February 28 of this year will be five years that I decided it was time to change my life. I wasn't being the best mom or wife that I could be. My kids would ask me to go play and I could barely play ten minutes. And that was if I was lucky.
I remember that I didn't realize how bad I let myself get until I was getting fitted to be in a wedding. I remember getting measured for my hips and butt which was 48 inches! But this is where I wanted to go in my room and just cry. I was measured around my waist and I was 47 1/2 inches!! That is only 1/2 inch from my butt. To be honest, I was devastated. I didn't know where to begin.
A friend of mine posted her before and after pictures. She looked amazing so I asked her what she did to lose the weight. She told me it was Zumba so I looked into our local rec to see if they offered and sure enough they did. I watched a little bit of a class and I already convinced myself I couldn't do it.
I have done workout videos at home but in a class with a group of people. I just wasn't sure. I wasn't able to finally attend a class for a couple weeks after watching that first class. Before starting exercising, I had been to the doctor for having a headache continuously for a month. Naturally I am thinking worse case scenario but everything turned out good.
It was hard that first night and when I finished my face looked like one of those red delicious apples because it was so red. I woke up that next morning and could barely move. But I didn't give up. I still went back. Every time they offered it, I was there. My kids spent most of their childhood there. Especially my daughter.
When I started, I weighed 194.1 pounds. Today I weigh 146.2. That is a total loss of 47.9 pounds in five years! I have gone up and down during those five years. After all this time though, I have found something that works for me. I have been able to keep the weight off and I am happier than ever.
I tell you this because at first I started exercising for the wrong reasons. In the end, I realized that I needed to do it for me. Now not only do I do Zumba but I also run as well. I may have started for the wrong reasons but I am continuing for the right reasons. You need to find your reason, your motivation to get you to workout. Whether that is health reasons or whatever the case may be. Find it and use to fuel your workout.
Earlier I mentioned what my measurements were before I started working out. I was measure this morning and I am beyond tickled. I worked my butt off to be where I am at today. My hips were 39 inches and my waist 29! That is a big difference. A 9 inch difference in the hips and a 18 1/2 inch difference in the waist. Even though the progress may be slow, it is still progress. I waited 5 years for those numbers. Keep up the good work and don't give up.
Below is one of my favorite quotes and rings so true for me.
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