My Story
Friday, December 08, 2017
I’m Caitlin and in 2015 I lost over 20kg (44 lb) by radically changing my diet and incorporating home workouts and running into my routine.
I felt amazing! I had SO MUCH energy to run and play with my son. I sprung out of bed in the morning ready to tackle my day feeling rested and energetic. The lingering back pain I had been plagued with since giving birth disappeared.
I was strong and as a result I was also lean. I didn't care so much about what the number on the scale said, but I loved working on getting stronger and improving my running performance. The fact I looked pretty great was a nice side effect of my hard work.
2016 sucked.
I stopped exercising and I stopped watching what I ate. I started binging on nutritionally redundant, high-sugar, high-fat foods. The muscle I worked so hard to gain started to disappear and I felt my clothes getting tighter and tighter.
 |
| Waffles are great though. |
I started alternating between binging and restricting. I drank protein shakes or meal replacement shakes meant for obese people in place of real meals and used my 'saved' calories for drinking alcohol and eating junk food.
My routine had changed so I couldn't run during my lunch hour any longer. Instead I set my alarm for 5am each morning and ran up and down my street on cold winter mornings until I clocked up 5 km.
I used to love running. It was my meditation - my 'me' time. I did my best thinking while pounding away at the pavement, sweat dripping down my forehead. But I quickly came to dread my runs. Running became a way I could 'punish' myself for over-eating.
I was so hopeful that 2017 would be different. I was sure 2017 would be the year I would get my 'bikini body'.
 |
| Me in September 2017 |
Truth is, I learned the hard way that someone who doesn't absolutely love themselves and their body is not going to be able to invest the discipline, balance and care it takes to keep up the healthy lifestyle that leads to the kind of body I wanted so badly.
I started prioritising being skinny, instead of focusing on being healthy.
Where has that got me you ask?
- My nails are paper thin and break all the time;
- my skin breaks out A LOT;
- I've actually gained weight - especially around my belly and legs;
- I'm always hungry! And most of all;
- I'm constantly exhausted.
Even if I had managed to get skinny this way, would it really be worth it? No way!
So what am I going to do about it?
Bring on Project Comeback 2k18.
My overall goal for 2018 is to feel AMAZING. I learned the first time I radically changed my lifestyle that the key to smashing big goals is making lots of smaller goals.Focusing in on one small goal, like going to bed early, and really tackling it makes it easier to turn whatever the desired behavior is into habit. Once it’s a habit it’s easy because it’s automatic - no effort required.
Time to set some goals.
My mantra for 2018 is 'Health. Balance. Well-being' and my big focus areas are my health, well-being and parenting. These are the specific areas I know make me feel AMAZING when I’m doing well, and TERRIBLE when I’m not doing so great.
Here's my list of goals for Project Comeback:
Health
- Eat a healthy whole foods diet
- Reduce my sugar, dairy and caffeine intake
- Get lean, strong and flexible
- Look amazing naked
Balance
- Stick to the 80:20 diet rule
- Start practicing yoga
- Incorporate self-care into my weekly routine
Well-being
- Focus on increasing energy levels and nourishing my body
- Make choices that are better for my body and for the planet
- Get better sleep
- Stop mindlessly consuming content on my phone
 |
| Me now |
You can keep up with Project Comeback here.
0 comments