As cliche as it is to say, the days are slow, and the years go by so fast. You live your life, enjoy all the celebrations, and eat all the food. Years pass, you look in the mirror, and you do not know who you are and who you’ve become. At the core of who I was, sure I was the same, but I had many layers of getting back to that person.
How Could You Let This Happen
No one I’ve ever known that has gained unwanted weight has gained the weight intentionally. It’s slow, you don’t notice it, and when you do it is too overwhelming to do anything about. I am not stupid. I did realize the food I was eating was not good for me.
Why The Change
My son, Henry was born at 25 weeks. We spent over three months in the NICU. I was the most depressed I had ever been. When he came home from the hospital I tried to do all the things: stay up all night with a baby who came home on oxygen, eat healthy, and exercise. It was too much. I knew I needed to be healthier, but life was too chaotic. I did start exercising pretty regularly, but my eating was still terrible.
In March of 2021, I was running, and my knee started hurting so bad I felt like I could barely walk. I went to the doctor, and found out that I had no cartilage left in my left knee. I was getting my knee drained every week from all of the swelling and fluid. In April of 2021, I had knee surgery to remove the loose cartilage, and to remove the synovial lining (this produces fluid in your knee). I had an emotional discussion with my surgeon prior to surgery. She was sitting down, was close to me, and said, “You have to get the weight off your joints if you want to run around with Henry for the rest of your life.” Tears streamed down my face. I am talking uncontrollable tears. Of course I knew this, but it hit me. Some of my hardest conversations in life have been things I needed to hear the most. Henry was the reason I started, and he is the reason I am where I am.
How Did You Do It
Eating and Support
First and foremost, I have a dear friend who I would (and still do) text every night what I am eating the next day. It matters what food you are putting in your body. It matters that you have a plan. If you have not heard of Bright Line Eating, look it up. Food addiction is real. I eat three meals a day, with a protein shake, and occasionally a pre-workout. I do also track protein, carbs, fat, and have targets I aim to hit daily. Rarely do I eat flour and sugar. Bright Line Eating really is big on no flour and sugar ever, but I do think you have to live your life, and learn how to train your brain to eat a piece of cake, and not throw off the rest of your day.
Exercise and Support
I am one of those rare people who LOVE exercising. I know, you hate people like me. So what do I do? I love cycling. I have a Peloton bike, and go to CycleBar. The CycleBar community is so supportive. After my first class I almost didn’t go back. I finished towards the end of the leaderboard. I decided to keep going. It was maybe the third time I went, and one of the owners looked and me and told me he was proud of me. These small words of encouragement made me keep showing up. I have now came in first on the leaderboard many of times. I say this because it is not about perfection, it is about commitment. If you continue to commit, you’ll find perfection. My husband likes to say it is not where you start, it is where you finish. I also go to Club Pilates, lift weights two days a week, and play tennis.
My Mind
Get the therapy. Do the meditation. Whatever you need to do to get your mind right, do it. I think finding love for yourself is the most important thing you can do. Do not find your love and joy in food. There is a whole world out there that brings so much more joy. A lot of my weight loss has been constant self-coaching. Oh pizza, yum — will eating this pizza help put me where I want to be tomorrow? No, move on. I think I will just quit cycling. My workout clothes aren’t cute enough, I am not a cute cycling girl, and I am slow. No, worry about yourself, and do the work. I think maybe I will just have a little afternoon nap. No. I have had so many people say how motivated I am. I don’t like the word motivation. Motivation gets you started, but it is discipline that keeps you going.
Currently
April 27 I am having a surgery to remove loose skin, and am getting a tummy tuck. I plan to lose about another 25 pounds before my surgery. Stay tuned for updates.
How Can You Start
I would say my best advise is to surround yourself by good company, get up, show up, and discover exactly who you are and who you are meant to be.
