If you are sick of hearing about my fitness journey quick, go back to Google and search for a gossip site. There’s got to be something new in JLo and Mark Anthony’s divorce saga.
If you love following a challenge, pay attention!
I have been nothing but thrilled with the whole transformation I’ve undergone since having my second babe. She just turned one year old and it got me and my trainer Stephanie Joanne (you know her as Stef) thinking about everything that’s happened since I pushed her out.
On August 16th, 2010 I tipped the scale at 201 pounds (pictured).
I remember this vividly because while I should have been worried about c-sections, episiotomies and after-birth I was worried about my skinny jeans…more specifically how I couldn’t see myself EVER fitting into them again.
After getting on a responsible, healthy eating plan with Dr. Joey Shulman and working out at home I hit a wall.
That’s when Stef came into my life.
The timing couldn’t have been better.
We used the month of April to really push my limits and see where my body could go. I dropped the last of the baby weight and things have been moving along swimmingly since…but there’s just one little area that could use some attention.
I am regularly in the habit of telling anyone who asks that I love my body. I’m not being obnoxious I’m being honest. This body does some amazing things. It walks up and down a three storey house many times a day, it pushes young children in a double stroller, it carries several groceries at a time and picks an 18 pound child up in and out of a crib dozens of times a week.
Not to mention that it pumps out half a dozen unassisted pull-ups at a time, spins, boxes, runs and plays tennis.
This body is AWESOME.
But there is still that one little area that could use some work.
Can you guess?
Yes it’s my stomach! (All moms are nodding their heads now).
When I was in high school the reason I never obsessed over my meaty thighs was because I had this beautiful flat tummy. Even when I gained (lots of) weight in university my stomach stayed relatively flat. Then I had the babies. Damn if that pooch just started hanging there like an empty hot-water bottle.
When you watch the show I am sucking it in. But a girl can’t hold her breath for a lifetime. So we are tackling the last frontier. And I am, gulp, so sure that I can do this, gulp, that Stef has convinced me to do a photo shoot at the end of these few weeks where you will see my, (wow I’m going to faint) BELLY!
We figured some good motivation would be the star-studded, party-heavy Toronto International Film Festival weekend where I traditionally hop from party to party in very tight dresses.
So this is the goal.
Not because having a flat tummy is the end-all be-all…but because I can. And if I can why not try to see what else this body can do.
I’m in all the way. Are you?
Don’t just follow the journey – join in. Tell me how you’re getting film-fest ready (I don’t care if you’re actually going or not) and let’s do it together. 5am tweets, late night emails, let’s help each other out and keep each other’s hands OUT of the cookie jar.
Let’s do it together!
Email me at: contacttracy@cityline.ca or tweet with me @tracycityline
Stef and I will blog together on my progress for the next three weeks.
Here’s her part now:
More 4 Moore!
This time last year she tipped the scale just over 200 pounds! Today we are celebrating!
Why am I doing this? Because I want to show you that it is possible AND more so I want to give you the motivation and know how to make these changes in YOUR life!
This is what I have chosen to do for a living and I love every minute of it. If I can reach out to more people by Tracy’s example then it’s a beautiful thing! It is my core mission to introduce fitness into as many lives as I can. Its NOT to get people ripped (although I do that if that's what they want) its to show people that fitness and health can be a part of your life regardless of your situation. There is always a point of return!
In my opinion, fitness has done much more for Tracy personally then it has physically. What is it like to not feel good in your body? To feel tired and out of breath? How are you going to care for your kids the way you want? What about the damage to your self-esteem? Body image and insecurities will will ripple into all aspects of your life. I've said it before and perhaps it comes across as bold, but it is my opinion that you cannot truly be happy unless you are actively involved in some sort of fitness or health regime. Why? Because I have yet to meet someone who does not want to be healthy and fit. If you’re not doing it, then we can agree something is missing from your life. Why would we miss out on something that does so many good things for us and will give us a chance at being more complete? This part of your life you are in complete control of. Leave the other parts that are not in your control up to chance! I know you have your reasons but let me, through Tracy’s example, show you that it is possible. Get up, get inspired and commit to your journey! I hope you have followed our fitness journey so far.
Over the next 4 weeks I am stepping it up again. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, she already looks great…so what are we doing?
Ask Tracy if 60 pounds ago she would have ever thought she’d allow anyone to take pictures of her showing her stomach for everyone to see. I know for a fact this was not even a possibility in her mind. Well…here we go!! Again, I could care less what she looks like at this point because with the amount of muscle she is carrying now and new lifestyle that she has adopted, she will never go back to that weight. My goal is to empower her and inspire you...to reach whichever goal you want!
I want Tracy to rock any dress she visions on the red carpet without any hesitation. I want her to stand on that red carpet in a beautiful gown and say..
I'm in the best shape of my life and I did it the right way!
I am healthy, fit, strong now and forever
I am fit to keep up with my kids and set a proper example
I am proud; I worked hard, I DID IT!
And these moments, as a trainer, I LIVE FOR!
Email me your goals at stephanie@stephaniejoanne.com
Stef