Healthy Relationships

I couldn’t share about my transformation experience without sharing about my wonderful husband. Over our 5 ½ years of being married, he has been a tremendous support in every aspect of my life. We dated in college for 9 months prior to being engaged, and 9 months later, were married. Since we were engaged during our last semester of college, I thought it would be fun and timely to take a “relationships” class offered at our university. What I thought would be a blow-off class, turned into quite of bit of work for me AND for my future husband, as there were many couples assignments for those in relationships. While I cannot tell you everything I learned, I do remember one thing – studies showed that the #1 reason that couples credited having a successful, satisfied marriage was being involved in SHARED ACTIVITY with exercising together as one of the other top reasons.

With this in mind, I was eager for Chris to join me at Farrell’s. With the exception of running together, most of our working out has taken place individually. I joined at the start of October 2011, and his first day at FXB was 4 days ago. The FXB program includes 6 workouts each week – three days of kickboxing and three days of resistance training. Today was a kickboxing workout, and the FIRST time Chris and I shared a bag. I have to say – IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I loved every second of it.

If I am honest, I was a little nervous about it because we can be a little competitive. Plus, how would he respond if I needed to correct him on his technique? I can’t imagine any husband would be thrilled with that. Luckily, he did awesome. You know, I have always felt protected by him, but after seeing what he did to that bag – wow – I feel extra safe with him now. (So, no one mess with me!)

When we got home, I was overwhelmed with how fortunate I feel that we can do this together. When you workout with your spouse, I believe you are saying, “I want to better myself and be healthy, and I want to do that with you and for you.”  I know that you may or may not be married, but I would encourage you in your current, or future, relationships to be active! Try new things together. I, promise, it will challenge you and grow your relationship. Now, I am not yet a parent, but I think that being active with your children is one of the most important things you can integrate into your family time. Foster those good habits now!

Don’t let excuses get in the way of making this happen with the ones you love. It is easy to blame a lack of finances or a lack of time. It is easy to be “too tired” or just plain scared to push yourself outside your comfort zone, but I tell you want, you can’t afford to NOT make it happen.

Tomorrow, Chris and I will be getting up early to make it to our Saturday workout and then, a breakfast date! We try to go on dates often. Prior to our wedding, our church required pre-marital counseling in which a portion of it took place with the Jones.’ (No, I didn’t change their name for this post – they actually are named Jones.) They are one of the most beautiful couples I have met, and they encouraged us to continue dating after marriage - even if it was grabbing coffee together to talk. Maybe it’s time for a date for you – maybe even a workout date,  if you’re feeling adventurous.

I hope you’ve had a great week, and thank you for reading. I, certainly, don’t know it all, but am happy to share my experience and pass on some of the things I have learned along the way.

I am doing this and SO CAN YOU! Make it a Level 10 day!

Reaching Level 10

Welcome to my new blog - Level 10 Day! Here, I will give you a daily dose of fitness inspiration, nutritious recipes, tips for reaching your goals and insights on reaching your own 'Level 10' each day. Plus, I will share my own journey of transformation - the victories, the struggles, new adventures and probably some fun and fashion along the way (I don't care what anyone says - you can workout HARD and still look good while doing it).

If you don't know me, which at this point, I am sure you probably all do, I have always prided myself as being an optimist and someone who strives for her best. So, last October, when I was first introduced to the idea of "Living at Level 10" through Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping (FXB), I welcomed the concept and accepted the challenge. But, I soon realized that when you give your all, you'll probably find that your perceived Level 10 is far less than your actual Level 10.

So, my first challenge to you, is to go out today and try something new. Break your routine! Eat a new food, take a new route to work, run farther than you ever have before, do some push-ups on your toes, try a new lipstick shade, lift more weight or do more reps than usual, just do SOMETHING that is different - perhaps something that scares you. 2011 was a year that brought A LOT of change in my life.  I understand that when things are changing it is easy to hold on to the routine and the comfortable, but you will only surprise yourself when you challenge your view of what is possible.

January 9th starts the next FXB session. Over the next 10-Weeks, I am participating as a maintenance member and an instructor. I am very excited as well that my husband is joining this session as a new member. I invite you to follow me as I continue my transformation journey. Even though I am in the "maintenance" program, I am not yet maintaining. I still have body fat and inches to chisel away, so just like you I am challenging myself to do and accomplish more each day.

Tomorrow, I will be talking more about GOALS. I am a firm believer that goals are best met when you break them down to daily goals and establish daily routines to support these goals.

I am doing this and YOU CAN TOO! Go make it a Level 10 Day!


**Please note that I do not officially represent nor am I affiliated with FXB, other than being a satisfied member. For more information on Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping or a complete listing of locations, visit http://www.extremebodyshaping.com