1. Summer Is… Chaotic
2. Proud Mom Moment: The Kid Murph
3. Bright Spots and Baby Steps
4. Motivation Is a Myth… Sometimes
5. Progress Isn’t Always Flashy

Here we are mid-June already. The sunshine’s out, school’s out, and so is any semblance of a routine. And while I may not have some earth-shattering transformation update this time around, what I do have is real-life progress.

I’m officially in maintenance mode, down 13.1 pounds since January 8th, and holding steady… which honestly feels like its own kind of victory right now.

Summer Is… Chaotic

I knew summer would be tricky, but WOW. I thought I was busy before, but summer brings a whole new level of “random.” Last-minute lake days, impromptu dinners out, activities popping up out of nowhere – it makes meal planning feel like trying to play Tetris on a rollercoaster.

And the temptations? Oh, they’re everywhere. Friends want to go out, the kids want treats, and it’s way too easy to slide back into those old patterns of “whatever, whenever, however much.” Staying at maintenance calories is no joke.

Proud Mom Moment: The Kid Murph

One of the highlights of the season was going to the Murph event at my CrossFit gym over Memorial Day weekend. I wasn’t quite feeling up to the full workout—I was still getting over being sick—but I showed up to cheer on the community.

And the best part? My daughter did the kid version of Murph! Watching her push through the workout, give it her all, and finish with such pride was everything. She’s strong, determined, and soaking up this lifestyle right alongside me.

At one point, she was watching Coach Amber power through the full Murph workout. Coach Amber is short and petite, but she is an absolute powerhouse. My daughter turned to me and said, “Mom, Coach Amber is small but mighty!”

I seriously melted. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with a kid. I love that she’s growing up surrounded by strong, confident women to look up to—not just physically strong, but mentally strong. It reminded me that this journey isn’t just about me—it’s about what I’m showing my kids along the way.

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Bright Spots and Baby Steps

But let me flip the script. Despite the chaos, there’s been so much to celebrate. I learned how to play pickleball (and I am obsessed). And my youngest is absolutely loving her Summer Jr. CrossFit group three times a week. Watching her be active and confident makes my heart so happy.

Outside the gym, I’ve been finding little ways to stay busy and keep my body moving. Whether it’s hiking with my daughter, paddleboarding on the lake, or joining a ruck walk with my Crusher CrossFit crew, staying active—even in non-traditional ways—has helped me feel more connected to myself and this journey. It’s not always about structured workouts. Sometimes it’s just about movement, joy, and fresh air.

And the best part? My body is finally feeling better. My back is cooperating more, and I’ve started lifting a little heavier. Not huge numbers, but HUGE for me.

Up until recently, I had been using the training bar, which weighs about 15 lbs, plus a few 10 lb plates—bringing my total lifts to around 20 lbs. It was a slow rebuild, especially with all the back issues I’ve been working through. But then I started seeing small gains. A few weeks ago, I was able to front squat 45 lbs and do hang power cleans at 30 lbs, still using the training bar.

Just last week, I finally made the jump to the standard barbell, which weighs 35 lbs on its own—no added plates needed to feel the progress! That transition alone felt huge. Now that I’m using the regular bar, I finally get to start building from there.

Those numbers might not sound like much to some, but for me—after months of dealing with back issues—this is huge. It’s physical proof that the work is paying off. One day, just like with my nutrition, all these baby steps will add up to a moment where I surprise even myself. “Wait… I can lift THAT now?!”

Motivation Is a Myth… Sometimes

Let’s be real. There are days I don’t want to show up. Like today.

I planned to work out this morning, but I was tired and wanted to sleep in. Fine. I told myself I’d go after work.

After work rolled around and… surprise! I still didn’t want to go. I felt lazy and unmotivated, and the workout had a lot of cardio (aka, no thanks).

But then I heard the voices of Coach Amber and Coach Al in my head:

“The days you don’t feel like showing up are the most important days to show up!”

So, I showed up. I pushed through. And guess what? I felt so much better afterwards. Physically, mentally, emotionally – just better. Sometimes, the mood you think you’re in isn’t the one you have to stay in.

Progress Isn’t Always Flashy

Maintenance isn’t glamorous. There’s no “before and after” photo for holding the line. But it’s just as important.

So here I am—still tracking, lifting (a little heavier), still parenting, still sweating, and still figuring it all out.

If you’re in a similar season of “not much has changed, but I’m still here,” I see you. You’re doing more than you think. You’re showing up. And that is progress.

Let’s keep going!