6 WEEKS TO YOUR BEST SELF FITNESS CHALLENGE

What was I thinking?
Okay, here it goes.....

As a health and fitness blogger, I'm actually quite embarrassed to post these pictures;

I'm embarrassed that I don't look like other female athletes who promote fitness.

I'm embarrassed that after 4 years as an avid athlete, I still haven't toned up.

I'm embarrassed that I still have extra body fat sitting in most women's trouble spots.

I'm embarrassed that I still have a "belly pooch, jiggly arms, big thighs, and a flat butt".

But I won't let that stop me.

Since starting my fitness journey 4 years ago, I've learned a lot about myself;

I learned that I could set personal records.

I learned that I could finish a 1 mile run in under 11 minutes.

I learned that I could lift a 20 pound dumbbell with one arm.

I learned that I could calf press 110 pounds.

I learned that struggle is the path to success.

I learned that the body can achieve so many wonderful things.

I learned how to push myself when I wanted to give up.

And I will continue to strive.

I am proud of myself.

I have lost a grand total of 43 pounds. While the number on the scale is not everything, it is something. I have sweat, cried, laughed, and tried for the past 4 years. The funny thing is, that one day, health and fitness just became something I did; it became who I was. There was no question whether or not I was going to workout or eat right, I just did it.

I still have stretch marks on the inside of my thighs.
I still have stretch marks on my "love handles".
I still have stretch marks on the back of my underarms.

I am not perfect.

I could sit here and shame my body, hate it, show absolutely no love towards it. Or I could appreciate what it can do; I can love my body and I can take care of it.

I am the daughter of God.

Simon loves all of me, including my beauty flaws. He likes to remind me that my stretch marks are there to let me know how far I have come because I am not who I used to be.

He is the backbone to my confidence.

I decided to enter into this competition because it was the added umph to my daily triumph. I've been working out extremely hard and I had plans to get in tip top shape before my summer vacation.

I got my first gym membership on May 12, 2014 and I started training with my boyfriend. It was only 3 days later that I would receive an email from BodyBuilding.com, reminding me to join their Best Self contest sponsored by BPI Sports.

I didn't want to enter it at first. I didn't want to embarrass myself and show the world my imperfect body.

But than I started thinking...

I could 1) use this as an added incentive to achieve my summer goals 2) I could show myself and others what we can do for ourselves if we stick to the goals we set in our minds.

Plus, that added winning prize incentive looks pretty nice too.

So I talked to Simon about it and he said he would train me, if I really wanted to enter. He was very supportive about it and that's something I have always loved about him. He's always been supportive when it comes to my dreams and goals.

We decided to stick to our workout split and would obviously train harder. Sometimes we have to switch around days due to work schedule but we never skip a workout.

I have to stick to a nutrition plan for the next 6 weeks.

I am not going to count macros, calories, etc.

I will continue to eat healthy and nutritiously.

WORKOUT SCHEDULE

• Monday (High Carb): Legs, heavy lifting // Abs
• Tuesday (Low Carb): Upperbody, light lifting + HIIT
• Wednesday (Low Carb) Heavy Cardio, 30 mins // Abs
• Thursday (High Carb): Upperbody, heavy lifting
• Friday (Low Carb): Legs, light lifting + HIIT // Abs
• Saturday (Low Carb): Full Body
• Sunday (Low Carb) Light Cardio 20 mins

NUTRITION SCHEDULE

• Minimum 1 gallon of water a day (that is SO hard)
• 6 meals/snacks every 3 hours
• Carb Cycling: Low/High

Some of you might wonder why I decided to enter.
Some of you may think I look completely fine.
Some of you may think I don't look like what I preach.
While this entire post pretty much explains all of why I entered into this competition, it all boils down to one thing- I want to push myself, mentally and physically.

I want to see just how much I can achieve mentally and physically.

I want to see all of my handwork and dedication in and on myself.

There is nothing greater than setting a goal and coming out of the long, hard working, & sweating challenges, as a completely new person.

I love living an active lifestyle and whether or not I "win" this competition, I will always be an active person.
This is my lifestyle, this is who I am, and I don't care what anyone else has to say about it.

The registration for the challenge has ended but that doesn't mean you can't challenge yourself.
Take a moment to think about what areas in your life you'd like to improve on and for 6 weeks, commit.

What will you do with 6 weeks?

xo,