If you read the blog regularly, you know I have been working for nearly a year on my goal of shedding some pounds. After Andrew and I got married two and a half years ago, the pounds started adding up. I blame a great deal of factors for the weight gain; Lack of regular workouts, a summer of no sleep on weekends and late night McDonald's runs after finishing working a wedding, a stressful job, and my own lack of concern.
For several months last summer, I made the conscious effort to get to the gym at least three times per week. In the past, that worked for me. When I was 18, I worked out at Curves and dropped a significant amount of weight. Slowly, the weight crept back on. Before the wedding in 2011, I was attending Zumba classes at work once per week as well as a sculpting class. In addition to those two forty minute classes each week, I was also working out in the gym at our apartment for thirty minutes once or twice each week. The pounds came off and I was a happy camper. I wouldn't say at any point we really started to "diet". At some point, we began watching our sodium out of concern for Andrew's family history of heart conditions.
After several months of working out and not seeing any results, I was frustrated and out of answers. At some point last June or July, I went to the doctor to have my thyroid tested; I was convinced that was what was preventing me from shedding the pounds. My thyroid tested fine. My next attempt to drop the pounds that were continuing to creep on was to cut back on my carbs. I cut out all our pasta, as much bread as possible, and anything with high sugar counts. The hardest part of cutting carbs for me was to cut out my afternoon mocha. I switched to black coffee with a little half and half. Even with those the changes, the scale barely budged. Late last year, I went back to my doctor for answers. The answer I got was to see a dietitian. I mulled that over for a few weeks and wasn't satisfied with that answer.
I have never had a total crap diet. I don't go to McDonald's ever, except when they have shamrock shakes. We cook and eat at home for the most part, I don't drink a ton of soda, I don't have junk food sitting around in the house. I have always snacked on carrots and fruit. I try to make fruits and veggies a regular part of my daily diet. I will admit that I have a sweet tooth. I love cookies, cake, and ice cream. I am not willing to give up everything that tastes good. After a while, I pushed all my issues with weight off on my stress level and decided there wasn't much else I could do about it.
I think I mentioned previously I had to find a new gym since leaving Principal. Last week, I joined a local gym less than five minutes from our house. As part of joining I had a couple free sessions with a personal trainer. While working with my trainer last Friday, I realized it was time to make a total lifestyle change. I signed up for 12 weeks of personal training; I am beyond thrilled! We will work on strength and nutrition. I will work with my trainer twice per week and hit the gym for cardio on my off days. I feel like I am too young to be this out of shape and not happy with where my body is at. I have taken responsibility for where I am at, how I got here, and how I am going to get where I want to be. I will keep you all posted on my journey!
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