Hey hey hey!! I am coming back to my blog!! But, wanted to let you know what has had most of my attention the last year!!! Enjoy:)
In June 2012 I decided I needed a change. I NEEDED to get
healthy, but more importantly, I WANTED to get healthy. I had reached 220
pounds, size 18/XL and am now 50+ pounds and 40+ inches smaller and a size 10/M.
With my weight gain I would just wear too tight of clothes or buy bigger ones,
not really caring what size I was . I was unhappy. I was a smoker, I was
extremely unhealthy. I had ended up in the hospital with a kidney infection and
then 6 months later with pneumonia. The day I got pneumonia (3/7/12) I quit
smoking and never looked back. In May I got a serious throat infection and knew
that my health was going downhill, and fast. People had mentioned things to me
about being overweight and unhealthy and I just kept saying “I know, I will get there”. I really didn’t
realize how important that moment in my life would be. The moment I REALIZED
that I was extremely overweight and unhealthy and needed to do something about
it. I was ready, FOR ME. My longtime friend Dennis was a beachbody coach (and
now mine) and kept calling me and telling me about this “crazy Insanity workout”.
I kept tell him “yeah, yeah, ok, pish posh”. Little did I know that his
friendly nagging would lead me towards the most rewarding thing that has ever
happened in my life. I ordered Insanity. I will never forget calling Dennis and
telling him I was ready to order. I think he was shocked. But mostly, he asked,
“are you SURE you are ready for this? Insanity is CRAZY!” I said, “Yes, I am SO
READY. I need something drastic to kick my booty into gear, and I think this is
it. I am committed.” That was it. Insanity came in the mail and I started the
next Monday.
On the Sunday before I started I took my before pictures and
measurements. That was the biggest shock of my life. I had NO IDEA how out of
control my weight had gotten. I had avoided full length mirrors whenever
possible and just did not have a clue how far off I had gone. I was more motivated than ever to tackle
Insanity and get my life back! Once I started Insanity I felt so good about
myself and what I was accomplishing and seeing the weight and inches drop and
realizing what I was capable of and that I COULD DO IT. It was an emotional
awakening. Who had I become? Where was the runner/volleyball player/skier/hiker/active
Hannah? No anywhere to be found. I had become so unhappy with who I was and
NEVER realized that. Until I knew how good I felt about what I was doing for me
and my body. It changed me, it changed how I viewed myself and what I wanted my
future to be. I never knew that a workout program could do that for me, that I
DID that for me.
Whoa. Shaun T kicked my booty. He kicks everyone’s booty! I
was an official ADDICT about 3 weeks in. After the 2 week hump of “I don’t
think I am going to make it out alive, I can’t do this” I was on fire. I never
missed a workout for my first round. 6 days a week I was busting my butt, up
early and sweating like a maniac. In my first round I lost 20 pounds and 20
inches. I did a second round (with a one week break in between) and lost
another 20 pounds and several inches with the help of Shakeology as well. Shakeology
really helped take my health and fitness to the next level and helps me daily
as my healthiest meal of the day and also to maintain my weight. It really has
transformed my nutrition and gives me way more energy to get through the crazy
workouts, and that is awesome! This was the most rewarding, and most difficult
thing I have ever done in my life. Both mentally and physically I was
challenged. I had triumphs and meltdowns. Yeah, I cried. Putting your body
through something so crazy (and awesome) and seeing that YOU ARE capable of
doing something so difficult and amazing is awesome to experience and often
that is when I had my meltdowns. Realizing that I made the choice, I put in the
work and I DID IT! There was one workout where I had to do power push ups in my
second month of round 1 of Insanity. The week before I could only do about 2 and
horrible form. I did 10 of them in a row with great form. I had to stop my
workout because I was crying so hard because I was so proud of what I had just
done. Something I never thought possible. I was becoming a different person, physically
and mentally and so strong!! I feel like I can conquer anything I set my mind
to and now have the renewed confidence to do so.
My motivation grew when I became a Team Beachbody Coach in
September 2012. When I became a coach, my life changed even more than I thought
possible. I have a family of teammates and coaches that are amazing and they
inspire and motivate me daily. I would be lost without them! Helping people
achieve their goals and working towards the same goals together is amazing and
such an incredible experience. Going through your journey knowing that you are accountable
to people and knowing that we are all in this together is so incredibly awesome
and motivating. Again, without my coach family and teammates, I would be lost.
We keep eachother going! So much support, so much love. It is amazing.
After my 2 rounds of Insanity I began Les Mills Body Combat
and lost about 10 pounds and a couple inches, but gained so much muscle
definition and strength! Who knew all that kicking and punching would produce
awesome muscles!! I then dabbled in Body Beast and continued doing Combat and
Insanity. I am now in my second week of Shaun T’s Focus T25 and LOVING it! 25
minutes a day, a total sweatathon! After every program I complete I cannot wait
to start a new one (or do a second round) I am addicted to fitness and staying
healthy and on track. It is now so important to me and my biggest priority. I
need this, FOR ME. I love working out, I truly do. I was not sure I would ever
be able to say that again! Insanity will always be my soul mate workout and
will always have a special place in my heart because it literally changed my
life. When I meet Shaun T, I will undoubtedly start crying.
I am continually reminded that to embark on a health/fitness
(or any change/journey) YOU have to want it. No one can make you want it. You
may need it, but you have to be ready and want the change, otherwise you will
not succeed. I truly believe this. It takes dedication, commitment and pride. You
will fall, you will cry, scream, curse, laugh, smile. It will be hard, you will
have to work your booty off. You need to be proud of yourself. You need to celebrate
every victory (every inch and pound). This is what keeps me going. I am so proud
of where I have become and so grateful to so many people for supporting me. I
made the change and I am living proof that it can be done!
