Slim's Opinion

I started my journey to healthy on 12-26-12.  I have worked out every day and I have changed my diet (and my family’s).  After a month and a half, I have to say I feel great.  I have energy, confidence and have lost a total of 13 pounds and 2 1/2 inches from my waist.

Rockin’ My New Look!

When I started this journey I didn’t know if I could make it for 2 weeks let alone 6 weeks.  I am proud of myself for sticking with my journey.  Before I started, I hated what I saw in the mirror.  I felt sluggish.  I was out of breath easily.  I didn’t  like how I felt physically or emotionally.  I also didn’t like the path my health was taking.  Since, heart disease has killed my maternal grandmother and one aunt, I can’t afford to not take care of myself.  My son needs me to be there as he grows up.  My husband needs me to be his partner for a lifetime. These are the two most important reasons I can think of to be the best me I can be.

I decided when I started my journey that a strict diet of salad or tasteless diet food would not work for me.  I saw the commercials about great tasting food, and saw the price.  I can’t afford pre-packaged meals delivered to my home.  I knew I had to do this myself.  So, I replaced chips for carrots with low fat dips once in awhile.  I started snacking on bananas and apples.  I added celery with peanut butter (in moderation).  I have started watching my portions.  I am cooking pork, chicken and some lean beef with fresh vegetables and using more frozen vegetables.  Since frozen vegetables are picked ripe and frozen immediately, they have all the vitamins that my body needs.  I am eating more nuts – almonds, walnuts, pistachios.  I don’t buy the prepared foods with high fat content.  I watch fat grams as well as calories.  If I want a bite of chocolate, I take a bite.  If I want one chip, I take one chip.  I just don’t seem to want those things anymore.  I don’t deny myself a treat, I just don’t go crazy either.   I make better choices these days.  I knew at the beginning that if I tried to deny myself the things that I like the best, that I would be setting myself up to fail.  I was determined to succeed.

I also knew that exercise was going to have to be fun.  I know me, I have watched myself start an exercise program and then quit after a few days.  I had to have something fast paced and give more benefits than just exercising.  I chose the Tae Bo series of workouts from Billy Blanks.  These are awesome!!  I am getting fit and getting one of the best cardio workouts ever.  I am also getting some great self-defense moves.  I had started a self-defense course and stuck with it for the entire summer.  Unfortunately, it was canceled because too many people had quit, no participants no income.  So when I  found the Tae Bo workouts, I knew that was for me.

I look in the mirror now, I like what I see.  It is not just the weight loss, or the inches lost.  I look in the mirror and I see a woman who has taken control of herself.  I see a woman that has confidence to tackle anything.  I see a woman who is not a quitter.  I see a winner, committed and strong.  I see a woman who loves her family and is willing to take the steps necessary to be with them for many, many years to come.   I feel sexy and desirable again, and my husband is appreciating that, and believe me, so am I!!!  I am loving this change and I am only at the beginning of my journey.  I can’t wait to see what the future will bring as I continue to take control of my life.