My Weight Loss Journey
This is my journey. I love telling people about my weight loss journey because I believe in sharing my story to motivate others. I've never been considered overweight as a child or while growing up. I was what others would consider normal, with a great potential to become chunky.
However, when adolescent came into play, the story changed just a bit. I wasn't active while in high school. The marching band didn't qualify as an athletic sport. I mostly lived sedentary lifestyle. I would go to school, come home and take a nap. Although I had a desire to be athletic, neither the drive nor motivation was there. As a teen the weight wasn't bad at all; however, after the age of say 21, that's when the weight began to pack on.
This was me, at my biggest. This picture keeps me motivated to continue my weight loss journey! Always have a motivating factor. This is mine.
The above picture bares it all. I was heavy and tired; and it showed. I was always tired, I lived a sedentary lifestyle and I was lazy. My skin constantly broke out in huge cystic acne, my pores were huge and blemishes were everywhere. The day I saw this photo, I was extremely shocked. I couldn't believe that I was the person in the photo. Pictures tell so many truths; and the truth hit me right in the face. Reaching 186.5 lbs, too heavy for my 5'3 frame, I know I needed a change. I knew there was a better me, I knew I wanted more out of life and I knew I was able to achieve my health goals.
At that moment, I took matters into my own hands and opted for a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to lose the weight; however, I wanted to lose the weight in a safe and natural way. I began to do my research. I researched the foods I often consumed; and the negative effects these foods had on my body.
Since I took control of my life, I begin to exercise, eat better and live better. I loved my new lifestyle. I loved working out, I loved researching and I loved the healthier lifestyle I had chosen for myself. This became my passion. I motivated myself more and more. I created personalized plans that catered to my weight loss journey. The more knowledgeable I became, the more I realized how toxic these foods were that I was consuming. So, I began to eat clean, or so I thought.
After thorough research, I realized the food industry was not our allies when it came to healthy eating. I began to transition into vegetarianism. I thought for sure this would elevate my weight loss, but it didn't. I became an unhealthy vegetarian and ate mainly chemicals. Man made vegetarian meals, fake meats and unhealthy soy laden snacks. These were highly processed foods; and I consumed a lot of it. I didn't think I was eating that bad. However, it showed. My weight was still heavy for my frame and my skin was flaming with pimples. I was disappointed. So, I went back to the drawing board; and reanalyzed my diet and lifestyle.
Due to newly researched information, I embarked on another health journey. I realized that I was not eating as clean as I thought. So, that's when I began to really eat clean. I began eating more fruits and vegetables. I purchased my first blender and my first juicer(humble beginnings with these purchases). I became creative, taking the plunge and diving right in with new creative recipes. This was uncharted territory and I enjoyed every moment. The consumption of these clean, earth produced foods brought forth the positive changes that I wanted for myself. The cleaner I ate, the better my life became. My skin began to clear, mental clarity improved and the weight finally began to shed.
I began to see the benefits of truly eating clean and engaging in physical fitness regularly.
I was ecstatic when the number on the scale began to change. The lower the number dropped, the more motivated I became. It wasn't merely about the weight coming off, it was about knowing how healthy I was becoming. I knew the risks of being overweight; and clinically, I was obese. I was genetically predisposed to having high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. I wanted to break the cycle. I knew I needed to make a change; and I did. I didn't want to follow the normal path of taking medications. I wanted to make a true change for the better. I didn't want the pharmacist to know me; and I didn't want to know a bottle of medication. I didn't want this to be my story. So, I made the changes; and my body is thanking me for making those changes.
However, my story isn't complete. I'm studying to become a certified personal trainer and a health coach. I will be my first client, taking my health and fitness journey to the next level. I plan to tone in order to make my fitness journey complete. I'm ready for this next level journey; and I would like for you to join me. Although no journey is perfect, I will continue to strive to move forward. Hopefully, my journey will motivate you as others' weight loss and fitness journeys have motivated me. One day soon, I plan to embark on a journey of helping others reach their health and fitness goals. Nothing would ignite my soul more than to help others reach their highest potential in life.
Wherever your journey has began, paused or ceased, pick up where you are and continue to move forward.
"Forget the former things:
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43: 18-19