When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus – an autoimmune disease that required high doses of oral steroids to bring under control. As a young teenager, I didn’t realize the gravity of being on steroids – but within months…I had gained 100lbs. A healthy lifestyle was not within my vocabulary. I ate what I want and very rarely worked out. I was happy as I was…or at least I thought I was.
When I was 19 years old, my mother passed away very suddenly of a massive heart attack. It was a devastating event for my family, as well as myself because she was my best friend. Smoking and other unhealthy lifestyle patterns led her down that path. You would think, at 270lb, I would have taken lessons from my mothers early passing that I needed to get my life under control. But depression set in and the scale climbed even higher.
I don’t know if I was just in denial or what actually made me realize that I needed to turn my life around or I would end up dying young like my mother. But I do remember the day I stepped on the scale and it hit 300 pounds. I was amazed, and appalled.
I finally sought help for my depression and the dark clouds around my lifestyle began to clear. I knew I had to
change to survive. I began to do work with the American Heart Association, preaching a gospel of health and telling my mother’s story. I reached out to video fitness, as I felt comfortable working out in my own home. And the weight began to come off. And to boot…I went back to school and became a registered dietitian.
As the scale creeped lower, and I was able to move my body in a more efficient manner…I discovered Kick, Punch and Crunch by Cathe. And the end of a KPC session, I was heaving, throwing sweat every where and was sore from head to toe.
And it was wonderful
Cathe became my role model for the level of fitness I hope to have one day. My exercise video collection is quickly being overgrown by Cathe’s videos. She has helped me to lose an amazing, wonderful, life changing additional 60 pounds. I still have about 50 more to go but I feel like I can conquer the world – and Cathe has been an integral part of making me realize that I am not destined for an early heart attack. I am destined for greatness!
60 pounds down with help from Cathe. I will never look back! Cathlete for life!!!
