Wowza.  I’m finally posting about my body transformation from over the years! Who knew it would be so dramatic.  I always knew that I put on a lot of muscle, but didn’t really know how much until I searched for some older photos.

Let’s begin this post with how I originally got into fitness.  I honestly wish I had some sappy post about how I had a poor self image of myself, etc…but that’s not the case.  I was in college, and like most college students, I put on the freshman 15.  When I transferred back home to the University of Louisville and joined the gym that I went to in high school {the same gym that I go to now, actually}, I immediately shed the weight by just taking their cycling classes.  I didn’t even really notice that I had put on weight and then lost it.  I just liked to be generally active and I had found that a spin class was a great mental break and made me feel “good”.  However, I was *truly* ignorant about anything fitness.  I just liked to get some sweat in a few times a week, because I thought that’s what you were supposed to do.

The photos of my before are when I only cycled {hence why I’m so tiny} — the only muscle mass on my body were my quads from pedaling.  My dad used to work out with a trainer and let me join him one day while I was at the gym.  I had realized how weak I actually was.  The trainer was kind of horrified, if we’re being honest.  I couldn’t chest press ten pounds…seriously.

It was quite the wakeup call, but more importantly, I really liked the way I felt after that workout.  I decided to try to take other group fitness classes.  I didn’t feel comfortable conquering gym equipment on my own, and as a college student, I couldn’t pay for a trainer.   So, I started doing a kickboxing class once a week with a friend of mine {along with the cycling classes}.  This was the class that opened my eyes to a new type of working out.  It was the first time I had ever done ‘circuits’ and I would be drenched in sweat each time.  I felt invigorated, and like I’ve said so many times before, it’s addicting.

Slowly, I tried more group fitness classes…ones that put me outside of my comfort zone.  I began to religiously take TRX classes, and the muscle definition became *real*… aaaand just like that, I got into fitness.

I had always been active.  I was a tennis player my whole life and always loved a good workout, but I was just ignorant about weight lifting, cardio, nutrition, etc.  Even when I was taking group fitness classes and developing my interest in fitness, I still had no idea about nutrition.  I just ate whatever I wanted in small amount– had no concept of carbs, protein, or fats.  I had no idea that food fueled your workouts and your body.

I would set certain goals for myself.  I would set aside one day of the week to explore gym equipment.  This was extremely uncomfortable for me, but I knew I needed to do it.  I wanted to build muscle and I wanted it to be a long term lifestyle change.  I did tons of research. I read articles and articles and articles, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I learned to calculate my macros and track them.  I learned all about supplements and how to optimize my workouts. I learned how to navigate the gym equipment with my eyes practically closed.  I wrote all of my workouts down in my phone the night before so that I would be prepared and wouldn’t feel lost in the gym. And, like I said, it was addicting.  When you feel a change, you really can’t stop.  You see a line that you haven’t seen before in a muscle group, your energy levels are suddenly higher, your sleep at night is deeper.

I loved the way my body looked back then, and I love the way it looks now — but I have since learned that ‘look’ isn’t everything.  Instead, it’s about how you feel.  I feel strong, healthy, and beautiful, and that’s why I do this everyday.  That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing my fitness tips and workout routines with y’all.  Because I know what it feels like to not know how to workout on your own.  I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed when walking into a gym.

But I also know what if feels like to crush a great workout, to wake up with sore glutes, and to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

If you’re interested in doing the same, then take a look at my weekly workout routines that I post every Monday on here AND subscribe to my fitness channel so that you never miss a workout video again! This Fitness Q&A should also clarify a lot of your FAQ as well!

I want to leave y’all with one tip: start tomorrow.  Exercise tomorrow.  Grab a healthy lunch tomorrow.  It’s never too late.  And trust me, I’d take confidence over regret any day.