"How'd you do it?"

It's a tad bit ironic for me, lately I have been asked the "How'd you do it" question a lot. Which is a question I asked often to many many people. And by no means am I am expert on weight loss or fitness or anything. I am still struggling everyday to find what works and to get where I am headed. I even have days, (like yesterday) where the gym just isn't happening. But here are a few things I have changed about the way I do things in my life.

1. I don't drink pop/soda, at all, just water. Okay, and coffee.Which honestly was an easy one for me. Since I didn't really drink it until I was 21, then it wasn't like an addiction. Just something I enjoyed. But I just don't drink it anymore at all.

2. No fast food. Now this one is an iffy one. There are days when I am just running and I didn't get food for lunch at work or I am running errands and I am starving. If that is the case and I need something fast, I usually just pick up a basic burger at McDonald's. Because I know it will fill me up, I know it is cheap, and it's small. But that is pretty much the extent of it. I do on occasion, (few and far between) have some $5 pizza. But all in all, I usually try to avoid it.

3. Work out. Seriously as simple as that. Even if it is just 20 minutes a day of walking outside, just anything to boost your metabolism is needed. Walking or running is good cardo, but weights are a must for getting any sort of toning done. Lifting doesn't mean getting to be so big you have to turn sideways to get through a door. It just means your muscles are getting bigger and thus burning more fat in order to keep yourself going. There are plenty of females who are out there who lift and still look very much like a female. You just have to work at it and find the right balance for your body.

Now don't get me wrong, in no way shape or form am I a fitness pro, or am I a know it all. But a lot of it I have learned over the last couple of months is very basic common sense. If you want to get into shape you have to focus on what you put in your mouth and what you do with your body. It is a never ending learning process. Your body gets used to what you are doing after a certain amount of time as well, and at that point you peek. It's time for you to change what your doing, do different cardio, remove cardio, add weights, use stronger weights. There are so many things you can do, but the most important one is to not give up because you don't think you are getting results. That is the fastest way to failure.

And in full disclosure, I have been on and off taking a dietary supplement. But I will say this, it is a month on and a month off. (so my body doesn't get used to it) And yes, everyone says diet pills are bad for you. But I think if you are not stupid about them, use them in conjunction with working out and eating right, it isn't a bad thing. I won't tell you to use them or not use them, I'll just say that for me at this current time it works and helps me.

So that is where I am at, still a massive work in progress to get where I can feel okay with getting on stage in a bikini and flaunting it for the audience. Below are two pictures, the first is from a couple years ago. (sorry so blurry) and the second is from me today at the gym. Again, a lot of work to do and long road ahead, but I have come so far. Yipee!!!

Good luck!