December 26, 2015 was the day I decided that being at rock
bottom physically was the last day that I could endure being in that skin; in
that mindset. You know there is a such
thing as being happy in life but also being unhappy at the same time. I was happy with certain life changes that I
had made earlier in the year (quitting my miserable job). I was happy that for the first time in a long
time I took control of my environment and removed myself from the toxins I was
surrounded with. Of course I’m always
happy for my family and friend’s health, the roof over my head, we were able to
pay for that roof despite not having said job that I had quit, happy that I had
opportunities galore waiting for me, the problem was I didn’t know what to
embark upon at this time in my life, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, I was extremely unhappy with
my physical being and was in fact the heaviest I had ever been in my 38 years
of life at that time. It’s true what
they say, people become complacent. Now
I don’t want to make excuses but I was living my life for everyone around me
BUT ME. My needs always came last and
sometimes, most times, never got met by me.
I continued to let myself down and let myself go day after day until I
really disliked the person staring back at me in the mirror. There were days I would lock myself in the
bathroom and just cry because I was lost, didn’t know what to do, and didn’t have
the strength physically or emotionally to pick myself up and even take a walk
outside, or go down in the basement to walk on my treadmill. It was a miserable state of being and I
wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy! Well…..not sure about that but…. j/k! Seriously
though, it was rough! What was even
harder was that I had to put on a smile, put on my big girl panties (literally)
and roll with life and the misery that I was in. Well, I don’t know what it was but something
came over me right after Christmas.
Maybe it was because the new year was almost upon us? Maybe it was because my clothes weren’t fitting
and I literally had 1 pair of jeans that looked just 'ok'. I really don’t know but I got up and drove to
the gym and reopened my membership and that was the day my life changed! I literally as quickly as I could revamped
the way I thought about food and exercise.
I had been following some low carb sites on FB in all of 2015, and would
try to eat low carb but would always fall off the wagon. I realized the problem was I was trying to be
way too restrictive with it. I decided
to try one last time but this time I would try and stick to under 50 carbs a
day. I had also started drinking Shakeology
and had signed up as a Beachbody Coach.
That played a major role in my new healthy lifestyle because not only was
I changing myself, I had caught the attention of many others that were lost and
needed help with weight loss and exercise.
Some people just need a jump start or for someone to map out their start
for them. I was fortunate that I woke
myself up, but I know for a fact that it doesn’t always come easy for people to
start something new so it was heartwarming that people were coming to me
seeking advice based off of my results and positive being that I was putting
out to the world. So, yes, I had found
what was working for me and that was staying at 50 carbs or under a day and I
was working out 5-6 times a week. This may
sound like a lot to some but honestly, when you set large goals for yourself
and you have a timeline in which you want to complete them, you have to as they
say, GO HARD OR GO HOME! I took that statement to heart and have been living
that way for the past 8 months. Anything
less is only me cheating myself out of completing what I set out to do and that
is to get healthy, get fit, and get strong!!
I did go back to work in January 2016. I was offered a dream position in which I
could not pass on and the timing could not have been any more perfect because I
was ready to get back out there as a working mom. The 4 months that I had at home were amazing but
it simply wasn’t me. So I had now added
another layer to my world that wasn’t there when I first laid out my new
lifestyle plan. I am so thankful that my
hubby supported me and really stepped up to the plate with helping out with the
kiddos and their activities because it really took a lot of stress off of me while
I was starting to workout at the gym, and I had also started working out with a
personal trainer. Having his support was
vital for me simply because as you recall this is what was part of my initial
problem; never having anytime for ME.
Essentially I had my evenings free with his help so I could continue to
put my lifestyle change into action. I
highly advise anyone trying to map out a workout routine whether it be at home
or the gym, to do just that – map it out around time where you can have ME
TIME. This can be before the kids wake
up or maybe when they go to bed. Yes,
you might have to make some schedule adjustments but you have to be willing to
make sacrifices for yourself in order to get the results that you are looking
for. It’s a major adjustment trust me if
anyone knows I know. It was also a sense
of accomplishment once I got into a regular routine because I was finally doing
something for me and I had the support of those that mattered most to me in
life.
During the course of working out and changing my eating
habits not only have I lost 48 pounds along with tons of inches, I have found a
new passion in weightlifting!! Not only
do I lift weights but I lift heavy weights!!
I’m addicted to it actually! I don’t do as much cardio as I used to;
there is really no need since I burn so many calories when lifting weights. I will be competing in my first powerlifting
meet in December and I am so excited to embark upon this new and exciting
journey of competing. I’m scared to
death but I know that if I keep working hard I will be just fine! 39 and
lifting weights; I would have never thought it!
It just proves it doesn’t matter how old you are; you are never too old
to start pursuing something that you like or are interested in. The first step is the hardest step but once
you take it what’s the worst that can happen? Maybe you won’t like it? What if you like it, or better yet, what if
you love it and find a new passion for it? What if you do amazing? What if you are a natural at whatever it
is? See where I am going with this? My teen daughter says, ‘Mom, you’re so much
happier now.’ My youngest daughter says,
‘Oh Mommy, your legs are getting so skinny.’(they really aren’t skinny but it’s
still flattering) My hubby says I’m killing it and ‘I’m motivating him to stay
in the gym.’ Wow, just wow! My friends all over the place are supportive
of me and push me daily to keep going and to keep inspiring them. It all gives me so much life every day that I
wake up to accomplish my goals! Do I
fail, heck yeah! Are there days that I don’t want to work out or eat
right? Of course there are and guess
what? I don’t work out and I don’t eat right.
The beauty is that we all get chances and plenty of them. Those failures and setbacks actually fuel my
fire even more to do better. I learn
from every setback, or at least I try to.
No one is perfect, perfect doesn’t exist. Just do your best each and every time. Throw
your excuses out the window and do something that you have been wanting to do
for a long time. Take back up a hobby
that you used to do. Find out what fuels
your own passion and GO FOR IT! We only have one life to live so START LIVING! My only regret is that I didn’t think like
this 10 years ago! Oh well, I’m here, I’m
alive, I’m passionate about many things, and I plan to pursue them and kick my
excuses to the curb. I'm the happiest I have been in years and literally have a new lease on life! It’s the only way to be!! #pursue #your #happy
