It took me a LONG time to feel confident walking into a workout class in just a sports bra and leggings… Like, 32 years. I’m sure a lot of you can relate or possibly still feel like you aren’t quite where you’d like to be with your body. Almost all of us have struggled with appearance and self-confidence which is no surprise considering Academy Sports + Outdoors recently found that 57% of millennials feel self-conscious when exercising around others. But, I think the body positivity movement is changing!

It’s been slightly over a year since I started a complete body transformation called the “Body Reset“. And guess what… I’ve never felt better about myself. But, it’s not just because I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. Hello, have you seen what I’ve been eating the last month while traveling all over the place?? This girl likes carbs… and wine… and all the unhealthy things really.

Honestly, I’ve put back on some pounds over the last month and do not feel my best. I struggle with the overeating and slipping into unhealthy eating habits extremely fast. I really didn’t want to take these photos until I had time to do a little detox. However, when I found this cute sports bra, black leggings, and Nike athletic shoes from Academy Sports I wanted to show it off regardless of not feeling like I looked my best. Sometimes that’s all the motivation you need to get back into your routine!

I’ve worked really really hard over the last year to get in amazing shape.

So, even if I’ve fallen off the bandwagon a bit lately it’s okay. Although a cute pair of high waist leggings to hide those extra pounds right now is fantastic. My stomach has always been my problem area… I’ve done Cool Sculpting and recently tried Emsculpt because any little bit helps. In the end, I’m never going to have a flat stomach and abs so I’ve just accepted it. If it’s never eat a bagel again OR only wear high waist leggings or bikinis the rest of my life you can guess what wins in my book…

I’m not a big fan of the short term solutions to a healthier lifestyle.

That’s why I did the 6-week “Body Reset” program with my personal trainer and try to stay on track with a clean eating diet and taking my supplements. Do I always feel confident at the gym when I’m there with a bunch of moms who look way better than me? Absolutely not! The comparison game is tough, but if you can love yourself for you like I’ve learned to do then it’s way easier to want to go to the gym or workout!

The biggest takeaway from my journey to body confidence is realizing I’m never going to be perfect. I’m going to live life and eat things I shouldn’t sometimes. But, I’m also going to wear the sports bra to my workout classes and feel good about it because I’m only human. And, if I want a bagel or a glass of wine I’m going to have one, okay? Okay.

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*Thanks Academy Sports + Outdoors for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.