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Many struggle with losing weight and I am no different.
Table of Contents
My Weight Loss Journey As A Child
Growing up I was the chubby kid who hid behind baggy clothes and got my cheeks pinched because of the volume they filled up on my face!
I was round and had what I know now is the “apple shaped” body type which apparently made me a hit with the parents as I was cute and cuddly like some sort of cocker spaniel or pug.
My weight was such a big component (no pun intended) of who I was that my family and friends nicknamed me (yeah, i’m not going to tell you guys! LOL) a name that revolved around my weight and unfortunately has stuck with me all the way to adulthood!
Needless to say, it was (is) embarrassing.
This is how it always was and throughout my school days it didn’t change much. I was an active kid, well so I thought, because I would be running around outside, jumping rope or playing soccer but as I got older and entered puberty things seemed to get worse for me.
I quit soccer and didn’t really “run around” as much due to the fact I was a teenager and started having different hobbies. “Running around” with friends became “Hanging out” watching movies, tv shows basically just chilling out at each others houses making me less active and more lazy which further prevented me from losing weight.
This continued from junior high to high school and the difference in activities showed in my appearance. I felt unattractive but just immersed myself into my studies and ignored that aspect of my life.
I assumed that this was just how it was going to be and didn’t really think I could do anything about losing weight. At the time those were my beliefs because I didn’t know any better.
My Weight Loss Journey After Medical School
Soon after medical school I was at home studying and preparing for exams. As I continued to sit around while I read I developed a sedentary lifestyle which was not only affecting the pounds but now it was taking a toll on my mind.
I was getting depressed being at home all the time studying, stressed out, more tired and in need of a break from the books. So I started exercising in my garage.
I would jump rope, was walking on the spot all while listening to music that I blasted on the radio. I did this for a while, whenever I felt like it, not really pushing myself beyond what I felt was necessary. It did help with my mind a bit but it didn’t help me in losing weight on the scale!
Again, at this point I just believed that this was my narrative. I was heavy and that was that. Nothing could be done, I was stuck with this belly but I atleast it achieved a mental break from my studies and so I was cool with that.
After two months of doing this my mom and sister started getting in one me. Every time I would step into the garage they would be leaving to go to the gym and would ask me day after day to go with them.
At first, I refused as I thought I was fine and didn’t need the gym. Even though I wasn’t losing weight I was ok with being home and trying it out by myself because I would rather stay in my comfortable garage sweating and not losing any weight rather than at the gym where everyone could see/judge me.
I knew nothing about the gym and was TERRIFIED to go! I didn’t look like “those” people. They were ripped and had muscles I had only studied about in my anatomy books. The whole thing was intimidating and I was in no shape to be seen. Just look at me! I thought.
They continued to ask and reassured me that it wasn’t as scary as I was making it out to be so one day I decided ok lets try this. Mind you, I wasn’t going there to lose weight but was going crazy in the house studying months for exams and for my sanity I needed a change.
My mom and sister got me a 3 day pass at the gym that they were members of. When I walked in it was a little bit how I imagined it. Big muscular guys lifting weights and toned girls who were walking on the stair incline machines with Instagram like figures I could only DREAM of.
Why did I decide to do this? Why am I here?!
At that point I wanted to run out but kept my head low and walked behind my mom to the gym class she generally attended. It was a Zumba class.
That Zumba class changed my life!
My Weight Loss Journey With Cardio
I was dancing and trying to follow the steps and choreography so I could keep up and not stand out but as I looked around I realized, NO ONE CARED! Everyone was just having a good time moving to the beat of salsa, merengue, cumbia, soca, reggaeton etc It was like a party or a night club except it was not dimly lit and everyone was in sweats and sneakers.
An hour went by so fast! It was not only so much fun but….It just felt good! I continued to go because I was having a blast dancing and eventually became a regular and began to recognize the same faces who were also regulars.
The atmosphere was incredibly friendly and inviting that you wanted to go to the classes and if you didn’t show up you would be asked the next day why you didn’t attend which made you accountable. That was a good thing!
I gained many friends for the first time outside of school. We not only met inside the gym but became friends outside where we would go out to eat at restaurants, see movies, and attend each others birthday parties.
I started to look forward to go the gym because it some how became like a fun outing multiple times a week. When I had started going, it was only to 1 class a week but eventually it became 3-4 times per week (albeit after 6 months).
I would actually go home and talk about the songs and dance routines with my mom (!!!) both of us discussing which ones we liked and how to get “that particular step down” for the next class.
Clearly we were addicted.
After about 6 months of going on a regular basis I started noticing something different. I felt lighter! I actually remember the first time when I realized I was losing weight. And I’ll never forget it.
I was at the grocery store shopping with my sister and she asked me to come into the next aisle.As I was turning to enter the aisle I felt almost as if I was floating! Ok, I know that sounds ridiculous but it was as if I was as light as a feather. I could FEEL the weight loss.
I didn’t realize how it felt to lose weight because it had never happened to me before. On the other hand, I didn’t realize how much weight I was actually carrying until I wasn’t carrying it anymore either.
That feeling was incredible!!!
I continued my gym routine for the next year and was in disbelief at how skinny I had become. I was losing weight to the point that I was able to wear clothes that I always wanted to wear and went from a large size to a medium and in some stores even a small!
My mom at one point saw me from behind and confused me for my sister as I began looking as thin her, which was a huuuge compliment.
The effects of Zumba affected me socially, mentally and physically. I gained new friends, self-confidence, my anxiety and depression disappeared. And not to mention my physique. I was a brand new person!
I continued doing just Zumba for the next year and loved it but eventually I started to feel bored. Having gone to soooo many classes I knew all the steps that I could do them in my sleep. It wasn’t challenging or exciting any more and on top of that I began to plateau.
That’s when my sister and my Zumba friends encouraged me to try weight lifting classes.
Now the fear started creeping in again like I was entering the gym for the very first time. Zumba had been different in the sense that it was dancing, something I enjoyed and was just another form of cardio which I was familiar with like running, jumping rope etc.
But weights?
My Weight Loss Journey With Weight Lifting
That was a whole other ball game! I was not strong in the slightest bit. It was a known fact in my family that I was “the weak one” when it came to lifting anything whether it was furniture or anything remotely heavy. I was not only roley-poley but fragile and honestly, something I agreed with.
However, I decided to muster up some courage and give it a try since my friends were also going. The class was weight lifting (body pump) filled with lots of people of different ages and people who were just starting, like myself, those who were avid “pumpers” and everyone else in between.
I started light with 2.2 pound (1 kg) on either side of the bar just trying to get my form right. It was a change from the huffing and puffing and sweat of cardio that’s for sure! Afterall it required me to use muscle strength that I had never used before!
After completing my first class I was a little confused. After my first Zumba class I had felt alive and excited but I didn’t feel that initially with weights. I honestly didn’t even get why people did weights! Because to me the point of going to the gym was to lose weight. Like honestly, who cared about muscle as long as you were thin right?
But that changed once I started lifting heavier and perfecting my form. After each class I felt stronger and more powerful something I had not felt with cardio. I then started seeing definition in my arms and legs. And to me, the biggest surprise was that I now had a butt! I had worked my glutes without even knowing it. And for the first time had a butt that I could actually see!
Hello derriere!
I was now a constant gym goer who mixed up her weeks with 3 classes of cardio and 2 classes of weights. It transformed my body and my outlook on who I thought I was.
I was no longer the chubby girl who hid behind her clothes. But stood proudly with my head held a little higher, with more confidence.
My beliefs of what my body could do and what I COULD DO evolved. But how?
By trying something new and challenging myself out of my comfort zone.
My advice for beginners and newbies who are petrified of working out or hitting the gym is that you should try and find something you love to do first. Don’t make it a “job” to lose weight. That will come if you are consistently moving and loving the activity you are engaged in.
I had so much success with Zumba because it was fun that it eventually formed into a habit. After attending Zumba classes for the past 4 years and I am a HUGE fan of this dance class!
It’s a great way for newbies to start working out because it honestly doesn’t feel like a “work” out it feels more like a party.
I loved the different styles of up-beat music, was easy to learn the steps as a beginner and because it was so much fun I stuck with it and I saw results rather quickly.
For those more comfortable exercising at home, the Zumba videos are a great alternative to the classes. It’s more convenient and affordable than a gym membership which are plus points. I personally have not tried the videos but they have received rave reviews online. If they are anything like the classes you will sweat a ton and have fun doing it!
Click here for Zumba Incredible Slimdown Plus
As long as your having fun and it’s pleasurable you’ll stick with anything and I think that’s the best motivation!!!
Having friends and family to workout with also makes it enjoyable. And that support is essential for all areas of a healthy lifestyle including fitness.
Trust me, we were ALL beginners at losing weight one point. But you can’t keep doing the same thing expecting different results. So what are you waiting for? Lets go!
For more check out:
Top 17 Deliciously Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes
How These 7 Healthy Foods Cause Belly Fat!
Why You Are Not Losing Weight Despite Doing Everything Right!
#1 Best Diet For 2020: Helps To Lose Weight & Keep It Off For Good!
How To Lose Weight FAST: Proven By Research
How To Quit Sugar For Good And What To Eat Instead!
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Hi I’m Dr. Naveen Gupta, physician-turned-type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and weight loss coach who helps you easily lower your blood sugars and lose weight by creating fun, happiness and amazing lifestyle you love! If you're interested in working together, email me at drnav@thelifestylecure.com to get started today!
