Food Lover Shares Her Fitness Journey to Loving Herself

By: Michele Pinto, Guest Blogger and Volunteer, American Heart Association

I’m Michele, Food Lover Shares Her Fitness Journey to Loving Herselfa girl who has always had a big love and passion for food.  It has been an obsession my entire life.  My stomach, as my family would say, is a “bottomless pit” and I never get full.  Because of this, my weight was always my biggest concern and something I still deal with to this day.  Working out has always been a hobby of mine, but I have never made it a priority in my life.  I have always made excuses and always found something else to put first instead.  I knew I needed to make a change and start a new journey to creating a better, healthier me. I started out by making more time for myself and focusing on my mental and physical well-being, while having a goal to increase my strength and stability. Having a history of heart disease in my family, I want to be sure I take the steps to live a longer, healthier life.

I want to see where my body and health will take me when I am taking care of it.  I also hope to achieve a few personal goals in order to improve my overall health. The key that I have finally realized is that it is a JOURNEY that you need to take.  It will not change within a week or two. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started on your own journey!

Consistency is key. Change does not happen overnight.  Know your body and listen to it, but most importantly, have patience and KEEP MOVING!

Create a routine. Planning your meals and workouts are a great way to keep you on track while also maintaining your busy lifestyle.  Make a plan that works for you and stick with it!

Don’t be a critic. Stay positive and if you have an extra glass of wine or a piece of birthday cake, it’s okay!  Keep yourself focused and always remember to set goals for yourself whether it is a personal or a fitness goal.

Know your family history.  Having the knowledge of your family history will not only educate you on your health, but also help take the necessary steps to become the healthiest version of yourself.

 And most importantly, LOVE yourself no matter what!  You are in control of your life, be good to yourself and be proud of your progress.

For more tips on how you can be Healthy for Good, visit https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living

The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of The American Heart Association | American Stroke Association. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.

The American Heart Association’s blog is not intended to provide medical advice or treatment. Only your healthcare provider can provide that. The American Heart Association recommends that you consult your healthcare provider regarding your personal health matters. If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke or another emergency, please call 911 immediately.