Today’s BetterU Blog Post is from CANDICE!
These are words I’ve often told others. Now only if I could listen to my own advice. I’ve always been an over-achiever, a perfectionist. I gravitate to things I’m good at doing. No wonder I’ve avoided taking care of my physical health for so long. I don’t fully understand how it all works and that terrifies me. I always knew deep down that this was a part of my life that I needed to get in order and during a moment of clarity, or insanity, or both, I decided to apply for the BetterU program.
What a whirlwind it has been in the past few weeks. Initially I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I rode high on the enthusiasm and confidence of my peers, started increasing my gym time, made some food changes, and actually started to see the numbers on the scale decreasing. How nice it felt to feel my own confidence start to rise. That confidence has since been tested on multiple occasions. The scale recently took a screeching halt and even went back up a bit. I know people say this is normal, but my shaky confidence had a panic attack. All of these “what if” questions started to take over. What if I don’t lose anymore weight? What if I lose weight but my bloodwork numbers increase? What if I can’t keep up this pace and make this a lifestyle change? What if I FAIL. That dreaded 4-letter F word. I thought I had moved past that minor setback until I had a mini-meltdown this past weekend. I had all of my meals planned out perfectly and wouldn’t you know it, plans changed. Dinner wasn’t going to be as anticipated and I had to find an alternative with little in the house and a growling stomach that was getting angrier with me by the second. Again I thought “I am FAILing at this.”
The truth of the matter is that I’ve already WON. Changes have been made and I’ve learned so much new information to help me along my journey. I’ve since looked back on the seminar given by Dr. Somjee and remind myself how strongly she emphasized making small, sustainable changes. I’ve also stolen (“borrowed”) a peer’s mantra: My race, my pace. How fitting this saying is since I’ve recently started taking the RPM (cycling) class at Gold’s Gym. The instructor, Jasmine, has been so supportive. She even took time to share with me how much progress I’ve made in the class in only 3 weeks. And just like that my confidence started to gain momentum again. It really doesn’t matter how athletic and fast everyone else in the class seems to be. My race, my pace.
Can I do this? I already am.
A big shoutout to all of the ladies in the program supporting me along the way, the American Heart Association staff, the Gold’s Gym staff, my family/friends, and all of the other sponsors of this amazing program: Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Health Quest Medical Practice, Q92 FM Radio. #HVBetterU #GoRedHV
Candi, Your blog brought me to tears. You are doing this and going strong! You inspire me and others. A lot of little bits pay off over time. We are so proud of you đź’“. You work so hard at everything you do. You truly have this. Go baby Go! A heart healthy, strong, and glowing you, is creeping up on you already! Slow and steady…. Love you, Mom and Dad đź’–