Motivational Monday: Kim's Own Words and New Year's Story


Kim was kind enough to share her story. I received this before Christmas, but with New Year's resolutions right around the corner, felt this could be very helpful for people now. Thanks Kim!

Kim Young today

My journey began January 1, 2010. I walked into an Anytime Fitness overweight, lost and heading down a bad road. I had not only over indulged in food but I was a functional alcoholic who was struggling through life. I used food and beer as a bandage to hide my insecurities and not feeling good enough. I met Jesse who talked about the gym and what it was all about and took my measurements. I knew my weight was 205 but I got the shocker of my situation...my fat percent was 41. I couldn't believe that my body was almost half fat! That was the point in my life that I knew something had to change.  I thought that if I could only lose the weight things in my life would be better and in my head at the time said the faster the better because I had only put the weight on me overnight...overnight right. 

I met Jeannie two weeks later. She did a basic workout and I wish I had a camera for the face she gave me when I told her that I couldn't do a push up, not even a girl push up.



Kim's push ups today

 I knew she had her work cut out for her but I also knew I had the heart to complete half of what she expected of me because at the time mentally that's all I allowed myself to give. I look at that statement now and think I only thought of myself to be only half as good as I really could have been. That makes me sad  today that I spent so much of my life with that attitude. During the workouts with Jeannie I started at the bottom, no probably below the bottom of a basic workout and worked my way up. Each week hurt but I learned that everything is hard at first but keeping working on it and I promise it does get better. Little by little I shed not only the pounds but gained a new sense of self. I never thought in my dreams I could do the things that I did and am doing with my workouts. The biggest lessons that I have learned in my journey is that everyone is good enough to look their best and that exercise is 99% mental.  

Never tell yourself that you can't do it or make excuses. Every time you do that or eat something in excess you're telling yourself that you are not good enough and I assure you THAT YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH AND YOU ARE WORTH IT! If you miss a workout or eat something not healthy, don't beat yourself  up over it. Remember every minute is new and don't dwell on the past because it is the biggest enemy. My biggest piece of advice is don't ever give up. You are the only person who can change your situation and don't listen to the people in your life that don't support your health. There are people that just don't get it or they don't want you to succeed so they are not alone. With that said, my journey is not over. Every day I find new obstacles and strength.

With the holiday season approaching my only wish for you is to give yourself the biggest gift of all....a new you.