In America, an estimated 66% of the population is classified as overweight and 32% is classified as obese. I bring this up because in January I started a personal journey. I started a course for personal training and nutritional consultant. Not so much for a career, but to get back in shape, and possibly help others. Over the last few years, I had let myself go. It wasn’t dramatic and most people didn’t see it, but I felt it.
In my previous long-term career, I would swim and do military mandated exercise three times a week. I left the military and went, “Woohoo! I’m free!” I realized that I had made a mistake when I was walking up a small hill and got winded from being out of shape. That wasn’t cool.
Growing up my metabolism had been a rocket firing on all burners. I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. My mom, bless her heart, worried about me being anorexic one month and bulimic the next. I just didn’t gain weight. In Basic Training, I was put on two meals each meal because I was underweight when I joined. I gained exactly one pound in Basic Training. The other girl in my flight on the same plan had gained 15. She was still tiny though. Even my instructors had me get weighed a few times because they thought the scales were off.
I was blessed, yet cursed, with great metabolism. I say cursed because of all the people who kept telling me that I was too thin and needed to put on some weight. For my height and body composition, though, I was where I needed to be. For the longest time, I stayed where I needed to be….until the last few years.
Suddenly, my pants were getting too loose. My metabolism had been kick started after being dormant for awhile. For Christmas, I treated myself to two new pairs of jeans that fit perfectly and were comfortable. I started my class in January. In February, my new jeans were starting to get loose. I ordered a couple of pairs of jeans from a new company called Barbell Apparel. I was planning on waiting until after my course was over, but I broke down and ordered them anyways.
It is the end of April now and the newest pants are loose on me. I’m definitely waiting until after my course it over to order more, though. I’m pretty sure I’ve plateaued, but with three months left in the course, I’m not taking any chances.
The long-windedness was to make a point. DITCH YOUR SCALE!!!! It’s not what the scale says, but how your pants fit. So many people focus on what the scale says in the bathroom. One thing to keep in mind is that if you’ve been working out regularly and eating even a little bit better, body fat has most likely reduced and lean body mass has increased.
I read something recently where a person was complaining that they’ve been eating healthy and working out for weeks, but only lost three pounds. They were also weighing themselves everyday, which I don’t recommend. The scale is evil and only meant to de-motivate you. If you’re going to weigh yourself, do it first thing in the morning before you’ve had your coffee and eaten. As we go throughout our day, our body carries more and more water weight. At night, that water weight burns off. For instance, you weigh yourself at 4pm. The scale reads 127. You feel dejected and like all your hard work has been for nothing since it is only reading at two pounds less than your starting wait. You wake up the next morning and remember the advice to weigh yourself after waking. You step on the scale and low and behold it now reads 124. This is your true weight, so you’ve really lost five pounds in five weeks. Great job! You are on track!
Here is a timeline of my journey:
- June 2010, I was at 120 pounds when I left the military.
- July 2010, I started working as a manager at a popular coffee chain.
- May 2011, I went to the doctor and found out that I weighed close to 130 lbs. Still in my range for height and composition.
- May 2011-Jan 2014, I was still working for the coffee chain and on my feet all day. My Dec 2013 doctor appointment weighed me in at 135.
- Jan 2014 - November 2014, this was the time period where I found myself getting winded going up a small hill, spiraled into a deeper depression, was working a desk job, my dog passed away, my uncle was killed, and then beginning of November, I was laid off.
- October 2014, doctor’s appointment weighed me in at 142 lbs. I felt all that weight. I wasn’t feeling good.
- April 2015, I'm now at 115. My lean body mass is now higher than my fat percentage.
Now, I’ll be honest and say that part of cutting out the snacks and soda was mostly for budget reasons. With only a measly single income from my fellow curmudgeon, we had to cut back on some things. November 2014 was the same month that I was placed with a Dobby, my service dog, so training her got me out of the house and moving again.
Everything happens for a reason and we've been truly blessed. If I hadn’t been laid off, I wouldn’t have gone to a job fair and met the director of the school I’m currently in. Yes, in the two months before starting school, I lost a good amount of weight. Yet, since starting the personal training course, I’ve been able to tone up and get back in shape. I feel better and have more energy.
You don’t need fad diets, supplements, weight loss shakes, special cleanses, or other gimmicks. These are just things made for profit. Just reduce your portions, eat a little healthier, and get even a little more active. Even walking 30 minutes a day while watching your diet can improve your health. You don't need fancy, expensive gym equipment. Get creative. Various sized water bottles and milk jugs filled with sand can be used for pseudo-dumbbells.
There is no easy solution. It takes work, patience, and some pain. It is 100% worth it.
Join me on this journey. You’re worth it. Just remember, ditch the scale and check your pants.
