It's Go Time.

I've had this blog for a long time, over two years to be exact, and yet this is my first post.  I could never decide exactly what to write, nor did I think anyone would be interested. But fitness blogs and social media pages and transformation stories are exploding all over the interwebs these days, so…why not?

I guess I should start with a little bit about me. I’m an ex-fat girl, turned skinny girl, turned slightly chubby girl, who’s working on turning into bad-ass fit girl.  Back in 2007 I topped out just over 200 pounds.  Right around Thanksgiving of that year I joined Weight Watchers and dropped off 70 pounds over the course of the next year.  I maintained between 130-140 pounds until about 2011, but I was never particularly “fit.” I ran a lot, I was in good cardiovascular shape, but I had no muscle strength. In 2011 I took a desk job and pounds slowly starting creeping on.  The scale says I’ve gained about 20 pounds, but I don’t believe that’s all blubber—I’m still wearing a lot of the same clothes from when I was 130/140 (more on that later). I guess that brings me to 2014…

In January of this year I decided to try Jamie Eason’s LiveFit program (which is online, FREE, and can be found here).  The program is 12 weeks; unfortunately I sprained my foot during a mud run in week 10 and couldn't finish.  My weight didn't move much in those 10 weeks, I think I only lost 3-5 pounds, but I gained more muscle than I've ever had and was fitting back into some of my “skinny” clothes (I told you I’d come back to that).  I've restarted LiveFit and am currently in Week 6.  I have another mud run this Saturday, so here’s hoping I don’t injure myself again (if there’s a tire obstacle I am NOT doing it!).

Now, onto the good stuff—the reason I’m even here typing.  Weight lifting has changed my world.  It has changed my views on myself, on strength, on size, on food, and on body image. I’m no longer simply focused on being “skinny”, or on taking up as little space as possible on a chair.  I am focused on being strong.  Nothing feels better than when I can increase weight on a tough set or than when I can execute a move that I've been struggling with with perfect form.  I love that I can walk into the free-weight area of the gym with my head held high and feel right at home.  Food is now a fuel source.  Yes, I enjoy food.  I enjoy BBQ and cheeseburger and pizza. But I know that those things, while a nice treat now and then, don’t make a great fuel source. If I go out to lunch today and get a big greasy stromboli, my lift is going to suck tonight.  Food isn't just for enjoyment.  Food is fuel.  Crap in=crap out.  Body image and confidence—these have been the biggest changes for me.  I no longer pick apart my body. I have “problem areas” and things I definitely want to improve.   But instead of standing in the mirror and berating myself for them, I praise the subtle outlines of my abs, my emerging biceps, or my kickin’ quads.  Weight lifting has taught me that I’m worth more than the number read from a scale or from a measuring tape.  I am a muscle, I am strength. 

This has been a pivotal week for me.  Earlier this week I put a HUGE goal in my five-year plan (I’m not willing to throw it out there for the public yet though).  I've kicked butt with meal prep, have stuck with my plan, and have hit my macros spot on every day (I’m carb cycling to kick-start my metabolism).  Last night I CRUSHED my personal bests in the squat and leg press.  I’m sore today, but feeling stronger and more determined than ever.  This road, this goal, won’t be an easy one. But it’s an attainable one. And I’m more committed than ever.  Here’s to the future!