I used to be 100 pounds over weight in high school and it was one of the saddest days of my life. Not because I was fat, but because I was not confident enough to do the things that I should be enjoying for that season of my life. I was not comfortable with attending dance parties and prom nights. I always get frustrated when the cute dress I so wanted to wear for a party wouldn’t fit me. I love swimming but I dreaded attending my swimming lessons because I looked awful in my swimsuit uniform. I was just too self-conscious that time and there were times I felt that because I was fat, I’ve been robbed with some of could have been best days of my life.
So one day, I decided I don’t want to be miserable anymore and I made a choice to lose some weight and improve myself. It wasn’t an easy journey and there were a lot of times I thought about giving up. But looking back, it was all worth it because I got to learn some of the most valuable lessons in life. Here are some of the things I learn from my weight loss journey:
It’s never too late to late to start.
I’ve been always fat for as long as I can remember. I thought it was ok at first, I thought people who love me will always like me however I look. But then life (and I guess love, too) doesn’t work that way. So one day I made a decision to avoid all the bad foods and stick with the healthy ones. I also enrolled myself in a nearby gym where I met some of life-long friends, who was then on the same journey with me. And I guess they are one of the reasons why I stayed focused and motivated throughout my fitness journey. So if you are facing the same struggle I faced years ago, know that it is never to late to start. The only thing blocking you from achieving your goals is your “decision” that you want to change to be better.
Self-confidence can make a lot of difference in your life.
You see I was very self-conscious before. I was so shy to make a conversation with people I don’t know much because I felt like they’re staring at my fats more than looking at my face. I always compared myself to others especially to those girls who can wear anything they’d like. When I started loosing weight, I began regaining my self-confidence. I started going out with my friends more often. I began meeting new people and I learned to express myself more. And then I realized that being fat is not what making me miserable, it’s my lack of self-confidence that hinders me from doing the things I want to do. And feeling good about yourself can give you a heck lot of confidence in your self!
It’s okay to fail.
I had a lot of back slides throughout my fitness journey; in fact there were times I would go back to my old habits and there were a lot of times that I would find an excuse just so I could skip my workout schedule. I want you to know it’s normal, and it’s okay… But… Know when it’s time to go back on track. I think what really kept me motivated are the people around me who are going through the same journey. I guess it is pretty beneficial that you have a support group that will give you a tap on your back whenever you do something great or who will give you a nudge whenever your losing sight of your goals. I met my support group from the fitness class at the gym I used to attend to during those years. It’s pretty awesome to meet people who are going through the same battle as you are because they will make you feel that you are not alone in this journey.
Fitness is a life-long commitment.
It is important to understand that the process will not end just because you lost some weight or you reached your goal. Staying fit is your next step after shedding some weight, and it doesn’t work like some New Year’s resolution because it is a life-long commitment. Being part of a community with the same goals as your will help you a lot. There are a lot of fitness centers and gyms available today that provides their members with awesome privileges to help them achieve their goals in an effective and efficient manner. Take for example Anytime Fitness. It a fitness center that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in more than 3,000 locations worldwide, so having no time or even location availability wouldn’t be a problem.