Finding balance in life

It seems when you first start the weight loss process you have to dedicate every part of you to achieving your goal. The rest of your life kind of comes to a halt at times. I don't think it has to be that way but sometimes it seems to be the easiest. When I started I didn't really go out. I pretty much lived at the gym, work, and home. I was afraid if I did go out I wouldn't be able to trust myself to make the right choice.

I have just started to feel like I have found some balance in my life. I am figuring out how to live and stay thin. In turn that leaves me with more time to actually get day to day stuff done such as cleaning and keeping up with your house. I am now able to go out to eat and make the right choice. It wouldn't even matter if I ate out everyday. I know what I can and can't eat. I heard one of the people on the biggest loser this year say that I don't know about everybody else but I live at the gym. It made me look back and think of my life. I feel so relived to not have to worry about everything anymore. I know for sure deep down in side me there is nothing that could make me gain my weight back. I have found a new life and a new me. I am so excited to see what the future will hold for me.

My goals are to let everybody I can know they can do it too. You won't be able to reach everybody but if you reach a few it is more then worth it. Anybody can change their life. You can be who you want to be and accomplish what you want to accomplish. Believe in yourself and take care of you because you is what you have for the rest of your life!

Struggles

Well I know everybody struggles in their life but sometimes you feel alone in your struggles. You don't see what others go through and so you think you are the only one having a hard time. I understand how people can become overweight. I know this because I was there. There is something I know for sure and that is I will never be there again. I have no doubt in my mind. Obesity is caused from different things in our life. Sometimes happiness, sometimes sadness, stress, the list goes on. I do know you don't have to feel so alone and empty. It is ok to treat ourselves sometimes with food but we have to know the limit. I see some of the worse cases of obesity at the hospital. When you are overweight you can't be properly cared for. Certain tests and procedures can't be done because of your weight. I just want others not to give up. Realize there is hope.Find out how much happier you are when you are healthy and happy. It is not just the body but the mind also. They work as one and are both so very important.

Me and my husband.......Before and After

Before

After

Weight loss success!

While looking through my blog I realized I never actually said what my weight loss success was. When I was at my heaviest I was probably about 200lbs and wore size 16 in pants. I finally woke up and realized I needed to change my life. In about 6 months I lost like 50lbs and gained muscle. I was able to fit into a size 4 which I never would of thought was possible. In high school I weighed 130lbs and wore a size 9 in pants. That just shows what adding a little weightlifting does to your body. I was changed not just physically but mentally. Energy was through the roof and I felt incredible.

Before

After

Story from the past - Denial!

When I was looking at pictures from when I was heavy. I looked and thought wow I never saw myself like that. My husband looked at the picture and said "where did you find that picture. I never saw you like that".  All this got me thinking. I remembered a time when I went clothes shopping. I tried on an outfit and looked in the mirror. I was like holy cow that is not me. There is something wrong with this mirror. It makes you look so much bigger then what you are. I walked out of that store and didn't buy anything. I even remember telling people how ridiculous it was to have mirrors in the store that make you look bigger because who would want to buy clothes like that. Now that I look back. I couldn't of been in any greater denial. How would I of done something about my weight when I didn't even realize I was heavy. Nobody around me wanted to tell me. Everybody just said you are beautiful just the way you are. That's how we are as a society. Its rude to tell someone they are fat. Now if someone had told me I was fat I would of been like your very rude. So really you can't win. How do you fight denial?  How does someone come to the realization that they need to loose weight and how do you get motivated to do so?

Education in Progress!

Today I registered for classes for my sports management program at Cal u (California University of Pennsylvania)! Its an online program that prepares you to take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification exam.  When I am done in 2 years I will have my bachelor degree and be a certified trainer. It will be a great addition to my nursing and I am looking forward to being able to help others change their life. I am so excited for the future. A little nervous because I will for sure have my hands full but I know I can do it!

Dariotis Memorial Competition.....1st Weightlifting Meet of 2011

This past Saturday I competed in another weightlifting competition. I have been working extremely hard at my lifts 5 to 6 days a week. I am getting more consistent at the lighter weights. I have been reading up on improving my mental game and what other lifters do. This is the first competition that I feel very proud of myself for. I made improvements in my technique and mental game. Improved my lifting total slightly but trying to remind myself all the time that its not the number that matters right now. Its how I perform. I made 2 out of 3 lifts on the snatch and clean and jerk. I also didn't cry or get upset when I did miss a lift. My previous competition I was so upset and started crying in front of everybody. Kinda embarrassing but I guess these things happen. This competition I listened to music and really didn't even think about being at a competition. Worked wonders for that performance anxiety I get. My goal is to be the best lifter I can be. I am willing to put the time and dedication into this and see where it takes me. I am very happy and having a great time. Looking forward to what the future brings!

 

 

Warm up

Warm up

Clean

Clean and Jerk Finish

Snatch