Dear Paige

On my quest to better myself and improve my lifestyle with feeling good and looking good, I have gained some attention from other women in and around my social networks asking for tips and telling me that I am an inspiration to them. I am flattered by this and motivated to share as I continue on my journey. When I received an Email from Paige (a friend of a friend from Maine) I decided to share my response because I feel others could benefit from our correspondence:

Hey Amanda,

I know this is super random, but I've had the urge to message you for a few days now.

I'm completely inspired by you and all of the changes you've made to better yourself.

I really want to make some serious changes myself. I'm currently seeing someone and working on my every day life and dealing with stress and all that jazz...however, its not enough for me. I want to take it to the physical part of my life as well.

I wanted to ask you, did you work out in your home?? I know you're doing a lot of running...but what exactly jump started this for you? I know its different for everyone...but I think its great to have someone to talk about it with.

How do you stay so focused and driven? I think that would be my hardest part.

Anyway, I hope this didn't completely weird you out.

If you'd like to get back to me, that would be wonderful.

Have a great night!

Paige

Dear Paige,

Its funny you should ask me this. I saw a lady in the gym yesterday that I was compelled to talk to as well...but didn't. I wanted to ask her about her body and how she got it to that point. I don't know why women (including myself) don't talk about our images with one another.

Love your body, its the only one you have. It gets you up every day and treats you well...so treat it well. Change it for the better and you will feel better. If you eat clean and exercise, you are doing what you need to do, so love it!

Look in mirrors. Take photos of your self. Set visual goals and in doing so you can structure your physical goals around them. That is how I stay so focused and driven. I have everything in my life from a great career to a loving daughter, but I don't have the body I want. So I am changing that and you can too!

Its all a slow process and doesn't happen over night. You need to start with one step first. For me it was joining a gym. That one step alone came with fear and anxiety that I had to overcome. Once at the gym I then joined a class. That introduced me to others that were inspiring and motivating, because they all have the same fitness goals of being healthy and living well.

Do I workout at home? Yes. I workout wherever I can. At work, at home, at the gym, and outside is where I sweat. I have 4 schedules I juggle. Being organized is the key. Between my work, my daughters school, her daycare and the classes at the gym, I find the wholes and fill them with physical activity.

For years I put my daughter first. Well I put everything before my health really and now I have had to invest in playing catchup to get to my goals. As a mother, I know its hard not to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but trust me, do it!!!

So, Step one: Join a gym.

Yours truly,

Amanda Delight