What started it all?

I know there are plenty of fitness blogs out there, and I don't intend for this to be 'just another fitness blog'.  However, I do plan on making a blog dedicated to the healthy lifestyle I have promised to lead.  I will attempt to keep up on this blog.  Hoping to inspire others to finally change their lives and in a sense free themselves.

I have not always been healthy, I was actually considered morbidly obese only 3 short years ago.  In may of 2009 I hit an almost record high, carrying 235lbs on my 5'1 frame.  (2 Years prior to that I was at an all time high of 255lbs) Not only was I unhealthy but I was completely unhappy.  Food was my comfort, my soul mate and my confidant.  I turned to it in when I was bored, depressed, stressed and happy. Abusing it and turning my body into a trashcan.

(Me at my college graduation, May 2009.)

I graduated college May of 2009 and was planning on moving to San Diego with my then boyfriend, now fiance in January 2010.  When the scale told me I weighed 235lbs, I knew that something had to change.  I couldn't continue living my life the way I was.  I started an attempt at 'getting skinny' as I called it.  At this point I was just looking for an easy fix, drop the weight as fast as possible.  That's what everyone wants, isn't it?I started limiting my food intake and consuming minimal calories a day. (I realized later on that although this will help you lose weight fast, it is completely UNHEALTHY for your body.) I began to feel a little better about myself.  

Then, the big move came from Upstate, New York to San Diego, California.  I thought once I moved I would continue to lose weight and prosper. WRONG.  As soon as I moved I became unmotivated, and by May 2011 I gained 5lbs back.  I was now at 205lbs, moving in the wrong direction.  I began feeling unhappy again and I knew this was not how I was suppose to be living my life.

Once again, I decided something had to change.  Only this time I decided my whole lifestyle needed a makeover.  I quit looking for the quick fix and started to realize I needed to work for what I wanted.  I could no longer treat my body with hatred.  I needed to love my body, and treat it with respect.  No more  acting as if it were a trashcan.  I would control what I put into my body, food would become fuel not comfort.  Exercising would become fun and not just another daunting task I had to do.

By May 17, 2010 my lifestyle change began.  I started a food journal, logging everything I ate (yes, including the occasional treat) and every exercise I did.  I was eating around 1400 calories a day and either jogging or exercising to an at home work out tape.  By May 2011 I was down to 123lbs.  A total of 82lbs lost in one year.  I was so excited about my progress.  I knew I was finally getting it. However, I had only lost fat and had not tried to gain any muscle.  I didn't realize until later that I had become a skinny person but I still wasn't fit.

(My progress May 2010 to May 2011)

I was to my goal weight and feeling amazing.  Now began my real task.  Keeping up my healthy lifestyle.  Figuring out how to live a normal life while maintaining my weight, eating and exercise habits.  This proved to be hard.  By February 2012 (this year) I was back up to 137lbs.  I started to realize that I had picked back up some of my bad habits and was still abusing my body with the food I was putting into it.

I decided I needed another jump start.  This time I choose Insanity, a workout program done in your own home for 9 weeks, with no work out equipment needed.  This almost sounded too good to be true.  I started the program right away, today actually marks my last day.  I am down 13lbs and back at a healthy  124lbs.  However, this time I am a skinny fit woman at 124lbs.  I have gained muscle now, not just lost fat and I have never felt healthier.  

(front view, before Insanity and After)

(side view, before Insanity and After)

(Back view, before Insanity and After)

This time I know I am ready to keep up the healthy lifestyle that I am choosing to lead.  I have promised myself that I will keep active and enjoy life to the fullest.  Hopefully by doing so, I can inspire others to change their lives.