My Fitness Journey

            June 2011 (Pictured left): Weight: 192 lbs.  Height: 5 ft. 2 in.  BMI: 35.1 (obese)           

May 2014 (Pictured right): Weight: 117 lbs.  Height: 5 ft. 4 in.  BMI: 20.1 (normal)

Hey Fierceness,

The picture on the left was three years and 75 pounds ago. At just thirteen, I played life like a game of Russian roulette. My unhealthy eating habits resulted in high cholesterol among other health problems. At a huge risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, I needed to change. I knew this of course, but I did not desire to change until a year later. When I entered high school, a new pressure arose, body image.

Girls strutted fearlessly down the hallway in miniskirts and skinny jeans. I could wear neither comfortably. Instead, I hid behind bulky t-shirts and khaki pants. I did this until December of freshman year. Then, it hit me; I did not like being overweight. In fact, I despised it. My weight contributed to my lack-of confidence. I felt like I could not participate in certain activities everyone else could, like running or wearing trendy clothing. One day after school, I sat staring grossly at a packet of Oreos in my lap. I knew what I had to do. I threw away the Oreos in the trash bin, and I never looked back. My goal weight was 140 pounds. I had to do it by my Junior Prom. I had to fit into an orange fitted dress with ruffles at the bottom, and I had to find a date. 

The research began. I googled nutrition. I scanned through a menagerie of diet fads and extreme exercises. Then, I reached a final conclusion. I had to do this through my own will-power, not a diet fad or super pill. I was the one that took comfort in eating two portions of white rice. I was the one who ate a lineup of junk-food after a hard school day. I also could be the one to stop and reverse the damage already done. I cut the second portions. I ate one snack instead of four. I lost ten pounds in three months just by cutting portion sizes. 

The ten pounds gave me new found confidence to lose the next 65 pounds. I completely revised my diet. I ate more fresh vegetables and less processed foods. I grabbed an apple instead of chips. I swapped white bread for rye bread. I started logging my food in a food journal. I stuck to a 1,450 calorie diet. I started exercising once a day for forty minutes. Most of these practices are still inscribed in my daily regime, and the proof remains evident in the results. Not only did I meet my goal within my time limit, but I surpassed it. I reached a healthy weight of 117 pounds by the end of my junior year of high school. 

My junior prom dress was not the tight orange dress with ruffles "freshmen me" wanted, but it was something that represented my new frame of mind and reflected my new found confidence. I realized I was more than just a number on a scale. I was more than just a girl who could fit into skinny jeans comfortably. I was more than what I looked like. I transitioned from a guarded child to a self-assured young adult. To translate this transition, I picked a funky dress and matched it with fierce accessories. I did my hair up beauty queen style with braids on the side. I wore sparkly heels. I danced the night away with friends. I was fierce, and I rocked it.

I believe in myself more than ever before, a mark of maturity that I found on my fitness journey. If I want something, I brave and endure until I achieve my goal. This translates to every aspect of my life, including school, Girl Scouts, clubs, work, everything. Now, I want inspire others to reach their own health and fierceness. So, I invite you to check out the other highlights on Fierce Food and Fitness. You might just realize you can do it, too.

Fiercely yours,

Kelsey

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