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Make Yourself a Priority to Reach Your Fitness Goals

Reaching fitness goals

By //  by Cherie-Lynn Buchanan

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I started a health journey at the beginning of 2015 and as we draw near to 2016, I’m pleased to say I’m still going strong! In fact, I find myself pushing harder now than ever before. Although I haven’t yet hit every goal I set, I’m still looking down the road I’m headed with a positive outlook. As I approach my health anniversary, I thought it would be good to revisit what happened when I made myself a priority. 

Reaching fitness goals

My 2015 Health Goals

  1. Consistently buy my size in clothing in the single digits
  2. Run a 5K
  3. Do a proper clean and jerk (Mind out of the gutter; it’s a weightlifting term.)
  4. To not say, “Does this make my belly look fat?”
  5. To not feel gross when going out because I don’t like the way that I look
  6. Lose 50lbs

These were the goals I worked towards in 2015 and I’m so close to a few of them!

Make Yourself a Priority to Reach Your Fitness Goals

It’s no secret I’ve taken this journey with the help of a personal trainer and enrolment in bootcamp. Without those two key elements, I might have given up when the process became difficult. There are many days I wouldn’t have gone to class had my bootcamp friends not messaged me the night before or even the hour before to confirm our sweat dates. The only classes I missed along the way were when I was  traveling or sick. Because I made myself a priority, I showed up.

Hard work at the gym

The cost of getting fit and healthy isn’t always discussed. People frequently comment that working with a personal trainer or attending regular bootcamp is unattainable for them because of the expense. I can’t lie, it’s definitely an investment. But it’s an investment in yourself. At the beginning of the year I made myself a priority and determined that I was worth the investment! 

What’s surprising is that when I looked at what I was spending before and after committing to a healthy lifestyle, the after was less expensive.

Take a look at my basic weekly expenses before and after to get a true idea of the cost:

Weekly Expenses Before
Wine                                                             $20
Coffee & Lattes                                           $32
Fast food, lunches and ordering in          $125
Groceries (pre-made frozen)                    $150
Evening snacks (pop, chips, chocolate)   $25            
                                                                       $352

Weekly Expenses After
Personal training 2 sessions a week         $90  ($45 per hour)
Bootcamp twice a week                               $20  ($10 per hour)
Gym (since September)                               $5    ($20/month)
Grocery Cost  (fresh, unprocessed)           $150
Nutrition Supplements                                $17.5
                                                                         $282.50    

These numbers also don’t factor in my Remicade, which has been reduced, or the long term medical benefits that this lifestyle will provide. That’s a cost savings that can’t be measured. I also walk or bicycle  now instead of taking the car or cabs, so there is additional savings on fuel.

Photo 2015-11-13, 10 39 29 AM

The amount I spend on groceries hasn’t changed but what I buy has. I now buy fresh foods and batch cook as often as possible and many of meals are pre-cooked and ready to go for most breakfasts and lunches. This helps me stay on track with healthy choices. Dinners are usually made fresh each night, and I keep boiled eggs and cooked chicken on hand for a quick protein source.

Wine did not make the After list. I haven’t stopped drinking wine but the number of bottles has gone from one or two per week to one a month. Lattes also dropped off the list and are now a thing of the past. I make my coffee at home instead of buying out and I drink it black. When I’m out for the day I carry healthy snacks and water so I can avoid the drive-through. My mindset towards snacks has changed; I still like to nibble in the evening but instead of chips and candy, it’s fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts.

My Snack Bag for portable healthy snacks

I’m often asked how I could give up these things so easily. It’s not easy, but it gets easier if you have a plan in place. I still occassionally have less healthy snacks (they’re not treats because I’m not a dog and don’t earn treats), and I don’t feel deprived of anything because I eat really really awesome food. If you don’t believe me, check out my Instagram account.

As I approach the first anniversary of my health journey I’ve realized one very important thing, I want my health more than I want anything else. Even that extra glass of wine.

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Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Living Tagged With: how to reach your fitness goals, invest in your health, make yourself a priority to get healthy

About Cherie-Lynn Buchanan

CL Buchanan is a professional photographer based in Southern Ontario who has “…THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!” She is a wife, mother of two, sister to three, and friend to many. In addition to photographing children and families, she’s best known for her “Beautiful You” photo sessions helping women embrace their inner and outer beauty. As CL says, “Never let your age, size or the fact that you’re a mom or a wife determine who you are. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!” You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Buckworth

    November 25, 2015 at 5:29 am

    So proud to know this lady and I LOVE the investment comparison – which would look awesome in a spreadsheet frankly. Your blog and journey is so inspiring CL – can’t wait to meet up for our next black coffee or one of your few glasses of wine.

  2. Dee

    November 25, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Great post! You are worth every penny!

  3. Cherie-Lynn Buchanan (@CLBuchanan)

    November 25, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Thought you’d like this one. Also, thanks for all the support along the way. Looking forward to getting together soon.

  4. Cherie-Lynn Buchanan (@CLBuchanan)

    November 25, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    Thanks Dee. Xoxo

  5. Cherie-Lynn Buchanan (@CLBuchanan)

    November 25, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    Thought you’d like this one. Also, thanks for all the support along the way. Looking forward to getting together soon.

  6. Lindsey Jacobs

    November 26, 2015 at 11:52 pm

    Excellent post! So glad I’ve been along watching you transform. You have worked so very hard and are an inspiration. What an accomplishment, what a journey! Way to go!

  7. Cherie-Lynn

    November 29, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    thanks Lindsey. can’t wait for our gym date this week xo

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