Body for Life

I made a big change a few weeks ago. I decided to strengthen and tone my body as well as change my eating habits to fuel my body with foods that are going to give me the nutrients I need.  That is a HUGE deal for me.  I have spent my whole life eating whatever I wanted. I was refilling my Coke about 10 times A DAY.  I have wanted to do this for awhile but didn't have the will power or desire to actually do anything about it.  I just sat around thinking about exercising and eating better while I was chugging a Coke and eating a Ding Dong.

My sister started talking about the personal trainer she had lined up and something clicked in my brain. I decided right then I was going to do something about it.  I grabbed the Body for Life book in my library and read it in 2 days.  I asked my co-worker, Shayna if she wanted to be my workout partner and I got Kenny on board too with a 12 week program.  I set up everything in 1 day.  I don't know what it was, but once I made up my mind, that was it.

Now before those of you who know me freak out saying, " you're so skinny, you don't need to lose weight...." just know this-  I am not trying to lose weight, in fact I will be happy to put on some muscle weight.  I am not "dieting"  I am just replacing the processed junk I was eating before with foods that are good for me. I quit drinking Coke and replaced it with lots of water. I am determined to get rid of my bat wings (arms), back roll, sagging bum and my muffin top....yes I have all of them. When I take my after pictures in 9 more weeks I will post the before pictures proving that I had one.  I mean, come on. I had 4 kids. Basically instead of being squishy everywhere, I will be toned and strong.

I meet Shayna at the gym 3 days a week at 5 am.  That was always one of my excuses.  That I didn't have time.  But I know if you want something bad enough you will make the time.  And I did.  It was rough getting up the first week and brutal the second with daylight savings....my body was screaming, "you know it's like 3:30 am right??!!".  That first morning I sat in my car in the parking lot and didn't want to go in because I thought I would be so out of place with my scrawny, weak, flabby self. But I just thought, "everyone in there started where I am". And so it began. Now, the more I go the more I want to go back.  There isn't a day that goes by that I am not SORE and I mean like walking like an old lady sore.  But it feels good and I am getting stronger.  The last few days I am just starting to notice the muscle building in my arms and legs.  The belly is going to take awhile....and lots of crunches. OUCH. I run the other 3 days and am training to run another race at the end of the summer.

The food change is amazing.  I can't believe how badly I was eating before.  Now I am always thinking about what kind of food is going to fuel my body to help it rebuild.  Before the diet change I was having headaches daily and taking Excedrin Migraine almost every day. My digestive system was going haywire and I was so tired all the time. I am 3 weeks in to the new diet and I have not had any headaches, my digestive system is not giving me any problems and I have more energy than I can remember having in a LONG time.  I am so excited to watch the changes continue as I work through the next 9 weeks.