My Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle

Something that I've never mentioned before: I've lost nearly 60 pounds in the last three years. I'm a short woman (5'1") - and actually have a pretty wide bone stature.  In high school, I was pretty much a size 6/8 and that was normal for me. Then, in college, I gained weight and became a size 8/10. It was embarrassing, to say the least, that year after year my weight would slowly creep up.

When I graduated college, I knew I wanted to take my life back and start living healthy. My college diet consisted of cheap carbs, including pizza, pasta, bagels and other breads. Also, I had a huge love for soda, which would contribute to unnecessary sugars and calories. I would have at least one can of soda a day and really, on average two cans a day. Also, I had a bad habit of going out drinking (talk about more unnecessary calories!). Now that I'm typing all this out, it's crazy to think that I just didn't care about my body enough to realize what I was eating and drinking. I was going through a rough patch in my life. A year before before I graduated college, my high school sweetheart and I broke-up after six years of dating (a very long time in this day and age...!). Also, with college graduation coming soon, the hardcore responsibility was too much for me to handle. I pretty much ate all my worries away.

At the start of 2010, I took initiative. I just got a real fulltime job and finally felt like I had lots of things to look forward to! I signed up for a gym membership with the New Year's resolution rate. From there, I would plan at least 3 trips to the gym for 45 minutes and then I would regulate what I eat. I cut out soda completely and I controlled the portions I ate. Also, I didn't make it a priority to monitor my weight.  Actually, I didn't weigh myself at all. My ultimate goal when I started my gym membership was to be healthy and from there, I was hoping the weight would come off as a result for eating right and working out.

I was correct!

In my yearly doctor's appointment check-up, I found out I've lost 20+ pounds from 2010 to 2011. I was ecstatic! The doctor even commended me! It was just the motivation I needed to keep going! At the very beginning 2011, I met a very special man, my now husband, the fit and sexy soldier. Even with how I looked then, he fell in love with me. I just continued my own regimen with personal motivation. My husband and I would make sure we kept ourselves active together. I loved hiking and being outdoors with him. In addition, I found that I really (and I mean really!) enjoy Zumba and any other dance fitness classes! I continued my cardio workouts on the treadmill and then added two dance fitness classes a week.

To my delight, I lost another 25 pounds from 2011 to 2012 (and yes, I didn't weigh myself at all again! The doctor was the only one that told me my weight at my yearly visit)! I told my husband (at the time boyfriend) about my weight-loss and he didn't even realize! Everyone around me didn't realize! The people that would see me regularly didn't notice the pounds coming off, but when I pulled some pictures from years past, I think you can immediately tell the difference!

Now, I am feeling awesome! I can't tell you how proud I am of myself too. My current goal is to maintain my habits and keep going as I am. I've added doing 5Ks here and there for extra motivation. The last time I was at this weight I was 13 year-old (about 15 years ago!!).

Picture taken Aug. 2013