While I didn't win a cash prize or anything like that, I did gain so much from taking on the challenge. I am sharing my transformation story here, along with pictures showing progress. I took a moment to put me at one of my heavier weights from Dec 2010 next to my before (Aug 2014) and after (Nov 2014) pictures from the transformation challenge. You will see quite a change! I am excited for how far I have come!
Here is my transformation story as submitted to judges for the challenge:
For many years I’ve fought a war with health and fitness. While I never had extreme weight gain, I wasn’t happy with the reflection in the mirror. I fought a yo-yoing battle of gaining and losing weight, starting and stopping exercise plans, and going between feeling confident and feeling down. My heaviest, non-pregnancy, weight was 138lbs on my 5’1” frame. I knew I needed to be healthy and fit, but it wasn’t sticking. Typically I started with excitement, stuck with it temporarily, and then something knocked me astray. Instead of bouncing back, I said “screw it,” and found myself months down the road, spiraling back into bad feelings.
On top of my internal battle, people looked at me and asked why I was concerned with weight. I thought that maybe they were right; maybe I wasn't being grateful for what I had. However, I was the one seeing what they couldn't see beneath my clothes. I felt guilty for wanting to improve, yet deep down I wanted change. I began to lose weight and had gotten down to 125lbs when I found out I was pregnant in June 2013. I was determined to have a healthy, active pregnancy. I did well, and within 2 weeks postpartum I was back to pre-pregnancy weight. With activity, healthy nutrition, and help from breastfeeding, I got to 110lbs.
Enter the 12-week challenge. After finally
tackling the weight, I knew I had the opportunity for more. I could focus on consistency with the healthy
lifestyle, and reach for goals hidden deep inside. The night I decided to do the challenge I sat
crying as I talked to my husband. I
didn’t want to admit that my goal was to have a defined, fit, and strong
body. Part of me felt like I didn’t
deserve it, and feelings of being ungrateful crept back. With his support I decided the challenge was
what I desperately needed. My goals
were to create a consistent, healthy lifestyle so afterward I could focus on
building and defining muscle. I knew
that I would struggle if I didn’t get my attitude and mind in the right
place.
What an amazing ride! I started out strong and excited, had bumps
in the road that tried to derail me, and through it all I did better than
expected! I exercise more often than before,
and my nutrition has improved by planning my treats. The biggest battle was not physical, but
mental. I fought through excuses, and
wanting to quit. Sometimes I skipped a
workout, but I bounced back quicker than before. The biggest breakthrough was in week 11. I realized treats that were no big deal before
made me sick, so sick that I skipped my workout. Not only does my body prefer healthy foods,
for the first time in my life I was sad to miss a workout. At 9 months postpartum, primarily I’ve gained
confidence. I made great progress and
look forward to reaching my next goal!
It was great to write out my progress, because it helped me to acknowledge how far I have come. Truly the biggest battle I have fought was within. Doing this has proven that I can follow through on what I set my mind to. That gives me even more confidence, which propels me on to the next challenge. I am currently trying a new program by adding resistance bands and allowing that to help take me to the next level. My Nov 2014 pictures are my new before pics! We have been told that in January they will be starting another 12-week challenge. I will be joining again to help keep my momentum going. I'll post when it starts up, and hope there are others that want to join in too!
All the best,
OkieGal
