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6 months, 52 pounds, and a brand new outlook - looking back on 2014


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I'm going to start this rather lengthy woot with two photographs - one taken 6 months ago, and another one this morning:

 

 

barcelona_zps4635cd54.jpg 20141231_112935_zps77c2a4c3.jpg

 

In the first picture, I'm about 5 pounds into my weight loss.  I have nothing from earlier - I used to avoid cameras.  In fact, my life at the start of 2014 was a shambles, and I could barely summon up the emotional energy to go through the motions.  I hated myself, for various reasons I hated my life, and I had absolutely no hope in any aspect of my existence.  My job was boring me senseless.  I had been exercising hard (all cardio) with no results for over a year.  I was convinced I was incapable of changing my body, and along with this, other aspects of my life were a mess, so I ate my feelings.

 

For an at-work challenge, I started calorie counting on April 1st.  On my 30th birthday in May, which I had approached with dread, I woke up and thought... why am I torturing myself?  Why do I have to be unhappy all the time?  Why do I care what everyone thinks of me?  The first positive thoughts I'd had in months, and I clung to them.  On my birthday, I rocked a job interview (which would lead to a new position shortly after!).  I started living my life.  I kept right on calorie counting and exercising even though I believed that I wouldn't lose any weight.  I made myself not care - at least I was taking care of myself.  I went on an amazing trip across Europe (the June pic is from Barcelona).  I posed for the camera.  I wore pretty clothes, even things I would never have dared to wear before (see that romper I'm wearing in the 'before' pic? When I threw away society's opinions, I felt great about myself while I wore that - I wish it still fit).  And... the weight started to come off.  I discovered Nerd Fitness in July and finally found an online community where I fit in - the final missing piece.  Then, early August, the stumble that inadvertently changed everything: I broke my ankle.

 

So I started lifting, because what else could I do in a boot?

 

I won't keep babbling - the rest is history.  But here's a list of amazing things I accomplished this year.  I'm so proud of myself, and I wanted to share:

  • I lost 52+ pounds.
  • I went from a size 14 in dresses/pants to a size 6.
  • I went from a size XL shirt to a size S.
  • I cut almost all processed foods out of my diet and began home-cooking everything.
  • I threw away my fear and tried parkour.
  • I balanced Crow pose.  For a record of 20 seconds so far.  With a freaking boot on my leg.
  • I can now deadlift 170lbs.  That's more than I weigh.
  • I rehabbed a broken bone to almost perfect health (still a work in progress, but I'm at the tail end).
  • I tried aerial and discovered I love acrobatics.
  • I can climb a rope (or silks) up to a 25ft ceiling.  I could never climb anything before in my life.
  • I can do 2 kipping chin-ups.
  • I can do 5 real push-ups with proper form.
  • I ran a 5k.  Only a month after my foot came out of its brace.
  • I can go snowshoeing up a mountain in the snow for 2.5 hours without losing my cool - or my breath.
  • I have abs.  They still shock me when I look at myself in the mirror.
  • Actually, I'm just shocked by the person I see in the mirror.  I don't hate her anymore.

So, that was my 2014.  And although I began transforming before I found NF, I really credit this place with helping me stay motivated and positive, for pointing me in the direction of things that became life-changers and passions (barbell training! aerial acrobatics!), and for giving me a place filled with hundreds of new and potential friends.  I love you guys.  I love Nerd Fitness.  And I'm learning to love myself, too.  :redface:

 

Here's to an awesome 2015 full of new woots, new records, and reaching my goal weight/size at last!!!!

 

And, for anyone interested, under the spoiler, my progress pics for the challenges I've done here - just for fun!

 

July 28, 2014

ab661b7e-2c51-402d-851a-021b5872c550_zps 64e68091-bfbc-4ac4-b359-f7c811993544_zps 1b220246-1114-4c7f-ab86-3ff7f58267f0_zps

September 7, 2014

277f6ddd-074b-4c68-b1f5-f5d209260fcf_zps 1a6cdffd-3564-4fa5-9ef6-2085d64287fe_zps ed3105f7-9f10-4f94-a488-2371944d1ed7_zps

September 15, 2014

ee611f89-32a0-46a9-9442-370bcf48b481_zps c7973747-8b7e-48d0-a55f-fe27014081ba_zps 46d53e25-377e-447c-86f9-7c1eb0794ca3_zps

October 26, 2014
02ae8d58-aadd-472d-9392-0b32afba14e4_zps 91cce695-8bfd-411c-a76e-897b1bb4850b_zps 70990629-48bf-49a8-ae94-f3f1bed85381_zps

November 10, 2014

c37091ad-5d4e-4562-a85f-ceadd4538ccf_zps d9e2b9fd-46b7-42d3-b607-4589be322a77_zps 97d215d8-1ecb-47af-98cf-b9271e43a4e7_zps

December 21, 2014:
20141221_114659_zpse68b9a8f.jpg 20141221_114705_zps1fc2c167.jpg 20141221_114719_zpsb8f03f0e.jpg
  • Like 22

?current challenge?

challenge archive: 19181716 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

instagram | goodreads

"Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world." - Voltaire

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Can only second all the admiration and congrats. So great you posted this here, too and the context just makes it the more amazing. Best part being the learning to love yourself journey  :love-struck: you'll find so much more still that is to love about you, you are one shining superstar! We all are, yet you show it, share it and aren't shy to enjoy it, you just ROCK!!! 

  • Like 2

Level 18 Wood-Elf Assassin

 

battle log: counting the good things

current challenge: something, nothing, all the things

previous challenges: 25242322212019181716, 151413121110987654, 321

 

How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too

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Dude, that's awesome! What a cool progression through all the challenge pictures.

Easy too go with trying new things and finding out that you like them and are good at them!

Here's to an awesome 2015!

  • Like 1

missrackl

Level 1 Rebel Reboot

Activities: cycling, running, snowshoeing

Fandoms: Rick and Morty, LotR, Thursday Next, Star Wars (of course!)

Goals: 1) Keep on running, 2) Eat on diet, 3) Read a book

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Super inspiring!  You are amazing!!  Congrats!

  • Like 1

Level: 15 Race: Human Class: Adventurer (Sailor Senshi/Aes Sedai)

STR: 14    DEX: 12    STA: 16   CON: 28   WIS: 26    CHA: 15 

(unspent points: 6? challenges worth)

Weight Loss Progress (SW 12/5/15 272)

Mini-Goal: Get back down to my low 152.2 - SW 6/1/17 170.4 - CW 6/10/17: 166.6

regained the last few months - back on track losing in June

 

My Battle Log|My NF Character Sheet

 

Challenges:

1/16-2/16-3/16-4/16-5/16-6/16-7/16-8/16-9/16-11/16-12/16-1/17-2/17-

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So much Fucking WIN in your WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Very very proud of you!

  • Like 3

“It’s the sensible, logical thing to do, of course, which is why we don’t do it.” -Tanis, Dragons of Autumn Twilight

"Hope is the denial of reality. It is the carrot dangled before the draft horse to keep him plodding along in a vain attempt to reach it." - Raistlin - Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Current Challenge

 

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no this was not a double post, I just reread and wanted to say again how outstanding this is!!!

  • Like 1

“It’s the sensible, logical thing to do, of course, which is why we don’t do it.” -Tanis, Dragons of Autumn Twilight

"Hope is the denial of reality. It is the carrot dangled before the draft horse to keep him plodding along in a vain attempt to reach it." - Raistlin - Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Current Challenge

 

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Thanks, everyone!

 

That's amazing! I'm going to rock 2015 in the spirit you captured here. What an amazing w00t.

 

YES!  Go out there and crush your goals!!!!!!  You're going to do awesome!

?current challenge?

challenge archive: 19181716 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

instagram | goodreads

"Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world." - Voltaire

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