Everybody has a different a different story on why they started their journey with fitness. For me fitness helped me find my voice and gain a sense of confidence that nobody could take from me. For others, fitness can be weight loss goals or lowering cholesterol but for whatever the reason our stories share similar instances when we realize that this is something we love.
When I first began competing and posting picture, people would message me on FB or via email after posting pictures and my daily experiences congratulating me on my journey. After a few months the messages started to change and people we telling me how they were inspired by my story and were now on a journey of their own. Today I would like to share the first story of a man named Mark D.
To give you some background, Mark was born with a rare bone disease in his hip. This left him with one leg 3 inches shorter than the other. This brought on many challenges. A few years ago he was in a car accident that left him with a compound fracture on his shorter leg. In both cases, he spent almost a year on crutches. Needless to say, these experiences left him with an important lesson. Never take your health for granted. This lesson inspired Marc to join a gym after competing physiotherapy for his fractured leg and this is his story.
Physiotherapy helped Marc learn to strength the muscles around his hip that were compensating for the weaker muscles. He started to notice after doing exercises and stretches his massage therapist suggested that his balance was slowly improving. This was Mark's first fire when he realized that he could be pain free and exercising again by starting with the basics.
When his physio was finished he decided to joined a gym to continue his exercises. They were challenging because he would experience a lot of pain in his hip and struggled balancing which made normal activities difficult. At one point the pain was so bad that he wasn't able to tie his own shoes. These challenges weren't just physical but mental as well as his weight started to increase.
This inspired Mark to get into a routine and to stay on track because if he didn't, he would be back where he started and the pain would come back. Small changes have impacted his life and today he has lost 25 pounds! He is continuing on his journey and plans to loose 20-25 pounds and maintain his healthy new weight.
Mark wants to help inspire others by sharing his story and by telling anyone who is starting to just "get off the couch and do it. You could think of a 1000 excuses not to do it but you only need one reason to do it. Your health." I love that! You only need one excuses to go do what you want to do. There is nothing more important than your health. If you are just starting out, ease into a routine and do a little more each time. Too often people get discouraged and give up because they start too quickly and don't get instant gratification. Losing weight and creating a new habit takes time and patience.
It wasn't always easy. Procrastination is something that we all feel and Mark could attest by saying he's never wanted to give up but has had moments where he didn't want to do it. In this moment he remembers that his procrastination is what added to his weight gain uses that as motivation. He also uses other people inspiration as fuel to overcome these moments or when pushing through a workout. Mark admits to falling off the wagon, but we've all been there but it's what makes you get back on that makes you stronger. He uses visualization to get back on by thinking about people he knows training twice a day or by visualizing how good he will feel after a workout.
Mark's currently working on cardio to shed those initial pounds and does between 25 and 45 minutes on the elliptical every other day or two days on one day off. Finding balance is important and what works for you but the most crucial thing is to go. When he first started his cardio routine he was at level 6 but has worked his way up to level 14! Whenever he feels his workouts are getting easier he ups the tension and keeps going. In addition to cardio, he is also doing weights to strength his upper body. He naturally has a good build and wants to keep the muscle he currently has and maintain this regime.
Sharing your journey is like airing dirty laundry and takes a lot of guts but you never know how your story will inspire others. Mark is an inspiration and shows how doing a little planning and preparation can go a long way. Start off by making a weekly date with the gym and stick to it and cutting out one thing at a time can help you ease into your new routine. Mark's go to snack is a Mac Apple with a bit of peanut butter or some fresh pineapple.
I really enjoyed learning about Mark's journey and wanted to share his experience in hopes that it would inspire you with your goals. We all have goals but the difference it some people stick to theirs and others don't. It's okay to fall off the wagon but you have to get back on. It will get easier everyday and in no time you will be on your way.
Yours in health and fitness,
Nicole
