I was always a quiet person, but loved to hang out and have a good time with my friends. And believe me, after graduating high school and moving to California where I didn't know a soul, it was hard to make friends. I lived in California for ten years, but it wasn't until I was seven years in when I really started meeting some good people and making friends. But during those seven years prior when I felt lonely at times (it was just me and my boyfriend, now husband) I often found myself the 'couch potato'. I would curl up on the couch almost every night, eating goodies....and by goodies I mean candy, cookies, brownies, cake, etc...you name it I probably ate it. As a result I had but on a few extra pounds...okay....if I'm going to be completely honest...more than a few.
It wasn't until I saw a picture of myself that I realized what road I was headed down. And it wasn't a road I wanted to be on. After watching my father suffer three heart attacks (the last one almost killing him) I had told myself I don't want that to happen to me. I should take better care of myself...no smoking, watch my cholesterol, watch my sodium, watch my blood pressure. And even though it may be hereditary, it could happen to me, no matter my weight or my size. Little did I realize until I saw that picture that even though I was watching the things my father suffered from I was ignoring the bigger problem....not eating healthy and not exercising.
And before I say more..... here is the 'old' me.... and don't say I didn't warn you....
Well there you have it... the old me...the 'couch potato' circa October 2003. And I don't know if it's my weight or the bad choice in clothes that scares me most. Shortly after this picture was taken I got a job at an Arts & Crafts store and began walking the pounds off. Since then I've gone on and off diets numerous times (sometimes with results) but never really anything that motivated me to stick to it. I was able to keep some of the pounds off, but I still consumed too many goodies. It's a weakness. I heard the word CHOCOLATE calling my name and I dove right on in.
Moving on Upward........ It wasn't until I made the big move to Hawaii that I found inspiration, motivation, and encouragement... my old boss (I don't work at that dealership anymore) invited me to join her at the Old Koloa Sugar Mill Run (only 3 miles). So slowly I started to get out there and run. And I realized something new....I LIKE TO RUN! After competing in my first foot race, I wanted more.....so I ran my way to an 8 mile race. And I've been running ever since.
Even after finding this new passion I wasn't fully get the best out of my workouts. I was doing GREAT cardio, but I wasn't doing any toning/strength training. All I was seeing was flab, but I continued to do nothing about it. The idea of lifting weights or doing squats or dare I say it....lunges....was the furthest thing from my mind. So last year I sought out some help and found Missy (and we'd known each other for a few years). Since then she has been helping me with my strength training on and off each week. And I was getting constant reminders that I should be doing strength training at least twice a week. But still I was only doing it once a week. I was slowly seeing results. I was getting more muscle plus I was feeling stronger and more energized than ever before.
And then it hit me (and it's only been five days). Yes...you heard me...only five days. I need to move further on up the road (and the correct road this time) to the new me. That means minimizing those goodies, making better food choices, and doing more strength training. The old me is far behind and won't be back, at least not in this lifetime. With the help of my friends, my new mindset, this blog, and my more realistic goals I am moving onward to bigger and better things.
Best of all....I moving onward to a HEALTHIER me.
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