Hello! I’m Stacy! I’m 41, I live in Noblesville, IN, I’m a mom to two kitties, Finn and Fiona, and I’m currently studying to become a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist!
I’m almost 6 years into sobriety, and it has been a very interesting road of growth, change, but mostly learning to love ME!
When I gave my alcohol addiction up to God, I knew if I wanted to be successful, I had to make some big, real changes! First, I knew my social group would have to change. I was a social butterfly, so that was really hard for me. I felt very isolated and alone most of the time. I began turning to sugar to fuel that loneliness – cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, those delicious, sugary coffee drinks from Starbucks – if it had sugar, I wanted it! It’s was delicious, and it made me happy! I never enjoyed cooking, so take out, delivery, and fast food were my go tos! As you can imagine, the weight came piling on! I wasn’t “small” to start with so the added weight didn’t help!
After about two years of eating like this, I went to the doctor, for my annual physical, and they did some bloodwork. My doctor called me a few days later with some concerns. She encouraged me to set up an appointment with their nutritionist. So, I did. This appointment was VERY eye opening. I was told that based on my bloodwork, combined with my weight, I was “A candy bar away from Diabetes, and a cheeseburger away from a heart attack.”
After this appointment, I felt disgusted and disappointed in myself. How could I give up alcohol, one self destructive addiction, and fall into another self destructive addiction? It was time for more real, big changes! Healthier lifestyle changes!
Here’s where my “Love Myself” story starts!
I started with food! Bye bye, sugar!! Then, I started eating more at home! The pounds started coming off. I hit a small plateau and decided to join a gym. It was time to get moving! After I joined the gym, I signed up for the Mini Marathon! I started training. I knew it was going to be hard, but I had already quit two extremely self destructive habits that were hard, why not start a positive habit that wasn’t going to be easy!? It’s all about your mindset and surroundings yourself with all things and people positive and supportive!
Jumping ahead (2018-2019), running had become part of my daily life! I ran a several more half marathons, and races of other distances (5k’s and 10k’s). Am I what you would consider “fast?” Nope! I run to stay sober and healthy. I even joined a running club and started working with a CrossFit coach once a week. I started food prepping weekly, but my recipes/meal options were so limited, and very boring. So, I found myself slipping often.
My In 2019, I ran my first marathon! I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t believe it! Marathon training does things to you physically, mentally, and emotionally that I can’t explain. Halfway though my training plan, I cried over a lunge – a stupid lunge! You just have to train for one yourself to understand. The feelings you have when you cross that finish line are feelings you’ll never forget.
In 2020, I began working with a strength coach twice a week. Since most of my scheduled races had been canceled, I found myself REALLY getting into lifting. I loved it! I love it so much, it’s a year later and I’m working on my CPT certification!
Over the last six months, I’ve really gotten into cooking! I search Pinterest for recipes, and go from there? Am I the best cook? Nope! Half the time I’m like “Well, it’s not too bad!” I learn from my mistakes and go from there! I mean, just today, I had to Google “How to boil an egg?” LOL! My meals are getting more creative, and that helps me stay on track. Do I still splurge and slip up? Yes! I’m not perfect, and I’ll never claim to be. Do I still eat sugar? Yes, just in moderation. I drink my coffee black now, but I’m not going to pass up cookies at a friend’s birthday! After I complete my CPT certification I plan on completing the nutrition portion!
Through God, sobriety, running, food prep, and support and encouragement from loved ones I have truly learned to love myself and found my self worth. It’s not always easy, but I wake up each day with a positive mindset, and good attitude. I try to watch how I respond to and treat others. I try not to look at my past, but when I do it just reminds me of what I’ve had to go through to get where I am today. It makes me grateful for friends, family, and good health.
Loving yourself starts with YOU! You are worth it, you can do hard things, and you are loved!
What People Say
“ You can create anything you desire but you have to truly want it!”
Jen Sincero
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Unknown
Eat Well, Move Often, and Love Yourself! 