When I began this wellness journey almost 2 years ago I had no idea where it would take me. At 49, I had reasonable and realistic expectations: shed some weight and get my health and well being under control.
Mission accomplished! Not only did I shed the weight and get my health back, I reclaimed my body.
It may sound dramatic — reclaiming my body, but that’s truly what this experience has been like for me. When I began, I weighed 176.6 pounds and working out at that weight was often challenging and uncomfortable. Even with all the discomfort I felt, it never really occurred to me to give up and quit. What drove me? Turning 50 and desperately wanting to be a healthier version of myself. My doctor had already labeled me with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetic. I wanted to shed those labels right along with the weight.
Part of this fitness and wellness journey has been about understanding my relationship with food. I have learned what foods work for my body, what healthy portion sizes look like, and how to eat balanced and whole meals. Every weekend I plan our meals for the following week and design menus that create a balance of proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits, and fats. I have found that it is crucial to keep the menu fresh and so I’m constantly searching for new recipes to add to my recipe bible. Often, I will modify recipes to make them healthier.
Year one of this adventure was about changing lifestyle habits, shedding the weight and inches, and building a foundation. Year two of this journey has allowed me to take the fitness and wellness gains I have made and return to the world of triathlon. Recently, I registered for my first Olympic and Half Iron Man (HIM) triathlons. The HIM is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile ride, and half marathon. The HIM is likely one of the most demanding challenges I'll ever put my body through. I'll be 51 when I hit the starting line in August, 2018 — and that number, 51... is just a number. I've come to discover over the last 2 years that our bodies are capable of great things, no matter what age we are.