If you’re looking to take the first steps on your path to fitness (or just find your way back), we know how daunting it can seem to get started. You’re not alone. Like many members of our fit52 community, Rachel initially struggled with staying healthy and felt her confidence slowly slip away over the years.
Since then, she’s had an incredible fitness transformation. By starting small and taking things day-by-day, she gradually found herself growing stronger—physically, mentally, and spiritually. In the hopes of inspiring others to find their own path to confidence, Rachel now runs an Instagram account dedicated to her fit52 fitness journey! You can follow her progress at @rachelspathtohealthyandhappy.
@rachelspathtohealthyandhappy
Hi fit52 fam!
My name is Rachel Norman, and I am a Registered Dental Hygienist living in a suburb of the beautiful city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
I’ve loved being active and outdoors since I was a little girl, and played softball and basketball every season until I graduated high school. But once I started college, balancing an active lifestyle and a healthy diet was a struggle for me. I no longer had my mom’s healthy meals waiting for me at the table! It was up to me to stay active and fuel my body with the food it needed, but my effort was nonexistent. I slowly began to gain weight. Any confidence I had in myself began to plummet.
My sedentary lifestyle began affecting my relationship with God and my loved ones. I prayed and asked for the strength, desire, and self-discipline I needed to become healthier. In the midst of it all, Carrie Underwood (who has been a huge inspiration in my path to wellness) shared an Instagram post, saying “I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t.” That was a light bulb moment for me, and I began to understand the importance of focusing on the positives and not dwelling on the negatives. I slowly became more aware of the types of food I was putting into my body and began choosing healthier options. Each night after work, I would prepare a workout routine for myself for the following morning. I was finally on my way to becoming a healthier and better version of myself.
Take it day by day and focus on the tiny victories!
Thankfully, having to prepare my workouts every night came to an end with the launch of fit52! It’s been a blessing to find a program that takes the guesswork out of my workouts. Another added blessing has been the relationships I’ve built within the fit52 community—having encouraging support from other members who will help hold me accountable has been such an important factor. Other than feeling better physically, I know I’m gaining progress through my growing confidence and desire to serve others. My spiritual life has grown, and I am able to more deeply appreciate the beauty in this life that God has given me.
My hope is that my journey can help others find confidence so they can understand their true worth. If you’re searching for your own personal path to fitness, I encourage you to set realistic goals—start small so you don’t burn yourself out. This allowed me to create building blocks to successfully achieve my goals and set my sights higher over time. Know that every day won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. Take it day by day and focus on the tiny victories!
– Rachel
Want to be featured in My Path to Wellness? Tag us at @fit52!
We’re looking for active users who embody the strength, dedication, and positivity of the Fit52 Life. Download fit52 now.