Do you want to see big changes?
Are you doing what you need to do or just what you think you need to do?
Don’t wait for the doctor to give you the bad news, because that’s what it took for me to make some changes. At a doctor appointment back in April to go over my bloodwork I had done previously, I stepped on the scale and was so embarrassed. I was at my highest weight I had ever been at in my life. I was almost in tears! Then, the doctor talked to me about the potential of being pre-diabetic. What was happening?! I really thought I was doing alright. I worked out 4-5 days a week, and I didn’t think I was eating that poorly. I really thought that I was doing what I should be doing, especially with my workouts. However, that appointment had me questioning everything, and I knew I needed to talk to Beverly.
I’ve been going to B-Fit for over 5 years and I have loved every minute of it. The community and training are not comparable to any other place. I can’t imagine working out anywhere else. So, I knew if anyone could help me reevaluate my nutrition and exercise, it would be Beverly and Bob. After talking with Bev, it wasn’t so much the exercise that was the problem; I mean I worked out hard at least 4 days a week if not more. So, it was time to look at my nutrition. It turns out my frequent breakfast choice of overnight oats with yogurt was not the best choice, so I decided to cut it out to see if the oats and yogurt could be contributing to my problems. I would switch from oats to the fat fuel sold at B-Fit in the mornings. However, the biggest part of our discussion involved establishing rules. Rules were needed to keep me accountable to make the changes I need to in my life. These rules needed to be simple, yet target the areas of my nutrition that were weakest.
So, I decided on two rules to begin my new journey. The first rule was that I would drink 100 ounces of water a day. The recommended value is half your body weight in ounces, and I was lucky if I was drinking 50 ounces a day. So, I committed to drinking 100 ounces. The second rule was that I would cut out sweets from Monday to Friday. Sweets are my weakness. I could and would eat candy like it was going out of style, and I could eat multiple desserts every day. I was addicted to them. I kept telling myself I needed the sugar to get through the school day. So, I had to cut them out during the school week, which was when I would eat the most. Then, if I wanted something on the weekend, I wouldn’t feel guilty for eating it. The last change was directed at my workout. I was doing so much cardio and intervals, I need to incorporate a rest workout every week. So, using my MYZONE, a heart rate monitoring system used at B-Fit, I would make sure I stayed in the blue/green zone for at least one workout, which usually involved walking. Bev and I agreed that I would weigh and measure once a month to track all changes.
The first couple of weeks with my rules were difficult. I was going to the bathroom constantly due to the water, and I had to track my water and meals to keep me accountable with my sweets. Then, after the first couple of weeks, it became easier. My body was adapting to my water intake, and I found that after eliminating the sweets during the week, I didn’t even crave them on the weekends. It became easier and easier. I noticed that I was sleeping better and my moods had improved. I kept to my rules and my workouts.
My monthly weigh-ins and measuring were proof that the changes I made were working. Then, people started to notice the changes, probably more than I did, even though I did notice that I was feeling better.
I started this new journey in May, and by mid-August, I had lost almost 25 pounds. My rules were working. When I went back to the doctor towards the end of July, he noticed the changes as well. It is sad that it took a doctor’s appointment for me to recognize that I needed to make some changes in my lifestyle. Don’t let it be the same for you. If you are unsure how to make the changes you wish to see, then I encourage you to talk to Bev and Bob. They can help you set your own rules that work for you. However, you have to hold yourself accountable if you want to really see the changes.
