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Why I Committed to Madeline Moves 30 Day Challenge

I initially sat down to just jot down some thoughts about macros with you guys and save as a draft/add to it for my post at the end of the month.. but as I got writing, it turned more into a raw post about why I started this challenge, so I figured I’d just break it into two posts and share the real stuff with you all here, now, today!

I’m a little nervous to share this today because 1) it’s a pretty raw + vulnerable post and 2) this is relative to ME and my body/experience/health/wellness journey. *That’s to say, please don’t compare yourself to me in any way!* I’m not sugar coating any of this at all with you guys.

I’ll be totally transparent here and say: after I broke my engagement (back in May of 2018) I completely stopped my fitness routine and just couldn’t get back on track. I’ve always been a girl with curves (and love them! hello glutes ha), but felt really discouraged about my body, how it had gotten ‘out of shape’/lacked the tone and endurance I’ve always had, and honestly lacked the motivation to do anything about it. For the last year, I’d get into a routine for a week or two and then it would kind of fall apart. After this summer, I looked at myself (literally and figuratively) and said “enough is enough, Maris. If you aren’t happy with you, then do something about it to change. You’re the only one in your way.

See, I’ve been going through a lot of healing emotionally, growth spiritually, and just overall bettering every part of me – that the physical aspect couldn’t be pushed to the side and be ignored. It didn’t feel right to be going through all these transformations on the inside and feel confident, happiness, relief/release of past hurts, and growth into who I am while I was so dissatisfied with who I was on the outside. I love the person I’m becoming mentally/emotionally/spiritually and knew I needed to apply the same intention to my physical body as well.

*I’m sure there’s some people sitting there saying what in the world? Your body is perfect and beautiful just the way it is! And yes, that’s SO true and I know that. But I didn’t feel like I was caring for my body in the best way I knew I could and that’s ultimately what needed to change.

I’m a person who gives 150% to whatever I do. There’s no half a$$ing around here (‘scuse the language but. it’s true) So I signed up for Madeline Moves 30 Day Tighter Together challenge and said: I’m going to GET IT TOGETHER. Now. No Excuses. 30 days, this is a priority and no matter what a day brings, I’m making sure to dedicate one hour to me every single day.

Moving into a new house has really given me a sense of ‘newness’ in every area of life. It’s such a beautiful time and chapter I’m just opening – and I am LOVING every second. That being said, September 1 sounded and felt like the best time to implement new routines and go for it. So I did.

And ten days in you guys – I’m so happy. I’m so proud of myself, for sticking to a routine, the workouts, and the eating plan. I feel incredible. I have so much energy. My mind is clearer mentally + I have a new confidence in my own skin brewing. I look forward to my workout time during the day. I’m still accomplishing everything else that I need to. I could go on and on about all the positives I’ve seen.. truly.

Can I be honest with you guys for a second? I think we complicate things a lot. We think we have to make massive life changes all at once to shift into a season of growth or change. But the reality is, we don’t. It’s small steps. Small changes. Everyday choices and decisions we make. What we fill our heads and hearts with. Who we listen to. Who we surround ourselves with. What we surround ourselves with.

One of the main reasons I couldn’t get into a solid routine was because I was expecting massive results after 3 workouts. That I would magically go back to where I was before in both my mental and physical strength. And when I didn’t see that outcome, I was quick to back off or fall into discouragement. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It takes a step day by day. It takes a shift in my mindset. In the way I’m talking to myself. It takes small changes in my diet or habits (here I am counting macros.. file under things I never thought I’d do but am doing. ha!). And the desire to keep that going.

Really, we can apply this principle to any part of life. (And I was to other areas.. ironic, right?) Huge life changes and growth don’t need to take years to come to fruition or fullness when we truly want it, are dedicated, and focused on the end goal. We can’t back off or get discouraged after one day or one week. For me, I’ve decided that each day, I’m taking one small step towards that end goal. Realizing it won’t come tomorrow, but it will be one of the tomorrows if I do what I need to do today.

However you need to take this message and apply it, you do it! It will be different for all of us depending on our stage or season of life. Maybe you need to get your buttski in the gym too or commit to an exercise plan. Maybe you need to prioritize grabbing your Bible and spending time with the One who made you + has bigger plans for you than you could even dream up. Maybe you need to schedule an appointment with a counselor or therapist and seek some healing for emotional hurts and hang ups. Maybe none of these apply to you and these examples seem more ‘extreme’ but you need some help organizing, prioritizing, and delegating your time. Listen, whatever it is, take a small step today. And then another tomorrow.

And then in 10 days, 10 weeks, or 10 months..
Look back and see how far you’ve come.

In 30 days, I’ll be sharing my thoughts/overview/progress from the whole #TighterTogether challenge, including my thoughts on macros/macro diary with you guys! I cannot wait! If I’m brave enough, I’ll share my before/after photos too. 🙂 In the meantime, I’m sharing little tidbits over on instagram stories daily – you can keep up via my ‘fitness’ highlight!

Love you guys – go get emmm!

PS I’m linking a lot of my workout favorites here as well as the things I’ve gotten for my home gym so far!

4 Comments

  1. Tamia said:
    9.11.19

    I completely felt the same way. I was discouraged but as I look over the last 12 weeks of working out and eating cleaner, I am so happy I stuck with it. I’m 8lbs away from my goal and I know I can do it! Thank you for sharing and being so transparent.

    Reply
  2. Allee said:
    9.11.19

    yes girl! go you for making these changes for yourself ! I’m going to start giving myself 30 min everyday for a yoga workout and work in another 30 min for journaling/reading. After my girlfriends told me “if you don’t like your body then change it, do something about it” – I thought okay well you both don’t have kids or houses or this or that, but really it was an excuse to stay where I am. And yes, just like you said above about our bodies being beautiful and other people not seeing necessarily what we see – for me personally I just miss being more tone + fit as well (ex competitive cheerleader). You’ve inspired me + I just want to say I think you are doing great!

    Reply
  3. Christina said:
    9.11.19

    I think this is awesome! I’m working on my third baby here so I definitely can relate to needing strength and your body to feel it’s best. It’s not about how much I weigh but keeping up with these little energy rockets without needing a nap 😉 I can’t wait to see how much brighter you will glow with this accomplishment. It’s already bright thought:) God Bless!

    Reply
  4. Taylor said:
    9.11.19

    Although I didn’t end an engagement, I did leave a 6 year long relationship and move back home and WOW did it have an effect on my life in every way possible – physically, spiritually and mentally. I started seeing a therapist to work through some past trauma and was amazed at who I was becoming (still am amazed to be honest!) but a few months ago I realized I wasn’t a complete person. Joined Orange Theory and have never felt more myself and in control of who I am. It’s amazing what eating well & exercising on top of taking care of yourself mentally can do for you!!!! I chalk it up to God’s plan for me…and for you. I wouldn’t be in this place if it weren’t for hard times in the past. But how lucky are we to reflect, change and grow? Thank you for sharing your story. I have been silently rooting for you from the sidelines of the internet for quite some time and despite not *literally* knowing you, I’m so grateful for you.

    Reply

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