My friend Emily Christopher at Emily Lynn Photography took these photos (above). The one on the left is in 2016, the center photo is 2017 and on the right is last week. That outfit that was uncomfortably tight in 2016 is now too big to wear, including the shoes!
Although I lost several sizes -- including a shoe size, weird -- the biggest improvement has been my overall health. I'm more comfortable in my clothes, I have more energy, my blood pressure is back to normal and I feel more like myself. It wasn't just that I wanted to lose weight. I wanted to simply feel good again.
So, on May 4th, 2016, when a friend canceled last minute, I chose to go to Barre class alone. Going to the gym alone is my worst nightmare, but something clicked and I made the decision to exercise daily whether I had a workout partner or not.
I stuck to it and began to build confidence and improve other areas of my health also. Two years later, I now feel the best I've ever felt...even better than how I felt in high school!
Honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed to share these progress pics (above). So, why am I sharing anyway?
I want to show you that it doesn't have to be some expensive trainer at the gym, or a crazy-hard 6-week challenge. You can get healthier over time, taking baby steps along the way. Just get started and make the decision to stick to it.
I want to show you that it doesn't have to be some expensive trainer at the gym, or a crazy-hard 6-week challenge. You can get healthier over time, taking baby steps along the way. Just get started and make the decision to stick to it.
We want what we want right now and without making any sacrifices. That's just not reality. Instead, decide to make small changes and improvements over time. Eat better. Move daily. Listen to your body. Do a little better each day. Let it take time. After all, it took time to get to where you are right now.
If you aren't feeling your best, I hope that me sharing my story can encourage you that you can do this! I've gone from being a Cinnamon Sugar PopTart lover and an exercise hater, to a person who makes better food choices and gets moving a little each day because I want to.
Don't tell yourself you have to do all or nothing...just do something. Simply choose one thing to work on today. Keep it up until you've got that down. Then add one more thing. Keep it up until it's easy. Then add one more thing. Keep this cycle going until you've reached your goal, even if it takes two years.
I'm here to tell you, it's worth it.
If you aren't feeling your best, I hope that me sharing my story can encourage you that you can do this! I've gone from being a Cinnamon Sugar PopTart lover and an exercise hater, to a person who makes better food choices and gets moving a little each day because I want to.
Don't tell yourself you have to do all or nothing...just do something. Simply choose one thing to work on today. Keep it up until you've got that down. Then add one more thing. Keep it up until it's easy. Then add one more thing. Keep this cycle going until you've reached your goal, even if it takes two years.
I'm here to tell you, it's worth it.
