A True Shot to New Beginnings

by Maria C.

Fitness is a very big part of my life. That wasn’t always the case. Two years ago, before I started my journey, I slipped into bad habits eating unhealthy foods. I started to gain a lot of weight. I didn’t realize it until I took a trip to Hawaii and had several pictures taken. When I looked at the pictures I thought, WOW! I needed to make some changes. Not only did I look overweight, I also felt sluggish, I was tired, and I lacked confidence. I hated shopping and the way things would fit on me. That’s when I realized this wasn’t me. It was time for a change.

I decided to join the gym and I made a commitment to myself of living a healthier lifestyle. I joined a weight loss challenge that the gym had and I got a trainer. I figured, let me give this a true shot! I started working out five days a week, doing cardio and weights and I also started doing a few different classes they had. I got into boxing and CrossFit. I made a lot of friends at the gym that shared the same interests as me, which was getting stronger and also healthier. We would do group activities outside of the gym, like going on hikes and we would get together and share great ideas about healthy foods. We motivated and inspired each other.

I started to get several compliments which made me feel good and better about myself. Instead of me feeling forced to go to the gym, at that point I was excited every evening and couldn’t wait to get there. The results I was getting made me even more excited.

After being committed for almost two years, the pandemic hit. The gym closed. In 2020, we all struggled through a difficult time with the pandemic. My routine got thrown upside down. I had a choice to keep moving forward or give up. And my choice was to not give up on myself and everything that I worked so hard for.

I started going for daily runs and working out in my garage. I purchased some weights and eventually even got a treadmill. I also came up with my own workouts. All I knew was that I had to keep the promise to myself and continue to eat healthy and also workout. It was a very big challenge. I was so used to being at the gym and being around people. I’m a very outgoing person so the gym and being surrounded with people helped and also pushed me even more, but I didn’t let that stop me. I still continued to push myself every day.

Today I can say that I got through the pandemic and I’m still feeling the same exact way I felt when I decided to make a change and dedicate myself. I still have lots of energy. I’m still healthy and happy with my success. I look at it like this, if you want something bad enough you have to push yourself. Discipline and consistency are the number one key. I refuse to go backwards.

My story is about me and the way I continue to move forward with living a healthier life. Yes, we may face different challenges that may try to throw a wall up but it’s up to each of us to go to obstacles and continue to get through them. I’m happy with the choices that I decided to make and how I did not give up on myself. It didn’t just help me look better, it helped me mentally and also physically.