I have struggled with my weight and body image for my entire life.
I was a heavier kid, and I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) when I was 5. The doctors wanted me to lose weight, so that was a focus from my entire family. I was supposed to move more, but moving more meant pain, so it was hard.
I did outgrow the JRA, but I was never “thin” until grad school. I lost 10 lbs. a couple of times in college due to stress (I don’t eat when I’m super stressed), and I didn’t gain it back. In grad school, I lost 25 lbs. through eating 1,200 calories (maximum) and working out. That’s when I discovered I loved working out! I was never a sports girl, but this I could do.
I kept my weight off, but it was always through the “eat less, do more” mentality, along with low-carb, Paleo, etc. Then, I found another company that was about eating to support your goals and activity. It worked, and I wasn’t hangry all the time. But, I’d gain and lose the same 7 lbs. over and over. I didn’t like eating just to get my carbs in, and I felt sluggish.
I followed Mike when he started POP, and started coaching with April as soon as she came on board. All my favorite coaches were joining Mike’s team, so it was a sign!
As a fellow neurotype 2A, April definitely gets me. She knows when I need more rest (not more activity), more food, more self-care, etc. She got me to take more progress photos, and cheers when I don’t track for a day for no other reason than I was just busy. She’s working on tweaking my plan so I don’t have to do a cut phase to achieve my goals (how amazing would that be?!).
I am very much a people-pleaser, and April reminds me that I have to take care of myself if I want to be my best for others. I need that mindset if I want to be healthy for the rest of my life, not just through some “dieting” phase.
