I first started with Kyra years ago with Get In Shape Girl. In 2012, I completed my first athletic race – the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Before the race training, I had never run more than 1 mile. Running was a huge fear – I was never a “Runner”, had been made fun of for years by family for the way I ran, would get winded easily and sometimes get asthma attacks. Kyra empowered me in the most important way…she helped me begin to empower myself! Life took some turns and I drifted away from fitness.
In December of 2016, I was at my wit’s end with my lack of self love. I saw Kyra was now doing #Commit2Fit and I made a deal with myself – Give it a try or accept depression as my way of being….my goals were to get happy again, stop making excuses for not exercising, get back to eating healthy, overcome binge eating and be balanced!
See, before starting #Commit2Fit in January, my anxiety/depression were worsening. Motivation to make a change wasn’t being acted on. My life was a cycle of getting on the health band wagon, eating well for a week, binge eating or drinking, exercise for a few days, overdo it, burn out, repeat and dig the hole deeper. Doctors said I was pre-diabetic, needed to lose 30lbs, recommended to quit carbs and offered an anti-depressant.
#Commit2Fit was breakout. The first round was a lot of mental work. I had to dust myself off and get moving again. I think depressed people have a particularly difficult time with this step because sometimes you physically feel achy, zero energy and the couch sucks you in. Fortunately, those first 12 weeks got me up and going.
The second round of #Commit2Fit was when I started to believe in myself. Consistency with my meal plan and daily workout routines were getting under my belt. I still had weeks where I didn’t hit every daily workout or meal plan. But I was still moving forward. I got the bright idea to start swimming because it was something I used to love yet developed anxiety about. So I started doing some laps. Then enrolled in the 100 mi swim challenge (100 mi in 1 year…I started in April). And then I enrolled in a 3.2 mile open water competitive race….in 6 weeks.
Some things came up the night before, I was not rested, felt unprepared and was nervous, but instead of giving up on myself and going with the 1mi swim, I jumped into the deep end and did the 3.2mi. It. felt. awesome!
Meanwhile, my relationship with food has radically shifted. From eating disorder to total comfort around food, it’s something I never thought I’d achieve. I used to live in a prison with food. I’d obsess about it, binge, worry. There were times when I would literally be thinking about food while at work…wondering when I’d eat next and how it would make me feel better.
I suspected food allergies but never got tested, and it turned out that I do have some food allergies, so I committed to an elimination diet. We’re talking no wheat or dairy…from the girl who’s nick name was “bread and butter baby”. I LOVED bread, pizza, desserts of all kinds. I’ve successfully been on an allergy elimination diet for over 6 weeks. And I have very little stress over navigating allergy diet life.
Physically I’ve lost weight and gained muscle (two major goals). I’m back to my healthy weight from way back in 2012! Mentally I’ve gained so much self love for myself. I’m getting up in the morning instead of snoozing the alarm, I’m buying groceries and meal prepping and I don’t feel obsessive! This is so huge. In the past, I’ve beaten myself up for missing a workout or over indulging. The pity parties aren’t a thing for me anymore. I know what I need to do to get back on track. And when I’m getting off track, there’s a huge support group with #Commit2Fit.
Emotionally, I care about myself again. I’m setting healthy boundaries in my life to maintain my new way of being. I’m also no longer binge eating and thinking about food constantly.
We’re moving into round three and I’m stoked! I’m back to taking care of myself, gym time is cherished and I’m growing muscle! Not to mention I’m back to my weight I was in 2013 before I went off track.
Bonus – my love relationship is only getting better because I’m more in tune with my wants, needs and goals. Other bonus – I actually look forward to clothes shopping!
The #Commit2Fit experience has been amazing with the support group through Facebook. It’s like I have a group of friends that get me and my goals. I don’t have that level of support in my “real life” with face to face friends. It means the world to have a safe space to vent, get ideas, share and have people who are happy for your achievements. The workouts being accessible by phone is a great help. The FB group is an awesome support group. And the weekly check-ins keep me accountable! I love everything about #Commit2Fit.
I overcame giving up on myself. I think it takes hitting your personal low to decide what you really want. I was tired of being tired and sick of being sick. I committed to taking control for what I can control and let go of the rest.
Just start! Start today. There will always be a million reasons/excuses/factors on why it’s not the right time or not worth it. You are worth it. Start! Make your happiness.
So thank you for all you do.
– Mariah
Your Coach,
Kyra
P.S. Are you struggling to get your health back on track?
Learn more and join #Commit2Fit today!