Growing up I was always pretty average for my height. It wasn't until either my jr or senior yr of high school that I started to gain weight. I was really surprised because I was active in my school's band and we actually marched around and had tough routines and did football games and competitions and had long hrs of practice. After high school in early 2002 I did lose 20 lbs on just hard core cardio a lone (jumping jacks, jump rope etc). Sadly I stopped all that and eventually gained a lot of weight. I was at my heaviest in August of 2009 at 255. Earlier in the yr my obgyn suggested I start watching my calories and I'd see results. I didn't really think much of it because I never had any major health issues or anything. In the summer of 2009 I did some online classes since my family didn't go anywhere for vacation because my father wanted to work on the house and our yard some. So I took the opportunity to get some things done which included a speech class. I was able to do my speeches on my own and had to record them and send them in. Before sending them in I watched through them to make sure everything was okay with the sound etc. That's when I really saw myself I think for the first time in a few years. I didn't like what I saw and I knew I needed to change. I started watching my calories. From the end of August til February 2010 I lost about 15 or so lbs just by doing that. I decided to get in better physical shape. Definitely I was out of shape. It was tough to walk around doing errands at the store or just around the house and walking on campus going to classes and all even though it isn't a terribly big campus or anything. I went to Exercisetv.tv and looked through their free video's and put together a 10 min routine and just started working out for five days a week. I did that til the beginning of April when I came across Jay Johnson on my cable's "On Demand" Exercise TV section. He had video's from the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders exercise video and his boot camp. I began doing the cheerleaders cardio routine and the abs video from his boot camp. At first things were so hard and a lot of hurt from the burns especially with the abs.
At the beginning of April I had these cute sweat pants that I couldn't wear and at the end of the month I could. I was so thrilled with that little victory. It was a real motivator. I was also feeling a lot better physically and could do chores and walk around places without huffing and puffing and being embarrassed. From the end of April til now I basically just tried different trainers. I'm now at 224 and clothes are fitting a lot better. I have these nice dress black pants I used to wear in high school. For years I couldn't wear them and now I can and they're even a little loose on me. Shirts are fitting great. I'm now doing Jay Johnson's boot camp cardio routine and I can totally do it fine. I tried it during the time between the end of April til now and I couldn't do it. Now I can do it fine. I still have to stop maybe once or twice to get some water and I breathe hard but I can easily get through the jumping jacks now days and all the other similar tough exercises. I'm also going to start working on this abs video from Cindy Witmarsh. I like her too as a trainer. Even though I know I've come far I still have a lot more to do. My diet is a lot better now days and I've cut out a lot of sodas and candy and just blah. My body feels a lot better now days and I know I'm a happier person. My goal is to get down to at least 124. Here's a before and after picture.
The picture in the orange is from the end of August 2009. The one in the purple is from last July (2010). I haven't changed too much since then. I look forward to chatting with people about health and fitness and getting lots of advice!
