My new inspiration

A new girl started at my gym on Monday. She had some great arm muscles and is super strong. She is slightly shorter than me, probably about 4'11", and has never ending energy and enthusiasm. But, one of the first things I noticed about her was the excess skin under her arms. I worked with a girl who had gastric bypass several years ago, so I knew this type of sagging skin was the result of a huge weight loss. But, her positive attitude and quickness to make friends with everybody at the gym put a smile on my face. After our workout, a couple of the girls, the new girl and myself got to talking. I found out that 5 years ago, the new girl was 300 pounds!! I am guessing that she weighs probably about 140ish now, mainly due to excess skin. With that cut off, I would put her at 125. Here's the kicker, though...SHE DID IT NATURALLY! Now that is some commitment! Here I am complaining that I just don't have the will power to lose 20 pounds and this woman has lost more than 50% of her very obese body in the past couple of years! She said an average dinner for her 5 years ago was a large pizza and a couple of 2 liter Cokes. And she would do that easily a couple of times a day. She was (self-described) addicted to food. She has now replaced that addiction with working out and despite the excess skin hanging from her, you can see the crazy muscles she has developed! She said she did do cardio, but mostly weight training...which helped her to have the tone and definition after she got rid of the fat. She does admit she's a little crazy about working out (6 days a week at least), but in my opinion, a little excess in working out is a lot healthier than an extreme excess in weight!

So, no more complaining that I just don't have the will power to do it. There are days when eating right and exercising just don't seem that appealing...but all I need to do is think of this girl (well, woman...probably shouldn't call her a girl!) and her will power and commitment and the amazing goals she has accomplished! 20 pounds doesn't seem like all that much anymore and such an easy goal. I have 2 months to do it in as well! :)