Well, I decided that I would jot down some of my feelings of my current lifestyle change. Mostly because it has made me feel so good and I want to remember these feelings. Especially for when it gets hard and I have to remind myself of why I needed a change!
I haven't exactly been in a "normal" weight for the last several years. And it of course has to do with several reasons. Four children in 7 years, living a somewhat sedentary life, not really caring what I ate. I could probably list more, but those are the biggest.
So, I have known for a while that I need to lose weight. I needed to start exercising and I need to eat a better diet. But 1- I hate exercise. Especially those classes and videos that seem so long! It is almost torture for me. 2- I love Dr Pepper. I love dessert. Dr Pepper has been my drink of choice and dessert has been my favorite food group! So those were my issues. No exercise and eating a less than stellar diet.
But I was comfortable. Sure, I didn't look like I had in years past, but I could live with that........maybe! Well, several weeks ago, I was no longer comfortable. I didn't quite like what I was seeing and feeling. I didn't quite like that going up and down the stairs was tiresome. I didn't quite like that bending over to put on socks was getting harder! And this may sound awful but it is the truth, I was to the point where I hated to even look at myself! I could get my hair and makeup on, but beyond that I couldn't stand to see myself in the mirror. Sad, I know!
They say you have to hit rock bottom to make a change. Well, I suppose you can say that this was my rock bottom.
New Year's Day was my last day of soda consumption and I promised myself that I would start there. Then it was my diet in general. .
No more sweets. No more runs to Kneaders after 7:00 pm for half price desserts (yes they have such a thing on Saturday night!) I would start sending Kelly to Dunford's on Monday for bread, so I wouldn't be tempted to buy donuts! In my last two pregnancies I had gestational diabetes and had to make drastic changes to what I ate. So, I decided to go back to that diet. I had huge success with it while being pregnant. In fact, being on that diet during those pregnancies, I lost an average of 1 1/2 pounds per week! I figured if it worked then, it would work now
And then I remembered a friend telling me about a workout video that she liked. It was only 20 minutes long and since she had success with it, I thought I would try it out. I started Jillian Michaels' "Shred" and I have loved every minute of it. Remember, I hated to exercise. I didn't love videos because they were long and hard and my kids always got in the way. I didn't like to go to the gym because I am easily intimidated by others and I used the excuse of what to do with my kids.....again! But this video is perfect for me. 20 minutes of intense interval training. I have stuck with it and haven't missed a day since I started it 3 1/2 weeks ago.
I have lost 13 pounds since my last drip of soda and my last day of non exercising! Some of my clothes are starting to fit differently (in a good way!) and I can run up the stairs and not feel out of breath afterwords! Oh, and putting on my shoes and socks is no longer a chore!
So there you have it. A once miserable me is turning into a person who is determined to get fit. I have made some lifestyle changes and so far so good! I know it might get hard. I might wake up one morning and really not want to work out. I might go out for dinner and really want a sweet treat for dessert. And I have not become "Miss Super Fitness" who doesn't let a trace of sugar touch her lips! I have enjoyed a "treat" from time to time, but I am learning to not over indulge myself! I know that I am not going to be perfect. I just want to get back to a point where I enjoy being me and I think I am well on my way!
7 comments:
That is amazing! Good job on all of your hard work. It is so hard and your efforts are paying off, you should be so proud! You're a good example to the rest of us.
That's terrific, Megan! It feels good to feel good for sure. :) :)
Love it Megan! Good luck and keep on going!
You're awesome, lady! Way to go! I had a similar epiphany last May. I knew I needed to lose, because I didn't like who *I* was anymore. I needed to do something for myself, and the 30 day shred is what I did (along with counting calories). I started on June 3rd, and by the end of the 4th week (no days off from exercising) I had lost 10 pounds, and INCHES from my waist, hips, thighs & arms. I feel that the initial boost of the 30 day shred encouraged me to keep moving, which prompted me to start walking & water aerobics, along with the 30 day shred a few times per week. By the end of 2012, I had lost 20 pounds, and met my goal weight for the year. I would like to maintain between 140-145, and be able to define my muscles a little more, so 6 days ago I started Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30. I would definitely recommend it for a new level of working out when you get sick of the shred. It too is only 20 minutes, and it has 4 levels (7 days each). Sorry, this got longer than I had intended! lol Keep up the good work, Megan! :)
Good work, Megan! I know how hard it is, believe me. I was happy(or rather, happy enough) where I was, but I decided I wanted a change too. I'll never love exercise, but I'm having enough success with it that it keeps me motivated.
Great job Megan! I recently hit rock bottom myself and have since made major changes. Not easy but SO worth it! I too kept a journal and recently got brave enough to post it on my blog. You are amazing!
Way to go Megan! I'm so glad you are succeeding and it's making you happy! Keep up the good work. :)
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