It's Called a Challenge for a Reason

by Kerry Taylor

So it came as a surprise to many that I was participating in the Drop 2 Jeans Sizes Challenge. I think some still don’t believe me LOL, but I am! I guess I get it, the owner of 212, seemingly in good shape, seems to have it all together from that respect. The reality is, I don’t and didn’t. Just like so many out there, we fitness professionals do have some of the same struggles you do that pull us off the track and deter our journey. I am at a place I don’t like for myself and part of getting back to homeostasis and beyond, is my health and fitness.

My personal health and fitness was always something I excelled in, It was engrained in me since being a young 10 year-old participating in the city of Boston rec track and field meets. Then, the rest of my life had been filled with sports, mainly football, but always being in shape, active and on the healthier side of things was the norm for me up until recently. My ability to always find a way to workout, sometimes 2x a day, make good choices and stay consistent has gotten away from me. I guess to sum it all up, yes!! Life and the different aspects of life have gotten a hold of me as it does often for all of us. Especially as we get older, Yeah yeah, I know some of you are saying, “See I told you so! Just wait, it gets better!” LOL!

Some of you may be saying, what do you mean? You’re a gym owner and many would think that you should be in the best shape ever. I mean, why not? You have access to a gym 24/7. Running a gym and then you add in the factor of life, it’s not as easy as it use to be. Like many things in my life, I won’t quit and let it “KEEP” me down, falling into the abyss of the unknown. It all stops now, enter The Jeans Challenge and Alicia! By doing the Jeans Challenge, I have set myself on an introspective journey on getting part of me back. We are 4 weeks in and at the halfway mark. I’ve been more consistent in all aspects of health and fitness than I have been in a long time. I constantly have Alicia’s questions flowing in my head as I try to move forward and be great on this journey of finding part of myself again.

“What’s your new focus for the week?”

“What’s something new you can try?”

“Did you get your sleep in?”

“Where’s your water intake at?”

“What are your positive affirmations you are going to use to carry you through this journey?”

“Don’t complicate it, keep it simple.”

These words are just a few of many that constantly are flowing through my head throughout the day that reminds me what I’m doing.

So far it’s been an amazing journey, one I think everyone should experience! A shout out and thank you to the morning Challenge crew for unknowingly pushing me and challenging me! Thank you for sharing with me your struggle, goals and achievements! Let’s all hit the second half of the Challenge harder than the first half! Stay focused on your “WHY”. The first question that was asked of you was, ”Why did you join the Challenge?” Make sure to revisit that answer daily and dig deeper into why you gave that as your answer. That will help get you over the hump and roadblocks that may get in your way on the rest of your journey.

Remember it’s called a challenge for a reason, so challenge yourself, leave your complaints and struggles at the door and push yourself to be great because it’s inside all of you, you just have to let it out.

I’ll see you all and report back in another 4 weeks. Until next time, continue to live life 1 degree above the rest!