A Letter To The Girl Trying To Get Healthy

To the girl trying to get healthy,

I know it's hard.

I know the feeling of not wanting to go to the gym because you're embarrassed of how out of shape you are.

I know how intimidating it is to walk into that gym for the first time.

I know how frustrating it is to see others eat whatever they want while you sit there with rabbit food.

I know the feeling of wanting to give up— but don't.

Trust me, I know.

The important thing is that you're doing something about it. You've hit your rock bottom to make that change and I'm betting right now that you're furious with yourself for letting your body get this way. But shit happens, suck it up and deal with it. You have taken that first step to make change and that's what matters. You've started to give up those sweets, that soda, focusing on intaking more vegetables, and those small changes make for a really big change.

I know what it feels like to wake up each morning, look in the mirror and hate what you see. I know what it feels like to cry almost everyday because you're not happy with yourself. I know what it feels like to try on 63238 outfits before work and hate yourself in each one. Trust me, I know.

I know how frustrating it is to not see immediate results— to work your ass off day in and day out and not see the scale move. I understand why you want to give up. And as much as I wish you could wake up tomorrow morning and see the results from today's workout— it's just not realistic. It's going to take time. It's going to test your patience. You're going to slip up here and there and that's OK. But once you get there, whatever your vision is, it will feel so good. Trust me, I know.

I know what it feels like to see before/after transformation picture on social media and dream about being there. I know what it feels like to wonder how much weight loss surgery costs, if it covered by insurance and question if that's a better path to go. Trust me, I know.

While you're working your butt off, make sure you eat. Sounds weird, right? But seriously, eat the right food and enough calories. Fuel that body of yours. Don't deprive it. And remember just because you had one bad meal, doesn't mean it ruined all the good things you ate that week. It's OK to want tacos, or beer, or vodka, or fries, or ice cream, or pizza— you earn every bit of that and enjoy it! But remember to get back on track right after.

Do you remember last year how you told yourself that you'd lose weight— that you'd get healthier? Think about where you'd be right now if you had stuck with it. Prove it to yourself that this time you can stick with it. Prove it to yourself that you will push through even if you hit a bump in the road.

Please don't forget that weight is just number. It doesn't define how you feel or how you see yourself in the mirror. Appreciate your body for all the things it can do and don't pick it apart.

To the girl trying to get healthy, your health is THE greatest gift that you could possibly have and I'm damn proud of you for taking this step.