Getting in Shape with Albion Fit + A Giveaway!

You may or may not know that back in 2008 I decided to serve a mission for the LDS Church. At the time I was a personal trainer and in the best shape of my life. I would train for and run 2 marathons a year, I was participating in boot camp classes and also teaching them every Saturday with a group of friends, doing yoga, lifting weights regularly, dancing, etc. So from 2009-2010 for 18 months I served down in Brazil as a missionary. It was the most amazing time of my life! I could go on and on about how much I loved it. It definitely did take a tole on my body as I'm sure most missionaries can relate.

You lose yourself so much in the marvelous work you're doing, you literally forget yourself. I still worked out while I was there and we walked everywhere but it was not as vigorous and as for my diet we ate what was given to us...Grateful as you can possibly imagine for that. I didn't technically gain "weight" while I was there, my weight stayed the same.... but I lost all my muscle and my clothes fit very different.

When I got home, I lost about 15 lbs. over the course of 6 months. I didn't really do anything to lose that weight just kinda happens when you can now decide what you're eating and when you're eating haha. I did a couple 5k's, would run on occasion, did a little zumba but I was finding it difficult to really kick it in gear and get back to where I was! Sometimes I would go weeks without working out and I hated that! I kinda felt worn out. I couldn't ever really get into a routine. So.... The beginning of this summer (mind you, this is 4 years later!) I kinda put my foot down.

With a lot of changes that have happened this year with moving and trying to figure out the next chapter of my life, I decided I wanted to really focus on being well rounded in all aspects of my life. Focus on being more spiritual, still continue to build my relationships with my family, be able to support myself comfortably, prioritize, use my time wisely, and feel better physically! So my bestie McCall and I decided to sign up for a half marathon in June. I started running a few times a week. It was hard! Really hard.

To shorten this boring story...The half marathon went well. I didn't feel nearly prepared for it, but it felt so good to finish that race and feel my motivation rising to continue improving on what I had started to rebuild! I continued running after that more and more, thankfully gained an awesome running buddy (I highly recommend having a friend to schedule regular exercise times with.) I am now running faster, feeling stronger, and again feeling that motivation that I had before my mission that I didn't feel would ever come back! Now that I'm at this point, I don't want to lose it...So without fail I am working out 4-5 times a week. Three 4-5 mile runs also started doing a Cardio Barre class. I love the contrast. Barre is very low impact but my muscles feel like jello by the time we leave. Feels good to feel good. I'm not saying I'm perfect and have reached the finale...Some days I think I just don't wanna!

But I'm now to a point where I don't let myself have a choice. I have conquered that dreaded hump that always seems impossible to get over. My point to all this is, if you feel like you can't...You can. Make a goal and just start! Don't start tomorrow, start today. And push yourself beyond what you think you can do. Have faith in yourself. These are things that have helped me a lot.

 I'm excited to celebrate my fitness journey with Albion Fit. I have been wanting to add new workout gear to my wardrobe mostly because mine is very few and far between and totally worn out or outdated. I prefer clothes that I don't need to even worry about adjusting while I work out. I'm wearing their Petal Pants and have been nothing but happy with how they fit and how they stay in place as I work out. So comfy and flattering. Another pair is definitely on my wishlist!

 Photo credit: LC Photography

Albion Fit is offering 15% off your purchase on their website using code "buckley15". (Code good only until 8/17.) They have swimsuits, (want THIS ONE) cute sweatshirts, (I'll take THIS ONE) and all the fitness gear you will need. 

Also....A $50 gift card to their website is up for grabs!  The two required entries are: 1-Visit Albion Fit's website and tell me in the comment section below what you would spend your $50 credit on and 2- Make sure to follow them on Instagram. All other entries are extra!  Giveaway will end next friday 8/15. Good luck!

Here's to getting fit and looking good while doing it!

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