I think that Eminem, the rapper, said it best, when he said, "Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted — One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip?"
That is what happened to me in September of 2011. I chose to "Capture it!" I was at my wits end. I had just moved to Hoboken, NJ and could not get a job, and kept gaining weight and feeling miserable. I was going on dates every night, eating out all the time, drinking, and wishing I could get back to the Nicole I used to believe I was. I felt untalented, unimportant, unhealthy, and unattractive. I had forgotten my worth. I will never forget, that I prayed to God one night and just kept asking him to help me get back to my healthy self somehow and back to believing in me. Literally, the next day, I was checking my e-mail and I saw something posted saying they were looking for people to try out Jillian Michael's workout program. It said looking for people who wanted to lose between 20 and 40 pounds. I let go of my pride and e-mailed my story. Right away I received an email back and was called in to be interviewed. I was picked right away.
When I got there they took photos of me and had me step on a scale. I literally had not weighed myself in a year, so I was scared. I was shocked when I read 174 pounds. How had I let myself go that much? The people were so supportive and I was in such a down state about myself, but they had this belief that by 90 days, I would lose all the weight that I wanted to lose.
Jillian Michael's workout and diet plan was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. It had me strength training and doing cardio. I could not drink alcohol for 3 months, have any desserts, or fake sugars. I worked every part of my body and became stronger physically and mentally every day! I learned that the mind is so powerful and you can get your body to do things that you can't fathom doing. I can now do 100 pushups!
I decided not to date in the three months and the few dates I went on, I just had coffee. It was nearly impossible to date anyways without being able to eat or drink anything outside of her diet plan. When I performed with my band, Zilla Willa, I gave the guys in my band my drinks. I also did not go out with friends much. In doing all of this, I had three months of self-reflection. I learned to become my own best friend. That is the most important thing beyond my weight loss of 40 pounds and 46 inches, that I gained from this program. I learned to love myself! I learned my worth.
These three months literally changed my life. As the program ended, I met the love of my life, was hired to teach fitness classes to adults and kids, became more confident performing with my band and improv troupe, met some of the most inspirational and amazing people, and learned to believe in myself and never let that go. I learned that although I got to the shape I wanted, it was the girl on the inside that was beautiful. I have gained a little weight back, but I continue to strive to eat healthy for life and always include fitness in my life.
I encourage everyone to go for what they want, have time for self reflection, and never be resistant to change or something out of your comfort zone...it just may change your life! Just "Capture it!" I believe whole heartedly in paying it forward, so feel free to e-mail me at nicoledonofrio@yahoo.com if you have any questions or need advice on anything in your life that my blog made you think of.
You may see my before and after pictures here:
http://www/.jillianmichaelsbodyrevolution.com/drtv/ecs/reviews-success-stories.html
