This February, show yourself some love

This journey hasn’t always been easy and I don’t kid myself that it will be. I started the fitness journey after my third baby to see how much I could push myself physically while attaining the flat belly I wanted.

The beginning was hard. I woke up on some days absolutely sore and in no mood to do any form of exercise. I had a home to run, a job to do, and children to take care of. How could I add in fitness?

I almost gave up many times, but the hope that I’ll lose my belly fat kept me going. There were times I let negativity creep in accusing me of being vain – I’d hear words like “Abeg go and sit down, you have three children for Christ’s sake, let your body be” or “You still look better than many people.”

At those times when the words filled my head and I close my eyes to the shine of my iron dumbbells and the elasticity of my workout gear, I saw defeat smiling victoriously at me. Always feeling like it had won. Then I would summon every ounce of strength I had left and attack my work-out like a beast, willing time to fly so that I could free my body from the torment of pain.

Months later, my story changed. I started seeing results that I didn’t think was possible for someone like me. Results that took me to the mirror countless times just to be sure; I started seeing muscles in my belly and sneak peek of a one-pack.

That changed the way I saw fitness, and the results of my hard work became my motivation. I knew within me that if I could see one pack, it was possible to see two, three and maybe even six. I also noticed I had more energy to do things, go long distances without panting and care for my home without breaking down.

My blood pressure which was initially a bit high normalized, and I was in the best health ever. I started enjoying exercising. I went everywhere learning and educating myself on everything concerning fitness.

Over a year after my fitness journey began, I started taking my fellow women on the same journey to self-discovery, strength and amazing results through the NAIJAFITMOMS routine. Because I am first a woman and then a mother especially one living in Lagos (the busiest city in Nigeria), I knew first-hand the challenge there is in losing post-baby weight and incorporating fitness into a mother’s life.

As a fitness coach/entrepreneur, I decided to help women on their fitness journeys because I understand how tough it can be to start and stick through.

When I hear how some women have lost their confidence because of their inability to lose excess weight, or how some have spent a better part of their adult lives living on fad diets just to look the way they want, it breaks my heart. There are so many lies peddled just to get people desperate to lose weight to part with their hard-earned money.

But what I’ll tell you quite honestly is that exercising and eating a balanced diet still remains your best bet for a healthy and fit self.

The journey is not easy, results are not immediate, the motivation won’t always be there, and time may never seem right, you’ll want to give up, also people will try to discourage you but I promise that the rewards far outweigh the challenges and excuses.

Fitness is a lifestyle, one that in old age, you’ll be thankful you adapted. I love the fact that I look good in clothes when I eat healthily and stay fit, but more important than that, I love the fact that I feel good on the inside – and isn’t that where one’s real essence is…On the inside?

This February, show yourself some love for the sake of Valentine’ season – do right by your body. If you don’t know where to start, shoot me an email on info@naijafitmoms.com and I’ll be glad to help you figure that out.

Chinwe Obinwanne