, and while I still have issues getting distracted and staying on task when I am working at home, my focus is really improving.

I’m much stronger than I was just seven weeks ago.

I am WAY more disciplined with holding the kids accountable for their responsibilities at home. I’m like a 150% more consistent parent.

And I’m out of the you’re-gonna-have-a-heart-attack zone in the stomach area.

I’m still not where I want to be yet.

But I sure as hell ain’t where I used to be, either!

I don’t eat as clean as I’d like. I still fall off the wagon frequently in the garbage eating department. That’s still my go-to stress reliever.

So that’s what I’m really going to focus on in September.

Before I show you my progress — I want to let you know that my next e-course — Not Your Average Fitness Course — begins next Monday, September 10th.

I have been working on this course for five years, and I have finally gotten it to the place I want it to be. A place that works for all levels of health and fitness, and a place that isn’t overwhelming.

The focus of the course is not slamming you with workouts that you have to complete every day. I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all exercise for everyone. Exercise cannot become a habit it you are doing something you hate.

So my goal in the course isn’t to make you complete a certain number of workouts or to take a bunch of before and after pictures or get to a certain number on a scale.

It’s to help you develop very small habits that stick which, in turn, enable you to lead a more active lifestyle, encourage you to make yourself a priority, and help you make exercise — a form of exercise you enjoy — a part of your daily routine. That will help you be a stronger and healthier person which inevitably makes you a better parent.

And we do this a minute at a time.

Register by Thursday and you get membership in the course which includes daily emails, small optional challenges, a closed Facebook group and lots of support and encouragement for only $29.99.

It costs you $0.71 a day.

Seventy-one cents.

This round will focus a little extra on making time in your day and staying disciplined.

Click here to register: Not Your Average Fitness Course — Time and Discipline

Okay. Now for my progress toward a fitter body…

21 weeks of small gradual changes has changed my body in addition to all those other areas of my life.

I am getting there!

And I feel AMAZING.

Physically I feel so much better, and emotionally, I am really proud of myself for staying disciplined.

Discipline is giving me so much freedom in other areas of my life.

So the small habits will continue!

And if you haven’t already, join us in The Bad Ass Mother (BAM) Batallion — a closed Facebook group for moms who want to make healthy changes — if you could use some support and motivation!

We are all bad ass moms! Some of us just need some help realizing our bad ass potential!