My whole life has been centered around fitness and most of my youth was spent being an elite swimmer. Now, I am a full-time working mom of four-year old triplets. When the girls were born, my exercise routine was put on the back burner and I watched as my image in the mirror morphed into something I didn’t recognize. The first two years of motherhood were all about survival. As time passed I’d try puttering around gyms not really knowing what I was doing, I’d run outside and explore new areas, but nothing stayed consistent.
In June 2020, a friend of mine invited me to come try a free outdoor workout. A small local gym put together a workout a few times a week to give back to the community during the pandemic. I liked it! I liked the structure, the direction and that I could take the kids and let them run and play with other kids while I was working out. I was clearly the biggest person there by A LOT and I felt so out of place, but the attitude and community of people were so down to earth that I kept coming back.
It got colder and the outdoor workouts ended. With my mother-in-law’s encouragement I bought a membership to Shred415 Castle Rock and started going into the studio. I found my stride with the 5am crowd and made connections I never expected with both the instructors and the members. Soon thereafter, I was attending the 5 am classes every day before work with the same core group of wonderful people -my day doesn’t feel right without seeing their faces.
Since June, I’m down over 75 pounds in my weight loss journey. I made a goal to complete my 100th class before the New Year (check, done!) and feel stronger and faster than I have since I swam in college. I’m with a group that pushes me to be my best and I’m excited to see how much more I can grow in 2021. I’m so thankful that I found such a great community that has me excited to move every day!
