What I've Learned in Quarantine

Time, life, everything came to halt in March. Things just got flipped upside down in an instant. All of a sudden we became home school parents. Gyms closed. Churches closed. We lived life at home. No places to go. No things to do. As a really busy mom and fitness instructor this was all so weird. I didn't have to wake up and take my son to school or pick him up. I didn't have to drive to a different gym every day of the week to teach class. No errands to run. I never realized how much TIME I spent going EVERYWHERE in a day. All of sudden I had hours of my day back.

Now what to do with all this time? Well, home school took up some of that time. I was still able to teach a fitness class here and there virtually for my gym. I found myself baking. I did yoga. I drank wine. I got in a work out here and there. I cooked meals. Life slowed down. There wasn't as much stress. And then something I never expected happened. I had been so busy before going places and doing things, I never realized how much I liked being HOME.

I was able to be with my kids. I was able to play with them and start to enjoy all the moments as a family together. Don't get me wrong, they can still drive me nuts. But I never realized just how much I was missing out on before. Now that life was slowed down and we were home, I really and truly enjoyed being a mom and wife.

I'll be honest, at the very beginning of quarantine I was lost. My way of life was completely gone. My identity as a fitness instructor was gone. I didn't get to see the faces of people in class. I wasn't leading people in exercise. I was angry. I was upset. What would I do with myself? I drank too much wine. I ate too much food. I didn't workout enough. I gained some weight. I felt horrible. And at that moment I decided to make a change.

I started to be more mindful of what I ate and drank. I started following a more regular workout schedule. I got creative with workouts because I don't own very much exercise equipment. I have a kettle bell, a few weights, and we hauled my indoor cycle out of storage. Life started to shift. I was happy. I was content. I was able to show up for my family and take care of my kids.

And then it was May. Three months of quarantine life had passed. With no visible end in sight, I saw that some of my friends were starting to lose it. Their motivation and mindfulness started to falter. I saw people standing on an edge and all I could do was hold out a hand and pull them back. I created a Facebook group called May Movement Challenge. It was dedicated to keeping people motivated and active. It was a lot of fun to see the people I knew from all places and times in my life interact and create a community. That group continues to grow now as we keep reaching out and adding more people. It's now called the Movement Challenge Tribe, because that's what we've become. A tribe, a group of people supporting each other to be better and more active and lead healthy lives.

The creation of that Facebook group stirred something in my soul. It gave me purpose. I knew that my life as a very busy fitness instructor was over. I had come to terms with it and I was ready to move to next thing life had to offer. I knew I loved being home and loved being able to be with my kids. I knew I had the knowledge and experience to be able to help lead people in a different way. So with some extra time on my hands I created a website and re-launched my business Facebook page and decided to become an online health and fitness coach. I have years of experience as a personal trainer and group fitness leader. I have years of experience teaching people about a healthy lifestyle. And now I know I can do that as a living from my home.

This time so far in quarantine has been a roller coaster of emotion, but what it has taught me is that my journey is just beginning. My purpose in life is to help people the best way I know how. Now I have the tools and knowledge to be able to do that online and from my home. Now I can provide for my kids and continue to inspire those around me to be their very vest no matter what. I am happy. I am healthy. I feel empowered. I'm ready for the next set of challenges that lie ahead.

Life can be whatever you want it to be. It all comes down to mindset. You get to decide. You get to create whatever version of the story you want. Do you own it? Do you make healthy choices that serve you and your happiness? Or do you continue to make excuses and be unhappy? It's up to you.

I know that working from home, being home with kids is tough. I know that being out in the workforce as an essential worker is tough. I know it's not always easy to make your own health and fitness a priority. If you feel like you've lost your way and need to get back on track, remember mindset is key. All it takes is that one decision to want to do better. When you make that decision I'll be here for you.

My name is Juli and I want to be your health and fitness coach. I want to help you succeed. I want to see you reach your goals. I will work with you one on one for a personalized approach to your well being. We will address mindset, exercise, and nutrition. I will support you on your journey and help guide you with a workout plan and healthy eating habits. How would it feel to wake up every day feeling amazing and full of energy? How would it feel to lose weight and be more active?

Sign up now for your free consultation. Let's talk about your health and fitness goals. let's get you back on track and feeling awesome! Click on the link to set up your free discovery session.

In health and fitness,

Juli