Tonight I wanted to write about something that has always been a little difficult for me. Since I graduated high school my weight has steadily gone up, peaking about 5 years ago around 290 pounds. Unfortunately around that time was when I also began to suffer through some of my deepest and darkest bouts of depression. I'm sure the two are related, but this isn't a post about the dark times. This is a post about the happiness since then, and more recently some changes that have occurred over the last few months.
Inspired by some coworkers in December, I decided it was time to make a change in my lifestyle and start actually caring about what I eat and how often I exercise. I'd just finished my first ever 10K, and was suffering from a knee injury and working through PT, so I started out light. Slowly I worked my way into the routine, mixing PT in with gym days and always remembering to rest if my body felt tired or stretched too thin. I'm by no means a "gym rat", I usually just go and do about 30-45 mins of cardio and some light weight training. Nothing spectacular, but it was exercise.
While this was going on, I decided to make some dietary changes (again with the help of some coworkers) and began eating more fresh fruits, veggies and cooking my own meals instead of going out to eat for most of my meals. It was tough at first, not because I dislike cooking but because I had grown used to having food ready for me whenever I needed it. Soon I began to understand why it was so important to try and eat as good as possible. It really helps give your body the things it needs to maintain itself throughout the day, without the need for a coke or endless snacking. *I still drink a few cups of coffee in the morning, but it's black with no sugar or creamer.*
Little by little I could tell that the combined exercise and better eating habits were having a positive impact on my body. I felt more awake during the day, and was able to rest easier (most nights) after a workout. This in turn has lead to a much more balanced lifestyle, and a happier/healthier brain (which has allllways been an issue, see previous blog posts, the older the better). Having a stronger mind has definitely come in handy as I push myself harder while exercising, and when I want something bad for dinner. Sometimes my appetite gets the better of me, and that's ok. Every once in a while the cravings win.
It hasn't been easy, and it didn't happen overnight, but if you stick with eating well most days, and try to exercise 4-5 times a week (start with less days if you have to, never push yourself too hard), you'll start seeing results. Proof of that is in this photo. We started a biggest loser competition at work in January and I weighed 225.8 lbs. Not bad, and definitely the lightest I'd been in the last year or so. I weighed in today as our next to last official weigh in, and I'm down to 204.4 lbs. That's a difference of 21.4 (ohhh, that's where the title of this article came from!) lbs in 3ish months. All done by eating better and exercising. Some of that exercise has been part of a half marathon training program, but I still think I'd be just about where I'm at without that much running.
I hope you've enjoyed this post! Don't be afraid to change your habits for the better, and don't turn your back on folks that want to see you succeed at your goals!
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