Balancing health and happiness

I’ve talked about Gillian of Momshells.com many, many times. She is the guru on balancing health and happiness in your life.
Gillian and Momshells.com are kind of a big deal in STL. She’s the go-to fitness coach for women in the area and she is AMAZING at what she does.
But here’s a story she talked about on her Instagram a few days ago.
“Trying to be fit was making me crazy.
I’m here to tell you a little story about my health and fitness journey. My love for fitness was destroying my health and happiness.
Nine years ago, I was an absolute nut- writing down every single morsel of food I put in my mouth. Driving myself crazy with calculations, I was weighing myself numerous times a day, and trying to cram as much gym time into my schedule as a busy, working mom.
In turn, these behaviors led to poor sleep, out of control hormone issues, and binge-restrict patterned eating.
I was in a really dark and lonely place.
I never took invitations to hang out with friends for fear that I would come off my diet or have to miss a workout.
This behavior all started for me when I began my journey in the fitness industry in 2007. I was a success story for a weight loss product and was featured in magazines and on TV.
The stress and pressure of feeling that I needed to look very lean and tiny lead me to very unhealthy behaviors. I was burdened by hours and hours of cardio in an attempt to burn off calories consumed during binges due to the enormous amount of pressure I felt.”

The pregnancy of her second child woke her up and helped her pay attention to her health.
“I had to stop dieting and over exercising for the sake of my baby and the actual physical changes during that pregnancy corrected many of the hormonal and metabolic issues that I had created for myself through the years of terrible lifestyle habits that I believed were healthy and necessary to be fit.
When my daughter was born, I vowed to be a positive example to her in a world with intense societal pressures to look a certain way, more now than when I was growing up.
I couldn’t continue my unhealthy habits and allow her to think this was how she should live her life too so I followed a long road to health and now at almost 40 years old, I tell you with full confidence that maintaining my shape is a cinch.
Now, I eat foods that I love and workout because I love it and it is truly something I enjoy- it is no longer a burden.”

The Momshell Method
“I turned this lifestyle into the “Momshell Method.” I coach other busy women (not just moms) and teach them the same healthy habits. In turn, they can achieve their goal body. It helps them stop unhealthy and obsessive behaviors that do not help in living a fit and healthy lifestyle.
If it looks easy now, it’s because it became that way out of habit. I don’t panic over upcoming social occasions. For photoshoot prep, I don’t diet, and I don’t look in the mirror wanting to change everything.
If your quest to lose weight is stressing you out- STOP! You’re likely doing more harm than good!
The bottom line: Motivation comes and goes. Junk food and treats will always be there. The freedom of not having to obsess over every meal and workout has given me so much valuable time to spend doing the things that I love.”

Back to School, Back to Fit Health Challenge
The challenge starts August 1, 2019!
You can get the tools you need to begin your journey of health and fitness for only $129!
There will be lots of prizes and one includes a 1.5 hour session with me including hair and makeup!

For more information, email Gillian at beckerbuiltbodies@gmail.com.
Visit Momshells.com for information about Gillian’s program as well.

Tracy Lynn is a boudoir photographer for brides-to-be in the St. Louis area, and a mentor + coach for photographers looking to level up their businesses with better systems and processes.