Some of you may or may not know this but I’ve been trying to lose
weight for the past couple of months and I’m excited to share my
thoughts on the whole weight loss process! I never thought that I would
actually last this long and continue to be so motivated towards my goal
but I’m proud to say that I am! Honestly, after losing the first 10
pounds I can’t imagine my life not going to the gym (weird right!?).
It’s become my therapy session when I’m going three to four times a week
and I’ve enjoyed not putting pressure on myself and being able to eat
and not diet and have everything in moderation. It takes dedication and I
always have to rearrange my schedule in order to fit a work out in but
it’s worth it each and every time. I never walked out of a gym
regretting a work out and I doubt you would too! Personally, the hardest
part was starting out. I was just so used to eating junk food and
feeling bad about myself whenever I looked in the mirror and I decided
it was time to change once and for all. My philosophy is that if I could
survive a couple years of self-hatred then I could survive a couple
intense workouts.
weight for the past couple of months and I’m excited to share my
thoughts on the whole weight loss process! I never thought that I would
actually last this long and continue to be so motivated towards my goal
but I’m proud to say that I am! Honestly, after losing the first 10
pounds I can’t imagine my life not going to the gym (weird right!?).
It’s become my therapy session when I’m going three to four times a week
and I’ve enjoyed not putting pressure on myself and being able to eat
and not diet and have everything in moderation. It takes dedication and I
always have to rearrange my schedule in order to fit a work out in but
it’s worth it each and every time. I never walked out of a gym
regretting a work out and I doubt you would too! Personally, the hardest
part was starting out. I was just so used to eating junk food and
feeling bad about myself whenever I looked in the mirror and I decided
it was time to change once and for all. My philosophy is that if I could
survive a couple years of self-hatred then I could survive a couple
intense workouts.
 |
|
| Left is before and the right is after losing 10 pounds! |
I was always chubby growing up (I
was born 9 pounds, that just says it all) and experienced more than a
few moments where I was ridiculed for it and felt feelings of
worthlessness. All I could remember from my childhood is feeling like an
ugly duckling up until the point where I started my obsession with
makeup and fashion and felt a bit more confident in myself over time. I
wasn’t overweight, my BMI was normal but I knew that if I kept eating
the way I was I would have problems with my health soon. Before working
out I remember my pants always being too tight, my belly was always
sticking out, I had a double chin and ran out of breath when I walked up
the stairs…NOT GOOD. I just always felt unhealthy and was sick of
feeling bad about myself, believe me life isn’t worth it if you spend
the whole time hating yourself and criticizing your body. I finally
decided to start going to the gym with my friend and we’ve been
motivating each other through our weight loss journeys ever since.
was born 9 pounds, that just says it all) and experienced more than a
few moments where I was ridiculed for it and felt feelings of
worthlessness. All I could remember from my childhood is feeling like an
ugly duckling up until the point where I started my obsession with
makeup and fashion and felt a bit more confident in myself over time. I
wasn’t overweight, my BMI was normal but I knew that if I kept eating
the way I was I would have problems with my health soon. Before working
out I remember my pants always being too tight, my belly was always
sticking out, I had a double chin and ran out of breath when I walked up
the stairs…NOT GOOD. I just always felt unhealthy and was sick of
feeling bad about myself, believe me life isn’t worth it if you spend
the whole time hating yourself and criticizing your body. I finally
decided to start going to the gym with my friend and we’ve been
motivating each other through our weight loss journeys ever since.
When
first starting out, I didn’t even own a pair of sneakers! I bought a
stylish pair of Nikes and knew that because of the expensive price I
would be more likely to go to the gym because I usually don’t wear
sneakers in my day-to-day life. I also decided to buy some new workout
clothes and never knew how much I liked to dress up for the gym and look
stylish while I’m breaking a sweat. Working out doesn’t have to be
completely boring!
first starting out, I didn’t even own a pair of sneakers! I bought a
stylish pair of Nikes and knew that because of the expensive price I
would be more likely to go to the gym because I usually don’t wear
sneakers in my day-to-day life. I also decided to buy some new workout
clothes and never knew how much I liked to dress up for the gym and look
stylish while I’m breaking a sweat. Working out doesn’t have to be
completely boring!
I
still remember the first time I went and how sore I was when I came
back home after an hour and a half (which is my usual workout time). I
typically work out around 6-7pm and go straight to sleep after I’ve
taken a shower. There’s no better feeling than coming home and taking a
hot shower to soothe those sore muscles, trust me on this one! Another
benefit is having a good night’s sleep after a good workout. On top of
working out on a regular basis, I took a basic consumer nutrition class
in college in order to eat the proper, healthy way and to develop new
habits which wasn’t easy! It took me a while to break my old habits and
to even start drinking more water every day which I used to never do!
Other then that, some days I do mess up and eat unhealthy but I know
that’s it not the end of the world, I just keep eating healthy the next
day or even better, the next meal.
still remember the first time I went and how sore I was when I came
back home after an hour and a half (which is my usual workout time). I
typically work out around 6-7pm and go straight to sleep after I’ve
taken a shower. There’s no better feeling than coming home and taking a
hot shower to soothe those sore muscles, trust me on this one! Another
benefit is having a good night’s sleep after a good workout. On top of
working out on a regular basis, I took a basic consumer nutrition class
in college in order to eat the proper, healthy way and to develop new
habits which wasn’t easy! It took me a while to break my old habits and
to even start drinking more water every day which I used to never do!
Other then that, some days I do mess up and eat unhealthy but I know
that’s it not the end of the world, I just keep eating healthy the next
day or even better, the next meal.
Aside
from healthy eating and the gym, I’m addicted to following fitness
groups on Instagram and reading about real-life success stories from
people around my age. I also love reading the motivational quotes and
tips they post every day and I try to avoid following groups that post
too many pictures of thin people. After a while, I feel that people get
so used to looking at those pictures and feeling bad about themselves
and wanting to give up. If it motivates you to work harder then I guess
it’s alright but it should be in moderation. I don’t want to look thin, I
want to be healthy and if you look at pictures of thin people and
healthy people, there’s a BIG difference. It’s all about the mentality.
If you think of everything in a negative way such as “dieting” instead
of healthy eating then you’re going to associate losing weight with
being annoying and hard work. Yeah, it is hard work but that doesn’t
mean you have to be miserable! It’s just a process to living a healthier
lifestyle. As the lovely Jennifer Lawrence has said “I don’t diet. I
exercise”. Like I said, it’s a big difference and once you stop putting
pressure on yourself to look thin then losing weight will become easier
for you.
from healthy eating and the gym, I’m addicted to following fitness
groups on Instagram and reading about real-life success stories from
people around my age. I also love reading the motivational quotes and
tips they post every day and I try to avoid following groups that post
too many pictures of thin people. After a while, I feel that people get
so used to looking at those pictures and feeling bad about themselves
and wanting to give up. If it motivates you to work harder then I guess
it’s alright but it should be in moderation. I don’t want to look thin, I
want to be healthy and if you look at pictures of thin people and
healthy people, there’s a BIG difference. It’s all about the mentality.
If you think of everything in a negative way such as “dieting” instead
of healthy eating then you’re going to associate losing weight with
being annoying and hard work. Yeah, it is hard work but that doesn’t
mean you have to be miserable! It’s just a process to living a healthier
lifestyle. As the lovely Jennifer Lawrence has said “I don’t diet. I
exercise”. Like I said, it’s a big difference and once you stop putting
pressure on yourself to look thin then losing weight will become easier
for you.
Also,
another important thing I did was to stop looking at the scale and
instead focusing on how my clothes were fitting. I only weigh myself
once every 2 weeks and know some people who obsess over their weight and
weigh themselves every day! I see no point to that when your weight
changes every day from 1 to 2 pounds due to water weight. Focus on the
way your jeans fit, if you lost another belt size, or in my case, if
your face looks slimmer.
another important thing I did was to stop looking at the scale and
instead focusing on how my clothes were fitting. I only weigh myself
once every 2 weeks and know some people who obsess over their weight and
weigh themselves every day! I see no point to that when your weight
changes every day from 1 to 2 pounds due to water weight. Focus on the
way your jeans fit, if you lost another belt size, or in my case, if
your face looks slimmer.
There’s
just something so beautiful about working hard and being determined to
reach your goal and actually liking your body. I’m not saying you won’t
mess up cause you will, maybe even a few times. But it’s the fact that
you kept going after each time that you messed is what really counts.
Remember: one bad meal won’t make you gain weight but one workout won’t
make you lose weight either. Being healthy isn’t a complicated process,
all you do is drink more water, eat “clean” (more healthy foods and less
junk!), a work out consisting of a mix of cardio and weights, and
having rest days. You also don’t need to deprive yourself of your
favorite foods, if you’re craving something then have it but keep it in
moderation and don’t over indulge.
just something so beautiful about working hard and being determined to
reach your goal and actually liking your body. I’m not saying you won’t
mess up cause you will, maybe even a few times. But it’s the fact that
you kept going after each time that you messed is what really counts.
Remember: one bad meal won’t make you gain weight but one workout won’t
make you lose weight either. Being healthy isn’t a complicated process,
all you do is drink more water, eat “clean” (more healthy foods and less
junk!), a work out consisting of a mix of cardio and weights, and
having rest days. You also don’t need to deprive yourself of your
favorite foods, if you’re craving something then have it but keep it in
moderation and don’t over indulge.
Overall,
losing weight isn’t just about looking good: it’s about learning to
love yourself and accepting the things you can change and the things you
can’t. It’s strange to say that I actually LIKE the way I look and am
learning to slowly love myself after years of hating myself. I also love
telling people that I work out! haha. If I can make time in between
work and school then so can you! And to all the people already on their
own weight loss journeys, don’t give up you’re worth so much more then
that! Progress is progress, no matter how small.
losing weight isn’t just about looking good: it’s about learning to
love yourself and accepting the things you can change and the things you
can’t. It’s strange to say that I actually LIKE the way I look and am
learning to slowly love myself after years of hating myself. I also love
telling people that I work out! haha. If I can make time in between
work and school then so can you! And to all the people already on their
own weight loss journeys, don’t give up you’re worth so much more then
that! Progress is progress, no matter how small.
My
progress so far is that I’ve lost 10 pounds, lost 2 belt sizes, my
thighs look slimmer, I’m no longer self conscious about wearing shorts
and swimsuits, and my arms look more toned so I’ve been wearing more
tank tops! I’m someone who’s always self conscious and paranoid about
what others think of me but working out is making me challenge all those
negative thoughts
progress so far is that I’ve lost 10 pounds, lost 2 belt sizes, my
thighs look slimmer, I’m no longer self conscious about wearing shorts
and swimsuits, and my arms look more toned so I’ve been wearing more
tank tops! I’m someone who’s always self conscious and paranoid about
what others think of me but working out is making me challenge all those
negative thoughts
Until next time lovelies,
-Ruya
