So last year I decided I was going to lose weight, but really I was never whole heartedly into it. Instead I was doing it so I would look a little better for my husband's homecoming. So of course the weightloss didn't last. Instead I gained back all my weight and a little more. About 2 months ago I weighed in at 317lbs! That night I cried, I prayed, and I cried some more. Why was I doing this to myself? I wasn't happy. I hurt all the time, and was sick so often. I was tired of living this life like this. So here I am, no smoke screens, no what ifs, and no more failure. I am doing this.
Two months ago I weighed in at 317lbs. I came out of my bathroom devastated that I let this happen to me. I always have excuses and I am good at blaming my lack of good habits on others. So it was time to look at myself and realize this it is all my fault! So I talked to my husband and said I have to do something for me. I need more then just the gym. I need a good class.
So I went online and started looking for something. I think God was listening when I prayed and there it was. My friend Elysia had posted a flier for DumBell Fitness (http://www.dumbell-fit.com/Dumbell_Fitness/Home.html). I talked to her about it and said this is exactly what I need! After that I contacted the group and signed up for their next class.
Right away I decided to start eating healthier. I stopped all fast food and soda! When I went in for my first weigh in a week & a half later I was down to 307lbs! Wow this was great and it was still 5 days before I started my new class. Then I started my class. Oh boy was it hard, and yes I cried at the end of that first class. You know why I cried? I cried because once upon a time that class would have been easy for me. Now I could barely jog and I felt like I was falling behind everyone. Of course the class leader was awesome. She told me I wasn't a failure and I was out there doing it while others were still on the couch. She said she had faith I could do it. That meant the world to me.
I continued to go to my class 3 times a week for a month. On my off days my wonderful military friends took turns walking with me. It was great. Along the way I started talking to more and more girls from my class. They were cheering me on, the were telling me how well I was doing, and they told me they appreciated that I was still coming to class. This meant the world to me. Having that support it half the battle with weightloss.
At my next weigh in I was down to 297! I was doing it. I had lost another 10lbs. Of course a few days later I had a very rough day. I really started doubting myself. I doubted I could keep this up. Of course after my pity party I discovered something had changed in me. In the past during my pity parties I would start eating, This time I prayed and then I went walking. God was telling me I was allowed to question myself, but he was going to keep leading me where I needed to be.
This last week has been amazing. We had a week off of bootcamp, but several of us ladies got together and decided to climb Kokohead! I was all in. I heard it was't that bad. Then I got there and started climbing the 1048 steps to the top. 200 steps I thought how can I do this? I kept going. At the half way mark I lost it. I lost hope. Thankfully Elysia was by my side and my bootcamp leader Laurie had come by to check on me. I broke down. I cried. I said I can't do this. I am a failure. They both looked at me dumbfounded. They told me I wasn't a failure. I tried and next time I would get further. Something about Laurie is always so encouraging to me. I finished my crying and said I think i can go a little further. Elysia stayed right there.
I could go on and on about this hike, but I will tell you I met some wonderful, very encouraging people. With 100 stairs to the top I asked Elysia to finish so that I would have a reason to finish. She did and one of the other ladies Megan came down to encourage me the rest of the way. Long story short I made it. At the top were my ladies and a group of other hikers who had helped encourage me along the way. I did it. I overcame that mountian. Going down was hard too, and I wanted to give up, but my trusty friend Elysia was right there. I thanked her and I was so appreciative that she stayed by my side for 4 hours! Yes it did take me a total of 4 hours. I am proud of that.
In the last few days I have talked to lots of friends, past and present. They let me know I was inspiring them with my constant facebook posts and food photos. My sister said my niece had started eating better and working out. Friends have asked me what I am doing and how they can get started. They have let me know that I inspire them. I just hope they all know that they inspire me as well. I have a long way to go (120lbs), and I know I will need to lean on all my friends and family through my journey. As I am starting I have a few tip:
1. Find a great workout group ( I found DumBell Fitness)
2. Create a positive group of people around you to help push you to your goal in a loving manner (working out with you or cooking healthy with you).
3. Be consistant, and know you can do this.
4. Great supplements I take AdvoCare (https://www.advocare.com/12081586/Store/default.aspx)
5. Pray for guidence ( God will lead you where he thinks you need to be)
