Welcome to my story!

Hello, just over a year ago I began my fitness journey.  I want to share the reasons I began this journey and the reasons why I continue with my journey.  When I began my journey, I was smoking well over a pack of cigarettes a day, my blood pressure was higher then it had ever been, and I had just recovered from surgery.  While I was recovering from surgery, I had gained an additional 20lbs of fat and I was unhappy with what I saw in the mirror.  I weighed 198 lbs with 30% body fat.  I was depressed and did not have any direction in life.  Can you relate to this?

I felt it was time for a change.  I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer to get my started on the right path.  Not only did my personal trainer show me proper form for many different exercises, but she helped me with my diet.  I forced myself to change my lifestyle, and forced myself to stay positive.  After just over a year into my journey, I can tell you without a doubt that it is 85% clean diet and 15% hard work in the gym!  I know the gym does not work for a great deal of people, I was skeptical at first, but I found a passion for it.  I make time to go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week.  I eat clean 80-90% of the time, you have to give yourself a break once in a while and have a cheat meal every now and then.  Today I weigh 187 lbs with 14% body fat.  Unfortunately I am still struggling with quitting smoking, but I am determined to vanquish this demon, and is one of my goals for this year.

Setting goals for your fitness journey is and should be a top priority.  I have set some goals for this year, I will share them as I achieve them.  Once you set your goals, a plan to accomplish them is priority number 2.  One thing that has stuck with me over the years, a college professor once said "Failing to plan is nothing more then a plan to fail."  I wish I could remember his name, however those words have stuck with me over the years.  I have a plan to accomplish my goals this year!  Success is possible!

One thing I learned at the very beginning of my journey, was that it only takes one step to start.  Even though some steps forward are going to be hard, you have to push yourself to make it to the end.  Every lifestyle change will never be easy, however the benefits of eating healthy and a fitness routine far out weigh the difficulties of making the lifestyle change.

Until next time, eat clean and train mean!