XL to XS…IMPOSSIBLE!!!!
Impossible…that’s what I would have thought if you told me when I started my transformation journey that I would go from wearing XL’s (and hoping they weren’t too tight) to wearing XS’s. From shopping at specialty stores for big women because regular stores never had my size to shopping at any store I want.
You see, before recently, I had NEVER in my adult life worn ANYTHING smaller than a size 10 on my bottom half. For you guys out there, size 10 = large (or the big side of medium) in most women’s clothing. So, when I started my transformation, my goal was to get to a size 10 and stay there. To not have to try on a size 10, but rather know without a doubt that it would fit. I mean, I thought a size 10 was "me", that’s where I was "comfortable".
I wouldn’t say it was easy, but I got there with consistent, focused, daily effort. Once there, I decided I wasn’t happy with that. I could do more. So I pushed myself, kept eating clean, kept working out and over time wound up where I am today - size 4 usually, but sometimes I have to try 2’s. I sometimes get frustrated because stores don’t have my size, but that makes me want to smile these days.
My point is this, if I had focused on getting to a XS from the beginning, I would have thought "impossible" and probably would have given up long before now. Instead, I focused on smaller chunks…goals that in my mind were doable, not impossible.
Today I found myself having to do that once again. I was slated for an hour cardio session this morning. When I woke up, my legs were worn out, just plain tired. I had done two 45 minute cardio sessions yesterday. I was starting to think "an hour…impossible." With that thinking, it would have been easy to not go at all. But I went. Once there, I didn’t even want to start. But I did. I punched in 60 minutes on the stairmaster and started. I broke it down into 10 minute chunks, telling myself that I just needed to get through 10 minutes of 2 minute intervals of increasing intensity. Next thing I knew…60 minutes, done. And, it wasn’t soooo bad after all. Easy? No, just not impossible as I was starting to think.
So…next time you’re starting to think it’s impossible, break it down into smaller chunks, things you know you can do. Before you know it, you’ll reach that "impossible" goal and beyond.
June 27, 2007 at 8:47 am
Wow! That is so awesome! Congratulations! I never knew that you were ever over weight! I always figured you were naturally lean, and just worked hard to stay that way and maintain a muscular physique.
Your whole body is defined with great femanine muscularity. Your abs look perfect if ya ask me!
I’m so happy for you accomplishing so much more than you had set out to accomplish! Great job!
June 27, 2007 at 9:07 am
Hi shankyw
yeah, that’s what I also believe in: the small steps method!
I’m on my way to shrink myself to wearing comfortably size 40, then i’ll aim at feeling comfrtably in size 38. And than… who knows?
I believe that consistency, patience and small steps forward are the name of the game.
Congratulations on your achievements! You, and many other bb.com achievers, are a great motivation to me.
Thank you.
June 27, 2007 at 9:09 am
I forgot to add that I mean the European sizes 40 and 38. I don’t know what are the American equivalents…
June 27, 2007 at 10:17 am
Shanky, you’ll like this for motivation.
While on vacation this weekend, I had to go to the store. So I stopped in the tourist shop. I bought my wife a pair os XS camo booty shorts. She tried them on and they wouldn’t fit.
That’s when I told her. If she ever wears those for me I have a special surprise gift for her. She doesn’t know it, but is is a luxury trip to NYC for the weekend.
Anyway, we get home and I clip the shorts to one of those hangers with the clamp. and hang it on the head board of the bed. (it’s one of those really tall head boards)
Now she looks at it and knows the is a surprise gift waiting for her. I hope it motivates her.
June 27, 2007 at 11:53 am
Awesome, Shannon!
June 27, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Soooo totally cool that you set out for one goal and ended up accomplishing something so much bigger. I am in my size 10’s even as we speak and I’m inspired!
June 28, 2007 at 4:20 am
Great session on the stairmaster…I love that when you think you can’t…but you CAN! Well done!
June 28, 2007 at 8:51 am
What’s the old saying??? a journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step forward. Very good inspirational blog.
June 28, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Did you write this for me? : ) When I began my blog in March I was squeezing myself into a 14 and well on my way to a 16. It requires ALOT of work and conscious decision-making to improve your health. But setting small goals and planning does make the process doable. I have met some of my old goals and continue to create new ones and it is exciting to see myself grow and exceed my own expectations.
June 29, 2007 at 8:30 am
Didn’t write it specifically for you, but if helped motivate you, it accomplished what I hope I accomplish every time I write a blog! Thanks for reading and yes, you are exactly right…conscious decision making is wht it takes every day. It is exciting and I congratulate you on what you’ve accomplished thus far and wish you luck on reaching even further!!