I started working out about 3 years ago when I worked for the police department. I decided to become a police officer which required being fit. One of the fitness requirements was to complete a 1.5 mile run in 15:45 mins. I began training daily. For my first attempt at running, I ran one mile in 60 minutes. Yes, pathetic but I didn't give up. I trained for two months and passed the run test at 15:45 exactly. Another requirement was to bench press 2/3 of your body weight which I trained for also and completed successfully. I went from a size 14 to a size 8. Then I decided I no longer wanted to be a police officer. I stopped running and gained the weight back.
A year later I deployed to Iraq as a CLPE and started doing p90x. It was awesome. Follow the program and see results. I lost 35 lbs and gained muscles. I went from a size 12 to a size 8, again. Then I went home to a husband that eats ice cream as a late night snack every night (and who is in shape) so the weight came back on. I was frustrated. I worked out at home but never got back to where I wanted to be. I began swimming and saw great improvements. Then I went to Afghanistan to work.
Currently, I'm in Afghanistan where there is a buffet four times a day. Strength, courage and motivation was needed. Here it is............ In preparing to come out to Afghanistan I was told I'm pre-diabetic so I need to exercise and eat properly. I was devasted because I'm already on blood pressure medicine. I decided to make a change. I did p90x for 2 months, got bored and saw little change. I felt I was eating properly and working out but there was minimal change in weight and strength. It wasn't working so I I started running on the treadmill. I barely made it to 2 miles 5x a week but I continued. I improved to 6.5 miles 4x a week and lost 10 pounds. Then the injuries started. My hip, my knee, my ankle all were hurting. Then I met someone that knew what he was talking about... Ben Wilkison. He told me to do Low Intensity Cardio Training (LICT) everyday. He also explained eating macronutrients and micronutrients and what time of the day is best to workout. I gave it a try. Althought, I have only been doing LICT for one week I saw results immediately. I'm injury free and lost 3 pounds. LICT is walking uphill on a treadmill at whatever incline is without holding on and at a speed of 3.0 for 60 minutes. Thanks Ben.
Just added weight training to my workout sessions. :)
For the past two months I have done the Jamie Eason LiveFit Program, All in all, it's awesome. I see a lot of change. I understand weight training a lot more. I'm now doing Medium Intensity Cardio. Next month is HIIT, can't wait. I work hard but my abs are the challenge. I've learned it's all about what you eat.
I'll be back stateside in two weeks then another challenge begins. Eating clean and working out hard...