From Fit To Fat and Back Again

First, thank you for taking the time to read my musings. I really do appreciate it :)

So, how does one go from fit to fat and back again? This is a brief synopsis of my personal journey and what has inspired me to become a Certified Personal Trainer and Weight Management Specialist.

Let me begin at the beginning. Growing up, my parents were not the most supportive. My mother was a “sugar” fiend. She loved her sweets and was constantly dieting. Poor woman was on the weight yo-yo hamster wheel all of her life. She tried everything from weight watchers to Slimfast, but was never found the lifestyle modification that worked for her.

My father was a very negative man, always comparing and criticizing. You’re too fat, too thin, too stupid…. He was difficult at best.

I enrolled in college, hoping to become a CPA, planning to move to New York City to work on Wall Street at the Stock Exchange. As I neared graduation, I became pregnant with my first born and changed my career path. The best decision I ever made was to become a parent and I was fortunate to be able to stay home and raise my three children. I even home schooled them. It was a blessed life. Until it wasn’t.

My husband and I got divorced when the kids were in their teens and “graduated”. My sons went to stay with their father in the city, my daughter stayed with me as we relocated to the city.

All through this time I was fit, active and healthy. Then the stress (Mr. Cortisol) started to catch up with me. Then the final blow was…. Menopause. I have always embraced change and entering the “Crone” years was no different. What I didn’t understand was that as we evolve into the wise and wonderful crone, our vibrant, youthful metabolism packs its bags and leaves. It was at this time I began my slowish ascent up weight gain mountain.

Pretty much my entire life, My 5’ 7” frame found it’s happy spot at about 150 -155 pounds. Hormonal betrayal jacked that happy spot up to over 200 pounds!! That’s when I tried everything. Juicing, smoothies, low protein, low carb, extra cardio, etc. Nothing worked. I thought I had to reset my metabolism.

I signed up for a fat loss program in my area that worked great in the beginning. I lost a total of 65 pounds and felt great, but looked like the “Crypt Keeper”. I lost a majority of my lean body mass. I’m not saying that the program I did was a poor program, it just wasn’t complete. There wasn’t appropriate follow through after the fat loss stage to rebuild lean body mass. As a result, the weight slowly started coming back after about 18 months. I now understand why they offer a second go with the program at ½ price. Needless to say, as the program is, I can not and will not recommend it. I ultimately began working with a metabolic coach. So far, so good. I learned the proper macro ratios and my max daily kcal requirement to maintain weight. I started weight lifting and began studying for my Personal Trainer and Weight Management certifications. My weight has remained stable and I am building lean body mass.

This is how I became passionate about health and fitness. I strive to help my clients be the best they can be through working with them and tailoring a program that fits their lifestyle, whatever that may be. After all, there is no “one size fits all” solution and any good trainer will listen to your personal needs to find a fit that is sustainable long term for you!

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@from_fat_to_fit_at_50 for meal ideas and inspiration.