Anita's Journey to Fit Chick

In 2006 I weighed over 250 pounds. I had diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides. My diabetes was out of control. I was tired all the time. I was depressed. I didn’t exercise and my diet was full of too much fat, carbohydrates and calories. I was 43 years old and I was killing myself.

I used all the excuses in the world not to exercise. I was too tired. I didn’t have time. I couldn’t exercise in the morning. I couldn’t exercise in the evening. I didn’t want to exercise by myself and the best one, I was too overweight. Actually, I was afraid to exercise for fear of passing out or having a heart attack because I was so overweight.
Diabetes runs in my family. My paternal grandmother had it and so did my father. I saw my father die too soon because of this disease, so I knew I had to start taking control and change what I was doing to myself.

In the fall of 2006, when my daughter started back to school, she entered the 9th grade academy. The school was right beside the health department where I was working. She wanted to be at school at 7:30 a.m. and since I didn’t have to be at work until 8:00 a.m., I would drop her off at school and walk around the parking lot. I started off slow walking about 15 or 20 minutes at first. Over time, I gradually increased the length of time and distance of my walking.

I also changed my eating habits. I began to eat less fat, carbohydrates and overall calories and in addition, I started eating several, smaller meals a day. A little later, I sought the care of a diabetes specialist who got me on the right combination of medicines to get my diabetes under control.
Today, I am happy to report that I have lost over 100 pounds! My A1C (test for blood glucose) is in the normal range. My blood pressure is great and my cholesterol and triglycerides are in the normal range without medication!

During the week, I walk over seven miles each day and four miles on each weekend day. Typically, I walk for an hour in the morning before I get ready for work, and then walk an hour and twenty minutes after work. I love walking! Walking is what “I do” now. I walk in the rain, snow, hail, wind, cold and heat. I very, very rarely miss a day. I am passionate about trying to stay as healthy and fit as I can and I think my family and co- workers are proud of my commitment.

Everything I have done and continue to do can be done by anyone. You just have to get started, be committed to doing it and sticking with it. I hope my story can inspire someone to take control of their health. It takes work and time but it is well worth it!

-->

Ruth's Journey

 

This summer my fitness goal was to complete an Olympic triathlon. I was doing 30 mile+ bike rides and 10+ mile runs weekly. I also did the Boulder Stroke and Stride 5 times (1 mile swim and a 5k). (I also was eating high quality and high quantities of food. Did no refined sugar or flour for 1 month as well).

People say that alot of cardio makes you "skinny fat"? Well I was ok with that. I was hoping some of the benefits of my training would be minimal weight loss (about 10 lbs). I'm 5'9 and 147 lbs. I was feeling discouraged because the scale didn't move one pound! Also, my pants fit tighter right now then before. There were no visible results from all of the work I was doing.    I completed my triathlon (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike, 10K run) and did MUCH better then I was expecting. I wasn't even sore the next day! Additionally this weekend I summited Longs Peak (14,225 ft. 5,100 climb from the trail head, 14 mile hike). I felt better at the end then I have ever felt after hikes.

 

Whats the point of my post? After both my tri and my hike I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment and felt a feeling of pride towards my body. I just felt like "wow! my body can do that. That really is amazing!" This thought is so rare because my thoughts toward my body are almost ALWAYS negative, skeptical, and judgmental. My epiphany was this: My hard work DOES PAY OFF. Even if it isn't visibly obvious to me or others. I AM becoming healthier and more in shape by exercising and eating well. My body is strong and impressive in others ways then JUST how it looks.

I hope that some of you who are judgmental of your body like me can take from this that your hard work IS WORTH IT and looks are only skin deep.

 P.S. I have started a strength training program to continue striving toward excellence in my fitness and appearance

-->

Esther's Journey to Fit Chick

"I ain't where I want to be but thank GOD I ain't where I used to be!!"

 I am 40 years old today and although almost 2 years ago I vowed to be 140lbs at 40 and I am NOWHERE, near that weight, and probably never will be. But I have come to terms with that and realized that the number on scale means nothing, but how I look, feel and carry myself means everything. I've had problems with my weight for as long as I can remember, and with 5 siblings who were always relatively fit' I always felt out of place, loved, but out of place.  Over the years, slowing metabolisms and life caught up with my siblings too and in February of 2011, we all embarked on an 8 week fitness challenge. We all put in $100 to join and over the course of the challenge decided to have a cheat pot. If we slacked off one day or ate something we shouldn't $5 was added to the pot. By the end of the 8 weeks, 3 siblings had dropped out and took there $100 with them. But there was still $430 up for grabs. I being the competitor that I am, came out the winner and lost the most weight (21.8lbs).

By July 2011 I was back at my starting weight, and by January 2012 I had surpassed it. A series of events had got me to that point, but then I realized "there's ALWAYS going to be a series of events, there always have been!" But HOW I handled them was what was going to be the secret to my success. I knew that I was not a big eater, I didn't sit around and gorge all day, so I needed to look at what I was eating and WHY I chose to eat what I ate. Once I realized I was an emotional eater and what my triggers were, I could stop myself before a bought a chocolate bar. I am a single mom of FOUR kids so I knew I had to get healthy for me, but also for them. I was worried about not being here for them, but more than anything teaching them my bad eating habits and causing them the same struggles I have dealt with.

So March 26th, 2012, I woke up and decided today everything changes. I hit the gym everyday, sometimes twice a day, but more importantly I ate better. A recurring hip injury slowed me down, then it was summer and with 4 kids, the summer did not belong to me. I think I made it to about 3 5am workouts all summer, but staying busy with them all summer maintained the weight I had lost. So as of last Tuesday, I'm back at it. And embracing my 40th with grace and dignity. I am not dwelling on the things of the past, but enjoying my present and focusing on my future.


*Did you like Esthers story? Like and share it. If you have a story to share and would like to be featured on this blog email me at fitchicks01@gmail.com*

Bridgit's Journey to Fit Chick.

 I have not had to deal with weight issues throughout my entire life like some of you have, but  I have still dealt with my own issues because of weight. I have dealt with confidence issues, and depression from it. I know what it's like to let your emotions get the best of you, and turn to food for comfort. I also know what it's like to not be truly happy with what you see in the mirror, regardless of how often you hear how beautiful someone else thinks you are. But, within the last year, I know what it's like to take control of food, rather than let it control me.




I am a mother of two precious boys. During my 1st pregnancy, I gained 55lbs, putting me at 205lbs. From the time I delivered our first, until I got pregnant with our second, I lost 25lbs, bringing my weight to 180lbs. I really didn't lose much weight, and really didn't try hard to. It wasn't until my second pregnancy that I decided I needed to do things differently. I gained 29lbs,and my weight when I delivered was 209lbs. I was determined to get the baby weight off, for good. I joined the Weight Watcher PP program, in May 2011, 3 weeks after delivering our second son. I wanted to not only be a healthier mother, so that I was better able to keep up with my children, but just a healthier woman in general. To me, being healthy=being wealthy.


Im sharing my story, to not only be an inspiration, but to also seek inspiration from others who are on the same journey. I am not a trainer, or nutritionist. I am simply someone who is on a journey to not only better myself, but my health. I am not only in this for me, but for my children and my husband, and for you. I am a firm believer that if you don't give 100% to yourself, you can't expect to be able to give it you anyone, or anything else.

*Did you like Bridgit's Story? Like and share it!*