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I have been overweight since I was a child. Unhealthy eating habits, low
activity, and extreme family stressors were all contributors to me being in
the obese range. I was an emotional eater and I ate too much food that was
bad for me. I was unhappy with my physical condition and tried so many fad
diets only to lose weight and eventually gain it back, plus interest.

Into adulthood I took nutrition classes and did a lot of reading on improving
my health and fitness. My family has a history of high blood pressure,
diabetes, cancer and heart disease. This puts me at an even greater risk for
suffering from these conditions. Not only was I worried about my health, I
was extremely unhappy and dissatisfied with myself. I knew I had to do
something that wasn't just a fad. I had to make a lifestyle change.

Four years ago, I tired a Turbo Jam class at the gym. I was lost and felt like
an idiot compared to the regulars. However, the music was great, the
workout was fun and the instructor, Mike was AWESOME and motivating.
Usually male instructors intimidated me, but Mike was welcoming,
encouraging, and fun. I stuck with it and made it my goal to be a "regular"
and to get through the whole class without being so winded. I have been
hooked ever since. I lost my "freshman 20 (not 10)" that I gained in college,
plus the extra weight I gained my first stressful year of my job. I eventually
added weight training to my workouts as well. For once in my life, I was
content with myself and my level of fitness. It was addicting, and I constantly
challenged myself to reach new levels in fitness. Most importantly, exercising
helped improve my mental health and maintain my stress levels. I was a new
person.
When I became pregnant with my son, I continued to do Turbo Jam and go
to cycling classes. However, as my energy levels decreased later into my
pregnancy, so did my level of physical activity and my eating habits. I gained
60 lbs by the end of my pregnancy! I was horrified. Once I was able to return
to working out, my husband hired a personal trainer to help motivate and
give me a kick start. In a short time, my trainer, Jonna, pushed me to new
levels. She showed me I could do things that I didn't think I were possible.
From there, I continued with Turbo Jam, Strength training classes and
outdoor workouts when possible. 14 months later I have lost 57 pound and
I'm still going. I've just started the P90X program and I love the challenge.
Some days I have a love/hate relationship with the program, but my mom
and my sister are a good support system. We have similar fitness goals and
we help encourage each other on those days when working out is the last
thing we feel like doing. I've also added Hip Hop Abs to my workouts because
I love to dance and some days I need a change. Stay tuned as I embark on my
new P90X journey.