Amanda’s fitness journey took a slow turn this week. She injured her knee and that stopped her progress. This is Amandas 8th week doing workouts daily from SWEAT, but do to this injury she had to take it slow. When Amanda was not working out, she felt as if she was letting down herself and the SWEAT community! She continued to ask for their help.
The thing about online fitness communities is that every single person is there doing the same workouts you are, and that can be really encouraging. With this large community, almost everyone has experienced a similar situation or story. When Amanda explained to the community that she became injured, many girls came by her side and told her that they have been injured in the past or had to stop working out, but gave her tips to make her still feel like she is improving her body. Taking a week off of the workouts is not ideal when you have a 12 week goal in mind. In 12 weeks, Amanda is hoping to see extreme difference from where she started. Her body transformations are already noticeable, but there is more work to be done!
The community all has the same goal: to lose the weight, to feel better, and to live a happier and healthier lifestyle. All in all, the community is all here for the same reasons and users encourage one another through the SWEAT forum.
When Amanda was feeling unmotivated, the community responded and gave her advice. 
She started this discussion called “Losing Motivation.”
The community members responded:
Amanda was so thankful for their ever-present support and advice on ways to stay motivated and to keep working!
She replied to these comments individually.
A good way to stay motivated is to see the community transformation photos. People post these photos on the forum as a way to encourage others. 
“ABC22” is at the same week as Amanda. They encouraged each other to keep going and it is pretty incredible how much difference 7 weeks in the gym can transform the way you look.
Amanda commented “Keep it up” and she responded back to her, and they began to chat regularly. Since this small encounter, Amanda and Rebecca (aka “abc22”) have held each other accountable for going to the gym.
After this encounter, Amanda decided to ask others when they began to see their bodies transforming through a blog post. 
One user responded saying this:
Hearing stories keeps Amanda motivated because if they can do it, so can she.
On the SWEAT forum, there is a whole pinned section of transformations. You can see this HERE.
Amanda has yet to post a transformation because she is nervous what people would say or wouldn’t say, and she wants to make sure she feels good enough about herself before being vulnerable online. But, today, she decided to post them and see what happens!
The community encouraged Amanda to show her work-in-progress post! Amanda’s goal is to encourage just one person through her personal fitness journey.
The SWEAT community is really special because of the amazing group of strong women that the site attracts. Everyone on this website is encouraging each other to get better, be stronger, and to have faith in themselves. When you get a group of strong females together, it really is the most motivating factor.
Next week, Amanda is hoping to get herself back into the gym and continue on her personal fitness journey!
Until next time…
XOXO,
Amanda
Amanda's Fitness Journey 