My past lifestyle was not the healthiest. I was a smoker for over 30 years, afraid to quit because I knew I would gain weight as well as lose my “stress reliever”. My husband convinced me to quit with him in October, 2008 and we were both successful, however, by Jan. 2009, I had gained
At 11 years old, I was due to start secondary school. I was one of just two from my primary school who would be starting there. I was scared. I was nervous. I was overweight. Should it have mattered? No. Did it? Yes, it really did. To top things off, I had been on crutches
First off I have been an excerciser for twenty eight years. However, I was probably the most unhealthy person I knew. I suffered from an eating disorder for most of my life. I also struggled immensely with drug addiction. About six years ago my life came to what I thought was pretty much the end.
If you would have told me 3 years ago that I would be fit and healthy today, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Because 3 years ago, I weighed almost 300 pounds. I was stuck in a body that I hated. I didn’t know how to break free from it. Finally, I decided to get
I was a cheerleader from junior high- college, which kept me in the best shape I could have imagined. So, when I got out of college & started working a full-time office job where I had to sit all day, it was hard to stay in the same shape as I was when I cheered.
My story is not a typical story you might hear. I was not overweight and needed to shed some pounds. I was skinny and needed to gain some self esteem. My whole life I was always told how “skinny” I was (almost like it was a disease) and how lucky I was to be able
I have been very blessed with great health throughout my 46 years, so my success story is more about weight loss & toning. In high school, I was voted as having the “best figure”. In my twenties, I remember thinking how lucky I was to not have to watch what I ate; exercising & weight
Like a lot of people that write in, I have always struggled with my weight. Growing up, I danced and would do the occasional step class with my Mom or a friend, but I never exercised regularly. After living in Oregon for 3 years, we moved to Florida. Along with the beautiful weather, came many
When I was a teenager, I never had a problem with my weight because I was an avid dancer. I could eat whatever I wanted, because I was at the studio for 4-5 hours a day, and still stay at a normal weight. Well, fast forward a couple of years later. I was married and
I had my first massive stroke at the age of 34 a week before I was to be married! I wore a size 18 wedding dress and did not consider myself overweight or morbidly obese. After a stay in ICU, medications and many doctors later I was finally diagnosed with a blood disorder. My neurologist
Four days after my youngest was born in June of 2008, he had open heart surgery. The doctors saved his life by repairing a condition with his heart known as Transposition of the Great Arteries, in addition to repairing two holes in his heart. While we were fortunate to learn of the diagnosis in utero,
Without even realizing it I have discovered the ultimate way to age gracefully. Lifting weights was the farthest thing from my mind when thoughts of advancing years entered my brain. Everything I saw or read concerning aging was about wrinkles, weight gain aches, pains, low libido, mental deterioration, etc. Enough already! I originally began weightlifting
