Throughout the “stay at home order” I have been routinely checking on my clients to make sure they are staying on track with their fitness goals. I noted in a recent conversation with Marlie that I could see in our social media exchanges that she has really kept up with her fitness goals and looked slimmer than when we last met in March. Here’s what Marlie shared about her process and progress.
What was your motivation?
In January of 2019, I broke my foot. The break was worse than the doctor thought, and I ended up in a walking boot for 18 weeks. The walking boot hurt my foot, my hips, and my back. The break was not due to any trauma, I was walking through the grocery store when it happened. My weight was the main factor for the break. I felt “broken” for months, and I hated it.
I couldn’t play with my kids, I couldn’t exercise, I couldn’t even walk up and down stairs. I decided when the boot came off, I would commit to losing weight; I was too young to feel that “broken” all the time.
I started with my diet on June 1, 2019, because my foot wasn’t completely healed. By November, I had lost 40 pounds, and I was feeling much better! December was a busy month for me with holidays, my birthday, and lots of work travel. I took December off and resumed in January after the holidays and celebrations.
In January, I got back to it, and worked to lose the 4 pounds I had gained over the holidays (better than the normal 10-12 that I gain in that month). I was on track and back in the gym. Then the pandemic started shortly afterwards. When we had to go into quarantine, and shelter at home, I made a commitment to myself that I would not use it as an excuse to eat and drink anything I wanted. I purchased only healthy food from the grocery store and I committed to drinking NO alcohol during the quarantine.
As much as I dislike being stuck in the house, not being able to attend social events, work events, or go out to restaurants whenever I want, the “stay” has actually made this much easier for me. Since quarantine started, I have lost an additional 13 pounds, and I plan to keep going.
Did you have a goal?
I don’t have a specific goal in mind. I still have weight to lose, and I just keep saying that when I get to a point where I am happy, I will know it.
What’s been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me has been staying motivated during the shelter at home orders. There are days when I just want to blow off my new healthy habits, and just stress eat whatever I can find in the house. I find reminding myself that this is not a diet, but a complete change in my lifestyle, has helped. I know it’s a process, and I am committed to sticking to it and losing the rest of the weight I want to lose.
