Christie Mims’ Story

BEFORE MY TRANSFORMATION

In the beginning, it wasn’t about transformation, it was about feeling better. It started about six months after my youngest daughter was born in January 2011. I really just needed to not feel miserable. Something HAD to change.

MY GOAL

My immediate goal was to be able to make it through 10 minutes of a workout video without feeling like I was dying. As the years went by, my goals changed; however, the changes were incremental, not drastic.

WHAT I DID

I started out with Zumba. My husband saw my determination and he bought me a treadmill. My intentions were not to ever run on it, so I started walking on it daily. Eventually, something clicked, and I found myself jogging, and then running. I ran (walked) my first 5k in February 2012. After that, I was hooked. I had found something I could do for me. After seeing my determination, my husband begin filling up our garage with workout equipment and I used it daily. In addition to the treadmill, there was a workout/smith machine, free weights, elliptical, and heavy bag. We also got numerous workout videos to use. Over time, our diets changed as well. We cut out all fried foods, soda, and limited eating fast food. I completed seven more 5k runs, too.

Just before my youngest daughter began kindergarten, I began training for the 2016 Gulf Coast Marathon. In December 2016, I crossed that finish line with more confidence than I have ever had in my life. Now, my family eats better than we ever have and we focus on our health.

HOW IT WORKED

It only worked because I had a drive to be healthy. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. There were no drastic lifestyle changes; only incremental. Learning how to run started with learning how to walk. I joined a Couch to 5K small group at Northwood Church. A friend and several ladies from that group helped me get ready for the marathon with their constant encouragement. Since the marathon, my confidence continues to soar as my dress sizes shrink. When this transformation started, I wore size 22. Today, I wear a size 8.

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART

The most difficult part was making me a priority. We, as women, tend to fill our plates with the needs of our families before we take care of ourselves. Changing our way of thinking can be extremely hard. But, as the commercial says… Just do it.

HOW I FEEL ABOUT MYSELF TODAY

Today, I am very happy with my health. I am more outgoing and less apprehensive when it comes to new activities. I give it my all because I can. My confidence level is high.

MY ADVICE TO OTHERS

For anyone who is looking to make positive changes in their health, I suggest to start with small, but maintainable goals. Once those goals are achieved, establish higher, yet maintainable, goals. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from being the best you possible. Nothing in life worth having is typically easy to obtain. But, I will be the first to tell you, it is so worth it.