One year ago today, I made a decision which would change my life. Yes, I realize that sounds extremely dramatic, but 1) it’s the truth and 2) I have a small appreciation for drama in my writing.
On March 27, 2018, I had my Breakthrough Call with Tiffanie of Moms Can Be Fit. I remember it was March 27th, specifically, not because I knew the profound affect this date would have on my life, but rather because I knew I was getting close to a year and recently went through my 2018 planner and found “Breakthrough with Tiffanie” inked onto my March 27th block. I know that’s pretty underwhelming, but stick with me a minute. I think in many cases we don’t realize the enormity of something we are doing when it’s happening in real time. This was one of those things. Looking back, I see this was where everything else stemmed from, but on that day I hadn’t the slightest clue where I was headed. Now, on a side note I do remember the exact date I started eating gluten free (April 10) because in that instance I completely understood the gravity of the situation and that I was possibly going gluten free forever…. FOR-EV-ER. FOR-EV-ER. FOR-EV-ER. FOR-EV-ER (cue Squints telling the story of the Beast in “The Sandlot”). See, appreciation for dramatics. To know me is to know my deep love of bread and pizza and macaroni and cheese and baked goods. All the glutens please! April 10th is a date firmly imprinted on my mind, but March 27th is really the one that holds the most importance.
I had been following Tiffanie on Instagram for several months prior to ever contacting her. I started following her because she posted her workouts and a lot of exercise photos. One thing that immediately stuck out was Tiffanie has abs… and she’s over 40… and that’s flippin’ amazing. Tiffanie is in great shape, not just for her age, she’s in great shape period. This is what first attracted me to her feed, but the more I got to know her (well, as well as you can “get to know” someone by following them on Instagram and not having any actual interaction with them, lol) the more I liked her. She came across as so fun and sweet. I loved that she made health and fitness a priority, which was something I desperately wanted to get back to after being hurt/sick for so long.
As Moms Can Be Fit filled more of my Instagram feed, I found myself on the Moms Can Be Fit Blog. This is where I read about Tiffanie’s own battle with autoimmune disease. I discovered certain similarities in our stories; suddenly feeling terrible, the fear of the unknown that persists before a diagnosis and the desperation to get better; wanting to feel like yourself again. I have discovered these are common themes for many with autoimmunity. Tiffanie had been able to get her autoimmune condition under control with dietary changes. No medicine. After reading about the medications my Rheumatologist wanted to put me on, I was terrified and was willing to do just about anything to stay off medication to avoid the scary list of potential side effects. Not long after reading the blog, I DMed Tiffanie to ask if she could help with other types of autoimmune disease. She graciously replied that she could and she worked with women in all sorts of different circumstances. Not long after that, I scheduled my Breakthrough Call.
During our consultation, Tiffanie asked me about what was going on in my life that had lead me to contact her. She listened to me and seemed to genuinely care. I remember she asked me something along the lines of, ‘Are you ready to make real changes to change your life?’ And I knew I had to. In that moment, I knew I needed to do things differently if I wanted to get back to me. I signed up for her coaching program that day. I was excited to have hope. I clung to that ray of light, took a deep breath and dove in deep.
Tiffanie’s program was incredible. She sets the tone with focusing on mindset and daily routines that have nothing to do with eating or exercise. We didn’t delve into food and gut health until a few weeks in. The program focuses on dietary and lifestyle adjustments that benefit the whole self, not a narrowly focused set of rules. When I did change my diet I felt the benefits quickly. Aches and pains I had never attributed to nutrition suddenly disappeared. I was amazed. The Moms Can Be Fit program is where I first realized the importance of a positive mindset. During the first guided exercise, I was brought to tears. Not tears of sadness though. They were tears of happiness. Happiness because when I envisioned my future, in it I was happy, joyful even. The enormity of how stressed and unhappy I was had been lost on me for a long time.
Tiffanie was a solid coach throughout the process. She is a mentor wrapped with a cheerleader’s enthusiasm. She felt like a friend checking in on you during the one-on-one calls. Her love for what she does is apparent, as is her knowledge. The information she exposed me to changed the way I saw myself and my relationship with food. While I was sad to see gluten go, I was happier with the results a gluten free life afforded me.
Since completing the Moms Can be Fit program, I have continued on my journey of health and extended my quest for information. I have also not had to go on the medication I feared. I’ve learned a lot since March 27th, 2018. I have made big and small changes, and have continued to step more fully into me. Heck, I can’t say this blog would be happening had it not been for devoting myself to that program. That program that all began just one year ago. I can’t wait to see where I am one year from now.
