I started a journey two and a half years ago. One that consisted of healing my mind, body and soul. Life has a way of throwing you on a path, one you may not choose, but what you do with it is your choice.

My life took a turn when my husband was diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 34 with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  I struggled to offer support to him and my children, then 10 and 12 years old.  I was put in a position where all of a sudden I was the main bread winner, having to switch from part-time to full-time work all the while trying to deal with the turn my life had taken.  I have to say we are lucky as my husband had a stem-cell transplant in 2004 and has been blessed with results that are positive.

This turn changed life as we knew it.  Life became a blur with a struggle to make it from one day to the next.  I fell into a trap of doing everything I could for my husband and children, forgetting to take care of myself.  The result in the end was waking up one day to the reality that I had blossomed into a person who weighed 263 lbs.  I felt worn-out, exhausted and drained.  I knew I was not eating healthy.  I have always struggled with my weight, even as a teenager, but not to this extent.  I developed high-blood pressure and my mom was diagnosed at the same time with diabetes.  At this point I realized I was at a fork in my road and had to choose a path.

I joined a weight loss program in January 2008 and in nine months as able to shed 90 lbs.  Also in July 2008 I joined a ‘learn to run’ program.  The diet work but I noticed something as soon as I started running.  When I would go for a run the world would melt away.  I could get rid of all the stress and discovered how amazing exercise can make you feel.  It also was key in controlling my weight.  I joined a clinic to run a 5K, but missed the race due to a minor injury.  Disappointed I joined a second clinic, this time for a 10K, and again missed the race due to another injury.  My doctor had warned me that running was great but I need to do weight training.  The second injury took longer to overcome and I noticed without the running the weight was coming back on. 

My sister called me in January and asked me to join a boot camp.  At first I came up with the excuses many use, not sure about the money, I was busy driving my kids everywhere, ECT.  In the back of my mind my doctor’s words echoed and I joined the boot camp in hopes of building muscle to support and improve my running.  I thank my sister dearly for the call.

I started the boot camp thinking I was fit since I had been running 5-10K for a year and a half.  What I discovered was an eye-opener.  My first class I realized my low-cal diet had taken a lot of my muscle mass.  It was no wonder I was struggling with running, I had no strength to support the exercise I was trying to do.  I was inspired by the instructors and intrigued by their passion and dedication.  I quickly became hooked.  I started to feel amazing.  I began to love the challenge of pushing myself.  This escalated as I began to see results.  What happened next is the best.  I began to feel in control of my life.  I started taking care of me. 

The Get RIPPED! Bootcamp has given me a new passion, I love lifting the weights.  I enjoy the variety of the classes as well as the instructors.  For the first time in my life I feel confident that I will be able to control my weight and will continue train.  I want defined biceps, shoulder and abs (of course). 

I have reached many goals through the bootcamp some small and some big.  I am able to take some time for myself, I can stand on one foot to stretch my quad without falling over, five pound weights are no longer my heavy weights, I can push myself when I want to quit,  I am into all the clothes I could wear after I lost my weight.  Big ones, I have taken control of my life and destiny.  I am molding myself into the person I want to be.  I feel healthy and confident that I have learned how to control my weight.  I have found a new lifestyle I value and enjoy.  I have met many wonderful people participating in the camps.  I thank Jari, Darren, Ali, Leslie and all the other instructors for your support and pushing when we think we want to stop.  I also am thankful for Epson salts and hot baths.  I feel I have found peace for my mind and body.  I will continue to define my body as well as who I am.