Celebrating Paleo!

This weekend I am celebrating my new lifestyle!

My daughter is celebrating her 7th birthday on Sunday. Oh my where did the time go?

It feels just like yesterday I was 226lbs, at 52% BF and pregnant with a very symptomatic rare congential heart defect called WPW. 

Today I am a healthy 22% BF and 140lbs and taking zero prescription medications.

So this weekend I am celebrating my family and all of my blessings.

This spring marks the first time in 7 years where I have gone through 4 seasons wearing the same size clothes.  This is amazing! No more yoyo dieting, no more counting calories, carbs or points.  Just living each day to the fullest!

To be wearing a size 6 again after 7 years is so energizing! To be able to shop for clothes anywhere I like!

I used to hate my muscular thighs and my wide hips.  I used to hate my broad shoulders and my skinny ankles.  

Now I realize that I am blessed to have this body.  My thicker thighs are a result of playing hockey and lacrosse since the age of 10. My legs are strong, I can leg press 250lbs comfortably and back squat with a weight of 110lbs.  

My wide hips along with a smaller waist add feminin shape and curves that 95% of men drool over including my husband.  My broad back and shoulders make me strong! 

Some people have commented on how flat my stomach is now and they can't believe it got that way from following a paleo lifestyle.  Well it didnt!  Paleo was only part of it! 

I worked out at an extremely high intensity with a personal trainer doing TRX and crossfit.  At the same time I went to TRX bootcamp 2 nights per week. And if you havent worked out until you've puked on a regular basis then you would not be able to appreciate what TRX bootcamp really means.  On top of that I ran 5km 3-4 times per week.

But the biggest secret to my current flat stomach..........

I've always had a beautiful toned flat stomach. For as long as I can remember.  Even after the birth of 2 kids.  So it is not that hard for your body to get back to the way its always been with a little hard work and dedication.

Its really an amazing feeling of accomplishment to get pretty darn close to the figure you had at age 20 after 3 kids, heart surgery and a double mastectomy.

And all those silly years I spent hating parts of my body.......I am so grateful for what I have.  I now realize that I am so glad I dont have skinnier thighs and legs that have no definition. 

I am so glad that I dont have a narrow flat bum, I am so glad that I dont have a flabby ponch for a stomach and I love my strong back and shoulders.

Boy, how we grow as individuals when we learn to love ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others.  

Not just physically but people need to stop comparing their financial status, what they "have", their families, relationships and decisions they've made. 

Jealousy, begrudging and spitefulness are ugly colours of green.  Especially when directed at the people around you or people you may be associated with.  These types of feelings are usually a result of personal insecurity and unhappiness with past decisions.  

How free we become when we stop worrying about what others think and we become truly happy inside.

I wish this peace and success for all of my family and friends.  I hope to inspire them and encourage them when ever possible.  

Something else I've learned.......it's okay to blow your own horn!  It's okay to be proud of yourself, and it's okay to share those feelings. 

My goal for this summer is to tone up and build muscle again.  TRX here I come!!