I felt like Regina George, slipping into the comfort of my stretchy, forgiving threads, thinking to myself, “Sweatpants are all that fit me right now.”  It was a cruel, harsh reality, a definite truth, a cold-hard fact that slapped me so hard in the face, it stung clear down to the bone.  I stared at my reflection, unable to take my eyes off the girl in the mirror.  I didn’t recognize her anymore.  She was not me.  Not the real me.  Not the me I remembered or the me I wanted to be.  Gone was the bubbly girl, full of life.  In her place stood a worn-out, disheveled, unhealthy, chubby girl.

I was so busy being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a dreamer, a business owner, an entrepreneur and a writer that I stopped giving time one person: me.  I was wearing so many different hats in the daily grind, I quickly lost myself in the translation of it all.  I was so determined to take care of everyone and everything, along the way, I stopped taking care of me.  I let myself go.  The saddest part is, I don’t even remember letting it happen.  As I faced this girl in the mirror, my heart broke for her.  I had allowed myself to neglect her.

For six years I gave everything I had to build my business.  Little to no sleep on thousands of nights, countless hours spent behind a computer until my eyes felt like they were going to bleed, foregoing dinners with friends to edit and answer emails, skipping meals to avoid wasting a second of time and living on caffeine just to keep going.  It was an unhealthy lifestyle, but it had become my routine.  I. Was. Miserable.  Lack of sleep and nutrition was making it impossible for me to concentrate on anything, which lead to added stress.  Lack of energy prevented me from shooting personal projects, it kept me from completing tasks, I wasn’t even motivated to leave the house.  Lack of interaction with the ones I love most in this world left me feeling disconnected and lost.  Things had to change and they had to change immediately.

And so, Jeff and I committed to a new lifestyle.  A path to fitness and health.  Together.

It has only been about 4 weeks since we started our Fitness Program with Cirullo Training, but I can say without hesitation that in that small amount of time, everything has changed.  I am already 17 lbs lighter and 11 inches smaller.  I am no longer sleep deprived, scattered or stressed.  I now eat 5 meals per day and exercise 6 days a week at a gym.  I haven’t had a sip of caffeine and now I crave water.  I no longer sit at my desk for 14 hours a day, I go for walks with my dog, play with my kiddos, make dinner with my hubby and enjoy my life with the ones I love most.  Every. Single. Day.

What I have discovered is that by taking care of me and making myself a priority, I can better take care of my family, friends and business.  Because I am no longer feeling so rundown and out of sorts, I can better manage my every day life and make time to actually live again.  There are no words for how grateful Jeff and I are to Chris and Justine Cirullo for everything that have done for us.  (Seriously!!  We LOVE you guys so much!!)  With their guidance and support, Jeff and I now know the type of lifestyle we want to live and the importance of our health.  They have given us so much more than just a Fitness Plan, they gave us back our lives and happiness.  And today, when I look in the mirror, I no longer see that girl.  I see me.

Be sure to follow me on my Path to Fitness on Instagram!

Thank you so much to all of you who have reached out to encourage me along the way!  I cannot begin to tell you how much it means to me!!  For those of you who have asked questions about the program Jeff and I are doing, here is some additional information about this AMAZING Hubby & Wife duo, Chris & Justine, of Cirullo Training.  :)  Please, do yourself and your health a favor and sign up for one of their awesome Fitness Programs!  They have completely restructured their online Fitness Program and trust me, it’s PURE AWESOME!  Take it from us, it is worth it!!  The time is now!  Much love!!

Combining his love for fitness and nutrition, background in college sports and serving in the military with her amazing side kick skills and passion to encourage and empower all to reach their potential, Cirullo Training brings personal training to your inbox, making it simple and painless to loss fat, gain muscle, and become the best you possible!