Okay, so in essence, I did NOT, in fact, make a living as a personal trainer. I worked as one, I loved the job, but it paid a teensy weensy salary. I guess the instructor at the college who hired me as the "on staff trainer" really just wanted me to gain experience and grow as a person from it. Thank you, Mr. O'Neal. It worked. Here's the link to the video I had the pleasure of participating in for AC during the time I worked there:
AMARILLO COLLEGE PERSONAL TRAINING COMMERCIAL
As we have discussed before, my dream has always been to be a police officer. Slowly but surely, I'm realizing that dream. I have also always loved health/wellness/nutrition/sports/etc. I began working out in an actual gym at the age of 15. During high school, I played basketball year round, and it was a VERY serious matter. There was never time for slacking. I also played the violin and have from a young age. I still play when I can. That's another post, though...
I was once married to a man who was (and probably still is) obsessed with weight, having the "perfect body," and anything relating to the two. We owned Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding, we ate a high proten/low carb diet, we busted our rumps at the gym EVERY.SINGLE.DAY, and we worried about anything unusual that popped up like a tiny roll of fat or the slightest sign of muscle weakness. I participated because I didn't want to be left behind or considered fat *GASP!...the F word...* After Caroline was born, I began the Nutrisystem plan. I lost the baby weight, but I was STILL hungry all the time, and it wasn't curing anything.
It.Got.Old.
Suddenly, at the age 30, I realized the "before baby body" was never going to come back. I mourned the BBB...it was probably an unhealthy obsession from that point onward. I wanted something that at least resembled what I'd been before my 3 beautiful C's were born.
Wait.
That was a teenager body. Don't necessarily want that. I enjoy having SOME curves, just not all of them...or that stretch mark...or that one...or that dimple on my thigh...*sigh*
After a nasty divorce, I found it hard to bounce back physically. I starved myself, because I figured any boyfriend/husband/whatever-he-is that made his way in to my life would be JUST like the other one...a judge of all things imperfect.
Thankfully, my K is different.
He works for every ounce of muscle he has, and it amazes me that he doesn't obsess over it.
Nope.
He owns that body like a boss, and he taught me to do the same with mine.
Each...imperfection...included.
Here's what became my motto:
IF YOU NEED A REASON, DO IT FOR THE BLACK LEOPARD PANTS.
***This is where you start thinking, "Yep. She's lost it. She's GONE." Bear with me...
Here I was as a teenager:
Here I am around the age of 30:
Annnnnd, that brings us to 2014--what I refer to as "The Year of Struggle."
The struggle was real, folks. It hurt. I had multiple things going on:
1. I was being told my thyroid was failing, but there wasn't a need for medication just yet. The doctor wanted to monitor me closely.
2. Against my better judgment, I let the doctor put the Mirena inside my body. Well, my body hated it. I also gained 30lbs in 4 months from it for which there was no "cure." I had the Mirena removed, and I still couldn't return to normal.
3. I started Plexus at the time I had the Mirena removed, but my self esteem was already in the basement, so I gave up on the products before I even really gave them a chance.
4. I was not accepted for the A-Town Police Academy, so I gave up on trying so hard to be in the best shape of my life.
5. My house had been on the market for over a year. Keeping a 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2100+sq ft house clean 24/7 with 3 children running around and one of us working the midnight shift is IMPOSSIBLE.
There you have it---my excuse...I mean, STRUGGLE...list. *Ahem*
Here's the pic to go ahead and truly complete that struggle list:
******What I didn't want anyone knowing-----MY DEEP, DARK SECRET******
From the end of 2014 until February 2016, I was taking prescription diet pills. I tried Qsymia and Belviq. These made me tired, cranky, and paranoid. I found myself losing weight at the cost of losing my mind and patience. My body felt poisoned. I thought I NEEDED them to lose/maintain weight. At the cost of $140 a month....$140 a month!!!!!....I fought the battle with a pill while falling apart on the inside. I broke out in a rash from head to toe that could only be cleared up by steroids. I had deep gashes in my legs from itching, and I lost 1/4 of my hair. I lost a TON of muscle. I quit working out for 6 MONTHS....6 MONTHS!!! I was a train wreck.
Here is the whole reason I am writing this post.
No matter what you think about yourself, you're wrong.
I am still a personal trainer, yet I've struggled harder than anyone will ever know.
During all of this negativity, I swore to myself I would NEVER be that mom who wears jeggings or skinny jeans. They aren't made for this body! I have cuuuuurves...
Then, I broke down and bought a pair of black leopard skinny jeans from Gap. I bought them 2 sizes smaller than what I was currently wearing, and I told myself that that was the reward for getting my life back. A pair of black leopard skinny jeans.
They set in the closet Forrrrreeeeevvvvveeerrrrr.
They set in the closet Forrrrreeeeevvvvveeerrrrr.
Until today.
I am wearing these black leopard skinny jeans with as much pride as possible. I've lost 2...TWO...pant sizes in a month. Wait, whaaaaaat? Yep. *beaming smile*
My secret?
I let it go:
That is it...the truth.
Now that you've finished this forever-long-post, I have this to say:
I'm here! Let's Facebook, FaceTime, text, or talk. You want to cry to someone about what you're going through? I'm here! Heck, we can walk and talk while I push your baby/toddler in a stroller any time day or night. I'll do cartwheels, stand on my head, and do the Macarena in public if you need me to.
Don't sit back and watch me--JOIN ME. Visit my website:
I am wearing these black leopard skinny jeans with as much pride as possible. I've lost 2...TWO...pant sizes in a month. Wait, whaaaaaat? Yep. *beaming smile*
My secret?
I let it go:
Now that you've finished this forever-long-post, I have this to say:
I'm here! Let's Facebook, FaceTime, text, or talk. You want to cry to someone about what you're going through? I'm here! Heck, we can walk and talk while I push your baby/toddler in a stroller any time day or night. I'll do cartwheels, stand on my head, and do the Macarena in public if you need me to.
Don't sit back and watch me--JOIN ME. Visit my website:
Look at the supplements. Plan for a healthier you---the you that doesn't stress over how you look or feel anymore.
Get healthy in the mind, soul, and body.
I have a passion for LEO families, and I want them to come together and begin a healthier lifestyle. After all, y'all are family to US!
I'm not alone.
You're not alone.
And, if you need a reason, DO IT FOR THE BLACK LEOPARD PANTS.
~Andy
You're not alone.
And, if you need a reason, DO IT FOR THE BLACK LEOPARD PANTS.
~Andy
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