Let's start at the beginning.
As a child I played just about every sport out there. I can remember playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, bowling, softball, track and field, and even powderpuff football. I remember my parents driving me back and forth to all my extra curricular activities until I was old enough to drive myself. They were also supportive no matter what. I went through many stages of friends, normally hanging out with people a grade or two older than me. I remember being teased about my weight, which I had struggled for as long as I could remember. I remember getting tests done and making trips to a doctor in Pittsburgh to help me, but I didn't really care for her. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). As a result at a young age I was put on medications to help control my PCOS. I knew my weight would always be an issue. I just continued to live my life.
After I graduated high school I made the decision to attend Saint Vincent College to pursue my undergraduate degree in Business Education Information Technology. I whole heartedly believe that the decision to attend the small, liberal arts college was one of the best decisions of my life. I immediately made friends in my dorm and joined clubs. I was finally "free" for the first time in my life. I was enjoying my new friendships, going on road trips, and enjoying my college experience. But I was not focusing on my health and fitness. During my freshman year I tipped the scale at nearly 320 pounds.
Then January of my junior year of college hit and my mom suggested joining Weight Watchers to help me lose some weight. I said sure, why not. At this point I was still on my medications for my PCOS. I decided to do Weight Watchers online because I didn't have the ability to attend meetings while in college. I starting counting my points, but the thing is I wasn't necessarily eating healthy food. I was eating what I wanted as long I stayed within my points. I would occasionally do Zumba in my dorm room or I would go to the gym. I would get random spurts where I would be solid for a few days, then not work out for a while.
In 2014 my mom and I sat down to talk. We decided that after two years Weight Watchers online just wasn't working out for me. The membership fee to belong to Weight Watchers wasn't worth it so I ended my membership. I was in what I thought was a happy place. I was 24 years of age and just given the amazing opportunity of working to obtain my master's degree in Instructional Design & Technology through a graduate assistantship. In addition I was thankful to have a few close friends and to be creating amazing memories. But something was missing. I was unhappy with how I felt. I was lacking confidence and self-esteem. On the outside you wouldn't be able to tell because I constantly put on a strong face (or so I had been told). So what was I going to do about this? In mid January I started using the Lose It app to track my calories and started going to the gym for about an hour a day doing a mix of cardio and lifting. I was bound to make something happen. I wasn't going to live my life like this forever.
One day in March I was just scrolling through Facebook and saw my old neighbor and babysitter post about this challenge group that she had just completed. So I messaged her and asked her about it. Although I wasn't too sure about the price or what Shakeology was, I decided that I would give it a try. I mean hey why not? So in the middle of March I joined my first challenge group and gave 110%. I worked out every day and started to learn what clean eating was. I was seeing results and falling in love with what Beachbody had to offer.
XOXO
Abigail Zlockie
Independent Beachbody Coach
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