I Lost 30 Pounds – A decade of getting fit, making better choices and what I love about the NEW me.
I was a girl, a fairly ordinary girl. I liked shopping, being with friends, going out to eat, dreaming of the family I would one day have, sharing my sister’s clothes. I enjoyed life and found a good guy at the young age of 17. We dated long distance and decided to marry young. That 2-hour drive every weekend was something we despised and we hated being far apart. So we married at 19. I found myself a job at a local insurance company and settled in.
And boy did I settle in good. I worked, I ate, I slept, I enjoyed the weekends. But rarely if ever did fitness ever cross my mind. I was never introduced to team sports or the gym during any part of my childhood. So fitness never even occurred to me. It was something totally off my radar. Looking back I had so many prime opportunities to incorporate fitness into this stage of my life, but I truly didn’t know any better.
So 2 1/2 years into our marriage we decided to try for our first child and along came sweet baby #1. A year later tried again and along came sweet baby #2. So at the fairly young age of 24, I had been married 5 years and had 2 beautiful children, infant and 2. Life was good. I loved motherhood even with the many challenges. But I was a long way from healthy. I faithfully took care of my kids but I was clearly not taking care of myself. I had gained about 30 lbs in these past 5 years since we had married. Most of the weight I packed on during the pregnancies and had no idea how to lose it.
I remember at one point after my first pregnancy when I was talking to a friend and mentioning how I wanted to lose weight. I told her, “What’s the point? I’m planning on getting pregnant again soon and I’ll just try after that.” Basically, I was just coming up with excuses.
So there were 3 major things that failed me.
- I lacked knowledge. I was never taught how to eat healthfully or taught that exercise was good for you and that your body was made to move. I’m not saying my parents didn’t teach me anything but I think they were like a lot of parents in that generation and they as well didn’t know any better.
- I never tried anything new. If I would have at least tried new things like running, cardio, walking, swimming etc. maybe I would have discovered a lot sooner what I was good at or what I was enjoyed doing.
- I lacked discipline. Every time that I would try to eat better it would be extremely short lived. I lasted maybe a day or two and I’d quit.
For me, there was not one defining moment. There was no complete moment of embarrassment or a sick feeling that I couldn’t shake. There was no “My favorite outfit won’t fit and I can’t do this another day!”
For me, it was a gradual shift of my mindset. A slow coming to. Sort of like a beautiful awakening on a Saturday where you don’t have to go anywhere. Just a slow gradual awakening to the best days of my life.
2005 (I’m a size 12)- It started when a wonderful friend who lived across the street started asking me to take walks. So we’d pile the kids up in the double strollers and go for walks.
2006 – The walks were great but I couldn’t be outside in the cold so I purchased a few work-out DVDs and exercised in the family room while the kids slept.
2007 – During the past year or so I also began reading nutrition labels and cutting out a lot of junk foods. Goodbye, Tasty-kakes and cheese puffs. Hello, mid-morning apple and whole grains for lunch.
2008 – At this point,I had lost about 20 lbs but we also decided for baby #3 and of course pregnancy was not a time of losing weight but I did great and only gained about 25lbs during the pregnancy. I continued to eat pretty healthfully with occasional snacks and treats each week.
2009- After the pregnancy, I, of course had a bit more to lost now but I got more determined than ever to lost the rest of the weight. I began running. Walking was fun but every time I was outside I just wanted to pick up the pace.
2010 – 2012 (I’m a size 2-4) I am now at the lowest weight that I can ever remember in my adult life. As a matter of fact, I’m even about 5- 10 lbs less than I was in high school. Whoa! I also work out like a crazy person, at least 60 minutes 5-6 times a week.
2013-present I gain about 5 lbs but I keep in a healthy weigh range within 5 lbs. I continue to run or exercise 4-5 times and a week. I don’t keep a daily food log but most days I mentally count calories. I continue to make healthy choices.
2014 & 2015 I ran 2 5ks consecutively with my daughter. It’s very important to me to teach my kids what I’ve learned and help them to live active healthy lifestyles.
2015 My husband and I ran the Poconos, PA Spartan Race. Exhilarating, adventurous and fun. I still can’t believe that he agreed to do this with me. I need to remember to be thankful for that experience because he says he’s never doing it again. 🙂
2017 (Present – I’m size 4-6) – I notice a shift as I enter my late 30s. I’m not as thin as I was 5 years ago but I’m not stressing about a few lbs. I continue to eat healthy, be active and enjoy life.
I give credit to God for this amazing transformation in my life. Maybe 30lbs or 4 dress sizes doesn’t seem like a lot to you. Some random moments i pinch myself and say “Thank you!” that I woke up to the reality of getting my health in order. ” Thank you that I enjoy fitness and moving.” “Thank you that I now love peaches and avocados and fish.”
I never want to be that uneducated girl again. I love the ‘new’ me who says “Yes” to shooting hoops with my boys and running with my girl. I love the fresher, more confidant version of Melanie Kathryn. She lives life to the fullest and it’s afraid of new things.
Thank you, God, for giving me new life and a fresh perspective on this amazing journey I get to live called “LIFE”.
Current Me
Things that help me keep a healthier lifestyle:
Smoothies, lower cal snacks, and better eating habits.
Working out. I usually work out 5 days a week. I love new workout DVDs like this one and now subscribe to Beach Body on Demand. I also enjoy running.
My FitBit Blaze that I purchased last year has been amazing in keeping me accountable for my steps and fitness. I think it was the best purchase I made in 2016!
I incorporate fitness with the family when I can. Like bike rides, mini runs, walks or other small challenges.
Til we meet and eat again,
FOLLOW ALONG : Gather for Bread
BLOGLOVIN’ | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SNAPCHAT: @GATHERFORBREAD | TWITTER | PERISCOPE
Be sure to sign up for our emails so you don’t miss the latest recipes! ⇒ Sign up here. ⇐
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase we get a small portion to help support our blog.
Leave a Reply