Burpees and Booze

Why am I here? Not in the grand sense, but more why am I here writing a blog. I am a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor. I have been doing this for 2 years. I love everything about it. Working out is a passion that I believe is about so much more than just weight. It’s about what it can do for you mentally. I end all my classes by asking my team to thank themselves and thank their bodies. What I haven’t been doing is living by this myself. A year and a half ago I was going through some major life changes and was prescribed some medications that resulted in me gaining over 25lbs. For someone like me whose life revolves around physical activity and had never gained more than 15lbs, this was a huge adjustment. I have been off my medication for about 8 months, but I have still been unable to shake this weight despite anything I try. I stopped using my social media because I felt like a fraud and like I wouldn’t be someone people would want to emulate. I realize that hiding isn’t the answer because what I am sure about is that I am not alone. Gaining weight due to medication and things beyond our control is not uncommon. I want to talk about it and I want others to talk about it.

In addition to meds, I am 39 and turning 40 very soon. I am dealing with age affecting my metabolism and my body. Starting to see and feel age is a very scary thing. How do we stay motivated when exercise no longer makes us drop weight? Most importantly, where is the balance between fit life and real life? I work out 6-7 days a week and eat a lot of salads, but I also drink rose and Titos and an occasional pina colada. I also enjoy chocolate and cheese and fries like any good Belgian girl. So can we be both? Often it seems people fall into extremes. I watch fitness influencers/trainers who seem to not have an ounce of fat, who eat impeccably and who don’t go out for margaritas. Can you be crazy about work outs but also about dinner and drinks? Yes. I know because I am that girl/middle aged woman. I love working out and I love food. Do I drink too much sometimes and wake up hungover? Abso-fucking-lutely. Do I still work out? Abso-fucking-lutely. I am writing this blog to talk about what it means to be a fitness enthusiast while also being someone who loves food. It’s about turning 40 as a woman and what that means for our bodies. It’s about struggling with body image when we aren’t where we want to be. It’s about life. BURPEES AND BOOZE. Can you be both? Let’s hope so.