I've pondered writing a blog for awhile now, wondering if I had anything to say that anybody might be interested in reading. I've had alot of people over the last few weeks tell me that they have been inspired by the change I made in my life over the last couple years, and while I am honored by the thought, its a little scary to think that people look at me that way. I've decided to go ahead with this, if for no other reason than to keep myself motivated and to have a way to remember this journey down the road. I think that the best way to start this off is to give you a little background on where I was, and how I got where I am. The entries from here on out will be a little bit of everything - my daily training log, food log, motivational quotes - daily ups and downs. If it interests you, helps you feel less like you are the only one with the struggles, entertains you...then I've done my job and paid forward some of the help and motivation that I've recieved from all of the great people in my life. So here goes nothing...
Most of my youth was spent participating in sports, softball, basketball, volleyball...whatever the season, I was on a team - it was what we did as a family. I was active and really enjoyed being that way. In high school I started working, my dad got sick, and team sports gave way to other things, I became less and less active.
I found myself making excuses, I come from a long line of large women, I'm just genetically predisposed to being over weight, so why fight it? I told myself I was still healthy, perfectly capable of doing whatever I wanted to...my weight never stopped me from doing what I wanted to, at least that's what I told myself. I "dieted" occassionally, bought all the books and magazines, dreamed of being a thinner happier me, but at the time I was looking for the magic bullet. By the time I started my PhD two years ago, I'd become dangerously unhealthy - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bordering on type II diabetes...and I realized that there was NO way I would survive field work and the stress of a PhD continuing along that path. It was time to make a choice.
Every day on my way to and from work I drove past an Urban Active gym. It was literally 5 minutes from my door. I had called and talked to a sales guy a couple of times, trying to decide if I really wanted to commit to the change. I had joined gyms in the past, well I had paid for memberships anyway - but they went unused. I knew that this time had to be different - this was an all or nothing deal. So I took the tour, filled out the paperwork, got my little membership key tag...and then I went on vacation for a week.
When I came home, I talked my little sister into checking it out with me - I had not yet actually attempted to work out in the gym - although I'd been a member for a couple weeks now. We went to the facility a little closer to her place (a much larger, nicer facility) and while she was on her tour, I spoke with one of the training directors. Each member is given 1 free session with a trainer...while this is generally a sales push, I had already decided it was a necessity for me. I HAD to have someone to hold me accountable or I KNEW it was going to be just like all the times before.
It was the BEST decision I have ever made - I was assigned Brad. I was REALLY nervous that first session - honestly I'd gone in hoping for a woman trainer (I wasnt sure how comfortable I would be working out with a good looking, young guy watching me in all my out of shape glory). I walked into that first session determined...I was DONE with the old me, done being unhealthy, and unhappy. I was also scared to death - I knew what was coming - the scale AND the measuring tape. I stepped on the scale and saw the numbers roll - I'd hit my highest weight, my body fat percent was in the dangerous zone. Brad, bless him, never flinched, didn't react at all - just wrote down the numbers and took the measurements. We talked for most of that session about goals and nutrition stuff. I had been reading a few books and was working on eating only whole foods - nothing that came out a box made it into my kitchen.
I owe alot to Brad - he pushed me and held me accountable. He showed me that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought possible. He calls me on my shit - when I slack he lets me know it. When I do well, he lets me know that as well. He refuses to take much credit for my progress, but I know that without him I would still be the old me, struggling and unhappy...he is an amazing trainer, coach and friend!
The training department at Taylorsville UA is an amazing place - the trainers (male and female alike) are supportive and helpful. I consider them all friends. I've recieved so much help and motivation, I don't know that I can ever truly repay them for what they do on a daily basis to make going to and being in the gym so much more fun.
That was over 1 1/2 years ago and today I'm a new person -
*Then, I was taking two blood pressure medications, one cholesterol medication and glucophage (basically what was keeping me from being a type II diabetic)
*Today - the only pills I take are vitamins and supplements...my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are perfect - and my resting heart rate is an amazing 46bpm!
*ThenI Swore I would never run
*Today While I don't like distance/endurance running I LOVE to sprint - 10-12 mph for 30 seconds at a time
*ThenI couldn't handle more than 5 minutes on the stairs or arc trainer at the lowest resistance and speed -
*Today 30 minutes is a minimum and I LOVE HIIT training (High Intensity Interval Training)
*Then, I could barely lift the 25lb bag of cat litter and it EXHAUSTED me to carry books...
*Today I'm training for Powerlifting competition and live to lift heavy weight
Along with the physical changes came mental changes - I no longer feel like the fat girl every time I walk into a room. I can spend time with my friends and not feel uncomfortable in my skin. I am happier than I've been in years!
Is it always easy? No. Do I occassionally slide back into bad habits with food? Absolutely. But I don't let those occassions stop me. Every day it is a choice - I choose to be healthy, I choose to be happy.
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