My name is Caileigh (Kay-lee). I am 26 years old. Born and raised in Upstate NY (NOT NY CITY!) I am now a Jail Officer in Northern Virginia. I recently (within the last 2 years) started to find my passion for fitness.
I have never been happy with my body. I\"ve always been "over weight", at least according to my BMI and my doctors. I was never SUPER unhealthy and never SUPER healthy, either. I never had confidence in my body or myself. I was even made fun of at times for my "chunky" body.
Before getting a job at my current jail in 2016, I needed to be able to do 10 pushups in a minute for their required agility test. Guess what I couldn\"t do? A pushup. I tried over and over. I did knee pushups, wall pushups, regular pushups. I tried it all. I tried wide-armed ones, narrow ones, ones at an incline. Nothing. Eventually I was able to do them "well enough" to get the job. But I did have to take the agility test TWICE, based on not being able to do said pushups.
I started with a kickboxing studio in NY called 9Round. I loved it. It was only 30 minutes a day. There were no class times. There was a trainer who helped you. And it was a good/hard workout. My mom made fun of me the day after I started. I could barely walk. I needed help off the toilet. Not too long after I started, I got my mom interested as well. Guess who didn\"t think it was funny when she needed help off the toilet...
After I moved to VA, I found another 9Round close to me, and continued there. However, I didn\"t see the weight coming off. I loved the kickboxing, the atmosphere and the people. But I wanted to see myself get fit, and that wasn\"t happening for me
In 2019, I was at my biggest weight EVER and I hated my body. I decided I really wanted to lose weight this time and get into shape. I was unhappy in MOST areas of my life and knew I needed a change.
I saw a few ads online for Beachbody and I knew a few people who were doing it. Someone even reached out to me to try it. (I hate that type of advertisement, but it worked!) So I tried it. I did a program called Transform:20 to start. It was 6 days a week, 20 minutes a day for 42 days-program. You get a meal plan, a step, stickers, a book, a wall poster, and so much more. It was hard, it was tiring, it was great. I lost about 10 pounds doing this. I wanted something challenging, yet attainable, and Transform:20 was just that, for me. That 10 pounds didn\"t come off easy. I was very dedicated-only missing a few workouts and only taking few days off. Even after working 12 hours, I would come home and do the workout. I was very determined.
When I started Transform:20, I also started the Beachbody food plan. You get colored containers, that teach you how much food you should be eating at each meal. Essentially, portion control. I didn\"t feel it was enough. I reached out to a friend from elementary school and high school-Emily Tills-who is a registered dietician. She got me on the right track to how you\"re really supposed to eat. (Side note: I even recommended her to my mom. If you\"re interested, check her out on Instagram @nourshishedwithemily or her website: https://www.nourishedwithemily.com/1-1-nutrition-coaching) She gives you small yet useful tips on what to eat, nutrition facts, recipes, 1:1 coaching, videos, games, books, and so much more. Definitely worth the follow and inquiry!
After I finished the Transform:20, I wanted to continue with working out. I started to see the weight come off, and I wanted it to continue. I asked a friend I worked with, a Personal Trainer, if he would train me. I knew another girl I worked with who was working with him, and she said he could train us ALL together. I thought that was great. I didn\"t want to be alone, or look dumb (a fear amongst many for the gym). So I decided to ask him. He agreed and we all began to workout.
Let me be clear when I say that I HATED working out with him. He was hard. I complained A LOT. I swore. I called him names. He made me work HARD. But guess what?
Did I die? Nope.
Did I finish each workout with him? Yup.
Did I throw up? Almost every time, but never did.
Did I lose weight? Yes.
Did I gain muscle? Yes.
Did I gain knowledge of what to do inside and outside of the gym? Oh yes!
Worth it? 100%.
I only worked with him a short while before I decided I was able to do it on my own. (It helped that we were friends and went to the gym together. Even now, he still will correct my form, or give me tips on getting stronger or being better).
Before this, I wanted NO part of working out at the gym by myself. I thought I looked dumb. I knew no one. I was "chunky" and thought everyone was staring at me. After he trained me, I knew what to do, what machines to use, how to use them. Moreover, he taught me how to get good workouts, outside of the gym too. I didn\"t NEED machines to workout. I didn\"t NEED a partner. I could do things on my own.
So that’s where I began. It was never easy. Actually, at times it was really hard. But it was so worth it.
I always read quotes like "The next few months will go by no matter if you are working out or not. Make them count". I was sick of working out for a few days, then stopping, having no motivation to do it anymore, then being upset that I didn\"t continue or lose the weight. I finally woke up saying things like "Today is the day!" or "I will start today". And I did. I started making little changes, which eventually added up to big results.
It sucks in the beginning. I promise you it does. I also promise that it will get easier though. It even
becomes fun. Start making little changes, which will add up to bigger improvements. And never ever give up!!!
xoxo Always,
Push-up Princess Caileigh
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