About That New Me: An Update

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.

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This Post Has 67 Comments

  2. Congratulations on losing the 15 lbs! It takes a lot of hard work and self discipline to make a change like that. I’m very happy for you and inspired as well. I have loved reading your blog and have been inspired by your knits and now I’m feeling nudged to get up and get moving. I keep telling people I’m doing the couch to 5k but that I’m just doing the couch part right now…but if you can do it I can too ( or at least I can go for a walk!) Keep up the good work!

  8. That is just amazing Carole! You are such an inspiration!! I’m so HAPPY for you! I knew you could do it and you actually are enjoying it! Wooohooo! You go girl! Now, time for me to start, I’ve got to look fab in my wedding dress : )

  10. Awesome Carole!!!! It took a bit longer for me, but I’m now at the point that I feel SO much better after working out (instead of feeling like I had been hit by a train like in the beginning..ha!). It is so exciting when you see the difference and feel the difference! Keep it up!

  11. Congratulations! And thanks so much for sharing your journey – I find it really, really inspiring!

  13. Good on ya! I’m doing the couch to 5K thing myself and although it is taking me much longer than the ten-week program is supposed to, after doing it on and off for about a year now I can finally run a solid 5K! And I started right where you did – after about 10 seconds I was done. You can do it!

  14. Can you possibly get any more fabulous than you already are? I really enjoy your blog when I happen to get lured in by a post or photo. You are a talented woman, and quite accomplished, articulate and aspiring. You will finish the 5K and feel great about it. Which roadrace are you registered for? I’m at the EB track running weekday mornings around 6 am. Come jump in with us old ladies for a few laps. 🙂

  15. yay! so happy for you — it’s wonderful to feel good about ourselves for what we’ve accomplished — and feel good in our own skin.

  20. I’m so proud of you!! I understand your struggle with weight…it’s one I struggle with as well. 20 pounds is when people will notice and comment and you are almost there…w00t!!

    I still don’t love exercising, but I love how I feel when I am finished. 🙂

    xoxo

  24. Oh Congratualtions on changing your story! I really agree that the story we have in our heads is the most important thing to change. You are inspiring me. I have been reading the book, Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth and it really focuses on being “present” and IN our bodies. I feel like my mind is getting there and I’m preparing to make the next step – your story is a true help. Thank you for sharing.

  26. Best Blog Post Ever.

    So happy you’re doing this. It means so much, and its such a lifestyle change for the better!

  28. You go girl!!!! I too have begun to stop being a ” slug” although I have not joined a gym, I have made it a point to walk, bycicle and eat better….THEN I can allow myself to sit and knit a bit!!! Keep up the great work…I can’t wait to ” see ” you….and I may take you up on the help with some knitting is shawls…

  29. Wow! Inspirational! Your “sleepwalking” comment really hits home.

  30. So so proud of you. I thought the weight loss would be the big accomplishment for me to, but it really is the way that I feel since starting to work out. I can’t say that I enjoy it yet, but I definitely like how I feel afterwards. Congratulations! I am so happy for you! And I can’t wait to hear how the 5k goes.

  32. Good for you!
    I’ve been working out pretty hard for a couple of years but eating whatever I liked. Went to the dr. two weeks ago and weighed so much. So I’m now counting calories and continuing to work out and I’ve lost 2.5 lbs in a week!

  33. When you juxtapose this entry to your initial entry, the energy shifted 180 degrees. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Brava!!!

  35. Congratulations, dear Carole. When I see my 81-year-old mom and her buddies from the Y, I realize that what we do at our age determines what we will be able to do at her age.

  37. Congratulations! I agree with the earlier comment that 20 pounds is the point at which people will start to notice and comment. it sounds to me that you are doing everything right–eating mindfully without depriving yourself of everything you like, exercising faithfully and, most importantly, maintaining such an upbeat and positive attitude. You go girl!

  39. I read this post with tears in my eyes, Carole. WOWEE! 15 pounds is fantastic, but the new love for exercise and the feeling of strength is even more fabulous. SO proud of you!

  41. Congratulations on the weight loss, but even bigger congratulations for taking on your challenge and sticking with it!

  43. Grinning here! And nodding in agreement. Bodies are made to move. I realised I had to use it or lose it. When people ask why I run I say, because I can. Some day I might not be able to, but I hope by running/walking/riding my bike/dancing etc. now, I’ll be able to do it all for longer. I highly recommend Gretchen Reynolds’ book, The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Harder, Live Longer. She writes a column for the New York Times. Really interesting and inspiring stuff.

  45. So proud of you! I thought you definitely looked thinner in Carver yesterday. I think I may have to join the gym after seeing how well you’re doing. What an inspiration!

  46. Congrats on the weight loss! Good luck on the 5K! I know you’ll do great. Nothing says you have to run the entire thing. I frequently take walk breaks. I’ll be watching for the results.

  48. YES!! You go, girl! That’s wonderful, and I’m proud of you. Whoohoo! Congrats. You’re doing it right, it’s working, and you DO change who you are as a result! YAY!

    Not to worry, they WILL notice! – but better yet? YOU’LL get to the point where you’ll look at photos of yourself, and just be floored by the difference. I didn’t look at the “old photos” till I was at my goal. NOW? I have people who didn’t know me *then* – like my sweetie – who look at those before shots and literally blanch, they just can’t believe the change!
    It’s a good feeling.
    (((hugs)))

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