My Weight Loss Journey

I’ve always been interested in fitness and living a healthy lifestyle.  The problem was I wasn’t acting on that interest.  I suppose the changes started when I got pregnant at 37 years old.  I didn’t gain much weight at all during my pregnancy because I completely lost my appetite.  My doctor wasn’t concerned, however, because he said that sometimes happens when people are “fluffy” to begin with.  I don’t know if “fluffy” was better or worse than having “Advanced Maternal Age” on my chart!!  So, like most people, I started eating healthier during my pregnancy.  After Sophie was born, however, my appetite came back with a vengeance.  That was when I really gained my weight.  Who has time to worry about their weight with a newborn in the house, though?  I did continue eating healthier all the time, but I was still eating way too much and making any excuse to not have to move.

As I approached 40 years old, I decided to lose some weight.  I don’t know just how much I weighed because I wasn’t about to step on a scale.  My size 18 pants were getting uncomfortably tight, but I was determined not to buy bigger pants.  I began taking water aerobics classes at the YMCA and planned a trip to Jamaica for my birthday knowing I’d be looking great in my swimsuit.  By my birthday my size 18 pants were loose, so I bought a scale and weighed in at 196 pounds.  I may not have looked so great in my swimsuit, but I was well on my way there.

One night in my water aerobics class I had a conversation with a woman that changed my life.  She was telling me that she was too afraid (embarrassed) to even go into the fitness room at the YMCA, and I realized I was, too.  I was still ashamed of my body, and I was letting that shame keep me from really changing.  The next day I walked into that fitness room and hired a personal trainer.  After working with her for a year I weighed 160 pounds and am strong and confident.  (Thank you, Alex!)

Now I’m 145 pounds (and still losing) and ready to help other people.  I haven’t starved myself, gone on any crazy diets, or bought thousands of dollars of equipment.  I count my calories and my steps, eat good healthy food, and exercise every day.  I didn’t lose it all in a month, but I did lose it in a healthy way.    So can you!

Click here to see my before and after photos
“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.” -- Ara Parasheghian