Hawkes Family

This post is not to brag or toot my own horn.

For those of you that have no hope, ("I'll never look the way I used too") this post is to give hope.

For those of you that don't think it's possible, ("I have no time because of my kids, husband, work, calling, etc.") this post is to show you the possibility.

For those of you that have hope and know it's possible but can't quite muster the motivation, this post is to motivate you.

For those of you that don't want to be motivated, I nor anyone else can help you. You need divine help so kneel down and pray for the motivation.

For those of you that have always been tiny with no problem and can lose weight quick with no effort after having a baby, you need to pray too. Thank the Lord for that huge blessing that most people wish they could have.

After 1 year (Amie will be 1 year old next week), hundreds of hours of hard work, struggling to control mind over matter, 24/7 of struggling to control eating habits, (for those of you close to me you know this is far more challenging than anything else in life for me), and time on my knees praying for help,

I am in the best shape and have the best muscle tone
I have ever had in my life!

55 pounds and many inches later.

My Journey

After giving birth to Amie I was so depressed thinking that I was going to "just have to accept" this new me. I had gained 47 pounds which definitely wasn't all "baby weight". I ran and ran and ran and never saw very good results. Then looking around at society the majority of people my age or older, are overweight. I was doomed. I knew I would lose weight but I never thought I would look as good as I once did. Sucky! I was pissed. When I'm pissed things get done.

I am a runner. I enjoy running. The hard part is getting out the door to go running. There was always something else that needed to be done more. I felt guilty being a mom and wife being selfish with my time. I learned the importance of a goal. Not just a goal to "lose weight" but actually setting a goal, "I will lose this much by this time and this is how I'm going to do it". I have always wanted to run a marathon just once to say that I conquered it. So I did. This meant running for 1 to 2 to sometimes 3 or 4 hours a few days a week. How is that possible? I have a baby. My husband goes to work and is in school. I am busy! I had to wake up at 4 in the morning so I could run and be back before my husband went to school or work. Some mornings my mom had to help babysit. I would work out my schedule at the beginning of the week with my husband (and sometimes mom). I would run at night sometimes when morning wasn't convenient. On short runs I would take Amie along and she would nap in the stroller. I saw other women out there pushing multiple kids in a stroller. I saw moms out there running that had there kids on skate boards and roller skates riding along side them. Some mornings were so cold at 4 I had to bundle up and run in the dark. It was so hard! I had to learn mind over matter. That saying is etched into my soul. I felt guilty making my husband take care of Amie a lot of the mornings. I felt guilty leaving Amie. But I knew it was benefiting them too. I would be happier and more confident which leaves them a better wife and mother. My husband appreciates that I care enough to look good so he can be that much more proud to show me off.

Not everyone is a runner and shouldn't be. Find something to work for. A triathlon would be awesome like my friend Janalee is doing. Climb, hike, swim, ride a bike, or just do a video workout in the comfort of your own home. You know your limits and interests, work with them. Reaching a goal like running a marathon is an experience to not miss out on in this life. Finishing that marathon was one of the best personal moments in my life. I have never been more proud of something that I have personally accomplished in my life. Not because I did it. Anyone can. I mean that. People say "I could never do that". Not true. Anyone that honestly wants to can. I was so proud because of the things I had to accomplish personally to get to that point.

I ran the marathon a couple days before we took the family pictures below. I have lost more weight since then. Now that I accomplished my marathon my new personal goal is to get a six pack. I am mad at this fat and extra skin that seems to love my tire. I've been working on this for a couple of months and I'm starting to see the outline of a six pack and that is so exciting. I don't run anymore. I do a video workout called slim in 6 for an hour everyday that also includes an amazing ab workout. I try to workout during Amie's morning nap but sometimes she is right along side me playing. Amie has learned that the mornings are my time and where she used to get mad and complain that my attention isn't solely on her, now she just plays next to me. When I'm doing my abs she'll climb over my stomach and crawl under my legs while I continue whatever I'm doing. I love it.

With kicking bad eating habits I have no advice. It sucks. I still struggle. It's possible but dang hard. If you want it bad enough you'll find a way. If anyone has advice please comment.

I love getting dressed in the morning. My clothes fit nicely and I feel confident and proud of all the work I have put in to get to this point.

It's possible. No matter what situation. It's hard yes. I won't lie. But if you want it bad enough you will get there. I guarantee I have put in well over 300 hours in the last year just to look okay when I get dressed. WORTH IT!!! I love life. I haven't always felt that way 100%. It feels good.

I wish that everyone could feel this way. That's why I'm sharing this story. For those of you that have had similar journeys comment on what you did to get where you are. One day I will get sick of the Slim in 6 DVD so give me some ideas that have worked for you.

Good luck. I'll be here if you ever need to vent or need a cheerleader. :)