Years ago, I used to qualify myself as an athlete. I was fit, kicking ass and taking names and generally in great shape from volleyball.
That was about nine years ago. It was when I was 18-20. Then, I entered college, stopped playing volleyball and working out and fell in love with the laid back college life.
Did I run? Sure, maybe a mile or two. Did I attend the 15-minute abs routine? Of course, with all my new friends in tow. Did I go out every Thursday through Sunday? You better believe it!
It wasn't until I was coming up on my 22nd birthday that I realized I needed to get back into shape. I started running, decreased my drinking and voila! I dropped 20 pounds and was slim again. It was a piece of cake.
So, I'm now 27 and will fully admit I weigh the most (yes, the most) I've ever weighed in my life. I'm convinced my body has changed because the weight isn't falling off like it used to. Before, I never adjusted my eating and just increased my exercise. It isn't working now.
I weigh 159.2 pounds. There. I said it. For all of you who are rolling your eyes and thinking, "that's nothing," well it is for me and my 5' 6" frame. I'm most comfortable when I'm 135 and borderline between a size six and eight. I've had enough and am making the right choices to get back to that weight.
Earlier this year, I signed up for the half marathon and completed it. Savvy Avenue Cleveland ran a special on personal training sessions with Brian at Body Creations. We've completed three sessions together and I'm repeating our workout (to the best of my ability) on my own and mixing in running and a kickboxing class for my cardio.
Since my friends are also trying to lose weight and get healthy, we share our eating habit tips back and forth with each other. It's summer so I want ice cream every day. After watching Food Inc. vowing I'd never eat any type of meat again, I'm making better and smarter food choices. I'm only buying local and organic chicken and grass-fed beef. I buy organic vegetables and fruit and stocking up on almonds, greek yogurt and healthy snacks. I've also downloaded a few cooking apps on my phone like Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything, Epicurious and All Recipes.
With all that said, I'm not going to deprive myself of chocolate or ice cream, but need to make sure I'm not over indulging in these treats.
Maybe if I'm as brave as Renee, I will post before and after pictures. I have them and look fondly at my svelte past body, but I'm also completely motivated to get it back.
This is my fitness journey. What is yours? How do you stay in shape and stay motivate to reach your goal?
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