Earlier this year I partnered with The Bay Club to test our their facilities and get my butt in shape. It was a 3-month partnership, but because I loved the facilities so much, I decided to join. It's now December and I've made it one whole year at the gym. Because you guys have heard me rave about my reignited love for the gym, I decided to round out the year by telling you guys how I tracked against my fitness goals. So, let's get to it, shall we?
Leggings c/o Sweaty Betty; Hoodie c/o J.Jill (old season); Shoes via Adidas; Sports Bra c/o Athleta (old season)
Photos by: Kara Nixon
Photos by: Kara Nixon
When I started working out in January, I weighed quite a bit more than I currently do now. I won't share the actual numbers because let's be real, it's not really all that important. But, let's just say that it was one of the heaviest I had ever been, and I felt it. I was pretty uncomfortable in my skin, clothes didn't quite fit well (and often were way too tight), and I just didn't love my body the way I should have. I was active - some yoga here and there - but not the way I should have been, especially for my age. My doctor literally told me to add some more workouts into my routine and step up the cardio, lol.
Now, I weigh less and have gone down about 1-2 sizes, but more than the numbers, I truly, truly love the skin I'm in. I feel much more comfortable in my clothes, and I'm more confident than I was when the year started. I would never post blog photos in a sports bra, so that should tell you just how happy I have been with my results. If I flex really hard, lol, you can maybe see some upper ab definition, but TBH, having abs is a goal for next year.
This year, I went to the gym fairly regularly (about 3-4 times a week), and my list for keeping myself motivated helped me to stay consistent. There were times when I would give myself the day off if I was in need of a physical or mental break, but because I wanted to keep my results up, I tried very hard to at least go three times a week. My favorite classes at the Bay Club include Zumba, Bollyburn, Yoga, and Abs. Abs is my least favorite class because it hurts and it's terribly hard, haha, but it's also probably one of the best ones for me because it includes weights and each class is different, so my body never gets used to the pain.
Food-wise, I also changed my diet quite a bit. I'd still go to events about 2-3 times a week, and I still indulged. I didn't limit myself from things that I wanted, but I was way better about portions and the overall quality of my food, especially when picking out lunches and making meals at home. Now, I eat less sugar, no longer really drink alcohol (aside from wine!), and I have wayyyy more veggies than before. I will say that if I tried to maintain a better, more consistent diet, the results would probably be even better. Another goal for next year!
Mentally, I feel much happier and more positive. And to me, that's probably the biggest difference and most treasured gain from my year at the gym. I truly can't encourage you guys enough to incorporate fitness into your day to day as best you can. Find a routine that suits you, brings you joy, and keeps you moving. Aside from the health benefits, it's really great for the soul.
Next year, my goals are to do more weight training, maintain a consistently healthy diet, and keep on keeping on. What about you? What do you guys hope to accomplish fitness-wise this upcoming 2018?
