Although I held it together on the outside, on the inside I was struggling. When I was a young girl, someone very close to me told me I was fat. The words left me shattered. I had no idea that I was considered overweight. I had grown up with a very thin older sister and younger brother. I had always looked different, but the words, "fat and overweight" had never crossed my mind. Below are Pictures of me at the exact age and weight that I was told this. Looking back I now know that I was fine. Just a little girl who didn't understand the cruelty behind people's words.
However growing up I struggled with my weight. I never felt that I was good enough. I tried to hide my stomach, especially around boys. I never wanted to go swimming for fear of looking like a blimp in a bathing suit. I hated my body. I hated it so much, that I refused to look at myself in the mirror for weeks at a time. This continued throughout my life. Even the day I met my now husband, Sean. Although he has told me I am beautiful, and would do so a million times, I fought with the idea of it. The self hate even affected my pregnancy, in that I only have one picture of my belly while I was pregnant, because I hate pictures that show my mid section. Such a wonderful time in a mother's life was plagued by my hate for myself and what I saw in the mirror each day. This Self hatred continued each day until my son was 6 month old. I looked in the mirror and realized, I didn't have to live like that forever. I realized I could change my body, and be who I have always wanted to be. That was the day I ordered Insanity. I had seen the ads on television, and knew I was in for the hardest workouts of my life. I struggled the first two times I attempted Insanity, giving up midway through the round both times. However over the course of a year I lost 40lbs. I changed my diet. No longer drinking soda, or eating junk. I still eat some candy here or there, but everything is modified. I try to work out once a day, whether it is Insanity or my own workout routines. Through Beachbody I was able to find myself, and I continue this journey each and every day. I am now a coach to help others who need to find themselves. To gain the confidence that they deserve, and see the smiles on their faces when they look in the mirror. The smile that they have always deserved to have. I wouldn't change my journey. Although it was a life of heartache, I know that it helped me to truly love myself, and I can now set a better example for my son. If you would like to follow my journey, or tell me about yours, please find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dani-Bryan-Fitness/621233937905209?ref=tn_tnmn
