Making goals a reality

Growing up, I was never the skinny girl. I always had extra weight that I was insecure about. In high school I tried out for the school dance team. I was in a group with 2 other girls and we had to perform a 1 minute routine in front of the dance team judges. There were a ton of girls trying out and only a few open spots for freshmen, like me. I did my best, but was very unsure I was good enough to make the team. I especially didn't think that I LOOKED good enough to get on the team. Everyone else was wearing size 1 pants, was in shape, and I was not! But fail or not, I put my whole heart into it and didn't give up. 

I did make it, and it was close. Real close. So close that the other 2 girls I auditioned with didn't make the cut. I did it! I was happy! But little did I know, this was the beginning of a long hard semester...

Practices began that next week. We were still on summer break. Practice would be all day long Monday through Friday! I could not wait for school to start because then we would only have practice 3 hours a day! It was so much work! And took up so much of my time. In the moment- it really sucked. It was torture! I would be so wore out by the end of the day, I didn't want to go hang out with friends or do anything! But it was a sacrifice I had chose to make. I wanted to be on the dance team.  I wanted to be good. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do this! 

And I did, I made it through the whole season and felt like I had accomplished something that I always dreamed about doing. There were times when I wanted to quit so bad. I'm pretty sure my mom wanted me to quit too!! But there were just a few people that encouraged me to keep pursuing it and to not give up. I look back and am so grateful that I didn't give up! 

I was reminded of this experience because of a season of life I just went through. After having Jalen, I never ever thought I would have been able to "get back where I was". I was starting to become content with how things were because I didn't think I could do anything to change it. After my pregnancy, I had developed a terrible eating habit, little motivation to workout, was just exhausted. "This is it. This is life. I will just have to deal with it"- those were my thoughts.

But boy am I sure glad I had people around me to snap me out of that!! 

My husband and friend Katie have been a huge support to me in this journey of "back to who I was". And the best part about this is. I am in better shape now than I was before I was pregnant! And even before I was married! 

It takes serious dedication. Time. Commitment. And encouragement. I have found so much joy in the accomplishments I have done for myself. Not that I want to be "better" than others, but I want to be the best that I can be. I want to be able to stay active with my kids, live a healthy life, and help others do the same! Needless to say, I am not at the end; I still have a long ways to go for where I want to be. But I will rejoice in the milestones I have hit and let that encourage me and others to keep pursuing my goals!

Here is a before and now picture of my journey. I am grateful for the support I have gotten from my family, friends, and advocare! 

And yes- I know I am white. Lol.