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Wow, Wow, WOW!!!

A year ago today, I took a fitness assessment that was provided for free at my job. At that assessment, things like my weight, bmi, body composition, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, etc. were measured. While most of my numbers were “normal” I was NOT happy. I weight over 170 lbs, and was not looking cute…

(check out my health page at the top of my site, or click here to see more before photographs)

Before:

The number that threw my jaw to the floor was my % Body Fat. I had 38.1% body fat.

The now almost famous conversation that I had in my head went something like this, “Woa. 38%. That is almost 40%… THATS ALMOST 50%!!! I’m almost HALF FAT!!!”

That night, I went to the store and bought the 30 day shred DVD… and the rest was history!

I’m proud of the accomplishments that I’ve had this year:

• I worked out 30 days straight when I thought it’d kill me
• I went from running 30 seconds, to running up to 5 miles
• I graduated from the couch to 5k program
• I’ve completed 4 5k races
• I’ve completed 1 4 mile race
• I’ve lost and maintained around 25 lbs to date
• I’ve become more balanced and flexible
• I’ve gone from a size 16 to a size 8
• I’ve CHANGED my diet significantly, adding healthy and wholesome food to most of my meals.
• I’ve become a moderator or a national board related to health and fitness.
• I’ve got a blog reach of over 100 (usually quiet, but wonderful) readers who help keep me accountable.

That is a pretty damn good year, if you ask me.

So, to the FITAVERSARY PART…

Today, the fitness wagon came by again, one year after driving through and changing my world.

I bounded into the room, ready and excited to see my numbers…

Here are some highlights:

Check out last year’s sad diagnosis…

Check out this year’s BEAUTY!!!!

THAT is meaningful change, people!

I was LITERALLY glowing all day… My Jess-i-poo took some pictures of my happiness, so I could share my excitement with you fine people…

I posed with both of my reports, last year’s and today’s…

I think this one says, “Hollerrr! I’m making myself the best me I can be and I have an abnormally huge smile!”

I’ll close this incredible meaningful post (to me, anyway) with an excerpt from last year… the day after my 38.1% epiphany…

One of the most prevalent messages of the story [kung fu panda] was that, there is no “trick” to becoming who you are destined/meant/hoping to be… No self help book, no 30 day shred workout video, and no special website that will make that change happen. In the end, we have to decide to make that change ourselves.

Anyone who has known me for any length of time has undoubtedly heard one of the dozens of “I’mma change! I’m gonna get fit! I’m gonna finish an album! I’m gonna eat only organic! I’m gonna blog every day!” But… maybe, just maybe… a day will come and those changes that I want to see in myself will be my day-to-day… moment to moment priorities.

Love you guys…

<3