My weight has been a struggle for most of my life. After years of not looking or feeling the way I'd like to, I realized that my biggest problem was lack of routine and accountability. I've been working with my personal trainer for over a year and have finally found success. Taking part in this contest, and the extra motivation that it would bring me, was her idea.
My fitness goals have never been very ambitious. I just wanted to look better and feel better. But my efforts always seemed to end in fad diets, ill-advised exercise routines and failed nutrition plans. I always viewed training as a means to an end, simply a way to achieve my fitness goals. A necessary evil that was part of the process. But during this contest, during these last 12 weeks, training has become more than that.
As I found myself dealing with added stresses in my life, stresses that started to take their toll on my mind and body, training became an escape. With so many people demanding so much of me, my training became something good that I did for myself and only myself. Whether I worked out for an hour or only 10 minutes, that time was strictly for me. I allowed my mind to think only about what my body was feeling, my form, the reps, anything but the stressful thoughts that seemed to invade my mind during the rest of the day. Instead of my workouts being a chore, which is how I've thought about fitness most of my life, these workouts became my "me time." Instead of dreading those strenuous, sweaty hours, I found myself looking forward to them and being disappointed on the days that my life wouldn't allow time for my workout.
Believe me, there are still times when I have to force myself to work out, but I now know that training is not just a way for me to look and feel better, it's a way to replenish my mind and soul in the process. There will always be stress in my life, outside factors that pull me in a million different directions, but I know that I can count on my workouts for a few moments of distraction from that. I know that my workouts can be a gift for me and only me and that has been the difference in the last 12 weeks. I don't think I will ever look at fitness training the same and even though my fitness goals may not be very ambitious, I know that I can accomplish them.
Sincerely,
Mindi
