It's a Race . . .

Written by Whitni Mungin

Finding "fit" wherever you are.

It is said, your thirties is when you take the lessons from your twenties and apply them to become a better version of yourself. I recently translated some of these life lessons in fitness. As a child, I was always active. I did ballet, gymnastics, soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, karate, and cheerleading. Yes, I played almost everything! My favorite was anything dance related. I still think I have a shot at being a pro dancer … I digress. I struggled in my twenties and thirties,  to maintain a fit lifestyle which brings me to today. First, I am still in my thirties and have entered what I call “Phase 3” in this journey. I took what I learned and strategically found a boutique gym, 360 MBS (Mind, Body, Soul)  because I needed help with accountability.

360 focuses on Mind, Body and Soul as a part of its programming. To test it out, I joined a 13-week fitness challenge and was immediately accepted into a community that supported and encouraged my goals. Literally, I was on “Team Goal Chasers”. I didn’t think I was a morning workout type, but I quickly became that person up at 4:30 for a 5 a.m. class. Over three months of consistently working out, adjusting my diet to more raw foods, and becoming 90 percent pescatarian (I still eat chicken, turkey, pork and beef about two times a month), I saw a huge change physically, but the most important changes for me were mentally. This time everything clicked.

Here are my takeaways summed up as some of my favorite sayings, which I believe translate into all areas of life: in business, as an entrepreneur, and as an employee.

What is Your WHY?

I re-committed myself to health and fitness because I wanted my exterior to match my inside. Previously, I was motivated strictly by the exterior results, and ironically, I never got close to here I wanted to be. This time, I had a different motivation, and I am seeing them manifest physically.​

It Is a Race . . . and Running is Stupid

I am not a fan of running AT all, but I understand why it is important, so I do it. This time, I leaned into the journey instead of focusing on the goal. I experimented with food and exercise to see what worked. Previously, I wanted the result and didn’t focus on the lessons. Finally, I accepted that six-pack abs and visible muscle don’t happen in two weeks like what you see in the media.​

Sharing Is Caring

I shared my journey with family, friends, and co-workers to help keep me accountable. What I saw was how others were inspired to take what I learned and include some of it in their daily lives.

 . . . . . . . . . . .

I was not, have not, and will not be perfect with food and exercise. What I can be is persistent and know that a bad weekend is exactly that. Accept the cake and ice cream binge (or that terrible meeting or presentation), don’t beat yourself up, and put a plan in place to have several great days to stay on target. Then reward yourself AFTER you make a goal.

Stay focused, lean into the lessons, apply what you learn, and don’t beat yourself up. Most importantly, find your community of support. It sounds simple in theory, and if these lessons are applied where we want to see change, results will happen.

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Whitni is a Project Manager with Urban Equities. She is inspired by creating sustainable change in communities through development. When not working, Whitni is active volunteering in several organizations or enjoying the Chicago lake front.

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