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I have been battling food for years! My mother died of cancer when I was 8. My idyllic home life turned into chaos and I turned to food. At 14, I wasn't huge- about size 14- my dad sent me to a diet camp in NY state with the best of intentions. My first exercise experience back in the day then was with Jane Fonda- Things have come a long way. As years went on- I was a weight yoyo- UNTIL 2006! Two weeks after my Penn graduation I ended up in the hospital w/ diabetes. This was May 30, 2006. It may sound overly dramatic but I could have died because I was in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis- or I could have gone into kidney failure or a diabetic coma. On that day I decided to LIVE. I watched tv in the hospital and saw the Turbo Jam infomercial- Chalene and her crew dancing and pumping and kicking and something drew me to Turbo Jam- the music, the fun, Chalene's positive energy..I knew it was something I had to have!
When I was in the hospital in May- I left with a script for insulin and a piece of paper that said turbo jam. I had to be on 95 units of insulin a day. They told me that chances are I would never get off of insulin. In August of 2006, I was down over 35 pounds and I got off insulin and went on an oral medication. In October of 2006, I stopped taking the medication and as of December of 2006, all of my labs are normal - I do not need any medication- my cholesterol went from 250 to 169. My fasting sugar went from an average of 250 to 85.
Turbo jam helped save my life!!!!
I never use the word diet. Nor do I use the word CHEAT. I don't say I was "bad" if I eat too much. I realize that most of this is mental..and that I will not use self deprecating words during this journey. I will be my best friend- finally!
I am feeling so much stronger physically and emotionally. TJ is the best workout that I have ever done- I went from a size 24 and am getting into some size 12's now!
On February 3, 2007, I got certified in TURBO KICK! I am finding that staying consistent and positive is the key to success. I am now down 116 pounds- and feel so strong and healthy! While I mostly do Turbo Jam, there are days I go to the gym to use the machines. Turbo Jam has helped saved me, has made me realize that exercise can be a party and has introduced me to the most wonderful people and most wonderful workout! I am so excited to be a coach and to show others that being healthy is a great, positive thing- and doesn't have to be about deprivation, pain and torture!
I was so fortunate to meet Chalene Johnson, creator of Turbo Jam and Turbo Kick last August- She has been a huge source of inspiration for me.
On April 20, 2007, Chalene Johnson invited me to the IDEA Fitness Fusion Conference in Chicago. She gave me a HUGE honor of bringing me on stage as a success story- to inspire others. I hadn't seen Chalene since last August, nor had she seen pictures of me. She had me walk on stage and surprise her. I was told by the IDEA editor that she is going to do their big 25th anniversary newsletter in July and feature my story wtih Chalene. I am so humbled and honored. I challenged all the fitness professionals to help me pay it forward by reaching out to at least one person in the following week who may not like exercise to support them in realizing it can be the journey of their lives!
My wish is to continue to pay it forward, to continue to do Turbo Jam, to start with Hip Hop Abs and P90, P90X- Even when I am at my goal weight- I will keep pushing myself to higher and higher goals of fitness and health!

I recently started P90X and am doing both P90X and Turbo Jam.