Part XII: The Finale

Throughout the past twelve weeks I have shared stories of my past struggles, experiences, and triumphs while on my journey to a healthier lifestyle.  My main goals at the beginning of my journey were to feel comfortable in my own skin and create a healthy balance between work, school, and exercise. Looking back at my experience I have accomplished those goals, as well as many others along the way. With this final post I hope to enlighten you to begin your own journey with any aspect of life, health related or not.
 

“If you think you can. You can”. This quote came directly from a fortune cookie I received from a restaurant years ago. This statement has had such an impact on my outlook on life that I keep it in my wallet just in case I need a pinch of motivation. In a previous post I mentioned that these were the words I started my journey off with. It is fascinating to think that these simple seven words can be so encouraging, positive, and have such a motivational impact on someone, like it did on me.


 Food used to be a comfort in my life because I could channel all my emotions and negativity into eating more while creating a false sense of happiness. I have found a happy medium to eating a healthy, properly portioned meal. By working out I have the opportunity to eat the foods I want to, while providing a healthier lifestyle for myself.
 

Before I started this journey I would have never been able to run one mile straight or complete a workout DVD. I have seen my progress and am thrilled that I have come so far. I have a passion for running now that I would have never guessed would have occurred. I’ve completed an uncountable amount of 5K races, one half-marathon, and plan to race in a full marathon later this year. I have also embarked on a fifty-mile bicycle ride, worn out four pairs of running shoes, listened to a plethora of music, and drank enough water to fill up Lake Michigan a couple times over. I am proud of my accomplishments and I am hopeful that my future goals will keep me motivated to continue a healthy lifestyle.
 

This journey was not an easy one to grasp or accomplish but with time anything is possible. Always keep your goals in place and think of yourself as a pioneer, even if that is just a pioneer of your own health. Never give up on what you want just because something got in the way or someone told you that you couldn’t accomplish it. That should just be more reason to prove them wrong.
 

My journey will continue on; isn’t it about time that you start yours?
Journey on, my friend. 

Part XI: The Achievement

Last week I discussed how important music is to your athletic performance. Whether I am running one mile or twenty-five miles music pushes me forward. I recently competed in my first half marathon in Chicago. It was an event I was dreading for weeks because my training had been off track due to the terribly cold and snowy weather.

I was lucky enough to be in Florida the week before the race. While there, I trained hard because I knew if I wanted to compete strong during the marathon I needed to find and set my pace. The locations I ran at were gorgeous; Amazonian looking rain forests, historic landmarks, and swampland surrounded the paths. It was the perfect place to practice for a race. Especially a race I had minimally trained for during the long winter. When I arrived back to my home later in the week I stayed on track running every other day, building my miles up one-by-one.  

I woke up at four in the morning the day of the race because fellow racers were picking up my dad and me at five A.M. We drove up to Chicago and parked in a parking lot off of State Street. We were then bused to the park where the race was being held. When we first entered the park, we quickly noticed that we were the first participants to arrive and had two and a half hours until the race even began. It was very cold and windy because we were next to Lake Michigan and the sun had not fully emerged yet. The pathways, including the course paths, were still covered in patches of snow and ice from the winter storms that passed through that week.  I knew before that this race was not going to be easy, now I was reassured that I was quite screwed.

Eventually we lined up at the starting line and the race began promptly at 9 A.M. At this point we couldn’t wait to begin and warm up our bodies that had been freezing in the wind the last few hours. The views were beautiful, running along the lakefront, next to Soldier Field, through parks and around lakes. I was thrilled to of not stopped running until the nine-mile mark because nature was calling and there was a water break station. After my fast break I began the last leg of my race.

By mile eleven, I was cold, wet, and sore from the previous eleven miles and ready for this race to be done and over with. If there was any motivation left in me, this was the point I needed it most. I turned on my ‘Pump-up’ song playlist on my iPod and let ‘Chelsea Dagger’ take me away.  The last couple miles were definitely the roughest so thank goodness for the music that motivated me to finish strong.

Once I saw the finish line I knew this was my chance to make up ground and pass up anyone ahead of me. This is when my adrenaline kicked in and I flew past the finish line with a smile on my face and a body that was about to crumble apart. I got my medal, food, and water from the race volunteers and went to my groups meeting place. Once we were all together we congratulated each other and onward we went back to the car. It was the most painful walk I have ever experienced in my life, but well worth it. Once back to the car, we packed up and went to eat. This was a nice, peaceful end to a very successful morning.

All good things must come to an end. Join me next week for my final blog entry. Until then, enjoy your week.

Part X: The Beats

In my previous blog posts I discussed how important working out is to your health. Today I will be telling you how music can make your workouts more enjoyable while boosting your athletic performance.
 

John Logan once said, “Music’s the medicine of the mind.” Listening to music while exercising can help clear your mind and push you further in a workout. If you don’t take my word for it, listen to this. In 2009 a research study was conducted at Liverpool John Moores University in England. The study showed what effects music of different tempos had on cyclist’s riding stationary bikes. Every single person who was involved with the study mentioned that listening to music helped motivate him or her to peddle faster, longer, and harder than without music. The research study proved that music could actually boost athletic performance.
 
I always listen to music when I am running or exercising. Not only does the music keep me from getting bored on long distance runs it also helps clear my mind from all of the things going on in my life. Fast, upbeat music is best listened to when you want to keep a good pace while running. Whatever genre of music you enjoy, you can always sync your steps with the beat of the song you are listening to. I personally like using my Beats headphones when I run because they have the best sound. These earphones are not liked by die-hard runners because they are quite large and obnoxious.  

Pump-up songs are tunes that will give you motivation during your exercise. I always make sure to add a playlist of all my favorite pump-up songs on my iPod. If I am ever in pain or if I just can’t seem to find motivation to continue my run I play my pump-up songs. Any pain I am in becomes more bearable instantly.


 I use a new phone application called PaceDJ that creates music playlists that match your running, cycling, and walking pace. The application is $1.99 in iTunes and $0.99 in the Android Marketplace, but well worth the money. If you are a fan of new music or if you just cannot figure out what songs are excellent exercise beats then give this application a try.
 

Listening to music when I exercise has become a habit. It has gotten me through miles upon miles of pain and boredom. Join me next week when I tell you all about my first half marathon I competed in. See you then!

Part IX: The Accessories

In previous posts I had discussed how important working out is in order to achieve your best health. In order to be comfortable during a workout it is important to have the proper exercise attire, shoes, and accessories. I have experimented with many different types of clothes and shoes while running in order to make sure I reach my maximum potential. The information I will share with you is my own personal opinion and may not fit to what you would feel comfortable in while exercising.

There are so many different types of shoes that can be used for different exercises. The most important part of any shoe is having great support. Without the support you will strain your muscles with all your body weight being pushed down into your ankles and feet. Finding the best support for your foot is difficult because we all have different stances and we distribute our weight on different areas of our feet. I have found that Nike running shoes work best with the way that I walk and run because I tend to have more pressure on the front of my foot rather than using my heel. Nike shoes have thick soles that offer good support and are light enough to not be a burden on your legs. It is also very important to have the arch of your foot fully supported because you push off the ground by stretching your arch. If the arch of your foot isn’t supported you could pull a muscle in your foot or worse, you could start to lose your arch altogether.

When I first started exercising I always wore cotton shirts and basketball shorts. These materials are heavy and absorb sweat, which leaves you smelling terrible. As I learned more about how my body moves when I work out, I decided to start wearing dry proof materials and thinner and lighter exercise shorts. These materials helped ease the terrible smell your body gives off when you sweat. The clothes also keep you cool and more comfortable as you move in them because they stretch with your body movements. Sleeveless shirts are nice to wear during the warmer months of the year but they do chafe underneath your armpits because they rub your skin with the seam of the shirt. I like to wear lightweight shorts with pockets because I run and workout with a water bottle. Plus having a place to store personal items when exercising is always a plus.

Last year I bought an exercise watch that counts calories, shows the amount of steps I take, the distance I travel and even a heart-beat monitoring system. When I get back from my run I always log the information into a notebook for future records. After each month I can analyze my progress and set a goal for future months.

Join me next week when I discuss how important music is to your workout. 

Part VIII: The Awry Journey

Have you ever planned a trip where nothing went as expected? For some reason these trips usually are the ones we talk about the most. Last year I had planned a bicycling trip with a couple of friends. We wanted to take a local trail from our hometown to the southern most point of the trail. The destination was Kankakee, Illinois, which was a nineteen-mile straightaway on the gravel pathway. I was so excited because the furthest I had run on the trail was just a couple miles south, but never to the extent we planned on traveling.

When embarking on a long bike ride it is important to have all the essentials in a backpack. I loaded my backpack with food, five water bottles, my phone charger, a camera, my cellular phone, my wallet with some extra cash, sunglasses, and a hat. I didn’t bring suntan lotion with because I had already put some on before we left. The weather was supposed to be a perfect 75 degrees, partly cloudy and a nice, breezy amount of wind. I made sure I wore my good running shoes because I knew my feet would be comfortable in them while peddling.

Preparing my bike for the trip was difficult because I had to replace both tires, clean the belt, and find a seat that wouldn’t destroy my rear-end, among other things. Once I had the bike in tip-top shape I knew I was prepared and ready for the daylong trip. I called my friends to tell them I was ready and we met at my house around 7 A.M. in the morning.

After the first eight miles our bodies already began to ache because our seats were not comfortable. We managed to get through the pain by just talking the whole way to Kankakee. The scenery was gorgeous along the route, definitely a surprise to me. When we arrived at the end of the trail we decided to look at the map and see how far away Kankakee State Park was away from the trail. It looked like the park was only one mile away and we thought that would be worth the extra distance. We traveled a good distance when we finally realized that the one-mile marker on the map was not correct. We searched our phones to figure out exactly where we were because we had taken side roads to get to the park. Finally we were able to locate the park, it was a couple miles from our location. We laughed it off and continued on our way.

Eventually we arrived at the park and biked our way through the hilly terrain ending up next to the Kankakee River. We ate lunch and said it was time to begin our journey back home. Instead of rerouting where we just came from, we decided to cross the river and find our way back to the trail because it would be a shorter distance and less confusing to get to.

We were biking along the side of a busy road for quite a few miles when we thought we had gotten ourselves lost. According to our phones we were only two miles from the trail that would take us back to our hometown. On the way to the trail we ran across a biker bar and since we were running low on water, we decided to stop in. To our surprise the bar and its patrons were very nice, the bartender even cooked us tacos. It was a rest we all needed before we finished our journey home. Along the route home we all decided to go finish our biking adventure at our local ice cream shop. It gave us motivation to actually keep moving especially since we were all so tired and sore. At this point we had no clue how many miles we had just embarked on but we were quite curious. As soon as we arrived at home we jumped on the computer and calculated exactly where we biked and how many miles we logged. The distance we traveled was fifty miles. This was an experience I would never forget because it was so unexpected and hilarious to think that we just biked fifty miles for no reason.

Please join me next week when I discuss what to buy when looking for workout clothes and accessories. Enjoy your week.

Part VII: The Well-Balanced Diet

I love food. Fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy, sweets and meats, I love all of it. The amount of food that some of us consume per day is ridiculous; in fact it’s pitiful. It’s not just how much we eat that is unfortunate, but what we eat. There have been days when I would be in a rush in the morning, quickly grab a granola bar and run out the door. Although this may seem like a healthy breakfast it is not enough to fulfill the body throughout the morning.

Dieting has become a popular form of eating healthier and in portions. Dieting should be cautioned because some forms of dieting abstain you from eating the foods and proper nutrition needed on a daily basis.

Having a well balanced diet is encouraged. This is very different from dieting because having a well balanced diet is a habit whereas dieting is a temporary lifestyle. It is suggested that we eat three meals a day as well as a healthy snack. These meals include the usual breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With breakfast being the most important meal of the day I always made sure I filled up on fruit and oats.

During my journey I decided to look into diets to find one that would work for me. The problem was I couldn’t find any diet that I liked. At this point I decided to concoct my own diet. About seventy percent of my diet was breads and dairy. I had a thought that if I took breads and dairy out of my meals maybe it would help me lose more weight. You must substitute other foods in place of what you take out of your diet in order to continue the balance of nutrition.

The substitute I used for dairy was soymilk and almond milk. It is all natural and has double the calcium that a gallon of milk has. In reality, I could take all calcium foods and drinks out of my diet and have one glass of almond milk, which would provide me with enough calcium for the day. Since most of my diet was breads I decided to take almost all breads out of my everyday eating habit. The substitute I used for the breads was whole-grain products. It satisfied my craving for bread while also providing me with the oats and grains needed for my fiber intake.

It was difficult to go out and eat or even cook at home because breads and dairy are in almost every meal. I remember going to a burger restaurant and asking for a burger without the bread. As expected, the cashier gave me a weird look and plugged some buttons into the cash register computer. Soon enough the food came out and to my surprise the cook had made me a lettuce wrapped burger complete with vegetables and extra sides. It was great going to a restaurant and having such flexibility with what I wanted to eat.

Join me next week when I discuss how biking can improve your weight loss while helping you clear your mind.  I will also tell stories from a fifty-mile bike ride that I took on accident. Enjoy your week!

Part VI: The Challenge

Looking back on my high school career I notice that I never took on a hobby of any kind. Usually in high school there are the sports-related students, the book-smart students, the musical students and then the people who weren’t involved as much. I was very involved in extra-curricular activities. I was not involved in any sport, music, or book related category.

I have always had a fast pace when walking. When I am walking with friends at an amusement park I always have to remind myself to slow down so I don’t get too far ahead of everyone. If there were ever an apocalypse in my lifetime, I am positive I would survive just by walking faster than anything coming after me.

Running never crossed my mind as a hobby I could begin. I always thought it would be too much of a challenge and tiring; probably a good sign that I was out of shape. After I hit a plateau with my Biggest Loser workouts I knew I needed a new plan to continue my journey. I decided to give running a try because I knew it could help me lose calories fast. Burning a lot of calories fast means losing weight at a faster rate.

I loaded new and upbeat music on my iPod because I knew music would help me run at a good pace. I put a water bottle in my shorts pocket because there are no water fountains on the trails surrounding my house. After I was ready, I stretched and began my run.

One of the most challenging things about running is finding a pace that fits with your breathing. If your pace is too fast you will lose your breath and have to stop for a couple of minutes to recuperate. It took a couple trial runs until I found a correct pace that fit me.

Your breathing should be controllable and calm. Personally I run with my mouth open because breathing is easier to retain than breathing in and out from my nose only. There are some downsides to running with your mouth open. If you enjoy protein, you’re in luck because you will be eating plenty of miscellaneous insects throughout the run. I enjoy running at sunset but the bugs are so terrible at this time that it caused me to start running in the early afternoon instead.

The best way to gain more mileage is to stay motivated and stay hydrated. As long as you do those two things you could run for miles and miles. It may seem like a difficult task to do but it is actually easier than you may think.

Eventually when you feel up for a challenge go run a 5K, 8K, or any sort of competitive run. After finishing these races you will feel a great deal of accomplishment. These accomplishments will help keep you motivated. I have personally run a multitude of races, all of which have been fun and present different challenges. Whether that is running through rough terrain, mud, puddles, or running up steep hills and slopes, all races are ‘more than meets the eye’.

I have my first half-marathon coming up in mid-March. Training for the marathon has been difficult because of the long and treacherous winter. I am thrilled to be competing but am nervous because it is my first competitive race of this length. My main goal is to finish the race while having a good time running with some family and friends.

Dieting has become a popular form of regulated eating. There are many forms of diets; some work and some do not. Join me next week when I discuss how one diet aided in my weight loss. 

Part V: The Element of Life

Water is one of the most important elements on this Earth. For people who know me, they know I always have a water bottle at my side. Water is important to me. Before every workout I always make sure I drink a glass of water. It helps to replenish my body and prepare it for the workout ahead. In the beginning of my process I would always bring a water bottle to workout with. I realized that I needed more water when I felt dehydrated during my workout.

I eventually increased my water intake from one to three/four water bottles per workout. To be environmentally friendly, I bought large plastic cups that I could use instead of water bottles. Instead of using multiple water bottles per day I would just refill my cups when needed.

Having a five gallon water jug machine in your house will increase your families water intake. My family goes through about a jug every two days. When water is accessible in such a convenient way it is guaranteed to be used.

During the first couple weeks of working out, the human body can lose up to ten pounds of pure water weight. It is important to continuously drink water in order to stay hydrated. Other than keeping your body hydrated, water can keep you healthy from illness and diseases. Water keeps your intestines moving; it cleanses your body and keeps your skin smooth and hydrated. Most health professionals recommend eight to twelve glasses of water a day. If you workout rigorously, additional water will be needed. An additional eight to sixteen ounces of water will be needed for short exercises. Obviously more water will be needed for longer endurance events like running and biking. I lost a good five pounds of water weight 'right off the bat'.



Six health benefits of drinking water:
1. Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids
2. Water can help control calories
3. Water helps energize muscles
4. Water helps keep skin looking good.
5. Water helps your kidneys
6. Water helps maintain normal bowel function.

It is unbelievable how 71% of the Earth is covered by water, yet we can only consume a percentage of that. The human body contains from 55% to 78% water, depending on body size. Drinking the right amount of water can keep your body energized and ready for a long workout.

Join me next week when I discuss some of my favorite endurance workouts to do- running and walking. Running is such a great exercise to do and amazingly it's quite simple.

Part IV: The Last Chance Workout

“Your body can stand almost anything. It’s your mind that you have to convince.” For years I was having trouble finding my comfort zone and motivation to start a workout regimen. I am a big fan of reality television especially “The Biggest Loser” on NBC. After I found out that the trainers on the show came out with a series of workout DVD’s, I knew I had to have them. This was going to be my motivational start.

 I bought two separate films each concentrating on different workout moves. One focused on cardio and the other film focused on the entire body. I started with the entire body DVD because it seemed like a better option to start off with than a maximum cardio routine. It is a five step, six-week program that alternates between upper body, lower body, and fat burning exercises. The longest segment of the DVD was a twenty-five minute ‘Last Chance Workout’ designed to burn fat quickly by using cardio and strength intervals. I sweated like no ones business the first week I used this workout program. I knew it was working because I felt so sore the rest of the day after the workout. I only did the workout five days a week; I would leave the other two days of the week to resting and stretching. There were some days when just sitting down hurt because some muscles were being used that weren’t ever used before. The first couple of weeks are very painful but it is essential to complete them or else you may not get the results you were hoping for.

Although I really enjoyed the workouts on the first DVD, I felt like it was time to step up my game and begin the cardio disc. The cardio workout was also set up into five segments but was much more intense and challenging. These workouts included kickboxing, yoga, and fast moving routines that each ranged from twenty to ten minutes. When you are working out with the DVD, time flies. Even though an hour may seem like an eternity, it really moves along fast. The trainers Bob, Jillian, Kim, and Dolvett each have a different style of working out. I prefer Jillian’s workouts because I always seemed to be sweating more afterwards.

After just a couple weeks of working out for one hour a day I was starting to see a change in my body. The first change you will notice is the slimming of your face. If you don’t notice the change in the mirror try putting two photos next to each other and compare. Everyone’s body is different so results will vary differently among each person.

The moment of truth had finally arrived when I would step on the scale and see how well I had done halfway through the program. I stepped onto the scale and to my surprise I had lost fifteen pounds. I was thrilled because I knew losing fifteen pounds was a great start. I was excited to see what new workouts I could try to change up my daily routine.

Staying hydrated is so important when working out. In my next post I will explain the many good effects water has on the body along with how much water you should drink a day. 

Part III: The Hunger Games

Eating has always been a comfort in my life. From the moment I got home from school, till the moment I would go to bed, snacks controlled me. When I was bored, doing homework, watching television or cleaning, garbage was being engulfed into my mouth. My habits were terrible with no one to blame but myself. 

When I began my journey 'back to health' I knew one of the first things I would have to do is nip my eating habits in the butt. I searched online for hours trying to find a diet that would work for me. I came across a website guided directly towards better eating and weight management. The website mentioned that eating fruits and vegetables can help regulate weight problems including fighting against many diseases and illnesses. 

I drove to my local grocery store and purchased a variety of fruits and vegetables that I could start my new diet off with. Pears, apples, bananas, grapes, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, and avocados filled the back seat of my car. I love fruits and vegetables but rarely ate them on a regular basis. Whenever I am at a party I start by eating out of the vegetable tray but end up wandering over to the chip and snack table instead to fulfill my craving. This is a habit most people have, so I know I am not alone. 

I enjoy my fruits and vegetables raw even though some think they are best cooked or steamed. I believe the most important step to do before eating the fruits and vegetables would be to clean them with water.  This ensures that any pesticides or unwanted gunk will not be digested by anyone eating the food. 

Counting calories is important as well when trying to lose weight. If you truly want to lose weight you must burn most of the calories that you eat throughout the day. For example, if someone was to eat 2,000 calories of food on one particular day they must burn up to one-forth or one-half of their daily calorie intake to start losing weight. The key to weight loss is to eat low-calorie foods while burning lots of calories working out. I was able to lose seven pounds by just eating healthier.

Here is a list of low-calorie fruits and vegetables; all one-hundred calories or less:

• a medium-size apple (72 calories)
• a medium-size banana (105 calories)
• 1 cup steamed green beans (44 calories)
• 1 cup blueberries (83 calories)
• 1 cup grapes (100 calories)
• 1 cup carrots (45 calories), broccoli (30 calories), or bell peppers (30 calories) with 2 tbsp. hummus (46 calories)

Eating healthier isn't the only factor in losing weight; working out is an essential part of everyday living. In my next post I will examine my workout schedule as well as how 'The Biggest Loser' gave me the motivation to push myself to lose the first fifteen pounds. 

For more information about eating healthy and weight management visit: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/fruits_vegetables.html

Part II: The Good, the Bad, and the Fortune Cookie

“If you think you can. You can.” These words of wisdom are a statement found in one of my fortune cookies years ago. The fortune has been stored in my wallet ever since the first day I read it. I have found this fortune to be very encouraging and positive. Whenever I am in a spot of despair I remind myself of these simple, yet complex words and I feel enlightened. Naturally I knew these were the words that I had to start my journey off with. “If you think you can. You can.”

In my previous blog post I introduced you to my journey ‘back to health’. In this post I will be discussing the struggles of finding a workout that best fit my lifestyle. I will also discuss the great lengths I was willing to take in order to be healthy.

It is important to know that not every workout and diet will work for every individual person. We all have different motivation levels and comfort zones that must be met in order to progress. What worked for me, may not work for you. It is up to you to find a medium that you feel comfortable with.

In the beginning steps of finding a workout that would best fit my schedule and ability I searched online for information. I knew that if I surfed the web I would find some kind of workout that I could do at my home on my own time. This tactic proved to be impossible because every workout seemed to have no real direction. In other words: I was not motivated to complete or attempt any kind of workout. This was an issue far larger than I had anticipated. Thinking about completing the workout is simple; actually doing the workout is another story.

           

Motivation is not obtained with ease one must strive for it. I see motivation as more of a goal than something I can just receive and continue. There is a process to gaining the motivation needed to continue my journey. It is similar to soul searching except I must realize and act on my feelings and thoughts. As much as it may sound absurd, talking to your self is a really valuable life tool. You are the only person who knows yourself better than someone else. Why wouldn’t you fix your own issues by conversing with yourself? It is the most logical solution to fixing problems quick. Honestly I talk to myself every day, as should most people because it is healthy. I found that this tactic works best for myself when striving for motivation. This is because I am an independent person and although I hate to admit it; I am very stubborn as well.

Once I had obtained enough motivation to start working out I had to decide to what length I would go to lose weight. Completing the normal walking and junior high gym workouts was not going to push me to my fullest potential. I needed something added to my daily life that was reasonable, simple to do and cheap. Vegetables and Fruits became my best friends at this point in my process. In the upcoming blog I will explain how eating more greens and fruits helped throw me onto the fast track for healthier meal plans. 

Part I: The Introduction

Life lessons can be learned best through real life situations. Since high school ended four years ago, I had 'let myself go' when it came to my overall health and fitness. I became obese, depressed, and lacked motivation to change any aspect of my life. It took me three years to realize how terrible my life habits were. Throughout this blog I will be sharing my life lessons, goals, and struggles as I make my way back to a healthy lifestyle. Becoming a healthy adult is more than just eating better and exercising. It requires a complete spiritual, physical, and emotional transformation. The process is long and overwhelming but worth all the effort put forth in the end.

I started my journey 'back to health' in March of 2013. There was a moment in late February when I took a good look at myself in the mirror. In this moment I realized the turmoil I had caused myself. I was flabbergasted by my own reflection this was a terrifying feeling. (When I was in high school I was a positive and active teen. I always was on the move because I hated sitting down or being lazy.) This terrifying feeling was caused by my laziness and my weight problem. It was a hard pill to swallow realizing that I had gained fifty pounds since graduating high school. Fifty pounds is a lot of weight to gain in a three year span. For some fifty pounds could be half or one-third of the average adults overall body weight. I immediately wanted to make a difference in my life. No matter what it took I was willing to correct my mistakes and begin to work out the kinks I had created in my life. At the time I thought changing myself was going to be easy, I quickly learned that would not be the case.

Finding a balance between school, work, and living a healthy lifestyle day-to-day was not easy. An even bigger struggle was finding the motivation to keep me on track and push me to continue my journey. With strict self-discipline and time I was able to balance my lifestyles into three of the most important quadrants of my everyday living: school, work, and my health. During this ten-month (and counting) journey my health became priority number one, as it should be.

Eventually I had to choose what healthy ways were best for me. Exercise and eating better seemed to be my best choices. I knew I could stick to both choices throughout this process even if I had to tweak them a little. In posts coming soon I will explain what steps I took to reach my goal for exercising and eating healthier. These posts will be all real life situations about the journey I am making to become a healthier person inside and out. It will involve exercise tips and personal stories of the processes I took to become 'the brand new me'. I will include pictures showing my progress with goals I set for myself. I will also discuss the main points of my journey that I believe would be helpful for someone looking to embark on a personal journey of their own. 

This photograph was taken during my senior year in high school, before I lost control of my health. At the beginning of my journey I wanted to be back to my high school weight and exercise more regularly then I was then.