When COVID-19 hit last year, unfortunately I gained the ‘quarantine 15’, and then some. If you were to look at my weight comparison graph from last year, my weight and body fat increased steadily from March, and spiked tremendously after fall when my son started kindergarten AND we got a puppy! Stress, overwhelm, inconsistent routine, and poor meal planning resulted in a steady stream of excuses and my sad descent back into maternity pants (even though my baby is now over 2 years old!)
I ended 2020 frustrated with myself and tired of listening to my own excuses.
When my nutritionist Holly announced in January that our CrossFit box (CFWL) was doing a nutrition challenge for the month of February, I signed up without hesitation. I didn’t have high hopes that I would win the competition, but I committed to myself that I would bring my best effort, and simply focus on following the rules.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I actually followed through on my promise to myself and did exactly that! Not only did I get a perfect score, but I also won the grand prize as the ‘Spirit of the Challenge Winner’ and my biometrics dramatically changed!!!
The nutrition challenge ended up being a much needed reset for me to build new healthy habits and an empowering, positive mindset towards nutrition and fitness!
What Worked Well
I focused on whole food nutrition, eating the right combo of foods to fuel my day, hydrating , working out 6x/wk, and writing 3 things I am grateful for everyday.
For the workouts, I worked out Monday-Saturday with CrossFit 3x/wk and riding my spin bike at home 3x/wk.
Non-Scale Victories
February was filled with many positive firsts (amazing what happens when you lead life with an empowering mindset, right?)
- Deadlifted 157.5 lbs for the first time
- Was able to do RX weight for a tough AMRAP for the first time
- Reached 70 days of no Starbucks!!
- Purchased and worked out in a crop top for the first time
- Purchased bikinis for the first time in years
- Went down a size
- I fit in my ‘real jeans’ again (No more maternity pants for me!)
- Improved Mood/Mindset
- Increased Endurance/Stamina for Tough Workouts
- Less cravings
- More Energy for my Family
- Gratitude for Small Daily Victories
Biometrics
Starting Weight: 194.8 lbs
Ending Weight: 186.5 lbs
Total Weight Lost: -7.3 lbs
Inches Lost: 7.75 inches
Bodyfat % Lost: 3.3%
Bodyfat Lost (lbs): 10.0 lbs
Skeletal Muscle Gained: 0.9 lbs
Total Lbs Lost this Year: 17 lbs
Lbs left to reach my goal: 51.5 lbs
Takeaways from this Month
Doing the nutrition challenge gave me renewed hope and faith in myself that I have what it takes to reach my health and wellness goals! My actions finally match my words, and it has given me an incredible confidence boost! I would sign up again in a heartbeat – this past month has been life changing for me in so many ways!
My husband and family have noticed a major shift in my mood, and overall energy levels! Amazing how good quality nutrition instantly made me feel like sunshine from the inside out! I hold a lot of optimism for the future, and what lies ahead on my continuing health journey!
My game plan for March is to continue the action steps I followed in February with a focus on pushing myself harder during my workouts!
What action steps are you following this month to reach your health goals? What you do with the next 30 days matters!
So inspired by you! You’re kicking butt! Another great post!
Thank you so much!!! <3