A Whole New Fitness Journey! Next year I turn 40! I’m in ready to make it the best decade of my life. And to kick it off, I’m starting a new fitness journey that looks totally different from my original weight loss journey at 32. Like many women, I’ve noticed changes in my body over the past couple of years that I wasn’t entirely prepared for…thanks to perimenopausal weight gain and the lasting impact of past injuries. But these aren’t obstacles that hold me back instead I see them as new challenges to overcome. I’m excited to share this new chapter of my life with you, and I’ll be documenting the whole journey on YouTube, beginning with a 21-day fitness program that I’m modifying to fit my current place in life. If you’re tackling your own fitness and weight loss goals in midlife, or if past injuries have made getting back in shape feel overwhelming, this post is for you. I’m sharing what’s driving me and how I’m adapting my approach to fit my aging body’s constantly changing needs. Perimenopausal Changes One of the catalysts for this new fitness journey was the realization that my body is changing as I […]
Walking is one of the simplest, yet most effective forms of exercise you can do, no matter your age or fitness level. Not only is it free, but it’s also very gentle on your joints, flexible to fit into any schedule, and can be done pretty much anywhere! If you’re looking to kickstart your fitness journey with a simple and enjoyable activity, or if you’re just aiming to get more active in your daily life, a walking challenge could be just the thing for you! My walking journey began when I adopted my first dog, Gigi. At first, our twice-daily walks were just a way to give her the exercise she needed, but the walks quickly became my favorite part of the day (and hers too!). Walking Gigi every day inspired me to push past my comfort zone, and before I knew it I had the endurance and confidence to begin running. What started as simple walks with my rescue pup led me to train for and successfully complete a half-marathon. This post contains affiliate links #ads. See Disclosure for details. I receive a commission from Amazon at no extra cost to you. Why Walking? Before we dive into the […]
Check out my YouTube channel for weight loss info and updates! Reflecting back, 8 years ago, I weighed in at 250 pounds. Fast forward to today, and it’s been six incredible years since I achieved—and maintained!—a 100-pound weight loss. My journey hasn’t been about strict diets or intensive surgery; instead, it focused on nurturing my body, transforming my eating habits, and incorporating joyful movement into my daily life. For a deeper dive into the beginning of my journey, check out an early blog post here. Six years down the line, my healthy lifestyle has evolved far beyond simple weight maintenance. Today, it’s all about healthy active living, eating mindfully, and finding joy in body movement. Here’s how I’ve tweaked my routines to maintain a healthy lifestyle I love: Tips for Sustaining a Healthy, Active Life: Living Positively While Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle Keeping off a huge amount of weight over the years isn’t just a matter of staying physically fit—it’s really about staying positive and truly loving the life you live. I’ve found that the key to long-term weight loss success lies in maintaining a positive outlook on the future and making sure every day is as enjoyable as it […]
Don’t Forget To Check Out My YouTube Channel “Healthy Habits With Shannon”! Short-Term Weight Loss or Long-Term Healthy Active Living? If you’re starting a weight loss journey, it might feel like it’s all about the numbers—the scale, the calories, the steps you count every day. And while keeping track of these things can be important, there’s a much more exciting and fulfilling way to look at changing your lifestyle. In this post, I’m exploring the differences between trying to lose weight for short-term weight loss and living a healthy, active life for long-term weight loss. What’s the Difference? Many people think of weight loss as a goal to reach, like hitting a certain number on the scale or fitting into a smaller clothing size. This usually means eating less and moving more with a focus mainly on how we look. But this can sometimes lead to quick changes that don’t last and might not even make us healthier. On the other hand, healthy active living is about so much more than losing weight. It’s about taking good care of your body, making choices that keep you feeling strong and happy, and doing things that are good for your mind and […]
Sometimes, I still can’t believe it’s true. Because almost seven years ago, I weighed about 250 pounds. And four years ago, I hit a huge goal: I hit my goal of a 100 pound weight loss! I hit this huge goal by focusing on being kind to my body, changing my eating habits, and moving more—no strict diets or surgery. If you want to see more about how I started, you can check out that post here. Now, four years later, I’m still maintaining a 100 pound weight loss! But what I’m doing nowadays is starting to look different. As I’ve gotten older, my body doesn’t lose weight as easily as it did when I was in my early 30s. So the process of maintaining my weight loss has begun to change over the past year. Even though my body is changing and aging, I’ve found ways to stay on track and manage these new challenges. Here’s how I do it, and maybe these tips can help you too if you’re facing similar aging challenges: Five Tips for Staying Healthy as You Age: Staying Positive and Enjoying My 100 Pound Weight Loss Maintaining a 100-pound weight loss isn’t just about […]
Like most people, I first started exercising to lose weight. At the time, I weighed just under 250 lbs and I was consumed with weight loss. Everything I did centered around losing weight or trying to lose weight. I had zero appreciation for my body or what it could do. So, when I picked up my first exercise program, weight loss was the primary goal. But even as I went into my first fitness program, I had my first big mindset shift. I promised myself that I would complete the entire program even if I didn’t lose a single pound. I told myself that my goal was to complete the program without quitting. If there was weight loss, great, if not, I would prove to the world that I could start and finish something without quitting. And shifting my mindset even slightly away from my body and weight loss put me on the path toward loving fitness and exercise. More Than Weight Loss When I committed to doing that fitness program and committed to completing it whether or not I saw “results”, my mindset began to shift away from weight loss for the first time ever. Over the course of […]
By Mark Fisher as told to Shannon Clay Hey! My name is Mark Fisher and I’m 29-years-old from Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Currently, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been in my adult life! But that wasn’t always the case. A few years ago my life looked very different. I was unhealthy and miserable and I knew I needed a change. Overall, it took me roughly three years to lose 90 pounds. And I’ve kept that weight off for over two years! This post contains affiliate links #ads. See Disclosure for details. I receive a small commission from Amazon purchases are no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Shannon Elizabeth Fitness! Why a change? The truth is, I just wasn’t happy with myself. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like what I saw looking back at me. That wasn’t the person I knew myself to be. And I reached a point where I just didn’t want to feel like crap anymore. I knew I had to address my self-image if I wanted my life to be better. I realized that the only thing I can control in life is myself. Who I am and what I do is […]
Starting a fitness journey can feel like standing at the base of a gigantic mountain, looking up and wondering how you’ll ever make it to the top. Your goals seem large, distant, and maybe even a little scary. Believe me, I’ve been there! But here’s the thing—I eventually realized that reaching the top of the mountain isn’t about taking giant leaps; instead, it’s about one small step after another, mixed with a good dose of determination. My transformation didn’t happen overnight. It involved a lot of trial and error, learning from my mistakes, and, most importantly, figuring out that success in fitness is as much about building resilience and staying motivated as it is about the right exercises or diet. So, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by your fitness goals or not sure where to begin, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with some simple strategies that worked wonders for me—and I’m excited to share them so they can help you too! Struggle and Breakthrough: For so many years, I struggled with my weight loss goals. I tried again and again, but despite my best efforts, I always found myself falling short of my dreams. However, I finally found […]
Do you ever feel nervous or anxious about exercising in public? If that sounds like you, believe me, you’re not alone. For the longest time, I felt exactly the same way. Every time I thought about working out in public, all I could focus on was how uncomfortable I felt. I would notice every little movement of my body, and it held me back from enjoying my workouts or trying new things. I was afraid of what other people might think about how I looked and judge me. But guess what? I managed to overcome those fears, and today, I’m here to share how you can do the same and start feeling great about exercising anywhere! Step One: Dress to Impress Yourself! One of the simplest ways to boost your confidence is by wearing activewear that you love. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank! Just picking the right outfit—like a pair of high-waisted leggings, a supportive sports bra, and a top in your favorite color—can make a huge difference. When you look good, you feel good, right? And here’s a little secret: everyone feels better when they think they look good. Choose colors that pop for you, […]
If you’re a regular reader of mine, or you follow me on Instagram, you know that the fitness lifestyle is still relatively new to me. I’ve only been exercising consistently for two years. Prior to that, I was 110 pounds heavier and had zero athletic background to speak of. So, how did I get from a sedentary lifestyle to one where I crave exercise? Honestly, it took a lot of hard work. But through the process of building the habits below, I taught myself to crave fitness to the point that now it’s a part of my everyday life. It’s important to remember that there is nothing special about me. Absolutely anyone can build these habits and create a fitness lifestyle for themselves. This post contains affiliate links #ads. See disclosure for details. I receive a commission from Amazon links at no cost to you. Exercise When You Don’t Feel Like It. I didn’t say any of these tips would be easy! So I’m starting with the hardest but most effective way to train your body to crave exercise. And that is to work out even when you don’t feel like it. Every single time you exercise when you would […]