Turning Impossible to I'M POSSIBLE

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be captive of the environment in which you first find yourself." - Mark Caine

We wake up one day in our bodies wearing this skin and wonder how on earth we got here. Folding laundry you wonder whose clothes they are. We see a picture of ourself and can't understand why the camera added on like 50 lbs.... And it hits us...

SO began my journey. 27 months ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who is the love of my life. I was the HEAVIEST in my life at 272 lbs. To be honest I only gained 12 lbs during my pregnancy. I was also SO good at excuses. I am big boned. Big chested. I hide it well. And I never did look "that" big... until I look back and almost gasp.

During my pregnancy I was blessed to crave Hood Smart milk and raw vegetables (no dip). 10 months of this helped me get a great eating habit. I also learned to snack as there is no "sitting" for a meal as a new mom. As he grew I shrunk slowly but surely.

A year ago I started a new job. The stress of the old job had me fighting the scale going back up and new beginnings meant NEW beginnings. I joined MFP July 7th and it has helped me save my own life. I started making the same mistakes most do: MFP put me at 1250 and all I ate was that. WAY too low. Initially I did lose but plateaued REAL quick. I learned to up my calories and started losing.

In Febuary of this year I joined an online virtual walking group on FB. It was 212 miles in 90 days. SO I started walking. I bought some Leslie Sanson walk at home's and went to it. It was tough in the beginning. My back hurt. I had no time. I was tired. But I joined this group and wanted to finish. I wanted to be the healthiest me I could be and being I was turning 35, it would be 5 years since my major spinal surgery and 10 years since my car accident which set this path: I wanted it BAD!

Fast forward 90 days and I completed the challenge and did over 300 miles walking. Those were ONLY exercise miles and not all the extra activity I was doing. I also bought a Fitbit in January and really focused on making my goal. I still do and am lost without it. I have already replaced the battery as I work that puppy. lol.

Day 24 is complete of the 30 day shred and I WILL finish it! I joined the second challenge which is 90 miles in 60 days and nailed it half way through. I am currently training for the Susan G. Koman 3 day walk for breast cancer which is 2 weeks from today and am running my first 5k next weekend. I have found that doing all the walks for something bigger than me helps me get lost in the cause and not in what I am doing to get there. I think of the people who are battling cancer and their aches and pains and I push further knowing that each step I take in 2 weeks is that much closer to a cure.

As of this morning I am down 54 lbs using MFP in 370 days. I am down 90 lbs exactly in 27 months. Since I started taping and measuring in January I am down 41.15". I still have a ways to go but I am well over half way and feel amazing.

Some ask what my trick is? Well its easy and basic:

1) Start moving and if you are moving move more. Find some way to measure your activity like a pedometer or Fitbit and keep pushing yourself. We ALL start somewhere and I was happy to get to 4,000 steps. Now I was 15+ miles no problem.
2) Watch what you eat and eat enough. Unless you are under medical survellience you need to really eat enough and ensure you get enough nutrients.
3) Don't stop moving. Buy a cheap foam pad and do steps in front of the tv, laundry, kitchen sink, when you wash your hands, etc. Just keep moving.
4) Push yourself and support others. By supporting others on their path you inspire your own inner voice and aspire to do more and be more.
5) Make your food diary open to friends. It helps with accountability, shares ideas and helps others on their path.
6) Be YOUR OWN COMPETITION. Stop looking at others. Push YOURSELF further than YOU have gone.
7) Finish what you started. You never know what you can do until you push yourself. It DOES get easier. And it is addiciting. I dislike rest days and do them only because my muscles need them... mentally I am on the mat walking, working and lifting/exercising.
8) Really listen to your excuses and reword them while holding yourself accountable. Don't say you don't have time: say I choose to not make time. Don't say I don't have the money: say I am not being creative in making this dream a reality. When you hold yourself accountable and really hear your excuses you can get out of your own way. We are the only ones in our own way.
9) There is no such thing as IMPOSSIBLE. Reword it to I'M POSSIBLE and find away.
10) This current place you are in right now is only temporary. It is a stepping stone to where you WILL be. Rome was not built in a day. 40 lbs did not jump on your body overnight. It takes time. It takes patience. You WILL one day look back and be amazed at what you accomplished (and wonder whose jeans these are that look so tiny that you are folding... and still be in shock that they are yours).
11) Tape and measure. Tape and measure. Did I mention tape and measure? It helps track your progress as you advance. While muscle does weigh more than fat it takes up less space. This has saved my sanity during many times when the scale did not budge but I felt better. Tape and measure.

My wish for you is success in all you do and are on your path to health and wellness. Refuse to be a prisoner in your body and find a way to turn your "prison" into the castle of your dreams. Love and light to you on your perfect path! :flowerforyou: