Taking a short break...

Hey readers!

For sure you probably think that I've forgotten about you right? Well I haven't!!! But....I'm going to take a short break from the blog until I after graduate on June 28th! I think I will then have more time to dedicate to bringing you more frequent, relevant posts that you can use on this here journey of yours.

I fully expect you to keep up the good work! Feel free to reach out to me on social media if you need a little encouragement over the next 5 or so weeks.

One small shout out! (lol). As you know, I was participating in our FIT camp fitness challenge. Even though I didn't win, one of my good friends (and readers) did....so CONGRATS CENTRELL JACKSON!! I'm super duper proud of you. Post your stats below if you are comfortable! I was able to lose 6 pounds and 1% of body fat in that 8 week period and I'm happy about that! Additionally, Rochelle (another reader and Florida fitness challenge participant) also lost A LOT of weight and inches. I can't remember the exact numbers, but Chelle feel free to comment below if you want to share your accomplishment! I am SUPER DUPER proud of you too! Keep up the GREAT work!

With that said...I'm signing off for a few weeks....we shall chat again soon :)

And as always....thanks for reading :)

Me, Myself, and I

My subject sounds kind of selfish right? Well, it is. I wanted to take a minute and remind you that you are doing this FOR YOU! So much of our lives is spent doing for everyone else. And sometimes if we start to focus on ourselves, it's looked down upon or we're labeled as selfish.

Well....this health and wellness journey is a little selfish. It means focusing on you. Learning your idiosyncrasies, your likes and dislikes, your exercise limits, and your diet restrictions. No two people's journey is exactly the same. This is the reason why I always tell people that there is no "secret" to this process. For me, tracking calories and doing FIT camp has worked for me. I am fully aware that it may not work for you.

I say all of this to say, FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Yes, there are some foundational things that need to be in place to get you off the ground and running (like healthy eating habits and exercise), but finding that combo for you is important.

Don't be afraid to be a little selfish...do what it takes to get to where you are trying to go.

For those who decided to participate in the fitness challenge...just a few more days and it will be over! I hope you've seen a significant change over the past 8 weeks. Email me and let know your final measurements. Keep up the momentum you've gained and keep going!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Thanks for reading :)

Being your BIGGEST cheerleader!

Sometimes I used to wonder why a football or basketball team needed cheerleaders. Or why was it necessary to build these big venues for thousands of people to come to just to see someone run up and down the court or drive around in a huge circle in a fast car. The truth is, things seem to be a little easier when you have someone supporting you and cheering you on.

I've never been someone who could really play any type of sport...just not my forte lol. But I could ALWAYS cheer you on from the sideline. There's something about someone sitting on the side saying "GO YOU!!" that just motivates you to do more...

Then it comes to working out...and for me...total different ball game! LOL...I LOATHE going to gym at the risk that someone may be watching me. I mean what is that??? I still to this day don't really like going to the gym, but that's another post for another day (hehehe).

When I hired my trainer and started going to FIT camp...I would always feel better when my trainer was there cheering me on...and he's pretty good at it too lol. But then the UNHEARD of happen....he decided to go on vacation. I mean how could he do that to me??!?!?!?! (ummm...dramatic much??) Anyways, he left some exercises for me to do and what not but when I stepped into that little gym at my apartment complex, I was like....ummm...who's gonna cheer me on to get through this workout??? I need some MOTIVATION folks!

It was in that moment that I learned a very valuable lesson. I had to be my OWN cheerleader! No relying on the encouragement of others to do what I needed to do. Now when I work out, I literally ZONE OUT and in my head I say "Come on April...you got this" "Ok, 2 more rounds" "Faster April, Faster!!" I've  learned how to push myself...to overcome my own limitations. Because of this, I am now able to work out on my own and keep motivated for this journey.

You can do this (say it to yourself!!)

Thanks for reading!!

This girl DON'T jump!!

In the midst of a hectic day, I got so many comments on my blog today and it really meant a lot to me...thanks everyone!

I am SURE you're wondering what in the world is this girl talking about in regards to this post title. When I started FIT camp, I came to my trainer with a list of things that I DO NOT do. These things included running, jogging, jumping, sit ups, running, jumping, jump rope, anything that involved too much movement....LOL!! But yes, I came with my own set of "rules" and I was dead set that I would not do those things. Well you can see how swearing not to do anything of those things would be impossible at a FIT (Boot) camp (lol...I mean really April??). So my trainer was like OK, we'll get you there.

One day I walk in to my session and on the white board I see box jumps. So I was thinking, BOX JUMPS?!?!? Didn't I tell this man that I don't jump! I remember getting to the point in the workout and just looking at my trainer like ummmm...sir. So he pulled this box over and said, "I want you to start here...

Sorry that it's a little blurry, but you get the point. I stood there and looked at the box for like 5 mins with literal tears in my eyes. At first he just wanted me to step up and down because I just looked at the box like I CANNOT jump on that. The thought of picking up my weight and putting it on an object was beyond what my mind could comprehend.

Well I EVENTUALLY got to jumping up on that little blue box (thank you Jesus! lol). And moved on to this box...

and now, I'm jumping on the box below...

What the point?? My list were the boundaries I had set FOR MYSELF. I can't, I won't, I could never see myself doing that! How many times have you heard those words in your head? Well, it's time to let go of those words, those boundaries and restrictions. Don't be afraid to take a leap into something new...something that's going to challenge you and get you out of your comfort zone.

Oh...did I mention that one of my "DO NOTs" was no running??? Yeah...well....as of today, I've ran 4 5K's...

You can do this!

Thanks for reading :)