The Not-So Gymtastic Days

The photo above, that's my lovely mugshot that pops up on the computer screen every time I check-in at the gym.  If it weren't for an employee at the front desk thinking that I was someone else the other night I probably would would have never seen this and been so... um shocked?  So thanks Planet Fitness front desk lady for reminding me of those earlier, unhealthy days and indirectly inspiring me to write this entry!

I know I haven't really touched upon what exactly I do/did in terms of exercise, but I'm getting there!  Since I'm all about talking about feelings let's start with that first.  Well, the first time I stepped into the gym when I started my weight loss journey it was mortifying.  Paranoid doesn't even begin to describe how I was feeling.  Opening the door and approaching the front desk, I had this overwhelming sense that every single person was staring at me and judging me for being overweight when in all actuality that was definitely in my own head.  Don't you just love that?  In my all black-outfit, because that's the only color I would wear for the longest time, I proceeded to go to the treadmill ALL the way in the back corner.  I figured if I isolated myself then nobody would look at my sad excuse of a work-out.  It's truly how I really felt.  Isn't the self-esteem just radiating?

Well anyway, I hopped on the treadmill and starting walking at 2.5 mph and every couple of minutes I increased the speed by .1 mph and eventually I was at 3.4 mph.  I kept staring at the time hoping that the next thirty minutes would just be over already because being there felt like torture.  Towards the end of the thirty minute interval, I was curious to see how much I could run so I kicked it up to 4 mph, which now is a slow jog, but then felt like an intense sprint.  A whopping three minutes later I was severely winded and breaking a sweat.  I had to stop and I remember being beyond disappointed and angry with myself.  I went on to do the elliptical and a few strength training machines that day, but on the car ride home I thought about the personal disappointment I was carrying.  Then I thought, you know at least I went to the gym today and I'm making a positive change so I need to stop knocking myself.   Yes things are going to be hard at first, but it will get better.  Over a year later I can proudly say it did get better.  Three minutes at 4 mph has now turned into ninty minutes anywhere between 6-7.5 mph.   Each time I continued going to the gym I gained more and more confidence with the exercises I was doing and with my overall attitude in that environment. After about a month or so I lost that initial fear that others were judging me and I even began to go in the front row of machines.  It was a small subtle step, but it meant a lot to me.

I'm sure there are many of you that might dread going to the gym or exercising for the same reason that I did because it meant you had to come to terms with how out of  shape you are.  My advice is just to take the first step, which is getting up and doing something active.  Nobody right out of the gate will be able to perform like a professional athlete, but if you stick with a schedule and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts you'll see the progress, I promise!

Truth!

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way.  If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

Did You Really Just Spend 30 Minutes Looking For A Parking Spot?

Maybe you're unable to make it to the gym as much as you'd like every week or you have a love-hate relationship with exercising well either way the good news is that you don't necessarily have to hit the gym to burn some extra calories.  I'm not saying you're going to be burning as many calories as if you ran a marathon or went to a cross-fit class, but hey every little bit counts.  So what I'm talking about here is making small changes in your day to day activities to get you moving more.  For many people just starting a health transformation, there's a lot of information to take in that can be pretty overwhelming.  Perhaps, what might work best for someone is to just get active more with their daily routine before they start vigorously exercising.  Whatever you may decide, I believe that becoming more active will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle in the long (pretty obvious stuff).

When I was at my heaviest, I used to hate moving around because when I did it always reminded me of how out of shape I was.  So instead of doing something about it for the longest time I would just take short-cuts to get things done or get somewhere faster.  Nowadays, I'm the complete opposite and hopefully you'll be like that too, if you're not already!

Need examples? Lets get to it....
-  Drive a car?  Whenever you and your car happen to be in a parking lot park all the way in the back. Yes, even if the lot is practically empty or if you think you can snag a spot in front if you circle around long enough
-  If you have the opportunity to take the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator take it! No stairs?  Walk up the escalator!
-  Make brushing your teeth more eventful by throwing in some calf raises or squats.  Who doesn't love clean teeth and toned legs?
-  Say goodbye to your television remote.  This is when you go and hide it from yourself.  If you need to adjust the volume or change the channel you're going to have to do it the old-fashioned way and, gasp, get off the couch.
-  If you find that you're calling all your local food joints more often then you are your friends, this one  applies to you.  No more food deliveries, go walk and get the food yourself.  Plus it makes the (healthy) food you got that much more enjoyable knowing that you went and got it.
-  Who doesn't love their cell phone and of course, multitasking?  When you're talking walk around, and if space is limited where you are, pace around.  Anything's better than just sitting!
-  Morning routine a little sluggish?  Kick it up by dancing around while you're getting ready in the morning.  It's fun and hey it might actually take away the need for that morning coffee!
-  Since you're already drinking more water (ahem, look at a previous entry), burn some extra calories by frequently getting up and filling up that water bottle.  If you work in an office and have multiple coolers go fill up at the farthest one from your desk.

These are just a few, but the list is endless.  Think about what you do everyday and how you can tweak   your daily activities to be move your behind a little bit more.  No more cutting corners!

Time To Start Throwing Some Recipes Into the Mix

Cucumber Salad

Ingredients needed for 1 serving:
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup cucumber slices
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
- 1/2 small sweet or red onion
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil.  Reduce heat, add quinoa, cover with lid and cook for approximately 15 minutes.  Once the quinoa has cooled down mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  Easy, healthy, and all-natural :)

It Only Took 525,600 Minutes.

Heaviest: 261 lbs

One of my biggest pairs of pants: Size 20!

Standing on top of the massive pile of clothes that don't fit me anymore.  Don't worry, I'm donating them :)

So today marks the one year anniversary of my weight loss journey.  I am in disbelief that one short year ago I was 261 pounds, eating unhealthy processed foods/fast food, and barely moving around on a day to day basis. 

For me it's upsetting to reflect back on those days because I was so unhappy.  Every morning getting ready for work I would avoid looking in the mirror because I was so disgusted with my body.  Going up a flight of stairs or bending over to tie my shoes would actually cause me to be out of breath.  I dreaded buying clothes or worse having my picture taken.  Food was my comfort and I'd binge eat whenever I was feeling upset, stressed, angry, or even bored.  Sneaking fast food into my house was a common routine.  Getting out of bed every morning and trying not to fall asleep throughout the day was a challenge.  I had no backbone, no confidence, no inner strength.  I was my worst enemy.

Everyday I am so grateful  for this second chance at truly having a happy life.  I've gained so much clarity, purpose, and knowledge at every step of this journey.  For every single person reading this I hope you know that change is possible, but you just have to want it and realize that you deserve it.  Nowadays, eating healthy and exercising regularly are second nature to me, but months ago that certainly was not the case.  It wasn't easy for me to make dramatic lifestyle changes, but I've learned nothing worthwhile comes easy.  I'm glad I struggled because I wouldn't have realized how strong I am today.    

When people ask me how I lost the weight I'm usually pretty modest about it by responding "Oh you know, I just started eating healthy and going to the gym".  The truth of the matter is that this process was so much more involved.  I researched and learned so much about the corrupt food industry and about the foods I was eating and their effect on my body, I spent hours upon hours at the gym pushing myself harder each time I went,  I occasionally sacrificed going out with my friends because I knew the foods I were going to be around weren't healthy, I spent ample time at multiple grocery stores scrupulously staring at every food label  I picked up, I had to rearrange my budget because eating healthy organic foods are definitely not the cheapest, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and went to fitness classes by myself, I learned how to prepare healthy meals, I tracked all my foods and exercise regiments, I had to face my inner demons and come to terms with why I allowed myself to get this heavy, I had to then forgive myself for becoming so overweight, etc.  The list could go on and on.  As previously mentioned most of these things are now instinctive to me, but at time it required a tremendous amount of self-discipline and motivation. It wasn't easy and there were days when I discouraged, but I will say that this entire experience has been worth it.  I would relive every moment again to get me to where I am now.

One year ago I don't even think I would of believed it if someone told me by April 2012 I would lose 90 pounds (still going!) and completely change my life.  I'd like to thank my family, friends, co-workers, and everyone along the way for their tremendous amount of support and words of encouragement.  I'm unbelievably excited for this new chapter in my life and cannot wait to help those that are battling with their weight. :)

Think About It!

Today I want you to ask yourself this one question - “Why not you?” Why not you to do something for work that you love? Why not you to have a healthy body? Why not you to have healthy love? Why not you to be, have, or do anything you have ever dreamed?! We are so quick to think others are deserving over ourselves. The truth is that we are all deserving so why not you?!


- Jillian Michaels