I do it to myself, the busyness, the overcommitment, the feeling that I am the only one that can do it, so I must do it all. In actuality the people and tasks that need me the most, I've been avoiding, telling myself they don't need me or not prioritizing appropriately. This spring I was at a tipping point, each night I was either at a school event, teaching yoga, coaching Girls on the Run or driving from one place or another, speeding along the way, to be at an activity for my kids. We were barely eating diner together as a family, maybe once a week. I haven't been working out, even my work out app We Rise , reminded me that it's been a while since I tracked a workout. The house was a mess, dog hair everywhere, dishes in the sink, clean clothes in laundry baskets just being recirculated through and the bathrooms, don't let me get started on bathrooms. When you live on well water, bathrooms are the worst to clean. You might be saying, why don't you get your ...
I'm very grateful for the support and non-judgement from my husband through my health and wellness journey. There have been huge changes in our lifestyle that where not planned out, but have proven to make a profound difference in both of us.
April is a significant month for us in so many ways!! It is the month that both of our childen were born; and in a way it is when we were both "reborn" as well.
April 1st, 2023 (No April Fools) is when my husband experienced cardiac arrest in our home, I performed CPR for six minutes until paramedics arrived. He was placed in a coma in ICU and was in the hospital for eleven days. He had a defibrillator implanted onto his heart because there was no clear indicator of what caused the cardiac arrest.
What was clear, was that both of us needed to change our heath and wellness.
For me, my first step was having more regular visits with doctors. I've never really liked doctors and have a hard time thinking that pills (or shots) would be a quick fix. However, we all need a little help sometimes. I visited an endocrinologist that reviewed some of my hormone levels and we discussed my weight and fatigue. I was borderline pre-diabetic and we decided to give a GLP1 a try. Zepbound has been a significant support in giving me the boost I needed to get me moving in the right direction. I've lost over 100 pounds. Starting at 248lbs and now I'm down to 145lbs, which has allowed my A1C to be at 5.2 and also contributed to higher levels of energy and less sleep apnea symptoms.
Once I lost around 50lbs, I started to notice how my cycle was still quite problematic. I consulted with my OB-GYN, let them know about my horrible periods, crushing/cramping pain and anemia. With a history of uterine cancer in my family, we did an ultrasound and determined multiple fibroids. My doctor compared my uterus to having a "bag full of marbles". So we decided to have a partial hysterectomy. I kept my ovaries, so I would not go into immediate menopause. After recover, I felt immensely better. I was able to move without constant cramping and didn't have to deal with periods, pads or fear of leaking 2-3 weeks out of every month.
After all that is when my wellness journey truly began!!!! I always enjoyed yoga or working out, but now my body was truly able to jump in and do it.
When I become interested in something, I can hyper fixate on it, and yoga has truly allowed me to expand my understanding of my mind, body and sprit (not to sound cliche). I finished my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in February 2024, along with Mindfulness Coaching, Meditation and Trauma Informed Yoga though My Vinyasa Practice. Then in September 2026 I got my Mat Pilates Certification with NETA. Most recently, I received my Yin Yoga Certification in March 2026 from Dragon Fly Yoga. There are a few other trainings that I'm looking to complete to really be able to develop my knowledge of different yoga modalities as well as share that with others.
My husband (and my kids) have really allowed me to find joy within yoga by giving me the time and space to teach yoga, Pilates and continue my learning. As an elementary principal, it can be extremely stressful and challenging. Getting able to teach again, write out my yoga "lesson plans" and be in front of people who actually want to listen and learn from me, is rewarding, uplifting and brings joy back into my life.
There are days that I don't get home until 9:00pm, after a being at school and then teaching classes. However, I feel more energized, excited about life and at peace within myself after teaching. I'm not angry, I can compartmentalize events from the day and let stuff go that is not in my circle of control.
Getting able to teach at ARIS Yoga & Pilates - Yin, Yin-Yasa and Hot Pilates - and Nurture Yoga & Massage - Yin, Yoga Sculpt and Vinyasa - has given me an outlet to express my love for teaching, learning and connecting with people, that brings me joy and aligns with my health and wellness goals.
The journey does not end here!!! I have a bunch of ideas that I can't wait to manifest into reality. Including adding to my knowledge with a few other certifications, exploring ways to expand sharing yoga practices with others and continuing my wellness with consistency and persistency on the mat as well at the gym, and with nutrition.
It's about finding the balance between work, bring a mom (of an adult child - soon to be leaving for college, and an active teenager), wife, as well as the shifts in my own body. I need to keep finding ways that help me move forward with the support of my husband, kids and family. I'm so very grateful for the wake up call three years ago that got me to the place that I am now!!!!
The love and support from my husband and kids have helped me get to where I am today. The journey continues to evolve, but I know wherever it goes, they are by my side.
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