Grit

Embarking on a weight loss journey can often feel like ascending a steep,  insurmountable mountain. The path is filled with unpredictable twists, turns, and more than a few stumbling blocks. Last year, finding myself at the base of this metaphorical mountain and faced with a plethora of health challenges due to my weight, I resolved to take definitive action. After spending most of this year building dedication and resilience, I am 75 pounds lighter, both physically and metaphorically. The journey wasn’t swift or easy, but it was worth every step. This transformation isn't simply due to a series of activities performed regularly, but rather a testament to an unwavering commitment to consistency and persistence. This is the tale of my weight loss journey, exploring how the grit factor of endurance and resolve redefined my existence.

What

A. The Challenge of Obesity

For as long as I can remember, obesity and I were frequent - albeit unwilling - companions. The extra pounds were not just a physical burden, but they took a hefty toll on my emotional wellbeing too. I was caught in a relentless cycle where the number on the scale would decide the course of my day.

B. The Trial and Error Phase

Desperate to bring about a change, I experimented with an array of approaches: flashy diets promising drastic weight loss, exhaustive exercise regimens, and everything in between. There were days of ephemeral victories, followed by the crushing realism of gaining back more weight than I had lost. The fluctuating numbers, the increasing sense of failure, and the shame associated with my perceived lack of discipline left me disheartened.

C. The Decision to Change

Consequently, I arrived at a juncture where I realized that sporadic attempts at drastic transformation were not yielding permanent results. The scales tipped in favor of a long-term, sustainable lifestyle change - albeit slow and steady - over ephemeral, scornful success. My journey was about to transition from aimless meandering to determined, resilient pursuit.

How

Daily Steps Goal: 15,000 Steps a Day

The first change I instituted as part of my lifestyle overhaul was setting a daily step goal. Determined to make movement a consistent part of my routine, I used a fitness tracker and aimed for an average target of 15,000 steps each day, a number promised to have tangible health benefits.

1. Maintaining the Habit: It wasn't always easy, and often, life got in the way. However, I quickly found out the power of consistency - it was better to take fewer steps every day than to aim too high and not take any at all on the days I fell short.
2. Effect on Overall Health & Weight Loss: This daily habit of walking not only improved my physical health but also became a stress-busting activity. It was instrumental in the initial phase of my weight loss, setting the tone for further transformation.

Regular Strength Training: Three Times a Week

After making a commitment to daily movement, the next step was incorporating regular strength training into my routine. Three days a week, I showed up to lift weights, rain, or shine.

1. Incorporating It Into the Routine: Adapting to strength training was tough in the beginning - muscles I didn't even know I had were screaming in protest. But the promise to myself was sacred. I persisted.

2. Impact on Fitness Level and Weight Loss: Gradually, strength training started to improve my body's metabolism, resulting in more efficient burning of calories. It made me stronger both physically and mentally, and the steadily decreasing nunumbers on the scale reaffirmed my faith in consistency.

CrossFit: Once or Twice a Week

Crossfit is key. Doing things that are difficult outside of your comfort zone prepares you for contiuing despite how you feel.

1. Challenges Faced: Every CrossFit workout was rigorous, pushing me to my limits, and then some. But instead of feeling defeated, I began to relish the challenge. It made me feel alive in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.

2. Results Noticed: The scale was moving steadily, but more than that, my energy levels were skyrocketing, and my body was feeling profoundly different.

Eating Healthy: A Low Carbohydrate Diet

Nutrition is an essential aspect of any weight loss journey. Thus, I shifted to a low carbohydrate diet, consuming healthy fats and proteins in place of processed, sugary foods.

1. Making the Dietary Switch: This transition was no cakewalk. Sugar cravings haunted me, but my resolve held strong. I had to remind myself daily why I started this journey and where I intended to go.

2. How It Contributed to the Weight Loss: Step by step, the low carbohydrate diet started showing results. I felt lighter, more energetic, and over time, the cravings gave way to a healthier eating pattern.

Through all of this, two principles remained constant - persistence and consistency. These weren’t momentous, grand activities that brought about an instant transformation. Rather, it was a series of modest, often taxing steps which, when repeated consistently, started showing their magic.

Challenges

Dealing with Fluctuating Motivation

Staying motivated was not an easy feat. There were days when waking up and hitting the gym seemed like the hardest thing in the world. Times when it just felt easier to revert to old habits. It was during these times that I realized motivation would not always serve as a reliable ally. So, I turned to discipline, an enduring friend who was there regardless of the circumstances.

Maintaining Persistence and a Consistent Routine

What mattered most was not how I felt on a particular day, but rather my commitment to the journey. Thus, regardless of the size of the step, I made sure I kept moving forward. Days turned into weeks, then months, and before I knew it, a full year had passed. It was astonishing to see how these small, consistent efforts had snowballed into significant results.

Drawing inspiration from consistency and progress

Every milestone, no matter how small, served as a source of encouragement. Whether it was managing to squeeze in a workout after a busy day or resisting the temptation of unhealthy food, each victory over self-doubt was a testament to my resolve. These achievements fuelled my determination, spurring me on to remain consistent in the pursuit of my goals.

Conclusion

Today, as I look back on my journey so far, I am deeply humbled, and a strong sense of fulfilment washes over me. I've shed 75 pounds, a physical testament to my strength and tenacity, but what truly took hold of me was the transformation within. Through bravery, resilience, and the power of persistence and consistency, I emerged from my cocoon as a healthier, stronger, more disciplined version of myself.

But the journey doesn't end here. I recognize that continuing to lose weight and then maintaining this lifestyle requires continuous effort and discipline. The lessons learned from this year are invaluable. They've taught me that no goal is unachievable if we consistently work towards it, even when motivation wanes.

Through the darkest days, when progress was microscopic, persistence and consistency were my guiding lights. They've not only transformed my body, but redefined my perspective towards challenges in general.

To anyone embarking on a personal journey of transformation, remember, the results might not manifest overnight, but that's okay. Embrace the grind, be consistent, and never stop pursuing. Armed with the twin shield of persistence and consistency, you are ready to conquer any mountain that life might place on your path.