When someone decides to start working out and eating healthier, what is usually their number one reason for starting? To lose weight, right? To look better and to feel better about themselves. It's strictly physical. However, the majority of people out there believe that eating healthier is by going on a diet. Restricting yourself and steering away from the foods you love most. Then we have exercising, what a torturous activity! I use to view exercise as a form of punishment. During volleyball season in middle school, if we messed up on a drill we were doing, we would have to go run sprints. Or go through some other type of hell. I hated every second of it. And don't get me started on having to run the mile. That shit started in 5th grade! Being told I have to go do something active against my own will, ruined my perspective on exercise.
In high school, I tried every diet out there with my mom. How long did the diet last you ask? About a week. I just wanted so badly to be able to eat whatever I wanted, not exercise, and have a rockin' bod all at the same time. All of these other girls in school could do it, why couldn't I? It was so unfair! Let's go back to that day I got in a major fight with my boyfriend at the age of 18. Something inside of me made that choice to go for a run and get away from him. Something inside of me knew that there were ways to find my confidence and discover my true self. I honestly believe that was the day I found myself because I found the strength within me to walk away from something that was toxic. Moving back home, away from that boy, was liberating!
Once I got settled back into my parents place in Southern UT, I would go for a short run every single night. I didn't run the whole time, and it was usually only for thirty to forty five minutes. There was a lot of walking involved in the beginning, but I was doing it. I was moving my body. I soon discovered techno music and that became my escape while running. Funny I know, but there's some damn good music out there that pairs perfectly with running. I think because it was MY idea to go for those runs, not some teacher or coach telling me I had to, it was easier to do it. I know, you don't have to tell me, I'm literally the most stubborn person on the planet, next to my toddler.
About a month had gone by and I was feeling amazing. What I didn't expect to change so much was my mental and emotional state. I was completely focused on changing my outer body in the beginning. But what I was experiencing on the inside was incredible. I felt...happy with myself. For the first time in a really, really long time, I was proud. Going for those runs wasn't easy for me, in fact, there were times I hated every second of it. What I craved was the way I felt after the run. It was a high in itself. I also noticed that because I was busting my ass every day on those runs, I didn't crave all the shitty food I used to eat. My body craved wholesome foods. That is when I started researching different foods and learning about their benefits for the body. I was fascinated!
Within six months of me consistently running at least 4-5 times a week (30-45 min a day), and completely changing the way I ate, the weight was just melting away. I wasn't on a "diet". I still indulged in certain foods on occasion. Key word "on occasion". All things in moderation. Ya feel me? So don't do away with ice cream, or a burger, or whatever your little taste buds desire. Just don't eat it every single day! Your body needs fruits and vegetables, protein, and healthy carbs. Oh, and a shit ton of water! Just do away with your juices and sodas completely. I promise. Your skin will thank you for it ;). What I also have learned is portion control, don't eat so much that your belly feels like it's going to explode. When you feel satisfied, stop eating. Drink some water and move on. You want to know the only shitty thing about my weight going down so quickly? Well, it really wasn't that quick, but because I had enough to lose that it became noticeable that I was losing it, some people assumed I was doing drugs or something. WTF?! Really?! That is when I realized that there will always be haters, even if you are doing good. So bring on the haters. All that matters is that you're taking care of you and your health. The people who truly know you, and care about you, will cheer you on and be proud of you.
So that's my "secret" to how I began my weight loss journey. It was a complete change of lifestyle. It's been 11 years and I still live this same lifestyle. See how I said lifestyle? I didn't purchase a one month gym membership or some crazy expensive supplements promising I would lost weight. I didn't go on another horrible diet. I shifted my entire routine, my choices on food, my outlook on life and the people I surrounded myself with. I don't really run anymore, it became hard on my knees, and a pain in the ass trying to pick the perfect time to go because I've got 3 littles at home and needed my husband to be home with them while I went. But I still exercise 6 days a week. I discovered at-home workouts on YouTube and that's become my new obsession. I'm in the best shape I have ever been in, even after 3 kids. If you truly want to work on your health, find something you love doing and do it every day. Make it apart of your daily routine. Exercise and eating healthy is a habit. Pretty soon it becomes so automatic you don't even have to think about it, you just do it. I promise it's totally worth it.
I'm grateful that I wasn't naturally thin. I wouldn't tell you that then haha! But now, I'm grateful I had to work for it. Also, I hate the word "skinny" and "fat". In this house we say you're either healthy or unhealthy. And we work on having a healthy and strong body, mind, and spirit. When you do something really hard, and you do it over and over again, you build your confidence up. You feel accomplished, and empowered. Just like I said in my previous post, after pushing out three humans, I felt like I was on top of the world. Imagine feeling a fraction of that on a daily basis because you got up and did something that not everyone does. If it were easy, everyone would do it!