Tomorrow, April 29th, I will celebrate a pivotal event in my life, a day that I have recognized for the past 4 years. Why? Because this is the day my life was forever changed! It's my Gymnut Fitness birthday-versary (I know its not a word but I can't decide if its a birthday or anniversary.... It's both).
My journey with Gymnut Fitness began April 29, 2013. I walked into Heather Traves’ Fit-in-6 Boot Camp class a stressed and overwhelmed mama of 2 littles, feeling overweight and (dare I say out loud) struggling with anxiety and depression. I was desperate for change.
Just over a year prior my life had also faced change. At this point my struggles involved decisions of reluctant and heartbreaking sacrifice. I had decided to give up my business after six years in which I had invested my heart and soul. Though extremely difficult my motives were pure, focusing on my two “loves” (my son and daughter) was simply more important. The transition was hard, my busy creative mind just would not shut down and I struggled as a full-time stay-at-home Mom. Still more than a year later I wrestled with my purpose and feeling overwhelmed most of the time.
The first weeks of Boot Camp were grueling. My body screamed “out of shape”!Sore muscles, dizziness, and Oh let’s add some hyper-ventilation to that! After a visit to the Doc to make sure I didn’t have serious issues I still went back for more. Nothing like a $25 co-pay to say you are just simply out of shape.
I wish I could say my anxieties and stress dissipated with my intense workouts. But they didn’t, at least not right away. Now adding to the monstrous pile of stress was the end of the school year, moving to a new house (with my two kiddos in tow), and some family struggle. I recall one morning in mid-June on my way to class, tears streaming down my face , I did not know how I would get through it without an emotional breakdown. But you know what, I did! That day I took all my frustrations and I pushed through hard. And each class following I kept pushing harder. I used Boot Camp as an outlet to help me through my struggles. At that time I wasn’t thinking (much) about the weight I was losing or the physical changes my body was undergoing. I was still hiding under my yoga pants and baggy t-shirts.
It was in my second six weeks of boot camp that I decided to actually set a goal for myself. In seven weeks I was turning thirty-five, my goal was to reach a total loss of twenty pounds. I was already about half way there. I felt confident that I could lose the rest. Heather advised I adjust my diet cutting out all processed foods, eating GOOD carbs., proteins, and fats.
Yes, I did reach my goal losing twenty-five pounds and sixteen inches overall, to date! And, it was an amazing journey. Hard but amazing! I lost the weight but gained so much more. I can’t even believe the results that I was seeing. Physically stronger, more flexible, and in better shape than I had ever been. It is no coincidence that God put me on this path. Heather Traves and Gymnut Fitness became so much more than an opportunity for physical change. For me it was a mental transformation as well as spiritual journey. Heather and the Gymnut girls pushed me and encouraged me to do better each class. Seeing the tremendous results helped me gain more self-confidence, and motivation. The added bonus was killer arms, legs and abs to go with it!
Though I had completed my first goal it was just the beginning. I continued my fitness journey that year with an opportunity that I never thought possible, competing in Woman's Physique Bodybuilding. In 10 weeks time my trainer/coach Heather, with Gymnut Fitness , encouraged me and pushed me to limits I never thought I could ever go. In this journey I faced challenges that allowed me to grow and change physically but also spiritually and further strengthening my self-confidence. On November 23, 2013 I took the stage at MT. RODGERS BIKINI, FIGURE, PHYSIQUE, AND BODYBUILDING COMPETITION WOODBRIDGE, VA. and was an Overcomer of many things!
From top left: Where I began, this was taken shortly before I started bootcamp. Bottom left: Taken during my first weight lifting session for competition prep. Right: Competition Stage photo. Check out more Before & After photos here
During my competition prep I became fascinated with nutrition and it was there a new passion was born, to help others understand better health.
NOW FOUR YEARS LATER THE JOURNEY CONTINUES...….
God carried me through many struggles since that day I walked on stage, but I have had a few new amazing accomplishments to speak of as well! In July 2016 I received my Certification in Fitness Training with ISSA. It took more than two years for this to become a reality for me. I've also become quite the nutrition nerd, continuously learning all I can. As I was searching, with some trial and error, for a nutritional company that I could trust with my personal goals as well as fit my vision to help others, I was introduced to Shaklee. After 8 months of using the products I became a distributor, in January 2017. I found that Shaklee is leading the industry with the safest, most pure and potent nutritional products on the market ; out performing any product I've have seen . Shaklee is supported by (not sponsoring) High Performance Olympic Athletes with 137 metals combined. This alone was enough for me to jump on board. Knowing how incredibly strict these athletes must be with what enters their bodies was a definite aha moment for me. But, all in all, what this company has proven to offer has been enough to blow the mind of this #nutritionnerd! I have learned so much and I know I've barely scratched the surface. Shaklee is education/resource driven not product/sales driven. I LOVE THAT! Educating people in proper nutrition has become my ultimate passion , something I feel God has put on my heart.
With these two incredible resources, an ISSA Certification and nutritional products at my fingertips, I am super excited to see where God will take me from here!
Continue to join me on Fridays as I bring "Fit Fridays" to Unpolished Rubies where I will be sharing Healthy Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Fitness insights and tips Unpolished Rubies style . Have a question or "Fit Friday" topic? Email me melissakmacgregor@gmail.com.
Remember YOU are a Ruby!
God carried me through many struggles since that day I walked on stage, but I have had a few new amazing accomplishments to speak of as well! In July 2016 I received my Certification in Fitness Training with ISSA. It took more than two years for this to become a reality for me. I've also become quite the nutrition nerd, continuously learning all I can. As I was searching, with some trial and error, for a nutritional company that I could trust with my personal goals as well as fit my vision to help others, I was introduced to Shaklee. After 8 months of using the products I became a distributor, in January 2017. I found that Shaklee is leading the industry with the safest, most pure and potent nutritional products on the market ; out performing any product I've have seen . Shaklee is supported by (not sponsoring) High Performance Olympic Athletes with 137 metals combined. This alone was enough for me to jump on board. Knowing how incredibly strict these athletes must be with what enters their bodies was a definite aha moment for me. But, all in all, what this company has proven to offer has been enough to blow the mind of this #nutritionnerd! I have learned so much and I know I've barely scratched the surface. Shaklee is education/resource driven not product/sales driven. I LOVE THAT! Educating people in proper nutrition has become my ultimate passion , something I feel God has put on my heart.
With these two incredible resources, an ISSA Certification and nutritional products at my fingertips, I am super excited to see where God will take me from here!
Continue to join me on Fridays as I bring "Fit Fridays" to Unpolished Rubies where I will be sharing Healthy Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Fitness insights and tips Unpolished Rubies style . Have a question or "Fit Friday" topic? Email me melissakmacgregor@gmail.com.
Remember YOU are a Ruby!
❤Melissa
RSS Feed
