60+ lbs going going gone and over half way to the finish

Happy Friday from TX ya'll :P Just want to share my story for those of you who are struggling out there with your journey. I began January 11th, 2012. I decided to finally get healthy. I weighed in at an 295 lbs, 5'3, and 25. I was on the path of destroying my body and my future. I found Zumba and MFP and the rest is history. The first six months of I kept immaculate track of what I was eating. I tried to walk a few times a week. Then I saw a Zumba infomercial and was stuck on the idea I wanted to try it. So purchased it off Craigslist and invested in a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor. Your weight loss will only be as great as the tools you choose to utilize. (my list includes: heart rate monitor, cardio, food scale, and water)

So I did. I Zumba'd once a day five days a week. I wanted to get use to the movements and the intensity in the privacy of my own home, then I found a local studio in town that offered Zumba, Zumba Toning, Bodypump, Bootcamps, and other great classes. During the first few weeks I was amazed at higher intensity that was delivered at a group class. I was out of breath, my lungs were burning, my body was hurting. Zumba at 295 hurts!!!! SERIOUSLY!!! But I kept at in. After the second month I found my confidence and started making my way closer to the stage/instructor.

In 2013 I decided I need a new fitness goal. So I took up running. At this point in my journey I was 267-269. Now I thought Zumba hurt at 295, boy oh boy was I wrong. I didn't know the level of pain that I had just committed to endure. I dd a few fun 5k's and then I decided to get serious. I found a local running group who's focus was to train for the annual Rock and Roll half and full marathon. We ran three times per week for five months. During this time I learned so much about my body and about myself. I ended a two year engagement, moved back to the city, and was on my own for the first time in almost 8 years. By the end of this running season I will have ten races ranging from 5k to 8 miler under my belt. My pace starting out was 18:05 and is now at 16:25. I am currently 233.8 and have set a very ambitious goal to reach 199.9 by January 31, 2014.

The real point to my story is no matter how slow your weight loss the point is to keep at it and keep the numbers trending down. You have to change your life...not the number on the scale. Please feel free to message me or add me as a friend. Best of luck to you in journey. xoxoox -Nic


10-31-13 comparison pic 295 to 233