From Bodybuilder to Raw Yogi
Hyla Ridenour
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Although I still have many miles to travel on my journey, I have to marvel at how far I have come. It was not long ago that I took frequent trips to the McDonalds’ drive-thru where I would order a “number two” off the menu (a two cheeseburger meal complete with a medium size fry and soda). I did not have a problem eating both cheeseburgers, the fries, or the drink, and would often “supersize” my meal, followed by a cigarette or two.
Several years later, I ditched the smokes and became interested in health and fitness, particularly bodybuilding. The chiseled, lean bodies I saw in fitness magazines became obsessions, and I gave up the McDonalds, opting for oatmeal, egg whites, chicken breasts, tuna (straight from a can – eek!), and whey protein shakes. While my body became leaner, I did not necessarily feel healthy. Although I exercised often and ate what I thought was a healthy diet, I was seriously disconnected from what I was putting into my body. The bodybuilding gave me confidence, and one of my proudest moments was stepping on stage in a bodybuilding competition one year after my youngest was born. However, after a few years of the high protein regime, I was literally “chickened-out.” In fall 2006, I gave up meat completely, cold turkey, just weeks before Thanksgiving, and my daughter told me I was a disgrace to the holiday. That is when the real journey began.
Today, I am a gluten-free vegan with many of my meals being high raw or living, depending on the season and my budget. I traded in whey protein shakes for spinach smoothies, and instead of endless hours in the gym or running several miles, I practice yoga, nearly exclusively. In fact, I am currently working toward becoming a registered yoga teacher at the 200-hour level. Yoga has changed my life, and I can’t wait to share it with others.
Personally, I do not suffer from a chronic disease or illness, but my mission is to create a healthy body and to live each day to the fullest. My new lifestyle is a kinder, gentler approach to caring for myself. I have spent most of my adult life being too hard on my body, from unhealthy behavior and dietary habits to obsessive control around eating a certain amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat each day. In truth, I was seeking the illusion of perfection. Through this process, I have learned that perfection does not exist, and I do not want to be perfect (boring). It is an ever changing and evolving process.
As I write this, beginning a new year, I recount previous New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get fit, and be leaner. 2010 is the first year that I have not “resolved” to be anything or anyone different than who I am, where I am, in this current space in time. It has taken me years to get to this point, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Take one step at a time, and make one change at a time. One step leads to another, and you will look back at all of the miles you have covered, just as I have. All you have to do is vow to love yourself for who you are and let your health and wellbeing be the ultimate result of self love.
Hyla Ridenour is living a fulfilled life just outside of Portland, Oregon with her husband and two fantastic children. She enjoys yoga, cooking vegan and raw meals, chillaxin’ on the couch with her family and making the most of each and every moment.
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17 Comments
Hyla,
As a yoga teacher, I can so relate to what you wrote. Since diagnosed with canser, I am much gentler on myself and less critical. Life truly is an incredible journey and savoring it one day at a time is the only way to go. Good luck with getting your certification – I am sure you will make an awesome teacher.
Peace,
Jeanné
Thanks for your story. I am still competing in bodybuilding, but eating about 90% raw. I have green drinks 2-3 times every day and will eat an apple or some melon or berries before my workouts. My main source of protein comes from my egg drinks, which I split up 5 times/day. It seems to be working. After recovering from breaking my back and “terminal” cancer, jumping up and powering thru a 20 pull-ups makes me feel alive!
Namaste!
Thank you for the kind comments!
Felicitations ma cherie! Tres bon!
You exemplify resolve in action, not just a resolution as a noun. You sound so liberated from the tryanny of image and so open to the still small voice from within that nurtures us into a our greater selves.
Your Heartsong classmate,
Kiki
Hyla,
What a great transformation! Thanks for sharing your story with us!
Hyla,
I enjoyed reading about your journey — especially since you live in Portland. I’m not too far away, in Missoula, MT where it’s snowing right now and I consider the other half of my paycheck to be the mountains and streams. Which brings me to a question that you might be just the right person to answer: What are your top three strategies for eating raw in Winter? Also, what are your top three budget strategies for eating raw? Thanks for sharing all that you’ve learned so far.
Hyla,
Thank you for the inspiration! I have recently become aware of how untouch with my body I am and am currently researching ways to end that. This site seems to be a good step in the right direction!
Shelby: I guess my strategy is… going with the flow, doing the best that I can, and not beating myself up over what percentage I eat raw. In fact, while I try to eat high raw, I’m not all raw. It is challenging in the winter months for those of us in the glorious Northern Hemisphere. I love soup and roasted root veggies, especially on these short, dark days! I do try to eat seasonally and plan around what is on sale. I eat a lot of salad and juice as much as I can but I really just try to keep it simple. : )
Beautiful post, Hyla! Thank you for sharing the love. xo
Loving who you are at this particular point in your life is so crucial to being healthy and whole. At my highest wieght after a year of chemo and a year of not eating..I was in sheer “hate” of myself. I was at my lowest point. My husband ever the person one with God told me.. no tulip strives to be a rose no rose a daisy just bloom and be happy your alive and the weight or whatever will take care of itself. Now back at my smaller version of myself I still struggle with just being but now i love myself and that is a gift I would never give back. Thanks for the lovely resolve in the new year. Good luck with your new loving self and enjoy. Yoga changes us all. I love it. Callie
What a great transformation, but you still look great seeing your body.
Callie: I love what your husband said! I’ve never heard that before but it is so thoughtful and true! Glad you shared it.
Thanks so much for sharing – I am currently struggling to let go of “resolutions” and trying to be perfect. Your words really helped!
Great post! It is wild what the bodybuilding world eats. I know a few who are always suffering from digestive pain, gas, etc. Thanks for sharing your journey
Hyla,
I feel connected to your story, it’s similar to my own. This time in my life is also a kinder, gentler era. Yoga not the gym, more raw foods no more animals, less perfection less judgement. More love. Thank you for sharing your story, I don’t feel weird and alone so much any more. Bliss You!
Hyla,
I have been living the cycle of obsessive dieting and workouts since high school. I have occassionaly done yoga and I know deep down that my body loves it. Do you have any tips to overcome the anxiety that yoga is not enough? My body says do the yoga, but my brain tells me if I’m not pumping iron and doing brutal cardio workouts I’m not doing going to reach my goals/ maintain my weight loss.
Dear Hyla
I truly enjoyed reading your story. My story is very similar to yours. I too discovered fitness after overindulging in bad things (cigarettes, junk food, recreational drugs, and more). Now I am living a healthy lifestyle with a wonderful man and our little girl. I do yoga once in a while, but I prefer pumping iron. Like you mentionned bodybuilding is a world of animal protein consumption, and I can’t do it. So my goal is to prove that you can build a fit, lean muscle body with a vegan diet. If it works maybe I will find the courage to show it off on stage :-)
Thanks for sharing your story.
February 4, 2010