How did we get here?

Now, let’s talk about the gym. I got asked a good question today (thanks, Carlos!) and I wanted to write about it.

How did we get here? I say ‘we’ because I didn’t get here by myself. I’m not sure exactly what this questions means, but I’m going to answer this the best I can.  So, at some point there was a shift in mindset. If I think back, I’d have to say it was early on in my journey, but really, I feel like there were multiple shifts. Each time, they were more powerful and more driven. It was like each time I accomplished something that I didn’t think I could do, I felt that confidence boost that led me to the next goal. Also, it is a HUGE help that my trainer and I have a great friendship. He is definitely more than a trainer. He’s a friend, who I can count on for advice and to guide me in the right direction. He’s one of those friends that you can trust because you know he has your best interest in mind. Enough about my trainer, though, because I’m pretty sure he’s reading this.

Again, how did I get here? I like this question because it makes me think about all the things that we’ve done to help get me this far. When I think back to a year and a half ago, I think only of the limitations I put on myself, mentally and physically. Can you believe it…I can even go as far as to say I used to not be able to touch my toes as I stood. I can do it now. I can walk up stairs and not get tired as fast. I can get on the floor and not struggle as much  to get up. I can lift heavy stuff that I couldn’t before. I can take longer, faster walks. I can spend an hour and a half MOVING. This is the incredible part. I feel like this is why I talk about the gym. This is why I like going. The biggest turning point happened at Plyofit. This is where I learned to love to move and realized that it wasn’t so bad. That it was actually fun. This is where I learned to not be lazy, but to push myself like I never had before. This is where I learned to be goal-oriented, more efficient, and learn new things.  This is where i learned to become the better version of myself. Plyofit became my place to unwind, decompress, try new things, or just get away from everyday life. It was full of possibilities. 

So, let’s think about the past. Let’s bring up all the stuff I couldn’t do or really never tried because I thought I couldn’t. Honestly, it was because I couldn’t. Physically, that was the main problem but it was deeper than that. It was a mental issue. Being overweight is rough when you think about the physical limitations, but honestly, I was tired of the mental strain it put on me. I was tired of always thinking ahead when it came to new environments. When you are overweight you have to be aware of the limitations you have. Limitations include meeting people at restaurants and hoping they wouldn’t sit in a booth, or hoping that where you’re going with someone wasn’t going to be too far to walk, or even just being able to keep while holding a conversation. It’s draining when you are trying to be one step ahead the whole time. Now, I still think about things like this but it’s not as bad. My mobility has completely changed. I’m nowhere I want to be but I’m on my way. Since starting to workout, I feel like so much is possible. It not only gives me a sense of accomplishment when I do it, but it gets me excited to try new things. It has been such a great experience. The best decision I’ve made.