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Starting Your Fitness Journey

04/28/2017

Repin these essential first steps to begin your fitness journey and lose weight! #weightloss #fitness #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #health #flatstomach #mealplan #motherhoodhappened

Beginning is not the hard part (it’s sticking to it!) however, I know when I started my fitness journey I was intimidated and I wish I knew some of things below. Whether you have never trained and want to begin or have become preoccupied and want to get back into it, the following should be useful to you.

Dress the Part

Don’t go out and spend on an entire wardrobe of active wear but you do want to buy some essentials. You may have some old sweats and t-shirts in your drawers but I can bet you will want to be comfortable while working out. You might be running, squatting, or kicking and it is the worst when your clothes do not fit appropriately while working out. That could be tights that continue to go down and you have to adjust to pull them up in the middle of a set (the worst) or your shirt keeps rising up.

You want to get pieces that fit well, comfortable, and you can move easily in. I dread fitting rooms but set out time to go shopping (preferably in the morning so it’s not as busy and you don’t feel rushed), you will thank yourself later. Do some jumping jacks in the dressing rooms, some squats to see if the clothes fit and move the way you them to.

Aside from its functional purpose, having new active wear motivates me to workout. Perhaps you can relate, but there is no better incentive to have me move than buying and wearing great black tights, a comfortable sports bra oh and don’t get me started on all the wonderful sneakers 😊

Dealing with Intimidation

It can be intimidating stepping to a floor full of gym rats who are extremely fit. Very common piece of advice but I mean it: don’t care what others think. Every person at the gym working out has a goal in mind, they are at the gym to work on that goal, they are not concerned about the individuals surrounding them. Anytime I have gone to a gym everyone is in their own zone/world, they are only focused on the task they are doing. There are a rare few who solely go to the gym to socialize and take pictures of themselves so they may look at you, but don’t concern yourself with them because at least you are there to actually work out!

Regardless of how you look, or how much you can lift, when you are at the gym keep in mind that everyone around you is there to improve themselves too. Everyone is on the same boat.

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Let’s Get Real

It’s probably going to suck … A LOT. If training is not something you are used to doing, it will be hard in the beginning. I am not going to sugar coat it. You have to put in the work in order to get results you want; keyword being work. It does get easier with time and by easier, I mean it becomes habit. The working out itself becomes slightly easier since you are improving your numbers, your goals, etc. but there should always be a challenge no matter how “fit” you are when you are training. At least with time you will gain confidence, know how to work your way around the gym, not be intimidated anymore and training becomes part of your life.

At first you might hate it nevertheless, if you keep at it working out may be something you actually look forward to, I know I do.

Don’t Go Too Hard

Working out is not to be taken lightly. Definitely speak to your doctor anytime you are starting something new to hear out what they recommend for your body type and medical history. Injuries can easily occur while working out so begin with light numbers and weight and take your time to move up. It is much better to start light and slow than to injure yourself and you have to halt your training to recover.

Food

Oh, how I love food. I am not one to limit good food (you can read more about that here) but I would suggest getting rid of the bad food in your home. If it stays in your home you will more than likely to be tempted to eat it. Simple enough.

*Side note: I know you have heard of this but seriously DO NOT go grocery shopping hungry. You will be tempted to buy junk. I have gotten into trouble because I did not pay attention to that rule many … too many times.

Time to Adjust

Eating a clean diet goes hand in hand with your fitness journey. You can’t expect to reach your goals efficiently and well for your body if you are training hard at the gym but not eating your best after. Along with getting rid of the bad food as mentioned above, now you have to get used to having a full diet of good foods you are not use to.

These clean foods may not taste great to you at first, that’s real. But keep giving these foods a chance. Your taste buds will adjust. There are foods I use to eat that completely gross me out now and there are foods I eat now I never thought I would enjoy. You are making changes from what you are doing physically and what you are ingesting, give your body time to adjust. I can honestly say I enjoy eating the clean diet I have, it does taste good to me. Took time but I do enjoy my food.

Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

Mistakes will happen. There will be moments where you “cheat” with a snack or dessert or times where you decide to bail on your gym plans. It happens but the worst thing you can do is beat yourself up about it. Recognize you made a mistake and move on. Continue your path to greatness, continue whatever your original goals were. Don’t get stuck in a rut and think because you messed up this time and that other time it means you are doomed to fail entirely. No, you can reach your goals so long as you keep working. Changes don’t happen overnight, you have to be consistent and patient. Do not give up.

Choose Your Friends Wisely

Be careful with who you surround yourself with. There will always be people whether those are friends and sadly, sometimes family that do not want you to win at life. If you want to make changes in your life and others around you are not on board or do not support your choices, it is time to consider spending your time with positive influences. The ones who really care for you want to see you win at everything, they will support you with your entire fitness journey. This may be a good time to weed out the fake friends so hey another positive!

Maybe you can inspire others to join you which is great! Just remember, the ones that really have your back will be happy for you and will help you anyway they can.

For My Mommy’s Out There!

If you are not able to go out to the gym whether you are a mom or it simply does not work for your lifestyle please don’t think you cannot attain your fitness goals. There are so many resources out there on the internet where you can find different exercises to do at home without any kind of equipment. I plan to write a post on that soon so keep an eye out for it nonetheless, being fit without a gym is 100% attainable. You are not limited because you are not able to go to a gym. More on that to come.

As always, thank you so much for reading! If I provided value to you and you want to support my work, please head over to my Patreon here. For $5 a month you can directly help me continue providing content for you! 

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Hi there, friend! I'm Mary and I'm delighted you came across my blog! I take joy in connecting, and sharing my experiences with others to provide value to anyone I can. My story is a rough one but it is also one that turned positive and I hope it can help others. We may cry, we may laugh but what I can guarantee is growth. I write about food, fitness, mindfulness, self-awareness, and overall things I have learned to become the best version of myself.

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If you felt lonely and not good enough in 2020, le If you felt lonely and not good enough in 2020, lets start the year with a different mindset. ⁣
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You ARE worthy. You ARE worthy of love. You ARE enough. ⁣
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If you have to repeat it to yourself 20 times a day, do so because it is the truth.⁣
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I know there are moments of loneliness and defeat where it does not feel true but know that it is. Your sense of worthiness must come from within, no one will ever fill that void for you. ⁣
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No one "worthy" will find you worthy if you do not begin valuing yourself. ⁣
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You got this! ⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
Remember you are special too.⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
You absolutely can and will. Believe that, work, a You absolutely can and will. Believe that, work, and see how things change. ⁣
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You got this!⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
We often view being productive as something we sho We often view being productive as something we should aspire to be every single day. I know many of us feel bad or guilty when we are not what we usually deem to be productive. ⁣
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It is okay to relax. It is okay to get absolutely nothing accomplished today. There is a balance to life. There is room for productivity and room to relax. Make space for both and do not feel guilty about it. ⁣
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Love, Mary ❤⁣
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#treatyourselfwell # #youareworthy #singlemomlife #singlemom #singleparent #singlemother #singlemomstrong #selfcarequotes #selflovetips #selflovefirst #womenempoweringwomen
I think we often forget this. People are not alway I think we often forget this. People are not always going to agree with us. It is okay for us to not like that feeling. We want to be understood, and we want others to agree with us. ⁣
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However, both being kind and disagreeing with someone can exist together. ⁣
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With family and friend gatherings (whether in person or through zoom) comes debates and disagreements in regard to many things. ⁣
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Shifting our perspective to appreciating disagreements instead of disliking them could help manage our feelings better in the moments of disagreements. ⁣
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Have an amazing day!⁣
Love, Mary ❤
We compare ourselves to others often, especially d We compare ourselves to others often, especially during the holidays. We can be happy for others while also being a bit down that we don't have that certain thing. Maybe it is a pregnancy, an engagement, a new home, or even a new job. ⁣
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Whatever it is know that just because someone else currently has it or is experiencing it, that in itself does NOT mean you can not experience it one day. ⁣
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I know it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes but do not give up, be patient, and continue working towards your goals and desires. ⁣
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You got this girl!⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
I think most families can relate to something on t I think most families can relate to something on this list. Families are not perfect nor will they ever be but that does not mean you should not stand up for yourself when something does not sit well with you.⁣
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You don't want to make things awkward, don't want to disrupt or bother? ⁣
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I get it, I think the same way. I am the pleaser, the peacemaker. ⁣
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But as I learn more and grow I am realizing how important it is to stick up for myself. ⁣
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If a question or comment bothers you, speak on it. It is okay to have feelings and have your feelings heard if you so choose. ⁣
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Of course, there are respectful and healthy ways of communicating but DO NOT dismiss your feelings or your desire to be your own advocate. ⁣
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I know it is harder to do with loved ones because frankly, loved ones are the ones that hurt us the most because we care so much about what they think and say. ⁣
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That said, be really conscious and perhaps practice responses before the holiday party. I think we usually know what others are going to pick at us for because it usually is the same thing over and over again. Practice sticking up for yourself, you got this!
Families do not all look the same. We have differe Families do not all look the same. We have different kinds of relationships that may not be "picture perfect" and that is okay. Especially during these times many jump to the assumption that we all have "normal" families (whatever that means). ⁣
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But we are complex people and with that comes complex relationships with one another. Don't be ashamed for not having the relationship people expect you to have. ⁣
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If you want to work on these relationships then great but if you do not want to that's alright too. Don't let others shame you for not having a great relationship with a parent, a sibling, being separated and having a coparenting relationship, whatever is "out of the norm."⁣
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Protect your soul and know that no one family is perfect.
Believe this to be true, because it is. There are Believe this to be true, because it is. There are moments we feel like we can not go on because we are not good enough, smart enough, or strong enough. ⁣
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But you are. Do NOT quit and keep going. This hardship is not going to last forever even though it may seem like it presently. Everything comes to end whether it is good or bad. ⁣
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Know that you ARE strong enough to handle the day, you got this! If I have to keep reminding you that you are ... I will :) ⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
Your mindset has such a MASSIVE influence on how y Your mindset has such a MASSIVE influence on how your day goes. Yes, there are outside influences or external reasons for our days to go to shit (I definitely know this haha) but really taking advantage of the things we do have control over (our minds) can be tremendous. ⁣
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Start this week having a positive mindset and see how your perspective affects your day. Our minds are powerful, let's care for them and use them well! You got this!⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
With the holiday season comes family times and it With the holiday season comes family times and it is usually presented or known as a positive and beautiful time, which it can be. But that is not the case for everyone. ⁣
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Coming together may mean facing uncomfortable realities or truths we may not be ready to deal with or forgive yet. ⁣
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I think many of us also think we have forgiven a situation or a person when we really have not. (I definitely have!) ⁣
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It is not an easy task to accomplish but with some time and work it can be done. ⁣
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Which one resonates with you the most? ⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
Taking care of yourself as a mom is at times diffi Taking care of yourself as a mom is at times difficult if I am honest. We are so used to putting our little ones or even other adults before us. It comes naturally to us. ⁣
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With that said, I do think it is CRUCIAL to take care of ourselves as moms especially because others rely on us but we are individuals too that ALSO need caring!⁣
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These 4 ways to take care of yourself as a mom are things we would prioritize for kids, so let's prioritize it for us too!⁣
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⭐Nourishing our bodies: eating foods to energize us and treat our bodies well ⁣
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⭐Practice good sleep hygiene: create a nighttime routine you can stick to and is realistic in order to get the peaceful sleep you need every night⁣
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⭐Heal emotionally: take care of your emotional health, many times we have no idea how much this affects our lives subconsciously or subliminally ⁣
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⭐Build and sustain relationships: making new relationships and sustaining old ones are super important. As humans we need one another, relationships are incredibly important to us. Making sure to set aside some time to foster those will aid in taking care of yourself. ⁣
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What are some additional ways you take care of yourself? Let me know!!⁣
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Love, Mary ❤
How to get over a breakup fast, is it possible?! ⁣
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New YouTube video is now live. I react to one of @tatycokley videos which is amazing! I love her spirit in this video but I break down her tips on moving forward after a break up. ⁣

Link in bio.
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How fast do you think one can move past or get over a breakup?? ⁣
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Feeling exhausted? I hear you. We get so exhausted Feeling exhausted? I hear you. We get so exhausted at times to the point where our minds become completely irrational and we want to totally give in and GIVE UP. ⁣
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But DON'T.⁣
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I know it is tough, I know it is not easy, I know you are tired. Take a break. Do something you enjoy or simply rest for a bit but do NOT give up. ⁣
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In the moment we naturally want to protect our bodies and soul so we think the best way to do that is to completely give up the tasks.⁣
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Not always true. ⁣
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Sometimes we need to give our bodies and mind a break so we can be recharged and inspired again. Avoid burn out, take a break, then push forward. ⁣
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You got this girl! ❤❤❤
Positive coparenting is possible! Definitely not a Positive coparenting is possible! Definitely not an easy task ... AT ALL. But with work, patience, and empathy it can be done well. ⁣
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What is the hardest thing you find with coparenting? ⁣
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Like & share if you agree! ❤
Who goes first? I had this conversation with my th Who goes first? I had this conversation with my therapist a few weeks ago and it stuck with me. Naturally I think as moms you want your kids to go first and we end up putting ourselves last, not even second on the priority list. ⁣
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Why can't both come first? I pondered on this for a while but it started making sense to me. Of course in the extreme of life and death my kiddo without question is coming first. Extremes asides, I am getting used to the idea of prioritizing myself just as I would my son. I do not think it is a bad thing, I am beginning to see the benefits of doing so.⁣
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I find that we have an easier and more organized day ⁣
when I am taking care of myself too. I have a better attitude, I have more energy, I feel more accomplished, more patient, and I am more present. ⁣
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It is difficult to adjust if it is not something you are used to but I do think it is important to do. ⁣
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What do you think? Do you think both can go first?
Don't want to get up? Feeling hopeless of what you Don't want to get up? Feeling hopeless of what you can accomplish today? Having a difficult time seeing that you can attain the full picture? I get it, I have been there and honestly I have days where I am STILL there. But what helps me move is the idea of setting myself up. ⁣
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Setting myself up to be #financiallyindependent is a HUGE motivation for me. I have to put in the work to get there. Being a single there is no other option but to be financially independent. I know the work I put in today, I will thank myself for later. ⁣
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Set yourself up, you got this girl!! ⁣
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#independentwomen #independentwomenquotes #independentsinglemom #momworkinghard #momhustle #momhustler #setyourselffree #setyourselfupforsuccess #motivationwall #motivationalcoach #motivationtoday #motivationtosucceed #motivationtosuccess #inspiredliving #mombloggersofig #momblogs #momblogtribe #mombloginfluence #momblogging #mombloglove #mombloggerlife #mombloggercommunity #mombloggerstribe #momblogger #mombloggersunited #lifecoachingforwomen #lifecoachinghappiness #lifecoachesofinstagram #lifecoachnetwork ⁣
A mental shift is what we need a lot of the time. A mental shift is what we need a lot of the time. We often believe our thoughts to be true when they may not be factual in the slightest. A tiny shift can make the biggest difference in your choices and the outcome of your tomorrow. ⁣
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Which one resonates with you? Tag someone you think needs to read this!
🎥 New YouTube is out! I reacted to a @roommates 🎥 New YouTube is out! I reacted to a @roommateshtx clip I found really interesting about the idea of a super woman. It may be an unpopular opinion but it is something I ponder on often. ⁣
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Link in bio⁣
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#unpopularopinions #unpopular #reactionvideos #reactionvideo #reactionvids #womenempowerwomen #womenempowered #feminism #feminist #feminineenergy #youtubing #youtubevlogger #supportwomen #supportwomeninbusiness #superwomen #theroommatespodcast #singlemen #openmind #openminded
Don't be so hard on yourself. Not everything in pa Don't be so hard on yourself. Not everything in parenthood is going to be absolutely perfect especially if you don't have help or are a #singlemom ⁣
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If you need a break and pop a pizza in the oven do so comfortably! (By the way I recently tried @eatbanza new frozen pizza and it was AMAZING if you want to try with your kiddos :) ⁣
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Point is, stop stressing. If you need a break, take it. Ordering in or serving frozen food does NOT lower your value as a mother, or as a human being. Be kind to yourself today!
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