One year ago, I would have never imagined talking about this
subject. Fitness was not really a part of my life until this year, and that’s
because I let it be that way.
I played a couple of sports in high school, and I thought I was in
decent shape back then. I played tennis and ran track, and I was the film tech
and trainer for the football team as well as the manager of the boys’ basketball
team. I was also in a plethora of extracurricular activities, so I was always on
the go.
I’ve always been a “husky” kid, or as my family says it “gordito.”
I weighed over 100 pounds by the time I reached 4th grade, and in a way I’ve
always felt the effect of my weight. Over the years, I grew to not like my body
because I was heavier than most of my friends. By the time I graduated high
school, I weighed about 195 pounds, but it didn’t show too much until I was in
summer attire. I would have been in better shape if I had stayed in the athletic
period, but my decision to join the yearbook staff left me choosing between
them.
During the first semester of college, I managed to gain over 20
pounds. It was awful; I was looking bloated all the time. I had like 3 necks,
and everything was fitting me tighter. By Christmas, I had weighed over 220
pounds. It became real to me that this was a problem when my jeans that I was
always wearing in high school no longer fit, and when I say they didn’t fit,
they could barely button.
I made a new year’s resolution to make a change about this problem,
and with the help of some of my roommates, I was able to get back in the gym and
truly start working out again. It was difficult at first, and eating healthy
became a challenge. I soon began loving going to work out, and I was constantly
playing games of racquetball, indoor and outdoor volleyball, and some Frisbee. I
was finally active again, no longer being lazy when I had free time, but rather
doing some exercise, and that was a serious difference in my first and second
semesters.
By the time I finished my first year, the 20+ pounds that I had
gained were gone, and now I am working on developing my body even more. I am
more self-motivated to be in the best shape of my life, and I am feeling more
confident each and every time I hit the gym or do some physical activity. I love
the phrase “you look good,” and thanks to my dedication and plan to stick with
fitness, I’ve been hearing that more and more recently.
Getting in shape was a decision that saved my health. I am so happy
with my results, and with more dedication and determination, I will continue to
shape my body like no other. I may not look like some of those fitness models on
the magazines, but step-by-step I am improving my body which in the end will
look better than that “husky” kid a few years ago who did
nothing.
In Christ,
Cody
