attune foods wants you to go to FitBloggin’!
What can we say- we’re excited to sponsor FitBloggin’ for the first time this year and want to spread some of our enthusiasm around. One lucky person will win a ticket to FitBloggin’ plus $500 to use toward airfare or hotel to get you there.
Sound good? Here’s the skinny on what you can expect from attune foods at FitBloggin’.
attune foods Breakfast!
Friday morning, after the 5K, we are bringing FitBloggin’ attendees a nourishing breakfast of Uncle Sam high fiber cereals and will also offer our certified gluten-free Erewhon cereals along with fruit. We want you to get FitBloggin’ started on the right foot.
Nutrition, Digestion & Fitness Q&A
From there, head over to our panel on “Go with your gut: How nutrition & digestion affect fitness- a Casual Q&A with RD Janel Ovrut & our CEO Rob Hurlbut.” Fill out the survey now to share your question for the Q&A at http://ht.ly/4Eqgn
Back to the how-to get you to FitBloggin’…
WHEN: Contest ends April 30th
HOW TO WIN: Make the case. Share your story. Tell us why you should go to FitBloggin’ in the comments section of this post. We will choose the most compelling story and on Friday, April 30th at 10 a.m. PST, announce the winner on our blog.
Good luck. Tell your blogging friends. Enter often.
Apr 25, 2011 @ 07:28:41
Hi!
Let me first say that it is wonderful for Attune to offer such a generous gift to a lucky blogger. I have really enjoyed participating in your weekly Twitter chats and I will continue to do so regardless of the outcome of this contest!
I am a relatively new wellness blogger. I started my blog several weeks ago after recovering from severe depression and anxiety that forced my to leave my accelerated Bachelor’s of Nursing Program only 3 weeks after I began.
When I left, I was absolutely devastated. For a few weeks, I worried that I would never be able to apply all of the knowledge that I have gained in my extensive education and varied work experience to help others lead happy, heathy, balanced lives.
One day, as I was reading my favorite blogs, it hit me. I can be an amazing blogger! I can share my personal challenges and triumphs and make a blog that allows my readers to do the same.
‘Fitness Health and Food’ is not designed for me, it is designed for the readers. All opinions are welcome no matter how contradictory to mine they may be. It is a loving place that encourages readers to embrace their weaknesses and see them as opportunities for learning.
I am not able to attend FitBloggin’ without financial assistance as I am working full time on my blog while my husband applies to jobs (he just finished grad school.) We are also both repaying student loans. Needless to say, our finances are very tight. Fitbloggin’ would offer me an amazing opportunity to learn from the best wellness bloggers around and enable me to make ‘Fitness Health and Food’ the best blog it can be.
Please stop by my site and see what I am talking about. In particular, please visit the ‘Self Love’ and ‘Monday Motivation’ posts on the ‘Favorites’ page as well as the ‘Bio’ and ‘My Struggles’ section on the ‘About’ page.
Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity. Kudos to Attune Foods!
Apr 25, 2011 @ 08:06:52
I keep trying and trying to post my plea, but it won’t comment. Too long perhaps? LOL! I tend to ramble when atop my fitness soapbox. Please read it here, until I can figure out the comment situation…. http://www.runfastermommy.com/2011/04/attune-foods-read-this.html
Apr 25, 2011 @ 08:07:38
Plead my case. What is my case? Your guess is as good as mine. I often ask myself the same thing, when I’m 18+ miles into a run, my legs and lungs screaming, and I’m wondering what the heck it is I love so much about voluntarily torturing myself. I have a t-shirt I jokingly wear that says “running is a mental sport, and we are all insane”. The funny part is, a big part of me believes it’s far from a joke. I can’t tell you why I am compelled to be so active, I just know, as crazy as it sounds, I can not live without exercise. And quite frankly, I think it’s an utter shame more people haven’t experienced this “craziness”.
This insanity sent me back to school, after one pregnancy, and through another, just to torture me in another mind numbing endurance battle of another type. 4.5 long years of studying for a bachelors degree in Exercise and Sport Science, through morning sickness, sleepless nights, teething babies, terrible two temper tantrums, and now refereeing preschool wrestling matches over toy trains while I try to finish up my senior projects. Pulling all-nighters because I couldn’t have one second of silence to write a paper until everyone else was in bed. Handing in homework covered in crayon marks. Ridiculously tight budgeting on only one income, and sacrificing time with my husband because he watches the kids during the day, then works at night just to support my dream. Parental, emotional, financial, and relationship sacrifices, all for a degree in a field where I will likely start off barely, if at all, clearing minimum wage.
So, why bother? Because I am absolutely convinced that physical fitness can change this world, and that my purpose on this earth is to prove that to people. Because I think it would be a shame to not try and share the amazing benefits I get from exercise with every single person I cross paths with. Be it one person or one million. I want to change lives.
I could sit here and list the ways fitness has changed my life, the same story of increased self esteem, confidence, coping skills, making me a better mother, wife, student, etc. But chances are, everyone reading this already knows all of this, has experienced it all first hand. All of us in the fitness-blogging world get it. We know, and even more so FEEL the benefits of a fit lifestyle.
You know who DOESN’T know that feeling? The 35(+) % of our country’s citizens who tip the scales into the obese category. The 48% who willingly admit they don’t even come close to meeting recommended physical activity levels. The tens of millions of obese CHILDREN who are shockingly NOT EXPECTED to outlive their parents, due to obesity-related conditions. The teen girls who need to know their self worth is not determined by the size of their jeans. The moms who need to know that their health and well being ARE worth it.
While the convenience of the internet allows us to easily network with others in the fitness/sporting industry across the country, it may be easy to assume more and more people are becoming active. But the truth is, we are in the middle of a nationwide obesity and inactivity epidemic. And we as bloggers MUST help fight this
In two weeks, I’ll walk at my college graduation. I’ll start my 350 hour internship at a local rec center/gym, and in August, I will have that degree. Winning a ticket to FitBloggin11 will not only be the GREATEST graduation present I could imagine, but an opportunity I could never afford on my own to broaden my horizons, knowledge, and social networking connections to further my life mission and get my message out to even more people.
Thank you for reading my incredibly long comment (it’s hard to shut me up once I’m on my fitness soap box!) and thank you for considering me for this really kick butt giveaway!
Apr 25, 2011 @ 10:03:58
I would love the opportunity to go to FitBloggin. I am very passionate about my my health and fitness. I guess I will begin at the begining. I started my weight loss nearly kicking and screaming 2 years ago. I weighed in at 333lbs, with high blood pressure and heart failure. I had to do something because I was dying, but I really didn’t want to, just being honest. I joined weight watchers for the 6th time. Well 2 years and 100lbs lost later I have learned something about myself. I enjoy working out, I like eating right (most days)and I am a better person. My health has improved, and I so very happy for that.
On the other hand I believe weight loss involves a lot more than the weight. Last year out of the blue I found myself very depressed. I had never experienced anything like that. I now know that was due to no longer having massive amounts of food as my crutch, my comfort and my friend (or frienemy). I have to actually deal with emotions and problems instead of having 4 hostess cupcakes to make it go away. I also began to see the damage being so obese had done to my body. When I was in my 20′s I lost weight and everything looked great. Flat stomach, thighs looked okay, no arm wings. Well this time not so much. I also admit that I haven’t lost any weight since December, but I haven’t gained either. All these things are the real side of weight loss. I will not look like Jennifer Hudson when I finish losing weight, most people won’t.
I would like a chance to have forum to express my perspective. I am currently attempting to get my blog up and running. I have a few posts done, but I would really love the opportunity to meet people who do fitness blogs and learn from them.
Apr 25, 2011 @ 11:48:25
I would absolutely love to go to Fitbloggin! Thank you Attune for giving us all this chance! So generous.
My story… I guess my story started in 2004-05 when I was told that I had maybe 5 years left to live. I was 22 years old and about 230 pounds over weight. At the rate I was going, I was a (barely) walking time bomb. My body was breaking down. I made the very difficult decision to have gastric bypass surgery and committed to working out and eating well for the rest of my life. I managed to take over over 200 pounds and felt amazing.
I got the weight off, but my then marriage did not survive the changes. When you lose more weight than a 5’1 woman should ever weigh, you do not remain the same person. I changed, but I paid a heavy price for it. Lost and alone, I left everything I knew and moved to California, where I vowed to become the writer I’d always wanted to be. I started a blog in 2008 and have been building that blog over at http://www.eatmovewrite.com ever since.
Today, I am remarried, becoming a runner, and work as that freelance writer that I only dreamed of being. I am ridiculously blessed to have had the opportunity through my blog to help other super morbidly obese individuals forge their own paths to a healthy life.
On top of that, this past March, I succeeded in my lifelong dream to start a charity with a couple of other blog friends. We started Blogging for a Change, a charity that puts the unbelievable power of blogging to work for good causes. We recently raised nearly $2000 to benefit disaster relief efforts in Japan and we’re just getting started.
My weight loss not only helped me get healthy, but has helped me change my life and because of that I get to help other people. I would love to be able to attend Fitbloggin to continue to share my story of making light where there was none and finding hope in desperate times.
Thank YOU.
Apr 25, 2011 @ 11:50:32
I would really appreciate the opportunity to attend Fit Bloggin, as I’m on a new food and healthiness journey all together.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve made my health a priority in my life, I started watching what I ate, eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and much to my surprise started running, and enjoying it! Last fall I ran my first marathon, and after that marathon I had a small injury.
It was during this time while I recovered that I started to put a few extra pounds, especially around my mid-section. I didn’t think much of it, being injured with limited activity allowed, plus the holidays was most likely the cause I thought.
This winter as I did everything in my power to lose this weight, it just wouldn’t budge! In fact, I even gained more weight. At this point, I knew something was really wrong with me, I was putting on weight despite eating well and being active, and was sluggish even with 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
After going to my doctor, I learned the whole grains I thought were so good for me, were actually working against me, I’d developed Celiac Disease and am allergic to Gluten.
Since this diagnosis last month, my world feels a little upside down. My body is finally started to feel back to normal, however my eating habits are still a challenge, trying to find the right foods to keep me full, and not spend a fortune on my shopping bill. I’d love to attend Fit Bloggin to assist me on this journey, as I try to proceed full speed ahead.
Thank you for considering me for this opportunity, and good luck in your decision process, there are a lot of great stories on this page to choose from.
Apr 25, 2011 @ 13:47:39
First off this is awesome that you are doing this giveaway! I have been dying to get over to fitbloggin 11′ this year. The entire conference looks amazing!
HERE IS MY CASE:
My obsession with marathons started November of 2010. I entered the Surf City Half Marathon – which my main goal was weight loss, I kept thinking “all I am doing this for is weight loss- if I can run this and drop some pounds I will be so happy this summer!” But after that gun went off and I started running along side theses amazing men/women, chatting and getting to know some people in this great running community- weight loss went out the door. I crossed the finish line and felt fantastic- and I was hooked!
I signed up for another half marathon pretty much right after that- Eugene Half which I will be running very soon (May 1st!) and I have also signed up for my first FULL MARATHON (Seattle Rock N Roll).
After much peer pressure from my family and friends – I started a blog. Because I am naturally so funny, but more important I am real. My blog is a great depiction of what goes on in the life of a “newbie” runner. The trials and tribulations that I have endured that no one really told me about. I want to spread the word to others looking to start or have just started running to know of all the tips and useful information for them to relate to one another in a funny way. But it also attracts experienced runners to in that they can reminensce and laugh when they first started running all the things they learned along the way-and also share their information tofellow readers/bloggers. Since starting my blog 2 months ago, I have attracted quite a few people, been nominated for top health blogger by wellsphere, become part of fitfluential, entered to be the Oakley Women’s Ambassador, and signed up for 6 more marathons!
But the most gratifying stuff has been to hear how I have inspired people to get back on the pavement. Put on their running shoes and get out and run, to think that I have inspired people is amazing and so humbling. Another great thing has been my main motto: hold true to myself. Meaning when I write on my blog, you will feel as though you are talking directly to me. No fakeness- I am all real, some may like it and some probably will not but that is the beauty of personal opinion and expression.
Fitbloggin would be an amazing opportunity for me to really expand my knowledge even more on fiteness & health, and then be able to come back and share with my readers. And also to gain more personal knowledge and networking, I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend!
Apr 26, 2011 @ 05:47:13
When I read about this opportunity on twitter, I just could not pass up the opportunity to put my name out there. I WOULD LOVE TO GO TO FITBLOGGIN! Here is my story.
Since my freshman year of college, I have been the yo-yo dieter and of course my weight suffered because of it. I would go from extreme dieter and exercise addict to not caring. Not only is that horrible for your body, but my mind was spinning. I had a horrible self-image and couldn’t stand to look at myself because I viewed my body as a disappointment. In January, I decided to stop the yo-yoing (yes it has been 9 years) and I decided I was going to do it the right now.
Since January, I have changed my life to include exercise and a healthy diet. There is no other secret. As I started my life transformation, I found SOOOOOO many wonderful blogs that had people doing the EXACT same thing. It was amazing to read about “normal” people living a healthier and happier lifestyle. That is something that I striving for everyday. My blog is just a baby, only 2 months old. But, I have to say it has been a lifesaver for me. It has encouraged me to open myself up and really enjoy my lifestyle, in a healthier fashion.
With the encouragement of my followers, family, and husband, I have signed up to run my first marathon on October 23, 2011 in St. Louis. This is the reason why I want to attend the FitBloggin’ conference. I start my marathon training on May 2nd and when I do, I will be launching a new blog that will follow my training of a “semi-normal” (hahaha) 20 something on her journey.
My new blog will be titled, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Non-Runner”. But, man I need some help. FitBloggin’ would be extremely helpful for a new blogger, trying to break into this amazing world of fitness, writing, and helping others.
Apr 27, 2011 @ 13:49:40
Pick me! Pick me!
Okay, now seriously, here’s why!
I’m a newly work-at-home-mom in the fitness industry. I own a Stroller Strides franchise and we had our Grand Opening this week. I teach Body Back and we’re nearing the end of our first session and most importantly, I am a website and blog developer.
Professionally, I should go to FitBloggin for networking purposes but personally, I want to go to FitBloggin to get the rush of adrenaline that comes from getting people together who care about fitness. When you get that many people together there’s a magic energy that forms from the release of endorphins.
I write two blogs: http://fitwithflair.com/blog which is my business blog for helping fitness professionals (and enthusiasts) with their blogging endeavors. I launched this site earlier this month and intend on writing 3 posts/week starting in May.
I also write http://simplyjaime.com/blog which is on a bit of a hiatus. This is where I documented my journey into working from home. It is my intention to redesign this blog as a source of “simple” options to fitness and health topics. I’m still a bit hazy on the exact nature of that blog, and attending FitBloggin could help find the direction!
I never knew I’d enjoy writing, but I do! I’m excited to reach deeper and build a great blog following!
Thank you for the opportunity!
–Jaime
Apr 28, 2011 @ 07:11:45
I have spent the past hour reading all of the comments on this post and the amazing stories of these bloggers. Their stories have touched me and all of them deserve to go to FitBloggin’. After reading all of the stories, I wasn’t sure if I should even bother because I don’t think I am unique in any regard, but I do have a story and I do have a mission.
When I started blogging, I was a girl with a dream- to run a half-marathon and I wanted to share my training progress with my parents. However, I also was hiding a big secret- I was at my worst point with my disordered eating patterns, which has plagued me since high school. I was restricting myself to 600-700 calories a day and over exercising. I was losing weight too quickly, had a lack of energy, and constantly told myself that I wasn’t “good enough.”
However, as I continued to blog, I started connecting with people all over the world and I received encouragement for my training and race aspirations. People laughed at my awkward jokes, but more importantly, I started to feel accepted by people. Yes I have never met any of these people in “real life” but, for the first time in my life, I felt like other people understood me.
As a result, I started to heal. I opened up about my struggles with my disordered eating patterns and received a TREMENDOUS outpour of love and support. I had readers E-mailing me discussing their own struggles and how they could relate. It honestly brought tears to my eyes because I could feel the support of the community.
It is almost May 2011, and I am still blogging. I never thought it would have such an impact on my life. The connections I have made. The support I have received. The friends that I never had.
If I didn’t start my blog, I would have probably never ran my half- marathon. I would have never in a million years even thought to train for my first marathon (I’m running the Chicago Marathon in October to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of my blog!). I would have never realized the passion I have for nutrition (I am changing my intended career path from music to nutrition!). I would have never gotten the help I needed to overcome my disordered eating.
But most importantly, I would have never been part of this amazing community.
Everyone has their reasons as to why they want to go to FitBloggin’- networking, learn more about blogging, gain more knowledge, etc.
Yes I would love to attend for these reasons, but the number one reason why I want to go is to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me and helped me through the roughest part of my life. I really couldn’t have done it without them.
My story comes from my heart but even if I don’t win, I know that whoever does will deserve it.
Apr 28, 2011 @ 08:13:36
Could a 40 pound overweight, out of shape, overwhelmed, mother of three, 50 year old become a figure (bodybuilding) competitor and fulfill a lifelong dream of competing?
Inspired by my adult children who suggested I stop talking about it and just do it, and my own disgust at feeling fat and frumpy, struggling with weight loss, I made a decision and committed 100 % to fulfilling my dream. I put blinders on, earplugs in, thanked the naysayers and saboteurs and took the steps one at a time. I had 16 wks to prepare for the competition because that was the only time my 20 year could compete with me. Our plan was to be on stage next to each other. I focused, worked really hard, lost weight, stood on stage with my daughter and gained amazing life lessons as I realized my inner beauty was there all the time. I simply created a more beautiful package in which to carry myself as I started to care for me in more loving ways through better nutrition and food practices, consistent exercise and letting go of stuff that didn’t serve me.
I use what I have learned to inspire women to be the best that they can be. I have learned so much not just about my body, my resiliency but about my life. Jaws drop when they see the photos of myself and my daughter. A friend suggested I had strength beyond muscles and it was that inner strength that unleashed my real power, possibility, inner beauty and strength beyond muscles. I have a blog http://www.sleepingnakedafter40.com where I blog everyday about food, life, exercise and treating yourself well. My recipe site is http://www.cookingnakedafter40.com where I concoct, create and cook recipes using pure and naked food.
I love blogging and sharing. I blog almost everyday, can’t help myself. I am obsessed with helping women over 40 get healthy. I want to go to fitbloggin to learn more about blogging effectively and reaching my audience.
(Shocking before and after pictures are available on my site)
Apr 28, 2011 @ 21:44:57
My story, for me it has been kind of a pain in the rear and a lot of work with patience and being gentle with my body. In December 2006 I was in pretty good shape. I was about to begin the research portion of my grad school program, I was preparing for a half-marathon I had run several years in a row, I was newly engaged and my life was quickly upturned by a car that ran a red light and sent me spinning through an intersection. By the end of that day I was in the hospital with injuries that would require about 15 months of physical therapy to get to a place to walk without chronic pain and regain decent spinal alignment.
It had already been an odd road up to that point but I felt 2006 was my year. For the previous five years I had a very active lifestyle but random gastrointestinal pains would lead to breathing problems and black outs some times. Many doctors, specialists and tests led to nothing but I did have one GI doctor suggest removing my gallbladder to see if it would help. The culprits ended up being a suite of food allergies that were diagnosed in the beginning of 2006. I felt that was my year because my gut health was returning and I felt fantastic with life going groovy until the car accident.
After the accident as I regained my physical health I went through a great deal with pain, recovery, and eventually having to leave the research portion of my graduate work. I gained a little more than 35 pounds with the ensuing depression and not being able to cook for myself. However I was lucky with having my fiance, now husband, by my side. I did not give up. I finished my physical therapy. In 2009 I went on to earn two yoga certifications that I use every week in my classes. In 2010 I worked my rear off with exercise and holistic lifestyle habits to have a successful home birth. Now I work with from a place of patience and gentle kindness for myself, my family, and the community I interact with in real life and online.
I feel lucky. I have my health – from my gut to being able to walk and run. I feel that this is a my decade.
Apr 29, 2011 @ 05:24:01
Okay…
So…
(Clears throat)
I’m going to keep this short and sweet. My name is Nathan MacDonald, otherwise known as the Fotographing Fat Kid. In September 2010, weighing in at an astounding 357 pounds, I was sick of the shape my life was in so I started eating healthy, worked out regularly, and went to the blogosphere for support and accountability. My daily blog, http://www.nathanalbert.wordpress.com, documents what I eat, my workouts and the funny anecdotes that follow. Since then I have lost close to 90 pounds and Im ready to lose more. (My goal is to lose 200 pounds!)
So here’s where you come in, a trip to FitBloggin’ would be a great conference not just because all of my favorite blogging heroes will be speaking there, but also because I’m in grad school at Florida State University for Integrated Marketing which social media is a crucial element in my major. This would be a very practical trip as well. I’ve really wanted to go, but the whole being a poor married college student (yep, I pulled out the poor college student card) I knew I wouldn’t be able to go. With the help from attune foods, not only would I learn more about blogging by the best fitbloggers, but it would also enhance my career. Regardless, this is an awesome giveaway and thanks for giving this opportunity to someone, just please let that someone be me.
Apr 29, 2011 @ 18:33:53
I love running.
But let me rephrase that – I haven’t “always” loved running.
In fact, for the first twenty years of my life, I hated running with a fiery burning passion that would make my lungs burn and my throat close up at the thought of it. I did a lot of wheezing too.
You see, I was never a runner. I was a swimmer actually – a competitive swimmer. I found friendship and fun times in swimming when I was in high school. However, when I went away to college, all of that faded away. No longer was I a part of a team. No longer did I have a companion to push me along and encourage me to try my best. My favorite coach was a memory that faded with the boys I had crushed on throughout my teenager years.
I was all alone.
At first, I didn’t know what to do. How should I fill my time? Should I still be athletic? What is going to replace my beloved swimming?
After some trial and error, I found the stair master wasn’t for me. While my butt could use some lifting, I found myself huffing and puffing, irritated that I wasn’t actually “going” anywhere. Goodbye stair master. So I tried the elliptical – nope, not for me either. Was I even working up a sweat? Was I calling that a workout? I wasn’t challenging myself, pushing myself, or even enjoying myself to say the least.
So, I decided to start running one day. It started out slow – in fact, when I started to run, I couldn’t even run for five minutes without stopping to walk.
Baby steps, I reminded myself – baby steps.
Everyone starts somewhere and I was going to start with five minutes of running. Thankfully, my endurance slowly built up. Five minutes turned into ten minutes, and ten minutes turned into twenty minutes. Soon I was able to run without stopping. My breathing evened out. I even had some form. Who was I – I swear I didn’t know myself anymore.
In running, I found peace. When I run, my racing mind stops. The world is still. There is no one else but me. So, I do the only thing I can think of. I run. I run until I can’t run any longer. The weight of the world is lifted off my shoulders, and I am free. There is nothing in the world that can stop me. A goofy grin becomes plastered on my face with each stride I take, and I cannot think of any other activity that makes me feel quite like running.
Running makes me fit and allows me to accomplish more than I could ever imagine. Half marathons have been completed, health conditions have been banished, anxiety has been squashed with the sole of my sneaker hitting the pavement.
Why should I be granted the honor of going to FitBloggin’? Because being “fit” and finding a physical activity that suits you is so much more than exercise. It’s therapy – it’s comfort – it’s love. Because “blogging” is so much more than words on a page. It’s friendship – relationships – confidence – creativity. Just imagining the chance to meet so many beautiful and wonderful people I have connected with is an overwhelming and humbling thought.
I may not be the most deserving. I may not be the best blogger. I may not be the most fit.
But I am deserving. I am a good blogger. I am fit.
And I love me for who I am – and it all started with running.
winner x 50 |
Apr 30, 2011 @ 13:53:21
[...] of winners, last night I entered Attune’s contest for Fitbloggin’. Here is my entry that was left as a comment on the [...]
May 02, 2011 @ 10:39:40
Guess who lost 100 pounds? Yeah, that would not be me.
I wasn’t obsese. My doctor didn’t tell me I was on the verge of type 2 diabetes. My clothes were a size 6…so why the change? Because I was skinny fat.
3 things that changed my view on exercise
1. My metabolism sucks
I’m the girl that’s screwed when i eat a piece of bread. yep, that’s me. my thighs grow at the very sight of my own birthday cake. therefore, i have to do something to prevent it. exercise and eat right.
2. I obsess over one without the other
If i’m not exercising, i’m obsessive about food. if i’m not eating good, i spend all day thinking of my next workout. that had to stop, and it did stop.
3. Working out will change you, inside and out.
Committing to exercising is a life choice. i don’t care if you’re obama or a homemaker (not that they aren’t busy too!) Working out can be one of the best decisions you make for yourself across the board. God has shown me what my body can do through my dedication…and now I have a new appreciation for God.
My Story:
Health has been my life for the last 8 years now (oh.my.gosh. i feel kind of old!). i passed up cheetos for broccoli in my school lunches- because at 5’3 and in the 10th grade, I hit just over 160 pounds and was no longer lookin fly in hollister. (looking back, i’m kind of happy about that).
My mom was the greatest mom of all moms. She was my cheerleader in my complete life transformation. Because, that’s just what it was. When you go from eating the same size dinner as your dad, and topping it off with 1 1/2 desserts, then you know you’ve taken food to an emotional level. I ate for comfort and taste, which is basically a bottomless pit of way too many brownies. I do love me some brownies….
I remember to this day, my mom waking up extra early and making me egg white vegetable omelets and then having them ready for me in the car to eat as she drove me to school. I hated the taste more than anything, but knew that pop-tarts were not supposed to be my best friend anymore. Pop-tarts need a new name, maybe something like “Pop, there goes your jean zipper” or “Pop, that’s the sound of your blown artery”…you know, something along those lines. Who wants to pitch the idea to General Mills with me?
Fast forwarding to college, my diet remains fairly solid. No binge drinking (um, sick) and no late night milkshakes (not one!) but processed foods creep in some. None the less, I remain a grilled salmon and broccoli girl….but, oh could you please pass me that chocolate pie when you’re done? My sweet tooth haunts me. Like the man next to you on the subway with awful B.O. kind of haunt.
My main problem in college was a lack of exercise. I became a double major in Psychology and Napping. It was quite pathetic and I am beginning to see I was living the life of a Spaniard… using half my day for a siesta that the rest of America was unaware was a new part of life. College was the laziest time of my life and I lost every ounce of muscle in my body, holding on to my pride and joy, “healthy eating”.
Toward the end of college my size 6 pants were feeling um, snug. The kind of snug where you can barely fit in them. Tear. I let my self go, but not enough to be noticed by the masses. I hid my minor weight gain fairly well- when in reality I had lost all sense of fitness I ever gained in my life. I worked out a total of 3 times when Charlie and I were engaged. Including 4 hours before our rehearsal dinner. Like that was going to do anything…. oh my.
At this point, I’m really excited to get married. I don’t loathe my size, but it definitely wasn’t ideal for my wedding. I thought I was being healthy (mentally) by not obsessing about my size and weight, when instead I was excusing ignorance and laziness for self-confidence. False. A vicious cycle we have with ourselves, but I now see I was equally as unhealthy mentally by dismissing the responsibility I have in taking care of my body.
After my walk down the aisle (I bawled my eyes out, by the way) Charlie and I settled into our cozy one bedroom mansion, as i like to call it. I was determined to start our marriage out with healthy, clean meals- and am proud to say I continue to stay true to my word. I will eat healthy always and forever!
Post-college graduation and post-wedding, I struggle to find a job. Nobody wants me, period. I am pretty sure the sound of my baby voice has something to do with it, but that’s just me! Maybe I’ll stick to blogging where no one can really hear me! Anyways, while i spend hours a day applying for job after job after job…it hits me one day that I need to exercise. I’m bored, I’m squishy, and I love desserts. Time to get to work. I download some usher to my iphone, put on my dusty nike tennis shoes and hit the gym that is less than a mile from our apartment.
Since March 2010 I have worked out at least 5 days a week (mostly 6!), with the exception of a 3 day trip to Cali in July (i was dying to get something in by the way!). 1 year later I’ve lost 11% body fat, and I’ve never looked back. My body has changed and my energy is through the roof 24/7. No matter how exhausted and busy I am, my mind and my body are ready for another workout. Always.