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March 10, 2014

My brand new weight loss journey

I thought now would be a good time to share the second phase of my weight loss journey. How I first lost weight in between September of 2008-2010 has quickly become a thing of the past. It is incredible how time flies. If you have not read about my initial journey, you can do so here. That is when I first fell in love with health, fitness, obtained my NASM certification, and learned everything I possibly could on proper nutrition and exercise. 

Most of 2010 and 2011, my weight was great, as was my life. I turned 21 in July of 2010. I do not drink a lot, so turning 21 did not do anything to derail my weight. I kept myself very busy with work, the gym, making new friends in Charlotte, and working a second job as a makeup artist. My time was extremely limited, but it kept me on track. I started dating a good friend of mine in June 2011. His passion was fitness, such as I, so initially we made a great team. We dated nearly 2 and half years. 

The relationship was not great. We loved each other, but we just could not make it work. I wanted it to work more than anything, and I know he did too. But we could not do it. I wish I could tell you guys everything to make the story make sense, but I can't. I don't think it is really necessary. To add to that, at the end of 2012 my job started going down hill. I was on my second budget cut and downsize with the company. That is also when my relationship started taking a turn for the worse. Handling all of that at 23 years old and doing everything alone, was not easy. Food became my refuge. Since I had already lost so much weight, I would justify eating my feelings. I would say to myself "I have had a bad day. I do not feel like working out, so I am going to get a pizza and go home. I have lost a lot of weight so it will be OK". You can only tell yourself that for so long before the weight starts to slowly creep on. One of my biggest afflictions in life is that food provides an emotional fill for me. It always has. I have to fight 18 years of eating habits every. single. day. and it is not easy. I struggle with my food choices more than I want to admit, but every single healthy choice I make, is a small battle won.

For months, I ate really bad. I would make healthy choices here and there because I was accustom to it, and I still went to the gym, but everything was slacking. I was eating bad foods more and food, my gym schedule became less structured, my workouts become shorter, and I did not push myself as hard. I literally just did not care. I was tired. I was sad. My work and my relationship were draining life and happiness out of me. 

In January 2013, things slightly improved with my relationship. That helped some. However, I noticed I started feeling sick a lot, and carbohydrates like bread and pasta were about the only thing that made me feel better. I also felt hungrier than usual. The next month, we found out were expecting. A couple of weeks after that, we lost the baby. A couple of weeks after that, I was getting out of my car at work, returning from my lunch break, and I was in a pool of my own blood. I rushed to the Urgent Care near my work, and they called an EMS to rush me to the hospital. And that is where I almost died. I was hemorrhaging. I cannot believe how much blood is in the human body. I will spare anyone reading the details, but I had emergency surgery and transfusion. It cost well over $20,000, but you cannot put a price on life. January through April of 2013 were the absolute worst months of my entire life. I thought in my 23 years of life I had experienced a lot, but I had no idea.

My body heals and life goes back to normal. Normal as in, my relationship was OK, my job was bad, and I was supposed to continue on with life as nothing happened. Physically, I was normal. Emotionally and mentally? No way. I was really depressed after all of that. I tried to continue on and not drown myself in those bad thoughts. Thinking about it would help nothing. Over the course of the next few months, I would try to get back on my weight loss 100% but it never worked. My passion was gone. I didn't care. My bad habits continued; poor eating, short workouts, missing the gym, and so on.

In October, my job finally came to an end. I was relieved, and thankful, because things had been so bad. I really did need to go. I had a new job lined up and I felt as if as brand new start was about to ensue. Two days before I was to start my job, I received a call that the offer was rescinded. I still to this day, have no idea what happened, but I do know that the job was never filled. Budget cuts? Change of heart for the position? Who knows. 

Another low for me. How much pain can one person endure? Will this bad luck ever end? I always try to be a good person, I could not believe how much bad was coming my way. But I could not let that stop me. I hit the ground running - I applied for jobs until I bled. I would stay up all night sending my resumes to places that were not even hiring! I was so determined. 

It quickly paid off.

A week and a half after I started applying. I obtained a new position. That was a fun week - I interviewed Monday, was offered the job Wednesday, and started that Friday. My new position pays a lot more than the initial one I obtained, I have full benefits and 401K, plus I do what I love. I could not ask for a better boss. I'm telling you, the President of my company is a walking angel, I am convinced of it. Every morning I wake up happy to go to work, blessed to be where I am, and start each day with a positive outlook. That is an incredible feeling.

I started my job November 1st. That day I felt like a new person - a new woman was born. That day I knew I needed to leave my relationship. I knew he felt that way too, however, we were both afraid to let go, but we did. After that, I took time to focus on my job, move into my new apartment, and heal from my relationship. On Monday, November 25th, 2013 I started a brand new journey. As of Friday, March 7th, I am down 37.8 pounds. I still have a long way to go, because I want to be better than I have ever been. I am the happiest I have ever been, so I want to be the best as well.

I take it one day at time, because a weight loss journey, is just that - a journey. A journey that you will go through the rest of your life if you want to stay healthy and fit. You will encounter a lot of ups and downs, weight gains, weight loss, and everything in between. It is never too late to start either. I messed up. I messed up, big time, and I had to start over. I thought I was too far gone but I wasn't. If you wake up in the morning, that is a brand new chance. I took that chance, even though I was at the bottom again, and I pushed on. 

This blog has been a great tool for me. I share a lot. I share the good, bad, and ugly. That leaves a lot of room for judgement. People can take my story how they want - that is out of my control. If they choose to read this, then that is their prerogative. I don't write for them. I write for me. I write for the man or woman who thinks they can never lose weight. I write for the person who thinks they have hit rock bottom and think things will never get better. I write for the people who find inspiration in my story. Because I find inspiration in you.

If you are reading this and do not blog, a blog would be a great tool to use to document your journey. I find so motivation in sharing my battles, success, recipes, weight loss, and I love reading other peoples. We are all in this together and when you have a community of amazing women and men beside of you, it truly helps you feel like you can do anything. 




40 comments:

  1. so glad i found this - i'm currently on a weight loss journey - was small and then meds put 45lbs on in 2 months and then just went down hill; but back at the gym and doing everything i can to get my body and happiness back!

    http://www.vestiairecollective.com/

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  2. You are amazing and such an inspiration to me! You have really overcome a lot in life so far, and you are encouraging me to take my own fitness journey into my own hands.

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  3. what an amazing journey and such a great post! I've been going through some personal and professional struggles lately and really feel the whole "when will it ever get better?" a lot too. hoping that this year will be better for both of us!

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  4. This was so great to read. I lost a lot of weight and then gained about half back! I am back on track now and ready to get this weight off for good. I love reading your blog everyday. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  5. You are so awesome! It takes a lot of guts to share your story and I'm blessed by it. Keep on, keeping on, sister! You are such an inspiration to me and my fitness journey and I enjoy reading your blog daily!

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  6. thank you for sharing your story. that was a tough time and you endured so you know how strong you really are. keep it coming, keep up the great work!

    -kathy | Vodka and Soda

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  7. You have been through such an amazing journey and I know that sharing your ups and downs with other people puts yourself out there...but also know that it helps people in more ways than you will probably ever know. I know that you are strong and have a great spirit and I think this is your year! You have certainly be an inspiration to me in my own journey.

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  8. Wow, what an amazing story. I had no idea you had been through so much, and love hearing how much you've conquered. You look awesome, keep it up gurlie! :)

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  9. You're doing great Liz! Through it all you get up and keep going. That's the key to success. And if you have one bad day, it doesn't mean the next one has to be.

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  10. You are such an inspiration girl! You've gone through so much, but have come up on top because ummm you're hella strong! I know a lot of people who would just give up entirely and never pick themselves up again. I'm so happy to hear that you're doing so much better now and loving your new chapter in life! :)

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  11. You are amazing friend!! I am so proud of how far you have come in only a year and I know that you will continue to inspire so many men and women to do the same. You have definately been an inspiration for me to not quick and to keep at it at the gym. I can't wait to follow you as your journey continues!!

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  12. You're such a strong and beautiful person... and very much an inspiration to others!

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  13. Really inspiring sorry and you're looking amazing! So happy you fouund a job that you love and have been able to focus on betting yourself and your health. You deserve it! Keep up the excellent work!

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  14. Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone and making the best choices for you! Some times letting go of the familiar is hard, but many times it is rewarding. Keep up the great work, it's inspiring!

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  15. So glad I found you! Thank you for sharing your story with me! I appreciate it!

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  16. I've said it before you're motivational! Not many women know what they want and can go for it. I have been wondering what happened to you and Marq but way to know that it wasn't right for either of you. It just makes you all the better for your forever man!

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  17. I'm so glad you posted this. You look great, and even better -- you seem to feel great! You definitely inspire me to get my tail up and stick with the working out. :)

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  18. Oh my gosh, you have been through the wringer. I'm so glad that you found an even better job. Your motivation is inspiring!

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  19. Wow what a story! I'm glad you're okay :)

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  20. Hey girl!! I have missed reading your blog and commenting as I have been mia from my blog for a little while and started up a new one for my clothes line. So glad you are doing well, kickin ass, and looking amazing doing it! Keep up the awesome work!

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  21. So proud of you for your new beginning...
    Keep up the good work :)

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  22. You are amazing and have gone through so much! Love how honest you are with the struggle and for motivating others. Keep it up girl!

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  23. YOU GO GIRL!! I love this post. It takes a lot to put yourself out there as you did and as much as all the things you went through hurts....in the end, you're so much stronger!! Congrats on your weight loss so far, I know it is a journey and a tough one, but know that not only do you have the people who are close to you but you have your blog followers to support you as well! :)

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  24. Girl, you have some killer strength to endure what you have in life! Sharing that pain and how you overcame it is such an inspiration. Glad to hear you're doing really well now, keep up the good work!

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  25. So much motivation and appreciation for you sharing your story on here! You've gone through so much and are coming out a fighter! Keep it up!

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  26. I love this post so much! Especially this part "This blog has been a great tool for me. I share a lot. I share the good, bad, and ugly. That leaves a lot of room for judgement. People can take my story how they want - that is out of my control. If they choose to read this, then that is their prerogative. I don't write for them. I write for me. I write for the man or woman who thinks they can never lose weight. I write for the person who thinks they have hit rock bottom and think things will never get better. I write for the people who find inspiration in my story. Because I find inspiration in you."

    You are such an inspiration and I had no idea you had been through so much. Thanks for sharing with us!!!

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  27. Go Liz go! So glad I found your blog last year - it's been so great to read about your journey, good and bad. That's what makes it such an amazing journey! Keep up the awesome work. <3

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  28. You have been through so much! Wow. I'm so sorry about the loss of your pregnancy. I can relate to that and it's so hard. You look amazing! Glad we were able to connect In blog land, you are a true inspiration! Xoxo!

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  29. I am also losing weight for a second time, after regaining it due to depression caused by chronic illness. I was blessed to be able to move to Charlotte, actually, to be near family and get my start over (kind of like your new job). I love this post! You can do it again!

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  30. Keep up the good work! I'm glad to be getting my mojo back to hit the gym again.

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  31. Your vulnerability in this post is admirable. Thanks for sharing! Xoxo

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  32. This is really, really inspiring Liz. Thank you for sharing. You never gave up even when life got you down an that is something I need to remember. Xo

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  33. what an inspiration!!!!!!!!! I hope you feel with every step you take on your weight loss journey you feel lighter both physically and mentally! It takes so much strength to come out of everything like you did! Great job! Thank you so much for opening up, it takes a lot of courage but is so wonderful when I, myself, am trying to be better and healthier to read someone else's story!!

    Thanks for linking up with Funday Monday!

    xxAmber

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  34. You look amazing and I am so happy to hear that you are doing well in that area. Additionally, I am happy to hear that you have overcome a very difficult time in your life. I do not want to sound cliche when I talk about tough times but tough times really help us for the future. It seems like yours will help others get through what they are going through in the sense that others can see that there is hope when everything seems so grim.

    I love reading your blog and I check it out whenever I have free time, which isn't often but is enough to know you are AWESOME!

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  35. I love the honesty in this post. In particular, the emotional eating. I am SO guilty of this and in fact have gained 10 pounds since I got married due to that. This past year was just stressful - and is finally getting better. I am doing weight watchers, zumba, and the 30 day shred. I hope I lose the weight - it's just hard and stressful to say no. I probably sound crazy but that's how I feel.

    Thank you so much for your honesty - reading this gives me hope that I too can lose the weight!

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  36. You are incredible! Thanks for sharing your journey! <3

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  37. So glad I found your blog. Loved reading this to get a back story on you.

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  38. I absoulutely love you! So glad I found your blog!
    adifferentd.blogspot.com

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