When you realize how far you have come...

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     This week I was reminded of how far I've come and how I never want to go back to the old me. While going through pictures from my trip to Morocco last March I came across several that I didn't like or actually couldn't believe was me! So I took the picture and put it side-by-side with one of my after workout pics from the gym. A friend recently asked me if I had been documenting my progress with pictures. I had taken a few but nothing consistent. After comparing the pic from Morocco with a recent pic I decided I need to take more pictures as I go through the rest of this journey. I posted the comparison picture on social media and it has been overwhelming the number of accolades and comments I have received. It is so motivating. And today I decided I want to make this blog public so people can see what I've gone through and the journey that it has been. And if along the way I inspire someone to do the same for themself that will be awesome.

     On facebook the comparison picture has drawn 63 comments and 194 reactions so far. I am humbled by what people have said and the words of encouragement to keep going. Friends who work out understand my addiction to this process, others have told me my results are motivating and that I am awesome. Like I said. Humbling because I look at this as a journey of self discovery and change. I told my husband from the beginning that if I did this I was all in and I was doing it for ME and no one else. I've stayed true to my word. Every piece of advice, every change in diet and exercise, every time Brandon has said to do something during a workout that I didn't think I could do...every time I remind myself why I started and what my goals are. I remind myself that I am doing it for me. But it's really nice to hear the compliments from people because they remind me that I'm doing something great for myself and I'm doing it the right way. Friends are telling me I am 'crushing my goals' and 'killing it' or that I'm 'freaking awesome' or 'looking fantastic.' And now I have friends asking questions and I find that I have gone from inspired to inspiring. All this makes me feel even better about this transformation journey.

       So to continue getting outside my comfort zone when it comes to documenting my progress. This week I asked Brandon to take a video so I could see my squats. I don't normally like to see videos of myself. I've always been very self conscious, especially when I started to gain weight. But it took a long time for me to get to this point where I have the squat form without losing my balance and I wanted to see what it looked like and I'm quite proud of myself. Who knew back in June when I signed up for a trainer with Transform PT that I'd be squatting 80 lbs today. The video shows the last set, last exercise of the workout, superset with deadlifts. If you don't know what a deadlift is it is a weight training exercise where a loaded barbell (in this case loaded with two 45 lb plates) is lifted off the ground to hip level and then lowered to the ground. Four sets of 12 reps each. So last set when Brandon took the video I was really pushing through. Again, I decided to post the SQUATS VIDEO to social media and the comments were again overwhelming. I don't think a lot of my friends realized what exactly going to the gym is for me. Although, I look at the video and say to myself I can do more. I want to squat 45's. So I set my goal to be two 45 lb plates (total 135 with the bar) for 12 reps. I think I'll be able to do it sooner than I think too.

      So this week has really made me realize how far I have come. And although I have come far, I still have a long way to go. I have also realized I am more comfortable in my own skin and that I want to inspire people with my progress to go out and be the best version of themselves that they can be.