Coretta lost 25 pounds. An injured Achilles Tendon meant that the doctor advised her not to exercise. Depression followed, which led to unhealthy eating and weight gain. She got her eating habits back on track and discovered how effective weight training can be. Check out her story.
It was the 3rd time that I weighed over 200 pounds at 5’7″. This time, I injured my Achilles Tendon and could not jog my usual 100 miles per month. (I had been jogging 100 miles per month for almost 2 years.) This depressed me, because jogging was how I was able to maintain a healthy weight for myself.
The depression led to bad food choices. Not being able to exercise, I was nearly back where I started… in the over 200 pounds club. I didn’t even have to ask myself how I got there. I knew what I did and I hated myself for it. That self hate is what I used for motivation to do better nutritionally. I started eating better, eating more veggies and fruit. No specific meal plan, just portion controlled eating and cutting out sugar. My eating habits changed weekly as I weened myself off sugary drinks.
Eventually, The doctor said I could exercise again, but I could not jog. That’s when I discovered Bodybuilding.com. I was initially afraid of weight lifting due to a past experience and concerns about being too muscular. However, I swallowed my fear and used the exercises on the website to create my own “spell your name” workout using free weights. I also mixed boxing into my routine using my EverLast punching bag. 3 days a week I did a “spell your name” workout without weights and 3 days I did the workout I created with weights. That has been my workout routine for the past 61 days in my garage gym. I’ve lost 25 pounds.
My goal now is to be more cut and defined. This is my lifestyle now and I refuse to go back to where I used to be. I had a funeral for my bad food choices on 2.11.17… may they rest in peace. I have learned to never lay all my eggs in one exercise basket. I also learned that weight lifting isn’t about being bulky, it’s about being lean.
Ranada says
Thank you for your transparency. I see your workout posts on BGR Austin and it’s motivating. For the longest my problem was just getting started.
Again, Thank you!
Coretta says
Thank you. This journey is a difficult one to start and to maintain. The key is finding what motivates you to keep going. My desire to be healthier was initiated by joining Black Girls Run and it continues to hold me accountable daily. The encouragement I’ve received over the years is another motivator for me to keep going. When my Achilles fully heals I’ll be back out there on the trails.