October 2001
I was a stay at home mom of 3 gorgeous children, the oldest being only 3. I had reached my heaviest weight (not including pregnancy) and was about 25 pounds (of pure fat) overweight! I had been an active athlete in high school, and I was determined to get back into shape! I bought a gym membership and anxiously awaited its construction and opening!
January 2002
My gym opened and I was religiously dedicated. Juggling the kids was quite a task, but through the gym day care, great friends, and late night work outs, I became a regular.
I also discovered “Body for Life” by Bill Philips. I followed the 12 week program, and really transformed my body. I still had a little weight to lose, but I felt fit! Body for Life (BFL) became my staple for the next 6 years!!! It helped me lose the weight from my 4th child, and I learned to love going to the gym….pause….
For all of you rolling your eyes right now, let me just say that I NEVER in a million years thought I could in any way, shape, or form become that girl who annoyingly tilts her head to the side, and with a coy little smile, and a twinkle in her eye says… “um..like, I love to exercise!” GAG ME!!! But I have progressed to a place where I thrive off how I FEEL because I have exercised that day. I go to the gym 6 days a week, and RARELY, ever miss. But let me also say that if I can do it ANYONE can do it…seriously. With BFL you do 20 minutes of cardio (on a cardio day). When I first started my goal was to run for the last minute (and walk the first 19)! I remember when even that was difficult. And then I remember when I could run the last 2 minutes, and then 3, and soon I was running the entire time. I just finished my first half marathon in 1 hour and 47 minutes! Like I said, if I can do, anyone can do it. The key is commitment, that’s all.
May 2008
A close friend was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly thereafter, another neighbor was diagnosed with cancer…and then another. A dear friend moved in whose son was in remission. A family friend soon passed away from cancer. For the first time in my life I was becoming acquainted with this strange disease that I knew very little about. A quiet, yet deep curiosity began to stir.
I was flipping through a magazine one afternoon, and was stopped by an article linking cancer to nutrition. Could this be true? Is it possible that the things I had been eating could in some way come back to haunt me through disease? If so, then wouldn’t it also be true that by choosing proper foods that I could somehow avoid disease? These were things I wanted the answers to.
At about this same time, I decided to hire a personal trainer. I was fit, but still had about 8 pounds that I really wanted to lose. I had been trying for years, but to no avail. Part of my training was to keep a detailed food journal. I was instructed to continue eating the way I had been eating, but to also cut out all the sugar. Twelve weeks later I hadn’t lost a pound. I was told to work out twice a day.
I hired another trainer, who gave me an almost identical meal plan. This was again consistent with Body for Life which essentially is 5 to 6 small meals a day, each involving a protein. I was working out hard, and eating what I considered a very healthy diet. Still no weight loss.
Present
Through a fantastic cleanse, in 7 weeks I had lost the weight I had been trying to lose for 7 years. Remarkable. For the last year, I have researched as much information as I could (while still being a very busy Mom). I have read more books than I can possibly remember. With skeptic eyes, but a hopeful heart I armed myself with as much information about my body as I could.
And I am not done…not even close. But through this website I will share with you all of excitement!
Source: WFM Blog 1