Like a lot of women out there, I’ve been battling my weight for a long time. It started with pregnancy weight, and then there came stress weight (the life of a military wife), and then the weight just kept piling on.
I remember the first time I had to try on a pair of jeans with a double digit size. I practically cried in the dressing room. And then the sizes just kept getting bigger. I started tracking my BMI (body mass index) and had another break down when my BMI said I was no longer just overweight, but I was obese.
OBESE. I am 5’3” and weighed 185lbs.
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| Before: Feb 2012 |
I told my husband, who just stared at me. I don’t think the poor guy knew what to say. I held myself together long enough to beat a hasty retreat to my bedroom, where I had one heck of a freak out.
I felt like I had tried everything, and nothing worked. I had completed P90X and only lost 10lbs for pete’s sake! What more could I do? Every time I lost ANY weight, I gained it all back (usually with a few more for good luck, it seemed).
I was trying to exercise at least 3 times a week. I cut my portion sizes. I didn’t snack after supper. I thought I was doing it right. Later I found out, I was only doing it half-right.
Little did I realize the struggle my husband was having with his own weight. In the Marine Corps he was always pushing his weight limit, and like just about every other guy that gets out of the military, he let himself go a bit. He tried working out with me before, but always quit on me within a couple weeks.
Of course, without support, I quit too. I quit Insanity--twice.
Then one day in December, The Hubbs surprised me. He surprised me with Focus T25. We were gonna do it. We were going to get in shape, once and for all. We were going all in. We did the 7 Day Quick Start with the meal plan. Boy, did it make a difference!
I only lost 3lbs, but The Hubbs lost about 5. The benefit wasn’t in a jumpstart in our weight loss, it was getting our bodies used to eating differently and learning the moves in the videos.
We saw a new part of each other during T25. Some of it was great. Some of it wasn’t so pretty. I guess I get pretty intense when I sweat. But it was worth it. It was SO worth it.
We learned to eat clean (cleanER, anyway). We got into the habit of exercising 6-7 days a week. We finished the WHOLE program (a feat in itself). And, (drumroll please ...) I lost 20lbs and The Hubbs lost 25lbs. What-what?!
But the best part was, it didn’t stop there. We took what we started with T25 and let the ball keep rolling. I went on to Insanity and finally finished it! The Hubbs went to the gym to bulk up. I lost another 15lbs and he gained back almost everything he lost (at least it was all muscle this time--hubba hubba!).
I’m doing Brazil Butt Lift right now. I’ve only lost a couple pounds with this program, but, man, there has been a transformation in my body. And even more than that, there has been a transformation in ME. I’ve learned so much in the last 7mos. It’s not just how MUCH you put in your body. It’s WHAT you put in your body. Exercise isn’t just going through the motions. It’s about giving all you’ve got and then some. And most importantly--results don’t come easy. There is no quick fix. Especially not a permanent fix.
I’ve lost close to 40lbs, but I’m not done. There is still work to do. There are still things I WANT to do! I’d still like to lose another 10lbs. I want to become a runner. I want to do a Tough Mudder event. And I want to help others FEEL the way that I feel right now. I want to help YOU feel the way I feel right now.
Much Love,
