Make Yourself a Priority to Reach Your Fitness Goals

I started a health journey at the beginning of 2015 and as we draw near to 2016, I’m pleased to say I’m still going strong! In fact, I find myself pushing harder now than ever before. Although I haven’t yet hit every goal I set, I’m still looking down the road I’m headed with a positive outlook. As I approach my health anniversary, I thought it would be good to revisit what happened when I made myself a priority. 

My 2015 Health Goals

1. Consistently buy my size in clothing in the single digits
2. Run a 5K
3. Do a proper clean and jerk (Mind out of the gutter; it’s a weightlifting term.)
4. To not say, “Does this make my belly look fat?”
5. To not feel gross when going out because I don’t like the way that I look
6. Lose 50lbs

These were the goals I worked towards in 2015 and I’m so close to a few of them!

Make Yourself a Priority to Reach Your Fitness Goals

It’s no secret I’ve taken this journey with the help of a personal trainer and enrolment in bootcamp. Without those two key elements, I might have given up when the process became difficult. There are many days I wouldn’t have gone to class had my bootcamp friends not messaged me the night before or even the hour before to confirm our sweat dates. The only classes I missed along the way were when I was  traveling or sick. Because I made myself a priority, I showed up.

The cost of getting fit and healthy isn’t always discussed. People frequently comment that working with a personal trainer or attending regular bootcamp is unattainable for them because of the expense. I can’t lie, it’s definitely an investment. But it’s an investment in yourself. At the beginning of the year I made myself a priority and determined that I was worth the investment! 

What’s surprising is that when I looked at what I was spending before and after committing to a healthy lifestyle, the after was less expensive.

Take a look at my basic weekly expenses before and after to get a true idea of the cost:

Weekly Expenses Before
Wine                                                             $20
Coffee & Lattes                                           $32
Fast food, lunches and ordering in          $125
Groceries (pre-made frozen)                    $150
Evening snacks (pop, chips, chocolate)   $25            
                                                                       $352

Weekly Expenses After
Personal training 2 sessions a week         $90  ($45 per hour)
Bootcamp twice a week                               $20  ($10 per hour)
Gym (since September)                               $5    ($20/month)
Grocery Cost  (fresh, unprocessed)           $150
Nutrition Supplements                                $17.5
                                                                         $282.50    

These numbers also don’t factor in my Remicade, which has been reduced, or the long term medical benefits that this lifestyle will provide. That’s a cost savings that can’t be measured. I also walk or bicycle  now instead of taking the car or cabs, so there is additional savings on fuel.

The amount I spend on groceries hasn’t changed but what I buy has. I now buy fresh foods and batch cook as often as possible and many of meals are pre-cooked and ready to go for most breakfasts and lunches. This helps me stay on track with healthy choices. Dinners are usually made fresh each night, and I keep boiled eggs and cooked chicken on hand for a quick protein source.

Wine did not make the After list. I haven’t stopped drinking wine but the number of bottles has gone from one or two per week to one a month. Lattes also dropped off the list and are now a thing of the past. I make my coffee at home instead of buying out and I drink it black. When I’m out for the day I carry healthy snacks and water so I can avoid the drive-through. My mindset towards snacks has changed; I still like to nibble in the evening but instead of chips and candy, it’s fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts.

I’m often asked how I could give up these things so easily. It’s not easy, but it gets easier if you have a plan in place. I still occassionally have less healthy snacks (they’re not treats because I’m not a dog and don’t earn treats), and I don’t feel deprived of anything because I eat really really awesome food. If you don’t believe me, check out my Instagram account.

As I approach the first anniversary of my health journey I’ve realized one very important thing, I want my health more than I want anything else. Even that extra glass of wine.