Turn a Negative into a Positive!

About eight months ago I had my life fall apart. My health wasn't good, I lost my job, we couldn't pay the rent, and my marriage fell apart. Most times in my life when things would be hard, I'd sink into depression and not cope with it very well. At first, that's what I started to do. However, something changed this time. I decided to change. I decided to be happy and to make changes in my life to become a better, healthier Stephanie. Since then I have made huge strides in my life!

Food: I don't look at food the same anymore. I LOVE to eat fresh fruits and vegetables! I have zero desire to eat fast food. I'm able to say "no thank you" when someone offers me something I don't need. I don't have to eat just because there's food there. I'm continuing to learn the right balance of food for my body.

Exercise: I have made some HUGE changes in exercise over the past month! I find myself actually looking forward to exercising. The other day I was stressed, so I went and worked out on the treadmill. It felt great! Yesterday, I ran/walked a mile in 19 minutes! Soon I'll be running the whole thing! Oh, and I am now able to run one minute at a speed of 5 mph! YAY!

Mind/Emotional: I have learned so much about myself and the strength I have within me! I'm learning to focus on the positive and not let the negative bring me down.

Journey is far from over, but I am amazed at how far I've come!

Now, here's for the best news of all .... I stepped on the scale Tuesday night (4/17/12) and I now weigh ... 318 lbs! That means I've lost a total of 47 lbs!!! My clothes are getting looser and I feel great! Next target: to get under 300 lbs!

Starting weight: 365 lbs
Current weight: 318 lbs

Total lost: 47 lbs!!!

Update

It's been a few months since my last post, so let me first give you a quick update of what is going on with me. In January, the house that I had been staying at SOLD, so I had to find a job and move. At the beginning of March I moved to New Jersey to become a full time live-in nanny. Also, Spencer left on his mission in early March. The only contact that we will have with one another is through letters for the next two years. As we can imagine, the past few months have been stressful and emotional. During this time I realized that I am a HUGE emotional eater. It has been hard, but I've gained control again.

After moving to NJ, I decided to join a local gym, My Training Gym. It's different than any other gym because they are focused on helping each individual make a change in their life and achieve their goals. I have an AWESOME trainer, Alex, who knows just how to push me. Another trainer, Joe, works with me on my nutrition, which has been helpful. I'm excited to see myself grow and change over the next year.

I have set some fitness goals for myself:

1: Jog for 1 minute (if you remember in my last post, I wasn't able to do this in January)

CHECK! Tonight I jogged for 1 minute at speed 3.4 with an incline 2.5!

2: Run a mile in under 12 minutes. When I was in elementary school, they would do a physical test and I was never able to complete the mile under 12 minutes.

3: Complete a 5k by the end of 2012. I can do it!

4: This one is hard and I can't believe I'm committing to it by posting it, but here it is: run a half marathon! Yep, all 13.1 miles!

Today, I was told by the trainers that I'm naturally athletic! I think my jaw dropped to the floor! ME?!?!? Athletic?!?! Apparently, I work hard in the gym. Well, I guess I'll look athletic when I shed this weight! Lighter body here I come!

Starting weight: 365 lbs
Jan 15th weight: 324 lbs
March 18th weight: 335 lbs (the day before I started with my trainer)
Current weight: 325 lbs!!

Down 10 lbs since I started working with my trainer and down 40 lbs since October!!! Next goal, get under 300 lbs! I can do it!