Yesterday I reach day 45 of my Wedding Season Workout and let me tell you, I feel incredible! I started out this season not being able to carry my camera bag up a flight of stairs without breaking a sweat and losing my breath and after 45 days of a consistent workout routine and eating better, that has completely changed!

Now I will say that I didn’t work out on wedding days, I considered those my rest days and there was a day or two when I forgot to take a sweaty selfie but I can assure you that I did not miss one day! For the longest time I knew I wanted to get back into shape and would get pumped about working out and would do it for two days and then that was it… life got in the way, there was no time, I was exhausted, a cookie sounded way better, it was hot out, it was cold out… I had every excuse in the book! So after months and months of trying to get into a routine and failing I knew something had to change and in fact many things did.

I’m about to get even more vulnerable here.. as if sweaty selfies aren’t enough. At the beginning of this year I was in a state of confusion, self doubt, loneliness, and heartache. I became unhappy with myself, what I was and wasn’t doing, and felt so lost in this big world of ours. So I resorted to reading some books and one thing that was common between all of them was to take time for yourself and within that time do something to better yourself and don’t worry about another soul. WOAH! We hear this all the time, take some time for yourself, treat yourself, go eat that ice cream, go buy that new shirt. But none of those things contribute to making ourselves better. Yes, they may satisfy our happiness but only for a short time before we fall right back into how we were feeling before. I decided that instead of indulging in my weaknesses (chocolate chip cookies and ice cream) I wanted to take my “me time” and work on being healthier. So one day I decided to run around my yard a few times. I know that may seam a little silly and my neighbors may have looked at me a little weird, but who cares?! I was running!! ME! Nicole Weeks. The girl who hates running so much that she stopped playing field hockey and tried volleyball instead! The girl who would rather walk 5 miles in the hot summer sun than run 1 mile in the shade.. but I sucked it up and gave it a shot! The next day I did the same thing and added in some squats and lunges and before I knew it I was running a mile on the treadmill, doing incline workouts, lifting weights, strengthening my core and sweating like a mad woman… but I feel amazing and am loving every second!

40 minutes a day. 40 minutes of watching Grey’s Anatomy while I run and walk and sweat. 40 minutes of uninterrupted time to do something for myself. That’s it, just 40 minutes. 

Now not only am I a lot happier but I have so much more motivation and feel even more creative than before. I also began to notice that my shorts became baggy and a few shirts that fit perfect were a bit loose. I do suppose that it’s a good problem to have right?!

I will admit that it has been hard. Very hard and some days it takes every ounce of will power to lace up my sneakers and get on the treadmill. EVERY. SINGLE. OUNCE! But when something makes you feel that good not only about yourself nut about your mental well being, it’s worth it. Plus I always felt guilty when 9:30pm rolled around and I hadn’t workout yet so at 10pm I begin my run. I tried the whole wake up early and workout before the day starts thing and that was definitely not for me so nighttime it is!

I wouldn’t post these sweaty selfies if I didn’t fully believe that working out is a game changer. If you are going through a rough patch in your life try exercising. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, boosts happiness, gives you more energy, helps you sleep, increases your self confidence (which we all need more of!), alleviates anxiety, and so many more amazing things. I’m not saying go out and train for a marathon (but totally go for it if that’s your thing), I’m saying to just start. Start small, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

And if you need some motivation, I will be right here to cheer you on! Never ever be afraid to reach out to me for some encouragement, tips, recipes for healthy but yummy treats, or just to say hi!

YOU GOT THIS, I BELIEVE IN YOU!!