Disclaimer: I normally post my fitness journey updates each month on Saturdays, but tonight I wore an outfit similar to one I wore in January + a friend pointed out that I should put them side by side. When I did, I was finally able to see what a difference this past 10 weeks of working out + eating better has made in my life. After much excitement, tears + text messages, I’m interrupting regularly scheduled posts to post an update this month.
Sorry, not sorry! #yesididjustsaythat
I’m not going to lie, the past 4 weeks, since I was last measured, have been the hardest for me. Not because of being sore, but because I traveled to two conferences and was gone for 5 days both times, and on top of that I had only worked out an average of 3x per week for those 4 weeks. While I watched what I was eating, traveling doesn’t make that easy and I probably ate fast food more times than I care to admit (like 5x). I had pretty much resigned to the fact that there was no way there would be any inches lost this month.
Physically looking at my body, I felt like I couldn’t see any changes. Yes, I could somewhat “feel” them, but I needed to see them. After all, isn’t the rule of thumb that it gets easier after 6 weeks, your friends see it after 8 weeks, but you don’t until 10-12 weeks. Well Sunday marked 10 weeks + I didn’t feel like I could see it. I even skipped my 6am workout because I wasn’t feeling like it would make a difference for the measuring.
Many of you have been asking me about the type of exercise program I’m doing, so I thought I would share some of that journey with you. In February, Cristina, one of my best friends (and an amazing photographer) dragged me to a workout group meeting at the community center at the end of my street. I say dragged loosely because I’m pretty sure I went kicking and screaming. Her exact words the morning of were, “don’t eat anything, don’t drink coffee, take an advil because you won’t be able to walk tomorrow + if you eat, you’ll throw it up.”
Awesome.
But I went. Begrudgingly.
It was brutal. Our trainer, Ambia, on the other had is amazing! The girls I worked out with, also amazing!
For the first time I looked around and saw, not what I wasn’t, but what I could be. I listened to their stories of how long they had been working out, when they joined the class and I began to see what I would look and feel like if I stuck with it for 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 months, 6 months. So I kept going. Our class is a legit, hardcore bootcamp where 2 of the 5 days we focus on whole body strength training, balance, core strength and muscle building, then on Tuesday, Wednesday + Thursday, Ambia switches up between arms, legs and core focuses.
I’m not going to lie, I purposely skipped leg day Wednesday for the last 8 weeks, until Ambia switched it up on me, so now I have no idea what I’m doing when I get there. It’s helped. It’s probably the reason I lost 1.5 inches of my hips in the last 4 weeks!! See this picture below? I did 40 of these knee up crunches today and 60 of them last Friday. It’s no joke friends. But easy is for the birds.
Over the last 10 weeks I’ve made some incredible friendships. We’ve laughed together, cried together, thrown up together, or maybe I should say, been on the verge of throwing up together, but the point is that we’re in it together. That’s what’s made the difference for me. Now Margaret, Cristina + I have a group text going daily to encourage, uplift and hold each other accountable for going to work out. Today, it was just the 3 of us and it was Awesome!! The power house trio baby!
The past 10 weeks have been an eye opening journey, when I started I could barely run, let alone sprint, I could barely do one push up, let along 40 chin ups (like I did last Friday).
Tonight as I looked at these two pictures side by side, I was able to, for the first time SEE how far I’ve come. I can physically see the body changes + I’m not going to lie, I tear up every time I look at it. I’ve never stuck to anything this long! If you’re wondering if you can do it, stop questioning it + just get up off your ass and do it. Don’t wait till tomorrow, find some friends if you need to. Tweet me daily if you need to. Follow me on Instagram + we can share this journey together.
This is the same Stitch Fix top. Pic on Left in at the end of January, pic on right is tonight.
If you’re in the Orange County area, come join us. You can find Fitspired on Facebook. We meet Monday thru Friday and your workout options are 6am, 9am or 6pm. If you want to join us, email me and I’ll get you all the info you need. Come join me! alissa {at} ragstostitchesblog {dot} com.
And before I forget, here’s an update on my measurements! This month, my biggest changes were the 1.5 inches I lost off my hips and 1/2 inch off my thighs. I’m most proud of this because this is my problem area for reals, y’all.
Thanks for letting me share my updates with you guys, please feel free to email me with any questions you have about my journey. Next up, I’m trying juicing so I hope to share some fun recipes with you soon.
PS. I’m not being paid to endorse Ambia + her Fitspired program, I’m telling you to work out + change your life period. But you should come work out with us because Ambia’s pretty incredible + she’ll whip you into shape in no time.
You can read more about my fitness journey here.
Frances says
You are looking great!! Your hard work and the results are inspiring!!
Happy Wednesday!
Frances
Notions from Nonny
Healthier Lifestyle with Nonny
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much!! it’s crazy to look at the pics side by side… in a good way. hehe
Barefoot Hippie Girl says
That is a major difference! Way to go! You look amazing. It is hard to persist, and to pick back up when you’ve had a bad day or week. But that is the key to a lifetime of fitness. Picking up where you are and getting back to it.
Alissa Circle says
it’s so hard to persist, but I’ve found that going on the hard days, has helped me stick with it.. Here’s to hoping for continued results.
Amanda says
What great progress! That is what it’s all about! Go you!
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much! i’m excited to finally see the progress.
Whitney says
You look so great!! Your face is so skinny!!
You rock girl! Such an inspiration!!
Alissa Circle says
thank you! i’ve noticed it a lot in my face too. I’m excited for this journey.
LotusBlossomDesign (@blossomdesign) says
great inspiration!! thank you! and ps you look great! xo
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much! xo
Natalia says
That’s so amazing, the difference in both those pictures! Congratulations girl, you are truly motivating! I hope you keep updating because I am sure it helps so many people! Myself included! I need to get off my tooshie and get out there! Wish I lived closer, I’d come to your class!
Alissa Circle says
thank you! I can’t even believe the difference myself!!! I hope to keep updating each month because I feel like if I can do this and stick to it anyone can! I wish you lived closer too, it would be so much fun to work out together. Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!!!
Tamara @ The Workout Mama says
You look great! I would have never known that was the same top! All the handwork pays off, but it sometimes is hard to tell when you look at yourself in the mirror everyday 🙂 Proud of you for sharing and posting your results.
Alissa Circle says
Thank you! I know I didn’t even realize it till my friend, who also does all my fashion photos for me pointed it out. It’s so hard to see any results when you look at yourself every day!! Thanks for your encouragement!
Andrea Worley says
way to go girly! so awesome, so encouraging!
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much friend! xo
Courtney @ Journey of a Dreamer says
You go girl!! So proud of your progress! I find that usually when I feel like giving up is right when I’m on the edge of the breakthrough. Progress pics are HUGE motivators for me. Seeing even a little change reminds me of why I’m doing what I’m doing!
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much! You’re right, I need to remember to keep taking these progress pictures. I pretty much stared and cried last night I couldn’t believe it. I honestly didn’t feel like I was seeing any personal results. So glad we can share this journey!
Danielle says
WOW!! You can definitely see a change! I noticed your measurements say that you’ve gained inches in the shoulders, but personally I think they look smaller. That was the first thing I noticed in your photo! You look great Alissa!
Alissa Circle says
Thank you! yes the gained inches in my shoulders was very concerning for me and it had me so worried that I was going backwards in my journey, but after looking at this picture I realize that I didn’t have toned or defined shoulders, and I’m with you, I think they do look smaller. haha Isn’t it funny how we perceive ourselves?
Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} says
you go, girl!! such an inspiration. 🙂
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much friend! If i can do it anyone can. one step closer to living a truly healthy lifestyle.
Jamie says
Can I just say – GO YOU!!!! That’s awesome that you’ve been able to stick with it and in turn, see that you’re getting somewhere!! All that hard work really pays off…congrats!!!
Alissa Circle says
thank you so much!
Amy says
You look AMAZING! You are such an inspiration 🙂
Alissa Circle says
thank you! I truly owe it to my friends and my incredible trainer. I would’ve quit, better yet, never started this journey without them.
Jessie says
LOVE THIS! You look great!! I’m trying SO hard to get back into working out. I really want to see changes but I’m having a hard time. I’m doing a bikini challenge that I hope I stick to but I’ve been focusing a little too much on cardio and no strength.
Alissa Circle says
I can’t wait to hear how your bikini challenge goes. I know you’ll rock it!! We do a lot of strength mixed in with the cardio, although I probably need so slide more cardio in there so I can see some weight loss alongside inches lost. One step at a time right?
Rachael Barclay says
You have completely inspired me. When I saw your Instagram post last night, I could definitely see the results, but next to that other photo wow! Seriously, good for you! My boyfriend and I had a talk about making some big changes to our lifestyle tonight, and I showed him your post. So I guess I wanted to say thank you for sharing because it’s given us the push to get started. It’s going to be hard for both of us.
Really though, congratulations, I admire your dedication:)
Ruthanne says
So proud of you, friend!
Dana at Happy Little Lovelies says
oh you can TOTALLY tell! It looks like you’ve lost even more inches than your chart says….yay! This is inspiring! I decided the other day that I was going back to the 30 day shred this month and set a small goal of just doing it 3x a week for May. The big picture overwhelms me but small goals feel more do-able. Keep at it, girl!
Emily says
Wow 1.5 inches on the hip is no joke, especially in just a month! Congrats! That’s where most people’s problem lies.