We’re doing something special for this month’s Wellness Wednesday series. Each of our Mommy Makeover participants has shown so much strength, fortitude, and determination throughout the first month of the contest. The results from our first check-in have blown me away. On our Comeback Circle Facebook group, they check in with us every day, lending inspiration to everyone around them—both online and offline. I thought, “Why not bring that positive, transformative energy to our wellness series?!”
So throughout the month of March, each Wednesday we’ll hear from one of our participants. Our theme this month is renewal. They’ve chosen quotes that resonate with them on this topic and have also shared a little bit about how this quote and theme will get them through the last two months of the contest, stronger and more determined than ever!
This week we welcome Nikki to the blog. Check out her essay below!
Yes, I chose an Oprah quote. The girl just gets me!
For me, this challenge was not necessarily about a life overhaul. I have a good life. I have a loving husband, a great career, and a beautiful little boy who I can soon officially call my own. The shift I needed was how I viewed the importance of my own fitness.
To have all these wonderful parts of life, but then to look in the mirror and see a version of myself that I don’t like is hard. I’d been looking at the version of myself for a while, and while I didn’t like it, I never had that “smallest change in perspective” to do anything about it. But then, something clicked. The tiny adjustment was this—stop making excuses.
In my career, I don’t accept excuses and I don’t make them. As an attorney, my professional life places people’s livelihood in my hands. They put their trust in me that I have the legal skills and knowledge to help them through an exceptionally trying time. Would they accept excuses? No. So I thought, “Why am I holding myself to such high standards in my career, but I can’t even do that for my own health and well-being?”
This renewal in my thought process has really shifted how I view a lot of things. People depend on me, the most important person being my son (Side Note: I haven’t let myself get too far ahead in this process, so I’ve only recently let myself call him that. It’s a new and exciting thing to say… I have a son, I have a son). If they depend on me, I should be able to depend on myself. This quote for me stands for the idea that you don’t need a major overhaul to change your life in a significant and meaningful way. Something as small as three words can ripple into a wonderful change. Stop making excuses! I have, and I’m well on my way to the best Nikki ever.
I’d like to also mention that there’s another quote that’s meant something to me for as long as I can remember. Although it’s not specifically about renewal, it’s an important reminder nonetheless.
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller
For me, it’s easy to forget the inspiration of that quote. I’m a mom. I have a full-time job. I have bills. But life can still be a daring adventure even when I’m not off gallivanting around Iceland. Each day can be a daring adventure if you let yourself try something new. If you let yourself be fearless, amazing things can happen.
Thank you so much to Nikki for contributing to this week’s Wellness Wednesday series! Be sure you check out her progress in our latest Mommy Makeover Contest check-in.
The hand-lettered quote graphic was designed by Kelsey Lemons, creator of She in the Making. When you sign up for our mailing list below, you’ll receive FREE downloadable graphics of these designs for your computer or phone backgrounds. Beautify your tech to keep your monthly goals and intentions at the forefront of your mind. Another great way to keep ourselves accountable!
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