I understand all too well the struggles others face with food addictions, finding time for exercise and unwanted weight gain. Like many adults and teens fad diets, sporadic exercise and stress were a normal part of my life, for most of my life. I knew that my diet of fast foods, diet sodas and sweets had a negative effect on my overall health, but felt too overwhelmed to permanently modify my lifestyle and continually battled with a lack of discipline and motivation.
Several years ago my struggles took on a whole new meaning. I was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time in less than a year. I was terrified of the unknown and began to experience severe bouts of anxiety. I knew that I was in the fight of my life. The more I tried to overcome the anxiety, the worse it became.
One afternoon, not long before my 51st birthday, I was feeling especially anxious. It was a beautiful day and warm enough to set outside. As I sat there on my deck, with my heart feeling as though it was going to come through my chest, I made a decision that would change my life forever. I went back inside, grabbed a pen and paper and began jotting down goals and steps to create a plan that would put me on the road to good health. I knew that if I didn’t take charge the anxiety would consume my life. I also knew that my health was in my hands and mine alone.
My plan included learning how to eat healthy, which meant eliminating processed foods, refined sugars, and white flour to name a few. I joined a local gym and began working out six days a week. And if that wasn’t enough, I started training for my first half-marathon. Never before had I experienced such feelings of empowerment. I was finally taking charge of my life.
In a relatively short time, I transformed my life from an unhealthy, out-of-shape, junk food junkie, to a lover of clean eating and fitness. I turned 54 in April 2011 and now have an infinite amount of enthusiasm for getting involved in life. I’m now a Certified Fitness Trainer, continue to run half marathons, strength train and have a passion for motivating and inspiring others to take charge of their lives.
I don’t believe in temporary fixes when it comes to eating and exercise. Only by creating a lifestyle of eating healthy, cardiovascular exercise and strength training can we achieve a lifetime of good health and fitness. Over the last four years, I have proven that age and fitness level have no relationship when it comes to a desire for change. I love creating workouts and menus with recipes for anyone who has an interest in getting healthy and staying that way for a lifetime. I hope you will join me on this never ending journey!
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Gale Compton
