Three years ago I was in the best shape of my life. I had discovered a new dietary lifestyle that I thought would exempt me from ever gaining weight again. Along with eating a healthier diet, I would go to the gym a minimum of 5 days a week and partake in many fitness classes. At 26 years old I had worked my body to look the way I always wanted. Parallel to this time of great fitness, I was also discovering my true passions which all circulated around wellness. I had diet and wellness down, what else was there for me to accomplish?
I followed my love of fitness and healthy food and moved to Hawaii. I was in one of the most physically active places on the planet surrounded by a large amount of people all interested in health and wellness. I moved there with the plan to start a personal training career and possibly doing some healthy cooking, I was more than ready to inspire.
Two years later I find myself heavier than I had ever been in my life. Out of shape I asked myself, ¨How could I let myself be out of shape living in a place where I wore a bathing suit everyday?¨ What had gone wrong? The obvious answers are that I didn't have my comfortable work out routine, my gym classes, and that my diet was no longer consistent. These answers were all true. I experienced a lot in these two years on the islands. A lot of scenarios that left me needing comfort food, not finding my balance or motivation to work out, and working a lot on an internal level.
After these two years in Hawaii and gaining over 30 lbs, I moved abroad to Switzerland where I have been living for the last 11 months. Working out here and there I knew that I wanted to lose weight but I wasn't finding the right motivation. I tried fitness classes which only frustrated me because of my difference in language. Every day I looked in my mirror and would become a little upset at myself for letting this happen. I thought I had control. I had some work to do emotionally before I could get back on the fitness train. First I had to let go of the past. Let go of who I was, how I looked, how I ate, and any stored emotions I have been hanging on to. These things do not disappear in one day but with positive thoughts and morning affirmations, they can start to diminish. Once I become more emotionally sound and comfortable in my surroundings I began to bring in exercise and a better diet for myself. I had to be ready, and I was, to start a solid routine that would bring me results that I desired.
I have already lost 17lbs and am going for the full 30. I know I can do it, in fact I've done it twice before. As I said with the cycles I have found myself getting fit and then letting go, only to find myself on the path to losing weight again. This process has been a great teacher for me as I not only understand the diet and exercise portion of reaching fitness goals, I also understand that emotional circumstance can affect the outcome.
We all know that we are supposed to eat healthy. I believe that this means different foods for different people. I've lost weight on different diets before, but I know now the best way is diet rich in whole unprocessed plant based foods. I am currently getting a Wellness Coach certification where I can implement all of the knowledge I've gained and the wisdom I've earned. I understand that to be successful as a Wellness Coach, I have to have gone through many ups and downs as well.
Just a few healthy tips:
- Eat whole grains
- Eat your veggies
- Drink required amount of water
- Do physical activity at least 30 min a day 3x a week
I could give you a detailed description of how I get into shape, but I don't believe one way fits all. I wish to motivate you to find your own goals, foods, daily practices that compliment a healthy body, mind, and soul. If one element is out of balance, then everything is out of balance.
The picture below is from when arrived to Switzerland to now.
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