I heard it once said that it takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it. Everything takes time – On the other hand, time takes everything. In January of 2015 I made the decision that I was going to live. Not just live, but live happily – and easier. Oh how great it would be to take a flight of stairs and not have to stop and search for an oxygen tank. Or to chase after the kids and not have to sit down. Or to run the bases with my friends while playing softball. Or to not be left out on the fun 5K because all your friends want to run it and you probably couldn’t even walk it. Life is happening all around us and we have the choice to live it or watch it go by.
Here it is, January 2016 and I’m proud to say that I stuck to my decision to live. My first five months I was very successful in my weight loss. I lost 45lbs, a bunch of inches and started gaining some confidence back. Somewhere in that 5 month range I lost all momentum. I found myself wanting to drink cokes again. To eat whatever I wanted. To not be active. Quit going to the gym. It wasn’t a quick cheat and jump back on the train. It was a full on “I DONT WANT TO WORK TOWARDS THIS BECAUSE I ENJOY THESE THINGS I’M GIVING UP TOO MUCH.” temper tantrum. Why can we not treat ourselves and get back to it? We can – we just have to know our limits. Know when to start and know when to stop. I gave up months of progress to binge and indulge in these things that I had so graciously quit. So here I am, somewhere in the fall, gained a lot of my weight back (that came back fast!), and just miserable. I had goals. I wanted to accomplish so much by January 2016 and I just gave up months worth of potential progress to go back to the life that got me nowhere.
Fast forward. In October my friend Shane and I were talking about addiction to sweets. We were laughing at how much of a weakness he had with sweets and I proceeded to pick up my 32oz (bucket) of coke that I was sipping on and told him that “this is my addiction.” Some of you will understand what I mean by this. So he challenged me to limit my intake and treat myself with one. I knew to do this, but it was the moment someone showed an investment into my life that I wanted to do better. So I finished my coke that day and went a whole week without one. That next Sunday I showed up with another one – but it was the first one in a week. I didn’t think anything of it until Shane came back to my media booth at church and asked me what was in my cup. I was no longer proud that I had gone a week. Even though he wasn’t speaking negative, I now knew somebody was paying attention to me.
Fast forward. It’s now January and I haven’t had a coke. Rewind. Shortly after these talks started, Shane and his wife Jade started talking to me about CrossFit. I never considered CrossFit because I wasn’t interested in becoming “one of them.” After a few more weeks of “You should come try it out,” I did. I’m not going to lie. That sucked. The 13 minutes it took me to complete what they call the baseline rocked my body. Just some rowing, sit ups, squats, push ups… you know – the basic stuff. (Yea right!) As much as I hurt, as much as I couldn’t move for days— I couldn’t wait to go back. Shane and Jade continued to push me and hold me accountable and cheer for me and invest into me. Continue. They still do it.Thank you both for sowing into my life and helping me. I’m so glad I’m not in this alone. (Side note – Just because you’re the only fat person in a group does not mean that you’re alone in your journey. Biggest misconception ever!)
Fast forward. This week marks two months since I began my CrossFit journey. I’ve found a love for life. I’ve found a great new support group and an awesome group to call my family! I have the greatest coaches that want nothing but for me to succeed and truly mean it. This year marks one year since my journey started. It wasn’t easy and it’s not over. In 2015 I lost 48 pounds. I lost 63.5 Inches. I’ve gained muscle all over my body (Some you can see, some you have to feel and some YOU cant feel but I can.) — When you see me and you’re curious, by all means you can feel for muscle if you would like… I’m not against touching. HAHA
Finally – I’ve gone through all of this to say to you, don’t give up. It’s only been a year and I’m not even halfway to my goal. But I’m not sitting on the couch, just wishing for these things to happen. I’m DOING them. Yes this may be a new year where you can start a new resolution and get a fresh start, but i’m here to tell you that you don’t have to wait until Jan 1st to start anything. Everyday is a new chance and a new opportunity to start. Just don’t quit. Don’t give up. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. When you’re ready to quit because you aren’t seeing results fast enough, remember this… It takes six months to build a Rolls-Royce and 13 hours to build a Toyota.
Much love. Much success. Much life.
Camille
