Hi everyone! My name is Elise and here is my story...
My Junior
Year in high school I began starting to diet, and I actually ended up
struggling with an eating disorder. Throughout my senior year I got down
to 116 lbs, which for me, is not a healthy weight. Throughout my first
year of college I struggled with depression and some weight gain, but
never more than 20 to 25 lbs. I could not figure out for the life of
me how to not either starve myself or eat everything in sight. I
maintained a somewhat healthy weight until I got pregnant. At this
point, I gave myself permission to give up completely! My foods of
choice were Del Taco bean burritos, fries and basically anything that
contained fat, sugar and/or salt! I completely stopped working out and
ate anything and everything I wanted and even more than I wanted.
I
would eat to punish myself for eating! It was so embarrassing to see
people I knew. I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin.
I will never
forget going shopping after and nothing fit! I shed many tears and felt
heavy and so exhausted all the time! Not long after I had my baby I
took my before picture, and that was my rock bottom!
I highly recommend
taking a before picture. I know it feels almost unbearable to think of
seeing it and facing the facts, but nothing has ever motivated me
more!
I will never forget my first run after all the weight gain. I
almost fell on my face, I could barely move! I went from being an
athlete to a biggest loser contestant! I sat on the treadmill after my
run (more like a walk) and broke down.
Why the heck did I do this to
myself? What was I thinking? I have 70 lbs to lose! But the pity
party ended soon and all out determination kicked in!!!
Nothing was
going to stop me from getting out of this mess! I began exercising like
my life depended on it and cut out
white flour and junk food and fueled
my body with fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains. I always
gave myself a free day or a meal here and there, but I just kept on a
chugg'n and began feeling so much more energized, even though I still
had a lot of weight to lose.
Just starting, committing and knowing that
I wouldn't give up, no matter what, helped me feel lighter, faster and
stronger!
This time I did it the right way by eating healthy. I never
went hungry. Whenever I was hungry, I ate. I just ate healthy things,
drank a lot of water and kicked my butt at the gym!
You can do it too!
My sisters and I have proven that it can be done without fad diets!
All
it takes is consistency, commitment and realizing how strong and
awesome you really are! Do it! I promise you CAN, the only one
stopping you is YOU!!
Don't be afraid of it! Don't think you aren't
strong enough!
Motivation comes after action! Just start and you will
feel the benefits. Your life will change in so many ways!
It is so
much more than just getting a nice body (although that helps). It helps
you realize how amazing you are!
It builds an inner strength. I can't
even tell you how many times, during a hard day of
being a mom and
feeling overwhelmed by life, I have felt like throwing in the towel and
giving up, but in the back of mind I hear, "You did that workout this
morning, you are strong! You can do hard things!" Working out gives
you so much power.
It is my drug of choice. It will change your life!
I have tears rolling down my face as I write my story, because I have
felt the pain of feeling terrible about myself. I've felt like I was in
a big hole and I would never get out. I have gotten out and you
can too!
I have such a strong desire to help people change their
lives!
I want you to find the greatest confidence, health and body of
your life.
Do this challenge! Join our blog! We will share our
workout and eating tips. We can do this together! Get your friends
involved! Do the challenges together or whatever works for you. Do
some bets. My mom, sisters and I would always do bets. We try to do 30
days straight with no junk or white flour and then we get a free
weekend. The loser would have to do or give something to the others.
Do whatever works for you. When I'm not feeling motivated I will do
Monday through Friday and then take the weekend off and have a treat.
Keep yourself comfortable in the eating. Don't eat too little or you
won't stick with it. On the other hand, keep yourself very
uncomfortable during the workouts! :) You can do it! You are so much
stronger than you think! Don't give up and pretty soon you won't be
able to live without it! If this blog can change even one person's
life, it will be worth it! Let's get started!
You owe this to
yourself. So strip down and take a before picture. Weigh yourself, let
it sink in, you can cry a little if you need to, but then suck it up
and go for it! I have been from eating disorder, to yo-yo weight, to
super fat and finally to a fit mind and body! I have overcome and you
can too!!!
No more tears, just sweat, healthy food and
happiness!!! 
