Help Wanted? Got it.

The quote that started it all...

Since my last desperate post for help, I found it. In the form of my husband, Michelle Rivera, a Couch-2-5K app, the Hilldale Family Life Center, Visalus, and all of the people who "like" my daily workout posts on Facebook.

Let's start with my husband. We've had the conversation many times since Ava was born that I wanted to do something. I wanted my body back, I wanted to get back to where I was before I got pregnant with her, and go even further than that. We formulated a plan: I would wake up at 5am every morning during the week, and go to our church's Family Life Center, exercise, and come home before he left for work. I didn't know WHAT I was going to do since I was used to bootcamp, but I knew I needed to do something. That's when I remembered this Couch-2-5K thing, and got out ole' trusty (aka my iPhone) and downloaded that sucker. I have never ever ever EVER liked running. In fact, I'd rather be dancing, but I don't think anyone has a ballet, tap, or jazz class at 5am. So I decided to give it a try. I needed a boost. I also need accountability. 

This is where Michelle came in. She had been wanting to get in her daily runs for a long time. She agreed to the early wake-up call, and her boy "Dimples" comes over every morning and crashes back to sleep on our couch while my kids are sound asleep too. Together, we ride to the FLC and get our run on. Now, Michelle is an experienced runner, Warrior Dasher, Half marathoner, "I think it would be cool to run home from work after already running at 5:30am" kind of gal. I could be intimidated. Instead, I am inspired. She always tells me I rocked it, (even when I know I didn't), and she was running beside me the last two minutes of my first ever 20 minute STRAIGHT run. She knows how hard it is for me, and how I like to beat myself up. She doesn't let me. And I love her every day for that.

*Changing subjects before I get too mushy, b/c Shell is not a mushy person, except in secret. Shhhh!*

Visalus...this is an added bonus that several of my friends have tried, and a few actually promote. They are basically meal replacement shakes that I drink in the morning and at lunch, and I only eat dinner. They keep me full ALL DAY LONG and I don't even have the urge to snack. (hardly ever!) The mix smells like cake mix, and if I didn't trust my friends, I would think that these shakes (my how GOOD they taste) would be making me GAIN weight instead of lose it! My favorite recipes so far are Peanut Butter Cup, Oreo Cheesecake, and Butterfinger. Yes, you heard me right...!!!! If you want to look into them, my website for the shakes is http://ammckinley.bodybyvi.com/challenge 

And to all of you who read my daily posts about my progress with the Couch-2-5K app and exercises, THANK YOU. I post them on Facebook to keep myself accountable, but knowing that I've inspired some people to start exercising and eating right, even one person, is all the validation I need.

I finally feel like I'm on the right track, and that I'm DEFINITELY not going back. Other parts of my life might be crazy, but I feel in control with my fitness and eating. (STAY AWAY, CANDY CORN!!!) 

I leave you with another inspirational quote:)