Inspiring Me

Thanksgiving has become such a warm & fuzzy day for my family. We have adopted a new tradition that has held strong two years in a row now.

We call it our "Thankful Gift". It's similar to a secret santa, where we draw a name out of a hat and then we must give this person a gift that demonstrates what about them we are thankful for.

I was excited when I found out my dad had drawn my name.


He has been been one of my biggest supporters throughout my fitness journey (and all things in life I have taken on). He told me that he was proud of all the goals I have accomplished. He explained that he was proud of the way I have been telling others my story through my blogging and how it has blossomed into so much more than just a place to talk about my goals. My passion for fitness and goal setting has started a running group, gotten my brother into running and probably even influenced or inspired people through my fitness journey by blogging about it. He is proud of my excitement & inspiration.

He gave me this gift.


A mirror that was framed by wine corks. He said I have inspired others around me and he wanted me to see the inspiration in myself. A perfect gift indeed.

I then became full of tears.


I do try to take notice of my accomplishments, but more so in a way to gage progress. I have never actually thought about being inspired by my own self. I am so excited to look into the mirror and see me - a girl who only a year ago had low self esteem, couldn't run a mile without stopping, had stopped caring... but now a beautiful exciting passionate inspiring running marathoner-in-the-making spinning kickboxing blogging full of life woman.

I appreciate this gift because every time I look into the mirror I will be inspired by what I see.

Today I see the beginning of 30 days of Shredding! :)


I jumped out of bed at 6:30 am this morning and started Day #1 of the 30 Day Shred.

Day #1: I started on level 1 and plan to do this level for about a week. I was surprised at how hard this workout seemed this morning. I had visited the gym 4 days last week and was lifting over 15lbs in each hand - thinking 5 lbs today would be cake. OH NO it wasn't. It was hard.

My legs are STILL sore from the leg press last Friday, causing pain in my knees when I did certain exercises. But the key is consistency. I am building up my muscles & my endurance a little at a time.

I was not so excited to take my measurements & before photos last night, but I did it as inspiration. I can't wait to see the difference in my body in 30 days.

Happy Shredding, Holiday Bootie Bustering & Piling On the Miles (It has been extended one more month). This gives me a chance to redeem myself and reach my goal of 50 miles!