Have you ever seen someone for the first time in a long time (maybe in person, maybe online) and thought to yourself, ‘There is something different about that person, but I can’t exactly put my finger on it’? This happened to me when I saw Nichole on Facebook. Nichole is the wife of a Marine I trained with in Virginia. Although it was clear that her body had changed quite a bit since years ago when I saw her in person, there was also something deeper that I sensed in her pictures. Was it a newly-found confidence? Was it that she finally took the time to take care of herself instead of solely taking care of the two wonderful males in her life?
When I discovered that Nichole had gone through an entirely exhausting journey before she discovered the magic fix for her, I was amazed. Nichole has such passion for what became her ticket out of a weight-loss circle of successes and failures and into the light as someone who succeeded in losing the weight she so badly wanted to rid herself of.
Pay close attention to her wordage: “a better me”, “serious commitment”, “it’s a way of life”, “it’s a lifestyle change”, and use her story as motivation to think how you can be a better you tomorrow than you were today.
My Journey to Becoming a Fit Mom!
My name is Nichole. I’m a 35-year-old housewife and the mother of an 8-year-old boy. Like many housewives that I have talked to, there comes a time when you start feeling “BLAH” about yourself because you are consistently giving to and taking care of those around you. It leaves you feeling drained and like you are worthless to the rest of the world.
After I became a mother, I became so focused on my family and others around me that I let myself go. I started to struggle to find that healthy body image again. I tried dieting and attempted the lose-weight-fast schemes, but the weight would all come back a year later. It was always a struggle to stay committed. A little over a year ago I started having issues with my throat and stomach, which became a blessing in disguise. It forced me to start researching the things that I put into my body and how the foods I eat affect everything. I refused to take a bunch of different medications, so I began to look at different foods that I needed to eat. I started slowly changing my diet to try to regulate my condition to start a better me. I had started losing weight by making smarter food choices, but I remained at that point of feeling tired and looking for that healthy body image that I was still lacking. I started going to the gym and did multiple cardio machines and some weight-lifting, but it became very boring to me. I had also tried classes, but nothing seemed to stick. Something was still missing. The problem was my mindset. I needed to change my way of thinking.
One night while my son was at his Tae-Kwon-Do class at Emerald Isle Boxing in Cedar Point, NC, I noticed a couple of older women doing some boxing. I sat and watched them and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s pretty awesome. They look like they’re in great shape and I want to look like that.’ So, I decided to try it! That is when everything changed. I finally found something that stuck. But this was not the same kind of change you get where you look awesome in a couple months then gain it right back (like the P90X program). This was a serious commitment–something I had never done–and was honestly scared to try. As I’ve learned, most things that are worth doing start with fear. So, my journey began and I started training with some very inspiring women. Although it does mean a lot to have encouraging people to work out with, it is also very important to build up a support group of people who will hold you accountable. And then there is that one person we all need who pushes you to your limits and is always there to lift you up or to tell you to “suck it up and try harder!” That person would be my coach. He has been my rock in this journey and has changed my way of thinking. He helped me realize that hard work will pay off in time. It’s not a fad; it’s a way of life. It’s a complete lifestyle change. He is always giving his words of wisdom from past experiences. I have learned so much, and I continue to learn and take notes from my coach, Jeff Holt, who really understands the keys training.
Like many others, I am my worst critic, so it’s still hard to just sit back and be proud of the results and the hard work I’ve put in so far. It is a constant battle that I enjoy, and I keep telling myself it’s a lifestyle change. It’s not about looking a certain way or fitting a mold. Change will come in time with hard work.
That is where I’m at today. I have been on this journey for about 8 months now and have loved every minute of it. In the past year, I have lost 30 pounds. A little loss was due to a change in diet, but since I started boxing, I’ve lost 13 total inches off my body! The results are visible and they provide motivation to push me to become a better me.
My current goals are to continue boxing, enroll in a college course to become a personal trainer, and eventually become a women’s boxing instructor. My overall goal is to be the best version of me for my son and my husband. I want to be an inspiration to others, showing that you are never too old to set new goals or dream new dreams. As women, it’s very important to have a healthy body image. You never know who you might inspire. In the world we live in today, we need to be positive influences to other women and young girls. It’s not about looking a certain way, but learning to just love yourself enough to want to be healthy and be the best version of you. My advice is to find something you love and pursue it. You won’t regret it.
So in closing, I want to thank so many who have been my encouragement through this last year. The sweet encouraging notes and comments left on pictures and videos have really kept me going.
Q&A with Nichole:
Q: Boxing is so hardcore! Do you like the hand-to-hand combat aspect of it?
A: I absolutely LOVE IT! I can’t imagine my life without it. I really surprised myself, because I didn’t think I would enjoy it. It’s very empowering.
Q: Have your husband and son noticed a difference in you (besides the obvious physical change?)
A: From Chad, her husband: She is a whole new person. She has a sense of purpose and has found a whole new identity in boxing…it is her life! Her role [at home] has changed! Now, I’m a bit scared of her, because she is really good…I have to be nicer now!
Q: How has this lifestyle change altered your role at home?
A: My role at home has not changed much. I just want my son to see me as someone who is a motivator and helping others to achieve their goals. He tells me he’s proud of me and knows and sees me work and train hard. I try to influence my son to make healthy conscience choices in his life, as well–not in a pushy way–but, I give him options.
Rock on, Nichole!
Related articles
- An Inspirational Fitness Journey (themissfitmama.com)
- How to Succeed at Weight Loss (subasso.wordpress.com)
- JUST a NUMBER (runningrachel.com)
- Weight and Relationships (sassygetsfit.wordpress.com)
What an inspiring woman! She’s so motivating to me. I have decided from the start that I am making a lifestyle change. I never believed diets work. At least not in the long run.
That’s great! So many of us (including me!) have fallen into the diet or quick-fix schemes. You waste your money and your time and then you do it the right way… 🙂
It seems as if everyone falls into it. I am one of those lucky people that can learn from other people’s mistakes (sometimes as least) and choose a better way. I have read too much and seen too many instances when diets have failed. I just never bought into the get-fit-fast crap the corporations have thrown at us. Then again, I always do everything the hard way. I’m difficult like that. Ask my husband! haha!
Haha! I can relate about being difficult!