I’m not sure why we choose to make big changes at the start of a new year, but I think it has to do with the idea of a new beginning. Clean state, fresh start, etc…all good reasons to try and create goals for yourself! So maybe New Year’s resolutions don’t always pan out. Trying is better than doing nothing in my opinion! For so long I didn’t make resolutions because I knew they were doomed to fail.
This time I decided to change things up a bit and start at the end of December. Maybe if I trick my mind a little bit, I’m more likely to follow through.
I have partnered with 9 Round of Irmo for my little kick start to a healthier year.
They graciously gifted me 3 months of membership in exchange for social coverage and most importantly, a promise to dedicate myself to working as hard as I can in those 3 months. I’ve committed to going to 9 Round 3 times a week AT LEAST. It’s not easy to get there with the kids and conflicting schedules, but with the help of my husband and mother in law, I’m finding ways to make it happen.
I’ve worked out with 9 Round before and I love it! The concept is that it’s a 30 minute high intensity kickboxing circuit that will work muscles you never even knew you had!
My problem with regular gyms is that as a newbie, I’m pretty clueless when it comes to the big machines and equipment. In my experience, I will look around a bit before settling on 30 minutes on the treadmill. I find it hard to work up the confidence to “pump iron” in a gym full of people, probably doing it wrong.
At 9 Round, I don’t have that problem! You come in and jump right into a workout at the sound of the bell. Every 3 minutes the bell will ring and you do a different workout. In between circuits you do “mini workouts” like flutter kicks, squat jumps, push ups, etc. At each new round, if you don’t already know what to do, a trainer will come explain it and even show you how to do it. 9 Round is all about boxing, but your only opponent is yourself. Train harder, get stronger, kick higher, and beat your own personal best each time. I always leave 9 Round feeling so powerful and confident (and sweaty)!
Usually when I start a new workout routine, my eating naturally becomes healthier. Why do I want to do all that work for nothing? They say abs are made in the kitchen, you know!
Aside from trying to cut out added sugar, I’m not going to go insane with dieting. I don’t believe any kind of crazy diet or detox is really healthy, and they don’t work for me anyway. When I try to tell myself no too much, I get angry and fall (hard) off the wagon. I’m also breastfeeding and I don’t want to lose my supply.
SO right now the plan/my goal is this:
Get stronger
Lose some weight/inches
Gain confidence
Do 9 Round at least 3 days a week
Take walks on all other days and 9 Round days if possible
Cut out excess sugar
Drink more water
Make healthier food choices
Here are a few recent photos that show my size and general level of health right now. I DID just give birth 2 months ago and I’m giving myself a little grace there, but I want to share more than just two far off photos of myself! When I’ve completed my 3 months at 9 Round I will update with before and after weight and inches!
I’m dedicating myself to this for the next 3 months at which time my 9 Round membership will end and I will come back and write another blog post about my journey and my results. If you’re local to the Columbia area, come work out with me sometime! Your first workout is free at 9 Round! If you’re looking for something fun and challenging to kick your fitness in gear, come try it out! Huge thanks to Chris at 9 Round Irmo for this awesome opportunity!
What’s one of your goals for the new year?
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