Alright, buckle up buttercups, ’cause I’m about to spill the beans on my recent fitness journey. The title gives it away: “135 lbs 5 6”. Yeah, that’s me, or at least, was me. Let me break down how I got there and what I did about it.
It all started a few months back. I looked in the mirror one day and thought, “Damn, I’m not feeling this.” My clothes were tighter, I was winded walking up the stairs, and my energy levels were in the toilet. I’m 5’6″, and the scale was stubbornly stuck at 135 lbs. Now, I know weight isn’t everything, but for me, it was a sign that things weren’t going the way I wanted them to.
The Starting Point: Awareness and a Plan
- First thing’s first: I needed to track what I was eating. MyFitnessPal became my new best friend (or worst enemy, depending on the day).
- Next, I started moving more. I wasn’t aiming for crazy gym sessions right off the bat. Just daily walks around the block, maybe 30 minutes.
- Finally, I set a realistic goal: lose 1-2 pounds per week. Slow and steady wins the race, right?
The Grind: Diet and Exercise
This is where things got real. The diet part was honestly the toughest. I’m a sucker for snacks, especially late at night. So, I had to make some serious changes.
- Cutting the Crap: Processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive carbs? Gone! (Okay, mostly gone. I still had cheat meals, don’t judge.)
- Protein Power: I focused on getting enough protein to keep me full and help build muscle. Chicken, fish, beans, lentils – the whole shebang.
- Veggies, Veggies, Veggies: Load up on the greens! Seriously, they’re your friends. They fill you up, they’re good for you, and they’re relatively low in calories.
As for exercise, I gradually ramped things up.
- Walking turned into Jogging: I started incorporating short bursts of jogging into my walks. Eventually, I was running (well, more like shuffling) for a solid 30 minutes.
- Bodyweight Exercises: Squats, push-ups, planks – the basics. I did these at home, no fancy equipment needed.
- Adding Weights: After a few weeks, I started lifting light weights. Nothing crazy, just enough to challenge my muscles.
The Plateaus and the Breakthroughs
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were weeks where the scale wouldn’t budge. Frustrating? Absolutely. But I learned to trust the process.
Here’s what I did when I hit a plateau:
- Re-evaluate my Calories: Maybe I was eating more than I thought. I went back to MyFitnessPal and made sure I was still on track.
- Mix Up My Workouts: Our bodies are smart. They adapt. So, I tried new exercises or increased the intensity of my existing ones.
- Patience, Patience, Patience: Sometimes, you just have to wait it out. Your body is adjusting, and eventually, the scale will start moving again.
The Results and the Maintenance
After a few months of hard work and dedication, I finally reached my goal weight. I felt stronger, more energetic, and more confident. But the journey doesn’t end there. Maintaining my weight is just as important as losing it.
Here’s what I’m doing to stay on track:
- Continuing to Track: Not as religiously as before, but I still keep an eye on my calorie intake.
- Staying Active: I try to get some form of exercise most days of the week.
- Making Healthy Choices: I still indulge in treats occasionally, but I prioritize healthy, whole foods.
Final Thoughts
Losing weight and getting in shape isn’t easy, but it’s definitely doable. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to make changes. But the rewards are well worth it. So, if you’re thinking about starting your own fitness journey, go for it! You got this!
And remember, I’m just a regular person sharing my experience. What worked for me might not work for you. But hopefully, my story can inspire you to take that first step.
