Well I have to share my WHOLE story, so here goes…I was blessed with a wonderful childhood, I come from a single income family, which meant my mother was always there to pick me up from school and always made delicious home cooked meals EVERY night. At a very young age probably around 8-9 I developed childhood asthma. To control the asthma I was put on long term high dosages of steroids. For any of you who don’t know, steroids usually cause a fast onset of weight gain. From that point in my life on weight was always a struggle for me. I remember being a child and wondering why I was so fat. I was never comfortable in my own skin, I didn’t participate in sports or many other extracurricular activities because I had developed an extremely low self-esteem .I didn’t think I would be good at anything. I remember being taunted and teased in school because of my weight. I remember being so ashamed and wondering WHY I was like that, what was wrong with me? I carried that same feeling throughout my teens and twenties. In my twenties I tried every over the counter pill, powder or magic potion available to try to lose weight. But nothing worked and with each attempt to lose came failure and with that failure, came an even lower self-esteem. I was at rock bottom for many years. On the outside I appeared to be okay, I smiled, I had friends, I was married and had children, but on the inside I was falling apart. I looked in the mirror and was completely disgusted with what I saw. I felt horrible all the time, had no energy to do fun activities with my kids and was failing miserably at my marriage. My own poor self-image was effecting every single relationship I had with others, I guess you could say I just felt horrible about everything. And then I was introduced by my cousin’s wife to a 10 day challenge program. She explained that the 10 day challenge would offer me all the support and accountability that I needed to be successful in my weight loss journey. I would be participating daily in an online facebook support group with fellow challengers and coaches and would be using a product called Shakeology to replace one meal a day. She also told me that I would get all the meal plans for the 10 days and that we would really be focused on changing my nutrition, yes exercise was a piece of the puzzle but the key was really nutrition. I reluctantly agreed to participate in the challenge group. I started the challenge surrounding myself with a negative attitude to try and protect myself from yet another failed attempt and this time in a public forum where everyone could see that I was just always going to be the “big girl”. Yippee I can’t wait for this one to hit the fan I said to myself. But, I did decide even through the negativity that I was going to give it my all, I was going to try, after all, what did I have to lose, I was already at rock bottom, it couldn’t get any worse really. And this is where my story begins to pull a complete 180.
During that 10 days I was encouraged daily by my coaches and other challengers, I enjoyed being in the group, I loved the accountability, I was enjoying finding a new healthier way to eat, I experienced increased energy levels, I was doing more with my kids, I had a better attitude at work…WOW could this really be for real this time? Could this really change everything for me? The answer was YES!!!! I was amazed that making a few small changes could have such a huge impact on my life. I wasn’t eating salad every meal, I wasn’t depriving myself of food, I wasn’t living on a diet, I had made a complete lifestyle change in just 10 days and amazingly I lost 8 lbs without exercising the first time besides the usual walking at work! I wanted more, I had to have more…before that 10 day challenge was even over I was asking my coach where do I go from here? Is there a longer group? I have to be a part of this, I NEED it! I have focused on nutrition now I need help getting the second and, for me, more intimidating part figured out: EXERCISE. I dreaded it and yet wanted it so much at the same time. My coach recommended that I join a 90 day challenge with a fitness program called Chalean Extreme and Shakeology. So, once again I took her advice. This is where the story gets even better. We will fast forward 90 days, I am 57 lbs. lighter and I have achieved it all through what I thought at one point was an impossible task. But you know what, this isn’t about a number on a scale for me, NO, it’s about the feeling that I have on the inside. The feeling of actually being able to look in the mirror without feeling sick, the feeling of being proud of myself, it’s about for the first time since age 8 being comfortable in my own skin. Now all of that being said I have put in a lot of hard work, but that hard work has made it so much more rewarding. I can be proud that I did this, I don’t have to attribute my progress to some magic pill I took or eating grapefruit every meal or starving myself thin.
The reason why I am sharing my story is to let others know that there is a way, no matter what your goals are, from just toning up to losing 150 lbs. There is a way! The concept is the same no matter your goal. I want to be able to share the same amazing offer that I was given with every single person who has struggled or is struggling. This isn’t just about people who are overweight, it’s about people who are unhealthy. We have a false sense of security as Americans. We tend to focus on a number on a scale to determine how healthy we are/aren’t, this can be disastrous. Did you know that being "skinny" does NOT necessarily mean you have low body fat? Those who are thin can have a high body fat content and low muscle content! Therefore, thin doesn't necessarily=healthy. Our society as a whole is plagued with all sorts of digestive and other health issues and that is a direct product of the processed foods we eat. I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease a little over 3 years ago and told that I would have to take medication every day, 3 times a day (at the very least) and the treatment could for a second time in my life involve high doses of steroids, for the rest of my life. But, since my journey began I have been able to completely get off of all medication with no side effects or symptoms! That is what healthy living can do for you!
I have become extremely passionate about sharing my story and a real solution with others. I am very invested in helping others realize they CAN become healthier and live a better life not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. But this isn’t the end of the story. I have begun a new chapter in my life, by becoming a coach. I didn’t do it because I wanted money or power or fame, I did it because I want to touch people’s lives. I want those I care about most to feel what I feel. That being said if any of you or anyone you know is struggling, (REMOVED EMAIL.......CHECK OUT FORUM RULES PLEASE) Don’t do it for me do it for yourself, do it for those you love!
During that 10 days I was encouraged daily by my coaches and other challengers, I enjoyed being in the group, I loved the accountability, I was enjoying finding a new healthier way to eat, I experienced increased energy levels, I was doing more with my kids, I had a better attitude at work…WOW could this really be for real this time? Could this really change everything for me? The answer was YES!!!! I was amazed that making a few small changes could have such a huge impact on my life. I wasn’t eating salad every meal, I wasn’t depriving myself of food, I wasn’t living on a diet, I had made a complete lifestyle change in just 10 days and amazingly I lost 8 lbs without exercising the first time besides the usual walking at work! I wanted more, I had to have more…before that 10 day challenge was even over I was asking my coach where do I go from here? Is there a longer group? I have to be a part of this, I NEED it! I have focused on nutrition now I need help getting the second and, for me, more intimidating part figured out: EXERCISE. I dreaded it and yet wanted it so much at the same time. My coach recommended that I join a 90 day challenge with a fitness program called Chalean Extreme and Shakeology. So, once again I took her advice. This is where the story gets even better. We will fast forward 90 days, I am 57 lbs. lighter and I have achieved it all through what I thought at one point was an impossible task. But you know what, this isn’t about a number on a scale for me, NO, it’s about the feeling that I have on the inside. The feeling of actually being able to look in the mirror without feeling sick, the feeling of being proud of myself, it’s about for the first time since age 8 being comfortable in my own skin. Now all of that being said I have put in a lot of hard work, but that hard work has made it so much more rewarding. I can be proud that I did this, I don’t have to attribute my progress to some magic pill I took or eating grapefruit every meal or starving myself thin.
The reason why I am sharing my story is to let others know that there is a way, no matter what your goals are, from just toning up to losing 150 lbs. There is a way! The concept is the same no matter your goal. I want to be able to share the same amazing offer that I was given with every single person who has struggled or is struggling. This isn’t just about people who are overweight, it’s about people who are unhealthy. We have a false sense of security as Americans. We tend to focus on a number on a scale to determine how healthy we are/aren’t, this can be disastrous. Did you know that being "skinny" does NOT necessarily mean you have low body fat? Those who are thin can have a high body fat content and low muscle content! Therefore, thin doesn't necessarily=healthy. Our society as a whole is plagued with all sorts of digestive and other health issues and that is a direct product of the processed foods we eat. I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease a little over 3 years ago and told that I would have to take medication every day, 3 times a day (at the very least) and the treatment could for a second time in my life involve high doses of steroids, for the rest of my life. But, since my journey began I have been able to completely get off of all medication with no side effects or symptoms! That is what healthy living can do for you!
I have become extremely passionate about sharing my story and a real solution with others. I am very invested in helping others realize they CAN become healthier and live a better life not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. But this isn’t the end of the story. I have begun a new chapter in my life, by becoming a coach. I didn’t do it because I wanted money or power or fame, I did it because I want to touch people’s lives. I want those I care about most to feel what I feel. That being said if any of you or anyone you know is struggling, (REMOVED EMAIL.......CHECK OUT FORUM RULES PLEASE) Don’t do it for me do it for yourself, do it for those you love!
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