Let it Flow

The road to healthy living is not an easy one and the road can certainly seem long and lonely. I’ve been traveling the road for more than 16 years and I’ll be the first to tell you it’s not easy! What I’ve learned, though is that the rewards are worth the time and effort I’ve put in, even when I felt like giving up!

The words that started it all are words I never wanted to hear at 18 years old…

“Let me get you a pair of our Levi’s 550s, they are a little fuller through the hips.”

The infamous “freshman fifteen”
I started college in 1991 an average (and happy) 5 feet 4 inches, 125 pounds and a size 8 pant. I wasn’t a fitness or sports person in high school; I was part of the marching band. As a result I didn’t have an activity to gravitate to at my new school in order to stay active. I lived on campus, and could finally make my own rules: What I ate, when I ate and how I spent my time. Late night pizza and beer took its toll. By the end of my first semester, I had gained the infamous “freshman fifteen” plus some and gone were my size 8’s. I was now wearing a size 12 pant.

And I wonder why I don’t enjoy shopping!
Unfazed by this change, I went on my merry way with my decision to buy a new pair of jeans for Christmas; Levi’s button fly 501s to be exact (they were all the rage!). In December 1991, accompanied by my father and sister I visited the Levi’s store at the mall. 501’s in hand, I entered the dressing room. When I exited the fitting room, showing off what I hoped would be my new pair of jeans; I was greeted with blank stares from my father, sister and the sales woman. For a moment no one said anything, they simply looked at me.

It was these words that hurt the most.
“Why don’t I get you a pair of our 550s, they’re a little fuller through the hips,” said the saleswoman, who I know now was only trying to help. My mouth dropped open, as did the mouths of my father and my sister, and my face turned bright red. How humiliating I thought to myself. Fighting back tears, I let out a quivering, nervous laugh instead. Sure, I ended up with those fuller through the hip 550s, but I refused to be defeated. In fact, the sales woman’s words lit the fire in me that I needed to start on the road to healthy living.

And what a long road it was.
From that day on everything changed for me. I spent the remainder of my holiday break strategizing my weight loss plan. I was determined that nothing and no one was going to get in my way.

When I returned to school for my second semester as a freshman, I made sure it would be much different than the first. Gone were the nights of late night pizza and wine coolers. In were fruits, vegetables and my calorie counter. I didn’t go anywhere without this handy device. I went to the gym seven days a week. I ate cereal for breakfast, salads for lunch and fruit for my snacks. I included small amounts of meat and pasta and avoided pizza and fat at all costs. By the end of the summer after my freshman year I lost 30 lbs. By this time I weighed 110lbs and wore a size 4. I was obsessed.

Excellent new habits and every woman’s dream, right? Hardly.
The beginning of my sophomore year was fantastic. As a result of the weight loss I was getting a lot of attention from classmates. I felt great! As the days passed, my body started to change again. I was missing classes due to illness, sleeping all day, and eating and exercise were the furthest thoughts from my mind. I wondered, ‘What was happening to me?’ Finally I made a trip to the school infirmary for a check up. They came up with nothing. When they discharged me, I could barely get myself up from the examination table; I thought I was going to pass out. They helped me up, and then let me walk back to my dorm room…alone. The walk alone drained me, and I collapsed onto my bed. I made the decision to call my parents. I knew that in order to get through this I needed better and more consistent care.

At home, the doctor’s office became a familiar place. After test upon test, the results were finally in. The verdict: Mononucleosis, aka Mono. How did I get this? Too much exercise and not enough nutrients to sustain the activity led me to be physically burn out. I was out of school and at home for approximately 1 month.

What I thought I was doing right, was all wrong. Talk about a learning experience.

Never give up…
I did not want to be that sick ever again. I needed to change my ways to stay healthy and I began a proper education around fitness and wellness and especially proper diet and nutrition. The critical component missing from my routine - proper education. My eating habits improved and I gained some needed weight back. Exercise became a passion instead of an obsession; I felt I just had to have it! I also knew how hard it was to “go it alone”. I received certification in group fitness and started teaching a variety of aerobic and strength conditioning classes. Becoming a fitness instructor allowed me the opportunity to help others who may have been in a similar situation to me. I knew I wanted to help people bring fitness and healthy eating into their lives in a safe and effective way.

Healthy living is a lifelong process, expect change
These events happened 16 years ago and today, at almost 35 years old, I’m in the best shape of my life. In terms of weight, I’m right back where I started - 125 lbs. But it’s a very different 125 - I’m stronger, more fit and smarter than I was as a freshman. I began teaching fitness part-time in 1993, knowing that one day I would take this passion and make it my life’s work. In 2006 I founded Let it Flow, a company dedicated to helping people live healthy and manage stress. I sometimes wonder what my “fitness life” would be like if I didn’t have that embarrassing experience in the Levi’s store all those years ago. While it hurt at the time, today all I want to do is thank that sales woman.

To that sales woman - THANK YOU.

My fitness and wellness routine is much different than it was 16 years ago. I’m still a fanatic, but mostly because exercise feels good and I truly enjoy it. I’m not “hard core” the way I once was: spending 2 hours a day at the gym. Who has time for that! Gone are the days of 8 to 10 mile runs, calorie counting and planning my social calendar around workouts, in are the days of thinking about “what do I need today to feel good.” I’m happy to say I’ve evolved (and am still evolving!)

Remember, you don’t have to go it alone!
If you’re on the road to healthier living, congratulations! If you’re struggling to get there, you are not alone. For the most part I was alone, and I wish I had some motivation or someone to help me along the way. Healthy living requires patience, time, commitment and support (friends, family, groups), and with those things it can be done. I grew up a couch potato eating chips and Oreos. Now I only eat chips if I’m at a party (who can refuse!). And while Peyton and Eli Manning are helping to keep Oreo’s alive, I can’t remember the last time I had one.

Have you overcome any fitness barriers? Maybe you’re still struggling to find something that works. You are definitely not alo
ne! Share your story here for tips and motivation from me and others.

I truly believe that “Fitness starts on the inside, when you feel good, you look good!”

Tags: Fitness and Exercise, Food and Diet //