My story is pretty typical– life long “chubby” kid, teenager, and adult I grew up doing what I knew to do eat, diet, eat, diet. I often define parts of my life by my weight– high school, college (freshman 15 anyone), marriage and after children. I saw myself over the years changing and trying to change back. At almost 40 I realized there was no “going back” to whatever weight I thought I defined me.
So I resigned myself to “just get fit”. “Fit by forty” was the new motto. I made small changes to my food intake and starting running. Even after losing 40 pounds I was still heavier than what is considered healthy and I didn’t really feel any better. I knew there had to be something I was missing why wasn’t the old calorie in calorie out working?
I had a friend who found this “Body Challenge” and joined. She was the “thin” friend so I didn’t quite get why she did it but she did it for her health– both mind and body. I watched her transform from someone who smoked, had anxiety, ate randomly, and sporadically exercised to a smoke free, healthy, and energized women. Through her I learned there were better ways to deal with the food and stress that came with body issues/life.
I dipped my toe in the water by trying a specialty class (Kettlebells). I found the environment so relaxing and welcoming– no judgement. The women were friendly and helpful. The instructor was attentive, funny, and knowledgable. She welcomed and helped everyone no matter what level fitness you were– you got attention.
I took the final leap this past fall and joined the Body Challenge this fall 2014 and I am not looking back. I have never seen these types of changes in my body– before kids, in high school, or during college. My eating habits are not only more healthy but now I know WHY I eat and WHAT I eat. My food is real and whole. My body feels better and mentally I feel better.
The Fitness Asylum provides the outline, support, encouragement, and community you provide the work. You will never regret it.