Getting Physical: My 30-Day Fitness Journey

Hey there, my fellow fitness fanatics! (Okay, that was a bit cheesy, but you get the vibe!)

So, here’s my confession: I absolutely love food. Hi, I’m Kaysha, and I’m a self-proclaimed foodie. I’ve always had to watch my weight, as I’ve mentioned before. As I get older, staying in shape gets tougher. I moved from Oregon to California almost a year ago, and in that time, I’ve packed on 20 pounds. WHAT!?!? Yes, 20 pounds of muffin-top lovin’ weight. Oh well, life happens. I prefer to call it love weight—I’m head over heels for a wonderful man, our amazing kids, and this gorgeous sunny state. It’s happy fat, what can I say? So, I try not to get too upset about it. But those 20 pounds have seriously shrunk my wardrobe options, and that I don’t like. I’m stubborn, so I refuse to buy bigger clothes, but I also won’t squeeze into something that doesn’t fit—there’s nothing cute or comfy about that.

Even with my 20 pounds of extra Kaysha…I have been trying not to beat myself up too much. Some days are better than others. The point is I’m still pretty healthy and my BMI is not higher than it should be. I decided it was time to take action, because summer is right around the corner…which means my birthday is right around the corner. I have given myself some incentive to stick to a plan and shed the pounds….

Okay, so my birthday is in June, and that’s when summer really kicks off. We have two pools where we live, and I love soaking up the sun. Here’s my incentive: if I lose those 20 pounds by my birthday, I’ll treat myself to a new swimsuit. That’s a pretty sweet deal, right? A healthier, more toned body for summer and a cute suit to tan in. My Momma-Kon always said, “Tan fat is better than white fat.” Ha, I agree. Look, my body will never be supermodel-perfect—it just isn’t. I’ve been pregnant and gained way too much weight, which took a toll. But here’s the thing: nobody is perfect, really, no one. If I’m comfortable enough to wear a bathing suit and lounge by the pool, that’s all that matters. Focus on feeling good about yourself and forget what others think. I bet even the person with the “perfect” body at the beach has insecurities. Keep that in mind—we all struggle with something. If someone judges you, it’s a reflection of their own issues. What a sad way to live. The most important opinion is your own. Be your own best friend.

If you’re ready to hop on the fitness bandwagon with me, I’d love the company!

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

I am doing the 30-Day Ab Challenge as well as the 30-Day Squat Challenge.

Let me tell you, it’s tough but not impossible—actually kind of fun. I’m thinking of it as just 30 days (that’s how I trick myself, because I plan to do it every month). I can handle 30 days, right? Another great thing: there’s something about checking off a task on my to-do list that makes me giddy! So each day I complete, I get to mark it off. It feels like a small victory and a real accomplishment. It’s all about the little things in life!

Next, I’ve been using the My Fitness Pal app religiously. I mentioned it in another post, and seriously, it works. It’s amazing what tracking your food can do.

Results: it works and it’s so simple. I hate diets or lifestyle changes that are chaotic and confusing. Simple is best for me, and this is simple. I’ve lost 5 pounds already, and I’m only on day 11. What? Yes, day 11. There’s nothing like the feeling of slipping into jeans that were once snug and now—ahhh—not so snug. 5 pounds might not sound like much, but it really is. If you get discouraged by just 5 pounds, pick up a 5-pound bag of potatoes next time you’re at the store—it gives you perspective. One more thing: when you first start working out, you might feel bigger, like you’ve gained weight. I feel that too, but it usually goes away after two weeks. I’m not sure why, but don’t get frustrated—just push through. Remember, it’s only 30 days (wink, wink).

Find a friend to join you. You can keep each other accountable and be each other’s cheerleaders. If you can’t find anyone, I’ll be your cheerleader!

Let me know what you think and share your results and plans. If you have any workout or diet ideas you want me to try with you, give me a shout. Get out there, fitness rockstars! Have fun with this!

Happy getting physical,

K

P.S. You’ll never see me posting revealing photos on my blog. I know people love before-and-after shots, but some are borderline inappropriate. That’s just not my style.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My goal isn’t to tell you what you should look like. We all have different shapes, so it wouldn’t be fair to post a picture and assume we’re all the same. Some of you are smaller, some the same size, some bigger—height, shape, and structure all play a role. Do what makes you feel good. Track your own progress, because that’s what matters most.

I promise to only share helpful tips that work—or at least work for me. If I come across something that’s a bad idea, I’ll warn you so you don’t waste your time. This is about working together!

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Kaysha Comfort