If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!

I have never been overweight. In fact, as a teenager, I desperately tried my best to gain weight as I was so unhappy with my skinny self. Skinny doesn't always equate happier. I was unhealthy, I ate whatever I wanted and had absolutely NO energy whatsoever. To me, there was no "healthy" way to gain weight, THAT was something that I never bothered to consider.

I eventually reached a weight that I was ok with, it still wasn't where I truly felt happy, but content, I guess.

The years went by. I got married to my high school boyfriend in 2009, and in 2012, we had a beautiful baby girl.

I had only gained 25 lbs. during my whole pregnancy and felt great! Post-partum, I did have baby weight to lose that I felt uncomfortable with. I had the bulk of the weight in my mid-section and now faced the opposite of what I never thought that I would have to do: LOSE weight!

I breast fed exclusively, which helped burn lots of calories. But my diet, consisted of processed, fake, convenience foods as I was caught up in the joy and exhaustion of being a new Mommy. My own health was put on the back burner.

July of last year, my daughter had a bad ear infection. She's a momma's girl, of course (wouldn't have it any other way), and when she gets sick, she just wants to be "uppy Mommy." That's perfectly fine with me, but it took it's toll when you aren't able to cook a sensible meal and eat appropriately. I ended up with tonsillitis, something that I have NEVER had before. My husband works away for 3 week hitches at a time, and our child only seems to get sick when he's away.

To make a long story short. After feeling like I was dying a slow death, I decided that I needed to take better care of myself. I am basically a single mother for half of the year. My daughter was counting on me to be there for her. How could I take the best care of her, if I was neglecting myself? It was then that I decided that I was going to make the change.

I researched at home fitness programs online and refreshed myself on clean eating. I had to choose am at home workout program due to the fact that working full time and having a husband that was away for half of the time, that was going to be best for ME. I youtubed P90X transformations and eventually found my coach who enrolled me into her challenge group. THAT'S what I needed a challenge group!!! Something to keep me accountable! I was afraid that with an at home workout, I would easily fall off of the wagon. I was kept motivated by my coach as well as my co-challengers.

I worked out to P90X about 5 days a week and drank Shakeology EVERY day. It got me in the best shape ever! But then....

The challenge group ended. BUT, it takes 21 days to create a habit and I was HOOKED! I had to workout and eat healthfully. It was just me now, it was "how I roll!" :)

I continued my journey, I finished P90X. I finished OVER 90 days of Chalean Extreme because I loved it soo much and LOVED the results that I saw from it.

Now, I'm on my 2nd block of P90X3 and am just getting stronger! I have made a lifestyle change that I LOVE and am able to keep!

June 2, 2014 begins my next Challenge Group. If you are ready to be in the best shape of your life and be healthy and energized, apply at the link below:

 https://nbowles.wufoo.com/forms/challenge-group-application/