I don't know about you…but I love a good sale! My mom always taught me growing up to head straight to the sales rack, and even to this day that’s the first place I go. That is what I love so much about stores like Goodwill, it truly feels like an entire store of sales racks! Could it get any better? I doubt it.
In keeping with important lessons, my mom also taught me (leading by shining example) how to take care of myself. No…I’m not talking about washing my hands and brushing my teeth, although she definitely taught me how to do those things too. What I am referring to is regular exercise and making healthy food choices. At a young age, I started attending workout classes with my mom at the gym. There was something about working up a good sweat on a Saturday morning that made me feel amazing, from the inside out. I truly believe that my mom is the biggest influence on why I am a full-time health and wellness coach today.
Now…combine shopping and working out, and you better believe I’m going to be a big fan! Even better, if I can get cute and fashionable workout clothes for a fraction of the regular price…well that is an offer I could never pass up. That, my friends, is what shopping at Goodwill has given me. Over the past three years, my husband and I have been tirelessly trying to pay off debt with any extra money we have at the end of each month. Along with that, we have had to make some cuts in areas of our budget that most people spend hundreds of dollars on each month. One of those areas — clothing. Goodwill has allowed me to still enjoy my deep love of shopping for clothes, without breaking the bank.
Since I am usually working out most times (say, 6 days a week), I still prioritize looking stylish and (somewhat) put-together. The main “storefront” for my coaching business is social media, and I know that my audience particularly enjoys seeing all of the thrifty finds I can come up with. I love pointing them right to Goodwill, because odds are, that’s where my entire outfit was purchased from. I enjoy when some of the ladies who I connect with on Instagram leave a comment like, “I love that shirt! Where did you get it?” or, “Girl, I love those leggings!”. It brings a smile to my face knowing that most times, I spent a quarter of what most people spend on brands like Nike, Under Armour, Calia, Old Navy, GapFit, and Outdoor Voices, just to name a few.
In the monthly virtual accountability groups I run, we encourage our clients to set health goals. Whether that’s a weight loss number or a non scale victory, we believe the act of setting and writing down your goals is super beneficial. We also encourage our clients to pick one or two rewards for reaching those goals. Instead of picking a food/drink reward, I usually suggest a new workout outfit, because who doesn’t get motivated to workout with a brand spanking new (or new to you) tank and leggings? I know I certainly do!
Making healthy choices in this day and age is not always easy. In fact, most would say it’s fairly difficult. One of my major passions as a wellness coach is helping people to make time for themselves every day. Too often, we end up at the bottom of our priority list, and then we try and pour from an empty cup, which doesn’t work. If we’re not careful, we end up burning ourselves out and become the worst versions of ourselves. Some people struggle with the idea that working out or eating healthy is selfish, but I disagree. In fact, I truly believe that one of the most selfless actions we can take daily is to carve out a little time to care for ourselves.
Personally, making time for me has always included two things: making healthy choices and a little shopping. Whoever said both of those have to cost a fortune? My hope is that as you finish reading this, you come to realize that your health is worth your time and that stylish workout apparel doesn’t always have to break the bank. You can be healthy, both financially and physically, at the same time. For that, I think any mom would be proud.
In good health,
Emmi Massey
I’d love to connect with you more!
You can find me on Instagram & Facebook as FlowerCityFit
Remember - every time you donate or shop at Goodwill you are fueling mission work in the community. Programs like services for the blind/visually impaired, or 2-1-1 24/7 LIFE LINE service, Good Neighbor Program, and more are all fueled by our customers. You can look stylish for any occasion, and know that you're providing for those right here in your community!