So... on Friday morning, I was perusing my daily reads and I came across this post by my good friend Jess. (F.Y.I. She's the mini bodybuilding leprechaun in green.) You can also see her here. With the six pack & substantially much less on. Let alone green. The next thing I know, I'm crying hysterically wondering "how in the world I ever got so fat, what happened to me?, how could I let myself go like this?, that used to be my body, I hate you Jess...". I love you Jess.
Guess whose on her way???
Ya see, only about 5 years ago, did I look much this. Svelte body, healthy, glowing skin. Was a very clean eater, nothing processed. I was never a big fan of sugar, chocolate or breads. And I exercised at least twice a day. If I wasn't at home, work or the beach, I was at the gym. First thing in the morning at 5:30 for cardio & back at 8:00 for an evening workout with my trainer. Fitness was my life. Fast forward to 2013...
In April of 2008, my dad passed away. Soon thereafter, the gym workouts started becoming more sparse. I stopped cooking all my meals on Sundays. In fact, I stopped eating pretty much, altogether. And if you want in on a little secret when it comes to how our bodies work physiologically: the more you eat, the less you weigh. Oxy-moron I know. But, your body truly is a furnace & if you fuel it all day... it has no choice but to burn. I don't make the rules, I just follow them. Well... at least I used to.
It took me almost two years, but I managed to gain 100 lbs. onto my normally tiny 5'1" frame. I'm very petite in general. My twelve year old daughter stands at 5'6" already, so that should give you an idea of how short I am. 100 extra pounds is a lot to carry on a frame like mine. It's painstaking in fact. I can barely walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm losing oxygen. I often experience lower back pain from carrying so much weight in my stomach. And because I don't eat, migraines are the daily norm.
Now please don't misunderstand. I am not complaining. I do not define who I am as a person, woman, wife, or mother by my looks. I am beautiful no matter my size. I am kind hearted, funny & the most loyal friend you could ever have. But if we're being honest, I'm fat. And I'm not okay with that. People treat you differently when you're overweight & I'm not okay with that. I'm unhealthy, which puts me at risk of not living a full life - to see my daughter grow into a beautiful woman, or spending a lifetime with my husband. And I'm NOT okay with that. So I chose to do something about it.
The one benefit of where I stand physically, is that I come from a fitness background. Scientifically I know exactly what I need to do to lose this weight. I can throw macros out at you for any weight/height. And I know mine intimately. I know how much weight to lift, why cardio gets flanked by clean eating & why interval training is crucial to losing weight fast. I did this for a living. I taught people in my situation just how to do it.
Now, if you're still reading, cause I talk for like ever, you're probably wondering, "Where the hell is she going with this?!?" Well... when I first saw Jess' post & became hysterical over her perfectly defined arms, I realized two things.
1. I'm getting my period. Damn.
AND
2. I was so upset about something that seemed so out of reach, so unfair, something that I felt was so out of my control, when in fact I am the ONLY one who could be in control. No one else can ever bring back my perfectly defined delts but me. Most importantly, nor would I want anyone to.
At the beginning of the year, I made a decision NOT to make resolutions, but rather small changes in my life because I'm a total commitment phobe and sticking to a 30 day plan vs. 365 sounds much easier to me. i.e. In January I am having #nofastfood, in February I'll be #eatingthealphabet.
Implementing SMALL changes in your life add up to HUGE results. These may sound redundant, but they're worth repeating.
REST.
Take the stairs.
Drink a glass of water BEFORE & AFTER every meal.
Brush your teeth after every meal.
Ride your bike, or walk when you can.
GRAB THOSE WEIGHTS - women!! you do not have enough testosterone in your body to bulk up!!
Don't lift too heavy, too soon. (fastest route to a plateau)
REST.
If you think you're doing too much, you are.
Take a good vitamin every day.
Write down E V E R Y T H I N G you put into your mouth. You'll be surprised at how quick those calories add up.
Our bodies are like a furnace. The more you feed it, the more it will burn.
Have a cheat MEAL... not a cheat DAY!
REST.
via
