I Became a Stronger Person After Losing 88 Pounds in One Year
It's January and we just went into a New Year, 2022. A lot of people are revitalizing and reinventing themselves and that includes wanting to lose weight.
They're called New Years resolutions, in case you were born yesterday.
About three years ago, I weighed 100 plus 100 pounds. I still can't type out my total number because it's too hard to see, but if you add those two together, that's what I weighed.
I hated when people said to me, "You have such a pretty face." That was the go-to if your over weight and others want to make you feel good. Or, "You're so funny" "You hold it so well."
What am I holding? It's not like I am holding potatoes under my shirt, stop saying, she holds it so well, like it's some type of surprising amazement.
It's even hard to write this article because it makes what happened to me, real. Sometimes I want to just put the experience into a box, lock it up, and throw away the key, but I can't.
Until I am living in an alternate reality, I have to be transparent and authentic. I now live in my truth and no longer hide how at one point in my life I was depressed which resulted in me being unhealthy and overweight.
Also, as much as I look and act like one, I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or health expert, so my experience or opinion may not be what works for you on your weight loss journey.
One day I made a resolution and decided to change my life. Call it a light-bulb moment. A lot of different circumstances took place and I no longer wanted to say to myself,
"Self, I'll work out when I am happier, or when I have more time, or when I buy a sweat band."
It wasn't fair for me to continue to procrastinate and put off what is best for me and that is self-care and health. I am adulting now.
I'd like to add, this wasn't easy. At all. Not even close. It was tough, gritty, painful, and intense.
I wanted to give up, but was determined to stay impenetrable and solid in my purpose to pursue my goal. I wanted to be healthier for my wife and child and myself. I wasn't confident enough to work out, outside of the house yet so I started with Yoga With Adrienne.
It changed my life. 20-30 minutes every morning was all I needed to wake up the muscles that had been hibernating for, well, forever. I guess I am a bear.
After a few weeks of Yoga each morning, I naturally did not want to eat any more carbs or sweet/salty foods. I ate avocados, eggs, chicken and rice etc. I guess I was on the Atkins diet and I had no idea. Atkins is low in carbs and high in protein.
After I lost about 30-40 pounds doing Yoga, alone in my bedroom, I decided I was ready to continue to turn into a butterfly, outside of my safe space. I suddenly didn't care anymore. I didn't care about what people thought of me, because most people are only thinking of themselves.
I started jogging with best friend, Katie at her gym. Then we were hit by Covid and instead of giving up, I jogged on the streets and at the Bates College track.
I started at a mile and worked my way up to a 5k at least 3 times a week.
If I would have myself a couple years ago that I was going to become a runner, I wouldn't have laughed and kicked myself in the face.
I was being tested every single day and I wouldn't let anything get in the way of my goal. The weight continued to fell off. I drank 7 cups of water every day. I introduced carbs back into my diet and if I wanted something sweet, I ate it. To me, it was all about portion control.
I feel like my body was guiding me. Almost like there was a little person living in my soul, saying, "Don't give up, don't give up."
Of course, there were days I wanted to give up but I looked at the faces of the people I loved as well as my reflection and it gave me the motivation I needed to not give up.
In just a year and a half I managed to lose almost 100 pounds and was able to build and sculp my muscles. Meaning, I can actually see my muscles, and they're super cute.
I am beautiful, I am strong, I am a warrior, and I can do anything. It's a mantra I tell myself every day, but it's also the truth.
Be kind to yourself, especially when you are being tested. I am an example that you can do anything, be anything, as long as you do not give up and Believe.
Portland Maine Condo Boasts the Most Ritzy Laundry Room We've Ever Seen
Portland Maine Condo Boasts the Most Ritzy Laundry Room We've Ever Seen
Maine Woman Travels Through 8 States for her Dog