Gold's Gym Blog

by Danielle A.

It’s very strange for me to be writing about something as personal as this weight loss journey, and sharing it with complete strangers. For so long, I’ve kept my private life guarded – closely protecting it, and offering only those closest to me a glimpse of what I endure on a daily basis. I am not looking for sympathy, because I’m no more special than anyone else struggling with weight. I know that this didn’t just happen to me, as if by accident. I wasn’t always this overweight. I definitely had curves at a young age, but never anything like this. Although my bio on the Gold’s Gym blog sheds little light on my background, it did provide a small but important fact: I gained weight with intent and purpose, so as to protect myself (subconsciously). You may be wondering what kind of person would want to do this to herself. Why would I choose this life?

I absolutely want to get healthier now, because I am the happiest in my life that I’ve ever been. But as a child, I felt helpless and alone, and slowly realized that if I made myself ugly, then the abuse would stop. So although being a participant in this challenge is a blessing in so many ways, it’s also a little scary – I’ll be knocking down this wall that I worked hard for so many years building. But I’m determined to overcome the pain of my past. I’ve had to fight and claw my way to happiness, but I finally have it! The only thing standing in my way now is me. I hope that by sharing my story, someone else can find hope and realize that it does get better.

In fact, I’m only just starting this journey and I am already seeing results! My energy is up, and I’m doing crazy things with the Xbox Kinect! It’s so much fun that I forget I’m working out. I was skeptical at first because I honestly didn’t think a video game would help me exercise enough to see results. But let me tell you, you sweat! Example of what my schedule is like now:

Between 7 and 8 am – Breakfast : 6 egg whites with cheese, 4 oz. V8
9:30 am – Xbox Kinect for at least 30 minutes ; I switch between sports, aerobic-type games and dance
10 to 11 am – one hour session with trainer

It’s great to have the Xbox because I can fit it into my schedule at different points during the day, no matter how busy I get. Five minutes here, 10 minutes there…it all adds up!

I am feeling so motivated because I’ve been given all the tools I need to succeed. My trainers have been great, and the Xbox Kinect is awesome. But at the end of the day, it’s all up to me!

Starting Weight: 290

As of 2/15: 286

Starting Over, One Day At A Time.