418 Days

Every year, my employer hosts a Blood Drive where employees are able to take time from their work day to donate if they want to. In February 2017, I decided that I would sign up to donate blood because I had never done so in my 26 years of life. I knew multiple people that had benefited from blood donation, including some of my family members, so I knew it was something that I should do since I was {overall} healthy. I tried donating one time during college, but was turned away due to low hemoglobin levels and never attempted again after that until 2017.

One of my co-workers set up the blood drive and asked if she could take my picture of me during the process. I, of course, said "absolutely"... Yesterday, I was messing around on Facebook and noticed that the picture she took was posted on there (I had no clue she posted them). I saw it while browsing and had to do a double-take. The double-take was followed by shock. I could not believe the girl in the picture was me. The girl in the picture taken in February 2017 was a newlywed, overweight, unhappy (due to being overweight), had very little confidence, lived in yoga pants and sweats, went out to eat all the time, and rarely exercised. It was around this time that I decided to take a leap of faith with Beachbody. I had cancelled my gym membership and was kind of in limbo when it came to working out. Deep down I knew I needed to do it, but I had every excuse in the book.

After seeing that picture, I was curious. I took out my phone and put together a side-by-side of the picture taken in February 2017 and a sweaty selfie I had taken after my lunch workout on April 11, 2018. Here's the result...

2/2017 (left)     |   4/2018 (right)

What's the biggest difference between the two pictures? Besides 418 days... the girl on the right is physically strong, confident, healthy, happier, and she wears dresses every now and then (yeah, yeah still not my thing). I knew I was capable of anything that I put my mind to and I was tired of living in a body that I wasn't proud of. I was tired of being a "bad example" for those around me. I knew I needed to make a change, so I did, and I never looked back. I made myself a priority and it has been one of the best decisions I could have ever made for myself. What's the difference in weight between the two pictures? Who cares! I can honestly say that the only time I've stepped on a scale between the two pictures was at the doctors office. The number on the scale doesn't matter as much as how you feel in your own skin.

I haven't written a blog on it yet, but I was diagnosed with PCOS in June 2017. If you know anything about PCOS, you know that losing weight is TOUGH. Like, ridiculously tough due to insulin resistance and a host of other things. Actually, those with PCOS often gain weight before they're able to lose it. A major goal I have is to start a family one day and in order to do that, I need to shed this weight and be as healthy as I can possibly be.

I am nowhere near where I want to be yet, but I'm excited for the journey ahead. I know there will be challenges, obstacles, and plateaus. I know there will be excuses and days when I just don't want to workout. But... I know what results look and feel like. I know how incredibly proud I am of myself for crushing goals. At-home workouts have literally been life changing for me. The convenience itself is a total no brainer. Stay tuned to see what the difference is in the next 418 days! :)