My last blog post I talked about setting goals and focused on my first main objective which was a substantial goal and may have seemed overwhelming. It is important to know that I set small goals on a weekly and daily basis to break down my overall projected outcome and make it more attainable. I believe it is important to set these smaller goals as well. I would break down that 130 lbs. in 10 lbs. increments and then celebrated those victories. I haven’t talked about this yet; however, this journey was not just about losing weight it was also to increase my fitness goals. Believe it or not, I have worked out for years between utilizing my work’s gym or at other gyms and have ran a few 5ks and a 10k off-road race. Working out was and is an important part of this journey and also a great stress release for me. My weekly goals included increasing my fitness routine.
In my weekly coaching sessions, Sarah and I always talked about what my fitness goals were for the week and one of my goals is to increase my strength training. It is important in this weight loss journey that I continue to work on flexibility, agility and proper technique to stay away from minor injuries due to lifting while maintaining general/physical muscle strength. It is also important to maintain muscle tone and flexibility. I’m in my 50s now and so it is even more important in aging health. One of the best benefits in losing this weight has been my increased stamina working out and how powerful and energized I feel, it truly makes me feel more positive and goes back to helping me with my positive mindset.
Covid-19 caused a challenge in keeping up with my fitness goals, but I was determined to not let it derail me! I changed things up and made a gym downstairs and used innovative ways to still lift weights by using things around the house to lift and used some of the dumbbells we had and also strength bands. I would run up and down the stairs for cardio and would walk/run outdoors. I want to stress how important it was to work on my mindset and keeping it positive and open to change; change in your body, your confidence, your strength, etc. I know that I keep going back to mindset, but it truly is the foundation to any success you have in every aspect of your life.
Recently, I told a couple of friends when asked how I felt after losing all this weight, I smiled big and said, “I feel AMAZING!” but also how I almost feel like I needed to apologize for it. This journey has not been all roses, there are so many changes that I have experienced and one of them is accepting my new body and that it is 100% okay to celebrate this and I honestly just want to share how great I feel and that I want to help others feel as great as I do!! I’m done apologizing. It is okay to feel good, it is okay to be positive, it is okay to say it’s hard, it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. It is okay to celebrate!!
Reminder that reflection and focus are important along your own journey, it is about progress not perfection and to ALWAYS TRUST THE PROCESS! Also, remember to love yourself, love people, always be kind and to keep striving!
Looking ahead, my next blog post I will touch on how the scale does not define you and to celebrate non-scale victories!
Reminder, if you are thinking about joining Profile (run don’t walk), please use my code Julie50 for a discount off your membership. If you want to just learn more before committing, they offer free consultations! Call the Ankeny office (515-257-7050) and make that appointment, it will change your life!