Yesterday marked 2 months since I joined the Y and started changing my story. In these past 9 weeks I have gone to the gym 5 times each week with very few exceptions. I have used the treadmill, the elliptical, and the free weights. I have had 8 appointments with my personal trainer and I have lost – wait for it – 15 pounds and several inches around my waist, hips and other, errr, areas.
And you know, that weight loss thing is a huge deal. Seeing the scale go down and down has motivated me and inspired me to work harder and eat mindfully. It means I’ve dropped a whole clothing size and I don’t cringe when I look in the mirror now. I feel like it’s starting to show although I’m still waiting for someone who doesn’t know I’ve been working out to notice and that hasn’t happened yet.
But there’s something that’s more important than those 15 pounds. It’s the way I feel. I feel strong and proud of myself for the first time in a very long time. I feel excited about life and I look forward to going to the gym each day. It’s as if I spent the last 10 years sleepwalking through my life and now I’m WIDE AWAKE and full of energy and ready to take on the world. A switch was flipped in my head on May 22nd and I’ve become a person who enjoys exercise. Even as I write those words I sort of can’t believe it. Me. Exercising and enjoying it. Wow. I love challenging myself to go further, push harder, run longer, walk faster. That first day at the gym I could run for 10 seconds. 10 seconds, people. Now I can run for a full 3 minutes at a time and I’m working on the Couch to 5K training program – I’ve even signed up for my first 5K. I’m pretty sure I won’t be running the whole race but I’m going to do my best and even though I’m terrified I’m going to do it.
This is the only life I have, the only body I’ve got, and I’m making it better.
I am changing my story.
What a testimonial! Congrats Carole!!
Yeah Carole! Keep it up. Love those sneaks in the picture.
Good for you, Carole. Very inspiring. I’m glad you also mentioned how much better you feel besides the loss of weight. That’s a really important part…more energy for life!
Carole: Because of my schedule today, I didn’t get around to blog-reading until this evening. So, late to the party today. . . but I want to add my voice to the chorus. I am SO EXCITED for you! Being fit . . . is like claiming your power! (And the weight loss is gravy, ain’t it?)
Congratulations on your accomplishment!
Bravo Carole. 🙂
Yes, Carole, you are so right! More than anything, it’s about how you feel. Looking better is great, but long after you get older and don’t look so great, you will still feel better and be in better health. Since I am old, I can say that. Congratulations on doing something that is so very difficult. Glad your switch got thrown!
…late to the party but loved scrolling through pages and pages of comments to get here! endorphins is probably the best (and it’s free!!) drug ever…and most folks don’t even know about it. YAY YOU!! hugs and continued wishes for staying strong and focused. xo – Mary
Go Carole go! I’ve been using Couch to 5K too and run my first ever 5k on Thursday. Your post is an inspiration. We can do this!
YAY YOU!! That is seriously positively completely fantastic! I am so proud of you!!
Carole, congratulations and keep on doing what you’re doing! DH and I lost 40 lbs and 18 lbs respectively, this last year. Mine isn’t as noticeable as his, but I went from a size 12 to an 8 in pants and most dresses but the fact that DH notices and appreciates the changes really keeps me motivated. We didn’t exercise due to family and work schedules, just cut portion sizes and kept track of calorie intake. Imagine the looks I got when I took my food scale to our favorite Mexican restaurant to weigh fajitas! Turns out they shorted us on that plate. (we share a lot of plates or order a la carte.) I’m exercising now to increase my overall fitness. You’re doing a wonderful thing for yourself. You go girl!!
In just the few photos I’ve seen there has been a marked changed in you. Your smile is larger and it’s obvious your body has changed. You made it happen, you wanted it to happen, you are your own best friend. It’s marvelous! Way.to.GO!!
That’s just awesome Carol. I don’t check my blogger dashboard very often anymore but I just did and your post caught my eye. When I hit 50 I started making some changes. I used to exercise all the time and then life changed and I was working shift work and all that changed. The weight and lethargy creeped up. I started doing yoga and pilates, then some other types of classes. Last summer hubby and I joined a 8 week boot camp and this year we joined it again. We were the oldest ones there but still loved it. Jan 1 of this year I did my first 5k after completing couch to 5k and Saturday we did the Warrior Dash at the Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort. If anyone had told me 5 years ago that I would be running up a ski hill and through mud holes I would of proclaimed them crazy. I still need to lose more weight. The warrior dash has sparked me to get on that since next year I would like to be another 40 lbs lighter to make the trek easier. Very very happy for you as I know how good this feels.
You GO Carole….I’m so proud of you!!! I remember the day I had the same fear you are feeling–the day I entered my first 5K. YOU WILL amaze yourself!!!! I happened to have found the runner inside of me that first race. Just know I may not be there in person but I WILL be there in spirit cheering you on to the finish of your race!!!
YOU ROCK GIRL!
Cheers to you!
Three cheers for you!
Yay!
Yay!
Yay!
Carole, good for you! I’m so glad that you’ve been seeing great results but more importantly, feeling better!