Before I started exercising I was a mess, honestly I was. It's amazing how exercising can really improve how you feel. Those endorphins really are something! I also have no idea what I was doing with my spare time, I was married but didn't have kids. I probably was being a couch potato. All I can say is that I wasn't a very happy person with myself or others. Benton can tell you all how unhappy I was and I really feel bad but happy he put up with me the 3 previous years of our marriage!
Here is a picture before I exercised...
After a year and a half of hard work I lost 50 lbs and was a new person! I was happier emotionally and physically. I enjoyed being outdoors, loved to hike, bike, and run. My relationship was better with Benton and my friends. I had transformed into a new person.
You can tell how much more self confidence I have in this picture, I felt great!
This is one of the only pictures of me on my treadmill, it is a couple years old...cause really I don't get all dolled up to run...
Before I got pregnant I honestly was worried how I would handle gaining back the weight I had lost. I had mixed emotions until I was actually pregnant. Once I was pregnant I knew it was about more than me. I was doing something extraordinary and the weight would come off if I worked hard after having her.
I have lost some of my baby weight but am still working on it. I run 4 days a week and it is one of my favorite things to do. My hour of exercise is all about me. I can think about whatever I want and just forget about everything else. I turn up my I Pod and blast my music. During that hour I dream, plan, worry and so much more that I really have to not think too hard otherwise I can even stress myself out. But it is my time and it is precious to me. I am finally to the point where I can run and not stop to rest. I feel fabulous, I actually have to make myself stop running because I have to return to the real world. But I am proud of my success and I am excited to see what else I will allow myself to try in the upcoming years now that I know I can do whatever I put my mind too!
This is the longest I've ever ran, I was so excited I had to take a photo!
Benton, if you are reading this thank you so much for my treadmill, you know how much I love it! It was a life changing gift!
5 comments:
Holy cow Melissa - you are an inspiration to many, and definitely to ME. I'm trying to lose weight and it isn't easy. But no one ever said it was easy. Running on the treadmill makes me despise every single calorie I put in my body... which in turn makes me want to LIMIT them!!! You have done fabulous and I'm glad you took a pict of the treadmill, what an accomplishment! So very proud!!!
About the friend request: I HAVE NO IDEA how that happened. Honestly. If, and that's a HUGE if I did at one point asked to be his friend, it had to be years ago... I unfriended him and blocked him, and now feel much better :)
I agree with Von: you are a serious inspiration to so many people! I've really admired the dedication you've shown as you accomplish your goals. It gives me hope that I can lose my many, many pounds of baby weight after our sweet arrival :) You'll have to be my over-the-phone coach!
Just a few words and that's - I love you! Good job on the hard work and thanks for being so wonderful! I can't wait to see you!
That is awesome!! I wish I could run for an hour without having to take any breaks..maybe someday! Its so hard for me to imagine you unhappy, I didn't know you very well then. I've always known you as so happy and nice!! Good job!!!
Okay this is so motivating to me. I have been wanting to get into a good exercise routine for months now. But it's just so hard to find the time, or correction it's hard to put down the remote at the end of the day and get up and exercise. I always do great after having a baby but once I get back to my original weight I just start slacking off. I feel like I could be such a more well rounded happier person if I could just get into a routine. When do you find the best time to run? Morning or night? And what other tricks do you have to get going?
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