Everyone knows what the “freshman fifteen” is. I was particularly aware of the danger of the “freshman fifteen” as I prepared to enter into my first year of college. Growing up, I was extremely active. I played softball, basketball, gymnastics, cheerleading, ballet, and not to mention all of the sports I played with my family for fun. We are a very active family, but senior year something happened to me and I was just tired of always running around doing something. The freshman fifteen hit me a little early and was more like the “senior fifteen”. First semester of college I would work out with a friend a couple of times a week. However, this was nothing intense and only consisted of the weight room (no cardio). I also did not change my eating habits, which had become atrocious after working in a restaurant all summer. I did not gain any weight, but I definitely needed to lose some. I had developed terrible habits of eating and sleeping a lot. They had developed into my two favorite hobbies. I went home for the first break and realized that something had to change.
My sister is my biggest inspiration. A couple of years ago she was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. After a couple of rough years, she overcame the cancer and is now extremely into fitness and nutrition. She decided to give me a little challenge that she devised for me. Four months of an intense diet/ work out. She also urged me to participate in the Bodybuilding.com transformation challenge. She gave me a list of food I was allowed to eat and a goal calorie count for my days and she drew up a work out plan for me. Every three weeks she switches up the work out plan a little bit.
It is extremely difficult being a freshman in college, around a lot of terrible food choices and around a lot of lazy peers. I am extremely busy and finding an hour to work out every day has been extremely challenging, but its worth it. Ever since I started the challenge I am happier, healthier, and much more confident. As I end my twelve weeks of the transformation challenge, I realize that I have not only transformed physically, I have transformed mentally as well. I have become a better, stronger person and to me that is worth everything in the world, worth more than winning this transformation challenge because I know that I have accomplished something wonderful and have had the opportunity to inspire others to become healthier and happier too. I may be at the end of the transformation challenge, but I am only at the beginning of my life as a fit and healthy person.
***PS: Progress pics coming soon and don't worry, I still have another month left on Paige's challenge so keep checking in on me every day!***
You, Paige and Tarin are a constant source of inspiration for me.
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