NOW...
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December 2010 |
THEN...
I hope this INSPIRES you to reach your dreams and goals!
*Let me preface this by saying that I AM NOT A NUTRITIONIST, PERSONAL TRAINER, EXPERT, ETC. Just a girl that had the WILL to work hard to make some changes. I will also say that, although I have come a long way, I still have goals I'd like to meet!*
It's time to share...this is sort of hard to write about for many reasons. It's hard to look back at my "then" pictures...it makes me feel a little vulnerable posting them here for everyone to see! Also, I don't want to seem like I'm bragging. And furthermore, I am not an expert on this topic.
Anyhow, I'm putting my story out there. I've had SO MANY people ask me how I did it, and I want to share. I don't have all the answers! I just hope that I can encourage you!
Here's the little story of my BIG MENTAL & physical transformation! I emphasize "MENTAL" for a reason! We can SEE the PHYSICAL change, but let me tell you, it has everything to do with a MENTAL change, as well!
I have always had a relationship with the gym (and FOOD)...even in my "THEN" pictures! (Yes, I was exercising when the "THEN" pictures were taken!) My philosophy THEN was, "I go to the gym, so I can eat whatever I want." Obviously, that wasn't working for me. (And, from what I know now, I was going to the gym, "tearing down" my body, and failing to build it back up w/ proper eating.)
In January 2009, I decided, on a whim, to start running. I wasn't going to change my eating. I was simply going to start running, and see if I noticed any changes in my figure. During this decision, I committed to run The Disney Princess 1/2 marathon, that was to take place in April. Only 3 months to train for my FIRST 1/2 marathon, ever!! Talk about OVER-TRAINING!
Guess what? I discovered I was going to have to CHANGE my eating to support my 1/2 marathon training. This whole challenge had turned into a LIFESTYLE change! Food was now FUEL for my body, instead of just something tasty to put in my mouth. It's the whole "eating to live" rather than "living to eat" philosophy!
I was already familiar with Bill Phillips' recipe book, Eating for Life, so I chose to refer to that for my meals. This book is a recipe book, that goes along with his Body for Life challenge. Eating for Life not only has nutritional information and recipes, but exercise information, too.
I have also referred to Body for Life for Women by Pamela Peeke.
Bottom line: The change begins IN THE MIND!
Basically, you eat 5-6 small meals every 2-3 hours consisting of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
Here we are, almost 2 years later, and I am 42 pounds lighter! I feel so much better, on SO MANY different levels. I ENJOY my time at the gym! My workouts have been taken to new heights, and I am stronger than I've ever been.
Again, I pray that my story is an inspiration to you!
