After two kids and multiple moves for my husband’s medical school and now residency programs, I was finally ready to make 2016 the year of ME!  I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I was going to focus some of my energy on making “me” better – physically, mentally, emotionally.  Although I thought it would be a long shot, I entered the WCHL Healthiest You contest in January and to my delight, I was selected to be on Team A Better Image, as one of the 64 contestants trying to improve their health and along the way maybe win a membership to the UNC Wellness Center for a year!

After the first week weigh-in, I was pleasantly surprised to have lost more than I had anticipated.  But more than that, I have been taking at least one hour a day to focus on improving my health and have some “me time”.  Because of the wonderful childcare offered at UNC Wellness center, I am able to confidently leave my little ones while “mommy goes and takes a class.”  I am having a blast in these classes, meeting new people, gaining muscle strength and trying new forms of exercise.  Whether it’s cycling, ballet burn, muscle conditioning, HEAT, or Abs-O-Glutely, I’m having FUN getting in shape.  For those like me that aren’t as into doing circuit training on machines or lifting weights in front of a mirror, fitness classes have been a life saver.  I’m still lifting weights and building muscles, but it’s in a more social setting, with great music and tons of variety.  I look forward to my workouts each day, and in the second week even took two classes a day twice already!

Nicole is pictured here on the first row, 2nd from the left

Nicole is pictured here on the first row, 2nd from the left

But even more amazing are the wonderful women on my team.  We are all different in shape, size, athletic ability and stages in life, but we are all incredibly supportive of one another.  We have amazing coaches in Paige Schmidt and Marissa Brydon-Corton who push us to give each week our all and to push the limits of where we “think” our bodies can go.

Best of all, my children are seeing me workout each day and strive to eat a healthy balanced diet.  My 4 year old daughter asks to do videos with me at home or “do a workout” upstairs where we walk the track and then do some stretching, sit ups and pushups….yes you read that correctly, my 4 year old is working out too!!!  And she’s loving it…although this all started out as a way for me to focus on myself, it has turned into a health journey for my entire family.

The most unexpected part of this journey so far is my interest in becoming a fitness instructor.  I have loved all the different teachers I have taken classes with and what’s better than getting paid to work out?

I’m so grateful for this opportunity and plan to continue to push myself and see how far this mama of two can go!

 

— Nicole Budd