Nothing can stop me now!

Three years ago, I decided to start a new chapter in my life.

April 2013. Eight months until my 30^th birthday. I had lost count of how often I told myself it was time to lose some weight, so that I could feel healthy and good in my own skin. My ultimate goal was to get fit again, to find pleasure in staying active.

I’d often close my eyes and remember the joy I felt as a child when I’d go skating in the winter, or swimming in the summer. The feeling of being free!

Taking back control of my life was the most meaningful challenge I had ever given myself. I decided I wanted to start pleasing myself before pleasing others; I wanted to take care of myself so that I could enjoy life to the fullest, something I had always known how to do.

April 5^th will stay engraved in my mind forever. It was the day I decided to make a change. No going back. No excuses. I decided to transform my life then and there, to become fearless, and to hold my head up high. I decided to become myself again.

At the time, I was a part-time comedian and I was performing in a six-month-long show that was nearing its end. All those dinners and late nights were extremely tiring. Spring was just around the corner and it was the perfect time to kick-off my challenge.

I slowly began with an interval training program called Couch to 5k (special thanks to my dear friend Mariane for showing me the app!).

My body quickly broke out of its comfort zone. My first runs in the park were tough; my knees and thighs burned, and tears filled my eyes, but I wanted to achieve my goal. Like a little girl gazing at a candy shop window, I felt like the big prize wasn’t too far away. Feeling free, increasing my endurance level and realizing that I could now participate in fun local runs, as well as other larger ones such as the Color Run; these were all reasons that kept me pushing.

One year before my transformation, you would have never caught me running, because, “Running was only for others!” Today, I stand tall and yell that I was made to run! With my running shoes on tight, I surprised myself. My first week of running only strengthened my desire to continue.

September 2016. Three years later. I proudly look at my journey: down 60 lbs. (my initial goal was to lose 30 lbs. by my 30^th birthday!), several runs under my belt, the will to try a bunch of new activities like rock climbing and dancing, and above all, the sense of pride in having finally reconnected with my true self.