Evening, friends! I hope this Monday found you well. And warm. I can hardly believe the chill we have faced here in GA. I guess the furnace I have strapped to my stomach, aka my pregnant belly, helps out. Soon enough that furnace will be gone. And soon enough I will have the chance to venture back to my fitter side.

I will commit the year 2011 to reaching that place I feel best at physically. Not only physically, however, but also emotionally and mentally as well. I clearly remember my first venture into fitness. It all started with the required college physical education course. I took an aerobics and body conditioning class, expecting to just get through the class and go on my merry way. After the semester ended, I realized I missed those regular workouts and from that point on fitness has wedged its way into my life.

Although I have faced my share of ups and downs and unhealthy obsessions with body image and scales, I now know the benefit exercise can bring when done for all the right reasons. After giving birth to little M I gained new perspective on fitness. I worked out in ways I enjoyed because it helped me feel strong. It gave me something to work towards for myself and provided some quality “me time”. I embraced the challenges and, most importantly, had fun along the way. That attitude brought me into the best shape of my life. It brought me from here to there…not that the “before” is bad either though…

I don’t even consider when I competed in my fitness competition my best shape. I was in the best shape in that photo above right, just before I started my competition prep…about 9 months after Makenzie was born. I call that my best shape because not only was I physically in a place I felt strong, but I also felt strong mentally and emotionally. I truly loved myself. My physical care of myself simply reflected that. THAT is what mattered.

That is where I hope to take myself in 2011 once again. Hold that thought. Not hope. WILL! I have done it once and I will do it again. I will take care of my body with regular activity. I will strive towards new fitness goals that ignite passion and determination within me because it helps me to live life more fully. I will achieve my definition of best shape again and share the motivation with others along the way. I will have the power to do all these things because I know what a life with fitness does for me. I will accomplish my goals because I have done it once and nothing will hold me back from doing so again. I will because I can. I will because I care. For myself. For my family. For my friends. For each of you out there cheering me on.

Life is not all about diet and workouts. Many different things factor in to our wellness. I firmly believe that. I think that is what makes me a great fit for the Team 4All group. I have ran the gamut from obsessive-compulsive over-exerciser to not having workouts as an option during the late stages of pregnancy. During the course of those changes I have learned the true value of fitness. The value of treating ourselves with respect and believing we have the worth to care for our health and fitness. I would be honored to help represent a company that believes in the power of a woman and wants to help showcase her strength as well as her beauty. Fitness should be 4All. For all individuals. And for all the right reasons. Wellness. Wholeness. Happiness.

This is my official Team 4All entry. Thank you for your support. No matter what, I know 2011 will be an exciting journey continuing towards health and fitness on all levels. I can’t wait for it to begin and to share it with you.