I just finished my one month free trial to Fitwells for Women. You can read all about my first week here. I had an amazing month. I feel better about myself, my body looks and feels better, is more toned, leaner and muscular. I have more energy and I feel better about myself. I know that I wrote this twice, back to back, but it’s important. I was feeling pretty crappy about myself at the end of the Summer. I was lethargic, had indigestion issues, and felt really bloated. After my first week of working out, I was already feeling better.

Here’s the thing, it’s so hard to get motivated to get back into shape, but it’s not an option, it’s mandatory!!!!! It should be regarded the same as eating and breathing. We moms, especially, find a myriad of excuses, mainly surrounding our children, of why we don’t have time to look after ourselves. I’m here to tell you that if you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will!!!!!!!! I agree that it’s hard to find the time to workout, between school runs, breastfeeding, house maintaining, work and life, but it can be done. It must be done!!!!!!

This is why I haven’t blogged much this past month. I’ve changed my focus on getting myself emotionally, physically and spiritually healthier!!!!! I HAD TO!!!! I HAVE TO!!!! It was all starting to catch up to me. I was irritable, negative, exhausted and I wasn’t liking where I was heading. This past month has been a game changer for me. I finally put myself first. I told my son that he is coming with Mama to workout and that he is going to play with other kids in childminding. We went in, the ladies were super friendly and welcoming and he fit right in. He even was excited to know that we were coming back. I know that it may not be the same easy experience for yourself, but you need to do it. I see little babies in there. I don’t know if I could leave my newborn in there, but I’m impressed with those moms who could. For 1 hour, I gave my body, mind and soul the TLC it needed. I’m so focused on looking after everyone else (both at work and at home) that I’ve really neglected me.

What I enjoy about Fitwells for Women is that there are women in all different shapes and at different fitness levels. No one makes you feel bad if you can’t do an exercise. There are a few that I can’t do, because of my back, and I let the instructor know and she gives me something else to do. No one makes you feel bad for not being able to do an exercise. It’s about your fitness level and how comfortable you are. It’s also about sweating your ass off and feeling amazing afterwards. It’s about looking at the clock and seeing that you did it!!!! You just finished an one hour long intense class. You did it!!!!!!

So ladies join me and my fellow bloggers for this amazing 3 month membership giveaway to Fitwells for Women. There’s no time like the present to start. How can we expect our kids to be healthy if we aren’t ?!?!?!?! We have to lead by example. My son is proud of me and he tells me that. It makes me feel good and I like that he sees that I’m working hard to stay healthy. I want to stay healthy for myself, for him and for my husband. I want to be around for many years to come.

I really hope to see some of you ladies there. If you see me, come and say hi. I would love to see other moms out there with me busting their asses off and feeling empowered and good about ourselves!!!!

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A month ago, I was contacted by the wonderful Salma, from The Write Balance, to see if I was interested in joining Fitwells For Women for 1 month and then write a review. I jumped at the chance. Since injuring my back, at work in November, I haven’t worked out. I had done some yoga but honestly I was scared to re-injure my back. Lately I’ve been feeling very sluggish, tired, irritable, bloated, experienced lots of headaches and suffered from heartburn. So I was really excited to be presented with this opportunity. For 1 month I have unlimited access to the gym, classes, weights, personal training and even childminding. Since the teachers are on strike, the childminding will come in very handy.

Before my first workout

My healthy breakfast: smoothie and fresh fruit with Chia, Hemp, Holy Crap mix and Greek Yogurt

Last Monday was my first class, step and sculpt. I had a healthy breakfast beforehand and got there nice and early. My only criticism is that when I arrived, the girl at the front desk wasn’t able to give me a schedule and she was not able to do my physical assessment. I would have preferred to have my physical assessment before I started. Something to think about next time. I was ready to give it 100%. The class starts and I’m doing ok and then about 10 mins in, I felt lightheaded and then 5 mins later I wanted to throw up. I pushed through it and by about 20 mins into the class I was feeling great. Holy shit, I got my ass handed to me. First of all, it has been years since I did a step class and second of all, it’s been 10 months since I did any hardcore workout.

I felt great after the class. Re-energized and my indigestion, that I had been suffering with for the past few weeks, and lack of energy had gone away. I felt better than I had in a long time. Although I was extremely sore the next few days, it was worth it. I felt great.

Post workout picture

The instructor was awesome. She kept me energized and enthused. It felt great to be working out again.

I did Yoga on Wednesday and again a wonderful class. It not only involved breathing correctly and emptying your mind of stuff (I have to work on that…) it was also great for strength training. I felt completely rejuvenated after that class.

I did my third class on Saturday, body blast, and it did not disappoint. I’m still getting into the grove of step again and I’ll be honest I had some trouble getting a few steps, but I was patient with myself and was able to finally get them.

My first week was amazing at Fitwells for Women. I honestly wasn’t sure what to make of them as I read some not so good reviews but they were mainly about their cancellation policy. They are friendly, the place is clean, it’s big, the instructors are awesome and I really like the childminding. I ended up using it on Monday and my son loved it. They have 2 people watching the kids, as young as newborns. They have a lot of great toys. My son loved it.

So far, so good. I had a great first week. My goal is to go 3 times a week. I like that they offer classes all day, even in the evenings with childminding in the morning and evenings, which works well for me. I love the way I feel, both physically and energy wise. Looking forward to my XLab class on Friday.

May this blog inspire you to get back to the gym and if you live in the lower Mainland, try Fitwells For Women. I completely understand that it takes a lot of time, effort and willpower but it’s worth it. You feel better about yourself, you look better and it’s a great way to show your kids that we all need to stay active. Our kids need to see their parents staying active, if we expect them to stay active. We all lead busy lives and have a myriad of excuses, boy did I have lots of them, but the trick is to not think. To plan and just do. Like Nike says “Just Do It!!!!!” It’s so easy to fall into a rut, especially when you have kids. They are always the perfect excuse not to workout, but I’m here to tell you that you will feel so much better if you get back to the gym, I promise. I feel great, sore, but great.