There's No Time Like the Present

Recently I've noticed that many of my conversations, Google searches, and Instagram algorithms focus on hormone therapies, protein consumption, workouts, skincare, and all the things that come with being a "middle aged woman". I know, it's so glamorous. We live in an older community, so we often discuss which doctors we recommend and what tests we need to start scheduling. We also started paying more attention to the ailments that were affecting our people and I came to the realization that I wasn't 25 anymore... In April of this year, my sister and I were discussing some workouts we should do before we went on a girl's trip. She suggested we try this 90-day challenge in a program designed by our friend, Desiree. I didn't even research what we were getting ourselves into, I just jumped. If you know me, this is normal - I love a challenge...especially when it becomes a family challenge. So...we joined the 12-Week Refresh Challenge with West Coast Wellness (WCW).

It started easily enough with a weigh-in, measurements, and before photos. No joke, taking those photos stopped me in my tracks. I was so shocked that I had gained so many pounds and inches over the years without even noticing. In fact, I was so shocked that I couldn't look at the photos...I just took them and uploaded them to the app. Then I felt sorry for myself for a few minutes and made up my mind to go forth and conquer - because anything was progress from where I was sitting.

Back in the Day

Seventeen years ago, I was playing multiple sports and living hard - eating and drinking whatever I wanted because I needed the fuel (the drinking for the entertainment of it all). We were doing this crazy dry land training that would make us puke at 5AM - we loved it! I included this photo because in my mind I was still this girl. I was strong and superbly lax in my nutrition...I loved PBR and used to count it as a protein (beer is like a pork chop, right?). Then I got hitched.

During that time, I had several injuries in flag football. Like the kind where I hit the turf so hard, my head bounced up. I didn't think much of it at the time, but a few months later, my right hip started locking up and the smallest workouts would put me on the IR for a week. And thus began the process of trying a new workout...and the pain would start. Naturally I would give up - because I was angry and in pain. This went on for many years. Then we decided we wanted to start a family...

FEB 2025

If you've been around this blog, you know the history of how we built our family. It has been a wild, emotional, and joyous adventure. That story started with a miscarriage and fertility treatments. And has continued on since we brought home a baby (who is now a tween). And holy smokes, did life change. It also gave me ample excuses - citing no time, too many other obligations, blah, blah. 

Why the challenge worked for me. I am stubborn and competitive - so I made up my mind that I was going to beat myself at this game. Desiree set up an easy-to-follow and accountable program. everything is in the app - it reminds you to do your workouts and log your food. Those days I tried to talk myself out of my workout, my sister would text me a photo of her after-workout proud face and it was enough of a reminder/motivation that 20-30 minutes in the gym wasn't going to impact my schedule.

In the spirit of stubbornness, my only goal for the 90-day challenge was to stick with something - period. What could it hurt? I felt lethargic and cruddy - maybe it would help. It took a shift in my mindset to stop snacking during movies or eating whatever leftovers Pickle didn't want. That shift turned into ruthless determination when I started noticing the difference. Did I go to bed at 7PM the first month, so I wouldn't be tempted? Yes, yes I did. I also started meal prepping and (gasp) weighing my food. What a simple concept that was completely foreign to me. Desiree's zoom calls, check-in texts, and virtual cheerleading were such a big part of the success.

NOV 2025

I will tell you this - it was not easy, but it was sure worth it. My sister tells me that I'm not fun anymore...because I don't drink, only eat between 8AM and 6PM, and stay away from sugar/gluten. Which means that it's sometimes hard to socialize...but also explains why I've burned through 150 books this year. Ha.

I'm guessing you want to know how I measured the success? Well...I've lost 55# this year (32# in the 12-Week Refresh Challenge.  Holy smokes - I'm not going to say I'm embarrassed to write that - but it makes me sad that I waited so long to "just start". I'm back to the fighting weight of pre-nuptials/the Pickle and it feels good...really good to have energy. It really feels good to have retrained my brain and my body before I hit that middle age number next year. 

For the record, I eliminated alcohol and gluten in January of the year as a test for aches/pains/rashes/blinding headaches...and that probably helped with the quick-start of the WCW program. And no, I didn't use any meds to assist - after fertility treatments, I know that my body does agree with drugs. This was literally the most disciplined I've ever been in my life...and I'm now looking forward to that middle age number that hits next year. 

If you're like me and you love excuses, but you're looking for a change/motivation - contact Desiree at WCW. If you're looking for an extra boost - Des has a 21-day reset starting tomorrow (DEC1) - book by midnight tonight and you're in. Don't forget to remind yourself that you're a strong badass - go forth and conquer!

*This is not a paid/nor requested post - just my review of a fantastic service aka "the thing that finally worked for me". Thank you, Des - you're an incredible woman!

In case you didn't like my links above:

• West Coast Wellness website
• West Coast Wellness on Instagram

Cheers,

Dee