Back in December of 2005, I was a 20-something woman with a full-time job, a steady income, and a live-in boyfriend. I was just starting to experience life as an adult, trying to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be.
I was also unhealthy and inactive. My diet was made up of fast food and junk. For years I told people “I don’t eat fruits and vegetables.”
It all changed when I saw myself in this photo taken at Christmas 2005.
Me, Dec. 2005
I didn’t want to believe that woman was me. How did I get to this point? Had I given up?
At the time, I was a smoker, drank recreationally, and had terrible eating habits. Fast-food was a regular part of my diet. I drank pop every day. Because I never packed a lunch for work or ate breakfast, I would often eat donuts or treats brought into the office or find myself at the vending machine buying a candy bar. I worked an early morning shift and was always tired. Even though I had a boyfriend who loved me and found me attractive, I was uncomfortable with my body and didn’t want him to see it.
I hated not being happy with the way I looked, but more than that, I wanted to feel good. I knew I had to get tough with myself and make some serious changes.
I quit smoking, and started exercising. And as I exercised more, not only did my body change, but my eating habits did, too. I wanted to eat healthier foods. Junk food was less and less appealing. I started to feel good about myself.
Over a period of months and years, I grew to love exercise. I learned to like foods I had never tried or even in some cases, heard of. I had tons of energy, slept well, and was more positive and happy.
In 2008 I became a certified Group Exercise Instructor. I started teaching classes, and talking to other people about how they could lose weight and improve their lives through healthy living.
Fast-forward to 2012, and I’ve made the decision to follow my passion and become a Certified Personal Trainer. Being able to motivate other people to make positive changes is such a blessing. I can think of nothing I would rather do than help others be happy and healthy!
Join me on this journey! Email me or find me on facebook/twitter and let’s do this!
