(Me, before...and after)
Most of the time, I was able to ignore the fact that I was overweight. I didn't like it, but I was resigned to it and tried to not let it bother me. I'd been overweight to one degree or another for most of the last 20 years. I'd dieted before, with varying degrees of success. I'd tried lots of different diets. I'd reluctantly decided I needed to just make peace with my body the way it was. And then I ran into a couple that I hadn't seen in a while.
They have both been inactive and overweight since I've known them. And they were suffering because of it. Between the two of them, they have diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. One of them has to wear a machine when she sleeps to help her breathe. The other recently had a stroke and has a hard time just walking around. They get hot easily, get tired easily, and generally seemed physically uncomfortable most of the time.
Looking at these people was profoundly difficult for me. For the first time, I actually thought about my age. I was 42 at the time, and my life was half over. And if I didn't want to end up like one of them (and I didn't want that, although I love them dearly), I knew I had to make some major changes in my life.
Now, seeing these people didn't propel me into instant action. I thought about it, I dithered, I procrastinated. I tried a diet for a week or a few days, then saw something I wanted to eat, and bye-bye diet, over and over. With the help and support from an amazing health coach, I finally got motivated enough to actually stick with something, and on June 24, 2013, I began changing my life. I simultaneously began the Take Shape for Life program that would help me shed 40+ pounds, and began getting active.
(I feel so much better now!!!)
I found myself quickly falling in love with yoga, and slowly, with running. This past summer, I ran three half marathons, and did a lot of hiking. I love the freedom of movement and the sheer ability to DO things that I haven't felt since I was much younger. I've kept the weight off for over a year now, and I have found that I really want to share my success and see other people succeed as well, and so I became a health coach for the same program that worked so well for me.
I find that I LOVE it when my clients succeed at losing weight. I LOVE hearing the pride and excitement in their voices, and the shock at how easy it can really be.
If you are ready to make that change, I can help you too. Email me at iloseitwithlori@gmail.com, or text me at (907) 982-6646.
