I have been heavy since pre-adolescence. I remember eating salads in Junior High and being focused on weight loss. In High School I was still focusing on controlling my weight with salads. After having three children, my weight has been up and down, but over the years it has gotten harder and harder to get the weight off. I have been a classic yo-yo dieter, never being able to find a balance between eating "regular" and eating healthy.
I hired a personal trainer when I reached 40 and loved the year that I had with her. But I focused only on getting stronger and more in shape, and avoided doing anything about my weight. I trained for and completed the Danskin triathalon, while being probably 25 pounds heavier than I am today. However, my life is busy as everyone’s is, and I stopped seeing her when circumstances changed and I felt I could not fit exercise into my day. Over the years, I tried different exercise programs but never stuck with any. I would get bored. I would groan when I looked at the clock and see how little time had passed.
I joined Fit Soldiers December 21, 2011. I tried it once and fell in love with the structure. I also was so encouraged by the trainers and the other "soldiers." Even though I was terribly out of shape, and much heavier, everyone encouraged and helped me along. I remember trying to do a regular plank, and Diane was next to me, talking me through it, believing in me. I didn't even know her. I started getting much stronger than I had ever been. I have only missed because of travel or illness, and try to come 5 days a week. I also do semi-private lessons. It has been easy because I have fun. I have a family here. I now schedule my day around my morning workout, because my mental health depends upon the workouts. I then shifted my focus to adding in the nutrition piece. I knew very well what to do. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers (another time when I yo-yo dieted down but bounced back up.) Last November I joined Fit Soldiers Maximize Your Metabolism class. I found encouragement again with my fellow MYM'ers. I knew what to eat, and have even finished a two year post-doc in nutrition, but I wasn't eating the way I should because it was hard to change my eating habits. I learned HOW to do it, how to plan, how to cook, how to make it a habit. Now, it is second nature. I have found that I can eat healthier, eat a wide variety of tasty foods (not just salads), and keep my weight steady, even when I am traveling and eating out 3-4 days some weeks.
I turn 50 this year, and I can honestly say I am healthier than ever. I am a good weight, I love my body for the first time ever, and I am eating healthy. And it has now been months since I tracked my foods or worried about weight. I check my calories only about one day every 2-3 weeks. I no longer need to, because I have made that lifestyle change. I could never have done this without Dave, Lesli and Joey, and the encouragement of my Fit Soldiers family. I'm looking forward to starting this decade off in the best mental and physical health I have ever been in!
Erin Ross
Fit Soldiers Fitness Revolution
2100 East 112th Avenue #2
Northglenn, CO 80233
720-382-5240
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Last weeks recipe was from one of our bootcampers, and so is this weeks! This time one of our faithful 5AMers, Cindy Weitz gave us a sample of this delicious recipe that is actually from a raw food cleanse she used to do. This recipe goes to show that healthy food can taste amazing too! Do something good for your body and your taste buds this week and give this recipe a try! You'll thank me(and Cindy) later!!
Summer is finally here! Have you noticed some of the delicious summer produce on sale at the grocery store lately? Dave and I have, and we have been buying fresh pineapples like crazy! I must say, fresh pineapples are just so much better than the canned ones.
