Powerful Transformations Are Not Just Physical

I'm a Beachbody Coach. 

Wait! Just wait. I'm not here to sell you anything. I have a point. A good one. Just hear me out.

So, as a Beachbody Coach, my newsfeed is filled with other fitness-minded folks, many of them also coaches. And most of them have these amazing transformation stories to share. Their before and after photos are amazing. I have long been a fan of those stories of physical transformation. Of people that challenge and push themselves to become stronger, healthier, fitter.

I don't have one of those. I mean, I've gotten stronger, healthier, and fitter through Beachbody Coaching. But a 10 pound weightloss and more toned muscles does little to inspire when you have those amazing folks with 50, 100, 150 pound transformations. In comparison, it just doesn't seem that hard to tone up and drop a few pounds.

Seriously, this was a big deal for me.

But it is hard. Or, rather, it is so easy to just live with those extra 10 pounds, weak, unhealthy, and cramming bags of Doritos into my mouth every night. (Like, every. single night. Bags of them.) I mean, it's not like I look unhealthy. Because the unhealthy is on the inside, where you can't see it. But I could feel it.

You can't see my transformation as easily as a great weightloss story, but it's there. My clothes fit better. I feel stronger. I run faster, longer. Nothing you would really notice in a before and after photo. I haven't lost 50 pounds or dropped 3 sizes. 

But my transformation has been just as dramatic. 

I've lost self-doubt and gained self-confidence. A lot of it.

I've dropped negativity and replaced it with goals. Positivity.

I have vision, focus, determination, motivation, and a huge heart filled with gratitude. 

So, you see, just because someone can't take a photo of it doesn't mean your transformation isn't very real and very powerful. You don't have to have some amazing weightloss story to inspire others. The inspiration is inside of you. And really, if one looks closely enough, they can see it in your eyes, your smile, and the way you carry yourself a little higher. 

Click here to learn more about starting your own transformation.

A Message To My Younger Single Mom Self

This moment...

I know you're tired. I know you want to go out with your friends. I know you just want one damn second to yourself. I know the last thing you want to do after working all day is sit on the floor playing action figures or driving to two different soccer practices on two different fields on opposite ends of town. I know you feel grumpy and resentful at how much time everyone demands from you. Where is YOUR time??? I know you snap at them and don't always take the time you should. I know you're tired of cooking and cleaning and doing math problems at 11pm because homework these days is ridiculous. No, really. Why did they change math? Wasn't it just fine when 35+35 just equaled 70? When you just added the fives and carried the freakin one? Why wasn't that enough? Why does it now have to take 15 steps to figure that out??? Two steps was plenty!

But I digress. The point is, I know. You love your kids, but some days...some days you realize how much easier your life would have been...

I know. You were way too young when you became a parent. Parenthood is hard. Single parenthood is impossible. 

Except that it's not.

So, the next time you are at your lowest, resenting your kids and contemplating what life could have been, just remember this picture.

Because this picture, this moment right here makes every moment of exhaustion, anger, stress, worry, regret, frustration, desperation, resentment, every negative emotion you've ever felt about single parenting just fade away. 

Knowing that these two young men love you unconditionally, value you, respect you, appreciate you makes it all worthwhile. Knowing that these two phenomenal human beings have your back erases any hint of what could have been. They know what you've sacrificed to make them who they are and because of that, these two exception people will have your back for the rest of your life. 

And make no mistake. They are exceptional. And you did that. You created and shaped and developed two exceptional human beings. I know you weren't always the mom you could have been, should have been. You've messed up. A lot. And you will make more mistakes. But in the end, you got it right. 

And this moment...

There are no words.