My fitness journey: The road to a better, fitter, and healthier me

Who would've thought I'd be sharing something like this? Never would have I imagined writing something that involves fitness. Why? Because I was never the type who would get into fitness. I was simply a lazy mama who loved to eat and never cared about burning the extra calories. Back then, I would say, "What's the point?" But everything changed when I read Rhonda Byrne's The Secret and started my "self-love" journey. It sounds cliché but it's true. I started changing my mindset and learned to prioritize myself. And taking care of myself mentally, emotionally, and physically was one of the many things I did to start this journey. So here, let me share to you how I am continuously working to become a better, fitter, and healthier version of myself.

A few years and kilograms ago...

My body changed drastically after giving birth. I gained a lot of pounds but I didn't give a single F about it. I found myself stress eating instead which went on for years. I could finish three to four cups of rice in one seating. The heaviest I have been was 60 kilograms or around 133 pounds. I hated how people would always tell me how fat I have become. My self-esteem decreased dramatically. I wore loose clothes and in the office, a large jacket was always covering me up. I signed up for yoga, Muay Thai, and gym memberships but I didn't take them seriously. They felt like a chore to me.

Around February 2019, I met my sister-from-another-mother, Roma. She shared that she's on a no-rice diet and that she's been on it for more than a year already. But it was only around May 2019 when I decided to try it. It was so difficult to let go of rice at first so I took things slow. I started with eliminating rice on dinners, then breakfast, then lunch. There were times I was tempted but I was determined to see if this diet would work on me too. Results started showing around July 2019. I could wear my sister's dresses already. Haha. So I continued the diet. I tried intermittent fasting too and only ate two meals a day: breakfast and lunch. My body continued to change and I got addicted. I started regaining my self-confidence. I started buying dresses, skirts, and medium-sized tops (I used to wear large or extra large).

2020: The year I decided to take things to the next level

January 2020, I joined my first 3K run for the year. I felt an immense euphoria after that I decided to pursue running. In fact, I decided to be more active starting this year because I couldn't just rely on the diet anymore. I know that time would come that my body would adapt to the diet and wouldn't progress any further. So I developed a schedule to run on weekdays within our office's area. And then I joined another fun run last February and proudly finished a 4K run. I never thought I would fall in love with running.

I also started joining Nym, my influencer friend, on her Muay Thai sessions. So I fixed my schedule to run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and Muay Thai on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I used to feel like it was a chore for me but I feel differently about it now. Exercising feels so good. My body's starting to crave for it. Also, I'm still on a no-rice diet but I don't do intermittent fasting anymore because I replaced it with my workout routine.

As of May 2020...

Left photo: Taken last April 18, 2020 / Right photo: Taken last May 3, 2020

Honestly, I wouldn't have noticed the changes if I haven't taken the photos above. And I have to say that I am honestly proud of myself. My hard work and determination paid off. I know I have said this a million times and I will say this again, working out is no longer about weight loss for me anymore because my goal now is to be fit, strong, and healthy. And this is just the beginning of my lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Posted in Health & Wellness