“I’m finally in control of my life!” (Manja Week 11/12)

Follow Manja’s Runtastic Results journey week by week here on the Runtastic blog. Manja is a mom, wife, works a full-time job and is ready to change her life. We know that her story is a powerful one and we look forward to sharing her journey one workout at a time. Now she’s onto her last two weeks. In case you missed week 9 and 10, you can get a full recap here.

Dear Week 11,
I am SO motivated, I feel like a squirrel on drugs! You know those happy people? The kind that are always so full of energy, motivated, that look forward to going for a run, who actually enjoy eating healthy and spending time in the fresh air…the kind of people you just looooooooooove to hate? Yup, I am becoming one of those. I hate to admit it, but I am!

Workout 1: This was a really, really, really hard workout and SIX rounds, what? I’m pretty proud of myself that I made it out alive.

Workout 2: Ooh, I like working those abs… Never thought that would come out of my mouth!

Workout 3: Oh man, I really hate burpees!!!! Did I mention that already? I’m sure they will kill me some day! Seriously: “Death by Burpee!”  I can only do 5 in a row, then I have to stop and have a short break before I can do the next ones. By the way, counting the remaining burpees while doing the first ones is a baaaaad idea! My body is really sore; I can feel pain in my entire body and I am completely exhausted. Only 5 more workouts left in this whole plan.

Burpees, I have my eye on you!

Workout 4: Whaaaat? Flat out burpee tuck jump? Are you kidding me? How am I…? I mean…How should it…? And then the jumping…? Is it really…? Oh forget it! Never mind! I did them, one at a time. BUT I AM NOT AMUSED and this was not enjoyable.

After Workout 4: Forget the happy squirrel on drugs….I am a good old grumpy bear. But, overall, I am really proud. Not only because I conquered today’s workout, but this whole thing. The past 11 weeks have completely changed my life. Not to sound corny, I’m serious. My life IS different now.

Sincerely,

Manja

Dear Week 12,
I’m sure this final week won’t be as hard as last week. They don’t want me to die right before I reach my goal, RIGHT? Honestly, I’m scared!

Workout 1: LAAAAST Monday workout! But it sure wasn’t easy. Really had to fight for it today. I can do this, I have come so far and I am NOT giving up now! I just kept repeating in my head, “It’s your last-Monday-workout, last-Monday-workout!”

Workout 2: Gosh, I was terrified of all the burpees! I just kept telling myself to not think about it and just do the workout. Actually, I wasn’t thinking at all during today’s workout. I just did what my phone told me to do. I guess that worked out well. I am alive, I think. 🙂 Plus, I am so proud of how my belly is disappearing. I had to take a picture of it when I was sitting down on the couch yesterday.

Workout 3: I don’t want to do this anymooooooooooooore! Not burpees, please, no burpees! And 90????? I did it again and I made it, but barely. I swear, I feel like I want to throw myself on the ground and weep and scream like a little kid. I guess that won’t help, but I did it anyway. I cried. Wow, that was hard.

Workout 4: And I thought last week was hard….ha! BUT, I DID IT!!!! Oh my gosh, I am done! I’m DONE with the whole thing. I did it! WE did this! I can’t believe it…wow…I finally finished something for the first time in my life! I am really proud of myself here. If I could, I would jump around out of joy. But, I can’t…I’m just way too exhausted.

The last week, week 12, was really, really intense. I think that knowing it was the last week is what kept me going. So now, I’m done. I still cannot believe it. Looking back at the past 12 weeks, it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Before I started, I wouldn’t have thought it was possible that my life could change like this. I now feel healthy and…balanced! Life is so much easier now and I am not thinking about what I want to eat next all the time. Before this plan, eating controlled me. Now, I am finally in control of what and when I eat. I am in control of my life!

Check out what I DIDN’T eat the other day. I made them for my daughter’s birthday party and I didn’t even have one. I am so proud that I didn’t feel tempted and felt so focused that I didn’t even need one.

It is an amazing feeling. I wish from the bottom of my heart that every person could feel this way. Every person should be able to feel this way. Life is a gift. Don’t waste it!

For anyone reading this who is in the position I was in and just wants to give up – don’t! If I can do this, you can too. I wish you the best!

Sincerely,

Manja

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