In the Fall and Winter of 2018, I was struck with really intense, longterm “lady parts” issues that affected my ability to work out, walk, pick up my kids, stand up, etc, etc, etc. It was awful. I spent months going through really invasive and uncomfortable testing and then in January 2019 had a procedure called a hysteroscopy which I’m not going to define just in case there are any male readers who have made it this far.

By the time I was cleared to get back to activity later that month, I made a pact that I would never take my body for granted and that I would do everything in my power to treat it well and fuel it for the life I want to lead — a life of hiking 20 miles in one day and picking up my very heavy son with special needs and carrying 17 bags of groceries at one time.

A neighbor and friend, Sarah, of Empower Fitness & Health, helped me out in so many ways. She guided me with not just workouts created for my needs on an app on my phone but also with nutrition and diet advice that has made healthy eating a super-easy lifestyle choice I don’t even have to think about anymore.

As far as my fitness goes, I now do four strength-training workouts each week — dumbbells and squats and push-ups and all sorts of core exercises that have a different focus each day — legs, biceps & triceps, shoulders & core (my favorite day!) and chest & back. Over the past year, I’ve gone through 12 different workout programs – some of them more intense than others. During vacations and busy summer months when I was outside more anyway I focused on a resistance band program (which was much harder than I anticipated). Because I am a creature of habit and routine, I do most of my workouts first thing in the morning — usually beginning at or before 530am, even on snow days or no school days. This guarantees that the first thing I do each day is for myself and is going to happen no matter what the rest of the day throws at me.

I’ve gained muscle definition in places I’ve never had before, even when I was a runner for the better part of 12 years. But my favorite thing is how I feel stronger in every day life. Carrying a 20-pound backpack on a difficult uphill hike? No problem now. Lifting Zach up for the occasional comfort? I can still do that! Those 17 bags of groceries? Hand me 18!

The nutrition has been even more eye-opening, though. I find myself asking myself if what I’m about to put into my body really serves a purpose or will really benefit me in some way. For the first time in nearly 20 years, I’m not worried about calories but am instead watching macros (the balance of fats, proteins and carbs). I follow an 80-20 rule that allows me some cheats — wine on a ladies’ night, a dinner date out, a handful of gummy bears.

I’ve even begun looking into how different foods can help with different issues — like my lady parts symptoms and hormonal changes and even a recent look into a possible thyroid problem. I know I sound a little hippie (maybe I am) but I swear by these things.

Since starting to take care of myself this year, I feel stronger and have more energy. Days off of workouts are actually really hard for me — the workouts keep me in a better mood and make me feel even more ready to tackle the day.

I’m so glad I chose to take care of my body in 2019. I cannot wait to see my growth and improvement in 2020.