See, I never struggled with my weight growing up. I was always tall and thin. I ate whatever I wanted, and I never worked out (other than dancing). When I started college, I didn't gain the freshman fifteen. My metabolism stayed strong, and I couldn't really afford much junk food. When I started teaching, other teachers joked about how my metabolism would not be so great if I kept eating the way I did, but I didn't believe them.
In my second or third year of teaching, I started noticing my clothes "shrinking." I didn't feel like I was gaining weight. I think that I had skinny girl complex. When I looked in the mirror, I still saw my 115 pound self from high school. I continued eating Reese's and drinking coke daily, and pretty soon, I couldn't fit into anything that I fit before. I bought bigger, baggy clothes. I held my weight in a weird way. My stomach and upper legs were big, but my arms stayed pretty small. I was living with Rob at the time, and our schedules were opposite, so I ate out almost every single night. It was a downward spiral that made me feel awful, but it happened over such a long period of time that people didn't even realize how much weight I had gained.
Then, I saw a picture of myself. And I stepped on a scale and realized that I was teetering at almost 200 pounds. I think that 200 pounds is probably a good weight for some people who are taller and more muscular, but mine was a 85 pound weight gain with NO muscle. And I was not ok with that.
Then, our district held a weight loss competition. I happen to be the most competitive person on the face of the planet, and this was EXACTLY what I needed to whip myself into shape. When I started looking for a team, people were wary because they didn't think I had a lot of weight to lose. I really did hide my weight so well. My family initially didn't love the idea either (see the first passage in this post), but when I shared my weight and my goals, my family and friends became VERY supportive of my weight loss.
I knew that the first step was trying to eat healthier. I immediately gave up drinking Coke (a BIG thing for me) and joined Weight Watchers. I started a running program called Couch to 5K. I joined a local Zumba class. I started at 2 nights a week, and I later got on the list to do 4 nights a week. I met my best friend Emily (the Zumba instructor) who also had an inspiring weight loss story (I'll ask her to share her story on here another day) that helped me to keep the weight off later in my own journey. And (lucky for me), the weight came off as I continued to change my lifestyle. I was eating a significant amount MORE than I ate before(lots of fruits and grilled chicken), but it was working because I was making the RIGHT choices about food! I became stronger and healthier. In four months, I lost over 40 pounds! Was it hard? YES. I constantly wanted to quit in the beginning. My cravings and headaches were TERRIBLE... but after a month, I stopped craving bad things. I wanted to fill my body with things that were healthy!
After the competition (which my team ROCKED at - We got 3rd place in the WHOLE district and we won Nooks!), I continued on my weight loss journey. I had fallen in love with working out. I kept running and eventually ran TWO half marathons. I loved Zumba so much that I continued to take classes, and I followed Emily back to her studio (409 Fitness Studio) where I started taking even more classes that I loved! After the competition, I lost 20+ more pounds over the next few years. This weight loss was more gradual, but that has helped me to keep it off.
Right now, I'm still almost 20 pounds heavier than my high school weight, but I don't care about that anymore. I rarely step on the scale, and when I do, I always feel surprised because when I feel like I'm doing well with my diet, I see higher numbers! Weight is confusing, so I listen to my body and give it what it needs.
It is still a daily struggle for me to eat clean. I don't like vegetables AT ALL. I wish that I was eating Reese's almost every day (because I still occasionally allow myself that treat). Some days, I would choose anything over running 3 miles. I have a love affair with Coca-Cola products. I wish every day that some famous nutritionist would decide that French Fries are the "healthiest vegetable", but I know that it just won't happen. I limit myself. I try to only drink coke if I'm eating out. We don't buy many unhealthy treats for our home. I definitely limit the amount that we eat out every month. I force myself to work out, even if I'm tired or stressed. I have come so far, and I never want to feel uncomfortable in my own skin again.
I know that this weight loss journey is NOT for everyone, but I wrote this post to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT!!! It isn't always easy, but it is ALWAYS going to make you feel better in the end! If you put your mind to something, you can do it! Give yourself your best life!
I recently read a quote by Pastor Rick Warren on our bodies that said, "God created it. Jesus died for it. The Spirit lives in it. I'd better take care of it!"
And now...here are some before and after pictures..
BEFORE:
BEFORE/AFTER:
AFTER:
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