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Last February I began the journey weighing 294 lbs. I started walking on my treadmill and participating in The Game On! Diet.
On vacation January 2010
On March 29th I left for a 2-month journey living in Los Angeles working out Biggest Loser style.
When I returned home Memorial Day Weekend I was a runner (slow, but steady) and healthy eater...45 lbs lighter from when I started on February 15th.
June was spent getting reacclimated to living amongst my family and real life temptations...and taking lots of Zumba classes.
In July I nursed my ruptured cervical disc then proceeded to become a licensed Zumba instructor.
In August I worked out faithfully and did my best to stay on track with my food. Some days I'd win the battle and some days I'd lose. I felt like I was a little lost.
In September I started working out with a trainer boot camp style and increased to a whole new level of fitness. I had worked out with the trainer in the past, but never like this.
In October I became a running demon and had a reunion with my girlfriends forms LA. We ran the 10K in the Marine Corps Marathon (Ginger ran the actual marathon) and had a blast doing it.
Maria, Me & Judy - October 2010
In November I stepped up my workouts with my trainer adding boxing to the mix. I also began teaching Zumba fitness classes.
December was a great month for me. I returned to my fitness camp in LA for a week. I was thrilled that I was able to perform every exercise the trainers requested. I not only surpassed my expectations, but also theirs! They were all so impressed that I had really taken their lessons and trainings to heart and continued them at home. In several cases I was the only person who could perform a certain exercise in some of the circuit trainings. I left LA the second time weighing 222.
Christmas Day 2010
In January I began teaching Zumba in the Circuit classes at Curves and entered another round of The Game On! Diet while also continuing to train with Mr. Clean. He has such faith in me and continually gives me new exercises. At this point I don't doubt I can do anything...I just look at him and say, "Okay you obviously think I can do this so I will!" And I do it! Such a change from when I first went to LA and didn't have that kind of confidence in myself.
And today, 1 year since I've begun this journey I'm down 85 lbs. I still have another 40-ish to go, but I've realized that "slow but steady wins the race!"
What living in LA did for me was change my mindset...I now exercise 6 days a week...anywhere from 1-3 hours. I AM doing it, but this nasty winter weather has been wreaking emotional havoc on my body. I'm craving heavy fattening comfort food and I'm fighting the food demon! Sometimes I lose the battle but only for a day or so, then I channel my LA self and get back on track.
I have weighed over 200 lbs since my daughter was born...that was 20 years ago, but next month I will Finally be in the 100's. This past week I had to go through my closet again and sent 1/2 of it to goodwill. All of this is very rewarding, because, trust me, I never thought I was the kind of person who could lose 100+ lbs., but that is the ultimate goal.
Last week my hubby & I were out to dinner and some friends walked in (3 couples). I went to their table to say hello. 1 of the husbands was still parking his car and when he walked in he went around the table and said hello and kissed all the women...except me...he didn't recognize me! Poor guy was so embarrassed, but I took it as a complement.
The scale going down, downsizing the closet, getting positive reaction from friends, and inspiring others have definitely made this journey worthwhile. Some days I just want to be at my goal and am impatient, but I just keep on Doing It knowing that the goal is in my future. And I love that the women taking my Zumba classes are inspired and working on their health goals!
Listen, if I can do it, I Promise you can do it too!!!! Set your sights on your goal and just begin the journey. In a year you'll be celebrating your anniversary and be thrilled with your accomplishments.
As my buddy Rob Thompson of Get Fit By Rob always says, "Let's get it!"
