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So, I decided I wanted to be a Beachbody coach. Kind of an interesting thought, considering my body isn’t quite so – well – beach-y right now. So, what is it about my experience that makes me think I’m qualified for this role?

Well, I have managed my weight since my age was in the single digits. It’s true! I was involved in dance and theatre, so there was a lot of attention on the superficial

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So, I decided I wanted to be a Beachbody coach. Kind of an interesting thought, considering my body isn’t quite so – well – beach-y right now. So, what is it about my experience that makes me think I’m qualified for this role?

Well, I have managed my weight since my age was in the single digits. It’s true! I was involved in dance and theatre, so there was a lot of attention on the superficial things – height, weight, eye and hair color, and so on. I wasn’t obese – and in fact I had a pretty rockin’ bod as a teen – but not SHOWBIZ rockin’. I was curvy, and far from the size zero that most
leading ladies are. So, directors were always telling me to diet.

In my early twenties, when I left acting behind, it also meant leaving behind the hours and hours I spent in dance classes, movement classes, yoga classes, and rehearsals. I had all this time on my hands, and no way to burn a gazillion calories a day, so slowly but surely the pounds started to pile on.

Then I fell in love (another 10), had Thing One (another 10), and Thing Two(another 10), and now I look at pictures of myself and have no idea who that woman is that is looking back at me.

Over the years I have been on every kind of diet plan, from the fads – like Atkins – to the old standbys – like Weight Watchers – to the prepared meals – like Jenny Craig – to the medically supervised with prescription diet pills. I was surrounded by girls with serious eating issues and even a few disorders, and briefly tried to emulate some of them (unsuccesfully, thank God!). I own just about every exercise video you will find on this website and most other late night infomercials.

Aside from the times I’ve lost 5 pounds here or 10 pounds there, I have had a major weight loss success two times in my life. I know how to TAKE weight off; my challenge has always been KEEPING it off. I have always allowed my weaknesses to prevail, and I put the weight back on.

Until now.

The upside of all of that trial and error is that the experience has given me a LOT of knowledge about losing weight, and a lot of information about how to live a healthier lifestyle.

Over the last year, I had two major wake-up calls that influenced my decision to make time to get healthy again. First, I almost lost my dad. The details are too numerous, but in short, over and over again people mentioned that he survived this health crisis because he exercised every day; THAT is what gave him the endurance to fight for his life. Then, a couple of months later, my husband’s best friend passed away from heart disease. He was 31 years old.

I knew in my heart that it was time to make time.

So, I made a Lenten promise this year to commit to exercise each and every day. I wasn’t focused on pounds or calories or inches or anything; my only goal was to rearrange my life so that I could make a habit of exercise. And on Easter Sunday I got to celebrate with my family and with my God that I made it! I worked out with Slim in 6, and walked 1-3 miles a day, usually pushing a stroller. And I did it each day of Lent.

Of course asking for God’s help has made a huge difference in embarking on a healthier lifestyle, but running a close second is the support I received on Beachbody message boards. I found a thread with a group I really connected with, and they have been an amazing source of inspiration, support, and laughter. They have really made a difference in my ability to commit to my fitness goals, and without them I wouldn’t be this motivated, or this excited to share my excitement with all of you.

Now that I have made exercise a habit, my next goal is to get my kitchen in order, pull out my food scale and measuring cups, and start counting those calories. I am working on making some simple changes - like laying off the processed 'diet' foods and not eating 3 hours before bedtime - and hopefully losing a few pounds along the way. And, of course, keeping up with the exercise! Thank God for Beachbody. With so many programs, support groups, supplements, and resources, I know I’ll never run out of ways to get (and stay) in shape!

I also blog about what I call One Girl's Journey from Fatass to Fabulous at didijusteatthatoutloud.blogspot.com. Come check out my take on all things getting in to shape - the good, the bad, and the gassy.

And, if you want to join me on the journey, I’d love to help. Together, we can become healthier and more energetic, and this summer we can ALL sport amazing beach bodies!

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