My Transformation
My “A-Ha!” moment happened in 2009. I spent 3 years in the U.S. Air Force but, ironically, I didn’t start exercising consistently until I got out. I wasn’t ready. At that time, my health and fitness wasn’t a priority for me. In the Air Force, we were only required to do a fitness test once a year. As long as we could run 1½ miles in 15 minutes, we passed. I huffed and puffed and somehow managed to cross the finish line just shy of the 15-minute cut-off.
Outside of that, we weren’t required to maintain any consistent exercise throughout the year. So, when I got out of the military I hadn’t developed any healthy fitness habits. I’d take group fitness classes here and there or I’d workout to home fitness DVDs. But it was always cyclical. I’d go hard for a few months and then I’d stop. That became my pattern – start, stop, start, stop. Sound familiar?
In November 2009 is when I had my pivotal “a ha” moment. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was standing in my closet one morning getting ready for work frustrated because none of my pants fit right. They were too tight and were digging in my waist. I literally wanted to cry. I was just shy of 5’4” and 170 lbs – the heaviest I’d ever been in my life. I clearly needed to go up in pants size, but I refused. I knew I had to take control. That was the day I decided to make a change.
I was in the Chalean Extreme Infomercial!
How I Did It
I pulled out my home fitness DVDs and started doing cardio and weight training 5 days a week. I promised myself that I would eat healthy and exercise for an entire year. I started a week before Thanksgiving 2009. Since consistency had always been my issue, I knew I needed reinforcement and accountability. So, I joined an online fitness group and started checking in every day. Just seeing other people talk about their workouts and how great they felt inspired me to keep exercising. I’m competitive by nature, so I wanted to show the group that I could get results too. And I wanted my hard work to pay off. I eliminated junk food and stopped eating the “white stuff” (sugar, bread, potatoes, rice, and pasta) and switched to the whole grain versions instead. I found healthier ways to satisfy my cravings and allowed myself a cheat meal once or twice a month.
Once I incorporated clean eating, the fat started melting off and I felt much more energetic and healthy. The more I saw results, the more I wanted to challenge myself.
A friend told me about a 90-day program by Beachbody called ChaLean Extreme and I decided to give it a try. I ate clean for the entire 3 months, watched my calorie intake and reduced my calorie intake by 500 calories a day (the calorie deficit). I had no idea how much that one decision would impact my life!
30 days into the program, my body started transforming before my eyes. I lost 1-2 pounds a week and could see incredible muscle definition. My stomach was flatter and I could see definition in my obliques. I struggled through the strength training sessions at times, but I didn’t give up. I kept pushing myself to do more and more each week. By the end of the program, I’d lost 32 lbs, built lean muscle, and dropped from a size 12 to a size 4. I started out just wanting to lose a few pounds, and got such incredible results, I ended up being featured in the Chalean Extreme infomercial! That was in 2010 and I haven’t looked back since.
I finished ChaLean Extreme on May 1, 2010, and rewarded myself by getting certified to teach Turbo Kick, my “soul mate” workout. At 40+ years old, I can honestly say I’m in the BEST shape of my life!
How I Pay It Forward
My fitness journey didn’t just change my body, it changed my life. It felt so empowering knowing I had the discipline to change the things in my life I wasn’t happy with. I started the Jiggle Free Zone to help women of every background and every age experience that same feeling of empowerment.
Since Beachbody’s phenomenal fitness programs were such an integral part of my transformation, I decided to partner with them as a Beachbody Coach. I also became a certified Group Fitness Instructor and taught for years at the Buckhead YMCA in Atlanta before taking my classes 100% online via the Jiggle Free Zone Online Fitness Studio.
I provide one-on-one Fitness Coaching and realistic, customized meal plans so you can transition into healthy eating and still enjoy a treat meal now and then. Meal plans have to realistic or you won’t follow them.
I simply give women the same support and accountability that helped me realize my BEST self in my own fitness journey. Now let’s get #fitandfabulous.
~Coach Miko
