If You Don’t Take That First Step, You Have Already Lost
One thing I am proud of is that I consistently get up early in the morning to go work out at 6:30 AM!
I was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, the oldest of two. When I was younger, I loved playing with my friends, riding bikes, playing basketball, and going to my friend’s houses. I went to Indiana University, where I met my husband, and we have two boys.I am grateful for the life I have
One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with was when my younger brother died. He was only 45 and just didn’t wake up one morning. My family has a history of heart disease. When I think about him passing at such a young age, and so abruptly, I know it has changed how I view the life I have been given. It made me more inclined to live in the moment and enjoy life because tomorrow is not promised. Though my family’s history of heart disease has mostly been with men in the family, I’ve always been mindful of it. I think my journey around fitness hasn’t been too different from many women’s. 
I think my journey around fitness hasn’t been too different from many women’s.
I remember I started because I had been working out at lunchtime, and then we changed offices. There wasn’t a way to work out at the new office. I needed something that would help me do it. I needed something that would help me work out and keep going. On my own, I didn’t work out regularly. We have equipment in our basement, and when my husband offered to be my trainer, I knew that was the worst idea ever! (I think many women would agree with me on this.)
I’ve been with Fit Chicks since the beginning - before it was even called Fit Chicks – over ten years ago. One thing I am proud of is that I consistently get up early in the morning to go work out at 6:30 AM. I am proud of myself because I can tell that I am stronger, and my energy throughout the day is so much better. I am not tired, and I don’t have that lull of energy in the late afternoon. I am proud that my boys see their mother consistently taking care of herself.I have learned some lessons on this journey. Your health is more important than working long, crazy hours, whether at the start of your career or wrapping it up. It just is. I used to do this when I was younger, and you can’t “catch up” on sleep you’ve lost or the effects of exercise that is done consistently over time. I’ve also learned that adequate water daily is a must. I didn’t sweat much when I was younger and always thought this was great. I don’t sweat! Little did I know at the time, it was the effect of my not drinking adequate water! When we are younger, we tend to think, “I feel fine,” I don’t need that much sleep, or I am young, and I don’t need to exercise. We convince ourselves of things that are not true. Everyone needs sleep, exercise, and adequate water.If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be, to make sleep a priority. Make exercise a priority and drinking water a priority. And do these things consistently.One thing I hope I’ve passed on to my kids is that good nutrition, exercise, and sleep are vital to health. These three things working together consistently over time build health and great health habits. The other thing I would throw in is that having downtime away from social media and technology is important in allowing your brain to rest and function differently.
To my younger self…
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be, to make sleep a priority. Make exercise a priority and drinking water a priority. And do these things consistently.
One thing I’d love to pass on to women thinking about starting to exercise and eat well is that taking the first step is necessary to create momentum. If you don’t take that first step, you have already lost. Take the first step, and then take it one day at a time. And if you have to do your first step again, for the 1000th time, you will have logged 1000 times when you focused on taking better care of yourself, and those efforts add up. The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to get moving, eat better, drink water, and sleep more. Little improvements can have big, lasting effects.