Journey to Abs from my Bedroom and Kitchen
I honestly just wanted abs. Then it progressed to a thin mid-section and a flat belly, then abs.
So one day in January, 2014, I checked my weight with some machine in the Boots store and found out that I was overweight. As thin as I was then, still overweight. Imagine my surprise. BMI was somewhere it wasn't supposed to be and I just decided to get serious.
I gave away my bottles of Vimto, oasis, sprite, ribena, every kind of fizzy drink with that artificial sweetener I owned. All my biscuits, haribo, pringles, every other kind of snacks, everything! My room used to be like the sweet section of Asda. I bought some green tea and water, tried to drink more water everyday. I'm not a water person, but I try.
Entered every possible variation for ways to get abs into the Google search engine and just took whatever anyone said. I asked Bobby what he did to get his rock-solid abs. He said, "salads and protein only. No carbs." That meant, no bread, no rice, just vegetables and chicken, plus he went to the gym and I really couldn't be bothered. I would rather buy a couple of shoes.
Mahn! Did I get hungry? Sometimes, it just felt like my belly was endless. Never getting full. I tried to keep up. I really did. With various new ways to make my salads interesting and eatable without those fat and calorie doused salad dressings. I got really weak/ exhausted sometimes. 2weeks without carbs took its toll on me.
Found a tub of meal replacement and some protein powder, one Sunday morning in the kitchen, and made some as it said on the tub. Went back after a couple of hours for another round. It seemed to work better than just salads. Kept me full for about 2-3 hours. I needed to get mine. Took to Amazon and found so many, I couldn't quite make up my mind. The reviews seemed to help and I decided to try the USN products, which happened to be pocket friendly and seemingly effective, according to the reviews.
In addition to further research and exercise apps. Like the Nike Training app suggested by some girl on Instagram and a couple of tips here and there. Plus some girl in particular, Mankofit, with a body to die for inspired me to keep going.
I had to banish the idea of spot reduction. Which means, no abs without burning fat, and no burning fat from the belly alone. So, I lost some weight, BMI is fine now. Body's getting firmer. Love handles are nowhere to be seen. Belly and waist are shrinking, as well as my small bum too, sadly. Anyhoo, I look in the mirror and I'm squealing with joy.
From 20 second planks, I've gone to over 60 seconds in a couple of weeks. I can run for longer, not as long as I want though, but I'm working on it. I can do more high intensity exercises without stopping to rest frequently or feeling faint. I learned to eat before the exercises. At least some carbs and protein to provide my body with the nutrients and energy to kill those workouts.
Everyday, I find new recipes for those abs. They will get here, it's just taking some time. I have faith. I also find new exercise ideas, even new bullshit (good thing I can spot it now when I see/ hear it). I keep learning and opening my mind to the possibility that anything is possible.
So when I see someone who's overweight, I just want to hug them and ask them to join me, so we can get healthy together. However, this quote which has become one of my favorites stops me,
“Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent”.
I am slowly trying to get my folks to join me, get healthy too and lose whatever weight they can in the process. Worked on my mum, she lost some weight in just 2weeks, not sure of the figures, but she did. BMI came down too. Seeing as I'm a novice in all this, I'm really proud of myself. It can be really expensive, but when I see my body in the mirror these days, it gives me so much joy. I started one morning, I don't even remember what day it was. And I've come so far, I feel like asking myself what I've been waiting for all this time. Did I add that I feel amazing too? I walk with a spring in my steps. I'm quick to put on a crop top. All those afternoon naps I used to take don't know me anymore. I have a lot more energy now, getting stronger, doing higher intensity workouts and eating a lot more than I ever used to with portion control.
The days of starving myself are over. I try to find foods that provide me the nutrition I need. I pack my lunches when I have to go to school. Eat small portions of carbs when I absolutely can't say no. No fastfood in ages, can't even remember what they taste like. Some pizza every now and then, for my "reset" or "cheat day" as it's called. Take the skin off that juicy piece of chicken because I know it's just fat and I've been working too hard to hinder my progress. Walk away from the fresh croissant and doughnuts aisles, etc etc.
My body has been going through changes. I can't call them small changes. They are huge. I'm just glad that I have so much self control and will strength to be able to walk away from whatever can be tagged unhealthy, or at least put up a fight. Lol.
So, until the abs get here, Namaste!
