28!

28, it is not just a number to me now; it is a surprising goal and an outstanding achievement.  This summer I have lost 28 pounds…it’s an amazing feeling to know that I am almost to my goal. Over the last three months I have learned so much about myself and how I live my life:  I now try to eliminate processed foods as much as possible, drink a gallon and a half of water a day, and of course work out at least once a day five times a week. 

This summer has changed my life in so many ways and it has become so much more than just a physical journey. I have learned that the way I used to eat and drink was limiting my life in more ways than I thought:  I used to be a “normal” college student who stopped at the coffee shop in the morning to get a coffee (coffee should be used lightly since it was disguised in milk, chocolate, whipped cream, and caramel), I would drink four to five diet cokes a day, and my favorite snack was Dorito’s….looking back I am embarrassed at how I used to live and feed myself.

My eyes have been opened to an entire new way of life.  I now look at every food label and definitely use Trainer Sara’s words of wisdom, “if it doesn’t have a mom or come from the ground you should NOT put it into your body”.  If you follow those words of advice you will be shocked by your results.  By simply taking out the processed foods, your life and body will love the changes.  For example, me cutting out my daily Starbucks run I not only saved myself a boatload of cash, I also saved myself between 400-600 calories, that I replaced with healthy foods, tea, kombucha, and some chocolate every now and again.  With this change initially, I then changed my Diet Coke drinking habits, I now don’t drink that either.  I used to get migraines once every couple of weeks and this summer I have only had one (knock on wood). You don’t realize how much those headaches affect your body until they don’t anymore and it feels amazing to not have to worry about them.

I could not have achieved my goal this summer without the outstanding support of my trainers, Bailey, Katie, Beth, my family, and all of my other friends who have shown me their support.  I am truly grateful to have such an amazing group of people surrounding me. 

Trainer Sara has taught me how far I can really push and countless strategies to keep nutrition fun,  I don’t know how far I would’ve made it without her support, many emails, coffee dates to set up a college workout and eating plan, anything I have needed help with the has been there.  I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She encouraged me to do so much more than I ever thought possible,  I mean I RAN I 5K this summer, I never thought that was something I would want to do let alone crush the time she gave me as a goal. It’s so hard to say goodbye to such a role model and mentor, but I am grateful for her offer to continue to help me when I am at school and for the fact that I am coming home in a couple of weeks so I can squeeze in some extra boot camp. 

Bailey and Katie have been there for me since I started my journey at the beginning of the summer, we have grown so close and I don’t know what I am going to do without them.  Every early morning workout, after work bike ride or run, Trader Joe’s shopping trip,  Old Navy run (because those old pants just don’t fit anymore), and the occasional ice cream, have made my summer one that I will not forget.  I don’t think I would’ve ever made it up those 2 sets of Main Street stairs that first week without you guys and now I’m up to 17 sets…it’s insane how far we have all come and what we’ve accomplished. 

 

 

Bailey ran another 5k and Katie finished a half marathon!! I am so proud to call you guys my best friends and we are going to kill it this coming year with a couple more races on the calendar, a triathlon (hopefully), and a rewarding trip to Chicago next summer to run a race and spend a little time relaxing, although with us three most of it will be spent trying new restaurants and working out, let’s be real.

My journey started because I wanted to look good for Megan’s wedding and that simple wish has changed my life in more ways then I thought possible.  J