Kaia F.I.T. Sacramento & Carmichael

“Today, I woke up and went for a run. In Kaia life, it was a short run, only two miles and then home to do my 15 burpees as part of the ‘Add a Burpee a Day for 50 Days’ challenge…all before 7:30 a.m. Again, in Kaia life, a light way to start the day. A year ago if someone had said that I would not only choose to get up and run, but feel amazing afterwards, I would secretly think of them as a little insane. You see, I’m not sporty. I’ve always been the girl that loves all things pretty, sparkling and shiny with a preference to not sweat while getting these things.

The first day, I honestly felt, that Casie (Kaia Sac owner) had lied. This was not fun, did not feel good, and was not easy to jump into…I could barely jump rope, skip, and what was a bear crawl, exactly? I thought I was going to pass out. The second day, we did assessments. I still can’t explain why I could go to the doctor, and dismiss the numbers so easily, but there was something about Jen’s bubbly numbers that made me really look at them. They were not good. It’s quite shocking to realize that perhaps, you could be a contestant on The Biggest Loser. She said, “This is just where you’re starting.” So despite three tear-filled, exhausting weeks that left my body bruised in places that I didn’t know could bruise, and every day thinking that I wouldn’t make it back, I did. As great as so much of my life was, I didn’t feel as healthy as I wanted to be or could be. I was tired of feeling tired. I threw out the Eggo waffles, and followed the Kaia commandments. Six weeks later, I had lost 18 pounds and several inches, and much to my surprise was Kaia Queen at the end of Brik party. Remember, I love pretty, sparkling, shiny things..so the tiara was a definite plus!

I’m coming up to my Kaia one-year anniversary… And as of the last Brik this is what I had lost: 76 pounds, 15% body fat, 39.5 inches. I know, I’m still kind of stunned myself.  I would be lying, if I didn’t say as much as I’ve always loved shopping, how much I love it even more now. Size 8, really?! I don’t think I was an 8, even when I was 8!

The truth is, these changes happened when I committed to Kaia fully and stopped worrying about the numbers, and just started to appreciate how strong and healthy I was becoming. It happened when I decided to try to go from walking to running, when I decided that I was going to learn how to do a bear crawl, a squat thrust, and crab dip. It happened when I listened to my coaches April, Becca, Raina, and Megan and started to feel that I could work through tired and do more. It happened with the support from my original 6 p.m. class, my amazing 9 a.m. class, and this past session, the 6 a.m. class, talk about being motivated before the light of day! I loved when Shelbi from 9 a.m. said “It feels so weird, that we went through so much time, not knowing all these amazing women.”  It’s the Kaia girls that cheer me on, inspire me, push me, and motivate me to do a little more every day that make Kaia special. I finally understand the exhilaration of being part of a winning sports team, but better because in Kaia every one wins!

Almost a year later, here I am sharing a snapshot of my Kaia story with you…thankful that I pushed through those first few weeks and did not quit. I cannot imagine my life without Kaia. Now, I’ve become the girl that wakes up and wants to run. I’ve become the girl that knows the prettiest, shiniest and most sparkling version of me is the one that is dripping in sweat, ponytail matted to my head, my face red, but radiating strength, health, and confidence. When people ask me what brought about this change in me, I love saying, “I am a Kaia girl and I’ve learned I Kan do anything!”