Never Gonna Give This Up, Never Gonna Let Myself Down

It has been over 2 years since I've blogged and I was going to delete this blog and start fresh... but then I thought that would be counter-productive to my story... to my journey...

Since I was about 11 years old, I have been overweight. Throughout middle and high school... even college, I was overweight. I AM overweight, in fact I am currently considered "obese" by medical standards.

When I think of someone who is obese, I think of someone very large---4, 5, 600+ pounds... not me, 5'8" and my heaviest weight being 249.

I've always wanted to be skinny, but I've never the drive to hit that goal. As you can see from my spotty blogging--- I keep falling off the diet bandwagon.

Over the course of the last couple of years I've learned a lot of fitness and nutrition.

First off, I don't want to be skinny. I want to be FIT. It's not about the weight on the scale, but rather how you feel and how your clothing fits.

About a month and a half ago a co-worker mentioned she was going to a personal trainer. She told me the pricing was great and that the trainer was really good. I figured there had to be a catch... a good trainer, for a ridiculously good price... Yeah... RIGHT. But, I was getting ready to begin a new job and the thought of going shopping for clothing was really stressing me out. I was in a position that I wore a uniform for and moving to a job where I had to dress business casual and the only real thing in my closet was yoga pants and t-shirts.

I decided to give this trainer a call. His name was Steve, well, it still is; he hasn't changed it.

My first session began with Steve doing some basic "testing" to check out my strength and mobility. Then, we did a basic, but custom workout. I liked Steve, but felt a cheated because the workout didn't seem to be that hard. But then the next morning came... and I was SO sore that sitting down was a pain. Literally. And it was the "it hurts so good" kind of sore. And I realized that while my workout didn't feel hard that day, it's was great and it was specific to me.

Over the last month and a half I've trained with Steve at his gym "Catalyst" 2-3 a week. After 4 weeks I went to be measured, like I've done for the past 6 months, at a local nutrition shop. I'd gained a couple of pounds, but after measurements we found that I'd lost fat and gained muscle.

It's normal to gain when you first start weight training and working of your fitness. I have to remember that. Another thing I've learned is that weight loss isn't about the scale, it's not about starving yourself, it's not about doing a ton of cardio... it's about eating to fuel your body, eating before you feel like you're starving, and finding a balance between weights and cardio. Ultimately, weight loss begins in the kitchen and contrary to popular belief, girls lifting weights don't get bulky, they get toned. If a girl is bulky and weight training, it's likely not natural.

Steve the Trainer asked me to start blogging. He hasn't really told me why, but I figure why not? I use to blog my progress... you know... a week here and a week there...

The last month and a half is the longest I've consistently gone to a gym and worked out. My nutrition needs to get better and it will, slowly. At this point I've drastically cut down on fast food and when I do I often make healthier choices--- a Farm Fresh Bowl instead of Jack-n-the-Box. Fruit isn't of candy, and less fried foods.

Hopefully I will continue... but only time will tell...

See yah---On the Weigh Down...
-A