I am a sucker for a those before and after pictures on Instagram- you know, the ones of the folks who have completely changed their lives- a pic of them first looking not too thrilled, usually holding onto a few extra pounds- the after… huge smile, looking like they conquered the world! I wasn’t always a fan of those posts though…
There was a time when I looked at those pictures and they made me feel pretty terrible. I just couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t get it right. Where was I lacking? Why couldn’t I have an amazing transformation like all of those people out there… and there were SOOOOOO many!
For me, it finally clicked with two vital things:
- Community
- Food
I had been part of a gym community but didn’t really “buy” into it. I was just kind of dabbling to stay active- going to class, showing up, kind of doing the work. One year, for my birthday- I gave myself the gift of NO MORE EXCUSES and decided to REALLY show up, for myself, NO JOKE, for good. From that point forward I made every second of every class, of every training session count. Why waste my time, the instructor’s time, my trainer’s time? I deserved the best result of everything I was participating in, but that was only going to happen if I put the work in. So, I did.
Do you know what happened? Amazing things.
I had been kind of eating ok. Sometimes. And having a glass or two or more of wine whenever the urge hit. On Friday, Tuesday, Monday, oh, right now? Sure! That stopped. I had been sloppy with my diet and that showed in my figure. No more. I enrolled in a strict program to get my food right. It was not for the weak of heart, but it was what I needed to get my mind right and get started on the path to eating correctly again- for life. Of course, I still indulge, and you’ll even catch me with that glass of wine (sometimes even on a Tuesday) but MODERATION is key. And consistent clean eating is the overall plan.
I now adore those before and after pictures I come across on Instagram. I almost always stop and read the story about the how and why they got from here to there. That to me the the real WOW. The time it takes, the commitment it takes… it’s most certainly not an overnight, or one-month quick fix process- it’s a lifetime transformation. A MINDSET transformation more than a physical transformation. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Where the mind goes, the body will follow.” Spot on.
Get your mind right, and the rest will fall into place.
That is your Transformation Tuesday.
Be Well,
Laurie