Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A Long Journey

When Kyle and I got married, I was happy with my 115 pound frame. Over time I sort of let myself go, I was comfortable in my life and it showed. Then came the fertility treatments, they wreaked havoc on my body. The hormonal changes were a nightmare, I was an emotional eater and with every setback it just got worse. I gained 45 pounds in a matter of a year and I had no idea how I was going to fix that. I was just plain unhappy.

I was never a very active person and I knew that this had to change. Once we moved away from North Carolina I gained a new outlook on life. I started walking a few days a week and started to really watch my portions. To be honest, I never eliminated anything from my diet (with the exception of soda) and I started to see changes.

When we moved to Texas I finally said okay to giving running a try and boy did it change my life. I felt energy that I hadn't felt in years! Over time I successfully lost that 45 pounds and have kept it off for a year. I did not want to lose it quickly, but I wanted to do it the healthy way. Even during these last few rounds of clomid, I was able to keep my body in check and I did not experience any weight gain from it. 

My advice to anyone who is looking to lose weight, do it the way that is best for you! Don't let anyone talk you into a diet that doesn't seem right for you. Take your time, there is no reason to try and lose 50 pounds in a month. 

I don't want to be skinny, I just want to be fit and healthy.

November 2010-August 2014



41 comments:

  1. Like I said on IG you are beautiful in both pictures. Inspiring! I bought a jogging stroller but I am nervous about running? Is that silly??? I just always feel like I'm doing it wrong!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sweet friend! You have no reason to be nervous, but I don't think it is silly either. I know you can do it. As long as you are doing it, there is no way it is wrong. :)

      Delete
  2. I know I just told you this but you're such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I've told you this before, but you are an inspiration! You look so good!

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are such an inspiration to me! I know I need to step up my running and cut down the sweets (my weakness!) in order to get to a healthier and more desirable weight. And like you said cutting out a ton of weight quickly isn't the way to do it, slow and steady is the way to do it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. In both of those photos, you are one heck of a beautiful, strong lady, but I love that amazing confidence you possess now! You are definitely an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are in amazing shape!! How great that you really enjoy running and it has helped you into a healthier you! Bonus that you and the hubs run together :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! Good for you, Jen! You look fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You look amazing! I love how you didn't try to drop pounds quickly. The fad diets help take weight off quickly, but to keep it off you need a lifestyle change. I think you did an awesome job! I need to do a better job at portion control and better choices.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are a rockstar. I'm currently about 20 lbs overweight from Alex and I haven't done a thing to change that. I need to just take baby steps and DO IT!

    ReplyDelete
  10. "My advice to anyone who is looking to lose weight, do it the way that is best for you! Don't let anyone talk you into a diet that doesn't seem right for you. Take your time, there is no reason to try and lose 50 pounds in a month. "

    This is such great advice!
    You look great too :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing transformation, Jen, and congrats on the discipline to make this change happen. You look great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stephanie! It has been a great journey.

      Delete
  12. You look amazing! So proud of you for keeping fit and running so much. Like I always say, you always make me so tired just reading all those races you run! ;) HAHA!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well done!!

    For me the keys are, "something is better than nothing" and "consistency". If I keep them in mind - the changes are easier to make.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Way to go!! Hawaii is my "fresh start", so keep on posting about your running and know you're inspiring others!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looking good and thanks for the inspiration! I just keep trying to walk faster when Phil and I go on our evening walks. Sometimes it's hard after a day's work. But I make it happen. :0)

    ReplyDelete
  16. So proud of you! And that is great advice. I am just now getting back into running and in the beginning, I am also so starved (I mean I am doing 2 miles on the C25K and that's it...makes no sense), any tips? Did this happen to you when you first started? I love when you share these posts. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good for you! You did the smart and healthy way, so it should help you keep it off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Thanks Kara!! I have been able to keep it off for quite some time so I'm hopeful it keeps going that way.

      Delete
  18. You look so great girl! I finally talked myself into getting healthy. Hopefully I can pick up running like u have

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Thank you Katie! I know you can do it. :)

      Delete
  19. So proud of you!! You look great!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good for you!! So great that you did it at your own pace and without some crazy crash dieting. You look great!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You look amazing and are such an inspiration! I love that you did it the right/safe way too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Proud of you, you have done so well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I know all too well! It's so important to have the mentality to stay healthy more than anything. Way to go! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a great story! Now that we are back into a sort of routine, I definitely plan on trying to make fitness a priority. I am neither thin or healthy at the moment... :(

    ReplyDelete
  25. You continue to be an inspiration to me.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I said this before, but you look freaking awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You look awesome!!!! I've always struggled with my weight and keeping it off. I need to find the motivation to work out so I don't have to deprive myself of eating something. Way to go you!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. you are such an inspiration! that is so amazing. I'm slowly working towards my goals too. I stumble and fall, second guess myself, but with the support of my husband I keep plugging along!

    ReplyDelete

Love hearing from you!! :)