The Selfie That Made Me Realize I Took "Healthy" Too Far

A few years ago, after I had achieved my 45 lb. weightloss, I was rocking some killer abs. I was so excited to see abs for the first time in years-not to mention that my love handles had totally disappeared.

I snapped this photo below and I immediately began realizing one thing: I wasn't healthy.

"What? Why wouldn't you be healthy with abs?" You might ask. Well, because this photo, shown below, wasn't good enough for me. I wanted MORE. I wanted skinner. I wanted less body fat. I wanted more definition.

I got so caught up into my new body that I was obsessed with everything that went into it. However, I easily became underweight for my height from being on a strict calorie counting (obsessed) diet. I didn't go to the gym because I was afraid of getting "bulky" so even though I had abs, I was still "skinny fat." 

I lacked the energy to go to work where I had to stand for 8 hours a day. I was emotionally tired and feeling drained nonstop. 

I was a total mess inside & out.

As I had mentioned in my recent article "When I Lost My Weight, I Lost My Sanity",  there was a point in my past when I took this whole healthy thing way too far. 

For example, I was once thrown a birthday party at my clinic that I worked as a nurse at, and I didn't even eat the birthday cake that they had gotten me. Why? I was afraid that one bite would turn me fat again. Lame, I know right?

I woke up one day and learned to do things the right way-even if it meant sacrificing my abs. Because, I finally realized that those abs were not from hard work-they were from deprivation. 

I didn't have cheat meals.

I didn't have sweets.

I didn't eat carbs.

I didn't eat past a certain time every night.

I didn't eat more than 1,200-1,400 calories a day.

I didn't workout.

I decided life was way to short to worry about having perfect abs everyday. 

So, I gave in! 

I allowed myself 1-2 cheat meals per week.

I eat sweets every now and then.

I LOVE CARBS!!!!!!

I eat right before bedtime if I am still hungry.

I eat around 2,300 calories per day. 

I workout 4-5 days a week.

I have abs that personally look and FEEL better to me these days. Why? Because I did it the RIGHT way this time. I didn't do it for the vanity or how I looked. I did it to become healthy and to feel empowered by my good choices.

Come join the the Fit Momm Movement and take on the Abs After Baby Challenge (no, you don't have to be a mommy to do it!). Feel empowered and take control of your fitness today to become the healthiest and happiest version of yourself possible.