Wednesday, February 12, 2014

From Obese to Modern Fit.

"With self-discipline most anything is possible" Theodore Roosevelt. I've always struggled with my weight. I was a lethargic kid, reaching a size 36 by the time I was 16 years old. I knew I needed to lose weight. So for the next decade, I kept gaining and losing the same 10 pounds and adding more each time. I didn't know how to cook healthy, and I hated to exercise. As I turned 23, and standing at 5 feet 4 inches, I weighed 215 pounds and had high blood pressure which was a detriment to my health. The extra weight drained my energy and i was not euphoric about myself. I was treating my body like garbage, and i felt it was time for a change.

January of 2011, i made a new years resolution. I knew I needed to start investing in my health. And i had to relinquish all the junk food that i was consuming. About two months in and all the healthy changes I was so committed to were falling apart. Working out was torture, I didn't enjoy the kickboxing and cycling classes at my gym. At more than 200 pounds, I wasn't able to keep up with my thin, fit classmates. While I managed to drop a few pounds, I did not see or feel any real difference. I felt like I was sweating my heart out, but then I would see a picture of myself and think, "Hey, I still look fat." I began thinking that my body was not designed to be any smaller.

That spring, during one of the cycling class I was still forcing myself to attend, one of my guy friends invited me to stay and take the next class with him. It was Turbo Kick Boxing. I knew it had something to do with dancing, which sounded fun, so I decided to give it a shot. Thinking that I would be embarrassed, I snagged a spot in the back corner, but soon people of all ages and sizes, even big guys like me, started filling the room. I was so thankful that I wasn't the only big person in the room, and I instantly felt more comfortable. 

After my first class, I started attending Turbo Kick Boxing two or three times a week. It was the perfect antidote to my hatred of working out. Unlike aerobics, this was something I really enjoyed, so I put more effort and intensity into each class. Soon I began to see the results I wanted. I dropped 15 pounds in 3 months! Not only was all the cardio burning calories, but the choreography also helped tone my arms and core. I felt so great about myself that I started making other healthy changes too. I watched my portions and ate more fruits and vegetables. By the year's end, I had lost 50 pounds! When you're heavy, you often have a fat-boy mentality that is just as burdensome as the weight. Even if you can physically do something, you tell yourself you can't or don't deserve to. But with a little extra push, motivation and the will to achieve something you can accomplish anything if you put in the time.


"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.
Arnold Schwarzenegger

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/struggles.html#0sSwoQScT3mxSaZS.
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4 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 27, 2014 at 12:05 PM

    You look great!!
    I totally understand what you mean about the exercising was like torture, but pain is gain. c:

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 27, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    Wow! You lost some pounds there! Congrats!

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  3. UnknownFebruary 27, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    The motivation you had to continue going to that class and not giving up is extremely encouraging, because I know if that would have been me I would have for sure given up.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownFebruary 27, 2014 at 12:09 PM

    Congrats on your accomplishment, your story really inspiring me to get back on that work out mode.

    ReplyDelete

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