After being active when I was younger, I found my focus drifted away from my health when I started having my children. With each child, I seemed to gain more weight and focus less on my fitness. I let my health take a back seat and over time, that choice took a toll. I felt depressed about how I looked and really lacked confidence. While my husband was always supportive, I felt unattractive when we went out. It affected everything I did. My once 6 pack abs had now turned into a mid-section bulge. My athletic build felt like a pudgy mess.
A few years after having my third and final child, I felt it was time to try to lose some weight. I tried to start running and going to a gym. I felt like I was making progress, but while running on the treadmill I suddenly felt a pop in my knee. Needless to say, it resulted in arthroscopic knee surgery and my surgeon telling my husband to never let me run again. It upset me that I was trying to get healthy but nothing seemed to be going my way. I put the weight back on.
Shortly after my surgery, I went through a very stressful time personally and I started losing weight. Not a good type of weight loss. When I get stressed, instead of overeating, I do not eat. So, I continued my unhealthy eating and developed endometriosis which resulted in another surgery. Over time, I put the weight back on.
In 2012, my husband was offered a new position in a new city. I was so excited about the move. Instead of living in a secluded area and no real place to walk like we were living, I would be living at the beach and able to walk in our neighborhood. I decided to start walking and with the aid of an orthopedic brace, I began running. I signed up for a race and then a second. My sister and I decided to train for the Disney Princess Half marathon. I felt great and my knee was not giving me problems. I finished my half marathon but not without developing some bursitis in my hip. I took a break and started going to the gym. I loved lifting weights but did not see the weight going down. I made no changes in my nutrition, which I now realize was just one of the problems that caused my lack of weight loss. I slowly stopped going to the gym and put the weight back on.
My middle child is all about sports and decided he wanted to try ice hockey. As an avid hockey fan, I was all about him playing. During the practices, I met a friend. We discussed weight loss and how I tried to lose weight but was having no success. She mentioned starting not only a fitness program but incorporating a nutrition plan. I listened and then came home and researched. After completing my first workout, I thought I was going to die. I was sore and exhausted, and it was apparent that I was out of shape. I kept pushing through the program. After leg day, I thought I would never be able to sit without the use of handicapped bars in the bathroom. I kept going. The second week was a little better and the third even better. I started feeling strong and increased my weights from the 5 pounds I was using. The weight started to come off and I felt good.
After several weeks of working out and sticking to a solid nutrition plan, I started to see results. I felt so good that I increased my weights, increased my workout intensity and continued to lose weight. I was down 15 pounds and felt great. 
I have always loved to lift weights and my friend suggested some other weight lifting exercises focused on different muscle groups. I researched what she shared and felt it was perfect for me. I could lift weights at home and run for my cardio. Now I am down 20 pounds and I feel great. I workout daily and run on my cardio day.
Now I have started running with my 11 year old and promoting good health with him. He recently chose to run in our local Halloween Monster mile race, and we have been training together. I chose to get healthy because I want to be an example of healthy living to my children and I feel I am a better wife and mother. I am excited for the changes I have seen in my life. I only wish that I realized this great feeling years ago, but I know that everything happens for a reason. I am happy with who I am and what the future looks like.
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5 replies to "Why I chose to get healthy…"
When I started 21 Day fix and then found out you were a coach, I was excited to know someone doing the same thing as me. I never heard your whole story! You amaze me and I'm so proud of the journey you are on. I really needed to read this, as I have been feeling defeated a lot lately! Thanks for sharing!
I AM SO STINKING PROUD OF YOU!!!! You're transforming before our eyes EVERY DAY!
Thank you both!
Proud of you baby!! You are pretty amazing! ??
I have a great supportive husband to help me! ?