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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Well Hello There...Have We Met?

Well blow me over with a cotton ball.  Seriously.  Can I just tell y'all how excited I am that you have joined me over here on this little 'ol blog of mine?!  I am not even kidding when I say that I feel like a kid in a candy store on Christmas Morning! (Not that that scenario could ever be possible, but wouldn't that be like every kid's dream?)

I say this because I have had soooo many wonderful new people start to follow me and what I've got goin' over here at Jenna Rae Everyday!  Yes, I know that about 99% of you found me through the AMAZING giveaway from this post here, that I teamed up with some truly awesome bloggers to give you all some cold hard cash, but hey, I want to welcome you with open arms!  It honestly means the world to me that you are here.  So welcome...I hope you like what you see read!

Since so many of you are new to my blog, I thought I would do a little rundown on the main reason I started this blog about two months ago...I wanted to write about a lot of things: my family, my little boy, and life as a Midwest Nebraska girl.  But, my main focus was the story I wanted to share.  A journey that I have taken over the past three years.  How I went from being the "chubby" girl, to the girl who's life now revolves around a healthy, fitness related lifestyle.

You see, I wasn't always what you would call "fit."  I always struggled with my weight.  I used to drive through Taco Bell and McDonald's after I got off of work at 10:30 at night, order a couple chalupas and a couple double cheeseburgers, stuff my face with them in my car in the parking lot, then dispose of the wrappers before I got home.  All so the hubs didn't know of my dirty little secret.

I would then proceed to cry myself to sleep at night because I was miserable.  I hated my retail job.  None of my clothes fit right.  I couldn't wear my wedding ring because my fingers had transformed into sausages.  I had just given up on myself and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror.

Then, after not stepping foot onto a scale in over two years, I did it.  That's when it turned real ugly.  Because the last time I had done that I weighed around 140 lbs.  But when those three little red numbers popped up, my stomach sank:  180.  I had gained 40 lbs (and was at 35% body fat) in the first two years of marriage...
Although this picture doesn't do it justice, it's the last picture I have of me "before."
That's when I decided to do something about it.  I conquered my fears and joined a gym to kick my ass into shape!  I did things the old fashioned way:  I ate only lean meats and proteins, veggies and fruits.  And I worked out 6 days a week for an hour a day (early in the morning before my body had a chance to talk me out of it!)

There were days I wanted to give up.  There were days that I cried through my whole workout and on the way home because it felt like I was never going to reach my goal.  I would have great weeks of losing 5 lbs at a time, but then I would hit major plateaus that I couldn't surpass for months.  It was a roller coaster of emotions.

It took me a little over 9 months to reach my goal of my "before weight" of 140 lbs.  And I couldn't have been happier!
The before and after:  three years ago, 180 lbs on the left and 9 months later, 140 lbs on the right.
Then I got pregnant...

Fortunately, I was still in such a healthy, fitness mindset that I continued my same regimen throughout my entire pregnancy, and after it was all said and done, I had only gained 9 lbs in 9 months.  Call it a fluke, but my baby boy came out screaming at a healthy 7 lbs 3 oz!

I was able to jump back into working out shortly after, and I haven't stopped since.  In fact, I not only lost the baby weight, but I lost an extra 10 lbs, which is where I am at today: 130lbs.  For a grand total, after starting this journey, of 50 lbs lost.
The final "after" after:  two years ago, 140 lbs on the left and today, 130 lbs on the right.
Working out and eating healthy (80% of the time) is my way of life now.  Sure, not every day is perfect.  I have slip ups just like everyone else.  There are days where a double cheeseburger sounds better than a piece of grilled chicken.  But this is who I am now.  And I couldn't be happier with how far I have come!

I hope this gives you a better understanding of who I am and where I came from.  This is definitely the abbreviated version of my story, but all of the highlights up until this point.  So stick around, as I tell of what works for me, and what doesn't.  Workouts I love to hate and meal plans to help you reach your goals.  Along with a little everyday life mixed in!

Until next time...

27 comments:

  1. Hey, hey, Jenna Rae! Yes, I found you through the giveaway, but I'm glad I did! You have a wonderful piece of pie on this side of the interweb. Great job on getting fit, Mama! You're looking great! Keep it up and continue to inspire the rest of us! :)

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    1. Well I am soooo glad that you did!! And thank you so much for your sweet words! It truly means so much to me to inspire others...even if it's as simple as going for a walk instead of plopping in front of the tv...it's the little things that really add up! Thank you for popping by and saying hi!!

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  2. I did find you through the giveaway, so I'm so glad you picked today to share this story! That is SUCH an amazing transformation, and I love that you did it the "old-fashioned" way. Yo go girl!

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    1. Well bless your heart Tami!! It means more than you know...and honestly, the "old-fashioned" way is the only way to make things a habit...it may take a bit longer, but the results tend to stick around, too ;) Thank you for saying hi! And I just wanted to let you know that your blog is amazing...I'm definitely going to be stopping by there a lot more!!

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  3. COngrats on gaining all the followers! I just love your story and how similar our love of health and fitness is! So glad that I found your blog!

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    1. Thank you Amy!! And I couldn't agree with you more on how similar our loves are! I'm so glad we can follow along with each other's journeys and inspire others!! :)

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  4. I admire your story and you in general. Love hearing a little more about you.

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    1. Thank you Melanie, you are too sweet! It really means more than you know! You know how I feel about you, though: gorgeous and genuine who is inspiring me to get back into running!! So thank you for that!

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  5. I love your story. It really helps to see other bloggers who have struggled with weight. I'm in the middle of my battle but your story gives me inspiration. You look great!

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    1. You are too sweet, Katelyn! We have all been there at one point or another, because it's real life. It wouldn't be real if we all ate cake and cheeseburgers and didn't work out but stayed the size of a toothpick...unfortunately! But that's what I am here for...to hopefully motivate others to start somewhere!
      I am so glad you said hi and are a new follower! It means so much!!

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  6. Love your story! I wish I had better before and after pics, but your story sounds very familiar! love it!

    http://momrunningwild.blogspot.com/2013/01/1-year.html

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    1. Oh Nicole, I know the feeling...progress pics just motivate me to work that much harder. Especially when the scale doesn't change, but you know you are shrinking...that's where the pics come in handy! But my word of advice is just start now! It's never too late! Thank you for saying hi! I am on my way now to check out your blog!!

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  7. SO excited to get to know you through your blog! I'm at the starting point of my weight loss journey and have a similar story. Have you ever watched Frasier? One of the characters finally gets married and gains a WHOLE bunch of "happy weight" (she's pregnant in real life but they needed a coverup) and no one wants to tell her about it. I joke with my husband that it happened to me, the dang happy weight! ;)

    I love that you are real, that every day isn't perfect. It makes my trials with imperfection feel more realistic :)

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    1. OMG, Lila!! I love that Frasier scenario! That is exactly what happened to me!! And a lot of newlyweds too, I think! But the way I look at is, just be true to yourself, and find what works for you...be it working out early in the morning, or at night, or squeezing something in over your lunch, just find what is manageable. Because as long as you do that, you will be more determined to stick with it! Good luck on the rest of your journey!! And thank you for saying hi! It means so much to me!!

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  8. I admit too that I found you through the giveaway, and I'm SO glad I did! I love your story, very motivating to someone like me who wants to start living a more healthy lifestyle and lose weight!

    afluffygirl.blogspot.com

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    1. I don't care that it was the giveaway that you brought you here, Ashton! I would have entered that amazing giveaway too, if I could!! All that matters is that you are here! I just hope I can help you to reach your goals, whatever they may be! Thank you so much for saying hi! I truly appreciate it!!

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  9. I also found you through the giveaway and I am glad I did!! I love finding other Nebraska bloggers!! After 2 kids I've decided I really need to get myself into shape so I'm glad to have found you, you are very motivating and give me hope!

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    1. You're a NE girl?! No way!! That is so awesome! I, too, am so glad you found me! If you ever have any questions, feel free to shoot them at me...that is what I am here for. I by no means am an expert, but what I did worked. So I hope that I can help you find what works for you too! Thank you for popping over and saying hi!

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  10. WOW! That is so awesome! What a great story. I was married 5 months ago and I already can tell I have gained weight. I work out and try to eat healthy. Its definitely a daily struggle. But I'm trying!

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    1. Oh honey, it is a daily struggle. It still is to this day for me. I can't help that my inner fat girl still wants to rear her ugly head sometimes!! That is why I am realistic. I can't eat healthy and workout 100 percent of the time...because I know that I would never be happy. I allow myself a cheat day and that is what I strive for! It makes it manageable. And that is real life! Thank you for stopping over!

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  11. Gosh, girl. You look dang good!! And, I've seen your pictures and know a little about your struggle, but this is motivating me to keep going! I was leaning on not doing my workout later this evening, but now I'm more inspired than ever to sweat it out!

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    1. You go, girl!! You, too, are kicking butt and taking names!! It doesn't happen overnight, but it is totally worth it...every last bit of it! Keep pushing and you will reach your goal!! And thank you for your sweet words...they truly mean so, so much to me!!

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  12. Just look at all of your new followers! You go girl! They are in for a treat...I really look forward to your posts each day!

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  13. Wow! I found you through the giveaway but I'm so happy I did! Congrats on your weight loss!

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  14. Such an incredible journey!! Congrats doll!

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