This is story of how I got into the best shape of my life.
Somehow with working 50 hours a week, eating out A LOT, and living an inactive life in Idaho, I gained back all the weight I had lost in Hawaii and then some. Pretty surprising with that kinda lifestyle, right? When I looked in the mirror I felt fine, but then I'd see pictures and think, "Is that really what I look like?!" I knew something had to change but keeping my weight under control had always happened without much effort. Having to work for it was something new.
We booked a trip to Hawaii and we both wanted to trim down, so we borrowed his sister's Wii Fit and started working out. I lost maybe 2 pounds in about 2 or 3 months. I decided I would just have to squeeze into my swimsuits and hope I didn't bust a seam. Of course in Hawaii I didn't want to take many pictures of me in a swimsuit, oh and, "Please just take the picture from the chest up," was a common phrase I uttered. I also learned how to hold my head just right to avoid having a double chin in pictures.
Now, I know I was not fat, but I was definitely out of shape and squishy. It's not a comfortable feeling when your "big" pants fit pretty comfortably. And don't even think about wearing your "skinny" pants unless you want a permanent wedgie and stomach pains.
When we got back from our trip, I was about 145 lbs. I was in denial that the scale was over 140 lbs. The highest I had ever been was 139. At 5'4" that weight is very noticeable. I had 3 months of summer vacation and I was gonna lose that weight!
June
I needed some moral support so I called up my friend and she took me to Zumba for the first time in June. It was so high-energy and exhausting and confusing. I had to take several breaks, and by the end my face was bright red and I was covered in sweat. "It's pretty fun," I thought, "but maybe too hard." I called another friend and invited her to the new, city water park which had water aerobics 2 mornings a week. I started going there 2x a week and Zumba once or twice a week and started to get toned, but still only lost about 1 pound. I was eating healthily, so I didn't know what else to do except keep going. We bought bikes and went for rides, and we played tennis once a week. Then the summer was over and the workload was back on.
School was back in session, the water park closed, so my workout schedule became Zumba 2 nights a week. Finally in September, the weight started to drop off. I was losing about 2 lbs a week and lost 6 lbs that month. I was ecstatic. I continued with only working out 2x a week, occasionally throwing in a toning video. I also cut way back on sugar and eventually had no desire for it.
October I only lost 1 pound.
November another pound. I couldn't work out for about 2 weeks in November due to whiplash from our wreck, and traveling for Thanksgiving. I was feeling a little frustrated again, although my muscles were getting tighter.
December I lost 3 pounds and was down to 134. I was so happy that I lost weight during the holidays! I started going to Zumba on Saturday morning maybe once or twice a month. Nothing could keep me from Zumba on Tues. and Thurs. night unless I was out of town. Even on days of Parent-Teacher Conferences when I worked from 8-7, I would go. I was addicted to the fun and the results were just a bonus.
January I lost another 2.5 pounds. I was so close to my goal!
February was a weird month, I gained at the beginning, then lost at the end. On Feb. 25th I was at 129.5 lbs. Half a pound from my goal. When I saw the number below 130, I jumped up and down then jumped on Rob asleep in bed and woke him up. That last half pound should be so easy to lose, right?
March was like February, I gained 2.5 pounds back because we were traveling and I was so stressed at work. Then within a week of eating better, I dropped it and reached 128.5 on March 17th. I was just in shock. I pulled out my clothes I hadn't been able to wear for years and easily slipped them on. One of the best parts was being able to button the sleeves on a 3/4 sleeve shirt that I had never been able to do before due to my Relief Society arms. Now the sleeves actually turn loosely on my arms.
The past 3 months, I have stayed around 128-129lbs. and I am perfectly happy with it. If I did reach 125, it would be nice, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. I am so proud of what I was able to do. I never thought I would need to lose 15 lbs, first of all, and I never thought I could do it, but I did. Now working out is my favorite hobby. I wake up Tues. and Thurs. morning so excited for 8:30 P.M. when I get to shake my stuff. Zumba is still challenging, but there are songs and moves that I can do in my sleep now. I have more endurance than I ever have in my life. I can actually run on a treadmill without dying, and I actually crave exercise. If I don't workout at least 3 times a week, I feel lost. I have tons more confidence than I did a year ago and I'm not embarrassed to take pictures anymore.
So I just want to say, if you have a goal to get in shape, you can do it! Find an exercise you love or get a workout partner, and it will make it so much easier. Without my friends Brittany, and especially Jennifer, I wouldn't have been able to get in the habit again. And if you love loud music and dancing, try Zumba. I am a believer and proof that it works. I'm going 5-6 days a week right now that school's out. My class is going to be one of the biggest things I miss when we move. I love the instructor and the songs she chooses. I hope I can find another class like this one!
