Amarra’s own it Journey
Ownit Rx community -- the holidays are upon us. Ho Ho Ho! This also means that the end of the year is quickly approaching. 2020 has been a challenging year, but through those challenges Ownit Rx opened its doors, welcomed all of you, and continues to give all of us the tools and space to thrive despite those challenges. We’ve had so many victories in the short amount of time we have been open. We expect even more gains in the next year.
Usually, this is the time that folks start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and reflecting on their progress and success towards the goals they set for this year. As you start that process, Fabien and I wanted to give you an intimate look into my personal journey with the hope that you are inspired and encouraged to keep moving forward and challenging yourself to be better. Enjoy!
Weight has always been a challenge for me --something included in every New Year’s Resolution in some way, shape, or form.
Lose weight this year. Get healthy this year. No eating out this year. Sound familiar? But each year after setting these goals on January 1st, I’d look up, the year had passed and nothing changed.
Yes, I worked out, but I did what was comfortable. I like to dance, so I’d overdose on Zumba. I’m into cycling, so I’d frequent Spin classes. I stayed in my comfort zone. Cardio was familiar and easy, but it wasn't producing any lasting results. I was afraid to venture out.
Fear -- fear of failure, not looking good, not being able to do everything on the first try -- paralyzed me. What I was doing for years was not working and yet fear kept me from being honest about why.
Since I met Fabien he has always talked a lot about the value of strength training and nutrition. Despite being married to a training and nutrition expert, I didn't listen. I worried more about being embarrassed because I run slow or because most of the strength training moves were so unfamiliar and challenging for me. It sounds silly as I write it, but honestly I let the fear of what others would think stop me from tapping into all of the tools and resources I had to achieve my goals.
Cue 2020. If this year taught me nothing else, it is the value of your health. Now, my goal of being healthy isn't just about being cute or fitting into some outfit, it is about survival. Being and staying healthy is the prescription for protecting myself from Covid and protecting my sanity through a tumultuous political time.
Since this summer, I have been working on strength training. Fabien has walked me through (countless times and with lots of patience) the proper technique for a deadlift, thruster, cluster, clean and jerk, and so much more. I stopped focussing on how much weight I was putting on the bar and what I thought others would expect to see from someone my size and started focussing on my technique and my body. It’s hard to learn something new. It’s hard to keep trying, but it’s even harder to be stagnant and wish you would have done something different when it is too late.
Most days, you’ll find me in the 5:30pm class struggling. I’m not the fastest or strongest, but I show up and I finish. I don’t care about who sees me or where I place in each class.
I am challenging myself to go beyond the fear to see what it feels like to be this better version of myself that I have wanted to be for such a long time. Each day, I get better and stronger. My body tells me that I am on the right track to good health by the way it feels. I am lighter in weight and in stress. I can lift more. I am seeing my body do things that I did not think were possible.
Next up is nutrition. Fabien recently gave me a nutritional analysis to help me better understand what foods and how much of those foods work for my body. It turns out that my life of caffeine and carbs was hindering my progress...go figure!
All jokes aside, I know that making changes are scary, but it’s been so much easier with the support of all of you! From Erin being my pace partner in class to Jessica sharing her jean and belt victory, all of you have inspired me to OWN this journey and really go after my goal.
As we embark on the season of resolutions, I implore you to be honest with yourself about what it is you really want out of 2021. After you get real about your goals, get real about how you intend to reach them. I’m finally on the path to something I have wanted for a very long time--good health--but I’m so mad that I waited so long. Don’t make my same mistake.
I am challenging myself to see all that my body can do and how good it can feel. Thanks to Fabien and my Ownit Rx family, I’ve got the prescriptions and I am committed to taking my medicine consistently.
I am writing this to share that it is ok to be scared, but do not let fear hold you back. You all have become my accountability partners and I want to return the favor. Whatever it is that you want out of 2021 start now and let your Own it Rx community be a part of your journey!
