When I got the opportunity for a transfer at work, I was eager to accept it.
Although this meant that I needed to relocate across the country, I was receiving a more prestigious title and a pay increase. I was also moving from the northeastern part of the country to the west coast. I was thrilled to trade long, cold and snowy winters for sunshine and sandy beaches. I saw this new job as an opportunity for a fresh start. I’d be meeting new people and spending more time outside. Instead of bundling up in sweaters and a wool coat, I’d be wearing sundresses and tank tops. I was determined to lose some weight and get in better shape. I knew that to achieve my goals in a limited amount of time I’d need some help from a professional. I signed up at a local wellness center and got paired with a personal trainer and a nutritionist. I’m not sure which of these experts were more helpful. The personal trainer created a workout regimen that was extremely intense. Not only did I meet with him four times a week, but I was expected to work out on my own during the off days. At the beginning of each session, I’d get weighed and measured. At the end of each session, I was exhausted, sweaty and sore all over. I quickly noticed a significant improvement in muscle tone, strength and stamina. Plus, I was dropping weight. This was definitely due to the combination of exercise and a diet plan. The nutritionist helped me to make simple substitutions in my meals that made a huge difference. I started introducing kale, beans, broccoli, spinach and tofu into my diet. I ate tons of fruit and avoided saturated fats, high fructose corn syrup and anything with lots of sugar. By the time I headed to my new job, I was feeling healthy and confident.