HOW SHAPING MY DREAM BODY HELPED SHAPE MY DREAM LIFE
This original story was shared by TLMN Sara Hood.
https://thelocalmomsnetwork.com/sara-hood-dream-body-life/
MORE POUNDS, MORE PROBLEMS
“You look good, but don’t gain more weight.”
Despite being a fit teenager that played basketball in high school, a relative made a comment about my figure that made me even more conscious of my curvy body shape. It put me on notice that I was always one cheeseburger away from being undesirable, which was a dilemma because I freakin’ loved cheeseburgers.
When I went to college at the University of Missouri, that’s when it all took a turn. In college, in the Midwest, it was cool and kinda sexy to be thick. So, I embraced it, possibly too much. What they call the “Freshman 15” turned into a “Freshman 32” as I quickly picked up weight.
By my 2nd year I started working overnights at Walmart, and that’s when I really started eating bad. I’m talking fast food 5-6 times a week. I gained 60lbs in 6 months!
Plus, I began dating a football defensive lineman who needed to gain weight. So, my thinking was “Who am I not to be an “all-in” team player” – right? I became a loving supportive girlfriend, happily working with him at his craft…particularly at the breakfast, lunch and dinner table.
I began truly living the life of a D1 college football lineman. Keep in mind I’m a 5’3 female, so my eating habits became disastrous. I recall being able to eat an entire CiCi’s pizza in one sitting. It really got out of hand when my clothes didn’t fit anymore, and I started wearing my 290lb boyfriend’s clothes all the time!
I’ll never forget, I went to a Jenny Craig facility and stepped on the scale. When I saw I was 160lbs, I cried and ran out.Sidenote: As women I don’t know why we do this. We complain about our weight in high school, college, but then guess what – we never see those numbers again, lol. If I knew later on I would hit 220lbs, I would’ve never complained about 160lbs – which believe it or not is my happy weight now!
I knew I had to get my weight under control. So eventually I decided to get serious about my fitness journey and lost 15lbs. I was so excited, and then guess what happened, 2 months after starting my steady workout regimen?
I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT!
HEARTBREAK TIPPING POINT
During my pregnancy with my 1st son, my hopes turned to heartbreak when the doctor told me there was a strong chance he would be an extreme special needs child. This stressed me out during my entire pregnancy. As I was giving birth, all I could do was constantly pray for a healthy baby. However at six months old I knew something was wrong when he started missing milestones and a couple years later he was diagnosed with autism.
Immediately after giving birth however, I didn’t feel well.
I was light-headed, out of breath, gray, and tired all the time. I just attributed it to becoming a new Mom. However, something much more detrimental was happening. My body was shutting down because it was overcompensating from not enough blood flow.
Six days later I experienced a heart attack at only 23 years of age. The doctors discovered I had a slow heart rate. Having a slow heart rate is great for a marathon runner at 110lbs, but not for a new mom at 220lbs. The combining stress factors from a bad diet, being overweight, stressing out about my new baby, taking new medications, and a slew of other things contributed to the perfect storm for a heart attack – even at such an early age.
The turning point was the day I remember looking at my Dad who was so sad and concerned. I made a promise to him and myself that I would get healthy. My weight would not be the cause for why I end up back in a hospital.
Fitness became mandatory because ultimately I WANTED TO LIVE! I wanted to live for my kids, and just as importantly ME. After a full recovery, I committed to a five day/week workout regimen, 2 hours a day, and eventually lost 60lbs.
SHAPING MY DREAM BODY INTO MY DREAM LIFE
My first step to a healthy new me was fixing my diet. When I began my new workout regimen, I committed to eating only salad and chicken breasts for almost an entire year. 10 months to be exact, before I found out I was preggo…again! However, my 2nd pregnancy went so well because I was in much better shape.
When launching my newfound commitment to fitness, I started off doing something that I enjoyed. Instead of running which I despised, I took a Zumba and a spin class 5 days a week for an hour – sometimes doing the classes back to back. I did not start off lifting heavy, but I did incorporate weightlifting. I knew I needed weights to tone and create definition. I wanted to convert my curves to a defined coke bottle shape – and weights were the key.
Before seeing the physical changes, I began feeling the incredible emotional changes to my new workout commitment. The same way people catch a high from other substances, I caught a natural high from working out. This high led to a much higher self-esteem and self-worth.
Now what turned me into a fitness savage is when I realized the weights I was lifting was not typical for a woman. I was able to squat 225lbs and bench 135lbs, when I was only 150lbs. I believe every woman has a “superpower” they can discover about their body in the gym. It might be strength, flexibility, endurance, or something else very unique that God created an advantage for you with.
I also discovered that on this journey to max fitness for myself, I was also uncovering workout gems that were transferable for other women shaping their bodies too. When I helped my friend get stronger through my workouts, it was confirmation that I knew what I was doing.
BETTER MIND, BETTER BODY, BETTER MOMMY
What has my fitness journey taught me as a woman, and as a mother?
THAT I AM POWERFUL! I CAN DO ANYTHING! I CAN PUSH ANYTHING OFF MY CHEST, AND I CAN LIFT UP ANYTHING PULLING ME DOWN!
The mind-body connection and mind-over-body empowerment that’s required in fitness can be applied to life. You learn through fitness that the body will do whatever the mind tells it to do. So, when I discovered my mind was stronger than my body – that meant I could make it through any challenge and do ANYTHING! The mind is so powerful! Everything you tell yourself in the mirror manifests. So, when I learned how to gain control of my mind, I gained control of every aspect of my life.
Fitness allows me to be less stressed, more centered, more focused, and more patient. When I take care of me, I’m a much better mother! That ME time and self-care is mandatory. I can’t take care of my kids at 100% capacity if I’m not taking care of me. So, when I get a good workout in and get those good vibes circulating all throughout my mind, body and spirit – I’m ready to take on the world. I’m much more confident in every room I walk in – from the boardroom, to the parent-teacher meeting classroom, to the full body mirror with nothing but curvaceousness sexiness staring back at me in the bathroom!
Knowing I’m a mom and savage in the gym makes me feel like such a confident badazz! This empowering mind, body and spirit energy constantly fuels me to pursue crushing all my life dreams!
