It has been three months since I started my health and fitness journey to get in the best shape of my life. It has been quite the whirlwind since my first fitness post which you can read here, and I wanted to share a fitness update with you all that have been following the journey and helping me stay accountable over on the Motherhood and Merlot Instagram.

A fitness update from the past year in RVA. Crossfit, macros, nutrition and fitness coaching, barbell classes, confidence, and so much more!

The new love of my life is Crossfit. Honestly, I never thought that it would be something that I have grown to be so passionate about, but it is a part of my everyday life now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Barbell, weight lifting, macro counting, eating all of the things, Crossfit group work… these are the things that have truly helped shape my confidence and allowed me to become to the healthiest version of myself.

I have now been working with RVA Performance Training and Crossfit RVA for a year now, and loving it! They have group classes, and I am also doing individual weight training and starting a barbell cycle here soon, which I cannot wait for:)

Before the start of this passed year, my goals were the following:

  • Lose Weight (10 pounds)
  • Gain Muscle
  • Tone
  • Lose (at least) 8% Body Fat total
  • Gain Confidence

I thought that weight loss was going to be it for me. That being “skinny” was going to change my confidence level. Oh boy, was I ever wrong. NEWS FLASH, I weigh the same in both of these photos.

Fitness Update

To be honest, aside from my hysterectomy and losing all of the weight from that, I have stayed the exact same in weight and I DON’T CARE. I cannot explain how good it feels to not care about numbers on a scale anymore, and just focusing on feeling and looking healthy and strong. Working with Kim and the team at RVA Performance Training has really changed my entire outlook on fitness and nutrition. For those that aren’t sure what counting macros means, check out this post on starting to track macros.

I have really pushed myself to be committed to the nutrition plan and exercise routine that I have been out. Working out 6-7 times a week is no joke. But, I can say that it has been so worth it!

For me, this journey has not been about losing weight or focusing on the numbers. Really, it has been a journey to show myself that I can be way stronger than I ever thought possible and really, self acceptance. Starting to hit PRs on weight lifting, being able to run distances that I never could before, doing gymnastics work that honestly terrified me previously, all of those things have given me such a huge change in my confidence level.

As a mom, you have to find the motivation for yourself. It can be difficult to find the time to workout and get healthy, but it’s so important, not only physically, but mentally as well, to feel good about ourselves in our own skin. Read more about how I find motivation as a mom here.

I don’t think that the intensity or passion for Crossfit and lifting is for everyone, and I also don’t want anyone to think that this is the only way to be healthy, because it is so not. This is my way of saying, find what makes you happy and allows you to grow in that journey of self acceptance and confidence.

It is the best thing to be able to show my children so many things in this passion of mine: hardwork, the importance of health, happiness, strength, courage, confidence… the list goes on!

If you don’t follow me on IG, I share a ton of meal ideas, macros, and new Crossfit feats that I have started to learn.

I would love to hear some of your favorite workouts or meal prep ideas in the comments:)

*Cheers to healthy bodies that we are comfortable in*

joanna at motherhood and merlot