The First Step To Getting In Shape Is Just Showing Up

My Journey trough the Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Dare To Lose Challenge is almost over, but there is a piece of advice I'd like to pass along to others that say things like, "I just don't have time to get in shape."

The only way actually get yourself in better shape is to start. Working out is easy once you're at the gym, it's the decision to actually go that most of us have  a problem with.

Yes, it sounds a little silly, but think about it. How many of us can come up with a million excuses to get out of a trip to the gym? I have a meeting, I'm tired, I forgot my gym clothes, I don't have time, my leg hurts...Sure, now and again something comes up that might actually prevent you from getting a quick workout in, but if you make fitness a part of your life and prioritize it a little higher, you can find a way to make it happen.

If you want to feel better about yourself, just start working at it. It's not easy, it's not always fun and you have to make time to do it. If you make a decision to change your habits and actually do it, you'll be very happy you did in the long run.

When I started this Dare to Lose journey I had let all my good habits go to crap. I was eating bad food, I wasn't exercising very often and would slack off when i did, and I had a new baby so I could always convince myself I didn't have time to work out.

But what did that get me? An extra-30 pounds and a pretty low-self esteem about how I looked and felt.

Once Dare To Lose started I decided, "This is when I start getting back to the healthy me I want to be forever." I had to remind myself of that numerous times throughout the program. There were days that I hurt, days that I felt I had too much going on, and days that I just didn't want to go. But having a team of other competitors that were going through the same tribulations made it a lot easier and having some great trainers in Matt Yacca and Michelle Stout certainly kept me on track.

And now, here I am, three-months later, with almost all of those 30-extra pounds of "baby-weight" I packed on gone. I'm in better shape again, I look better, I sleep better, and  just feel better.

Look, if you haven't worked out in a long time, it will be hard to start. There is no denying that, but you're never going to feel any better just wishing you had started getting in better shape. You have to start. The more you do it, the easier it gets, I promise.

Once you're at the gym, the decision to work out is easy, you're already there. It's the decision to actually show up in the first place that is the hard one to make.

[Miramont Lifestyle Fitness Dare To Lose Challenge]