Friday, November 30, 2012

Fat Friday

For my 50th post I wanted to do something special. First, I started updating the page. Ideally, I want the logo to be without the white, but I can't seem to get it to work. I will also be adding content to various pages on the tabs at the top. Seems like every other blog has these, so I want to keep up with the Jones'.

Second, I want to talk a little bit about weight. I was reading a post by TorontoRunner, so I was inspired to talk about my own weight issues. This is definitely a sensitive subject for anyone, but I feel like this is something I have only recently begun to concern myself with. Let me just use a picture to demonstrate my first point:


The picture of me on the left is from 2009. I found this picture a few days ago, and I was shocked. I didn't even recognize myself. I was happy at that point, but I most certainly wasn't happy. I was eating way too much and getting no exercise. Quite frankly, I was lazy. Soon after this picture, I found myself n grad school; that was the end of laziness. Nothing like a few graduate level classes to make you productive. I also started to exercise a little, and I lost some weight.

The picture on the right was taken last week while on vacation. Clearly, there is a difference. I am 29, but I don't look or feel that old. Of course, this transformation didn't begin until last January. I fell off the wagon in 2011, and it took another large weight gain and confidence loss to realize things needed to change.

To be honest, a few things needed to happen in order to really get focused. I needed real motivation, and I found it in the mirror. I was finally able to see what I was becoming. No one ever said anything, but I wasn't getting around as well as I would like. Additionally, I wasn't make it through long days with the kind of energy I would like. I started to run and exercise as a way to lose weight. Then, when I realized I was actually pretty quick, and that I was becoming genuinely addicted to what I was doing, I became hooked. That is what I needed. I needed a reason to exercise beyond weight loss. I needed a way to really enjoy it.

It has been nearly a year since drastically changing my lifestyle, and I couldn't be happier. I will talk more about this when the new year comes around, but now fitness and looking good are synonymous with an enjoyment and happiness I haven't known before. I am far more confident than I ever have been. I even find that people treat me differently in a positive way. People are far more willing to do things for you when you don't look gross.

Looking good isn't everything, but it certainly helps. I like knowing that my lifestyle choices are positively impacting those around me. I like knowing that I will never stop now, and that I can really move forward towards my goals. I have new found faith in myself, and an outlet to vent frustration that otherwise would be kept inside. Everything about me is better now, and I am only going to improve.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 comments:

  1. Wow! Thanks for sharing your story. You look fantastic.
    I think there's always something in us that "clicks" and we make that lifestyle change. Before that click, nothing anyone says will make a difference.

    I can't even express enough how much my energy levels have increased since exercising as well.
    Keep it up!

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  2. The energy thing is the best part. I am a machine most days. Two-a-days with teaching kindergarten in the middle? Yikes.

    Thanks for the kind words. You and my picture inspired me.

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  3. Awesome transformation! Feeling energetic and happy makes all the difference in the world, right?! :) You look great.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your story! You look amazing and it's awesome that you have found exercise to be such a benefit. I mean really you have to love what you are doing to make it effective!

    P.S. Thanks for following my blog! I share your feeling about age, you definitely don't look 29. I am 31 and everyone thinks I am 21, guess we will be happy when we get older! lol

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  5. Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for following me as well! Talking with other bloggers is quickly becoming an important outlet for me.

    I definitely wouldn't peg you for 31, and I definitely don't think that is a bad thing!

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  6. STANDING OVATION!!! APPLAUSE!!

    This is amazing and what a great example to others.

    It's not just about looking good, it's about being able to perform and stay active and fit for any challenge!

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  7. Thanks! Gotta be fit to teach kindergarten!

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  8. Congrats! Stories like yours are such an inspiration, especially for those people who think, "I'm not a runner." And a kindergarten teacher?! And I thought I had it rough when I taught middle school for 8 years ;)

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