Truth is, a lot of us struggle with extra pounds here or there. I remember the first time my weight gain became noticeable. I remember it so vividly because it was my best friend that pointed it out. Yeah...Ouch.
After pregnancies and endless ice cream cravings and water weight and eating all of my kids leftovers (after I already ate my own breakfast, lunch, or dinner), it just piled on somehow. It seems like it happened so fast. I have vivid memories of a flat stomach. Of lean arms. Toned thighs. One chin. Those days are gone now, and I want them back. I've wanted them back before, but not badly enough to stick to a healthy eating routine, or a work out regime. This time is different. I NEED to be an example for my children. I need to be Adam's accountability partner. And I need him to be mine. I have to do it for more than just myself this time.
Being diagnosed with high blood pressure at the ripe young age of 26 is humiliating. Having to take pills every day to "keep myself healthy" is bullshit. There are better ways. More fulfilling ways.
I have tried a lot of different weight loss models over the past couple years. I have tried dieting. I have tried running. I have tried combining the two (torture, I tell ya). The one thing I haven't really tried though is weight lifting. I recently learned after some research, that often times women avoid this form of exercise for fear of "bulking up", etc. The thing is though, our bodies don't work that way. We are not just going to naturally get humongous. The main benefit of lifting weights vs. cardio, is that when you do aerobics, or you go for a run, you only burn calories while you are in motion. The moment you stop, so does your calorie burning. When you lift weights though, the muscles are put into work long after the motion is performed, which leaves you burning calories for a significant period of time post-workout. This enhances the opportunity for weight loss. Adam has been lifting weights for months, with amazing results, and I just joined the bandwagon. I look forward to tracking my progress and hopefully inspiring other women who may be struggling to try something new.
For the record, I weigh 194.2 lbs right now. I can't believe I just typed that, but I look forward to typing lower numbers in the future.