3 Years Fit
I’ve been meaning to write this post since Chloe started school again this past August. I think of my weight loss anniversary when school starts back up again because when Chloe started first grade, I was fed up with being overweight and I knew I needed to change my ways. It was the unhappiest time of my life. I felt trapped inside of my body. I didn’t feel like I belonged in that body.
What I’ve Learned
At first, working out was needed for me to lose the weight. There was no other way around it. I was working towards mini goals and working out did it. Once I reached my goal weight, I realized this is fun for me. High intensity workouts push me hard in such a short time. What keeps me going now is seeing the strength in my core and muscles. Very slowly the loose skin is shrinking and muscle is taking its place. Starting this past year, I stopped weighing myself everyday. I only do it once a week now. For a while I was a slave to the scale. I hated that. If I gained a few pounds, it would make me upset. Now I know that was crazy because I was gaining muscle in my legs from all of the running and strength and body weight training I was doing.
Of course I have to push myself harder if I want to keep seeing changes in my body. There is nothing wrong with continuing after you have reached your goal weight. I really don’t understand when other people say things like why are you still working out so much? How can anyone know what they are capable of they don’t keep trying?
As for healthy eating, it took me a long time to find a place where I am comfortable in my food choices. At first I was very restrictive so I could lose the weight. But then it turned into me not eating enough. After doing a lot research I mostly follow the Eat-Clean Diet. Putting minimally processed foods into my body gives me energy and my stomach very happy.
What Scares Me
I have this huge fear of going back to my old ways and being as unhappy as I was 3 years ago. It scares the hell out of me! I know that won’t happen overnight but I have my moments where I eat something bad for me and then I might have it again because I have a good memory of when I was eating it. I’ve heard of so many stories like that. I try to keep those foods out of the house and enjoy them when I am out.
Do I Cheat?
I don’t really have cheat meals. Maybe twice a month, I might have a meal that is not so good for me, but I don’t overdo it with tons of calories from one meal. Vegetables are an everyday part of my meals at least twice a day since I don’t eat meat or chicken. I always have more than one serving.
How do I feel About Myself
I still feel insecure about a few things (but don’t we all), but for the most part I am a confident woman. I have learned so much about myself. I used to be a “yes” person and did everything everyone asked of me because I don’t like others to think of me as a bad person or say that I don’t care. But now I know that it’s okay to say no. Sometimes I need to put myself first. When I put everyone above me, that’s how I became so unhappy and unhealthy at such a young age.
</a
ohhh fantastic post and congrats to you!! I think the fear of going back is something that a lot of us who lose weight feel for a long time. However getting to a place where you trust yourself is so amazing…not easy and not perfect, but it’s worth it in the end. Seriously what an inspiration!
Thank you so much! It definetly isn’t easy keeping it off!
What an accomplishment. You are among a very small group of people who have changed their life. You’ve gone from your weight loss goal and changed it now to a be fit and healthy goal. If you keep that mind set you will maintain your weight and your health.
I get similar questions about why I work out too. I never had a weight problem, but so many people say things like, you’re thin! Why do you exercise? Duh!
Ha ha, no kidding. It’s not about dieting, but living a happy, healthy life.
What an inspiring post!! Keep yourself going because health and fitness is lifelong. I really enjoyed the inspirational quotes included with your post especially the first one under your picture from three years ago.
Thank you Helga. It’s funny how quotes can be so motivating.
Awesome post!!! Congrats on your journey!
Nice! Congratulations!
Inspiring!