LBD Chronicles #4 – “I can zip the dress!”

Alyssa Femia is one of Bootique’s great boot camp and Zumba clients – plus, she’s an amazing writer. She is authoring “The Little Black Dress” Chronicles about her experience to get into the best shape of her life – and back into the little back dress. Here’s the latest installment:

Hello Bootiquers,

Long time, no report! Time has not been a luxury these past few weeks (broken record, I know!) – I joined a band, am looking for a second job, and was studying for the GREs somewhere in the midst of it all, just in case I decide to go back to grad school or something like that. It’s truly bittersweet not knowing what you want to do with your life, let me tell ya.

Remembering My Goals

What I DO know is that I definitely want to lose this weight. As you may recall from my previous video, the scale had finally tipped in my favor. Shortly after, I began to struggle fitting boot camp, Zumba, and hiking into my schedule and therein became stressed and before I knew it, I had lost sight of my goal. I allowed myself to indulge in girl-scout cookies, ice cream and pizza. Of course the pounds creeped back! I had to expect it. I brought it upon myself and knew what I had to do to negate the damage.

Finding a Balance

After a long night of looking at fitness related posts on this Bootique Fitness blog and feeling really bad about eating a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese, I decided I needed to reevaluate some things. Clearly, somewhere along the way I had become run down whether it was because of work, working out, or whatever else. This time around, I approached the world of exercise a little more gradually than I have in the past. While allowing my body to adjust to my full time schedule, I still made sure to get to two or three boot camps a week. I usually work Saturday mornings so if Sunday was the only day to sleep in, I allowed myself to do so. If I had pushed myself too hard, I would have come to hate exercise and that’s the last thing I want.

Focusing on the Positives

In the meantime, I focused on leaving the sweets in their wrappers and ate some really healthy, delicious recipes instead. My favorites were a Fire Roasted Tomato Bisque, Grilled Portobello Goat Cheese Pitas, Wild Atlantic Salmon Tacos with Papaya Salsa, and an Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette (ask me if you want recipes!).

I genuinely love cooking and eating healthy and want to get to the point where I love exercising just as much. Right now, I love all of the benefits of exercising but the thought of getting out of bed to do it sometimes makes me cringe. I’m only human right?

How Patience Paid Off

In this time of setback, I learned the true meaning of finding a balance and avoided a potential burnout, so all in all, I feel accomplished. And just so you know, I am now continuing to make it to 2-3 boot camps along with waking up before work 3 times a week for a run along the cliffs. I’m learning to love exercise more and more each day. I’ve also re-lost that weight and as you will see in the pictures, I CAN ZIP THE DRESS!

What I’ve Learned:

This journey is not just about the triumphs but also the setbacks, and how you come back from them!

In the comments section, tell me about your story. I’d love to hear it! – Alyssa