Everyday we see so many advertisements for losing weight without working out or slimming your waist within days by popping a pill…both of which seem highly unhealthy.  It’s rare to see someone who actually takes the necessary steps in eating right and exercising to lose weight.  I struggle daily with my weight and my body image.  I went from being an extremely healthy athlete to overweight when I started college in 2001.  I haven’t been able to get back to my old self since then.  I walk around with weight that I’m not used to and actually motivating myself to get in the gym and stick with it is really hard.  So, one day I was on the computer and saw a post from one of my Facebook friends.  The post read:

 

Don’t chase your dreams CATCH THEM! If you would have told me 10 months ago that I would make a career out of helping others get in shape and that I would be a CERTIFIED INSANITY INSTRUCTOR, I would have laughed in your face! It still seems so surreal to me that I, Crystal Hughey, am a successful Beachbody Coach. I’m just a girl who struggled with fitness but finally decided to anchor down and get serious about getting healthy.

This year is all about stepping outside of my comfort zone. Last year I stepped out of my comfort zone by becoming a Coach. That decision was the best decision of the year so I decided to do more things that scare me. My 2014 Vision Board is full of things that scare me (like getting Insanity Certified and paying off my student loans in one year). I like to set my goals high and give myself huge challenges.

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” ~Brian Tracy

 

In reading this, I got chills…like serious chills.  Maybe if I show you all a timeline of Crystal’s journey you may understand why her story hits home.  Check out her transformation:

 

 

Now, do you see why I look upon Crystal with such admiration?!  She and I don’t interact with one another on a daily basis, but I did reach out to her and ask if she’d be alright with me sharing her story.  There was no interview conducted, no heart to heart, no exchanging of life stories, just pure and organic respect for someone who worked their butt off to get to where they are now.  When you are at a low point in life and the cards seem to be stacked against you, seeing someone take hold of their life is sometimes the best antidote to fixing something with yourself.  She barely knows me and vice versa, but seeing her journey unfold on Facebook, of all places, has really shown me that it is possible.  Hopefully, Crystal can spark something in you like she did for me!  Thanks, Crystal and congrats on becoming a Certified Insanity Instructor!

 

If you want to follow more of Crystal Hughey’s journey, check out her site: Fitness With Chris