What I GAVE to GAIN.

I was pretty depressed in this pic. This was taken January 2010. I was a size 13 and around 150lbs. I was tired all of the time and constantly wore the baggiest of clothes to hide my body. I decided to make a change...I had totally hit my own personal "rock bottom". It was not as easy as just waking up and deciding to exercise. I had to completely overhaul my lifestyle, which meant that I had to give up a lot of things to gain the body and quality of health that I so desperately wanted. Here is what I gave up so I could "gain".

What I gave, or gave up :)

late night eating

alcohol

salt

sugar

starchy carbs

poor self talk

my baggy clothes =D

fried food

diet soda/soda in general

depression

negativity

syrups

mental weight gain...i.e. baggage

hiding

fear

pain

low self esteem

FAT

What I GAINED for my SACRIFICES:

Self LOVE

Confidence

Muscle

My smile

mojo :)

energy

beautiful skin

positive outlook

skinny jeans

tight fitting HOT clothes! =D

the confidence to model again <3

ambition to try new things

spiritual enlightenment

hope

trust

the I can do anything, don't try to stop me, I will always find a way or get out of my way 'tude. It's called "Lindsay Power". =)

a strong desire to show other people they CAN feel this way and have all of these things too. :)

I FEEL ALIVE

happiness

creativity

being a positive example to my children

Abs

sexy shoulders, butt, thighs, back...you name that body part and it has been transformed! ;)

lifestyle change.

**What I gave to gain the lifestyle I needed, wanted, and was craving...was hard to give at first. I fell off that wagon. I complained. I veered off track. I binged. I hit plateaus. It took a hell of a lot of blood sweat and fuckin' tears to get here. It's still not over. I bitched at some people who love me. Then I put my big girl panties on and did it. I'm still doing it. I have dreams. But the point is I have gained so much by giving so much. No one hands it to you on a purdy silver platter. You want it, go get it. The equation is easy, we make it harder by making excuses. If you want to change yourself mind, body and soul you have to get HONEST with yourself. Stop enabling yourself to make bad choices. Stop telling yourself "well I would workout but it hurts." Or "I don't have time." Or "I can't give up the foods I like." Do you think people that have incredible bodies have all of the time in the world? Do you think it wasn't hard for them to give up the foods they love (which btw, you don't have to totally give up) =) In order to change you must be willing to get uncomfortable and make sacrifices. Successful people aren't smarter, perfect or better...successful people have failed many times, they just NEVER quit. Give.