Like any other girl, I had always struggled with my weight and body image issues for a very long time and let me just be completely honest, I still sometimes do. I’m not immune to it and some days are worse than others. Over the last year, I have definitely learned patience, perseverance, and most importantly self-love.
I never took anything fitness or health related serious until a couple of years ago. I ate ok but still indulged in bad foods just on a less frequent basis, if that makes sense. I have the body type that gains weight easily and has to really work to get it off. I can’t really tell you what it was that flipped a switch in my brain but I literally woke up one day and decided that I was going to run a half marathon, and so it began. But first, take a look at pre-run Claudia in February of 2012 at 143-140 pounds.
I fell in love with running and all the endorphins that came with it known as the “runners high”. By January of 2013, I had completed 2 half marathons and shaved 19 minutes off my time. Not only did I shave time off of my running time but I had also dropped about 8 pounds from about August of 2012 to January of 2013, all from running. I went from 143ish to 135 and I am 5’ 6”. Now this is me in October of 2012 before my first half marathon. I was probably hanging out somewhere between 138-135 pounds…
Naturally my next move was to run a full marathon and in January of 2013 I met this great guy (Coach Kozak) that agreed to run it with me. During my marathon training I did not cross train nearly as much as I should have (1-2 days per week as recommended) and my weight did not budge. Then, 2 weeks before the marathon, I ruptured my plantar fascia. Of course I was devastated, I mean ALL of this time devoted, all of the early morning runs, and miles ran to not be able to accomplish my goal. My next thought, “I’m going to gain weight!” Was I serious?! I mean, here I was dating Coach Kozak, did I really think that I’d gain weight?
Even though we didn’t run the San Diego Rock n’ Roll we still went and had an amazing time. If you have never been to San Diego House, GO! Especially is you LOVE coffee much like Coach and me. June of 2013 at 135 pounds…
First thing I did since I was immobile was CHANGE MY DIET! So I cut carbs and gave up my nut butter habit. I was no longer running and didn’t need them like before so lean proteins, veggies, and good carbs (oatmeal, quinoa, sweet potato) early in the day and that was it. Coach Kozak put me on a strength training regimen with all functional movements. Make a long story short, I literally felt like the ladies from ‘Sit and Be Fit’ that used to air on PBS after Sesame Street except with heavier dumbbells and at a much faster pace. In a matter of weeks, I dropped from 135ish to 130!
I kept that going for about 2 months and now that I’m on my feet again and have been for a few months now, I’m doing cardio 3 days a week and strength training twice a week. I love doing Coach’s plyometric, fat burning, cardio, and strength videos. I’ve seen AMAZING results and like you all, I never have to leave my living room. I now sit comfortably at 126 pounds and feel great! I’ve dropped from a size 6 to a 2 and I’m more self-confident than ever before.
What I’ve had to learn over the last 10 to 12 months is that this is definitely a journey and not something that can be earned over night. You have to repeat your clean eating, exercising and positive thoughts day in and day out. Hold yourself accountable. There will be temptation and every time I see that cheeseburger or chocolate cake, I tell myself “I know what that tastes like, I’ve had it before and I will have it again but today is not that day.” It will happen for you; you just have to trust the process and reward yourself at every milestone you set (just not with an entire pan of brownies). 🙂
Keep going, you’ll get there I promise you will. If I can do it, anyone can!
September of 2013 at 126 pounds…
Add comment