This week we have Julie Mayhew as our story-teller. Her story is unique because...well you'll have to read on to find out, won't you?
So go forth and be inspired, readers, by Julie Mayhew about how she is Active in NWI.
Written by Julie Mayhew of Wheatfield, IN
My story…where to begin? Athletic, in shape and fit were not words I would have described myself as even a year ago. I have always been thin, in fact, have heard “skin and bones”,“you are too skinny”, "why don't you eat”, etc. I never really did anything about it until September 22, 2012.
I had worked out before, in fact approximately five years prior I had been going to the gym daily, but without results and not taking it too seriously. I was in a car accident around that time, lucky for me only suffered minor injuries, but after my recovery time, I never went back. Between work and raising a daughter, I had a couple of “excuses” I always used for never allowing myself the one hour a day in the gym. The fact is, I had time to nap for an hour, stop for a drink after work, shop and do everything else, but I just did not make the time to be healthy. I knew I needed to get back into the gym if for no other reason than stress relief and to be healthier.
I am a paralegal which can be very stressful at times. After long days at the office, my neck would hurt, my back hurt and I was tired all the time. Before this journey I subjected my body to a wide range of unhealthy foods and lots of them. Some days I would eat all day, some days only 1 meal a day, which was not a healthy way of living and which probably only increased by lack of energy at the time.
I often thought, “I am in my thirty's and only getting older”, “I wish I was more fit”, “I wish I had more energy”.
A friend of mine used to laugh because we would get together to watch movies and I would fall asleep 10 minutes into it. While I appeared healthy to most because of my size, I knew I was not as healthy as I should be.
On September 22, 2012, I joined Mark's Gym in North Judson, Indiana, and began weight training. Shortly after joining someone asked me what my goal was and I casually mentioned that I would like to try a figure competition. I remember them laughing and saying that I was too old to do that. Motivation factor #1 for me: I am 38…I am not old, I am just getting started!!!
After researching figure competitions and everything they entail, I set a goal of doing my first competition sometime after the one year mark in the gym. The important thing is setting some sort of goal for yourself. I told myself that if I reached the one year mark and I hadn't competed yet, I would still be in the best shape of my life. With seven months under my belt, I am hoping to be in my first figure competition before the end of the year!! I tell everyone, if I go and place last, I will still be better off than if I didn't reach my goal at all. It is addicting to me at this point. I feel great and I can't wait to gain and see my results each week.
The gym owner, Mark, started me on a work out regimen and explained to me about eating healthier. Two major factors in weight training are (1) the sweat and hard work in the gym time and (2) eating clean and giving your body the nutrition it needs. I knew I had to put on some weight to build muscle, but I wanted to do this right so I began researching supplements, clean diets, etc. I wanted something natural, something healthy. I didn't want to just start taking supplements without knowing the what, why or how. I call a friend of mine, Johnathan Sandberg, who is a former NCAA athlete. I knew he was very knowledgeable and would lead me to the healthy side of supplements to start my weight training the right way. I wanted to nourish my body, not damage it with unknown substances. Jonathan told me about Advocare and this is where my life changed even more. On October 17, 2012, I became a Distributor for Advocare, a company that specializes in health and wellness, weight management, energy and sports performance.
I eat clean now. Yes, I have allowed myself cheat days, but I am on a clean diet. I eat five to six small meals a day that incorporate proteins and carbs, along with my supplements. I am on the Performance Elite Line of Advocare and I love it!! The protein shakes are amazing and this line provides my body with the nutrition it needs to build muscle and repair muscle as I train and also gives me the energy for the training.
I train five days a week, sometimes six if I just want to go to the gym. If I can't make it to the gym, I will work out at home. A work out is a work out, no matter where you are. My time at the gym ranges from an hour to an hour and a half. I work one to two body parts a day and do a variety of different exercises. Being in a gym with mostly free weights can be intimidating as a female. I remember at first I was embarrassed to try certain things (bench press) in front of the men at the gym. In fact, I remember the first time the Mark had me attempt bench press. I was only able to lift the bar alone for 3 reps. I now do 3 sets of 15 and I increase the weights each week!! The point is, yes, it can be intimidating for women, but that shouldn't stop anyone. If I can do this, anyone can.
The owner of Mark's Gym, Mark Holbrook, along with Brandon, another gym member, have been very supportive. My work out time is usually around the same time they are in the gym and they have taught me so much about lifting and different exercises to achieve different results. I wouldn't be where I am today without their help. It's a small gym, but has all the necessary tools for me to reach my goal of a figure competition. The fact that it is a small gym is nice, if you miss a day . . .someone ALWAYS notices.
When I first began to research figure competitions and female weight training, I thought, “I could never look like them.”
have a ways to go, but I am proud to say I am well on my way thanks to the hard work I put in, the support from my friends, the clean diet and the great products from Advocare!! I am enjoying my new lifestyle! My 17-year-old daughter is very supportive. She just laughs when she sees me flexing in mirrors all the time now. I like that she also eats much healthier now that Mom is buying the right foods for the house!! I work long hours, manage the household, attend to my daughter's schedule and finally FOUND the time to take an hour or so a day for myself. I think it is important for everyone to slow down a bit and take time for themselves. If you really want to do it, you will find the time and once you do, it because part of your daily routine, you wont even miss the hour you spend exercising. In fact, I find it addicting and find that I feel like I am slacking if I do miss my gym time. Habits are hard to break, yes, but once healthy eating and exercising become a habit, that too is hard to break.
We live in a society where media and Hollywood has dictated what women should look like. As a former cheer coach I heard young girls saying they were fat, needed to lose weight, etc. In the beginning, I actually feared the thought of putting on muscle, which meant weight gain, now I love the curves!! The point is, HEALTHY and strong IS beautiful and the only way to live, no matter what your size or shape is. I love sharing fitness and my Advocare story with people, I can't express enough how much my life has changed. I have energy, I feel ah-mazing, my stress levels have decreased, I have a positive attitude and I am truly enjoying life. It is never too late to start a healthy lifestyle!
I read this quote online and I keep it in mind daily, “The only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday!!”
If anyone is interested in weight loss, weight management, energy gains or the performance elite line for muscle gain, I would love to share it with them and I can be reached at jmayhew2@gmail.com!!
And if you have a story of how you are Active in NWI, send it to us at {valpo}share@valpolife.com{/valpo}{portage}share@portagelife.com{/portage}{laporte}share@laportecountylife.com{/laporte}!
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