Why I Choose Fitness?

I don’t know about you but I struggle every day with eating healthy, staying fit and losing weight.  

I have been on so many fad diets out there.  I have followed many fitness gurus online.  Many that promised you x amount of weight loss in x amount of time. And you have no idea how many online workout plans or home workout DVDs  I have purchased.  I have tried Weight Watchers and Medifast.  I even joined a local gym for some time.  Nothing was sustainable. Or better yet, I was not sustaining any of them. 

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I know. I know.  Being consistent in your workout and developing a healthy eating habit will get you to your end goal. But it is so much easier said than done.   

After having 4 kids and creeping up to my 40s, I could tell that my body was slowing down. I was an avid pop drinker.  Coffee with tons of sugar and creamers. I ate whatever I wanted and whenever. I rarely drink water.  I was always on the go.

 I don’t ever recall a time in my adulthood that I was able to just slow down and relax.  Grabbing whatever was available trying to re-fuel myself before I head out to the next things on my list. 

It wasn’t until I hit 40 and was at one of our vacations that I told myself that I had to stop and take care of myself.  I had been so focused on taking care of others and making sure I was able to provide for my family that I had let myself go.   Some serious self-reflection was needed! 

One day shortly after returning from our vacation, as I was scrolling through Facebook, an ad popped up.  An ad that I have seen way too many times and disregarded it each and every time.  However, on this particular day as I have been thinking about how to take my life back, this ad came to me like a sign.  I quickly clicked on this ad to see what it was all about.   Without a second thought, I signed up for their service.   And that was it!  That crazy, annoying Facebook AD got me. It really got me!   🙂 And I am honestly so grateful it did. 

See related post: What Is Self Care?

So, what is this ad I am talking about?  Well, let me tell you.  This ad was of a local gym offering their 6-week health and fitness program.  It included one on one coaching, meal plans, and group fitness classes.  I thought… What do I have to lose?  It is 6 weeks of my life that I can try to do this or 6 weeks of going on as I have.   I had no idea what I was getting into.  Only thing I knew at that time was that I was doing this.  

I remember going into orientation and just soaking in on all the information.  Looking around the gym, I saw people just like me (or at least I think just like me); trying to make a better version of themselves.  I started the program out strong, following everything to a T.  Meal planning, working out 3-5 days a week, drinking water, checking in with the coach weekly.  By the time week 4-5 rolled around, I officially joined the gym.  My main goal or motivation was to lose weight. 

Before and after of my first 6 week challenge

Did I see any weight loss around this time? Not much at all.   So why did I commit to yet another gym membership?  While I did not see the scale moved, I noticed my mind and thinking have never been clearer, I was more focused and I was sleeping better.  I felt really good about myself.  

I have continued with this gym for now over a year. I love the workouts, the coaches and the community there.  I felt like I fit in. I never felt like I was out of place. Everyone is so supportive of each other. It is like a huge family. In and out in 30-minute sessions but during those 30 minutes, we are one big fit family.

See related post: 35 Top Inspirational And Motivational Life Lesson Quotes

Since I have been with the gym I have not noticed significant weight loss. What I  found was unexpected.  I went into working out and eating more healthy in the hopes of losing weight. But what I have gained is so much more powerful than that.   I have learned that the numbers on the scale do not mean a thing even though it took me a long time to come to terms with that.  My clothes are fitting better. I am physically and mentally stronger. I have learned to love myself in my body.  I have learned not to let others view of me bother me.  I have developed the confidence that I did not know I had.  

Before and after photos of another 6 week challenge a few months in

I still have a long way to go. I still struggle with my eating habit but working on it every day.  There are times that I do so well with meal prepping and eating “right” then there are times that I just let loose.  Life gets hectic and I may just want to relax instead of being in my kitchen prepping my meals for the week. Or I may not even have the chance to get my meals prepped.  Whatever the case may be, I am listening to my body.

So as life continues, I will continue on my journey with health and wellness in mind.  

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Shoes, headphones and music for workouts

61 thoughts on “Why I Choose Fitness?”

  1. Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef

    Lina, your results are wonderful and I’m so proud of you! I hit 44 and yep there is a change, pretty drastic actually, working in a kitchen has not helped either. So I am also on a track of doing better for myself too. Thanks so much for the inspiration and congratulations to you!!! 😀

    1. Good for you as well! Especially you being in the kitchen is harder. I love to bake and had to stop myself. And really only bake for special occasions.

  2. You are doing a great job, Lina. Just keep going. It does not matter how fast you go, the most important is the journey itself! Enjoy every moment of it and you will surely get where you need to be, and even more. And don’t forget to celebrate small things on the way 🙂

  3. Looking good! Since I have hit my 40s I have noticed I need to do myself a favor and go work out. It’s incredible what it does mentally as well as physically.

  4. I struggle soooo very much! I even had bariatric surgery last September and I’m not getting the same results so many others get. It’s discouraging, but I keep fighting the fight. I’ll get there one day! Kudos to you!

    1. Thank you! I struggled too initially as I watched others drop so much weight and faster than me. Then I came to realize I was not in a race with them. Keep going = big wins no matter how small they may be. 🙂

  5. I can relate to this a lot. I don’t take care of myself as I should. This is a good reminder to get back to the things that are good for me.

  6. This a wonderful post. I love how, although you wanted to lose a little weight, didn’t go into it with just that in mind. What you’ve found through exercise is so much more than weight!

    Congratulations!

    1. Thank you! This is the first thing that I have been able to sustain for now over a year…. Must keep on going 🙂

  7. So much of what you wrote resonates for me and your experiences are so similar to what I’m experiencing now. I feel like my body stopped listening to me around the same time my boys stopped listening to me! It’s like my body and my boys all have a mind of their own!!!! Keep going!

  8. You look great and I am sure that you feel much better as well! Many of us need to be reminded to take care of ourselves : ) Congratulations on your hard work!

  9. These are some great tips and you’ve had wonderful success. I think when you find something that works for you on your health and wellness journey that you should stick with it. Good for you!

    1. Thank you! It took me a long time to find what works for me. I have been pretty proud of myself that I have been able to sustain this for over a year. I must keep on going 🙂

  10. Lina: You look amazing! I struggle with the eating piece, but fitness I have down pat. I love going for a nice run or lifting weights. I am a work in progress and that works for me 🙂

  11. These are great results! I have not been to the gym in a few years because of an injury, but I recently started going to physical therapy, and I absolutely love my time working out. I leave feeling so refreshed and energized. Plus I know that although it is hard, and sometimes painful, I am working to make my self better.

  12. You look great! You’re inspiring me to keep it up on my journey. I have gotten back into a class because I struggled at PF going alone. Keep it up the good work.

  13. Congratulations on your success, you look great! I think many of us fall into the trap of forgetting to take care of ourselves in the shuffle… This is a great reminder

  14. Exercise really does work. I think it’s aic of eating healthy (not dieting) and exercise that makes a difference.

  15. I started going to the gym recently. Something I swore I would never do. And I love it! It is just about getting stronger and taking care of my self. I could care less what I look like anymore, either. #sameboat Lol

  16. Great job! I love seeing your success through your before and after photos. Sometimes those ad’s just really speak to us, huh!? Great job! 🙂

  17. It’s great that you found something that worked for you! I used to work at the campus gym back in college, so those who were new we encouraged to try out different classes that we hosted! 😃 I was happy to see many of them return to dance classes, TRX, etc. with excitement!

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