My Journey

So, a lot of you see where I am & may ask how I came to be here.  What changed?  Where did I get the motivation, the drive?  Well, here’s my story.  

In 2010, I ran my first 5K.  I started doing yoga & running a few months before that to “cure” my sick stomach.  It started working but I had set backs…lots of them.  If you want to know more about me being a runner, check out my previous post “If I Can…You Can.”  Since then, I have run nine 5K’s & one 10K.  I plan to do as many as I can this year.

I keep these on my wall as a reminder of what I can do.  

Running was a start, but my real, hardcore journey began the Christmas of 2010.  It’s the year that I was given “Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred” & a set of 1lb hand weights.  (Those aren’t the weights in the picture.  Those are York Peppermint Patties which I was also very pleased about.)

I started working out daily on January 1st, 2011.  I alternated between Jillian & yoga.  Sometimes I would go for a run, but 20 minutes in my living room was a lot more convenient.  By the end of January, I had dropped 15 lbs & 12 inches.  Talk about motivation.  I continued to work hard…losing inches but not weight.  I loved the way I was feeling & looking.  I knew I was getting stronger in every way possible.  

From day one until now, I have lost a total of 21 5/8 inches.  I am still only about 15 – 20 lbs lighter, but that’s exactly where I need to be.  It also goes to show that the scale is not a good measure of success.  I still work out daily.  I just can’t make myself take a rest day & my body doesn’t like it when I do.  So, here from start to present are my before & afters:

Left is January 2011…middle is January 2012…right is now, January 2013.

I haven’t made major gains in appearance in the last year, but I can feel myself getting stronger all the time.  Just to share a little more with you and prove that you don’t need the gym or fancy equipment, here is my home gym.

I never have time to get bored with a workout, because there is always something different that I can do.  I guess you can tell that Jillian is my favorite.  What can I say?  She’s effective & most of the workouts are 30 minutes or less.  

 Now, I must say that I eat very healthy almost all of the time & am now a vegan, but that takes time as well.  Cut out the junk & you’re on the right track for starters.  

Let me just finish by saying…I did it, and you can too.  Just think about why you’re doing it.  Do it for yourself…not anyone else.  Be strong & seek support when you need it.  I’m always willing to answer questions or give you a kick in the rear if you need.

Lastly, I must thank Kevin.  He is the one who gave me the first Jillian dvd & the weights.  Now he puts up with all my crazy workouts every single day.  Thank you Kevin for all the support & encouragement you give me.  I love you!

Now…get off your butt & work out people. 🙂